Our big kids...
(from left to right)
age: 17-AACC/22-UMD/23-UMBC/20-TU/19-UMD
For those who have asked how we handle college:
See my husband's post here!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Showing posts with label TEENS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TEENS. Show all posts
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Sunday, March 6, 2011
How to Talk to Your Kids About Life After High School ?:
Over at our local PATCH on line news they have asked this question:
How to Talk to Your Kids About Life After High School?
My short non preachy response is:
I have three children in the category. One is 21, graduating with her masters in May and getting married in August. My second will be 20 next month and is at the community college planning on transferring to MD next year. My third is 18 and also at the community college and transferring to Towson next year. My fourth child will be graduating this May and going to the community college also.
I think it depends on the direction they are going.
College: Make it a priority, don't miss a class. Do any extra credit available. Find study groups and like minded friends. Be diligent in your studies remembering that this is your main concern at this time in your life.
Work: Be the best you can be. Find something you shine at. Watch what you say and do at all times. Be kind and conscientious to your coworkers. If you don't have something to do during your scheduled work hours, find something to do or ask your supervisor for a job. Even if you are sweeping up floors...your time belongs to your job during work hours.
Dating: Even thou you are out of high school keep a balanced relationship with your girl friend/boy friend. Find fun inexpensive things to do. Like going for walks, to the park, downtown to site see, museums, or look your community for free activities or reasonably priced shows and events.
As a young adult never forget to give back to your community through volunteer work in something you are concerned about or passionate towards.
Of course don't forget to spend time with your family, especially your relatives and older members of your family. You will never regret the time spent with them and hearing the stories of how your family got started.
Trust me I could write a book on this and will post more advice about this later... like:
Frequent the sacraments as much as possible, pray daily, and KEEP THE FAITH!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
How to Talk to Your Kids About Life After High School?
My short non preachy response is:
I have three children in the category. One is 21, graduating with her masters in May and getting married in August. My second will be 20 next month and is at the community college planning on transferring to MD next year. My third is 18 and also at the community college and transferring to Towson next year. My fourth child will be graduating this May and going to the community college also.
I think it depends on the direction they are going.
College: Make it a priority, don't miss a class. Do any extra credit available. Find study groups and like minded friends. Be diligent in your studies remembering that this is your main concern at this time in your life.
Work: Be the best you can be. Find something you shine at. Watch what you say and do at all times. Be kind and conscientious to your coworkers. If you don't have something to do during your scheduled work hours, find something to do or ask your supervisor for a job. Even if you are sweeping up floors...your time belongs to your job during work hours.
Dating: Even thou you are out of high school keep a balanced relationship with your girl friend/boy friend. Find fun inexpensive things to do. Like going for walks, to the park, downtown to site see, museums, or look your community for free activities or reasonably priced shows and events.
As a young adult never forget to give back to your community through volunteer work in something you are concerned about or passionate towards.
Of course don't forget to spend time with your family, especially your relatives and older members of your family. You will never regret the time spent with them and hearing the stories of how your family got started.
Trust me I could write a book on this and will post more advice about this later... like:
Frequent the sacraments as much as possible, pray daily, and KEEP THE FAITH!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Rules for IPOD:
Well, now that your 13...
Rules for iPod:
1. No internet
2. Only get iPod after jobs and school is done
3. One hour game time…we can discuss music use
4. Must check with dad before buying games/apps/music
5. IPod goes in parent’s room/on dock station at bedtime
6. No electronics at dinner time
7. Cannot walk around house with earphones on ignoring others or hide in your room.
8. Cannot bring it out of the house without permission
9. Please do not let siblings use it without our permission
10. If you disobey any of these rules your iPod will be
taken away.
SIGN HERE: __________________________________________
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Rules for iPod:
1. No internet
2. Only get iPod after jobs and school is done
3. One hour game time…we can discuss music use
4. Must check with dad before buying games/apps/music
5. IPod goes in parent’s room/on dock station at bedtime
6. No electronics at dinner time
7. Cannot walk around house with earphones on ignoring others or hide in your room.
8. Cannot bring it out of the house without permission
9. Please do not let siblings use it without our permission
10. If you disobey any of these rules your iPod will be
taken away.
SIGN HERE: __________________________________________
Password: _____________
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Catholic Dating:
Catholic Pick up lines found on FACEBOOK
My teen son thought these were funny...whatever gets you a good Catholic spouse honey...
