I have posted earlier about my husband and his quest to join the FBI. I have talked about how it has been 10 months since phase I and just now he is on to phase II. It is all a very complicated and time consuming mess to me, but I know he wants it badly so we are working through it. The problem is, with all of this waiting, comes uncertainty and we don’t know where we will be living next fall.

Mind you, if we were young and/or childless it would not be a big deal. We could go with the flow and pick up and move anytime. Of course, that is not our situation. Jake and Sam are transitioning to public school next year. Wherever they start school is where we want them to stay for the year. What worries us is that the way things have gone so far with this process, we may have to be apart for all or part of the year to make this happen. The worst part is we have no way of knowing when we’ll be able to make any kind of decision. Can someone say STRESS?

All of this limbo has also meant I needed to tell my boss that she can’t count on me to return to St Annes as a teacher next year. I can’t tell her yes and they leave her hanging in August if something should happen and we had to move suddenly. Thankfully Jake and Sam are too young to care too much about the details of all of this, but I know they are counting on us to make sure they have stability next school year. That is out #1 goal…..I just hope we can make it happen.

Is anyone else in limbo right now? It is PCS season soon…..are you worried about a possible move and how it will affect your kids?

My son is in Kindergarten.  Still an age of innocence, right?!  I was dumbfounded by what came out of his mouth when he got angry the other day.  I stood there for a second thinking he didn’t really just say that to me and then proceeded to put him on timeout.  After speaking with him later about it I discovered that someone he considers a friend (and someone I consider a bad influence) uses “potty words” all the time.  So, we discussed our home “rules” again and set some future consequences for him using inappropriate language.  We try really hard not to expose our children to words we don’t want them using.  In fact, “stupid” is a bad word to us; we prefer to use silly instead.  It hit me the his outside influences are becoming stronger as he is away from home longer.  I know we cannot “shelter” him forever, but, really?  Kindergarten?!

So, how do we teach our children to differentiate which words and phrases are OK and appropriate and which are not?  Inside our homes we set the tone and the rules for what is OK.  However, when children hear things in movies or in stores it is OK to say, “ignore that,” or “we don’t say things like that.”   Yet, there are many times our children will hear things and will most likely try repeating them for effect.  It is best not to get too angry until you discuss what they understand about what they just said.  Most often than not, our kids don’t really know what they are repeating.  It is a “parrot” affect.  However, once discussed, future rules need to be clear.

It is also a good idea to tell our children to stand up and tell their friends not to use certain language because it is offensive.  If they choose not to respect you, again it becomes a learning lesson in choosing our friends wisely.  If children are using foul language on the playground at recess, I want my children to tell an adult.  There is no reason to have “potty” mouths, especially at school where we should be teaching our children good grammar and words.  School is the last place I want my child picking up inappropriate language or manners.

Here is a neat article about different reasons a child may use “bad words,”  it’s not always what we think.

How do you handle when your child uses a new word that may not be acceptable in your home?  Do you think a child should be encouraged to tell an adult or teacher or do you view that as tattling?

“Mom, I need to do homework.”  For most tweens, this is the dreaded phrase, however, for my daughter, it means projects!  My daughter has found herself doing her regular homework and having 2 huge AIG projects.  So, although she is up to date and not overwhelmed in her regular classes, she still has research, experiments and projects to be continuously working on.

I am so proud of her.  We don’t watch TV during the school week or on school nights, so that leaves Friday or Saturday evening.  Even during the holiday break she declined to watch any TV because she had to do “homework.”  I have found myself watching her in amazement as she has learned self discipline, dedication, goal setting and prioritizing her time.  She has found out when she does take down time what she enjoys doing…spending time with the family, drawing or crafting.  So, is homework such a bad thing?.

By re-phrasing homework or assignments into projects, her gifted teacher has made the learning process one of fun and excitement.  By allowing the children to decide within the perimeters set, she has taught them to be decision makers.  By giving a timeline of due dates, she has taught time management and responsibility.  Sharing past experiences has motivated my daughter to want to pick something unique that could possible lead her to competitions, again appealing to another side of my daughter.

We as parents have had to step back and allow her to “grow up.”  It is so easy to want to step in and tell her what we think she should do because it will definitely win, right?.  Wrong.  It is easy for us to hold her hand and “help,” but I’m inclined to think it’s crippling her if we do not step back and let her decide and we supervise and offer advice when asked.  This stage is so hard, but it is crucial to her growing up.  I find myself biting my tongue and having to let things go that I would have done differently.  I find myself not saying, “I told you so,” and just hugging her and listening to her humble, “I should have listened to you.”  I find myself in awe as a parent watching the growing phases and realize why we call them the growing pains.

Do you find your tween overburdened with homework or accurately balanced for their age and grade?  Do you as a parent feel inclined to fix mistakes or allow them to accept consequences of perhaps doing homework too quickly?  Where’s the fine line?

In my mind, a good teacher is up there as a one of the most important things you can have for your children!  In our school life so far, we have been very blessed with good teachers.  This sweet teacher in the picture has been important in both of my children’s lives thus far.  They have both had the honor of being in her classroom, feeling of her love and learning from her!!

I’m sure there are many stories you as parents have of good and maybe not so good teachers.  Do teachers realize the great responsibility they have to our children?  Do they realize they are teaching incredible lessons to our children?  Do they know they are at the foundation of these children’s lives and education?  So far in our life, my children’s teachers know this and embrace this!!  I know that sending them off each day they are in good hands.  I know they are receiving a solid education, I know they are protected and I know they are loved!!  At the same time, these sweet teacher’s are also teaching them accountability and discipline for their actions!!  This knowledge for me is such a breath of fresh air!!

All you teachers out there….Thank You!!  We know your job is not an easy job!  We know you are often exhausted, frustrated and spent!!  We know you love our children and want the best for them!!  Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our children’s educational foundation!!

What are some experiences you have had with great teachers?

U.S. kids and tweens are getting most of the water in their diet from sweetened drinks instead of plain old H2O.

A study in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that, depending on age, only 15 to 60 percent of boys and 10 to 54 percent of girls get the minimum amount of water recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Water is critical for good health because it helps with digestion and carries nutrients to cells in the body. It also helps regulate body temperature and lubricates joints. Even mild dehydration can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and headaches.

A Closer Look

Researchers at the City University of New York and National Cancer Institute looked at the water intake of 3,978 boys and girls, ages 2 to 19, who had been in a national nutrition study from 2005 to 2006. They looked at water consumption, as well as at water in moist foods and moisture in all beverages and nutritious drinks such as milk and juice.

They found that kids of all ages were more likely to drink beverages than water at mealtime. More than two-thirds of water consumed came from beverages with main meals, and only one-third of the plain water was consumed with meals.

Children who drank the most plain water consumed fewer sweetened beverages and ate fewer high-calorie foods.

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