Blisstree » kadi

Do Parents Use Disorders As An Excuse?

kadi — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:05:19 +0000

I’ve seen it so many times. We will be playing at a park, shopping in a store or at a school function and we see a child who is being a complete brat. The mom will flush and say something like, “He has ADHD.” Oddly enough, that same child will be seen eating junk food for lunch and is known for the ability to quote whole episodes of Transformers. Hello? If the kid really does have ADHD, why isn’t he on a restricted diet? Why is he obviously consuming way too much television, known to worsen ADHD symptoms?

I know why and so do you. It is an out…a way for parents to justify the bad behavior and not have to put effort into parenting. Now, before you get hot under the collar and yell at me, know this: I do believe that ADD/ADHD and other common childhood disorders are real. My own son was diagnosed with ADHD, among other things. However, we do not use it an excuse to allow him to act out. He also knows that if he chooses to act out, that there will be consequences. Maybe not the same consequences that his siblings without ADHD are subject to, but one that is tailored to his need for patient, gentle discipline and a large amount of teaching/redirecting.

I think that the whole ADHD/ADD epidemic is getting out of control. Foods are being made for convenience and have terrible side effects on the body and mind. Television and video games are too easy to use as babysitters. Parents are becoming too involved in their own lives and look to convenient methods of controlling undesirable behavior (medication is one of the biggest tools that parents are currently seeking out.) In my opinion, it is being abused. If more parents of hyperactive, lethargic, or out of control children would put more effort into treating their children through diet, behavior modification techniques and supplements, instead of passing the buck and opting for convenience, their kids would be much better off in the long run. Sadly, I do not see this happening any time soon. In the end, it is the kids who suffer as they become adults and are unable to function in the real world, where acting uncontrollably leads to jail, chemical dependence or even premature death.

The answer? Stop making excuses and start getting more involved. What is your take on the issue?

Post from: Blisstree

Do Parents Use Disorders As An Excuse?

Winner of The All Ages Micorderm Abrasion Buffer

kadi — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:03:55 +0000

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of our bloggy giveaway #3, the Microderm Abrasion Buffer. The winning comment was submitted by Suzanne B. (Crunchy Green Mom):

“I would love this, I just turned 35 and I need all the help I can get ”

Congrats, Suzanne! I will contact you shortly to get your mailing info. In the meantime, check back for our awesome fall bloggy giveaway contest in the coming months. Thank you to all who participated in our contest!

Post from: Blisstree

Winner of The All Ages Micorderm Abrasion Buffer

No More MIA Homework!

kadi — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:22:59 +0000

Yep, you’re going to see a whole lot of back to school posts around here for the next few weeks! My kids are gearing up to face their return to school in only six more days. One of our biggest struggles is keeping track of the hundreds of school papers that come and go every week. It seems that some of my kids are great at keeping track of everything, while others struggle to find the homework that was in their back pack, just five minutes earlier. The solution? Making an easy system that all kids can use and mom can manage without a huge hassle.

Here at home, we have been through a trial and error method of finding the perfect system for us. We have five kids in school, which adds up to a lot of duplicated school newsletters, book order forms and PTA announcements. In addition to the usual paperwork, each child has a homework packet to keep track of for the week. We implemented a drawer cubby system, much like they use in Kindergarten. Each child empties the contents of their backpack into the personalized drawer as soon as they walk through the front door. As they have a snack, I go through the drawers, throw out duplicate notes, pull out homework and file each packet into a slot in an accordion folder, then pin any important papers onto a large cork-board.

The kids are not allowed to mess with the accordion folder. I retrieve the packets and replace them when the kids are done with homework and I have checked their work. This way, I never neglect to check for mistakes and I know that the homework made it back into the appropriate slot. The kids are responsible for taking any papers that they wish to save and put them into their memory boxes. At the end of the week, the drawers get cleaned out. After the kids are in bed and I have a few minutes of quiet time, I pull the papers off of our cork board and tend to the business of signing field trip forms and other important parental duties. After I finish, the forms go straight back into the backpacks in which they belong. The cork board also serves to display jobs well done, lunch menus and b-day invitations. It has been a great reminder of coming events.

