Just a few weeks ago there was a thread about what your ultimate goals are for your children's education...sort of an educational philosophy theme. Can anyone link me to it?

I don't think it has to be "either or" but these people who want to get rid of all the "dead white guys" obviously do. I do believe in learning about other cultures, their people, their history...that's one of the biggest reasons why I took this job in Malaysia. But I don't believe that in order to be well-educated in the 21st century we have to turn up our noses and scoff at the dead white guys. Their works have stood the test of time for a reason. I like having choices. I like having the choice to read only classical works or only works by people of color or only works written in the 18th century or all of them if I feel like it, without someone waxing philosophical about how "uneducated" I am according to "modern" standards. So I stand by my original assertion...if you are attending a college that prefers to teach classical works and you would rather have a multicultural approach (or vice-versa) then SWITCH SCHOOLS. Don't try to force the school to change the curriculum for you.

First, on reading "dead white guys"...I will give you a quote from a paper by Kathleen Nielson that sums up my opinion: The flow of postmodern thinking has left in its wake a general strong suspicion that we have been duped. The works called “classics†do not after all hold intrinsic value or meaning; they are simply products of their writers and times, and the best we can do is to shape meaning for them through each new reader and time. Most works traditionally considered classics, at least in our Western culture, are thought now to be simply the oppressive expressions of “dead white European males.†In many intellectual circles, we are now called on to laugh at these works, condemn them, radically reinterpret them, or simply ignore them as irrelevant. It is important to acknowledge that, when we talk about reading classic works, we are, to say the least, going against the flow—but it is an exhilarating going, and a crucial one, especially if we can both look back and value what our heritage brings to us and at the same time continue the flow by looking around and ahead and receiving the great works to be discovered in our world today. and Consider Bill Moyers’ famous observation that we Americans seem to know everything about the last 24 hours but very little about the past centuries. No longer can we expect that people will know the stories of Romeo and Juliet, or Christian’s journey to the Celestial City, or Jonah and the whale. No longer can we speak of James Joyce’s Ulysses (or discuss the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?) assuming the shared context of The Odyssey. We need, and we need to teach our children, to follow C.S. Lewis’ counsel to “keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds,†which, he says, “can be done only by reading old books.†“It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between. If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones.†Flannery O’Connor argued that “And if the student finds that this is not to his taste? Well, that is regrettable. Most regrettable. His taste should not be consulted; it is being formed.†On classical education, Western Civ, and racism.... I think there is room enough in the U.S. for colleges who want to focus on classical ed and/or western civ as well as colleges that want to offer a more "multicultural" type of curriculum and parents/students can choose what direction they want to go, just as they do with secular colleges vs. christian colleges. It doesn't make you a racist because you choose to go to a college with a classical bent. It's about choices for goodness sake. What would I say to someone who thinks classical education in the university is about being "white"? Go to a different university then.

I pulled this off the web once and I think it explains it pretty well (this is just the excerpt of it that spoke to me): Legalism could be definied as any attempt to rely on self-effort to either attain or maintain our justification before God. In Paul's Epistle to the Galatians he warned them sternly about such false understandings of the gospel when he asked the offenders: "After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Gal.3:3). Legalism always seems to have one thing in common: it's theology denies that Christ is sufficient for salvation. That some additional element of self-effort, merit or faithfulness on our part is necessary. Bill Baldwin has put together a brief definition of legalism which I think is helpful: 2. Attempting to be justified by one's own works. 3. Attempting to be sanctified by one's own works 7. Attempting to attain godliness by a systematic change of behavior 8. Obedience that does not spring from a renewed heart 9. Any supposition that externally righteous acts have any value on their own, even as conduct that prepares the way for either 12. Attempting to gain assurance of salvation solely or primarily on the basis of the sign of outward works

It's interesting that you mentioned this because when we were going through the adoption process we had LOTS of people telling us what a "great thing" we were doing...like it was a charitable act. :confused: We were a little confused because we were not adopting a baby out of charity...we really wanted a baby! And yes, I know that my son's life is technically "better" in a lot of ways because we adopted him (his birth mother lived in abject poverty, unwed teenage moms in Korea don't have a lot of options) but truthfully, we've always felt like WE are the ones who were "blessed". I can't imagine telling my son how "lucky" he is that we adopted him! That is the opposite of what happened. We are "lucky" that God let us have him!

My mom didn't but I remember when my oldest ds was teething and my grandma told me to put whiskey on his gums and I was like "Um, WHAT?"

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

We went the natural route as well...I'll have to find the exact info on my old computer but if you do a search for natural remedies for ADHD you will find a ton of info. Our oldest tried Concerta, Adderrall and one other that I've forgotten and all of them caused issues (heart problems, depression, no affect, it was terrible!). We also limit the ADHD trigger foods that others have mentioned. It isn't perfect but it has gotten a lot better.

