The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 7

[rosiejo]

I just hit send... and my assignment is winging its way to my tutor

That's two down and two to go

So if there is any spare pixie dust around could someone sprinkle me some?

 

[UP Disney]

Especially for you Clare!!!!

I just hit send... and my assignment is winging its way to my tutor

That's two down and two to go

So if there is any spare pixie dust around could someone sprinkle me some?

 

[ReAnSt]

We had a fun day of Girl Scouts and Girl Scouts. Abi finished up her work for the God & Family (?) award today and then we went to the end of the year awards ceremony. There at the ceremony the two tiniest GS's put on their shirts and both said "this shirt makes me look fat." These are at the oldest 4th graders. So guess who is going to have a sleep over/body image night at her house? I just have to do it before we do "bunk with the beasts" (Girl Scout night at the Denver Zoo). Yikes body image problems start younger and younger.

Although I am not making individual posts, this stuck out at me. I have self esteem issues. I have been large since I was very young, I can't say since I was born as I only weighed 6lb 4oz. I'll admit I'm overweight and I know it but others don't need to remind me. I remember being teased as young as kindergarten and first grade about this by classmates and others.

Its bad to be teased by others your own age but I have always been given grief by my Nana about how I am overweight, my hair is too short, too long, my shirt is too big, she consistently to this day gives me grief over everything. The older she gets the worse it gets, she is 87 now and weighs 90 lbs on a good day. She has always been skinny I honestly feel that is because she never eats anything or not when others see her, her stomach has always been growling everytime I visited her for as long as I know. I feel the reason she does it is because she is so insecure herself and always has been.

Most days I let others comments roll off my back. Some days they really get me down. I try to love me for me. I truly believe people say these things because they are unsecure about themselves and don't know how to express their own feelings. Therefore they comment to others in an attempt to falsely boost their self-esteem.

It is so sad, my Brownies already act like this. None of them are overweight, it really frustrates me. I have done some activities with them throughout the year, I will send you a PM later with ideas and activities. I have been trying to get my girls to think about there ideas and actions and get them to realize you don't have to be blond, tall and skinny to be beautiful you have to love yourself for who you are and not give others a hard time because they are different. I have heard some of them have been teasing others. Why do we have to be so cruel to each other?

What ages are the girls who will be attending the sleepover? I am so glad that you are trying to give them confidence and boost their self-esteem. So many people don't have a form of positive reinforcement because people are so busy and only focus on the bad things. One of the things I love about this group is how we are all supportive of each other and try to give each other positive encouragement as well as the courage as we each struggle through our own lives.

 

[rosiejo]

I adore the whole series! I loved them as a girl, and now I'm finding them again with Katie. She chose the book because, as she said, "I like old-fashioned things." She can't wait to finish the book so she can watch the movie. I think that will be something we do together this summer. I'll just have to convince DH to take Jacob and the twins away so we can have mother/daughter time.

Glynis - you are such an enabler! All these years I thought I was just missing Anne of Ingleside - and it appears there are two more... Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside! I'm just off to order them now - oh and that Getting things done book that Vicki mentioned

Oohh I can't wait - I'm gonna spend next month rereading all of Anne's books and the new ones too

 

[Glynis]

Some of our favorite times as a family are after watching a movie after reading the book. I am hoping that I can get the girls to read "Little Women" this summer and then we can watch one of the adaptations. Cassidy is reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" in school. I was so surprised DH didn't have to read it in school but so excited that Cassidy "has" to. She told us that if we wanted to opt her out of the book because of the racial issues and a couple of bad words we could. I guess it now has to be an option to opt out of books, but some of the classics would never be read if we kept our minds in the ground like ostriches.

We love to watch a movie after reading the book. It sparks some great discussions about the similarities and differences. I can't wait for Katie to read Little Women. It's my all-time favorite book! I have to read it at least once every couple of years.

I loved To Kill a Mockingbird. It was the first book that made a real social impact on me! I agree with you on "opting" out of books. I don't think I would ever do that with my children. At least, I can't see myself doing that. There's so much good in so-called "banned" books, that I would never not let my kids read them (at least when they were mature enough to handle the themes in the books).

