The Book of Rights of a Child in a Divorce
To be told that my mother and father still love me and will never divorce me.
To be told that the divorce is not my fault and not to be told about the adult problems that caused it.
To be treated as a human being---not as another piece of property to be fought over, bargained over or threatened.
To have decisions about me based on my best interest, rather than past wrongs, hurt feelings, or parent's needs.
To love both my parents without being forced to choose or feel guilty.
To know both my parents through regular, frequent involvement in my life.
To have the financial support of both my father and mother.
To be spared hearing bad hurtful comments about either of my parents which have no useful purpose.
Not to be asked to tell a lie or act as a spy or messenger.
To be allowed to care about others without having to choose or feel guilty.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I hate homework.
So....my son is sitting here, stubbornly refusing to look up spelling words in the dictionary. He is mad at me, because he thinks I ought to tell him which ones are right and which are wrong. I told him its not my homework (after checking the ones that were wrong initially) and if he isn't willing to try (he is only guessing and rearranging) I won't be telling him the answers. I provided him with a good dictionnary which he refuses to use.
I told him two things: "The fact you don't want to do it doesn't matter" and "stupid is a choice". Well, does this make me good mom or bad mom? Some nights I wonder.
We are both very frustrated!!!!!!!!
I told him two things: "The fact you don't want to do it doesn't matter" and "stupid is a choice". Well, does this make me good mom or bad mom? Some nights I wonder.
We are both very frustrated!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
What's New
What is New with the Snyder Liew crew??
-Dalton made a clock out of wire and potatoes.
-He also got an A on his report about Virginia. Next assignment: speech about Johnny Cash.
-Ellie is excited about her field trip May 6th to Decorah IA to the museum and planetarium.
-All this year Ellie earned straight A's.
-Joseph decided to cancel his Spiderman subscription and instead got Ironman. To boot, his Batman comic ordered two months ago arrived finally.
-Joseph reads two grade levels ahead of his age.
-Henry recently was angry with me for being told no to a movie; so he threw a small book at me. When told he was then grounded from movies, his reply: "I am too young to be grounded mom!" (he was still grounded)
-Despite this little fit (above) he is of course a sweet wonderful young man, who has learned to be respectful and quiet in the mornings when mommy has to sleep after night shifts.
And momma and papa:
-Momma is getting pretty tired of night shifts.
-Papa is excited that spring is here and helped his dad plant oats. Wait-it WAS here. Today we have a snowstorm.
-Dalton made a clock out of wire and potatoes.
-He also got an A on his report about Virginia. Next assignment: speech about Johnny Cash.
-Ellie is excited about her field trip May 6th to Decorah IA to the museum and planetarium.
-All this year Ellie earned straight A's.
-Joseph decided to cancel his Spiderman subscription and instead got Ironman. To boot, his Batman comic ordered two months ago arrived finally.
-Joseph reads two grade levels ahead of his age.
-Henry recently was angry with me for being told no to a movie; so he threw a small book at me. When told he was then grounded from movies, his reply: "I am too young to be grounded mom!" (he was still grounded)
-Despite this little fit (above) he is of course a sweet wonderful young man, who has learned to be respectful and quiet in the mornings when mommy has to sleep after night shifts.
And momma and papa:
-Momma is getting pretty tired of night shifts.
-Papa is excited that spring is here and helped his dad plant oats. Wait-it WAS here. Today we have a snowstorm.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
from codename:mama website
Hi Guys! I found this on the web- I wouldn't do all of these things, but the point is, there are alot of options even though you feel yr at the end of the rope! The list:
-ruth
101 Things To Do Instead of Yelling or Spanking
August 31st, 2010 – 100 Comments – Shortened URL: http://bit.ly/bNNxq8
Here are 101 things you can do instead of yelling or spanking:
1.Take a parental time-out.
2.Call for help from a friend or family member (ask them to give you an immediate break if possible).
3.Pile everyone in the car and drive to the park (or anywhere – just go for a change of scenery).