1. Confess here often?
2. Did you feel what I felt when we reached into the holy water font at the same time?
3. You've got stunning scapular-brown eyes.
4. I bet I can guess your confirmation name.
5. Let's get out of here. I know a much cozier little Catholic bookstore downtown.
6. You don't like the culture of death either? Wow! We have so much in common!
7. What's a nice girl like you doing at a First Saturday Rosary Cenacle like this?
8. Sorry, but I couldn't help but noticing how cute you look in that ankle-length, shapeless, plaid jumper.
9. Hi there. My buddy and I were wondering if you would settle a dispute we're having. Do you think the word should be pronounced HOMEschooling, or homeSCHOOLing?
10. May I offer you a light for that votive candle?
11. You don't have an accountability partner? Me neither.
12. The Bible says "Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry"; how about dinner?
13. You look so beautiful in that mantilla you wear to Mass
14. Want to go to Adoration with me?
15. I didn't believe in predestination till I met you.
16. Man does not live by bread alone. So how about dinner and a movie?
17. What do you think Peter meant when he said, "Greet everyone with a holy kiss" (1Pet 5:14)?
18. A little bird... the Holy Spirit actually... tells me we should get to know each other a little better.
19. Do you need help carrying your Bible? It looks heavy.
20. What are your plans for tonight? Feel like a Bible study?
There are 60 more on FACEBOOK.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
My teen son thought these were funny...whatever gets you a good Catholic spouse honey...
1. Confess here often?
2. Did you feel what I felt when we reached into the holy water font at the same time?
3. You've got stunning scapular-brown eyes.
4. I bet I can guess your confirmation name.
5. Let's get out of here. I know a much cozier little Catholic bookstore downtown.
6. You don't like the culture of death either? Wow! We have so much in common!
7. What's a nice girl like you doing at a First Saturday Rosary Cenacle like this?
8. Sorry, but I couldn't help but noticing how cute you look in that ankle-length, shapeless, plaid jumper.
9. Hi there. My buddy and I were wondering if you would settle a dispute we're having. Do you think the word should be pronounced HOMEschooling, or homeSCHOOLing?
10. May I offer you a light for that votive candle?
11. You don't have an accountability partner? Me neither.
12. The Bible says "Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry"; how about dinner?
13. You look so beautiful in that mantilla you wear to Mass
14. Want to go to Adoration with me?
15. I didn't believe in predestination till I met you.
16. Man does not live by bread alone. So how about dinner and a movie?
17. What do you think Peter meant when he said, "Greet everyone with a holy kiss" (1Pet 5:14)?
18. A little bird... the Holy Spirit actually... tells me we should get to know each other a little better.
19. Do you need help carrying your Bible? It looks heavy.
20. What are your plans for tonight? Feel like a Bible study?
There are 60 more on FACEBOOK.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sex Education Resources:
Haven't really found anything that I love.
We use the Joyful Mysteries of Life for Elementary school and Middle School.
(each child is ready at a different time)
We use Real Love by Mary Beth Bonacci for High School and up.
Would love to hear of any that work for your family...
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
We use the Joyful Mysteries of Life for Elementary school and Middle School.
(each child is ready at a different time)
We use Real Love by Mary Beth Bonacci for High School and up.
Would love to hear of any that work for your family...
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, August 27, 2010
WATCH OUT TEEN GIRLS...
Selling Identity
by Vicki Thorn
While on a field trip today to a bookstore, I got lost in the magazine section. I must admit it was an eye-opening experience as I took the time to look through three teen magazines.
All three magazines were publications that have been around for some time. Seventeen caught my eye, its cover promising “823 Fashion & Beauty Ideas” and “The Best Fall Clothes for your Body.” I was stuck by the huge number of ads: Out of the 222 pages, close to 100 were paid advertizing, not counting the sections devoted to fashion items and where to buy them. What a tsunami of stuff that will make you more beautiful, better dressed, more attractive! Teen Vogue also oozed fashions —“386 looks you’ll love,” to be specific. Even Girl’s Life, which aims for a slightly younger audience, had “382 ways to look fab for fall.”
According to a 1999 study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation, teens aged 15 to 18 spend an average of 13 minutes per day reading magazines. Media studies show that readers of teen magazines turn to them as a “valued source of advice about their personal lives.” Perhaps most disturbing were the in-depth interviews with 12 and 13-year-old girls who regularly read teen magazines. The interviews revealed that the girls “used the magazines to formulate their concepts of femininity and relied heavily on articles that featured boys’ opinions about how to gain male approval and act in relationships with males.”