 

[Glynis]

I just hit send... and my assignment is winging its way to my tutor

That's two down and two to go

So if there is any spare pixie dust around could someone sprinkle me some?

Yay, Clare!!! Doesn't it feel good to have that many done?

Here's some for the last 2 assignments! You can do it! I know you can!

 

[mommykds]

Just a quick note to say "HI" to you all.
I haven't had a chance to read everything.

 

[Glynis]

Glynis - you are such an enabler! All these years I thought I was just missing Anne of Ingleside - and it appears there are two more... Rainbow Valley and Rilla of Ingleside! I'm just off to order them now - oh and that Getting things done book that Vicki mentioned

Oohh I can't wait - I'm gonna spend next month rereading all of Anne's books and the new ones too

I'd say "I'm sorry" but I'm really not! I think that books are one addiction that shouldn't be stifled! Seriously, I just spent about 60 dollars on books for my kids for the summer. Of course, I'll read them first. DH just shakes his head. I tell him it could be worse; I could be buying jewelry!

 

[babytrees]

Although I am not making individual posts, this stuck out at me. I have self esteem issues. I have been large since I was very young, I can't say since I was born as I only weighed 6lb 4oz. I'll admit I'm overweight and I know it but others don't need to remind me. I remember being teased as young as kindergarten and first grade about this by classmates and others.

Its bad to be teased by others your own age but I have always been given grief by my Nana about how I am overweight, my hair is too short, too long, my shirt is too big, she consistently to this day gives me grief over everything. The older she gets the worse it gets, she is 87 now and weighs 90 lbs on a good day. She has always been skinny I honestly feel that is because she never eats anything or not when others see her, her stomach has always been growling everytime I visited her for as long as I know. I feel the reason she does it is because she is so insecure herself and always has been.

Most days I let others comments roll off my back. Some days they really get me down. I try to love me for me. I truly believe people say these things because they are unsecure about themselves and don't know how to express their own feelings. Therefore they comment to others in an attempt to falsely boost their self-esteem.

It is so sad, my Brownies already act like this. None of them are overweight, it really frustrates me. I have done some activities with them throughout the year, I will send you a PM later with ideas and activities. I have been trying to get my girls to think about there ideas and actions and get them to realize you don't have to be blond, tall and skinny to be beautiful you have to love yourself for who you are and not give others a hard time because they are different. I have heard some of them have been teasing others. Why do we have to be so cruel to each other?

What ages are the girls who will be attending the sleepover? I am so glad that you are trying to give them confidence and boost their self-esteem. So many people don't have a form of positive reinforcement because people are so busy and only focus on the bad things. One of the things I love about this group is how we are all supportive of each other and try to give each other positive encouragement as well as the courage as we each struggle through our own lives.

One part of your post made me giggle and I am going to address that one first. Nana's grumblings made me think of a client of my grandma's who on first seeing Cassidy at less than 6 weeks old was "That baby needs a haircut".

The hardest part of our struggles are when people, intentionally or not, undermine our self esteem. It is espescially hard when it is a relative but I think you hit the nail on the head when you said it's because of her issues that she is saying these deragatory things to you.

All of the girls that will be coming to the sleepover will be going into 4th or 5th grade. An essential time for self esteem boosting!!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I'd say "I'm sorry" but I'm really not! I think that books are one addiction that shouldn't be stifled! Seriously, I just spent about 60 dollars on books for my kids for the summer. Of course, I'll read them first. DH just shakes his head. I tell him it could be worse; I could be buying jewelry!

glynis -

steve has a book addicition!! he recently asked me if I had a video of all his books b/c if we ever need to make a homeowners claim - no one would believe that any normal people have that many books!!!!

I think when we moved about 6 years ago he had 2000 books - those are mostly in our basement now and another set has replaced them - he gets every book catalogue in the world and is constantly drooling over leather bound books - I tell him that i hope one day that we will be able to pay $80-100 a book but right now - I would rather eat

I am not a big reader - mostly b/c once I start a book I am not capable of putting it down and walking away from it and I end up staying up ALL NIGHT reading it -

I put a ban on book buying last year until we had a bigger library - but I think that is about as effective as his ban on shoes for me

 

[babytrees]

We love to watch a movie after reading the book. It sparks some great discussions about the similarities and differences. I can't wait for Katie to read Little Women. It's my all-time favorite book! I have to read it at least once every couple of years.

