One of my 5 yr old twins (Thing One, if you are curious...he has that name for a reason!) actually BIT through an electrical cord this week. He had the entire outside removed and was working into the wire itself when DH caught him and ripped it out of his mouth just in time! :eek: He'd begun to sever through the wire casing...teeth marks are there to prove it. In case you are wondering what brillant thought was crossing his mind at the time, I'd just say this: video games are an evil thing, and may soon be removed from my home in their entirety! :leaving: I'm so glad your son is okay. Geez, what is it about boys? I swear they are trying to put me into an early grave...and if they weren't so cute, they'd be right there with me! :banghead: Jennifer

Grace Classical Academy here! "Classical Academy" explains itself...Grace is for the grace under which I plan to teach my kids, as well as the grace we've been given through Christ. My kids were NOT treated with grace at their former school, so we thought this fit nicely for us! A way to sort of turn the page.

I'm so sorry...prayers coming from here, too.

Thanks, Pam...I'm definitely on board now! Just needed you guys to push me over the edge! ;) That book looks fantastic...I'll be getting it! Kathy...thanks for the sites! You are a wealth of information, and I'm very grateful!

Thanks, Kathy. That sounds like a great place to start! She's already had a basic eye exam, and they did say that she had some minor issues (as in nearsightedness) but believed they were the type that would resolve themselves within a year. She's due to go back for that checkup...I'll look into a developmental optometrist to look at her instead. She won't get upset about THAT kind of test! ;) Other than looking at my insurance list...got any suggestions on how I find one of those guys? I'm new to NC...don't know anyone to ask here yet. Thanks!

OK, I'm beginning to believe that DD8 may have mild dyslexia. We've been doing remedial phonetic work in reading and she's done really well (improved a lot!), but often slides back into flipping some letters and words, continues to be confused about vowels/digraphs she's already studied, and really struggles with spelling. Reading is not fun for her...she is proud when she can do it, but she tires easily when reading and slides backwards in ability quickly if we aren't reading all the time. She stresses constantly over just the thought of making mistakes, and I'm constantly reassuring her that she's not "stupid." Actually, she's quite bright...but something is going on with reading and a bit with short term memory with math. We're moving towards a very visually based, kinetic sort of curriculum set, which seems to help a lot. I am wondering whether or not to put her through all the testing for dyslexia...is it worth it, under the circumstances? I have a background that includes specialized training in child development/mental health issues and I have a basic knowledge of what she'll need academically (and have already put some of it into place), but I'm not an expert in LDs. Would testing get me on the right road in terms of a great educational plan? Also (and probably most importantly!), DD has some emotional issues that she's dealing with...she has MAJOR test/school anxiety (taking the CAT was a HUGE issue!) and is in a sensitive emotional state due to abandonment issues. When tested in the past by someone other than Mom, she's completely frozen up and answered very little. We've had her in counseling for a year and have made great strides, but she's still finding her way in terms of handling her emotions visa vis school. (Home school is helping a lot...and it helps to have a therapist for a mom! ;)) Her therapist feels she's doing well and is of normal intelligence, but she's also not an LD expert... Truly, it's hard to see the forest for the trees with my precious DD, and it's esp. hard when we have no family medical history on her! Anyway, I'd love any feedback on what you all would do under the circumstances. Thanks!

:iagree: Either this fellow is grooming your child for sexual abuse, or he is completely clueless as to what is appropriate behavior with a young child! Speak to the facility administrators immediately. It does seem to me that your child is at risk...and HE is the one that needs to go. Even if it turns out that he is not intentionally grooming your child, he is unaware of his inappropriateness...and that is not much worse! Kudos on your awareness of the situation...trust your gut and act now!

Well, that makes it easy! Thanks so much!

I'm considering switching from SWO to SS for my DD, whom I suspect is mildly dyslexic. I'm having trouble figuring out where to start her. I couldn't find anything on the site to give me an idea of where to start, and I'd love your thoughts! She's 8 and is about 1/2 way through SWO B right now. She can get 100% on any given test, but forgets the words quickly! She can remember some words, but many are just blowing right by her once the test is over! Thanks!

I have a little trick I use with both my 6 yr old DS and 8 yr old DD (SN). Whenever they are grumpy or having trouble staying on task, I have them finish a set number of problems (just a few), then tell them to go run around the house! Literally, I send their little feet flying in opposite directions around the house for 3-4 laps. They can choose to do it inside or outside, including stairs or not, to have a "race" with their sibling or just run. They love it, and it wears them out so that when they come back to the table, they are happy to sit quietly. I swear it helps them focus, too! I guess they can concentrate better after they blow off some steam. They enjoy physical activity, so on tough days I may also throw in a "verb review!" I'll do grammar by throwing out different verbs (sometimes with different tenses) and they have to act them out! Throw in a few adjectives and adverbs, and you have a pretty good game. They enjoy doing this for a reward after finishing some of their more tedious work. Oh, and I have DS (the bouncy one!) sit on a "wiggle seat" during his seat work (Google "balance trainer.") It really seems to help him focus as well, since he has to physically concentrate on staying on the little balloon. Hang in there...I know it's tough. Try looking at the end goal instead of the day to day battles. You are doing a wonderful thing for your son!

Prayers headed your way now! :grouphug:

Wow, what a great legacy! An amazing woman!

