Pam Connell's comments

Funny, and Frustrating, Boy Stories - Blog Entry

23 Feb 2007 11:33 AM

Yes, I'm not usually one to freak out but we used a lot of Purell that day, Purell then soap then more Purell....this is a really sweet and studious kid, but for some reason found this fascinating. EWWW is right!

Funny, and Frustrating, Boy Stories - Blog Entry

23 Feb 2007 10:50 AM

My two girls were also in the mud yesterday, two inches think over all their clothes, which I left outside the back door to hose down later.

But there is something unique about boys, as shows the following which, alas, comes from my personal experience:

Q: What's worse than your son bringing you a dead bird? A: Your son bringing you half a dead bird.

(This took place at a Cub Scout nature scavenger hunt when a parent naively made the last item on the list "something else you find that interests you". And yes, the bird was already in half when my son found it!)

The Violence to Young Children Continues - Blog Entry

23 Feb 2007 10:45 AM

Dear Ed, I think you are right. I would consider myself fairly liberal on many issues but absolutely cannot see how people can deny the life of unborn (preborn) children. I think it leads to people devaluing children in general--and even devaluing themselves, since we judge people based on their accomplishments or whether they are "wanted" by the rest of us fallible human beings.

Of course, much of the statistical increase in abuse may well be increased reporting of abuse, but still I see a disturbing trend toward devaluing the humanity of each person in general. I would also submit that those who abort and/or abuse children likely do not value children because they themselves have not been valued.

Sometimes I am really torn when voting because it seems that the choice is between those who want to legally protect the unborn and those who would deny the unborn legal protection, but advocate programs such as prenatal health care and improvements in the health, education and child welfare systems that would a)make it more feasible for parents to raise children and b) show already-born children that society values their lives.

I am far from a "tax and spend" liberal but I'm quite willing to pay for programs that really help people. I do believe in personal responsibility and am frustrated with people content to remain on welfare. Yet personally know of people who stay on welfare to keep health insurance for their children and even one couple driven to divorce to get benefits for their disabled child.

I don't know alll the answers and am interested to hear what your readers think.

About 15 years ago I lived in a state which required that people receiving state welfare funds who were not in school or in a job, spend 20 hours a week volunteering in the community. I worked in a family literacy program at the time and "hired" a secretary through this program. She enabled us to get much more work done, and she was able to learn computer skills and typing and get work experience, as well as attend a parenting class through our program. I don't know if that program still exists but I've always wondered why it doesn't in more places.

i know this is kind of a rambling comment but I've struggled with these things in my heart for a long time. Thanks for your blogs which constantly remind us of the importance of the innocent children.

Other Kids' Reactions to My Adopted Kids' Skin Color - Blog Entry

18 Feb 2007 01:20 AM

I should also mention that my son, at age 3, said that his classmate "Anush" (from India) was chocolate and his sister was peanut butter!

Care of African American Children in Transracial Adoptions: Different Skin Colors - Blog Entry

17 Feb 2007 03:47 PM

Wow, that doll study link is incredible. I had read about the study but it's different to see and hear the children. Wow.

Celebrating Chinese New Year - Blog Entry

16 Feb 2007 06:20 PM

Hi Lauri, it's always nice to meet someone else trying to celebrate this holiday too. Your readers can read a little more about it in my blog, Lunar New Year, http://adoption.families.com/blog/lunar-new-year

Koreans and a few other countries celebrate the New Year at this time also.

Homeschooling My Gifted Son. . .When the Others Are Not - Blog Entry

15 Feb 2007 05:16 PM

I like the children's book "I Love You the Purplest" by Barbara Joose. It's good for helping a kid understand how kids are different and how a mom can love all her kids in different ways. I do understand your situation goes a bit beyond this, but maybe it will help some.

The Trend to Open Adoption - Blog Entry

13 Feb 2007 05:13 PM

I think you're on the right track. Asking the boys' psychologist and your adoption worker confirms that you are interested in the boys' welfare not your own comfort.

Open adoption is definitely the trend in U.S. infant adoptions where the birthparents relinquish their parental rights voluntarily.

Adoption-Photos for Family Life Book - Blog Entry

12 Feb 2007 07:26 PM

Thanks for sharing your experience and solutions Rochelle. Your readers can also find a few related blogs in the adoption blog.

Congratulations on your coming addition!

Homeschooling with a toddler - Blog Entry

07 Feb 2007 01:02 AM

Modeling loving parenting is absolutely the best thing we can teach our children. The results go on for generations.