I was thinking about my childhood today and how much fun I had growing up. Part of the reason was that my dad was military and so we moved a lot. That meant that I made a lot of friends along the way. Some friends I only knew for a few months, others I knew for years. They all had an impact on my life in some way and the kind of person I grew up to be.
For reasons I have already discussed in previous posts, my older two children don't make friends as easily. My oldest has self-esteem issues and doesn't seem to relate to kids his age. He loves playing with other kids, but his interests often bore others or else isolates him. My #2 is still not mature enough for me to let him go to other friend's houses without me present, and so he doesn't get the same opportunities that others his age might get. I worry that he can get taken advantage of since he's so innocent. I know he loves playing with other kids and we try and provide those opportunities for him.
This summer I am hoping that my children will be able to reconnect with some old friends and make some new friends as well. I need to provide the opportunity for them to do that. One thing I have promised myself to do is call parents of children who I know they enjoy playing with and setting up "play dates" or other opportunities for them to get together. We plan on meeting up with some friends at the pool throughout the summer and that is something my children are looking forward to. Unfortunately, we live in a neighborhood where most children will be at camps or daycare settings during the summer since their parents work. However, I am sure that we can find some who will be in the same "boat" as us and who are looking for people to play with. I've already received numerous offers for my daughter, including an old friend from preschool. She's definitely my social butterfly. There are also a number of kids in her kindergarten class who wanted her to come over during the summer. I have all their contact information and so we will definitely keep in touch.
Whatever happened to neighborhoods where the children can just roam the streets and come home before dark? Those days are gone. However, we can still find opportunities for children to make those bonds and friendships that they need. I remember when we used to live in an apartment complex and I hated not having a backyard for my then toddler to roam and play. At least now we DO have a backyard and my kids have met and befriended their "backyard neighbors". They have become pros at jumping the privacy fence and making their way into neighbor's yards. I don't encourage it, but it's a fun thing to see. The neighbor kids come over too sometimes and that makes me feel a little better about it.
Another way that children make friendships is through sports. Three of my children will be in soccer this summer and that will hopefully enable them to meet yet other children who they might not have otherwise known. There is nothing like working together towards a common "goal"... pardon the pun... that brings people together. I also enjoy getting to know the parents. When you have children the same age and a common interest, it makes conversation much easier. I have met some really neat people through sports and we have stayed in contact after all these years.
I hope this post will provide some of you with ideas of ways to provide some social interactions for your children. I know how hard it is when you have to work a little harder for this. I know how unfair it seems. I know the pain of seeing other kids your child's age and how they have friends who flock around them while your child is alone for no apparent reason. I know how it feels when the finger is pointed at you as if it's YOUR fault. Don't EVER blame yourself for your child's handicaps. As long as you are aware of them and you're doing everything you can...it's truly not your fault.
**************************
You've got a friend in me.
**************************
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Age of Autism Webinar
I received this information recently and found it interesting. They do webinars frequenly and I think they are a good resource for parents. They are basically like a seminar online. Some are set up so you can ask questions live and afterwards they have links to discussion boards. It's definitely worth the time to check it out.
Age of Autism Webinar
Age of Autism Join us for a Webinar on June 7
*Space is limited.*
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2. gotomeeting. com/register/ 314919714
Dan Olmsted is an investigative reporter and former senior editor for United
Press International (UPI). Olmsted wrote The Age of Autism report series
about the controversy surrounding the possibility of a link between autism
and vaccine injuries.
Dan Olmsted did the research the vaccine industry and media refused to do
and found no autism in the children of the unvaccinated Amish and the
unvaccinated patients of Homefirst.
In a series of articles on autism he wrote, "It's a far piece from the
horse-and-buggies of Lancaster County, Pa., to the cars and freeways of Cook
County, Ill. But thousands of children cared for by Homefirst Health
Services in metropolitan Chicago have at least two things in common with
thousands of Amish children in rural Lancaster: They have never been
vaccinated. And they don't have autism."
He currently edits the Age of Autism website, (AgeofAutism. com) the "Daily
Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic". *Title:* Age of Autism
*Date:* Sunday, June 7, 2009 *Time:* 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT After registering
you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining
the Webinar. *System Requirements*
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh®-based
attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
***************************
If you have trouble finding
it or the link doesn't work
for you just let me know.
***************************
Age of Autism Webinar
Age of Autism Join us for a Webinar on June 7
*Space is limited.*
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2. gotomeeting. com/register/ 314919714
Dan Olmsted is an investigative reporter and former senior editor for United
Press International (UPI). Olmsted wrote The Age of Autism report series
about the controversy surrounding the possibility of a link between autism
and vaccine injuries.
Dan Olmsted did the research the vaccine industry and media refused to do
and found no autism in the children of the unvaccinated Amish and the
unvaccinated patients of Homefirst.
In a series of articles on autism he wrote, "It's a far piece from the
horse-and-buggies of Lancaster County, Pa., to the cars and freeways of Cook
County, Ill. But thousands of children cared for by Homefirst Health
Services in metropolitan Chicago have at least two things in common with
thousands of Amish children in rural Lancaster: They have never been
vaccinated. And they don't have autism."
He currently edits the Age of Autism website, (AgeofAutism. com) the "Daily
Web Newspaper of the Autism Epidemic". *Title:* Age of Autism
*Date:* Sunday, June 7, 2009 *Time:* 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT After registering
you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining
the Webinar. *System Requirements*
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh®-based
attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
***************************
If you have trouble finding
it or the link doesn't work
for you just let me know.
***************************
Friday, May 22, 2009
Summer Vacation Ideas
One of the challenges for ANY parent is WHAT TO DO DURING SUMMER BREAK???? This is especially true when you have children who need structure and a "routine". Things can go from bad to worse rather quickly if you don't have a game plan. I thought it would be fun to post some ideas of things you can do over the summer. I am going to start with the cheaper ideas and move on to the more expensive ideas. I got a lot of ideas from magazines I have read at the waiting rooms at doctor's offices, friends, and on television. I am hoping we can do a lot more this year since my kids are older and everyone is doing so well. I can't believe we only have a few days left of school. I know this summer is going to fly by.
