dpenna's comments

Ten Ways to Help Your Child With ADHD Succeed in School - Blog Entry

08 Sep 2006 10:19 PM

Thank you so much for this article. My daughter's teacher last year was great...they had symbols to use and the teacher understood how to act with my child. This year, she has been placed in a combination class and I fear that the male teacher doesn't know how to deal with her. He is a very quiet man as well, so I am afraid he will ignore her "inattentive" behavior and let her mind wander.

My daughter is different than some ADHD, whereas she is actually ahead of herself academically. So for my daughter, one thing she needs to succeed in school is to be challenged. Otherwise, she sits there bored and there is nothing worse than a bored ADHD child!

I didn't know ADHD kids qualified for special requests, so thank you so much! As it so happens, I have a meeting on Monday with the Superintendent of Schools to discuss my disapproval of her being in a combo class, so I will use this information to my advantage. Thanks again!

Eating School Lunch With Your Child - Blog Entry

08 Sep 2006 10:05 PM

Awwww, that is so sweet! No wonder your child felt special! Last year I tried to have lunch with my kindergartener a few times, though it was hard with the "little one" tagging along. I did see a mom bring in pizza one day, just like you, so I guess other moms have these great ideas, too! I'm not sure the school would let me take my daughter out for lunch, but maybe when she's older. :)

Diary of an Overweight Mom- Day 3: Sayonara no-carb - Blog Entry

08 Sep 2006 10:01 PM

Your food journal looks great! I agree about the no-carb diets. First time I tried one, I was diving head-first into a bowl of rice like it was the last bowl of rice on earth. The diet is not for me. You're doing better than I, as I have failed to put my WATP dvd in the last two days. Ugh! Keep it up, you're doing great!

Homosexual Agenda Being Promoted In Schools - Blog Entry

08 Sep 2006 05:36 PM

Hi Misty. I agree with you about teaching kids about sex. However, I don't see how mentioning the acheivements of homosexuals is teaching kids about sex. I just think that what the CTA wants to do has been misinterpreted to mean that there is some sort of promotion of a homosexuals' orientation, which is not the case. Because a textbook mentions the anti-abortion movement does not mean it is promoting either for or against abortion. And if you're wondering if your child will say "what is a homosexual," I can bet you the mention of gays in textbooks will be at an age-appropriate level. If your junior high or high school student doesn't know that there are different types of sexual orientation by then, they are living in a bubble in my opinion. Telling a child (at whatever age you deem appropriate) that "some men fall in love with men instead of women" is not teaching them anything about sex. Because of course, people seem to forget that homosexuality is more than just a deviation of bedroom behavior...it's a choice made about who they want to love. The sex is secondary, just as in any relationship.

To reiterate my main point -- I think everything the schools are doing to promote tolerance and inclusion is not meant to endorse any behavior or teach kids about sex. It is meant to avoid lawsuits by gays who are abused, taunted, misunderstood, and otherwise discriminated against in schools, and later in life. However, for some reason, people keep wanting to believe that all gays want to push their agenda on everyone else, which is not the case.

Step Out From Behind The Camera - Blog Entry

07 Sep 2006 09:09 PM

Great read! I have to remind myself to pass off the camera after taking a few shots so that I can be in a few. I guess the control freak part of myself is worried that nobody else will take the shots I want, so I'd rather just take them all myself. I've learned, though, that my kids will want to see photos of myself when they are older, so I am trying to get better at asking my husband to take pictures for a change.

Why We're Not Going Back to School - Blog Entry

07 Sep 2006 06:15 PM

Year round schools actually don't teach year round (at least in California). They school for three, then have a month off, and repeat that a few times. So really, the time spent in school is the same, only the schedule is different. Weird. LOL

Homosexual Agenda Being Promoted In Schools - Blog Entry

07 Sep 2006 06:11 PM

Discriminating against gays by keeping their highlights out of history books is akin to keeping blacks, redheads, and people with blue eyes out of the books as well. Research is showing that homosexuality (and other deviations) have an origin in genetics.

In my opinion, which is supported by science, homosexuals do not choose their orientation, but rather, they are born that way. Including it in a history book does not mean the schools endorse or promote the activity. After all, we learned about Hitler and Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor and many other wars. Does that mean we are promoting Germans who kill Jews or the killing of innocent Japanese?

It's up to the parent to instill values in the child, but it's up to the schools to EDUCATE the kids, and I'm glad California is progressive in teaching our kids about the world they live in, whether or not they choose to participate or agree or tolerate. What I can't tolerate is when people believe their beliefs are the one and only "right" way to live. Nobody has the right to be the judge of others.

Diary of an Overweight MOM-Will I Lose The Weight? Will You Join Me? The CHALLENGE. - Blog Entry

05 Sep 2006 09:42 PM

This is just in time for me. My oldest is 6 and youngest almost 3 as well, so I know how you feel! And just today, I borrowed my mom's Walk Away the Pounds DVD because I couldn't find mine. I am starting a Women with Weights class in October and have set a goal to lose 15 pounds before then...so now I have motivation and support! I would love to do this...I'm concentrating mostly on exercise.

Become an Ordained Minister Online? - Blog Entry

05 Sep 2006 09:31 PM

I think it's great. My husband did this years ago, but never used it. Then last month, a close family friend came to us and said she wants him to marry her and her fiance in October. I think it is a wonderful option for couples who do not want a church official to oversee their vows, and a great way to include friends and family in the most important day of their lives. Not everyone does it to start a business.

Magazine Submissions: Tips, Jokes, & Fillers - Blog Entry

05 Sep 2006 08:56 PM

Great article, Sherry! I have been interested in writing fillers in the past, but often wondered where and how to submit them. A guest blog on that would be great!