Late in Life Parents' Journal

kailey_erin @ 8:00pm: Help please?
Just for the record, and to satisfy my curiosity, who is the oldest daddy in this community?

akasha63 @ 10:09pm: Participating in the March for Babies
This year I will be participating in two March for Babies events here in Tennessee. One in Lewisburg, the other in Nashville. I am walking in memory of my son Drayke and all the other babies I have seen lost during my stay at both Centennial & Vanderbilt. The March of Dimes has done so much for premature babies but more is needed. Please sponsor me in this as it goes to one of the most worthy causes I know of, our future children.

carmelncal @ 12:17pm: Hey Mom Bloggers!
Hi Mom Bloggers, I am helping Alexis Martin Neely launch her new book, "Wear Clean Underwear: A Fast, Fun, Friendly - and Essential - Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents. With her savvy book Wear Clean Underwear, Alexis helps parents understand how important – and easy – legal planning is for parents. You can find out more info on the book at www.wearcleanunderwearbook.com.

So why am I writing you?

For each mom blogger who reviews the book on or before May 7, we will offer a comprehensive Kids Protection Plan counseled and prepared by a celebrity lawyer, Alexis Martin Neely. This is a great value, as an attorney prepared Kids Protection Plan is normally $1,000. And, because Alexis Martin Neely is no longer seeing new clients, this offer is truly priceless.

Let me know if you can review the book by May 7th. We would love your participation. Please contact me at alicia@wealthygirlsummit.com if you are interested.

georgiaskydiver @ 12:05pm: Dyslexia
At what age can children be tested for dyslexia? Does anyone here have any experience with it?

Thanks!

nekosensei @ 3:40pm: Many thanks!
Many thanks to those of you who filled out my surveys on Baby Sign Language and on Spoken English. My project was a success. I have posted my paper for those of you who are interested. Thanks again!

nekosensei @ 11:05pm: Poll on First Language Acquisition
I'm working on a project for my linguistics class, and I'm wondering if anybody out there would be willing to help me out. If you have children that have already learned how to talk, can you follow the links over to my journal to take a poll?

The first poll is for parents who have taught their children spoken English only.

The second poll is for parents who have taught their children spoken English and baby sign language

I sincerely appreciate your help with this.

Crossposted.

lostandfound5 @ 8:42pm: Please help out a group of students
Hello!

I am a student at Boston University working on a school project (undergrad). We have a developed a new product for babies and we desperately need your help. Please take our survey by clicking on the link below. It will take 5 minutes or less and you would be helping us out more than you believe. It doesn't matter how old your children are, or if you are pregnant right now, anyone can take the survey.

So please help a group of students out and thank you so much in advance for your help!

http://websurveyor.net/wsb.dll/34789/x6team1.htm

almsthvn @ 9:24am: Awesome.
The other night, my 5-year old daughter and I were getting ready to leave, off to help a friend by watching her 3 girls for an hour or so. I heard Katie rustling in the pantry and asked if she was sneaking food again. "No, Mommy, I'm making treat bags for the girls. That's what good babysitters do." She had gotten out 4 baggies and was putting a snack cake and peanut butter crackers in each one. Awww!

She was so tired last night when her daddy brought her home that she went straight to bed. I carried her up the stairs and just as I laid her down, she kissed my cheek. "I'm Soooo sleepy Mommy, but I love you to the moon and back." Awwwww...

I showed her a little sign this morning that says "Count your Many Blessings". She said "I have 15. I counted them while we were praying in Sunday school." *sniffle

She made her own bed for the first time recently. At first she said, "I'm too little, I need some help". I asked her just to give it her best. I went in and it looked gorgeous - little animals lined up, tucked under tiny blankees, and she kissed them all goodbye as we went downstairs. *sniffle, dabs a tear

I tell you what. No matter what else happens in this world - and there's a lot of scary stuff out there - I love that our home is a safe, loving, secure place to be. I love watching this little person become such a loving and giving little girl. She's such an inspiration. A big yay for the tiny tot.

Y'all have a good day :)

senoritafish @ 12:07pm: Please read if you have elderly parents, grandparents or even know anyone elderly...
I know some of us in this group not only are caring for little ones but also our own parents or other elderly people, so I thought this would be of interest...

First of all, please go to the L.A. Times and read this:

GUARDIANS FOR PROFIT

When a Family Matter Turns Into a Business
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-conserve13nov13,0,2846858.story

Then read my friend Beth's story...