4.Sing a silly song about how angry you are.
5.Do jumping jacks.
6.Draw your feelings out.
7.Make yourself your favorite snack.
8.Write down 3 instances when you felt intense love for your child.
9.Clean out your clothes closet and set aside a bag for Goodwill (now would probably not be a good time to do this with the kids’ toys).
10.Change the subject – come back to it when you and your child are calmer.
11.Whisper.
12.Practice progressive relaxation.
13.Act like animals: stomp like an elephant, growl like a lion, etc.
14.Run around the house (or around the block if your children have alternate childcare).
15.Do a load of laundry.
16.Set out clothes for the kids for the next week (or do some other task that will pay off later).
17.Release tension: shake your shoulders, roll your neck, etc.
18.Count to 100. Out loud. In a robot voice.
19.Immerse yourself in an easy craft project.
20.Dust off the hedge clippers and trim your trees or other landscaping.
21.If your child allows it, give him a huge hug and tell him you love him.
22.Scream into a pillow.
23.Bake cookies (with help from your child), bring some to a neighbor or your local fire department.
24.Dance to your favorite song.
25.Instead of yelling at your kids to do something, act out your request in a game of charades or pictionary.
26.Pluck your eyebrows.
27.Clean out the refrigerator.
28.Bang your head – to some loud music.
29.Write down the angry words you could have said, then rip the paper up and throw it away.
30.Do some yoga.
31.Rearrange the furniture.
32.Make a list of the many reasons you love your child.
33.Wash the car by hand.
34.Laugh in as many different ways as you can think of (think Mary Poppins).
35.Take everyone and go sit in a car wash. Choose the option for colored soap.
36.Chocolate.
37.Call a friend who supports gentle discipline (think about finding a “gentle discipline partner” who you can talk to anytime you feel the urge to yell or spank).
38.Fall down theatrically on the floor. Lie there long enough to collect yourself.
39.Pay bills.
40.Keep a roll of tape handy – use it on your mouth.
41.Squeeze a stress ball.
42.Recite multiplication tables.
43.Stand as silent and still as possible.
44.Paint your nails.
45.Do 25 sit-ups.
46.Finish a task you’ve been putting off.
47.Listen to an audio book.
48.Take a bubble bath.
49.Ask a silly question. Ask another.
50.Take a walk around your neighborhood or a park and clean up the trash.
51.Run up and down the stairs.
52.Paint on different mediums (paper, rocks, your windows, etc.).
53.Write a story using only 100 words.
54.Cook a meal for the freezer.
55.Look at pictures of your child when she was a baby.
56.Play Solitaire (or whatever game strikes your fancy).
57.Brew some of your favorite tea or coffee. Have a tea party.
58.Sweep, vacuum, or mop.
59.Learn something new online.
60.Play with Playdough or clay.
61.Put a movie on for the kids; have sex with your partner.
62.Take a shower.
63.Organize meal plans for the next week. Or month. Or year.
64.Set up an obstacle course for you and your kids to do (inside or out).
65.Instead of shouting something angrily, shout “I love you!!”
66.Make up a rhyme about how much you love your child. Recite it while standing on your head.
67.Play ball (basketball, throw a tennis ball against a wall, play catch with someone, etc.).
68.Take artsy pictures.
69.Make a PostSecret postcard.
70.Pull weeds.
71.Decoupage something.
72.Blow bubbles.
73.Make a list of “things I would rather do than engage in power struggles with my child.”
74.Trade roles with your child: pretend you are the little, and she is the adult.
75.Reorganize a closet or cabinet.
76.Roll around on an exercise ball.
77.Make bread or pizza dough (the kind you have to knead).
78.Form a drum circle: everyone grab a drum or a pot, and start playing.
79.Build a tower out of books (or anything handy). Knock it down.
80.Gather the kids for a nature walk around the block.
81.Have a few funny videos saved on YouTube to watch when you need a break.