I loved To Kill a Mockingbird. It was the first book that made a real social impact on me! I agree with you on "opting" out of books. I don't think I would ever do that with my children. At least, I can't see myself doing that. There's so much good in so-called "banned" books, that I would never not let my kids read them (at least when they were mature enough to handle the themes in the books).

Glynis-

Little Women is one of my favorites and is on my list of summer reads. It's been awhile since I read it.

To Kill a Mockingbird is also a favorite as far as social commentary books are concerned. Cassidy told a friend that even if I opted her out she'd have to read it anyway. . My degree is in English with Spanish Lit and Education as minors. I did lesson plans for To Kill and Great Gatsby as they are two books that resonated with me.

 

[triplefigs]

I was just skimming posts. About body image, Brantley-Kate who weighs a whole whopping 42 pounds/46.5 inches tall, is thin as a rail (I'd say skinny), and is worried about being fat (turns 6 in June). She'll ask me,"if I eat this will I get fat?" We talk about positive body image, but I already see signs in her that make me very wary of eating disorders with her in the future. So sad that our society starts this at such a young age.

 

[babytrees]

I'd say "I'm sorry" but I'm really not! I think that books are one addiction that shouldn't be stifled! Seriously, I just spent about 60 dollars on books for my kids for the summer. Of course, I'll read them first. DH just shakes his head. I tell him it could be worse; I could be buying jewelry!

We were so disappointed in the book fair last week at Abi's school, normally we spend at least $30, we got each of the girls one book. Thankfully Cassidy's book fair still has to happen!!

I don't know about you Glynis but I spend that much and then they still live at the library!! I love the fact that our local library has summer reading programs for kids from birth to teens and then for us adults!

 

[Glynis]

glynis -

steve has a book addicition!! he recently asked me if I had a video of all his books b/c if we ever need to make a homeowners claim - no one would believe that any normal people have that many books!!!!

I think when we moved about 6 years ago he had 2000 books - those are mostly in our basement now and another set has replaced them - he gets every book catalogue in the world and is constantly drooling over leather bound books - I tell him that i hope one day that we will be able to pay $80-100 a book but right now - I would rather eat

I am not a big reader - mostly b/c once I start a book I am not capable of putting it down and walking away from it and I end up staying up ALL NIGHT reading it -

I put a ban on book buying last year until we had a bigger library - but I think that is about as effective as his ban on shoes for me

Steve is a kindred spirit!! I have so many books I don't know where to put them all. Alan told me I couldn't buy any more books until I'd read everything I already own. Well, I did that 2 summers ago, so I'm back to buying! That's a good idea to video my book collection (not to mention Katie's. She's a chip off the old block)! I'll have to see to it! I think Alan could care less if they burned or were stolen!

Alan is the same as you. He enjoyes reading, but once started, can't put the book down. So, he only reads one or 2 books a year. However, he's starting to read more, as this book I had to read for class says that if you want your sons to be readers, then they need to see their main male role model reading.

Now, moving onto shoes, did I mention I just purchased my 3rd pair of Crocs? Alan is dying!!!! I also got my mom addicted to them. Her feet constantly hurt because of her diabetes, but the Crocs really cushion her feet. I bought her a pair when I stayed with her in March (the Payless brand). She and my dad dropped in yesterday, so I gave her her mother's day present of real Crocs. She called me last night to say they'd stopped at the store on the way home, yesterday and bought 3 more pairs. So, here we are, husband's laughing at us, but comfortable as anything!

 

[marcij]

I just hit send... and my assignment is winging its way to my tutor

That's two down and two to go

So if there is any spare pixie dust around could someone sprinkle me some?

Consider it done!