This system may seem overly simplistic, but it works well. The kids have some responsibility, but not an overwhelming amount. The only chance of losing a paper, happens in transit to and from school. Since this rarely happens, we have had a huge decrease in missing homework packets and the like. Now…remembering who has which lunch is an entirely different problem!

Post from: Blisstree

No More MIA Homework!

Born In A Barn

kadi — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:29:41 +0000

My husband and I are constantly on our kids about their inconsiderate acts. If they walk in and leave the door open, they have to go back and shut the door immediately. If they slam the door, they have to practice gently opening and closing it, ten times. If they leave the fridge open, the get a warning. The second time, they have to write a paragraph about why the door should stay shut. They are taught to say please and thank you. They are expected to use proper telephone etiquette. We generally frown upon precociousness and bad manners. It was how we were raised and it is how we are choosing to raise our kids.

Apparently, there are people out there who do not practice these habits, disciplines and standards. I cannot tell you how many times we’ve had a school friend over to play, only to watch them help themselves to the contents of our fridge, leave doors open and behave in a manner that borderlines utter barbarianism. Yet, they think nothing of it. I have had to explain house rules on many occasions and repeat them until I’m ready to send the violating party home.

Why? Why should I have to teach other people’s kids manners and common sense courtesy? Why don’t parents take priority in these things anymore? I’m sure that there are some who still do. In fact, we do know a few families who have well mannered children. They are the only ones we extend invitations to. It’s not that I do not like the kids who are devoid of manners, but it is exhausting work to teach my own kids. I do not feel that it is my job to try and teach others as well, or my plight to have to tolerate rude behavior. Am I alone here?

Post from: Blisstree

Born In A Barn

The Worst Offenders

kadi — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:59:32 +0000

With a new school year just a sneeze away, many parents are getting ready to put their children back on the medication that they’ve taken a summer break from. Some of these parents, along with others who have children that display behavioral problems but do not take medication, are concerned with ensuring that their kids can focus and not be disruptive during school hours. What many of them do not realize, is that what you eat greatly affects brain function, concentration, hyperactivity and behavior. The following is a list of ingredients that, if eliminated from the diet of children, can be of assistance in controlling a child’s behavior and academic performance:

Any kind of food dye, especially red.
Any processed foods (lunch meat, chicken nuggets and most convenience foods fall under this category.)
White flour (also called “bleached flour.”)
High fructose corn syrup.
Refined sugar (usually just called “sugar”)
Sulfates (found in hot dogs and many other foods)
In some cases, gluten and casein (allergy tests can determine if you child has an allergy to these.)

If your child has problems with hyperactivity, loss of focus or is being disciplined frequently for behavior problems, you may benefit from taking a closer look at their diet. Most foods that are served in cafeterias contain these ingredients. Many foods that advertise convenience in packing lunches are big culprits in causing reactions that disguise themselves as undesirable behavior. Do your child a favor and try to keep school lunches and snacks as natural as possible. You just might find that their behavior radically changes for the better because of it!

Post from: Blisstree

The Worst Offenders

Winner Of Max Lucado’s “Cure For The Common Life”

kadi — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:31:21 +0000

I am pleased to announce the winner of our Bloggy Giveaway #1, Max Lucado’s book: Cure For The Common Life. We have randomly selected comment number forty seven (#47) submitted by Elizabeth M. Congratulations, Elizabeth M.!

Thank you for all of your wonderful comments and I’d like to add that if I had the money, I’d love to send every one of you a copy of this book. I truly believe that this book is life changing and recommend that you purchase this book if you did not win the giveaway. We will announce the winner of the Microderm Abrasion Buffer on Monday, so if you have not had a chance to enter your comment and would like to win, please make a point to do so before then! Have a pleasant weekend!

Post from: Blisstree

Winner Of Max Lucado’s “Cure For The Common Life”

Kick Back And Give Back

kadi — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:38:48 +0000

Just a quick update on the August 16th charity event and wine tasting that will benefit the late Scott Terrill’s sons:

Pre sale tickets are now being offered for only $15 at http://www.cherishedeventsllc.com/!
This is five dollars off of the regular ticket price and one of our lucky pre sale ticket purchasers will receive an extra raffle ticket to win a fabulous prize! If you are going to be in Southern California on August 16th, please mark your calendar to join us at this event. If you cannot make it, but still would like to purchase a ticket to help support Scott Terrill’s surviving sons, please visit the site for more details on how to do so. We appreciate all of the donations and support we have received so far!