82.Take silly pictures of yourself. Invite your child to help.
83.Ask your Facebook or Twitter friends to tell you a joke.
84.Scrub the shower.
85.Write a poem (it doesn’t have to be a good one).
86.Send postcards to random people.
87.Make a silly (and unrelated) announcement. (“For the rest of the day, everyone must hop on one foot when moving about the house!”)
88.Make funny faces. Tell your child that no matter what, they must not laugh.
89.Turn on a videocamera. Turn the opportunity into one of love and connection that you can be proud of later.
90.Play an instrument.
91.Take the family to a park with sidewalk chalk: write/draw inspirational messages/pictures.
92.Learn how to say a few words in another language (ASL, Spanish, etc.).
93.Floss.
94.Jump rope.
95.Do something nice for someone else. (Involve your child if he wants to help.)
96.Write your feelings down on paper.
97.Meditate or pray.
98.Hug your child’s teddy bear or doll and talk about how much you love your child (while your child is watching, if you’d like).
99.Look into a mirror and realize what your child is seeing when you are angry.
100.Remember your child is young, and innocent, and loves you, and needs to trust you.
-ruth
101 Things To Do Instead of Yelling or Spanking
August 31st, 2010 – 100 Comments – Shortened URL: http://bit.ly/bNNxq8
Here are 101 things you can do instead of yelling or spanking:
1.Take a parental time-out.
2.Call for help from a friend or family member (ask them to give you an immediate break if possible).
3.Pile everyone in the car and drive to the park (or anywhere – just go for a change of scenery).
4.Sing a silly song about how angry you are.
5.Do jumping jacks.
6.Draw your feelings out.
7.Make yourself your favorite snack.
8.Write down 3 instances when you felt intense love for your child.
9.Clean out your clothes closet and set aside a bag for Goodwill (now would probably not be a good time to do this with the kids’ toys).
10.Change the subject – come back to it when you and your child are calmer.
11.Whisper.
12.Practice progressive relaxation.
13.Act like animals: stomp like an elephant, growl like a lion, etc.
14.Run around the house (or around the block if your children have alternate childcare).
15.Do a load of laundry.
16.Set out clothes for the kids for the next week (or do some other task that will pay off later).
17.Release tension: shake your shoulders, roll your neck, etc.
18.Count to 100. Out loud. In a robot voice.
19.Immerse yourself in an easy craft project.
20.Dust off the hedge clippers and trim your trees or other landscaping.
21.If your child allows it, give him a huge hug and tell him you love him.
22.Scream into a pillow.
23.Bake cookies (with help from your child), bring some to a neighbor or your local fire department.
24.Dance to your favorite song.
25.Instead of yelling at your kids to do something, act out your request in a game of charades or pictionary.
26.Pluck your eyebrows.
27.Clean out the refrigerator.
28.Bang your head – to some loud music.
29.Write down the angry words you could have said, then rip the paper up and throw it away.
30.Do some yoga.
31.Rearrange the furniture.
32.Make a list of the many reasons you love your child.
33.Wash the car by hand.
34.Laugh in as many different ways as you can think of (think Mary Poppins).
35.Take everyone and go sit in a car wash. Choose the option for colored soap.
36.Chocolate.
37.Call a friend who supports gentle discipline (think about finding a “gentle discipline partner” who you can talk to anytime you feel the urge to yell or spank).
38.Fall down theatrically on the floor. Lie there long enough to collect yourself.
39.Pay bills.
40.Keep a roll of tape handy – use it on your mouth.
41.Squeeze a stress ball.
42.Recite multiplication tables.
43.Stand as silent and still as possible.
44.Paint your nails.
45.Do 25 sit-ups.
46.Finish a task you’ve been putting off.
47.Listen to an audio book.
48.Take a bubble bath.
49.Ask a silly question. Ask another.
50.Take a walk around your neighborhood or a park and clean up the trash.
51.Run up and down the stairs.
