A little girl in my class checked out a book at the library about a little boy who is basically a monster (or dinosaur?) in the book. The book shows the monster tearing up his room, making a mess, just being bad in general. The mom still loves him and I beleive at the end it shows him as really being a little boy.

I know it is vague, but does anyone know this book?!??! I NEED it for my son

My daughter has accommodations under the 504 plan for ADD, dyslexia and dysgraphia. Last year, third grade, was the first year that we did this. Then, she had minor accommodations, such as sitting in the front of the class so she wouldn't be distracted. The 504 was written to include things like "not deducting points on in-class written assignments for spelling errors".

I realize, as kids get older, they are required to write at a faster pace and take notes in class. I have read that some people with dyslexia and dysgraphia use a laptop and spellcheck. I'm not sure when this is incorporated into a classroom. 4th grade seems to early. They worked on cursive last year and will continue this year. I'd like her to do her best with her own writing rather than typing.

Reading comprehension can be confusing if she reads a few words as words with completely different meanings. She might read "The man instigated the crime" rather than "The man investigated the crime". You can see how that would change the meaning of the story.

She has been in 4th grade for 2 weeks. I have talked to her teacher. I asked if we could meet once he has an idea of how she is keeping up with expectations. So far, she is following along with the rest of class.

I don't know how many weeks are needed for her teacher to see if we need to add to her 504 accommodations.

If you have been through this, please share how you updated your plan.

DS (first grade) has been talking about it, but it doesn't start until next week (I think after back to school night),  I googled it since I was getting vague information from him about reading and color-coded books.  I do remember the kids coming home with medals last year (the K didn't do it).

Just curious...

The reason that was given was that the dancers already get to perform and so other students should be given a chance to perform as well, which I could sort of understand if the dance students performed frequently and for their classmates - which they don't.  They have one end of year performance and its mainly for the parents.  Its at night time and its typically only the parents/family members of the dancers attend.  The other magnet programs also have end of year exhibits and shows but they are not being excluded from the squad. 

I cheered throughout highschool the squad was always picked based on ability and academic performance.  IMO, its unfair to exclude this group of students but obviously I am biased because my DD is being excluded and is going to be heartbroken that she wasn't chosen.  What do you think and what would you do? 

I've lived by the "he'll out grow it stage", after than I tried rewards and encouraging to be a "big boy". I tried showing him he's grown and doesn't wear diapers and doesn't need to suck his finger. I've had his pediatrician and dentist tell him isn't bad for him. And yes, even though I've read not to do it, I've gotten desperate and tried the bad tasting stuff for his finger and gloves. Nothing works. Any suggestions on what I'm supposed to do now would be great! Thanks!

Do you get your child's haircut before picture day?

Do you let him/her wear whatever he/she wants or do you help decide?

Does your school put the photo in a yearbook? If yes, does that effect your decision?

Any other comments?

It seemed like it was a learning experience for her.  She drew pictures and cut out things.  I feel like if I typed it all up the computer, it would be just her pasting my work onto a poster, even if she picked out the pictures and told me what to say.

If you have more experience with school, how do you handle this?

any ideas on how to get her to read more on her own... should I just keep asking her to sound out words at random and leave it be? or push it with some of the shorter books? she loves to read/to be read to. really seams to retain the story... especially with the magic treehouse books.  she cannot wait to find out what happens next.  she just says she cannot read on her own.  she doesn't want to try.  

???  

First day, I walked her in to school and brought her to her classroom.  LEft her at the door and she smiled said bye and walked right in.

Second day, we started her on the bus.  She would not get on so I ended up having to drive her to school.  Walked her in and she was fine.

Third day, she got on the bus  YAY!

Fourth day, got on the bus but after school told me she cried a little bit but then stopped when they drove away.

Fifth day, the same as day 4.

Well, yesterday (day 6) I had a room parent meeting in the morning so I drove her to school. She cried once we got in the building and was hysterical when we got to the door.  The teacher held her and brought in the room.

