This looks like a good site.

She went from having no glasses to needing three new prescriptions in two years and now she has very strong glasses (-7.5). It did scare me too but apparently during pre-adolescence large fluctuations aren't uncommon (if all other issues are ruled out). Our ophthalmologist did a couple of extra routine tests to rule out any rare disorders. It is scary but this year (she'll be 12) it seems to have settled down (at least I hope). Her next appointment is in the summer.

Certainly my children are influenced by my values, however, I know I cannot force them to believe anything I believe. BTW, lest it seems like I'm hiding my own belief system, I am a christian (a free-thinking one though lol!!)

I don't see how globbing onto some guy's "experience" or "opinion" makes her a non-conformist. Someone e-mailed me that video last night. I just kept thinking that, rather than being a free thinker, she was just going with the next popular fad. It's one of the main reasons I homeschool my kids -- to encourage them to think and discern for themselves, rather than just adopt someone else's opinions. (Some days, however, I wished I'd have a few less 'free thinkers' in my home and a bit more 'conformist'. lol!!:001_smile: Just some thoughts.

I think I will investigate this. (Although I do have a thousand, already purchased, programs in my school room and probably could make up my own. Except it's too time consuming.)

I'm wondering if this could work for an older student, 10-11, who could use some reinforcement in the rules, etc.?

I took it a sign as well. lol!

They're in grade 6 now and I found this board the year we started, so 6-7 years.

Praying for a smooth transition. Having adopted two older children myself I know the first while can be tumultuous as everyone gets to know each other. All the best.

I understand sensitivity and try to accommodate but sometimes I need him to put up with it. THis morning was one such time. He was representing our homeschooling group as presenter at the theatre. (Our public school system brings in performing groups and invited homeschoolers to attend.) So he was introducing the performing group and I wanted him to dress appropriately. Every, stinking shirt I suggested has something wrong with it. (In the end I won, but not without some struggle. And I hate the struggle. I wish I could make him understand that sometimes you've got to suck it up. I told him he only had to wear it for the performance. BTW, my friend told me her husband, who is a grown man, has the same issues still. He wears his t-shirts inside out, underneath his dress shirts. I guess this might be a life long thing.

My 10 yr ds makes me crazy. He is so sensitive to clothing everything itches, or scratches or doesn't feel good. So all his shirts have no tags, etc. but lately he's been complaining about the seams being itchy. Okay, how can I fix that? No seams? BTW, sometimes I think it's a control issue but I just don't know for sure. I say this because the sensitivity issues usually accompany some other behaviour thing we're dealing with. Any one dealt with this?

This experience has shown me how many good people there are. You know yesterday was a beautiful sunny day in our neck of the woods. We live in a rainforest area, near tidal water, so rain is very usual. We still have snow on the ground. But so many people in our community, even people I barely know, spent time yesterday trying to help us search for Ruby. And she's a dog, not a child or person. People recognized the importance of this pet to our family and supported us. Thanks to all of you for your well wishes. The past two days have been an emotional rollercoaster for us.

I was just getting ready to go to bed, depressed and despondent. I decided to look one more time outside the back door. There she was!! I thought I was hallucinating. I screamed -- the kids bolted from their beds -- it was a true party atmosphere. I have no idea where she was. She was pretty clean but I threw her in the tub because her back paws were a bit sore, and a little bloody (not too bad). It looks like she's been walking and walking for the last day and a half. (If you knew the size of my town you would wonder how it could take her that long to make it home.) But, she's home. Thanks for all your support.

We've distributed and posted many (probably 50 - 60) posters/flyers with her picture. We've talked to everyone in our neighbourhood and surrounding and yes we'll put an ad in the paper. Unfortunately, being in a small town the paper is only distributed on Wednesdays and Saturdays and I think we may have missed WEdnesday's cut off.

Well it's been 24 hours and no sign of our lovely Ruby. We have searched and searched and searched. We have spoken to everyone in our path and posted photos and flyers. The kids are still out looking but it's almost dinner time. Now what? Do we just wait and see? I don't think there's any other place for us to look. Someone must have her and I guess we have to wait and see if they call the shelter. The shelter manager said because it was the weekend someone might be holding her until Monday when their office hours resume. My husband and I can't believe we're dealing with this. I never, ever, thought this would happen. Our dogs are indoor dogs and are only out with us. Our small town has really been supportive though. I guess we wait.

I've been in contact with the shelter several times last night and today and even saw her out looking in her van. I just talked with her and she said so far no reports of a wandering dog. My kids are out distributing flyers and my husband is out with our other Berner looking. I'll be out soon too. It is such a small town I can't for the life of me figure out where she is. Even if someone wanted to to steal her, they couldn't really get away with it. She's a purebred and there's only three berner's in this town and we own two of them. She is very distinctive looking. Couple that with the fact that we are out with them every day, usually more than once. People notice us because we have two of these striking dogs, in a small town. It is just a mystery. Even if she was injured or dead, I don't see how we can't know about it. We covered every inch of road in this town. It's very depressing.

I feel in shock. We have owned dogs for 15 years and nothing like this has ever happened. It feels crippling, like we can't do anything until we know what's happened to her. We've had a dog die on us from bloat (gastric torsion). That was horrible. But we knew. We had a dog bleed to death (liver failure). That was even more horrible. But we knew. This is unbelievable. I know she's a dog but our dogs are an integral part of our family. I'm printing some flyers right now and we'll hand them out this morning. I can't believe this has happened. Please pray for my kids too. They are devastated.

We'll start looking again at day break. Thanks.

We are very sad tonight. Our two year old Bernese Mountain dog was spooked this afternoon, while playing outside with our kids. Some guy drove by on his bicycle with his dog running loose beside him. Of course, my dog ran out to his dog, which caused the guy to fall off his bike. Apparently he cursed up a storm, very loudly, which scared my doggie. (Berners are highly sensitive.) She's been gone for four hours. We've driven around town, biked around town, walked around town to no avail. It's dark now. This is very traumatic for all of us. I hope we see her soon. I called the humane society who is watching out for her as well. I don't think there's anything else we can do. Very sad here tonight.

Who is the author of this book? I would like to read it. My kids are currently in Grade 5 & 6 but I need lots of time to wrap my head around the high school years. Thanks.

Any comments would be appreciated. Rose

If my kids attended ps I would be encouraged if there were teachers with such courage. I'm sorry you are going through this. Rose

I generally do not run to the doctor for every little thing. Does this warrant a trip just to make sure there's nothing I might be missing? Rose

Her feet are another source of constant pain. I never thought growing pains could affect feet. Lots to think about. Rose

While I tend to be matter of fact with pains and illnesses it was sad to see her whimper today. Thanks for all the comments.