52.Paint on different mediums (paper, rocks, your windows, etc.).
53.Write a story using only 100 words.
54.Cook a meal for the freezer.
55.Look at pictures of your child when she was a baby.
56.Play Solitaire (or whatever game strikes your fancy).
57.Brew some of your favorite tea or coffee. Have a tea party.
58.Sweep, vacuum, or mop.
59.Learn something new online.
60.Play with Playdough or clay.
61.Put a movie on for the kids; have sex with your partner.
62.Take a shower.
63.Organize meal plans for the next week. Or month. Or year.
64.Set up an obstacle course for you and your kids to do (inside or out).
65.Instead of shouting something angrily, shout “I love you!!”
66.Make up a rhyme about how much you love your child. Recite it while standing on your head.
67.Play ball (basketball, throw a tennis ball against a wall, play catch with someone, etc.).
68.Take artsy pictures.
69.Make a PostSecret postcard.
70.Pull weeds.
71.Decoupage something.
72.Blow bubbles.
73.Make a list of “things I would rather do than engage in power struggles with my child.”
74.Trade roles with your child: pretend you are the little, and she is the adult.
75.Reorganize a closet or cabinet.
76.Roll around on an exercise ball.
77.Make bread or pizza dough (the kind you have to knead).
78.Form a drum circle: everyone grab a drum or a pot, and start playing.
79.Build a tower out of books (or anything handy). Knock it down.
80.Gather the kids for a nature walk around the block.
81.Have a few funny videos saved on YouTube to watch when you need a break.
82.Take silly pictures of yourself. Invite your child to help.
83.Ask your Facebook or Twitter friends to tell you a joke.
84.Scrub the shower.
85.Write a poem (it doesn’t have to be a good one).
86.Send postcards to random people.
87.Make a silly (and unrelated) announcement. (“For the rest of the day, everyone must hop on one foot when moving about the house!”)
88.Make funny faces. Tell your child that no matter what, they must not laugh.
89.Turn on a videocamera. Turn the opportunity into one of love and connection that you can be proud of later.
90.Play an instrument.
91.Take the family to a park with sidewalk chalk: write/draw inspirational messages/pictures.
92.Learn how to say a few words in another language (ASL, Spanish, etc.).
93.Floss.
94.Jump rope.
95.Do something nice for someone else. (Involve your child if he wants to help.)
96.Write your feelings down on paper.
97.Meditate or pray.
98.Hug your child’s teddy bear or doll and talk about how much you love your child (while your child is watching, if you’d like).
99.Look into a mirror and realize what your child is seeing when you are angry.
100.Remember your child is young, and innocent, and loves you, and needs to trust you.
Friday, September 18, 2009
This is the actual conversation between my two sons this morning as I was making breakfast.
Joey: Henry, do you know who is Jesus?
Henry: Who?
J: Jesus is the biggestest superhero!
H: Really? Wow!
J: Yup. And we can call him God too.
So, if you need help, you can ask him. You ask him like this: Jesus, please help me know you
more.
H: Jesus, me love you!
J: No, no, not like that! Like this: Jesus, please help me know you more. But I think you can
say I love you to him too.
H: ok…please help me know you more Jesus.
J: Do you know who sin is?
H: Sin?
J: Sin is a bad guy that Jesus beats.
H: Oh! heheehe.
J: So sin is, like, in the ground, but sometimes it comes up and gets us!
H: Oh!
J: But don’t be afraid, cuz Jesus can help you against Sin.
H: Yeah! What if me ‘fraid??
J: And, Jesus angels are here too, helping you. So, Jesus can beat sin up!
H: Yeah!
J: In fact I think Jesus already won against sin. I heard my teacher say that once. Hmm, I think
Sin is the same as Satan. But he can’t get you if you have Jesus.
(pause)
J: We can’t really see Jesus but we can talk to him anytime!
H: Wow! Jesus so BIG!
J: Yeah. Remember, I told you already! Jesus is God! WE have him with us so we are A ok.