Here is a quick summary of the Terrill Charity Event for those of you who do not know about it already:

What: Cherished Events Charity In Honor of Lane and Tate Terrill
Wine tasting and appetizers. Live music by the great Lorenz and prize raffles and
shopping!
When: August 16th 10am-2pm
Where: Etiwanda Gardens 7576 Etiwanda Avenue, Etiwanda, CA, 91739 (photos below)

Who: Since this event features alcohol consumption, we are encouraging adult attendance
Why: We are donating our proceeds to the sons of the late Scott Terrill, who passed on July 4th.
Tickets: $15 presale, $20 door, $5 raffle tickets available at our Cherished Events website
Vendors: Limited space is available for businesses who wish to rent a table for this event.
Please contact Cherish at 909)373-7060

We look forward to seeing you there!

Post from: Blisstree

Kick Back And Give Back

Bloggy Giveaway #3: All Ages Microderm Abrasion Facial Buffer

kadi — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:54:24 +0000

So far this week, we’ve offered a prize that feeds your soul, with Max Lucado’s book “Cure For The Common Life.” We have also offered a prize that feeds your internet addiction with the fabulous MoGo Mouse. Today we are offering a little something that feeds the need to keep your skin looking youthful and glowing! Time is running out on the Bloggy Giveaway Week, so hurry and enter now.

All Ages – Microderm® Abrasion Facial Buffer

Beauticontrol’s ergonomic buffer is comfortable to hold, durable and sturdy. Buffer comes with two brushes and operates at two speeds: gentle and normal. Using a buffer is the best way to exfoliate dead skin cells and dry, rough patches. (www.beauticontrol.com)

*Leave a comment for a chance to win. Contest ends August 4th. Open to residents of the US and Canada only. Good luck!

Post from: Blisstree

Bloggy Giveaway #3: All Ages Microderm Abrasion Facial Buffer

How Far Would You Go?

kadi — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:44:14 +0000

We used to have deep philosophical conversations in my high school Peer Leadership class. Sometimes, the teacher, Mr. Vaniman, would give a group of us a question to ponder and discuss. One of my favorites was, “How far would you be willing to go for a loved one?” Which meant, would you be willing to break the law, go against your morals or even turn against everyone you know to stand up for someone you love? It seems like an easy question, but there are so many situations in life that could possibly occur that the answers vary from one situation to the next.

So let me be more specific. Ask yourself these questions and then answer them in the comments section:

Would you believe your child if he/she told you that your spouse or partner was molesting them? What if your spouse/partner emphatically denied it and it was their word against your child’s?
Would you steal money in order to pay for your dying child’s life saving operation? What if you wouldn’t get caught?
Would you kill a person who was trying to harm your child?
Would you lie for your child if he/she committed a serious crime and you knew that they would go to jail for life, if you told the truth?
Would you be willing to let a doctor try an experimental drug on your terminally ill child if the success rate was only a 50% chance and the treatment’s failure meant death? At what percentage would you change your mind?

Just some food for thought. While it is obvious that we would all give our lives for our kids in a heart beat, it is always interesting to ponder how extreme we would be willing to get, in order to preserve their well being, innocence, freedom and safety.

Post from: Blisstree

How Far Would You Go?

Bloggy Giveaway #1: Cure For The Common Life

kadi — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:30:44 +0000

To kick off the bloggy giveaways, this week, we at Guerrilla Parenting are giving away Max Lucado’s book Cure For The Common Life.The book teaches the reader how to find their “sweet spot” in life and use it to create a joyful existence. It really helped me realize my gifts and use them to their fullest potential. It helped me to be a happier mommy, as well. In short, this book changed my life and it is why I have decided to give a copy of it away to one lucky reader.

Leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win this inspiring creation by world renowned author, Max Lucado. We will select one comment, at random, to win. Then head over to Womb At The Inn(sane) and leave a comment there to enter for a chance to win a sassy mommy shirt from Defiant Mom. Take advantage of this weeks contests and treat yourself to a chance at winning fabulous prizes!

Post from: Blisstree

Bloggy Giveaway #1: Cure For The Common Life