Kristyn Crow's comments

In The Doghouse - Blog Entry

15 Dec 2006 10:18 PM

My silly dog won't go in his igloo. It will be pouring rain and he'll still sit outside, soaking wet, until I bring him in the house. He will NOT find shelter in his little igloo home. I'm frustrated, because I'd like to be able to leave him outside when I shop or run errands without worrying about him if it starts to rain or gets cold. Any idea how to get him to adopt the igloo as his den? We tried putting doggie treats inside. He gladly takes them but promply leaves and won't go back in. UGH!

The Pain of Letting Go - Blog Entry

14 Dec 2006 07:39 PM

Thank you. I really appreciate the positive feedback! Thanks for taking the time to comment.

My Favorite Blog - Blog Entry

29 Nov 2006 10:52 PM

That's for sure. I'd like to be my son for a day, just to see what I might be missing. Thanks, Sherry!

Six Universal Rules of Discipline - Blog Entry

29 Nov 2006 09:38 PM

Sometimes I wonder why I say the same things over and over and nobody listens. And you're right, it drives me nuts. Maybe my misbehavior is working for me?

What Happened to Those Children Kept in Cages? - Blog Entry

22 Nov 2006 11:08 PM

Anna, that makes sense. I suppose I was hoping to hear a tiny tidbit that they were doing well, thriving, flourishing even... something that let us know they were okay. But like I said in the blog, if they're asleep tonight in their beds, I suppose that's enough for now. This must have been heartwrenching for them--cages aside--to lose the people they knew as their parents, on top of everything else. I am frustrated that a better system isn't in place. Eleven children with these serious needs should have been monitored very closely.

Adoptive Couple Kept their Special Needs Children in Cages - Blog Entry

22 Nov 2006 09:04 PM

Havs--For the last few days I've been doing the same thing, trying to Google to find out what happened to the children. I can't find much. But I'm now about to post a follow-up blog. Thanks for keeping in touch!

Adoptive Couple Kept their Special Needs Children in Cages - Blog Entry

20 Nov 2006 08:02 AM

Good luck, Havs! It sounds like you've got an adventure ahead of you. But some child out there is going to be awfully lucky. Check back and let us know how things turn out!

Adoptive Couple Kept their Special Needs Children in Cages - Blog Entry

18 Nov 2006 11:26 PM

The trouble is that special needs kids are harder to place, so obviously nobody is bothering to follow-up. I have to admit, I wonder about couples who adopt such a large number of children. At some point one has to realize, "I am not able to physically care for this many." And clearly, when kids are being put in cages in order to control them, there are too many there for this couple to handle. (And this couple clearly shouldn't be handling ANY.)

Anna, educate me... What is the motivation for couples to continue adopting when it's clear they are overwhelmed? Is there money or funding that they receive? It's frightening to think that this could be a way for someone to make a living.

This is really sad to say... but sometimes I wonder if a group home setting with caretakers would be a better scenario for these kids than being adopted by couples who find barbaric ways to gain control.

To answer your question, Anna, I think that there's no way to stop these kids from getting into bad adoption situations when they're so difficult to place. The answer has to be that more checking should be done, and frequently. A social worker, or several, should be examining and re-examining the living conditions as well as the well-being and general health of the children.

"I Don't Want to Go to Gifted School!" - Blog Entry

10 Nov 2006 09:55 PM

Wow. I am really grateful for all of your insightful comments. I loved hearing each of you speak from your personal experiences. What is interesting is that when I was in fifth grade, I was sent to a different school to attend a gifted program. It was called SOP for "Special Opportunity." The SOP kids attended a special fifth and sixth grade class. It was a bit awkward attending a new school at first, but eventually I loved the program. I don't remember if my parents gave me an option or just told me to go. But I remember wanting to do it, anyway.

There is a lot to think about here. I agree that I should investigate the philosophy of the program and make sure I know what's involved. But each of you have really educated me, and I truly appreciate it.

"I Don't Want to Go to Gifted School!" - Blog Entry

10 Nov 2006 07:09 AM

Well, that's motivation for sure! I'm sure all parents dream that their children will graduate from college debt-free with numerous job offers. Were your kids mainstreamed with the TAG program, or were they relocated to new schools? I really appreciate you sharing that information. Where I am, they aren't calling it "TAG," but G/T. Interesting.