Right mom?
Joey: Henry, do you know who is Jesus?
Henry: Who?
J: Jesus is the biggestest superhero!
H: Really? Wow!
J: Yup. And we can call him God too.
So, if you need help, you can ask him. You ask him like this: Jesus, please help me know you
more.
H: Jesus, me love you!
J: No, no, not like that! Like this: Jesus, please help me know you more. But I think you can
say I love you to him too.
H: ok…please help me know you more Jesus.
J: Do you know who sin is?
H: Sin?
J: Sin is a bad guy that Jesus beats.
H: Oh! heheehe.
J: So sin is, like, in the ground, but sometimes it comes up and gets us!
H: Oh!
J: But don’t be afraid, cuz Jesus can help you against Sin.
H: Yeah! What if me ‘fraid??
J: And, Jesus angels are here too, helping you. So, Jesus can beat sin up!
H: Yeah!
J: In fact I think Jesus already won against sin. I heard my teacher say that once. Hmm, I think
Sin is the same as Satan. But he can’t get you if you have Jesus.
(pause)
J: We can’t really see Jesus but we can talk to him anytime!
H: Wow! Jesus so BIG!
J: Yeah. Remember, I told you already! Jesus is God! WE have him with us so we are A ok.
Right mom?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Look at these Awsome Kids!!!
One thing I am grateful for in my life is the chance to value family. We live with and love my family and we pray for and remember the Liew Clan in M'sia too. Here are pictures of my kids and my brothers kids. They are growing up together, practically at each other's houses all the time! They really all have such distinct personalities!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
School's On
Kids started school again! It was, um, harder on Momma than on the kids! They were all so excited they didn't sleep very good. Ellie started back Tuesday, Joey on Wed., Henry on Thursday. Henry was so excited, first day of school ever, and he just waved goodbye and walked right in. Are we PROUD of him or what??? Yes we are.
I have Heidi to thank for this pics. She's been great! I will get a school pic of Joey up too.
Yes I know I am obsessed with my kids but what else is there in life when you are a single mother of three. :) Oh yeah. Work. But the kids are so much more exciting.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Update with pictures
This is what we are driving these days.
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AND We got the red van back! Remember...it blew its head gasket? Smoked to beat all, couldn't drive it home, finally she locked up...remember? Well, that day, Dad's good friend who hunts our land towed it at no cost as a favor. Then, she sat all winter because we couldn't find an engine and not sure if we have the time to really pull it. Then, bad luck, Ben ran into the mailman, parked just over the rise, and totaled Mom's car. So, Dad's friend Palen pulled the engine and transplanted it in the Chilli Pepper. Total cost, $300 USD, plus $77.00 for 6 months insurance and some nominal cost for road tax stickers. So hey, we've all been driving it now-mostly Dad, so he can get to his Gideon church services looking sharp (compared to his old pickup). Oh, and Ben, when he is going dating for the evening.
A few days later, Dad hit and damaged the electric wire while unloading the log truck. We were glad he didn't break it; but he did stretch it, and TEC had to send this truck and these guys out to fix it. It was not the worst situation ever, since the milking was already done, the power did not go completely out, and it mainly affected just one supplemental line leading to my house, not the main house.
I am hoping this back deck, which we built last summer, can be converted into a three season room. Hopefully, mostly with materials we already have, and hopefully before the end of the summer....
Ellie at Easter. I really meant to post this awhile ago! Life has been BUSY!
All the kids at Easter. They are at my mother's house just starting to explore the baskets she made for them. We went to church twice (which the kids were not keen on); later that day we had a big Easter meal with Ham and lots of family members visiting. We spent the afternoon playing kiddie baseball.
A few days later, Dad hit and damaged the electric wire while unloading the log truck. We were glad he didn't break it; but he did stretch it, and TEC had to send this truck and these guys out to fix it. It was not the worst situation ever, since the milking was already done, the power did not go completely out, and it mainly affected just one supplemental line leading to my house, not the main house. 