I just wanted to say thanks again for all the great suggestions and especially all the great support that you all have offered me today in regards to my testing problems with DD! (re: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27099 Home schooling my DD is one of the greater challenges in my life! To be able to come here and have such a supportive, knowledgeable and non-judgemental group of folks to ask questions of has been a real life saver. I have to say (and I've been meaning to say this for some time now!) that I would not have made it through this first year without you all! Your tips, encouragement and great spirit have really made it possible for us...and DD will be so much better because of it! There have been many times I've wanted to throw in the towel, but made it through because of you! Thanks to all! I appreciate you more than I can say! :grouphug:

Locked in my room with DD, who said she wanted to try the test again! She made it all the way to page 22 without a freakout...AND, she got most of them right! :hurray: We sprawled out on the bed with a bag of chocolates and jelly beans and just chilled...it was a beautiful thing! Was somebody out there praying for us? It worked! ;) I so appreciate all the great suggestions you all made while I was gone! I've bookmarked many of the specific tests. Who knows if we'll make it all the way to the end of the test, so it's great to have some options! I SO appreciate all the reassurance and the "permission" to make accomodations. That made a big difference this afternoon! I did read the questions to her until she relaxed, then she did the rest of the reading until she got tired out (then we quit!). It made a big difference. Anyway, I'll keep you posted on how the rest of it goes, and please do continue to post any suggestions you have...I'm using them all! My hope is that she just had to have a major freak-out and let out all the stress before she got down to business. :svengo:

I really don't know if it matter what grade level at which she takes the test. That hadn't occurred to me. The tests in NC do not need to be turned in but are supposed to be available upon request (the results, at least...I don't believe I am supposed to keep a copy of her actual answers. She might do better with a lower level test...but, that might bring up some other issues. She is a major perfectionist...AND has a little brother who is academically gifted. She will no doubt see that she's taking his test and feel "stupid" (as she says!) as a result. As far as learning issues, it is really hard to say. She is wickedly smart in some ways, slower in others. Her therapist believes she is of normal intelligence, maybe of higher intelligence, but is hampered by an challenging inner dialogue (she was abandoned) and a high level of performance anxiety. Truly, I was hoping that this test would go well and I'd have a better idea of where she was at under all that mess! :confused:

No...good idea, but that's not an option here. It's all on me...good in most respects, but I'm the one accountable here if she doesn't take the test.

It doesn't specify what test...just that it be a "nationally standardized achievement test." We chose the CAT because: a. I could do it at home (she generally does ok with me) and b. it seemed the least overwhelming for her. I'd be interested if anyone can suggest a test that would work better for her! The Woodcock Johnson was tried last year by a counselor, and she bombed it for similar reasons. Thanks,

I started administering the CAT to my 8 yr old DD today. It was a complete disaster. She has a rather extreme problem with anxiety...long backstory to that, but suffice to say I have her in counseling. Anyway, this is only her second time doing a standardized test, and all of my attempts to make things easier for her (prep booklets, keeping it low key, going somewhere quiet, taking it slow, emphasizing effort over results, etc.) appear to have failed. She made it to about the 3rd page before she had a meltdown of huge proportions. And I do mean huge...screaming, crying, hitting, actually whacked her own head on the back of the couch and giving herself a goose-egg. All that to say...the poor kid just cannot handle the pressure of this exam, despite all the accomodations I've tried to give her. I could probably have someone else give it to her, but more than likely she'll just freeze up and stop answering (as happened to her last year!). I'd like to just forget the whole thing, but 've checked my state paperwork and it says this: So...I need the advice of the hive mind! What do I do for the poor child? Keep trying? Turn the test in with only 3 pages done? Beg for an exception? She's really suffering here. Thanks,

I had a Bichon went I was a teenager. I kept his hair longer, but did have him groomed every couple of months. I bathed him maybe every 3 weeks and blew him dry with a regular blowdryer, brushing while drying. He looked great! I can definitely see the advantages to a puppy cut, however! ;)

I wonder if the kid was a home schooler, what with doing subtraction at 4 yrs old!

http://www.dailyhaha.com/_vids/math911.htm I can SO see my kids trying this! :lol:

My prayers are with your family and especially your dc. The same happened to us last November, the day before Thanksgiving. I know how tough it can be, but do take heart in knowing that time will help heal the hearts of your dc. We are still sad today and miss Pepper, but we are no longer heartbroken. Pleasant memories of our time with him are what we share most now. :grouphug:

Jessica, please don't hesitate to put a tether on the little dude! It will make a huge difference both in his safety and in your piece of mind. If you are not comfortable with the full-body tether style, try this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W43X7G/ref=pd_cp_ba_1?pf_rd_p=278285601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000BOPIZM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1M8ATVEH97T8D6H7423B It can be used both as a full body tether and as a wrist tether. We used the wrist style with my twins, and they weren't able to take it off until they were nearly 5. It works great...gives them lots of freedom but keeps them close, is easy on Mom when you are trying to hold the tether AND a stroller, bag, etc., and the kids didn't mind it at all. I know what you are going through. I did it x2! My boys (who are adopted) had prenatal drug exposure, and their impulse control as wee ones was completely non-existent. I mean, really not there at all! They would run in completely opposite directions at the same time whenever we were out of the house. I remember once when we were at a park with major streets on two sides...one ran for one street, one for the other! Save a friend's help, one would have been hit. Got the tether the next day! Without it, I guarantee you I'd have had at least one of them badly injured or killed before age 5. If you get dirty looks (most people responded well, but there were a few!), put them in the same category as those uninformed hs comments and just move on! Better safe (and sane!) than p.c., don't you think?! ;) Oh, and another suggestion...I got the Safe Side safety DVD and have watched it frequently with my twins. They still do dumb things in public, but they also constantly look back to see if I can see them, look for "kind of knows" or "don't knows" in their "safety circle," and run for me when they see one! It's starting to sink in. I've got a friend whose 2 yr old is even watching it and doing great with the Safe Side rules!

I'm right there with you, Crissy! :o

Bottom of the dishwasher, under the rack?