The Elementary Age

Special needs child

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:47:55 GMT

Is anyone dealing with, or know someone who is dealing with, a special needs child? I came across this story that was truly touching to me, and really brought me encouragement and inspiration. Is anyone else dealing with a similar situation? How hard is it? What are your daily routines and such?

Seans' story

Started Thinking About Summer Camp

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:22:25 GMT

I know I know its early... but looking outside and seeing the first snowfall of the winter had me in chills. So I decided to think of warmer times and naturally my mind went to summer camp. I went years ago, my kids go now and they rave about the amazing times they had.

I was looking for a site online to find some information on summer camp (my youngest wants to go and it will be his first year) and I found a great site where I could speak with the parents of last years campers and also with the directors and staff. The site seems pretty new but it already had every camp my kids have gone to, so that was pretty good to see.

Anyway, if winter weather has got you down, definitely check it out if you have kids that go anyway :) it's at www.campography.com

Stay warm everyone!

PS. This is the time of year that Camps offer great discounts if your enroll now. Just make sure to ask about it!

Lost as a New Step-Parernt

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:41:51 GMT

Hi, I am new here and thought I would try my hand at getting advice from veteran step-parents. I have a smart 8 yr old step-son, whom is starting to show his rebel side. He has started to hide his homework from me, and talks back all the time. He has split time with his Father and myself and his Mom. We alternate weeks that we have him since we live in the same town. From what I understand from a mutual friend between the families, his Mother does all of my step-sons homework for him and I make him do it himself unless there is a question. I sit with him, but he wants me to write his vocabulary words for him like his Mom does, and when I don't he gets upset and starts crying, stating I am mean and that I dont care. And since I involved his father in talking to him about an adult doing his homework he has taken up leaving homework at school or on the bus so he does not have to do it. The other children are held to the exact same standards in the home, and I dont do any of the other childrens homework. I am so lost about what to do, I know he smart enough to do these things on his own with minamal guidance. Please if anyone can give a lil advice about my Son I would really appreciate the help!!!

At wits end!

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:12:59 GMT

Hi,

I'm new here and at my wits end. I have an 11 year old daughter who is in 5th grade who has several chronic health issues. She has been giving me a real tough time with getting up in the morning and getting ready for school. It is like time is non-existant for her!! Homework and chores are yet another story. She sits down to do it and it takes her ages, focus is definitely an issue. Mornings are the worst as she refuses to get out of bed and spends an hour in the bathroom. She doesn't care if she gets a tardy at school. She also makes her other siblings late. It is really frustrating and no form of talking, pre-bedtime discussion or yelling works. Her doctors don't think it is a medical issue and think it is more behavioral.

Any suggestions...please.

Killing our kids with Cough Syrup

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:42:29 GMT

I just read an article on the lastest announcement about kids and over the counter cold medicines. You should never give them to kids under the age of 2 (which I don't think I ever did anyways), but there is also a warning about kids under the age of 6. I remember when their noses were so stuffy they couldn't breathe at night, or they coughed and coughed and kept waking themselves up-- I would break out the icky stuff (as they called it)! I was careful about the dosage, but it's scary to think that it could have been dangerous to them!

It is a good reminder, that kids bodies and organ systems do not function in the same manner as adults. This goes for cough syrup, and for any other adult drugs-- pain relievers, etc. And as my kids are now teens-- it goes for alcohol. It's one more weapon in the dialog to explain why drinking is really harmful to a teenager. Besides the bad choices and lowered inhibitions-- it is just physiologically harmful to their developing cells. Scientific fact is going to get me a lot farther than "Just because I say so" in this battle.

Don't Stop Believin'

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:06:11 GMT

Well, it's that time of the year again at our house....the elves arrive. In our area a mom came up with this concept about 10 years ago. (I hasten to add here that she's laughing all the way to the bank!)

Basically she sold these little stuffed elves that come to your house on December 1st. In order to get your elf to come, a child puts out saltines and water (not sure why) the evening of November 30th. For the next month the elves do naughty little things around the house and get into general mischief. Then on December 24th you say bye to your elf because Santa takes him back to the North Pole when he comes that night. I know it sounds so silly, but my 8 year old son is counting the days til his elf arrives. His older siblings also had elves and although the no longer are believers their elves still come too. It's nice because my older two enjoy planning what the elves will do.

I am happy to report that I just went through our boxes of Christmas decorations and I found our elves. They will make their entrance tomorrow with a box of spilled Cheerios or with a roll of toilet paper wrapped on the chandelier. Then we know that the Christmas season has begun at our home!

Lead in Toys

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:04:29 GMT

Recently it seems that there are many stories in the news about the recall of products (usually toys) that contain high and dangerous levels of lead. This is frightening to me, especially as the holidays approach and many of these toys will be purchased.

A friend of ours gave my children some fake, rubber teeth for Halloween. Our friend heard on CNN that they contained high levels of lead and he panicked. He called us immediately and told us to throw them away. Fortunately, my children had barely used them.

A doctor on the news last night said the home testing kits available to test the level of lead in toys was insufficient. As a consumer, what are you going to do differently this holiday season when purchasing gifts? How are you planning to protect yourselves, your loved ones and friends from the products that contain high levels of lead?