A few years ago, the American Psychological Association published an insightful article entitled “Driving teen egos—and buying—through ‘branding.’” It was on how “a glut of marketing messages encourages teens to tie brand choices to their personal identity.”
According to the APA article, teen girls spend over $9 million on makeup and skin products alone. In 2004, companies marketing to adolescents and kids spent $15 billion to influence over $600 billion’s worth of spending. One can only wonder how much more is being spent now.
“Comparing the marketing of today with the marketing of yesteryear is like comparing a BB gun to a smart bomb,” said Susan Linn, Ed.D., of Harvard Medical School. “It’s enhanced by technology, honed by child psychologists and brought to us by billion(s) of dollars."
She continued, “In the new millennium, marketing executives are insinuating their brands into the fabric of children’s lives. They want – to use industry terms – ‘cradle to grave’ brand loyalty and to ‘own’ children.”
Then there are the articles on sex and relationships.
One piece grabbed attention with the headlines “Scary Sex Rumors! Deadly shots! Pills that can hurt you! Is everything you’re hearing true? Get the facts right here.” The questions deal with Gardasil, the HPV vaccine; and whether the Plan B “morning after” pill is comparable to having an abortion. (The authors say it isn’t, and go on to tell girls how to get the pill over the counter if they are over 17, or at a Planned Parenthood clinic or doctor’s office if they are younger – all confidentially.) Talking about Pap smears, the article states that girls don’t need the check until age 21, as cervical cancer is extremely rare among teen girls – despite the Center for Disease Control’s advice that Pap smears begin at 21 or within three years of the onset of sexual activity. If a girl begins to have sex at 16 or 17, 21 does not coincide with the CDC recommendation.
The article does suggest going to the gynecologist for STD tests or prescriptions for birth control in order to prevent pregnancy or help with painful periods. However, what I found most troublesome is that the piece went on to advise girls how to get around their shyness of being open to their mothers about sex.
“If you are afraid your mom will think you’re having sex, if you ask to go the gyno, just say you have questions about your period or want help for your cramps,” the article suggests. As a mother, I resent a magazine telling my daughter how to get around me.
The article continues: “If you’re having sex, you should be on birth control pills (they’re more effective) and use a condom to protect against STDs.” Nowhere does it suggest that girls should be tested by their doctor to see if they have a blood clotting factor that would indicate they should not use the Pill. Nor does it tell girls that if they shouldn’t be on the Pill if they smoke – and according to the CDC, nearly a quarter of teens do smoke.
Another article in the “Real Love” section recounted how “I fell in love with my best friend” – a 17 year old’s story of suddenly becoming attracted to her female friend after sneaking a drink from a parent’s supply. Though they kissed, the young woman said, the “love didn’t last.” And yet: “It helped me reveal a part of myself I’d tried to hide. Realizing that I’m bi(sexual) was like opening a door to a new side of me …”
And we wonder why there is such confusion amongst our teens.
by Vicki Thorn
While on a field trip today to a bookstore, I got lost in the magazine section. I must admit it was an eye-opening experience as I took the time to look through three teen magazines.
All three magazines were publications that have been around for some time. Seventeen caught my eye, its cover promising “823 Fashion & Beauty Ideas” and “The Best Fall Clothes for your Body.” I was stuck by the huge number of ads: Out of the 222 pages, close to 100 were paid advertizing, not counting the sections devoted to fashion items and where to buy them. What a tsunami of stuff that will make you more beautiful, better dressed, more attractive! Teen Vogue also oozed fashions —“386 looks you’ll love,” to be specific. Even Girl’s Life, which aims for a slightly younger audience, had “382 ways to look fab for fall.”
According to a 1999 study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation, teens aged 15 to 18 spend an average of 13 minutes per day reading magazines. Media studies show that readers of teen magazines turn to them as a “valued source of advice about their personal lives.” Perhaps most disturbing were the in-depth interviews with 12 and 13-year-old girls who regularly read teen magazines. The interviews revealed that the girls “used the magazines to formulate their concepts of femininity and relied heavily on articles that featured boys’ opinions about how to gain male approval and act in relationships with males.”