The ultimate "cheap" vacation is to take the family to a nearby Recreational Park or State Park and go on a hike. We did that about a month ago and it was so much fun. Afterwards, we ate lunch that we packed ahead of time and the kids thought that was so much fun. The place we visited was an old fort that has people who stay there and dress up like colonial folk. They answer questions and show everyone what it was like to live during those times. They had a garden and the kids loved the rosemary so much that we have planted some at our home and we use it all the time. The best part of it all was that it was FREE!! We did this in lieu of camping since we don't own a tent that is big enough for all six of us. However, we plan on purchasing a tent soon and so we can extend our stay at the park overnight. THAT would be a blast!!
Another "cheaper" idea is to join your local YMCA. You can live at the pool during the summer. Also, they have lots of programs that the kids can enjoy. Our neighborhood has a pool and so we like to go there during the summer months as well. We have close friends who live here too and so we join them and have lunch together by the pool. That is a wonderful way to keep in touch with friends after the school year is over.
Again... we're staying on the cheap side for now.... Many churches have Vacation Bible School. They are not only free, but they are a wonderful program for the kids to be involved in. Our church does a three-day "B.O.O.T (Building Our Own Testimony) Camp" and they can invite friends. Other churches do week-long VBS and usually involve crafts, food, and singing. Do your research and find out which one is best for your child. Also, always check and make sure they take kids with special needs. You would be surprised how many do not.
Everyone knows about summer camps. However, did you know that there are actually camps designed for kids with Autism! My son doesn't have severe autism and so I have never had the need for it. It is a great idea though for parents who want something for their child. Our city also offers sports with children with Autism and other handicaps. They call it the "Miracle League" and I have heard wonderful things about it. That is definitely something to look into. I know there are fees involved, but they are minimal and often are run by volunteers.
I am about to step it up a notch.... How would you like to keep in touch with distant nieces and nephews without having to buy a bunch of plane tickets? My husband came up with a neat idea he coined a "cousin swap". We have four children, but we have about thirty nieces and nephews who live in the State of Washington (we live in Alabama). We thought it was sad that the cousins were not able to see one another often since it costs so much to fly these days. So... we came up with a way to do it. What we are going to do is send some kids over to Washington to stay with the family for a week and then they will send some kids over here after our kids get back. That way the cousins can spend a couple weeks visiting with one another in each other's homes. We discussed things and determined that they need to be at least eight and we figured that a week was enough time. This will make it affordable and the kids will have a blast!
If you live in an area where there are farms, you need to check them out during the summer. There are a few "You Pick" farms where you can pick your own berries and fruit. There are also dairy farms where they offer tours and even have complimentary ice cream for you before you leave. I googled and found dozens of places near our home. I love things like this because they are also good learning experiences for children.
One of our favorite places to go is Chuck E Cheese! It doesn't cost anything to enter. You can eat beforehand and then all you would need is money for games (if your children are older)... however, my kids would enjoy just jumping on the rides, playing in the indoor tubes, watching others play, and watching the shows when they were toddlers. We get coupons in the mail all the time. Just the other day we got a coupon in the mail for pizza, 4 drinks, and 30 tokens for only $19.98! It helps to call ahead and make sure there aren't any birthday parties that day. That is a trick we learned over the years. (FYI: at OUR Chuck E Cheese we have celebrated birthdays without reserving a table and paying a bunch of money. You can bring an outside cake and if you tell them that you are celebrating a birthday they will give the birthday child a complementary balloon and crown to wear)
On a less cheaper note... we have gone to places like the McWayne Center (a children's museum) and the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. They were really nice and a lot of fun. We stayed at nearby hotels and enjoyed getting away for the weekend. By the way, going to hotels.com or expedia.com is a good idea. You can get very good rates and find some good options. We have four children and so we usually have to stay in a suite or similar set-up. We have been able to find rooms for around $100/night that have been REALLY nice and had ample space for our large family. Sometimes the resort or hotel can be an experience in itself.
Our best FAMILY vacation so far has been our five-day stay in Orlando, Florida last year. We went to three theme parks and stayed in a beautiful resort. Our room was like a HOUSE!! It had three separate rooms, separate dining room, separate living room, kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms, master bedroom with jacuzzi tub, and walk-in closet, AND it was only 2 miles from the entrance to Disney!! The best part was that it only cost us about $100/night!!
The best thing to do is figure out what your kids like. If they are into nature and things like that then you know that nature walks, going fishing, or camping are things they would enjoy. Whatever you do.... don't let your kids vegetate on the couch all summer watching t.v. or sit around all day in front of a computer. Summer is a time you can take advantage of and do all the things you couldn't do during the school year. If you have smaller kids then just take advantage of the warmer weather. Teach your child how to swim, for example. If you have to work then take advantage of the weekends. Make every moment count. It's not about quantity of time, but the quality that counts!
******************************
Feel free to share any ideas
YOUR family has enjoyed doing
during the summer.
******************************
The ultimate "cheap" vacation is to take the family to a nearby Recreational Park or State Park and go on a hike. We did that about a month ago and it was so much fun. Afterwards, we ate lunch that we packed ahead of time and the kids thought that was so much fun. The place we visited was an old fort that has people who stay there and dress up like colonial folk. They answer questions and show everyone what it was like to live during those times. They had a garden and the kids loved the rosemary so much that we have planted some at our home and we use it all the time. The best part of it all was that it was FREE!! We did this in lieu of camping since we don't own a tent that is big enough for all six of us. However, we plan on purchasing a tent soon and so we can extend our stay at the park overnight. THAT would be a blast!!
Another "cheaper" idea is to join your local YMCA. You can live at the pool during the summer. Also, they have lots of programs that the kids can enjoy. Our neighborhood has a pool and so we like to go there during the summer months as well. We have close friends who live here too and so we join them and have lunch together by the pool. That is a wonderful way to keep in touch with friends after the school year is over.
Again... we're staying on the cheap side for now.... Many churches have Vacation Bible School. They are not only free, but they are a wonderful program for the kids to be involved in. Our church does a three-day "B.O.O.T (Building Our Own Testimony) Camp" and they can invite friends. Other churches do week-long VBS and usually involve crafts, food, and singing. Do your research and find out which one is best for your child. Also, always check and make sure they take kids with special needs. You would be surprised how many do not.