Thank you so much for sharing your stories with me. And for pointing out all the adoption stories in the bible. I never thought of bringing those in. I know, deep down, I secretly hoped we would continue coasting along in semi-informed bliss. :tongue_smilie: But it is a little difficult here when half of my students are asian and when they see Alex run up and hug me and call me mom there are some REALLY perplexed looks. So I now have LOTS of 5 year-olds saying "Is he really your son?" and looking just as confused as can be. ;) Parenting is so darn hard sometimes on your emotions. OTOH I have Alex and his new-found interest in his adoption and OTOH I have Kyle who has suddeny stumbled into puberty and doesn't know what to do with himself and everything he is feeling. And we have this new home in a new country and, and, and.... I feel like this :001_huh: and this :willy_nilly: and this :eek: and this :crying: and this :banghead: and this :svengo: all at the same time. Maybe I'll just go to bed (even though I HATE that you all get to have these fun conversations while I am sleeping through it all! ).

That seriously just made me cry. Thank you.

So my little guy is now 5 years old and up until now has had no real understanding of the idea that we adopted him from Korea. We've always talked about it with him. He can even point out South Korea on a map and tell you that's where he is from. But he never really "got it". Well now he goes to a school that has A LOT of Korean students and he is starting to ask questions. Like tonight at dinner he said "Mommy, Jae-sung is from Korea and he speaks Korean. I'm from Korea too. How come I don't speak Korean?" So I had to try to explain that while they are both FROM Korea, Alex was being raised in the U.S. and therefore speaks English, etc., etc. Then he starts asking about Kyle (his older brother, not adopted)...does Kyle speak Korean? Is he from Korea? Why not? etc. etc. But I know this is just the beginning. He is starting to put the pieces together, starting to comprehend the idea of adoption and I know the "tough" questions will follow soon. I can feel it. and I am not ready I feel like the way I answer these questions as they come up is so important and I don't want to screw this up. I don't want to say something that will mess up his head forever about this. I don't want him to end up like one of those kids in the "after-school-specials" who is all angry or depressed because he found out he is adopted and has these unresolved feelings about it and what-not. It's a lot of pressure and I am not ready I should be ready. I've had 5 years to get ready for this. But I'm not. :(

I just asked my husband if he would wear one and he said "Maybe for halloween." So I guess he's not a kilt guy. You learn something new every day.

You are all so right...We've been here three months and there are already things I love about this place so much that the thought of not having them when (if) we leave Malaysia bums me out. I tend to adapt well to change (most of the time) but it is hard watching your children go through it. :( It's just a phase, right??????

We have no credit card debt. My student loans? That's another story....

Yes, the honeymoon is over and homesickness is creeping in. Not as bad for me or dh (yet) but for my boys. :( Kyle (11yo) just this week told me how much he misses homeschooling. I think the novelty of "going to school" has rubbed off. He is a "walk to the beat of his own drum" kind of kid and does not like being shoved into a school-shaped mold every day. It was fun at first, like playing dress-up, but now he is over it. It's nothing desperate (yet) but I worry.... Alex (5yo) is the one who asked, "Mommy will it EVER snow here?" Snow? It never even gets below 80 degrees, which, to be honest, thrills me to no end. :D But as a little kid, snowmen, snow balls, snow angels are the true joys in life. The only thing that made his little dejected face smile was the offer to go down to the pool and go swimming (his other joy in life). It distracted him for now... THe weekend of the 24th we have four days in a row off and I think we may drive to Kuala Lumpur and take in the sights. Rumor has it there is an awesome science center there and of course, the Petronas towers. I hope doing "fun things" will ease their homesickness. Skyping grandma seems to make things worse. :tongue_smilie: Any tips on easing homesickness?

As long as I could put my kids in a private christian school...no. But if they forced me to put my kids in a ps? Yes, I would defy the law.

Thank you all so much for these suggestions!!! I didn't know there were so many options.

I am so glad you were able to find out the truth. You made the right decision. :grouphug:

I loved the book and I think he is a perfect example of someone who actually did something significant to deserve the Nobel Peace Prize. His story is amazing.

This looks awesome!!! Thank you!!!

I hope you don't mind but I just sent this to the superintendent and the other principals at my school (I work at a christian school and we have these mdesty debates all the time). They liked it a lot and want to use it in chapel next week!

Darn. He's only 11.

that are above LC II? My ds has already done PL, LCI and LCII and some of Henle I (although it seemed mostly review of LC I and II). Now we would like to move on but we really need an online class or DVD option. I liked the looks of Cambridge but I don't think they have DVDs. Any suggestions? (X-post with HS board)

that are above LC II? My ds has already done PL, LCI and LCII and some of Henle I (although it seemed mostly review of LC I and II). Now we would like to move on but we really need an online class or DVD option. I liked the looks of Cambridge but I don't think they have DVDs. Any suggestions? (X-post with HS board)

You are my new hero!