 

[triplefigs]

My kids are voracious readers already (looking through books or me reading to them). They must have 500 books and get them as presents for all holidays. Their fave place to go is the library. We go each week and never leave with less than 30 new books to read. And in a weeks time we've gone through them all. In fact, they like books so much that their 4th b'day was at a private children's book store. We tend to give books for b'day presents to their friends and always give books as party favors at their parties. I love to read too (I'm totally engrossed in The Davinci Code so if I'm not around much it's cause I'm reading!). John and I sat with the kids in the NICU and read for hours (I read them 2 entire John Grisham novels out loud- the nurses loved it!) and John read them the Wall Street Journal. Guess we started them early!

 

[triplefigs]

I called our GI doctor and told him I'd sought a 2nd opinion from the surgeon. I'm not going to hide the fact I'm worried about Rees. He agreed that it needs further exploration. So based on the Surgeon's recommendations, he is ordering an Upper GI and an abdominal ultrasound for Rees ASAP. I will let you know when it is scheduled. Thanks for the continued prayers.

 

[Glynis]

My kids are voracious readers already (looking through books or me reading to them). They must have 500 books and get them as presents for all holidays. Their fave place to go is the library. We go each week and never leave with less than 30 new books to read. And in a weeks time we've gone through them all. In fact, they like books so much that their 4th b'day was at a private children's book store. We tend to give books for b'day presents to their friends and always give books as party favors at their parties. I love to read too (I'm totally engrossed in The Davinci Code so if I'm not around much it's cause I'm reading!). John and I sat with the kids in the NICU and read for hours (I read them 2 entire John Grisham novels out loud- the nurses loved it!) and John read them the Wall Street Journal. Guess we started them early!

And that's the exact way you should do it! Starting from birth we read to our children, and this shows them that reading is pleasurable, not painful! Thus will grow a generation of readers!

Have you ever done a book swap party? We do one at least once a summer. Katie will invite all her friends and have them bring a book that they are finished with (or a duplicate of one they already have). They bring it wrapped like a present, but not addressed to anyone. All the books are put in a pile on the floor, while the girls make bookmarks, take turns writing a part of a story, and enjoy snacks. Then they each get to go to the pile and choose a book, open it and take it home.

It's always so much fun and the kids look forward to it each summer!

 

[babytrees]

And that's the exact way you should do it! Starting from birth we read to our children, and this shows them that reading is pleasurable, not painful! Thus will grow a generation of readers!

Have you ever done a book swap party? We do one at least once a summer. Katie will invite all her friends and have them bring a book that they are finished with (or a duplicate of one they already have). They bring it wrapped like a present, but not addressed to anyone. All the books are put in a pile on the floor, while the girls make bookmarks, take turns writing a part of a story, and enjoy snacks. Then they each get to go to the pile and choose a book, open it and take it home.

It's always so much fun and the kids look forward to it each summer!

Ohhhhh!!! I love this idea!! I wish I had known about it when the girls were younger. Now I am not sure the parents really know what there kids are reading.

 

[marcij]

My son Andrew, age 10, needs a little extra pixie dust, if anyone has any to spare. This isn't life threatning, but it is so important to his self-esteem. When he was little, he was a leader in everything he did and exuded self-confidence. Then came his ADHD/dyslexia/verbal expressive disorder/sensory issues, and his self confidence plummeted. (Mostly because of an idiot pre-school teacher who thought he was being bad and disagreeable on purpose!) We've worked for 5 years on his self-confidence and self-esteem. He goes to a special school for bright children who have learning differences -- it's actually the largest of its type in the country, and people come from all around to be trained there. It's a great school, and he is doing well.

My real problem: he loves to play baseball and soccer. In soccer, he's a real star -- fast as lightening and has a real knack for it. In baseball, he's struggled. (I think it's the sensory issues kicking in -- something about a baseball coming at him at 35 miles an hour...) He really would rather play it then soccer, because his cousin plays baseball. I did agree to letting him play both this summer, because I am hoping he will begin to like soccer enough to just play it.

Anyway, tonight is one of the biggest games of the season in baseball -- it's a rival team. He's just coming off of a game where my brother (his coach) told him he'd played the best game of his life. (Of course, maybe he played better because I wasn't there -- I was on a plane back from DC.....rats!) That really helped boost his confidence. If he could have a second good game in a row, I think it would go a long way to helping him gain back some of what he has lost.

So, any spare good wishes or PD would be greatly appreciated being sent his way this afternoon/evening.