Everyone knows about summer camps. However, did you know that there are actually camps designed for kids with Autism! My son doesn't have severe autism and so I have never had the need for it. It is a great idea though for parents who want something for their child. Our city also offers sports with children with Autism and other handicaps. They call it the "Miracle League" and I have heard wonderful things about it. That is definitely something to look into. I know there are fees involved, but they are minimal and often are run by volunteers.
I am about to step it up a notch.... How would you like to keep in touch with distant nieces and nephews without having to buy a bunch of plane tickets? My husband came up with a neat idea he coined a "cousin swap". We have four children, but we have about thirty nieces and nephews who live in the State of Washington (we live in Alabama). We thought it was sad that the cousins were not able to see one another often since it costs so much to fly these days. So... we came up with a way to do it. What we are going to do is send some kids over to Washington to stay with the family for a week and then they will send some kids over here after our kids get back. That way the cousins can spend a couple weeks visiting with one another in each other's homes. We discussed things and determined that they need to be at least eight and we figured that a week was enough time. This will make it affordable and the kids will have a blast!
If you live in an area where there are farms, you need to check them out during the summer. There are a few "You Pick" farms where you can pick your own berries and fruit. There are also dairy farms where they offer tours and even have complimentary ice cream for you before you leave. I googled and found dozens of places near our home. I love things like this because they are also good learning experiences for children.
One of our favorite places to go is Chuck E Cheese! It doesn't cost anything to enter. You can eat beforehand and then all you would need is money for games (if your children are older)... however, my kids would enjoy just jumping on the rides, playing in the indoor tubes, watching others play, and watching the shows when they were toddlers. We get coupons in the mail all the time. Just the other day we got a coupon in the mail for pizza, 4 drinks, and 30 tokens for only $19.98! It helps to call ahead and make sure there aren't any birthday parties that day. That is a trick we learned over the years. (FYI: at OUR Chuck E Cheese we have celebrated birthdays without reserving a table and paying a bunch of money. You can bring an outside cake and if you tell them that you are celebrating a birthday they will give the birthday child a complementary balloon and crown to wear)
On a less cheaper note... we have gone to places like the McWayne Center (a children's museum) and the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. They were really nice and a lot of fun. We stayed at nearby hotels and enjoyed getting away for the weekend. By the way, going to hotels.com or expedia.com is a good idea. You can get very good rates and find some good options. We have four children and so we usually have to stay in a suite or similar set-up. We have been able to find rooms for around $100/night that have been REALLY nice and had ample space for our large family. Sometimes the resort or hotel can be an experience in itself.
Our best FAMILY vacation so far has been our five-day stay in Orlando, Florida last year. We went to three theme parks and stayed in a beautiful resort. Our room was like a HOUSE!! It had three separate rooms, separate dining room, separate living room, kitchen, washer and dryer, two bathrooms, master bedroom with jacuzzi tub, and walk-in closet, AND it was only 2 miles from the entrance to Disney!! The best part was that it only cost us about $100/night!!
The best thing to do is figure out what your kids like. If they are into nature and things like that then you know that nature walks, going fishing, or camping are things they would enjoy. Whatever you do.... don't let your kids vegetate on the couch all summer watching t.v. or sit around all day in front of a computer. Summer is a time you can take advantage of and do all the things you couldn't do during the school year. If you have smaller kids then just take advantage of the warmer weather. Teach your child how to swim, for example. If you have to work then take advantage of the weekends. Make every moment count. It's not about quantity of time, but the quality that counts!
******************************
Feel free to share any ideas
YOUR family has enjoyed doing
during the summer.
******************************
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
End of the School Year "Blues"
I can't believe I am about to say this, but I am REALLY going to miss this past year. It was such an awesome year for us and all the kids. I am especially going to miss my daughter's kindergarten teacher. She was such a great teacher and a wonderful role model for the kids. She is going to move out of state and so I probably will never see her again. She will be teaching at a school in Mississippi, and I just hope that they realize what a gem they are getting.
My oldest definitely had a great year. His teachers were so understanding and challenged him throughout the year. He loved his classmates and made some really good friends. I saw him grow a few inches this past year and I have a feeling that I will be "looking up to him" by the end of the summer. My twelve year-old son will be taller than me!!! I don't want to even think about that right now.
My #2 had a better year. Each year seems to get better and better. He is such a smart boy and I am so proud of him. He will definitely miss his teacher next year, but at least she will still be around so we can say hello.
My daughter had the best teacher and best class! I will miss the kids and the teacher. I am hoping that she will have some of them in her class next year. I still can't believe that she will be going into first grade! It's unreal!
My baby is not a "baby" anymore. He is growing up so fast. I love his preschool and I am excited that he will be there again next year. I am not sure what teacher he will have, but everyone at the school is wonderful so I am sure I won't be disappointed.
Kindergarten graduation is this upcoming Friday and I know it is going to be a bitter-sweet day. When I look back on this past year it's hard not to think of all the sweet and precious moments that we will never get back. However, I am also looking forward to the future. My kids are all very healthy and strong. When I think of all the struggles we went through about this time last year, it makes me appreciate my many blessings. I will treasure every moment and try to remember that this time in my life is a blessing.
*******************************
They say time flies when you're
having fun..... so, where does
it go??
*******************************
My oldest definitely had a great year. His teachers were so understanding and challenged him throughout the year. He loved his classmates and made some really good friends. I saw him grow a few inches this past year and I have a feeling that I will be "looking up to him" by the end of the summer. My twelve year-old son will be taller than me!!! I don't want to even think about that right now.
My #2 had a better year. Each year seems to get better and better. He is such a smart boy and I am so proud of him. He will definitely miss his teacher next year, but at least she will still be around so we can say hello.
My daughter had the best teacher and best class! I will miss the kids and the teacher. I am hoping that she will have some of them in her class next year. I still can't believe that she will be going into first grade! It's unreal!
My baby is not a "baby" anymore. He is growing up so fast. I love his preschool and I am excited that he will be there again next year. I am not sure what teacher he will have, but everyone at the school is wonderful so I am sure I won't be disappointed.