I am hoping this back deck, which we built last summer, can be converted into a three season room. Hopefully, mostly with materials we already have, and hopefully before the end of the summer....
And that's all until next time!
Have a peaceful day!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Gosh, the things I say.....
Quit that! You don't have to copy EVERYTHING you see on TV!
Don’t hit your brother, he hasn’t even hit you yet.
Stop hanging by your fingernails off the edge of the deck. I didn’t build this deck for you to do yourself in on!
Where’s Henry? Never mind. Just follow the TP trail all the way down the hallway….
Don’t ever pick a fight. Just be nice. But if they pick one with you, get ‘em good, so they don’t ever do it again!
Pester somebody else for awhile. You’ve bugged me enough for one day.
Just wear your brother’s underwear and get it over with we are already hopelessly late. (That WAS clean underwear lest you wonder.)
Let me show you the right way to do a flying front kick…but you are not allowed to DO it ever….(Joseph of course did it right away and very well too)
Go get the cat out of the christmas tree. Again.
Please dump this bucket of shoop down by the garden.
Answer: “But mom, I’m not old enough to do that chore.”
Yes you are! Now go!
Answer: “I don’t think I’m EVER gonna be old enough to do that, mom…”
Get DOWN off the furniture before you…
(scream and frantic crying)
Oh never mind. SEE?
Spoken: You may quit practicing piano now.
Unspoken: because I cannot stand one more minute….
OK. WHICH ONE of you darling wonderful rascals ended up with the soccer ball in the TOILET BOWL???
Where is my coffee cup?
Found: in Henry’s room with 3 power ranger figurines swimming in cold coffee….
AND MANY MORE LOVELY DAYS! Best to you as always from the Liew Crew!
Don’t hit your brother, he hasn’t even hit you yet.
Stop hanging by your fingernails off the edge of the deck. I didn’t build this deck for you to do yourself in on!
Where’s Henry? Never mind. Just follow the TP trail all the way down the hallway….
Don’t ever pick a fight. Just be nice. But if they pick one with you, get ‘em good, so they don’t ever do it again!
Pester somebody else for awhile. You’ve bugged me enough for one day.
Just wear your brother’s underwear and get it over with we are already hopelessly late. (That WAS clean underwear lest you wonder.)
Let me show you the right way to do a flying front kick…but you are not allowed to DO it ever….(Joseph of course did it right away and very well too)
Go get the cat out of the christmas tree. Again.
Please dump this bucket of shoop down by the garden.
Answer: “But mom, I’m not old enough to do that chore.”
Yes you are! Now go!
Answer: “I don’t think I’m EVER gonna be old enough to do that, mom…”
Get DOWN off the furniture before you…
(scream and frantic crying)
Oh never mind. SEE?
Spoken: You may quit practicing piano now.
Unspoken: because I cannot stand one more minute….
OK. WHICH ONE of you darling wonderful rascals ended up with the soccer ball in the TOILET BOWL???
Where is my coffee cup?
Found: in Henry’s room with 3 power ranger figurines swimming in cold coffee….
AND MANY MORE LOVELY DAYS! Best to you as always from the Liew Crew!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A poem about my boys.....
A Mother’s Musings (by Ruth 3/22/09)
My little one is sleeping like a whisper in a cloud
Peacefully he slumbers making not a single sound
How quite unusual, suddenly I realize, for boys
Tend to make a fair amount of sound-mostly noise.
Old coffee cans, patriot marching drums,
Sticks for swords and rifles dare the enemy come.
Kitten becomes ally, puppy becomes foe,
Until he needs a horse on which to travel to and fro.
I often notice that beneath his fingernails
In little rows of blackness like rounded out porch rails
Is dirt. It bears a silent witness in perfect formation
To the fact that he has gone on a recent exploration.