Today, she cried starting at the house, walking to the bus stop and then told me she would NOT get on the bus.  Well, the bus came and she would not get on.  I looked at the other mom and realized that I HAD to make her get on the bus.  I did not want her to think that if she cried she would get her way.  So I had to carry her on the bus kicking and screaming.  Thankfully she stayed in her seat and didn't run after me.  I was in tears.  The other parents there were awesome and told me I did the right thing.  Please tell me I did!!  I emailed her teacher and she said she was crying a little when she got there but she focused on her work she was fine.

Next week I go back to work which I think will actually help.  Her 2 younger sisters will be at daycare- I think it upsets her knowing that they are home with me.  And her dad is bringing her to the bus stop so I won't have to be the one seeing this  The consistency should help I think.

Thanks for letting me vent- sorry so long!  ANyone else been through something similar?  She has been in daycare since 6 months old.  WE haven't had issues when leaving her since she was about 2!  She usually loves school.  She tells me every morning now it is boring and they don't do anything fun- I know she loves it though b/c when I pick her up she talks and talks about it.  Its just in the mornings she is pissy. 

We are in a long distance parenting situation and facing a debate about media influences. Sometimes I let my 8 yr old stepdaughter listen to Katy Perry or other popular musicians if the lyrics are clean or the song is positive/uplifting. For the most part though, we keep the music very PG in our house. I guess we are conservative parents. Her other family let's her listen to whatever they are interested in, including Eminim and Ke$ha. My stepdaughter is currently expressing wanting to be Ke$ha for Halloween. 

My husband and I are upset about this. I don't think Ke$ha is at all appropriate for a kid her age. Are we just too uptight? Would you let your 8 yr old listen to that type of music? 

If not, How did you make it through the kids being small? Slip covers? Microfiber? A particular color or fabric?

We have a small house and live in the city. All of our friends seem to have 'nice' furniture and I just can't get over the hump. I always tend to be practical thinking the rug and couch are going to get ruined. Just last week my daughter spilled an 8oz pediasure on the couch!

Help, I'd really like to upgrade for more style! 

 My issue is DD seems not to try as hard as the other girls. When the coach is telling everyone to get in line and practice cheers, sometimes she flails her arms to the ground, and is kind of all over the place w/ her body. She will practice correctly too, just seems to me like she is horseplaying though. The other girls do not do this. They seem to stand in their proper place the whole time and try. 

So...... I'm not trying to be some pushy parent, but I do want to push her to do her best. Did I totally contradict myself there or do you know what I'm talking about? We paid $$$ for her to do this and honestly, if she keeps acting like this it will not be repeated next year.

Am I asking too much for a 6 year old? FWIW she has LOTS of energy, and does well in a structured environment which is why I thought this would be a good outlet for her. When the coach says to be louder, I will say, is where my DD shines!!!  

TIA!

I'm nervous because at the 2 mo. visit, the pedi indicated that the flat spot on DS' head might require a helmet.  I agree that his head does have a spot that is slightly flat on the side that he favored for the first couple of months, but I'm unsure if I agree with the helmet treatment.

I'm wondering if anyone here had experienced a similar situation and opted to skip the helmet? 

BM emailed DH and said "SS is changing schools effective next week. Just thought you should know." When he called to find out more information (SS has been in this school for 5 days) BM says that he isnt adjusting and wants to quit. He threw tantrums in his class on Friday and BM says its too hard to ask him to keep going to that school.

Did I mention he is 7 years old? Since when does a 7 year old make decisions on what school he attends? DH pointed out that he and BM agreed this school would be better for SS education and that five days is not enough time to adjust. Once DH talked to SS he opened up and said he didnt like that he has homework now. Apparently his old school in first grade didnt have a lot of homework so he wants to go to the old school because he thinks there will be less homework.

Randomly SS states he wants an ipad. DH said if you show me you are trying in school and you get good grades, I will buy you an ipad for your birthday. DH & BM decided to talk the next day (today) to make a final decision on what school SS would attend bc BM wanted time to think about what they talked about.

When DH called today SS answered the phone and said "dad I'm playing with my new ipad." DH is upset bc he wanted to use the ipad as motivation but BM bought him one bc she said it would "make getting him to go to school easier" for her. Then SS says he knew if he cried to his mom she would buy him one instead of having to earn it through his dad.