Kindergarten graduation is this upcoming Friday and I know it is going to be a bitter-sweet day. When I look back on this past year it's hard not to think of all the sweet and precious moments that we will never get back. However, I am also looking forward to the future. My kids are all very healthy and strong. When I think of all the struggles we went through about this time last year, it makes me appreciate my many blessings. I will treasure every moment and try to remember that this time in my life is a blessing.
*******************************
They say time flies when you're
having fun..... so, where does
it go??
*******************************
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Exceptional Child
Everyone dreams of having a child who is brilliant.....a "baby Einstein". However, sometimes having a child who is "gifted" can be just as challenging as having a child who has learning disabilities. I have had to make some very difficult decisions concerning my #1 and his education. It has been a challenge all his life trying to find the right school for him. Weighing his social progress and balancing that with his academic achievement and potential has been even harder. We don't want to hinder his progress, but we also don't want for him to feel like he doesn't belong because he is so much younger than his peers in the classroom.
I want to recap on my son's past because I think it's important to know in order to understand what I am about to discuss. First of all, he was a normal and healthy baby until about age three when we noticed that he had more energy than the typical child. He couldn't behave in preschool and the teachers all told me he had all the signs of ADHD. I took him to a psychologist who confirmed the diagnosis. We placed him in a different school each year from that point on (trying to find the perfect fit) until second grade when I decided to homeschool. We knew that he was smart. When he was three years old we bought him his own computer because he knew how to use it from the time he was barely two! We bought some preschool software and noticed that he was mastering the math and English sections very quickly. By the time he started kindergarten he was already reading, subtracting, adding, multiplying, and doing fractions. He could also read a clock with hands. In first grade his teacher was shocked when he told the cafeteria how much change he needed back after purchasing his lunch with a $10 bill. When I homeschooled him I realized that the reason he wasn't "behaving" in school was because he was extremely bored. We finished second and third grade in less than a year. In math he was actually doing some pre-calculus. He loved the idea of "imaginary numbers" and he LOVED graphing and geometry. He was like a sponge and I couldn't keep up. It was as if a young man was trapped in a kid's body and I could sense the frustration.
After attempting traditional public school for a couple years we decided to put him in a special school that was known for many things, including teaching children who were extremely bright but who did not fit the "mold" of traditional thinking. This past year has been the best year for our son. He has done extremely well academically and his self-esteem is now soaring compared to last year. That is what we had hoped this new school would accomplish. However, by the middle of the school year I was made aware that he was progressing at a far faster rate than we had anticipated. He was having to go to the High School classes in order to be properly challenged. I did not have a problem with this since he was still with his "peers" during most of his social time. He also seemed to enjoy being around the older kids.
Well....when I met with his teacher and the Director of the school last week I was told that they did an extensive test on him to see what grade level he was testing at for various subjects and to give us a better picture of his academic progress. This was a test they did not get to do often. The director knew that he would test high, but I have to admit that I was shocked when I saw that he tested at >13 grade level for all of his subjects except for writing where he still tested way above grade level for NEXT year! The thing that blew my mind was the fact that he was already at a grade higher than he was supposed to be since we basically "skipped" third grade in public school. In my heart I knew what was about to happen next.... it was a most dreaded decision and one I knew I should not take lightly.
The Director told me because of the schedule for next year, there was no way to work high school classes into his 8th grade schedule. We only had two choices. Choice #1 was to go ahead and put him in 8th grade where he would not be challenged. Choice #2 was to put him in High School and promote him to 9th grade. I did not want to have to make this choice. My first question, of course, was if they thought he would be ready SOCIALLY. They assured me he was. My next concern was if they could work out a way for him to be with his own age group at least part of the day in the beginning. They told me they could work it out during the last two hours of school. He could either be a peer tutor or teacher assistant. They would call it his "elective" and they would do it for as long as he needed to help with the transition.
I went home and discussed it with my husband. He and I weighed the pros and cons. We also discussed the possibility of homeschooling him. However, my son had expressed to us how much he loved this new school and that he loved it better than homeschool. We ultimately decided that we had placed him in this school so that he could excel. He had proved to everyone that he was ready to go forward and so why should we hold him back? Our plan was to place him in magnet high school the following year and this was the perfect plan to prepare him for that. The last determining factor was our son and what he thought. I had a candid conversation with him and asked him point blank if he would be okay with going to high school next year. His face said it all! He smiled and said he would love it. That was that. He still needs to "apply" and get two letters of recommendation and submit a statement of intent. (The Director explained that they do this with all students to make sure they know the significance of moving to the High School and that it's truly THEIR choice to be there. Also, there are some things they will be giving up such as sports, dances, a HUGE prom, and misc. things that other kids get in public school.) Once he gets all the "red tape" done he will be set.
We have known for a very long time that he has always been an "underachiever" and had not been able to prove to everyone his TRUE potential. Even when he went to Magnet Middle School he never had to study. He was the type of student who could just listen to the lecture and absorb it like a sponge. At times (I was told) he would even CORRECT the teacher. He does that even to this day! His grammar teacher told me one day that he had corrected her during class. I was mortified!! However, she reassured me that he was very respectful about it and that he was actually right! He never seizes to amaze me.
Words can't begin to explain how proud I am of my son and all he has been able to overcome. He is growing up to be a kind, compassionate, caring, and wonderful young man. This past year he has proven to me that he can achieve any goal he sets his mind to. He has high ambitions to be a doctor, and I know that if that is what he wants to achieve then he will. I know his mind was a gift and it's up to me and my husband to nurture that beautiful mind of his. All we can do at this point is make sure that doors are open for him and if he chooses to walk through them then the rest is up to him.
****************************
Intelligence is knowing more
than is expected............
Wisdom is taking full
advantage of it.
