1. Books As Entertainment
2. Parent to Parent Help Desk
3. Gifted and Talented Programs: Rate your school
4. Gay Teletubbies?
5. Ground Rules for Teens
6. Politics and Parental Rights
7. Threatened by a bully...
8. Spanking@Home
9. Will the shooting ever stop?
10. Fresh Ideas in Homeschooling
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1. Books As Entertainment
KMHwrites - Dec 8, 1999 6:18pm EST

What JUMPED

George, good question. I read the Harry Potter books with my 9-year-old daughter every night. And the theme that leaps out at us is HONESTY. Being true to what's right and true to yourself is a constant and uplifting thread in the wonderful book trio. In spite of all the controversy surrounding the books "wizardry," we find them very, very positive. That jumps out at us.
Kelly Milner Halls
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2. Parent to Parent Help Desk
brianspot - Dec 8, 1999 7:46pm EST

my 3 year old daughter is exploring herself

was wondering what to do disapline wise etc.. with this subject. not to instill the fear of god that it is wrong to do but what a disapline method could be when she is caught exploring with another of her age. this is a difficult subject. please give any information you can on this matter... thank you very much. BRIANSPOT
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3. Gifted and Talented Programs: Rate your school
DSK - Dec 8, 1999 10:18am EST

Frustration

My two older sons are both identified as gifted children. One is in 3rd grade, the other in 1st grade. Our GT class is a pull-out class in which, once a week, they are permitted to be smart for one hour with similar peers. Primarily they do puzzles and games. At the very most, it is but a break in the monotony of their regular classes. My older son resists the boredom by underachieving, not finishing his classwork, "forgetting" homework, etc. My younger son is more forgiving of the system. We stimulate them as much as we can at home, but they spend the bulk of their time at school. Their teachers ignore their abilities and insist they must follow the curriculum with their classmates. We have tried desperately to install some modifications (compacting, special projects) but the teachers resist firmly. I have even volunteered to help in the classroom, but to no avail. What more can we do? Why is it a star football player receives special training, yet a gifted child is expected to sit on the bench with the rest of the team? What more can we do? Any experience insights and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Debbie
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4. Gay Teletubbies?
JUDY DONATELL - Dec 5, 1999 8:24pm EST

what is a teletubby? is it a bear, or an alien, tv, or what? anyone who can determine the teletubbies sexual preference before being able to identify what it is probably having sexual thoughts about children too. this is controversy started by sick individuals. next they will label barbie as a WHAT, she has alot of stuff & no job
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5. Ground Rules for Teens
Lacewiz - Dec 8, 1999 12:47am EST

communication is important between parent and teen. Give them choices and what are the consequences of those choices. Let them choose and be there to support them.
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6. Politics and Parental Rights
wlckejaru - Dec 8, 1999 1:53am EST

What gives us (the so called free society ) with all of our rules and regulations, the right to decide for this child. Blood is thicker than water and if we make him stay then we too are dictators.
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7. Threatened by a bully...
John M. Cannon - Dec 8, 1999 7:52am EST

I recognize that often the first reaction is to tell their child to hit back, because often the bully only responds to a forceful reaction. And this often is successful. But, on the other hand, fighting back may result in a worse beating than before, or a more violent reaction. While I would espouse teaching any child to defend him/herself, I believe a more sensible approach is to talk with the parents, teacher and principal. And this course of action should be initiated at the very first incidence of this behavior. These persons can take a more positive approach to remedying the problem. If all this fails, than secure a warrant charging the bully with assault and battery. This may cause you some small inconvenience, but will most certainly get the attention of the bully and the parent/s.
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8. Spanking@Home
I.M. Good - Dec 7, 1999 11:30pm EST

growing up in time out

For corporal punishment to be effective one needs respect for the person administering the disipline.

If kids grow up to fast in todays time it is because of punishment that requires analysis of their misdeeds. (Like be sent to a room to "think about it") Thinking should not be a punishment. Time that should be spent playing is now spent thinking about what they did that was wrong. A quick swat on the bottom and a calm admonishment is quick and effective, instilling moral value while leaving time for tag. What is so bad about that?
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9. Will the shooting ever stop?
David F. Bottom - Dec 8, 1999 5:53pm EST

What sense of security? Where do you want to start in history, the "A" bomb fear of the 50's & 60's, World War II of the 40's, the depression of the 30's, the rampant crime and violence of the 20's due to prohibition. I can continue, but I think you get the idea. How can you recapture something you never had?
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10. Fresh Ideas in Homeschooling thumbs up - Dec 8, 1999 3:57pm EST

Mommy & Instructor

Hey! I just found you guys. If I may introduce myself... I am married to a Baptist Minister and we have three children; ages 5, 7 and 9, boy, boy and girl, respectively. This is our first year homeschooling. It's been great but I still have so many questions and situations that come up that I would love some input from others. For one thing, our middle son struggles with major bad attitudes sometimes about school. Many times other factors come into play like being tired, being hungry, not understanding something or whatever... I need some ideas for some positive motivation for him.. I want him to learn to motivate himself and control his attitude. Any ideas?
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