Another question: Do you ever have times when your girls are in a position to say the promise with other girl scouts who use the traditional wording, and how does that go?

Thank you, bwdiaz. I was also trying to think of a way to expand the reach beyond humans, and your words work well. I appreciate your help!

I'm starting a girl scout troop this fall and feel that t's not my place to affect the faith of my troop members. I want any girl of any religion or non-religion to feel completely comfortable among us. The Girl Scout Promise uses the word God, and I'm looking for an alternative wording. Also, although "my country" is innocuous, I want to encourage my girls to think more globally, and am also considering altering that wording. The Girl Scouts USA organization does allow this, by the way. Does anyone have any suggestions or experiences to share with me on this topic? For reference, here's the GS promise general wording: On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. So far all I've come up with is: On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To serve mankind and our world, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Thoughts?

I feel that way about Barbie dolls, princess toys, and all that other prissy stuff. I had Barbies and they didn't ruin me, but I see nothing positive about their existence. Legos, on the other hand, I LOVE. I swore my daughter would never own a Barbie. She's four and I'm still winning that battle, but she absolutely loves the princess things and anything she can find that is either pink or sparkly. She has lots of that stuff I didn't want her to ever have. I've realized that my child is going to pursue the things she's interested in whether I like it or not. There are going to be so many of these things - everything from a lollipop before dinner to dating before age sixteen. I've decided that I'm not going to be the NO mom all the time and so I'm going to have to compromise with my little girl as she explores what interests her. I will put my foot down on the dating before sixteen, but I will have to give in once in a while on the lollipop before dinner. Like Legos, that lollipop won't ruin my child or leave her with a long-lasting negative self-image or negative image of her mother. Legos won't ruin your child. I know they are annoying to clean up and tragic to step upon, but the flip side is that they also spark imagination (especially if you skip the step-by-step building plans) and teach processes (if you use the plans). They are unisex and multi-functional (I have a stand for an iPod Touch that my son made for me from Legos...it's really the perfect solution for a problem I had, and he figured it out all by himself.) We have used Legos for science, robotics, art, and even language arts. They have positive features, for sure, so if you must compromise somewhere, they're a safe bet. You don't have to completely give in, but maybe sharing with your child your feelings about Legos and teaching him how to compromise (maybe he can have some, but they come with boundaries - maybe they have to stay in his room or something) would actually be a great benefit. That's just my two-cents. I don't want to be shredded for it - it's just my perspective on an issue all parents deal with!

I'm looking at these now but cannot tell if they are meant to be used in a specific order or if it's OK to randomly select. Does it matter?

I will do so! Thanks again!

Wow, SilverMoon, thank you for all that great feedback! I'm going to go investigate those things now. What is "logic stage"?

Hi Everyone, This is my first post. I discovered this forum in my search for curricula for my son, who will be in 8th grade next fall (Fall 2012). Would any of you be willing to share suggestions for textbooks for him? I don't have a ton of money, so I cannot go with a comprehensive program (and don't want to anyway). I like the idea of teaching Logic to him, but have never even seen materials for that subject. Thank you!