A few years ago, the American Psychological Association published an insightful article entitled “Driving teen egos—and buying—through ‘branding.’” It was on how “a glut of marketing messages encourages teens to tie brand choices to their personal identity.”
According to the APA article, teen girls spend over $9 million on makeup and skin products alone. In 2004, companies marketing to adolescents and kids spent $15 billion to influence over $600 billion’s worth of spending. One can only wonder how much more is being spent now.
“Comparing the marketing of today with the marketing of yesteryear is like comparing a BB gun to a smart bomb,” said Susan Linn, Ed.D., of Harvard Medical School. “It’s enhanced by technology, honed by child psychologists and brought to us by billion(s) of dollars."
She continued, “In the new millennium, marketing executives are insinuating their brands into the fabric of children’s lives. They want – to use industry terms – ‘cradle to grave’ brand loyalty and to ‘own’ children.”
Then there are the articles on sex and relationships.
One piece grabbed attention with the headlines “Scary Sex Rumors! Deadly shots! Pills that can hurt you! Is everything you’re hearing true? Get the facts right here.” The questions deal with Gardasil, the HPV vaccine; and whether the Plan B “morning after” pill is comparable to having an abortion. (The authors say it isn’t, and go on to tell girls how to get the pill over the counter if they are over 17, or at a Planned Parenthood clinic or doctor’s office if they are younger – all confidentially.) Talking about Pap smears, the article states that girls don’t need the check until age 21, as cervical cancer is extremely rare among teen girls – despite the Center for Disease Control’s advice that Pap smears begin at 21 or within three years of the onset of sexual activity. If a girl begins to have sex at 16 or 17, 21 does not coincide with the CDC recommendation.
The article does suggest going to the gynecologist for STD tests or prescriptions for birth control in order to prevent pregnancy or help with painful periods. However, what I found most troublesome is that the piece went on to advise girls how to get around their shyness of being open to their mothers about sex.
“If you are afraid your mom will think you’re having sex, if you ask to go the gyno, just say you have questions about your period or want help for your cramps,” the article suggests. As a mother, I resent a magazine telling my daughter how to get around me.
The article continues: “If you’re having sex, you should be on birth control pills (they’re more effective) and use a condom to protect against STDs.” Nowhere does it suggest that girls should be tested by their doctor to see if they have a blood clotting factor that would indicate they should not use the Pill. Nor does it tell girls that if they shouldn’t be on the Pill if they smoke – and according to the CDC, nearly a quarter of teens do smoke.
Another article in the “Real Love” section recounted how “I fell in love with my best friend” – a 17 year old’s story of suddenly becoming attracted to her female friend after sneaking a drink from a parent’s supply. Though they kissed, the young woman said, the “love didn’t last.” And yet: “It helped me reveal a part of myself I’d tried to hide. Realizing that I’m bi(sexual) was like opening a door to a new side of me …”
And we wonder why there is such confusion amongst our teens.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Message to youth...
Guard your purity it is one of the greatest gifts that God has given you!!! Protect your eyes, ears, your heart, and the words you say.
Your virginity is the most precious gift you can give to your spouse on your wedding day and will always be a beautiful expression of your love for them and Christ.
Don't let Satan and the world convince you that you are not an amazing person. Make sure you don't buy into the view that it is ok because everyone is doing it and it is no big deal.
God has a special plan for each of you and you must stay close to HIM through prayer and the sacraments so to better hear HIS will for your life.
I love you and am praying for you all the time.
May you see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil, all the days of your life.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Your virginity is the most precious gift you can give to your spouse on your wedding day and will always be a beautiful expression of your love for them and Christ.
Don't let Satan and the world convince you that you are not an amazing person. Make sure you don't buy into the view that it is ok because everyone is doing it and it is no big deal.
God has a special plan for each of you and you must stay close to HIM through prayer and the sacraments so to better hear HIS will for your life.
I love you and am praying for you all the time.
May you see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil, all the days of your life.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, July 2, 2010
TEENAGERS...
I have perfect children...ha/ha!!!
So this article about rude teens wasn't even a bit interesting to me...
um well...
totally interesting!!!
Check it out!!!
Thanks to our youth minister for reminding me that:
F.A.M.I.L.Y. Stands for
Father And Mother I Love You
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
So this article about rude teens wasn't even a bit interesting to me...
um well...
totally interesting!!!
Check it out!!!