If any one in this group lives in southern CA and is free Friday morning to attend a demonstration at the San Bernadino courthouse in support of my friend, it would be truly appreciated.

angelovernh @ 7:23am: New member - Angel
HI there! My nickname is Angel. I'm 37 yrs old, turning 38 next month, and I'm currently at 16 weeks pregnant with my first baby. :) I'm so psyched to be pregnant now! We tried for 17 cycles and I was getting really nervous about it and ready to start fertility treatments, but we had a miracle happen (and I got pregnant, I mean)! We are hoping to have a second child, too, but they might be close together as we aren't going to wait too long - maybe 6 months (and I'll be breastfeeding hopefully, so might take that long to be fertile anyhow). Depends how long it takes the second time around. Oh, and we got married in May 2005 so it's a new marriage, too. I'm a BBW, but lost 60 lbs right before conception and plan to go back to Weight Watchers and lose the rest after the baby is here.

If anyone wants to add me to friends list, please do. Just let me know in comments and I'll add you back.

allykatt @ 7:07pm: another warning about bagged veggies
i posted awhile back about bagged salads and e. coli.
i just got this alert about bagged spinach, and i'm sharing it too.

FDA URGES CONSUMERS TO AVOID BAGGED FRESH SPINACH AFTER E. COLI OUTBREAK LEAVES ONE DEAD, 50 MORE SICK IN EIGHT STATES

you guys ... be REALLY CAREFUL about those pre-packaged salads and stuff, ok? especially with kids. =(

edit:
article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,213891,00.html

excerpt:

The death occurred in Wisconsin, where 20 others were made ill, said Dr. David Acheson of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. The outbreak has sickened others — eight of them seriously — in Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah.

In California, state health officials were investigating a possible case that could be linked to the outbreak and warned consumers not to eat the produce.

bshaahtovah @ 6:20pm: Intro.
Hi! I'm new here. I'm 37 and in my 2nd month of pregnancy with my first. I'm also working on a Ph.D. at the same time. I look forward to participating in this forum.

allykatt @ 9:41am: too important not to repost...
if you buy those pre-packaged salads for you or your family, PLEASE read this. i'm told it's verified, and VERY serious.

NBC Dateline did a documentary on cut-up lettuce and spinach packaged in plastic bags. They showed whole process and talked about how the Ecoli bacteria is now showing up in the salad mix in bags. They don't know yet how the Ecoli got in, but they do know that deaths and serious sicknesses are occurring in many states.

One woman told about how her child was near death from the lettuce and was sick for a long time. They warned us not to buy any bag salads until they find out from the investigation what is causing this contamination.

The Dole Company has recalled their bags.

follow this link for the msnbc article

lesliepear @ 8:14pm: Spammer Removed
I deleted the last entry, and removed the spammer.

(Not sure how to do a ban though).

I could use another moderator here, in case I miss anything.

honeysuckleaura @ 3:38am: Schooling on My Mind

New here!  I am a single parent in Upstate, NY (recently we've considering beginning construction of an arc based on over 30 days of rainfall in the last 6 weeks).  

Although my daughter is only in year three, I always assumed that I would send her to a private school (I work as a financial advisor when employed).  Then, I injured my back when she was younger and was diagnosed with spinal arthritis.  This, coupled with a long legal battle with her father, and I'm left questioning the financial feasability of paying out that much for her elementary school while saving for college.  I have recently considered ... never thought I would ... home schooling.  There are quite a few quality programs out there, or so it appears.  Any one out there have input on this idea?  Any one done/doing it???

lesliepear @ 10:35am: Changing standards?
This week it has been warm in NJ. I’ve noticed passing the local elementary school that the kids are going to school in shorts.

When I was in school in the 1970’s we weren’t allowed to wear shorts to school. (I graduated HS in 1980). I was even in elementary school when there was debate about girls wearing PANTS to school.

Does anyone else remember this? Does it ever seem weird that kids today dress so casually for school and everywhere else?

georgiaskydiver @ 11:24am: Child Safety PSA
A friend of mine - who is a probation officer - posted this reminder in her journal and I felt compelled to pass it on:



This message brought to you by your Friendly Neighborhood Probation Officer....

As the nice weather and longer days are upon us, and people begin to actually come out of their houses and do fun things and go fun places, please remember to be safe. To that end, please consider the following, in regards to the safety of your children:


Don't use any personalized items with their names on it. T-shirts, bags, hats, beach towels...anything that allows strangers to see what their names are. It's easy enough to lure a small child away, it's even easier when the person can use their name, thereby making the child think they know them and are safe to go with. Even if you've drilled "don't go with strangers" into your child's head, if they hear their name, they aren't thinking stranger.



PLEASE KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFE FROM PREDATORS THIS SUMMER!


x-posted everywhere

lesliepear @ 10:43am: Urgent Magnetix Toy Recall!!!!!!!
I got these for Alan but never used them:

Here is a link to the official recall:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06127.html

Here is a link to a story on the matter:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12085898/

Please pass this on to anyone you know who might have these toys!!!!!

tko_ak @ 8:06pm: Your help
Hello.

