I didn't read the whole article, but enough to understand your concern. I have one daughter who takes karate and is in her 6th year. I took aikido for four years. I loved martial arts and am excited that my daughter enjoys it as well. Some MA (martial arts) instructors will emphasize spirituality and some do not. Every place that I have visited was careful to explain the significance of bowing - that it was a form of respect, not worship. They also stated that it was not a requirement. There is spirituality in MA. I found it peaceful and relaxing. I didn't find anything that conflicted with Christianity. There was emphasis on humility, patience, compassion, willingness to both learn and teach, respect towards others and so on. It appears to be a frequent discussion. If you have concerns, I feel confident that the Sensei of the class would be willing to discuss them with you. If he's not willing to discuss them or acts belittling in any way, then I would pull your kids out.

The county extension office is who I had contacted. They said that most of the activities took place at the school and meetings were scheduled after school. They said that that it wouldn't be appropriate and I should join the other group that was comprised of home school girls. There was a rifle group in 4H that they said was open, but my kids weren't interested.

Yes, it was Albon. I'll give the vet a call on Monday and ask about something different. Yes, the cleaning is exhausting. I'm fairly certain that the other cats have had it since I'm not sure how they could NOT have been exposed, but I'm still cleaning relentlessly and spraying with bleach water.

Can I order those as a homeschooler? We aren't allowed to join our local 4H group because we home school. There is a group for home school kids but it is an hour away and is mostly home ec type things (which isn't a bad thing, but rocketry will not be on their list of things to do or be interested in doing).

My daughter just returned home from camp. She had taken a rocketry class (short - one week but with a great teacher) and now wants to learn more. I think that's great and it's exactly why she goes to camps. However, I know nothing about rocketry. The only rocketry groups I can find are all associated with public schools. We live in a small town and there are no public groups about rocketry (and probably nobody here who is interested). How can I find out more and help her learn? She wants to build rockets (and they sell kits on amazon) and we have an open area to launch. Any suggestions on how to develop a small curriculum for her to do this in our upcoming school year?

Yes, they originally had some fleas, but that is why we were bathing them. (We've used the right soap and so on. Our housekeeper comes once a week and she does rescue for dogs and sometimes cats. I've had her bathe strays for me before.) I feel positive that there is not a single flea on any of the kittens. They are still too young for regular flea meds I think. I believe they are about 5, maybe 6 weeks old.

Thanks. I'll pick up some aquaphor at the store when I go today. She does have gloves and has been using them. She still feels compelled to wash. Yes, I'm sure it's antibacterial - she's using the dish soap in the kitchen and I usually get extra-strength. I've told her to start using dove soap to wash her hands for the time being.

Some of you may remember that we rescued some kittens that were falling out of a chimney on our property. The kittens were doing well. There were five of them and we bottle fed for quite a while (they had trouble eating canned food). The mother cat eventually brought the sixth kitten down from the chimney and set him on the front porch and left him. We brought him back and (probably a mistake) set him in with the other kittens. At that point, all kittens were doing well and the sixth one was quite bigger than the others. Sunday, I had to drive my daughter to camp four hours away. I stayed overnight and came back the next morning. My youngest daughter and DH were looking after the kittens and our housekeeper comes on Mondays and had promised to check in on them and also bathe them again in case #6 had brought in fleas. She called me after she left our house and told me that she thought they all had a bad case of worms and they were very sick. When I came in, I was absolutely shocked by their appearance. Three of them had patchy fur, looked like a sack of bones with distended abdomens. Their back legs were wobbling and they had trouble moving around. #6 has stayed healthy, but even the other two looked sick. They had diarrhea. The littlest one was the sickest. I carried him around with me and bottle fed 1/2 a tbsp every hour or two for the rest of the day. He was drinking but looked even worse the next morning and his hip bones were protruding. I took them all in to the vet. She checked for worms but didn't see anything alarming. She gave fluids to the youngest and treated the rest with antibiotics and anti-diarrhea meds. She suggested moving them off of all kitten milk products (kitten milk replacer products) and feeding them pedialyte and watered mashed potatoes. She sent us home with antibiotics and anti-diarrhea meds. The kittens did well all day Wednesday, but the littlest one was dead Thursday morning. My housekeeper came back in and helped bathe them all again and get the room clean (bleached out and everything thrown out and replaced). (I'm allergic to cats but I also didn't want my daughter looking after them at all at this point. She's an animal lover with high anxiety issues). They had crusty eyes for one day, but that cleared up. This morning, the three healthy ones still look healthy, but the other two still look sickly with patchy fur. They wobble a bit when they walk and their tails are curling under like a chameleon. Their abdomens are still distended (more than I think they should be). Per the vets instructions, I have moved them all to canned cat food which they eat great. They are all trying to eat dry food as well (I keep a bowl in there for #6). They are all drinking. They all come out to greet me when I walk in their room (although #6 is a bit standoffish). They are still taking antibiotics (the vet suspected coccidia, but isn't sure) but off of the diarrhea medication. They will do another worming treatment next week. Any suggestions? I think the weaker two are just going to get weaker and die in spite of meds, vet and food/water. I'm baffled. (In other news, we caught three feral cats yesterday and had them all spayed, ear tipped and released back onto our property. We know of at least two more that we are trying to trap so I'm hopeful this is the last of feral kittens - we will only have to worry about those thrown out by idiots).

