<p>Thanks jaylynn…</p>
<p>It’s been a week since mspearl last posted…</p>
<p>Hoping that each day is getting a little better…</p>
<p>Janlynn–I’m glad to hear the tiny prints report. I found an announcement on there in his school colors (purple and gold) that was cute. We need for H to take new pictures of S and then get them ordered. We’re also thinking of taking pictures of him on campus when we’re down at S’more for alumni weekend in a few weeks and using that on the announcements too. </p>
<p>Congrats to Debbie’s D!!</p>
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<p>911 – you made my day! ;)</p>
<p>Congrats to Debbie’s D!</p>
<p>Re: Summer Programs, our D did one week long program that we paid for, and Congressional Academy her Junior year (competitive, application with essays/LORs, fully funded). She also did a week long program with the District Atty’s office (application/LOR’s, no cost). She really enjoyed all of them, but mostly used the Junior Year summer for applications. She does a lot of volunteering in the summer (childern’s science museum, Girl Scouts), and a Girl Scout trip about every other (fully funded by her Cookie Sales).
I think Congressional Academy was had a huge impact on her, and many of the other participants. The kids are still in touch with each other, and are trying to figure out a “reunion” this summer. It’s hard when they are so spread out (2 from each state) Unfortunately, the program has been discontinued.
I think I would look for local summer programs. Even the one we paid for didn’t cost that much!</p>
<p>summer programs: my son didn’t do anything particularly eye-popping, but he had fun! He went on a 19 day EF tour of Europe with an art teacher (he is not an artist) and then did the first and last summer drama camp at his HS.</p>
<p>Maybe we can start a new trend with “secret” messages in the reasons for edits. At least it will prove to anyone that reads this thread that many of us have been driven crazy by our children.</p>
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<p>When I was living in Atlanta and breastfeeding my D, then an infant, I got into a conversation about breastfeeding with a local who had already raised her children. Sharing her opinion about the proper age to wean, she said, “It just seems to me that if a child is able to go to the refrigerator and make himself a sandwich, his mama should not still be breastfeeding him.” </p>
<p>I promise, this story is much funnier if you hear me tell it with my pretend southern lady drawl, complete with pauses for effect and dramatic emphases on particular words for no apparent reason. In my memory, she really pulled out the stops on “sandwich,” so you could just imagine a toddler making his way to the refrigerator to put together his first ham on rye.</p>
<p>Although I’m one of those who posted/boasted that their child never drank from a bottle, nursing toddlers creep me out. When D started showing less interest at around 11 months, I withdrew any session she refused two or three days in a row. She was fully weaned around her first birthday, and that worked for us. Of course, every baby and mom is different.</p>
<p>the speaker’s 5-year-old went up to her and started nursing while she was speaking </p>
<p>:eek:</p>
<p>I have said it before, and I will say it again…breast feeding should NOT be an after school snack.</p>
<p>If y’all are going to put fun stuff in the reasons for edits then I’m going have to walk home and read on the desktop instead of sitting here on a sunny patio at Starbucks with my smartphone and an iced Americano! The edit info doesn’t show up on my CC app.</p>
<p>LOL on the ham on rye, absweetmarie. My dad still boasts that he gave DD her first solid food - a dill pickle! He is kind of a guru of pickled foods and the kids know to expect something like that when they lunch with him. I have to go be productive now, but ai have a few more good pickle/kid stories for later.</p>
<p>That was pretty much what my face must’ve looked like, 911C2S. </p>
<p>absweetmarie, I heard it told with the drawl, very funny. </p>
<p>My girl’s summer programs were local athletic club activities, theatre groups, babysitting and working at a local shop in town. This summer she’s going to be working at the community rec center after her grad trip to Costa Rica–think the Caddyshack kids.</p>
<p>CC is a place where I learn something fascinating each day. Thank you all for the collective wisdom and laughter!</p>
<p>Last year at my D’s school the admin started a new policy of making kids get forms signed by every teacher promising they are passing their classes before they can do all kinds of things - be in a play, take a fieldtrip, etc. It’s highly annoying to D who has never been behind - much less failing anything and a MAJOR hassle. I guess a few days ago the Econ teacher said they would need one of the dreaded signature forms for an upcoming guest speaker where the Econ students will be going to the school’s theater auditorium during some period to hear a special guest author. Well my D has just had it with the forms and told me today she is NOT going to get one signed! With eyes blazing she just said - just have them TRY to kick me out of the assembly. I’m not doing it!! It’s stupid! She went on to rationalize that the office should be able to look at a list of kids and highlight any failing… and it should not be something they have to do every time they want to do something - major hassle for all involved.</p>
<p>Much as I admired her rebellious attitude, I was a bit worried for her since I know she’d hate to not be able to hear the speaker - but of course she’s a very confident senior and a favorite of the teacher and she explained that worst case - if they told her she couldn’t go - she would just go watch from the catwalk or the sound booth (she’s also a theater tech kid), so she’s got options. She assures me they will NOT make her do it… uh huh.</p>
<p>I’m always happy I did nurse my D until she was something over 1… maybe 18 mos… every time I hear how it helps with IQ etc. Was a lot simpler for us too once we figured it out. I read Dr. Sears’ book too and substantially agreed with him that attachment conversely makes kids MORE independent not less. I’d say D was raised with that philosophy, however older toddlers nursing? That’s waay over the top to me - although can’t say I’d severely judge… just think at a certain age - such as when the child will remember - I’d worry. My guideline is sort of looking at what traditional societies tended to do… and that’s not something I recall seeing in National Geographic (remembers pictures from back in the day). I do think the Cover Picture on Time is disturbing… and I wouldn’t really want to have my son in that picture… wouldn’t want to explain it to them later in case they would mind… just a personal take on it though. <em>averts eyes</em></p>
<p>Summer programs – hmmm we never made conscious choices about it. My D danced all summer - but not special intensives, just normal classes. Her Jr. Year though she did do a non competitive Art Intensive at a local Art College. She enjoyed it… but it was more to help her with her AP Art class rather than something to put on a resume. Doing something other than video games is probably a good idea, even if it’s just a challenging summer reading list and perhaps a few college visits - maybe a little volunteering somewhere.</p>
<p>The day got even more fun-- when I was at the office getting laptop and materials I needed, the plumber called about coming by. This was @ 10:50, when I was told to expect them between 12:30-5:30. I was on the subway and didn’t get message until 20 minutes later.</p>
<p>On a different note, I’ve nominated my co-coach as coach of the year and asked the parents for feedback I can pass along. I got a little weepy as I read what a great influence he has been on these girls</p>
<p>Ok, I’ll be the weird one here. I nursed my kids for between 3-4 years each, including oldest who is heading off to MIT. I find the cover of Time offensive. Nursing was very private to me and I would <em>never</em> want this kind of image representing what I did. For many of us who did extended nursing, after the age of 1 1/2 or so, most kids nurse once or twice a day at most. Some kids nurse every other day. By the end, it just tapers off. None of my kids remember nursing.</p>
<p>This kind of sensationalism drives me crazy.</p>
<p>And my husband and I did have, and still have, a great *** life!</p>
<p>S’s Jr/Sr summer activities weren’t spectacular. He volunteered a bit at the rehab hospital (fixing wheelchairs), took a weeklong “how to write your college application essay” course, learned some calculus on his own, and took clarinet lessons. He needed the down time and I think it served him well in his busy senior year.</p>
<p>sbjdorlo–Yep I’m with you. Extended nursing, but very private.</p>