****************************
I want to recap on my son's past because I think it's important to know in order to understand what I am about to discuss. First of all, he was a normal and healthy baby until about age three when we noticed that he had more energy than the typical child. He couldn't behave in preschool and the teachers all told me he had all the signs of ADHD. I took him to a psychologist who confirmed the diagnosis. We placed him in a different school each year from that point on (trying to find the perfect fit) until second grade when I decided to homeschool. We knew that he was smart. When he was three years old we bought him his own computer because he knew how to use it from the time he was barely two! We bought some preschool software and noticed that he was mastering the math and English sections very quickly. By the time he started kindergarten he was already reading, subtracting, adding, multiplying, and doing fractions. He could also read a clock with hands. In first grade his teacher was shocked when he told the cafeteria how much change he needed back after purchasing his lunch with a $10 bill. When I homeschooled him I realized that the reason he wasn't "behaving" in school was because he was extremely bored. We finished second and third grade in less than a year. In math he was actually doing some pre-calculus. He loved the idea of "imaginary numbers" and he LOVED graphing and geometry. He was like a sponge and I couldn't keep up. It was as if a young man was trapped in a kid's body and I could sense the frustration.
After attempting traditional public school for a couple years we decided to put him in a special school that was known for many things, including teaching children who were extremely bright but who did not fit the "mold" of traditional thinking. This past year has been the best year for our son. He has done extremely well academically and his self-esteem is now soaring compared to last year. That is what we had hoped this new school would accomplish. However, by the middle of the school year I was made aware that he was progressing at a far faster rate than we had anticipated. He was having to go to the High School classes in order to be properly challenged. I did not have a problem with this since he was still with his "peers" during most of his social time. He also seemed to enjoy being around the older kids.
Well....when I met with his teacher and the Director of the school last week I was told that they did an extensive test on him to see what grade level he was testing at for various subjects and to give us a better picture of his academic progress. This was a test they did not get to do often. The director knew that he would test high, but I have to admit that I was shocked when I saw that he tested at >13 grade level for all of his subjects except for writing where he still tested way above grade level for NEXT year! The thing that blew my mind was the fact that he was already at a grade higher than he was supposed to be since we basically "skipped" third grade in public school. In my heart I knew what was about to happen next.... it was a most dreaded decision and one I knew I should not take lightly.
The Director told me because of the schedule for next year, there was no way to work high school classes into his 8th grade schedule. We only had two choices. Choice #1 was to go ahead and put him in 8th grade where he would not be challenged. Choice #2 was to put him in High School and promote him to 9th grade. I did not want to have to make this choice. My first question, of course, was if they thought he would be ready SOCIALLY. They assured me he was. My next concern was if they could work out a way for him to be with his own age group at least part of the day in the beginning. They told me they could work it out during the last two hours of school. He could either be a peer tutor or teacher assistant. They would call it his "elective" and they would do it for as long as he needed to help with the transition.
I went home and discussed it with my husband. He and I weighed the pros and cons. We also discussed the possibility of homeschooling him. However, my son had expressed to us how much he loved this new school and that he loved it better than homeschool. We ultimately decided that we had placed him in this school so that he could excel. He had proved to everyone that he was ready to go forward and so why should we hold him back? Our plan was to place him in magnet high school the following year and this was the perfect plan to prepare him for that. The last determining factor was our son and what he thought. I had a candid conversation with him and asked him point blank if he would be okay with going to high school next year. His face said it all! He smiled and said he would love it. That was that. He still needs to "apply" and get two letters of recommendation and submit a statement of intent. (The Director explained that they do this with all students to make sure they know the significance of moving to the High School and that it's truly THEIR choice to be there. Also, there are some things they will be giving up such as sports, dances, a HUGE prom, and misc. things that other kids get in public school.) Once he gets all the "red tape" done he will be set.
We have known for a very long time that he has always been an "underachiever" and had not been able to prove to everyone his TRUE potential. Even when he went to Magnet Middle School he never had to study. He was the type of student who could just listen to the lecture and absorb it like a sponge. At times (I was told) he would even CORRECT the teacher. He does that even to this day! His grammar teacher told me one day that he had corrected her during class. I was mortified!! However, she reassured me that he was very respectful about it and that he was actually right! He never seizes to amaze me.
Words can't begin to explain how proud I am of my son and all he has been able to overcome. He is growing up to be a kind, compassionate, caring, and wonderful young man. This past year he has proven to me that he can achieve any goal he sets his mind to. He has high ambitions to be a doctor, and I know that if that is what he wants to achieve then he will. I know his mind was a gift and it's up to me and my husband to nurture that beautiful mind of his. All we can do at this point is make sure that doors are open for him and if he chooses to walk through them then the rest is up to him.
****************************
Intelligence is knowing more
than is expected............
Wisdom is taking full
advantage of it.
****************************
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Swine Flu (Part II)
Okay.... I didn't want to say, "I told you so...." but NOW the media is saying that the "Swine Flu" is not that big a deal. Really? It was all over the media and the flu was on the Pandemic watch, but it is no big deal. NOW they are letting kids return to school and resuming normal athletic events. That's so interesting.
What's even MORE interesting is that they are STILL going to make vaccines for this particular strain. This means that they might be short on other flu vaccines for next season. Does that make sense?
Something else to think about is that they are saying this strain of the flu is actually MILDER than other strains which claim thousands of lives each year. That is so interesting to me.
Shall I go on? I don't think I will. I think most Americans are smart enough to see what is happening here. The media has WAY too much power (in my opinion) and it's scary to see what can happen. The only "truth" we know is what we happen to experience and see for ourselves. We can't let the media dictate to us how to take care of ourselves or our families. We need to use common sense and do our OWN research if necessary.
************************
We are all so much
smarter than we realize.
************************
What's even MORE interesting is that they are STILL going to make vaccines for this particular strain. This means that they might be short on other flu vaccines for next season. Does that make sense?
Something else to think about is that they are saying this strain of the flu is actually MILDER than other strains which claim thousands of lives each year. That is so interesting to me.
Shall I go on? I don't think I will. I think most Americans are smart enough to see what is happening here. The media has WAY too much power (in my opinion) and it's scary to see what can happen. The only "truth" we know is what we happen to experience and see for ourselves. We can't let the media dictate to us how to take care of ourselves or our families. We need to use common sense and do our OWN research if necessary.
************************
We are all so much
smarter than we realize.