Thanks to our youth minister for reminding me that:
F.A.M.I.L.Y. Stands for
Father And Mother I Love You
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Eating Healthy...
It is that time again this year when I try to help my family eat healthy.
I don't know about you but about once a year I rethink our eating habits. Thank God we have a limited budget. I tell my kids every time we drive by McDonald's that it is a good thing we have no extra money or mommy would drive in there and buy lots of junk...we would be fat and unhealthy!!! (for some reason I don't think they appreciate it)
So when I was at the grocery store the other day I started out in isle two and started to get whole grain pasta. It was hard since the regular pasta was so much cheaper. I have found over the years that one reason my hubby and I don't stay on the health kick is that junk food is so much cheaper than good food. I was thrilled to see that there was a big sale on the good pasta and I filled my basket up with every box. I was feeling very satisfied and proud about my great find.
But, like all times when pride is in my picture I slip and fail.
Little did I know that it was LITTLE DEBBIE's fiftieth anniversary. (How did that little girl get so old?) My grocery store was having a huge sale!!!
Then the next isle was having pop tarts 10 for $10 so I grabbed a bunch of those...ughhh!!!
All of us love those junkie goodies and the teens that hang at our house are always looking for a treat...so of course I had to fill up on all the junk too.
I don't know about you but about once a year I rethink our eating habits. Thank God we have a limited budget. I tell my kids every time we drive by McDonald's that it is a good thing we have no extra money or mommy would drive in there and buy lots of junk...we would be fat and unhealthy!!! (for some reason I don't think they appreciate it)
So when I was at the grocery store the other day I started out in isle two and started to get whole grain pasta. It was hard since the regular pasta was so much cheaper. I have found over the years that one reason my hubby and I don't stay on the health kick is that junk food is so much cheaper than good food. I was thrilled to see that there was a big sale on the good pasta and I filled my basket up with every box. I was feeling very satisfied and proud about my great find.
But, like all times when pride is in my picture I slip and fail.
Little did I know that it was LITTLE DEBBIE's fiftieth anniversary. (How did that little girl get so old?) My grocery store was having a huge sale!!!
Then the next isle was having pop tarts 10 for $10 so I grabbed a bunch of those...ughhh!!!
All of us love those junkie goodies and the teens that hang at our house are always looking for a treat...so of course I had to fill up on all the junk too.
Oh dear Lord to find balance. Please help me to be the women you created me to be. I love and need Your guidance all the time!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, May 7, 2010
Television:
Television
The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set --
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotised by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink --
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES!
'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say,
'But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!'
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rate and Mr. Mole-
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks-
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something to read.
And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.
Roald Dahl
The best days of my parenting were the ten years we didn't have a TV. The kids would read. My husband and I would go to bed early and were able to get up early to concur the day better. Our time spent as a family was reading, playing games, doing crafts, and praying.
Yesterday...it came. Just what the teens had been hoping for...
a 60 inch television.
Our TV broke last month and sweet daddy decided on this...
The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set --
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.
In almost every house we've been,
We've watched them gaping at the screen.
They loll and slop and lounge about,
And stare until their eyes pop out.
(Last week in someone's place we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor.)
They sit and stare and stare and sit
Until they're hypnotised by it,
Until they're absolutely drunk
With all that shocking ghastly junk.
Oh yes, we know it keeps them still,
They don't climb out the window sill,
They never fight or kick or punch,
They leave you free to cook the lunch
And wash the dishes in the sink --
But did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved tot?
IT ROTS THE SENSE IN THE HEAD!
IT KILLS IMAGINATION DEAD!
IT CLOGS AND CLUTTERS UP THE MIND!
IT MAKES A CHILD SO DULL AND BLIND
HE CAN NO LONGER UNDERSTAND
A FANTASY, A FAIRYLAND!
HIS BRAIN BECOMES AS SOFT AS CHEESE!
HIS POWERS OF THINKING RUST AND FREEZE!
HE CANNOT THINK -- HE ONLY SEES!
'All right!' you'll cry. 'All right!' you'll say,
'But if we take the set away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our darling children? Please explain!'
We'll answer this by asking you,
'What used the darling ones to do?
'How used they keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented?'
Have you forgotten? Don't you know?
We'll say it very loud and slow:
THEY ... USED ... TO ... READ! They'd READ and READ,
AND READ and READ, and then proceed
To READ some more. Great Scott! Gadzooks!