I dont think an ipad is an appropriate gift for a 7 year old but I can see why DH is upset that SS is aware that he can play mommy vs. daddy to get what he wants. Do any of your SK act in a similar fashion? In our home only good behavior is rewarded so it is discouraging to hear that its not the case in hers.

Carry, use a carrier or a stroller?

TIA!

Here's what we have to do so far:  1.here in the next few days, take him shopping to find something from him to our little girl...2.  get him a disposable camera right before going to the hospital so he can take whatever and how ever many pictures he wants to take at the hospital of the baby, family, etc. 

 Anymore ideas?

 TIA!

We just saw his pedi and he's not that concerned.  He said it's going to turn into more of a social issue than anything.  Interesting stat- 12% of 6-year-old boys are bed wetters and that percentage goes down by one with age.  So, there are still bed wetter boys at the beginning of their teen years.  I sort of dread that - I think that might be us.  But, again - if that's the most I have to worry about...

I'm not all that concerned.  I just wish I could stop buying pullups...

1. My son is a smart child, very talkative and questions everything. He is lighthearted and playful - at ALL times, even inappropriate times. I know this is normal as they can't tell the difference, but if I'm saying to him clearly, "Please, I'm asking you to stop being silly and listen (or calm down to go to bed, or whatever the case). He just keeps testing limits. And he knows that I don't know where that line is drawn myself or what step to go if he's not listening. I give him the consequence if he continues his actions and yet he STILL does what he's not supposed to. He gets the consequence (no stories, or no dessert or games etc) but FLIPS out when he doesn't get it. (THIS IS WHERE I NEED TO LEARN TO STAY CALM). He has recently said that his new teacher is mean to him because she yells at him. When talking to him he admitted it's because she's telling his table to stop talking. So he knows that he's doing something to cause that reaction but feels no need for self control. Do they even learn self control at this age? He used to follow directions splendidly, but now is more into socializing at school because he already knows the lesson plans. (which will cause a problem, but that's not the problem at other times).

2. He's overly dramatic about a lot of situations for instance a sore loser in games he just can't control his emotions or express them.I'm not sure how to help him with this. I know my husband gets frustrated when he cries if he's losing or blows situations out of proportion. Not sure how to work with that. 

3. He loses focus, even when you have his focus and tell him something very important, completely forgets it even as soon as 5 minutes later.  I never really had a problem with him when he was younger but once he hit public school (and his sister was born same time), he just lost it. He always says he forgets things. I know his father is the same way, so I don't know if this is a physical issue to deal with. Someone that may have this experience would be of great help.

 4. Touching private parts. ALL THE TIME. He pulls and just messes with his self all the time. Says "it tickles". Is this just a boy thing? Anyone else have this issue? Has anyone successfully stopped their son from doing it in front of people at least? We've had numerous talks with him, but he does it without noticing anymore.

Sometimes just getting outside advice puts things into perspective.

Next I wanted to vent a little about my daughter in need of glasses. She is 6 and going into 1st grade at a brand new school that she will not know anyone. She is getther her glasses the day before school starts and she is super excited about them of course what 6 year old wouldn't be? But me on the other hand am freaking out just a little.

I know how cruel kids can be and with her starting a new school and meeting new friends I'm a little worried. My daughter is not one to shy away from making new friends and I know she will be confident in her glasses but no one else in my family has ever needed them so I guess I'm having more of a problem with it than anyone.

Sorry needed to vent.

My dd usually eats pb and j for lunch or chicken nuggets, hot dogs, meatballs, turkey meatballs, grilled cheese....

I am so stumped on ideas for lunch at school. She is full day for the 1st time this year (kindergarten). All I can come up with is hard boiled eggs. She is not into lunchmeat. I need ideas that are filling and will keep her satisfied until 330pm when she comes home.

Thanks!!

Any ideas?  They do have a microwave so we could do something that needs to be warmed up.  I would prefer not to make it a huge issue for the staff to deal with.