Miriam Caldwell's comments

Young Women: Planning a Babysitting Service Night - Blog Entry

22 Nov 2006 07:26 PM

My ward offered this service for a short time. I wish they would do it again. It really can help!

LDS Family Services - Blog Entry

22 Nov 2006 07:23 PM

The services really are great. I have heard of more people taking advantage of the counseling services than anything else. I do know a few that have adopted through LDS services. Everyone only has positive things to say.

Dinner Discussions Week 43 - Blog Entry

22 Nov 2006 07:19 PM

Thanks! I hope that a simple outline will make it easier for everyone to reinforce the lessons at home. It is also a great chance to answer any questions that your children may have!

Post-Natal Fitness: So You Just Had a Baby .... - Blog Entry

17 Nov 2006 12:51 PM

Thanks so much for addressing this topic. I am about to deliver and I really want to get my body back as quickly as possible this time.

A Library in a Shopping Mall? - Blog Entry

16 Nov 2006 08:42 AM

I miss the Orem library. It was a rare gem in everything that it had to offer. My husband especially misses it, because of the film collection which had tons of hard to find films and foreign films. One of the best collections he has seen. He just got his MA in film and the Universities around here, didn't have what Orem has to offer. It is great that it is being updated and remodeled.

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

10 Nov 2006 09:00 PM

I do think that there are benefits for your child to begin the programs as early as possible. Where I am right now they do not identify children AG until they are in fourth grade. If my children are identified I will have them join the programs. Socially my children are not as shy as I was, plus I hated being bored in school. I had teachers that really tried to adapt for my needs. One let me work on my own the entire year, and I finished the math book, history book and language arts book that year, and still had time left at the end of the year.

In my school district it was the exception for the children to go to the gifted school, so I did not feel isolated as I entered the honors program in middle school and then continued the Honors/A.P route through high school. You will want to check how it works in your area, and district. I think it is great that gifted children are given the extras that they need now.

While I do regret being bored throughout elementary school, I am okay with what my parents decided. I was so shy that I would have really struggled with two sets of friends. Also I think that the gifted program at that time was too unstructured. I believe in finding a balance between meeting deadlines, and allowing children to explore on their own topics of their interest.

I know several mothers who home school because their gifted children's needs aren't being met in the schools (even with the additional AG programs). No matter what you decide it is important to make sure that you feel his needs are being met in the classroom (which I am sure that you do anyway.)

Good Luck on your decision. It is a great chance for Liam and although the decision might be tough, I bet many parents would like to be in your shoes!

The Emily of New Moon Series - L.M. Montgomery - Blog Entry

10 Nov 2006 08:42 PM

This is my favorite series by L.M. Montgomery. She is in my top ten of authors, and I don't place one above the others in that list. I have entire shelf devoted to her books. These are great!

Treating Colds During Pregnancy - Blog Entry

10 Nov 2006 07:14 PM

I would double check with your doctor on Sudafed. It was allowed in my last two pregnancies, but not my current one. My husband said that they changed the formula, so I would just double check to be on the safe side.

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

10 Nov 2006 06:40 PM

I was in the gifted program growing up, but my mother elected not to send me to the special gifted school. Socially she felt that it would be too hard on me to have separate school friends and neighborhood friends. I was pretty bored in elementary school because they didn't really offer extra services, just more work. However I was placed in Honors programs in middle school and high school. While there I got to meet some of the kids who were put in the special school. One joined us in middle school and did great at adjusting to being mainstreamed. He was always a little shy though. The second joined us in high school, and she floundered. She was so smart, and it was awful to see her struggle the way that she did. She would become focused on one subject or project, and forget to do any of her other work. In the end she wasn't able to graduate because she had never learned to meet deadlines, hand in work, and multi-task. These skills do involve silly routine busy work, but are still necessary to survive in the real world. When you make your decision, make sure that you agree with the educational philosophy behind the program, and that your son's need will be met. If you decide not to place him, it won't be the end of the world. Once he reaches middle school and high school he can begin to take honors or AP classes and really excel there.

Sleep Disorder: Jeremiah's Story - Blog Entry

08 Nov 2006 07:09 PM

Good Luck Anna. I hope the surgery works, and you and Jeremiah can finally get some sleep.