************************
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Ten Virgins
Many of you are familiar with the parable of The Ten Virgins. I have been thinking about that a lot lately. Maybe it's because of the sign of the times? Maybe it's because in many ways I don't feel ready? Either way, I think that we need to make sure that we all have plenty of oil in our lamps because the future is unsure right now. With that in mind, I think it's important that we also prepare our children. This post is going to discuss that very topic.
The first thing I think of is spiritual preparation. Not only does this include religion which is very important, but also being the kind of individual who can see beyond themselves and today. Our family attends church regularly and that helps so much in ways we can't even see right now. I know how hard it is.... believe me... to get up early and get kids ready to go to church each Sunday. However, I can definitely tell the difference when we get home. I can definitely feel the spirit and the following week is so much better. Service is a way to teach your children compassion and many other life lessons. We encourage our children to do service for others (including family members). In fact, this is a huge part of our religion and so I am thankful for that. Our oldest pays tithing on money he earns and that is such a big sacrifice for someone who doesn't make very much. He also donates money to organizations such as Unicef. The scouting program is also a big part of my boys' life. My oldest is about to become a Life Scout and my #2 is a Cub Scout. They have learned self-reliance as well as leadership skills that they will take with them throughout their lives.
The next thing that is important to teach our children is self-worth. When a child knows that he is loved then he is less likely to look for it in the wrong places. I see this happen time and time again. There are so many children who start doing drugs or get caught up in trying to do what is "popular" and it only leads them down the wrong path. I just pray that I am doing a good job teaching all of my children that I love them and that they have a Heavenly Father who also loves them very much.
Another thing that is important in preparing for the future is teaching children about the value of money and the value of work. There are so many children who are going to grow up and have the shock of their lives when they leave home and have to enter the work force. They are given everything without having to earn it and that sense of entitlement is what REALLY irks me about some young adults today. My children don't get an "allowance" because we have told them that there are certain things we do because we are part of the family. However, I give them opportunities to earn money all the time. My oldest is old enough to babysit and we pay him to help us out when we need it. I think it's important that he know we don't take him for granted and this ensures that he doesn't feel used. Giving children responsibilities, no matter how small they may seem, will teach them about the value of work and give them a feeling of belonging. That's so important.
In our family we value education. The best gift you can give your child is a good education. However, learning does NOT start and end in school. It should be a life-long process that begins in the home and continues on throughout your lifetime. There are so many things we take for granted that we learned through life experiences. It's up to us, parents, to teach our children these important lessons. Our children do not have some of the same opportunities we had such as being able to roam the neighborhood in safety or ride their bikes to the nearby store to get 5 cent candy. We need to teach our children about sex before they learn it from unreliable sources. Also, it's important to teach our children to have goals and how to achieve those goals. Receiving an education should be a top priority.
Teaching self-reliance is so important.... especially in times like these. We have no idea what the future holds and how the economy will be when our children grow up. However, if we teach our children how to mend clothes instead of buying new ones, or how to change the oil or a tire, or how to cook from scratch... those are valuable lessons that they can take with them and use if they need to. One day my boys will be going on missions for the church and I hope that they know how to do their own laundry, cook for themselves, and how to scrub a toilet. It's amazing how many grown men do not know how to do these things.
The last thing I want to discuss is kind of hard for me to even think about, but it's a reality. One day I won't be around anymore and I am hoping that it won't be for a very long time. However, one thing I have learned is that nothing in life is certain. We need to prepare OURSELVES spiritually, financially, and temporally for when that time comes. If you haven't already, make sure to prepare a good will. Make sure you have guardians for your children in case the unthinkable should happen to you and your spouse. Try to stay out of debt and save where you can. Make sure you have 72 hour kits for each of your family members. If you are able, follow the counsel to have a year's supply of food. All these things will ensure that no matter what happens, everything will be okay.
Let's not wait until it's too late. We all take it for granted that we live in such a peaceful environment. We have no idea of the wars that are going on around us in the world. We are blinded to the famine and hunger that exists. However, all this could change in an instant. We have heard many people say that things are going to get worse before they get better. We need to listen up!!
****************************
Those who are prepared don't
need to fear.
****************************
The first thing I think of is spiritual preparation. Not only does this include religion which is very important, but also being the kind of individual who can see beyond themselves and today. Our family attends church regularly and that helps so much in ways we can't even see right now. I know how hard it is.... believe me... to get up early and get kids ready to go to church each Sunday. However, I can definitely tell the difference when we get home. I can definitely feel the spirit and the following week is so much better. Service is a way to teach your children compassion and many other life lessons. We encourage our children to do service for others (including family members). In fact, this is a huge part of our religion and so I am thankful for that. Our oldest pays tithing on money he earns and that is such a big sacrifice for someone who doesn't make very much. He also donates money to organizations such as Unicef. The scouting program is also a big part of my boys' life. My oldest is about to become a Life Scout and my #2 is a Cub Scout. They have learned self-reliance as well as leadership skills that they will take with them throughout their lives.
The next thing that is important to teach our children is self-worth. When a child knows that he is loved then he is less likely to look for it in the wrong places. I see this happen time and time again. There are so many children who start doing drugs or get caught up in trying to do what is "popular" and it only leads them down the wrong path. I just pray that I am doing a good job teaching all of my children that I love them and that they have a Heavenly Father who also loves them very much.
Another thing that is important in preparing for the future is teaching children about the value of money and the value of work. There are so many children who are going to grow up and have the shock of their lives when they leave home and have to enter the work force. They are given everything without having to earn it and that sense of entitlement is what REALLY irks me about some young adults today. My children don't get an "allowance" because we have told them that there are certain things we do because we are part of the family. However, I give them opportunities to earn money all the time. My oldest is old enough to babysit and we pay him to help us out when we need it. I think it's important that he know we don't take him for granted and this ensures that he doesn't feel used. Giving children responsibilities, no matter how small they may seem, will teach them about the value of work and give them a feeling of belonging. That's so important.
In our family we value education. The best gift you can give your child is a good education. However, learning does NOT start and end in school. It should be a life-long process that begins in the home and continues on throughout your lifetime. There are so many things we take for granted that we learned through life experiences. It's up to us, parents, to teach our children these important lessons. Our children do not have some of the same opportunities we had such as being able to roam the neighborhood in safety or ride their bikes to the nearby store to get 5 cent candy. We need to teach our children about sex before they learn it from unreliable sources. Also, it's important to teach our children to have goals and how to achieve those goals. Receiving an education should be a top priority.