Where did it take him? Although I surely know
I can only theorize the places his imagination goes
A rope becomes a tail, a tail become a swing
A quilt becomes a sail and happily he sings
As he runs to and fro and explores most everything.
All around the garden, up and down the lawn,
Learning growing laughing dawn to dusk to dawn!
And every little daydream he makes daring for awhile
And his mother looks on him and cannot help but smile.
My little one is sleeping like a whisper in a cloud
Peacefully he slumbers making not a single sound
How quite unusual, suddenly I realize, for boys
Tend to make a fair amount of sound-mostly noise.
Old coffee cans, patriot marching drums,
Sticks for swords and rifles dare the enemy come.
Kitten becomes ally, puppy becomes foe,
Until he needs a horse on which to travel to and fro.
I often notice that beneath his fingernails
In little rows of blackness like rounded out porch rails
Is dirt. It bears a silent witness in perfect formation
To the fact that he has gone on a recent exploration.
Where did it take him? Although I surely know
I can only theorize the places his imagination goes
A rope becomes a tail, a tail become a swing
A quilt becomes a sail and happily he sings
As he runs to and fro and explores most everything.
All around the garden, up and down the lawn,
Learning growing laughing dawn to dusk to dawn!
And every little daydream he makes daring for awhile
And his mother looks on him and cannot help but smile.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Henry's Ears
This is Henry and a baby chick.Henry and I went to the Audiologist specialist appt I blogged about last week. Guess what?
Henry PASSED easily! They did a hearing test in a sound room, he did great. They put little doo-hikies in his ears and it measures that he has normal hearing with the exception of some limitations related to a head cold. They did a tympanogram and it was fine. They want to see him again in one month to re-do and confirm that the very minor hearing loss was indeed head cold related. There was nothing significant enough to cause a speech delay/problem.
This news put me in a down mood. The reason is, a speech problem generally is easier to cope with when it is hearing related vs. developmentally related. Further I had to take a day off work to make the appt and then it was bad news! We went to Burger King and then we went home.
NOW WHAT? The speech problem is not a hearing problem like our regular doc (and I) thought!
What is going on in Henry's head....
We have an appt the beginning of April with the Speech Specialist at the Hospital....
Sunday, March 8, 2009
News
I have been concerned about Henry's speech for quite some time. He is almost three years old and cannot speak coherently. We often know what he says, because we understand his unique words and mispronounciations after much trouble trying to figure it out initially. This bothered me since both my older kids spoke well, easily and early.
I finally got frustrated. I contacted the speech therapist at the public school. She thought maybe he could catch up but we should speak more to him. She also wondered if his birth overseas may be making him speak at a later age. (whaat? sounds silly to me) She was very encouraging and thought that he probably would not qualify for additional help. Just keep talking to him, she said, and pronounce words very carefully.
This advice was nice but not too helpful. After all, me being his mother, he gets spoken to alot. In various ways, such as "Your such a wonderful little superhero!" and "Get your little tail outside and help get wood in NOW!" and lots of story books, songs, and conversations about power rangers and everything under the sun. Well ok then.
I was thinking about this and almost mechanically called the local clinic to make an appointment. Enough sitting around thinking. Now I am doing-- They didn't have any more appts that day but we got an 8 am appt for Saturday.
Guess what.
Henry definitely has a hearing deficit.
He failed the hearing test at the small clinic and we have an appointment in the city with an Audiologist specialist. At that appointment they will determine whether it is a problem of the middle ear, inner ear or conduction in the brain. They will hopefully be able to tell whether he was born with this or developed this later. Also probably he can qualify for some kind of speech training now.
It is a relief to finally get some help with this. Henry is so smart; he often breaks down in tears because he is trying so hard to communicate but we don't know what he is saying. I should have made that call earlier.
I finally got frustrated. I contacted the speech therapist at the public school. She thought maybe he could catch up but we should speak more to him. She also wondered if his birth overseas may be making him speak at a later age. (whaat? sounds silly to me) She was very encouraging and thought that he probably would not qualify for additional help. Just keep talking to him, she said, and pronounce words very carefully.
