tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919679237989243442.post8020691816524194124..comments2023-06-10T05:42:14.291-06:00Comments on Learning Every Day: Things that don't make sense... Originally written 8/28/08Cheriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08265662227412043695noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919679237989243442.post-87752221758941612532008-08-30T13:17:00.000-06:002008-08-30T13:17:00.000-06:00I'm glad you wrote. I certainly wasn't trying to ...I'm glad you wrote. I certainly wasn't trying to make anyone feel guilty about their personal choices. I know very well that there are circumstances that need to be taken into consideration... I promise I'm not as heartless as I come off sometimes. Having been pregnant 3 times in 4 years I am hyper-sensitive about my weight, but that doesn't make it come off any faster. My body-type is prone to gaining weight, so I'm weird about everything in an attempt to stave of genetics. However, seeing as how my last baby is only 3 months I don't expect to be down to a weight/body style that I would like, regardless of what I eat it doesn't happen as fast as I'd like. So, I'm considered overweight until everything settles, and that's the best I can do. <BR/>Likewise, if someone is taking a medication to help with any kind of illness, especially one as life altering as yours, I have nothing but respect for you. All I'm referring to is people who do have a bad diet, and constantly moan about weight issues... that drives me nutty. <BR/>I'm the first to admit that we don't know what happens inside peoples homes/lives and so we shouldn't judge. I don't want to make people feel guilty for the things they do. Like with public schools, for certain parents and certain kids it's a blessing. Every person I've talked to or overheard in the last 2 weeks has been rejoicing over kids going back to school, and most of those kids are ecstatic to go back. Every family needs to do what they feel inspired to do for themselves. I had a pretty horrible public school experience and as such see things differently then a lot of people do. I feel like the academics can be inadequate, but that isn't always true. Similarly, some schools handle discipline differently then others, and a good amount of kids thrive on that kind of environment. Personally, like I noted, getting kids up and ready and out of the house and driven from place to place at certain times stresses me out just thinking about it. Additionally, our rate of moving thus far has been once (or more) every year and that doesn't take into consideration school years. I'm not going to retract that most schools are inadequate, but I will say that some are right for some families. You are an especially great example of a mom who's involved and carefully watching over her kids. I praise you and all others who are finely in tuned with their child's education. People who just rely on the schools and/or church to teach them everything they need to know scare me a little bit. I'm sure you'd agree that not everything they hear/get taught is appropriate or adheres to personal family standards. <BR/>I hope you'll forgive me that my statements sound one-sided. If more moms were like you and a few others I know the world would be a better place.Cheriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08265662227412043695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2919679237989243442.post-70062172053743774872008-08-30T10:49:00.000-06:002008-08-30T10:49:00.000-06:00Okay, so I won't comment about your political stuf...Okay, so I won't comment about your political stuff, mainly because I still can't figure out what either of the candidates actually stand for! It's going to be a tough vote to cast this year, but at least we know that whichever way we vote, it will be historic - either the first woman or the first black in office! <BR/><BR/>About the American diet: Just one quick comment that you can't always be too quick to judge by looking at a person. Most everything that I cook is from scratch. I don't do a whole lot of processed foods, and my kids actually prefer the good stuff. I don't eat massive portions, and I exercise regularly. Yet, I'm still significantly overweight - weight that I gained while on a necessary medication. It kind of hurts when I know that people are saying I'm at fault for my weight issues, so be careful when you go to judge others, because you rarely know the whole history!<BR/><BR/>As for public schools: I agree that they aren't the best solution for everyone. However, I would argue that homeschooling is not for everyone either. Of my 4 children, I have 2 that are so completely different from me, learning personality-wise, that I simply can't teach them. What makes perfect sense to me comes across as jibberish to them. In school, they have been blessed with some wonderful teachers who have been able to explain those difficult concepts in language my sweet children can understand. They have also come across some teachers who had the same issues I have with trying to teach them - and that's when they have been paired up with others in the class so that the kids can act as "interpreters" for each other, often explaining things in ways that the grown-ups just can't seem to master. Sometimes, learning from someone your own age, and having the opportunity to teach others in your peer group is better than any of the best college-educated teacher could manage!! So I won't be made to feel guilty for my selection of public school - nor will I ignore the drawbacks to overcrowded public schools. I think the key is to find what is right for each child, and it may not be the same for any two children, even within the same family!!Veronica Bartleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04452926814324819692noreply@blogger.com