My youngest has anxiety issues. We currently have sick kittens (about to make another thread for that) and she's worried that she will catch something or give it to our other cats. (She's not looking after the kittens - she's just worried). She has washed her hands repeatedly and now has a red rash on the backs of them. What is the best thing to put on them to help? (We have a psychiatrist and this will be addressed at our next visit, but for now, I just want to help soothe the rough skin). Thanks :)

Incredible! What an inspirational article.

We had the same ticket as you. It wasn't a problem. She went through just fine. I have heard stories (such as the above) where it was a problem. I'd take it just in case.

Is there any way you could take the NT niece out to lunch and let her help you shop for a gift for your other niece? Can you call your sister and ask her what she thinks? I receive phone calls from family members who are not sure how to handle awkward situations in our family with our girls (similar situation but younger). I'm sure you wouldn't be the only one calling. If nothing else, you could suggest to your sister that she sit down with her NT daughter and encourage her to help celebrate her sister's achievement and reminding her that her 'big day' will come next year. (I'm hopeful that your sister has already spoken to her daughter about it).

For whatever reason, I'm prone to cat-scratch fever. We still have cats, but I don't do a lot with them (the girls look after them). I've had it twice, severely, and my lymph nodes under my arms were swollen, one more than the other. The first time I developed it, I was extremely ill. I lost about thirty pounds and they finally had to remove the lymph nodes in my right armpit and clean it out (some had ruptured). Do you have cats?

I agree that his parents are to be blamed as well as they covered it up and (probably) didn't provide appropriate counseling. I also agree that growing up in a stifling environment would probably heighten curiosity. I would think that would involve peeping tom behaviors or trying to access an adult magazine or movie. What Josh did was REPEATEDLY fondle breasts and genitals. That's not a curious behavior, that's a predatory behavior.

I don't think he has repented and I think his behavior is worse than what was shared. I remember reading a book about pedophiles many years ago (I think it was even titled "Conversations with Pedophiles"). One things that was mentioned repeatedly was that offenders would try to make their victims think that it was normal behavior OR that their parents knew what was going on and were either okay with it or didn't care. The example given in the book was about a man who was the "fun neighbor" and would play with little kids in the pool. He would lift them in the air and throw them which would make them squeal with excitement. To throw a child, he would have to put his hand between their legs and throw. Sometimes his fingers would 'accidentally' slip inside the swimsuit and touch genitalia. Then it was quickly followed by throwing them through the air and into the water. If a parent saw it, THEY were the ones with perverted thoughts and were embarrassed to question it. If the kids noticed it, they also realized that it was done in front of everyone (including parents) so it must be okay. Josh sitting a little girl on his lap, partially undressed, while he read a book to her, in front of the family, fits that pattern. I do think that Jim Bob is a controlling person. His embarrassing Michelle on television through dry humping is a power play. It's designed to disturb both wife and daughter. But, they can't correct him. I think this is a power based behavior. It wouldn't surprise me if he did similar things at home to make the females a bit uncomfortable. And I think Josh followed in his footsteps and took it a bit further. Is Josh truly repentant? I suppose that nobody really knows. Do I think CPS should become involved since he has little girls in his home? Yes. I think professional counseling on appropriate boundaries and family roles is necessary. I think he needs an ongoing counselor or professional mentor (outside of church) that he can talk to in case he ever feels the urge to repeat this behavior. He may be a wonderful person who will never do this again, but a responsible person would take that extra step to make sure he wouldn't do it out of love for his family. (Note, I'm not a counselor, but I'm curious from those in the thread who are, if I'm anywhere correct on the above).

I'm not sure what was more disturbing...the fact that Nicole thought that the tour was a good thing to do or the rusted cans, filthy mattress, littered ground and junk floating in their 'pond'. The cat is probably the healthiest animal on the place.

Thanks. I had administered the CogAT and ITBS last month. The school had tested a couple of years ago. I was at the end of my rope dealing with math and I thought about putting her in homebound services to help in that area. They agreed to homebound but said that she didn't qualify as needing any help in math. (At the time, she couldn't move past simple addition and subtraction). I decided to just continue to homeschool and went to private testing (which indicated ADHD). We went from there to Lindamood Bell. Between that and surgeries, it was a hectic year. I decided to test to get a baseline going into next year. It was her first long standardized test so we weren't sure what to expect. Frankly, I'm just glad the anxiety is better, the math is on the right path and her surgeries are finished. Her ITBS had both high and low scores (range of 60 - 99). Her CogAT was high. I believe the psych will do a good job. I've used her with my oldest daughter. She tends to specialize in children with autism/adhd. I do not know what her experience is with 2e kids, but I do believe that if she doubts her ability to do it, she will refer me to someone else.

double post

I haven't tried to look at her learning style as I'd been so worried about everything else. She presented as average and before she left the school system, she tested as average (low average at that). I did recently stop and ask her what she would like to change about our homeschool. She told me that I was too easy and that I didn't spend enough time with her and her academics. (Yes, that's true I'm ashamed to admit, but I'm changing that). I'm hoping that the educational psychologist would have some suggestions for me. Her academics are actually quite good at this point and the ones that aren't, I know how to fix it and what caused it.