This advice was nice but not too helpful. After all, me being his mother, he gets spoken to alot. In various ways, such as "Your such a wonderful little superhero!" and "Get your little tail outside and help get wood in NOW!" and lots of story books, songs, and conversations about power rangers and everything under the sun. Well ok then.
I was thinking about this and almost mechanically called the local clinic to make an appointment. Enough sitting around thinking. Now I am doing-- They didn't have any more appts that day but we got an 8 am appt for Saturday.
Guess what.
Henry definitely has a hearing deficit.
He failed the hearing test at the small clinic and we have an appointment in the city with an Audiologist specialist. At that appointment they will determine whether it is a problem of the middle ear, inner ear or conduction in the brain. They will hopefully be able to tell whether he was born with this or developed this later. Also probably he can qualify for some kind of speech training now.
It is a relief to finally get some help with this. Henry is so smart; he often breaks down in tears because he is trying so hard to communicate but we don't know what he is saying. I should have made that call earlier.
And Yet More great things my Kids Said
The kids were playing with a bunch of toys in the living room when Uncle Ben noticed that the Batman toy had a damaged arm.
"Hey boys. What happened to Batman?"
What did Henry say????
"He fell off the tractor Uncle Ben."
"Hey boys. What happened to Batman?"
What did Henry say????
"He fell off the tractor Uncle Ben."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
There were several days of false spring (before the current ice storm of course) and we took full advantage of the nice weather! Kids took turns on the old tire and Joey made a HUGE mess of the sandbox which had actually thawed out that day. It was great to see grass even if it wasn't green. Well, guess that was a little taste of days yet to come.... eventually! Easter is six weeks away. So spring must be not far off too, right? Current Picture
Here are my kiddos. This was taken this morning! Ya can't get much more current than that! They are vegging out watching cartoons. And yes, after that they will be chased outside to fill the woodbox and then play.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Conversations
Hi Joey. What are you drawing?
I am making my OWN comic book. Look Mom!
(He holds up a paper for me to see. It is completely covered in little squares with little pictures in them.)
Wow! Great job, buddy.
Wanna help me, mom?
Well, uh, um, I am busy making supper. So I can’t help you right now.
But mom, I need someone to draw all the “S” with me on Superman’s suit.
Really.
Yup. And, I didn’t color all the pictures in yet.
(I look a little closer at his pictures.)
What’s that? Is that an explosion or something?
(A square that is completely taken up with scribbles and wiggles.)
Your so silly mom! That is an electric monster for Superman to fight with. I made him up myself! Ya like him?
(I am almost laughing but trying not to so he won’t think I’m mocking his art.)
Joe, I love that! Your great. I woulda never thought of that!
Its true! I woulda never thought of that! Ain't kids great!
I am making my OWN comic book. Look Mom!
(He holds up a paper for me to see. It is completely covered in little squares with little pictures in them.)
Wow! Great job, buddy.
Wanna help me, mom?
Well, uh, um, I am busy making supper. So I can’t help you right now.
But mom, I need someone to draw all the “S” with me on Superman’s suit.
Really.
Yup. And, I didn’t color all the pictures in yet.
(I look a little closer at his pictures.)
What’s that? Is that an explosion or something?
(A square that is completely taken up with scribbles and wiggles.)
Your so silly mom! That is an electric monster for Superman to fight with. I made him up myself! Ya like him?
(I am almost laughing but trying not to so he won’t think I’m mocking his art.)
Joe, I love that! Your great. I woulda never thought of that!
Its true! I woulda never thought of that! Ain't kids great!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Cousins
Here we have Henry and his cousin Caleb. They are almost the same age (one week apart, same year). That means they are both almost 3 years old! Can you believe that?? It has been fun watching them develop, grow, learn to talk, toilet, eat, play, you know...all the growing up stuff babies have to do to be, well, not babies! Love ya, boys!
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