Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

Every child is so different.  It is wonderful that your son is getting such good grades at school, did he have this problem with his teacher from last year?  Does your son's school offer any type of resources to help him while in the classroom.  My son has a slightly different situation, as he is now learning disabled due to brain cancer, but his school sets up meetings with the school Counsler, Psychologist, Teacher, and Principal so that we can go over what is working best to make sure that he is getting the best education possible.  We have the meeting once or twice a year called an IEP meeting, and they are usually after some testing is done to see how he is improving, and in what areas he needs help.  Even children with ADHD and other learning disabilities have these meetings. Our school provides on site Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies for those children who require the services.  Staying focused and on task was one of my son's problems as well, and his current classroom has an aide to assist those children who need the extra reminder to keep on task.  Some of the children have their own Aides full time.   All children deserve the best education possible and I am sure that it is very hard for you and your son. 

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

I absolutely agree with having a routine.  I still follow a routine, it has changed slightly over the years to accomodate additional children and has been adjusted age accordingly, but has always worked wonders in my home.  My children always know what to expect.  Following through is also helpful, although I am sure that sometimes it is hard not to cave in to a crying child, they do seem to thrive on schedules.

Best of Luck.

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

I started cleaning my house for Thanksgiving 2 weeks before the big day!  All my friends were laughing at me.  However, this year was the first year I did not feel completely overwhelmed on Thanksgiving morning.  I started my cleaning with everything up high first...pot shelves, blinds, celing fans, windows, & light fixtures, then everyday I did something else...washed finger prints off walls, baseboards, basic dusting & even did all the yard work.  There are 6 people in my house and we still have to live here.  I just continued to do something everyday until all that was left was to vacuum and prepare the food.  I did get lucky because even though I had 30 people for dinner, everyone brought a dish.  It made for a wonderful day.  I so enjoyed myself, that Friday morning I called my neighbors over for breakfast and we had 13 people for breakfast and lunch!  Thanksgiving leftovers are the best! And so much more enjoyable when you can share!  I plan on adopting this new routine for all my Holidays.

Hey...I guess I better get started again as Christmas is right around the corner.

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

Okay....here goes my story...On Monday's, I have to get a super early start to my day to get all my children to school.  I wake up at 4am to make sure that I can get all 4 children out the door by 6:30am.  All of my children attend different schools, and start at different times, and Mondays are Student Council Meetings, so needless to say I am tired mid morning.  This past Monday, my eldest son also had a Doctor's appointment at the Children's Hospital.  I didn't want him to miss Student Council, so the day went as normal with early drop off.  When I was finished dropping off my first grader, it was time to head to my other son's school and check him out for his appointment.  It is a new school for us this year, and since I am unsure of procedure, I needed to ask the office staff.  She was on the phone, and there was already one child sitting in the office.  When she was finished, she asked me if I needed help, and I proceeded to tell her which teacher my son had and his name.  Then, to my surprise, the boy says..."Mom, I am sitting right here, did you not see me."  His teacher knew I was coming, and had him ready in the office for me.  I COULD NOT believe that I didn't recognize my own child sitting in the office!  I do believe that 4am is just toooo early to start my day!  That's my excuse...and I am sticking to it! 

 We are still laughing about my brilliant parenting moment!

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

My son attends Special Education classes.  He is farther behind in his education than other children his age.  It is no fault of his own, but the brain cancer and treatments that followed that make it difficult for him to learn.  A couple years ago, when it was time for him to be tested like all the other children, he was supposed to receive the tests that were appropriate for the level of education he is at.  The state has now decided that he has to take the standarized test for his age, not his learning ability.  I was upset because basically his teacher told me that he will always fail.  If all special education students test scores are grouped together with the regular education scores, that would ultimately lower the scores without having to take into consideration monies spent and all the other stuff wouldn't it?  I should understand this better, after 5 1/2 years, but most of it just doesn't make sense to me.  I am happy for my son that he is still able to learn, despite his original prognosis, so I just keep helping him the best I can.  Did he fail the standardized test?....Yes...Do I care?....No.  My son is a blessing everyday, regardless of what some test score tells me.

I think more money should be spent on our children and their educations.  It can only help them in the future.

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!

Less is BEST!