One half their lives was reading books!
The nursery shelves held books galore!
Books cluttered up the nursery floor!
And in the bedroom, by the bed,
More books were waiting to be read!
Such wondrous, fine, fantastic tales
Of dragons, gypsies, queens, and whales
And treasure isles, and distant shores
Where smugglers rowed with muffled oars,
And pirates wearing purple pants,
And sailing ships and elephants,
And cannibals crouching 'round the pot,
Stirring away at something hot.
(It smells so good, what can it be?
Good gracious, it's Penelope.)
The younger ones had Beatrix Potter
With Mr. Tod, the dirty rotter,
And Squirrel Nutkin, Pigling Bland,
And Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and-
Just How The Camel Got His Hump,
And How the Monkey Lost His Rump,
And Mr. Toad, and bless my soul,
There's Mr. Rate and Mr. Mole-
Oh, books, what books they used to know,
Those children living long ago!
So please, oh please, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall.
Then fill the shelves with lots of books,
Ignoring all the dirty looks,
The screams and yells, the bites and kicks,
And children hitting you with sticks-
Fear not, because we promise you
That, in about a week or two
Of having nothing else to do,
They'll now begin to feel the need
Of having something to read.
And once they start -- oh boy, oh boy!
You watch the slowly growing joy
That fills their hearts. They'll grow so keen
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ridiculous machine,
That nauseating, foul, unclean,
Repulsive television screen!
And later, each and every kid
Will love you more for what you did.
Roald Dahl
The best days of my parenting were the ten years we didn't have a TV. The kids would read. My husband and I would go to bed early and were able to get up early to concur the day better. Our time spent as a family was reading, playing games, doing crafts, and praying.
Yesterday...it came. Just what the teens had been hoping for...
a 60 inch television.
Our TV broke last month and sweet daddy decided on this...
So pray for me as I try to maintain balance in this crazy family.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
GLEE: JUST DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT!!!
Last year my 15 year old asked if she could watch GLEE...
We said no...so this year she tried again...
Dad (the nice one) said no, mom (the mean one) said let me check it out...
I went on Plugged in and common sense both said iffy for her age group.
So I watched it and gave it a fair shot...the first show...strike one! It was all the worst of what I remembered high school being. This is why we homeschool our children for high school.
So, week two starts and it was worse than the first week...
Madonna was the "hero" of this week...need I say more?
Scandal
Lying
Sex
Disrespect
Blackmail
Bullying
Cheating
Ridicule
Immodesty
etc...
That was all in the first 15 minutes!!! Just the fact that they made fun of people's virginity was enough...but it didn't stop there.
So, strike two.
Then for the next 20 minutes I could barely tolerate it...
So, strike three...they're out.
I turned off the TV and told my daughter it didn't make the cut.
I thought it was a fun, musical show...it was too bad because it could of been just that.
Instead it was all the negative, bad, and unbelievable situations of what is in high school.
So no Glee for us.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
We said no...so this year she tried again...
Dad (the nice one) said no, mom (the mean one) said let me check it out...
I went on Plugged in and common sense both said iffy for her age group.
So I watched it and gave it a fair shot...the first show...strike one! It was all the worst of what I remembered high school being. This is why we homeschool our children for high school.
So, week two starts and it was worse than the first week...
Madonna was the "hero" of this week...need I say more?
Scandal
Lying
Sex
Disrespect
Blackmail
Bullying
Cheating
Ridicule
Immodesty
etc...
That was all in the first 15 minutes!!! Just the fact that they made fun of people's virginity was enough...but it didn't stop there.
So, strike two.
Then for the next 20 minutes I could barely tolerate it...
So, strike three...they're out.
I turned off the TV and told my daughter it didn't make the cut.
I thought it was a fun, musical show...it was too bad because it could of been just that.
Instead it was all the negative, bad, and unbelievable situations of what is in high school.
So no Glee for us.
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
HE LOVES ME...HE LOVES ME NOT...
10 YEAR OLD SON:
"Mom, I am going to write a book. Guess who I am going to dedicate it to. You, mom. And it is going to say, 'To the worlds Greatest Mom!'"
TEENAGE SON:
"I hate living in this house!!!"
HMM...He loves me...he loves me not?
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
"Mom, I am going to write a book. Guess who I am going to dedicate it to. You, mom. And it is going to say, 'To the worlds Greatest Mom!'"