Teaching self-reliance is so important.... especially in times like these. We have no idea what the future holds and how the economy will be when our children grow up. However, if we teach our children how to mend clothes instead of buying new ones, or how to change the oil or a tire, or how to cook from scratch... those are valuable lessons that they can take with them and use if they need to. One day my boys will be going on missions for the church and I hope that they know how to do their own laundry, cook for themselves, and how to scrub a toilet. It's amazing how many grown men do not know how to do these things.
The last thing I want to discuss is kind of hard for me to even think about, but it's a reality. One day I won't be around anymore and I am hoping that it won't be for a very long time. However, one thing I have learned is that nothing in life is certain. We need to prepare OURSELVES spiritually, financially, and temporally for when that time comes. If you haven't already, make sure to prepare a good will. Make sure you have guardians for your children in case the unthinkable should happen to you and your spouse. Try to stay out of debt and save where you can. Make sure you have 72 hour kits for each of your family members. If you are able, follow the counsel to have a year's supply of food. All these things will ensure that no matter what happens, everything will be okay.
Let's not wait until it's too late. We all take it for granted that we live in such a peaceful environment. We have no idea of the wars that are going on around us in the world. We are blinded to the famine and hunger that exists. However, all this could change in an instant. We have heard many people say that things are going to get worse before they get better. We need to listen up!!
****************************
Those who are prepared don't
need to fear.
****************************
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Swine Flu...I'm ready, Are you?
Okay....some of you are going to think I am crazy... but I am going to jump on the bandwagon. First of all, I am so glad that they finally decided to change the name to Influenza A type H1N1. It was so misleading and I am sure it has hurt the pork industry. This flu has NOTHING to do with pigs giving it to people. The only reason they named it the "Swine Flu" is because genetically it has swine genetic material (among others). That's it! I thought I would post some good information for you all to think about and even a link that shows where the confirmed cases are in the world (very interesting). Secondly, I know that for some reason it seems to be more prevalent in Mexico right now, but that doesn't mean you need to stop eating at Mexican Restaurants. That's absurd!
I want to start off by saying that this "new virus" is actually Influenza Type A (which is the one my daughter got this past winter). The reason it's making the headlines is because it's a new strain of it. As many of you know, new strains of influenza make it into the U.S. every year and that is why they have to change the Flu Shot to keep up with it. Of course, it doesn't always work. (We won't get started on that discussion right now.) So.... basically we should ALL treat this like we would the Flu. We don't need to be getting all worked up about the word "pandemic" because that just makes it sound like that couldn't happen with any other Flu... it can!
The biggest defense against the Flu is hand washing and covering your mouth when you sneeze. I am so tired of people just using hand sanitizer. That's okay if you have no other choice, but washing your hands really well with soap is the better choice. The next thing you need to do is STAY HOME if you're sick! Don't send your child to school on Tylenol (I know we all have done it in the past... don't pretend you haven't). Now is definitely not the time to do that. They have already reported over 400 schools closing around the United States alone. (I am so glad we are near the end of the school year around here.)
The following is the tracker for the Flu and you can check on the entire world. It's very interesting.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&z=5
Okay... so now on to the vaccine issue at stake here.... I found some really good information from the Associated Press online concerning this topic. I normally would post the link, but the information is just too good that I MUST share it with you all:
*****************************************
WHO will take vaccine gamble with swine flu
By MARIA CHENG – 2 hours ago
LONDON (AP) — When World Health Organization officials ask vaccine manufacturers to start producing vaccine to fight swine flu in a few weeks, they will be taking a calculated risk.
Flu vaccine companies can only make one vaccine at a time: seasonal flu vaccine or pandemic vaccine. Production takes months and it is impossible to switch halfway through if health officials make a mistake.
While some countries like the United States may be better prepared than others — American officials say production for next year's vaccine batch is so advanced they're nearly finished — the situation for many other countries is unknown.
About 70 percent of the world's flu vaccines are made in Europe, and WHO is trying to figure out how many doses of seasonal flu vaccine remain worldwide before asking vaccine manufacturers to start pumping out pandemic vaccine instead.
"It's a big decision...We've never done this before," said Marie-Paule Kieny, director of WHO's Initiative for Vaccine Research.
Kieny said the decision would be like guessing which vaccine the world will need most, but that WHO would try to hedge its bets by tallying existing seasonal flu vaccine stocks.
"We are gambling whether or not we will have enough seasonal vaccine, but it will not be an 'either-or' situation," she said.
Vaccine makers can make limited amounts of both seasonal flu vaccine and pandemic vaccine — though not at the same time — but they cannot make massive quantities of both because that exceeds capacity.
The impending decision to make pandemic vaccine will also complicate matters for countries in the southern hemisphere, where the flu season is just starting.
WHO usually makes recommendations about which seasonal flu strains should go into next year's southern hemisphere flu vaccine in September. But if vaccine manufacturers are already making pandemic vaccine in the fall, that will mean fewer doses of flu vaccine for people in the southern hemisphere.
Regular flu kills between 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide every year. So far, swine flu appears relatively mild, except in Mexico. Until experts know how contagious and deadly the virus is, they won't know how many people actually need to be vaccinated. If it remains mild, it's possible many people won't need a shot.
But if swine flu evolves into a more deadly strain, more shots may be needed to protect wider swathes of the population. Another possible complication is that the pandemic vaccine will be made using the strain available now; whether that will work if the virus mutates isn't certain.
At the moment, WHO has a bit of breathing space. The key component for the pandemic vaccine, the "seed stock" from the swine flu virus, will not be available for a few weeks.
WHO has already put major vaccine makers on alert they may be asked to switch to making pandemic vaccine soon. According to Chris Viehbacher, chief executive of Sanofi-Aventis, Europe's biggest vaccine maker, his scientists are "working around the clock" on preparations for making a swine flu vaccine for when WHO comes calling.
But they too are waiting for more information. "It is premature to forecast how many doses of swine flu vaccine we could produce," Viehbacher said, noting the company needs to see how much antigen, the active ingredient in a vaccine, is required for each shot. If all goes well, the first doses should be available several months after production begins.