My youngest daughter is 10 years old and finishing 4th grade. She has had significant issues in the past including extreme anxiety (which led to a complete regression of all academic skills in 2nd grade), foot surgery (twice) with long recovery, and struggles in learning. We pulled her out of school in 1st grade to homeschool. We didn't test much as her therapy and anxiety took priority. This year we started testing due to troubles in math. She was diagnosed with ADHD and it was suggested that she go to Lindamood Bell for tutoring in the area of math. Between the two of those, she literally exploded academically. I've always considered her to be a struggling learner (other than reading) but our psychiatrist looked at her test scores and told me that I should challenge her further as she isn't performing as well as she should be even though her scores looked good to me. I have a good friend who has been with me through all of DD's trials. I can discuss anything with her other than the fact that DD might be gifted. When I asked her to help me interpret the test scores from Lindamood Bell, she said that they had a financial interest to skew the results. When I administered the ITBS and again asked for help interpreting the scores, she told me that the Iowa Test was just for "basic skills" (due to the name) and a higher score only meant that she was doing well in basic skills of that area, not a high scorer. I'm struggling over whether to push her a bit more or be grateful that she's doing as well as she is. For the most part, I've let her lead the way. Her anxiety is much better and her therapy has ended. She takes medication for anxiety and ADHD (more ADD than ADHD) and it's very helpful. I've requested a full academic evaluation from a psychologist who tests my oldest daughter (she has autism) but now I'm second-guessing myself. Can anyone clarify about ITBS (with CogAT) and whether a high score in any of those areas would indicate an accelerated learner? (And if anyone has any experience in interpreting test scores, I'd love to pm you - I'd rather not post scores publicly).

She may have been enjoying the moment with her children. I had assumed that she was. My point was that I wouldn't have wasted a single moment to share that with a following of people. Watching a sunset is a normal activity that millions of people do every day. Watching a sunset with recently returned children is not something that is done by millions every day. It gives the impression that her priorities are not solid. My point was that if it makes other people roll their eyes, it will probably make the eyes roll of someone that truly matters in this case. If she wants her kids back, why push limits? If I were a supporter of hers, I would inwardly cringe at that post and think to myself, "Nicole! Stop! Focus on the kids or they'll use it against you!"

If my kids were ever taken from me, I don't know that I would have the presence of mind to even know what facebook was, and I absolutely would not have even the slightest interest in posting. (Granted, they are a bit more outgoing than I am.) If they have been told not to take pictures of the kids, they shouldn't even have their phones/cameras out. By doing that, it almost looks as if they are taunting the person who is supervising the visit. I'm probably not explaining it correctly. It would be similar to telling a child that he couldn't play with a toy, so he picks it up and holds it or carries it around saying, "You didn't say I couldn't hold it, just that I couldn't play with it." I think they're being childish and pushing limits. They aren't breaking rules, but what they are doing is eye-roll worthy. She hasn't seen her kids (ten of them) all week. I would think she would be busy catching up with them and being with them rather than taking sunset pictures.

Wicked (I thought I would like it because I adore the musical, but the book was different)

That's part of what bothers me. We are debt free on land that we own. We have chickens, gardens and goats. We no longer wanted to live in the city and we're happy. However, I am well aware that our middle daughter would be pleased if she never saw another goat again. She has another life in mind and that is fine. These kids need the freedom to grow up and leave. They need not only the SSN and birth certificate, they need the skills necessary to live outside the homestead. This would include a good education and living skills. I had read one of the comments of an individual who invited this family over to eat. He said that some of the kids used their front yard to go to the bathroom. Another child used the bathroom floor and left toilet paper all over the floor. I support rustic, but they need basic social skills.

I've been following this story with interest and wanted to comment on the above. I think, if people thought it would truly go to the kids' welfare, there wouldn't be such outrage over the money raised. I think everyone can agree that children should be safe and happy, even if their parents are worthless. People have given them things in the past, and I'm sure the children were in their mind as well. The parents sold these things. I don't believe for a minute that this money will be used to better the children's situation. If it were, they would have started using it already. In fact, with all of the support they seem to be generating, I find it suspicious that nobody has offered to come build them something with free labor. My guess is that they have and the parents are turning it down "until the kids come back." My guess is that they will buy a few token items with the money (a computer for the children to share) and then the rest of it will go on some bizarre things, or they will take the money and run (with the kids).