I’m not particularly sure how to start this post, or even if such a post is allowed in this type of community, but I thought I’d give it a shot because I think it’s important.

I’ve never really cared for kids, and I certainly never thought I’d be a parent (both being gay and not liking children), but as I’ve become older, the notion of having a kid has grown on me. I guess time will tell. I have a good relationship with both of my parents, so I like to think they did a pretty good job.

Anyway, as I’m cross-posting this to a variety of parenting communities, the major content is behind an lj-cut for your convenience. Still, I’d appreciate your help.

( I‘d appreciate your helpCollapse )

I’d appreciate your help, if you’re willing. I have a feeling many of you would take away from being a member, and your future (or current) children may benefit from your open mind. If you have any questions, please let me know. And again, I apologize if this sort of post isn’t allowed, although I do believe it fits within the scope of this community.

Cordially,

Jamie
Founder & Maintainer, gsa_lj

georgiaskydiver @ 12:13pm: toddlersgonewld
Several of us have set up a new community: toddlersgonewld. We envision it as a parallel to badparents, because it's not always the parents who are bad. Sometimes our little monsters deserve their own time in the spotlight.

It hasn't really gotten off the ground yet, but if your child is anything like ours are, there should be no shortage of funny posts! We welcome you to join and play along.

divamanda23 @ 2:24pm: Something on my mind...
I decided to post this question in this journal, versus any other parenting community, because as "older" parents, we all have a wide spectrum from which to choose. So, here is my question: what songs do hear these days & immediately think of your children?
I have been pouring over my new love, iTunes & have put together a play list for my son, Luke. This is what is currently on this list:
Precious - Depeche Mode (I just went through a divorce & even though I hate his father, this song is such a perfect summation of parental love after separation)
Show Me - The Pretenders
Precious - Annie Lennox
Birds & Ships - Billy Bragg
Baby Mine - Alison Krauss

I would ove to hear some more suggestions & what reminds each of you of your kids.

schelmy @ 1:07pm: Stretch Marks
Hey Ladies,

(I changed this post because I ran into trouble on an old community I was a member of~ had no idea it might be bad LJ etiquette to link to your personal journal's cross posting~ no one said anything here, but just in case I am changing it where I can. *hugs to you all for being so sweet about it though*.)

Stretch marks! I found out that if you are going to get them there is nothing you can do to stop it. There is no cure or prevention. The only thing you can do is minimize the itching and keep skin healthy during this process of pregnancy. I found this stuff by Bella Mamma (heard some famous moms taut this name), Bella Mamma Butter. I am planning on giving this, Belly Smooches (almond), and the Bella Mamma body/face spray a try. I wonder what other mommies out there tried?

*HUGS*
Shannon

schelmy @ 10:09am: Added to the Montessori School Post *smile*
Cross-Posted from one of my mommy communities:

I have wondered about Montessori schools. Living in South Carolina, Greenville area, we have concerns about the quality of education in our area and South Carolina in General *sad face*. There are a couple public schools that have decent reputations, but, as you know, you can not pick and choose, per say, which public school your child will be required to attend. Not to mention, it is also possible that you will have to wait until your child is up to five years old for them to be able to attend public schools. These are not acceptable options for us and we are investigating the option of private schools. Our first munchkin is not due until December *smile*, but I know the time to need this information will be here before we know it hahahaha. We are a bilingual household, German/English, and we have been lucky enough to find out about a Deutsche Schule in the county next to us (not too terribly far down the road. ( http://www.deutscheschule.net ). However this is a Saturday school and only fills a small fraction of our needs.

What we are hoping to find in a school:

Wonderfully diverse academic program
German and Spanish language programs (Partly a German speaking household *smile* with Grandparents living in Spain hahahaha...The language program is very important~ travel to Spanish/German speaking countries will be extensive)
Strong Art programs (visual, music etc)
Sports programs optional (can take care of this outside of school along with religious education~may become more important depending on our child's direction of interest *smile*)
and talented special teachers/administration
and excellent references *smile*

To name a few off the top of my head *wink* hahahahahaaa...please feel free to mention other wonderful qualities of some schools you are interested in too *smile*.

Have a nice day!
Shannon
Tags: baby_stuff

georgiaskydiver @ 11:58am: Montessori Schools
Does anyone know anything about Montessori schools? One of my doctors sends her child to the school near our home and scheduled an appointment for us to meet with the owner and the education director there.

I am completely ignorant of the Montessori philosophy. Does anybody have any information, good or bad?

Thanks!

sharinganuser69 @ 11:32am: A brand new community
A community for parents who are concerned with the types of video games their children play.
Talk with real mature gamers and get the real scoop on what's in those games your children play.
Also stay up to date with the latest news happening with games and gaming companies, changes in the ESRB rating system, new systems coming out on the market.
Thank you for your time.
games_n_parents