In the U.S., the government hasn't yet decided what to order. "It would all depend on how the outbreaks and the emergency unfolds," said Dr. Ruben Donis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is heading the U.S.' vaccine work.
Vaccine makers have a few options when it comes to making pandemic vaccine. They could add the pandemic strain to the regular vaccine, but adding that extra strain reduces the number of shots you can make. Manufacturers might also use adjuvants, components used to stretch a vaccine's active ingredient.
Recent work on H5N1 vaccines, the bird flu strain many thought would ignite the next pandemic, may also help. John Treanor, a vaccines expert at the University of Rochester said that adjuvants developed during H5N1 research may come in handy now.
He said public health officials were indeed facing a vaccine dilemma. "There is only a certain amount of capacity for vaccine manufacturing," he said. "One has to make some well-reasoned choices, sometimes based on incomplete information."
****************************************
Where do I begin? I can't do it right now. I will have to write about this article at a later date because there are just too many issues at stake here. Plus, I want the time for it to sink in.
****************************************
I want to start off by saying that this "new virus" is actually Influenza Type A (which is the one my daughter got this past winter). The reason it's making the headlines is because it's a new strain of it. As many of you know, new strains of influenza make it into the U.S. every year and that is why they have to change the Flu Shot to keep up with it. Of course, it doesn't always work. (We won't get started on that discussion right now.) So.... basically we should ALL treat this like we would the Flu. We don't need to be getting all worked up about the word "pandemic" because that just makes it sound like that couldn't happen with any other Flu... it can!
The biggest defense against the Flu is hand washing and covering your mouth when you sneeze. I am so tired of people just using hand sanitizer. That's okay if you have no other choice, but washing your hands really well with soap is the better choice. The next thing you need to do is STAY HOME if you're sick! Don't send your child to school on Tylenol (I know we all have done it in the past... don't pretend you haven't). Now is definitely not the time to do that. They have already reported over 400 schools closing around the United States alone. (I am so glad we are near the end of the school year around here.)
The following is the tracker for the Flu and you can check on the entire world. It's very interesting.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.639375,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&z=5
Okay... so now on to the vaccine issue at stake here.... I found some really good information from the Associated Press online concerning this topic. I normally would post the link, but the information is just too good that I MUST share it with you all:
*****************************************
WHO will take vaccine gamble with swine flu
By MARIA CHENG – 2 hours ago
LONDON (AP) — When World Health Organization officials ask vaccine manufacturers to start producing vaccine to fight swine flu in a few weeks, they will be taking a calculated risk.
Flu vaccine companies can only make one vaccine at a time: seasonal flu vaccine or pandemic vaccine. Production takes months and it is impossible to switch halfway through if health officials make a mistake.
While some countries like the United States may be better prepared than others — American officials say production for next year's vaccine batch is so advanced they're nearly finished — the situation for many other countries is unknown.
About 70 percent of the world's flu vaccines are made in Europe, and WHO is trying to figure out how many doses of seasonal flu vaccine remain worldwide before asking vaccine manufacturers to start pumping out pandemic vaccine instead.
"It's a big decision...We've never done this before," said Marie-Paule Kieny, director of WHO's Initiative for Vaccine Research.
Kieny said the decision would be like guessing which vaccine the world will need most, but that WHO would try to hedge its bets by tallying existing seasonal flu vaccine stocks.
"We are gambling whether or not we will have enough seasonal vaccine, but it will not be an 'either-or' situation," she said.
Vaccine makers can make limited amounts of both seasonal flu vaccine and pandemic vaccine — though not at the same time — but they cannot make massive quantities of both because that exceeds capacity.
The impending decision to make pandemic vaccine will also complicate matters for countries in the southern hemisphere, where the flu season is just starting.
WHO usually makes recommendations about which seasonal flu strains should go into next year's southern hemisphere flu vaccine in September. But if vaccine manufacturers are already making pandemic vaccine in the fall, that will mean fewer doses of flu vaccine for people in the southern hemisphere.
Regular flu kills between 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide every year. So far, swine flu appears relatively mild, except in Mexico. Until experts know how contagious and deadly the virus is, they won't know how many people actually need to be vaccinated. If it remains mild, it's possible many people won't need a shot.
But if swine flu evolves into a more deadly strain, more shots may be needed to protect wider swathes of the population. Another possible complication is that the pandemic vaccine will be made using the strain available now; whether that will work if the virus mutates isn't certain.
At the moment, WHO has a bit of breathing space. The key component for the pandemic vaccine, the "seed stock" from the swine flu virus, will not be available for a few weeks.
WHO has already put major vaccine makers on alert they may be asked to switch to making pandemic vaccine soon. According to Chris Viehbacher, chief executive of Sanofi-Aventis, Europe's biggest vaccine maker, his scientists are "working around the clock" on preparations for making a swine flu vaccine for when WHO comes calling.
But they too are waiting for more information. "It is premature to forecast how many doses of swine flu vaccine we could produce," Viehbacher said, noting the company needs to see how much antigen, the active ingredient in a vaccine, is required for each shot. If all goes well, the first doses should be available several months after production begins.
In the U.S., the government hasn't yet decided what to order. "It would all depend on how the outbreaks and the emergency unfolds," said Dr. Ruben Donis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is heading the U.S.' vaccine work.
Vaccine makers have a few options when it comes to making pandemic vaccine. They could add the pandemic strain to the regular vaccine, but adding that extra strain reduces the number of shots you can make. Manufacturers might also use adjuvants, components used to stretch a vaccine's active ingredient.
Recent work on H5N1 vaccines, the bird flu strain many thought would ignite the next pandemic, may also help. John Treanor, a vaccines expert at the University of Rochester said that adjuvants developed during H5N1 research may come in handy now.
He said public health officials were indeed facing a vaccine dilemma. "There is only a certain amount of capacity for vaccine manufacturing," he said. "One has to make some well-reasoned choices, sometimes based on incomplete information."
****************************************
Where do I begin? I can't do it right now. I will have to write about this article at a later date because there are just too many issues at stake here. Plus, I want the time for it to sink in.
****************************************
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