TEENAGE SON:
"I hate living in this house!!!"
HMM...He loves me...he loves me not?
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
FAVORITE BABY GIFTS...
IN APRIL I BECAME A MOTHER TO FIVE TEENAGERS...SO MY GIRLFRIEND GOT ME THIS...
IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE BOTTOM...IT SAYS MOVE OUT, GET A JOB, PAY YOUR OWN BILLS, DO IT WHILE YOU STILL KNOW EVERYTHING!!!
THIS IS FROM MY OLDEST DAUGHTER...IT IS CALLED THE DIRTY DOZEN...she was especially excited that it had 7 boys and 5 girls!!!THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Field trips...
Have you ever just looked at all the beautiful field trip and vacation pictures in the blog world ??? It can get pretty discouraging if you are in the state in life where it is just too hard to drag everyone somewhere.
We live in the field trip capital of the world!!! I have Washington/Baltimore/ and Annapolis all less than a half hour from my door step!!!
On one hand I remember the days when my hubby and I would drag the kids all over to have the mother of all field trips...on the other hand, I remember the crying toddlers, unappreciated kids, frustrated husband, and the sore legged pregnant mommy!!!
I have had to "offer up" my ideals for the perfect field/day trip and realize that our all time decision of "what is best for the entire family motto" must trump!!! Don't get me wrong...we are not hermits by any means!!! It may mean that we do only one group field trip a year or a season.
I have been surrounded by amazing friends and family who offer to "pick up" a couple of kids at a time to bring them along on their trips. Or better yet my teenagers friends who don't have little siblings offer to take some of the kids on adventures...like recently when Becca (19) and Amanda (16) took the 3 and 5 year old to the zoo and a tea party on another day. It is nice to be able to accommodate those who don't have little guys to hang with...
So maybe that will be my new home business..."rent a sibling" pick your age and sex and we will help you find a little sibling on any day of the week!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
We live in the field trip capital of the world!!! I have Washington/Baltimore/ and Annapolis all less than a half hour from my door step!!!
On one hand I remember the days when my hubby and I would drag the kids all over to have the mother of all field trips...on the other hand, I remember the crying toddlers, unappreciated kids, frustrated husband, and the sore legged pregnant mommy!!!
I have had to "offer up" my ideals for the perfect field/day trip and realize that our all time decision of "what is best for the entire family motto" must trump!!! Don't get me wrong...we are not hermits by any means!!! It may mean that we do only one group field trip a year or a season.
I have been surrounded by amazing friends and family who offer to "pick up" a couple of kids at a time to bring them along on their trips. Or better yet my teenagers friends who don't have little siblings offer to take some of the kids on adventures...like recently when Becca (19) and Amanda (16) took the 3 and 5 year old to the zoo and a tea party on another day. It is nice to be able to accommodate those who don't have little guys to hang with...
So maybe that will be my new home business..."rent a sibling" pick your age and sex and we will help you find a little sibling on any day of the week!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Monday, August 10, 2009
My caterpillar is becoming a butterfly...
My sweet little girl is turning 15. All she wanted was a cell phone...and since we were going to give her one of ours when she was out we (nice daddy) decided it was time. We have pretty strict rules and so far with the other two big kids, it hasn't been too bad. Here are the rules we decided on.
Cell Phone Rules (found them here and gave them a little tweak to meet my needs)
1. Phone Number: Do not give your phone number to anyone without Mom or Dad's permission first.
2. Caller ID: Do not answer any calls or reply to any texts unless you know who it is (Caller ID). Always answer when Mom or Dad call.
3. Extras: No downloads ("Get It Now") or using the Internet ("Web") without permission ahead of time -- this costs extra.
4. At Night: Phone MUST be turned off by 10pm each evening and left in mom and dad’s room for charging. It stays off till the next morning after you're ready for school and/or chores are done.
5. Pictures: Sending pictures to anyone requires permission by Mom or Dad first, for now. If you receive any pictures from friends that make you uncomfortable, tell Mom or Dad about it.
6. At School: Phone must be on "silent mode" during school hours and left in your backpack. The phone cannot be used at school during school hours unless you have your teacher's approval first.
7. Off Limits: No cell phone till your homework and jobs are done after and during family times (dinner, family night, etc).
8. Contact List: You can only call or text those who are on your contact list. Any additions to your contact list must be approved by Mom or Dad.
9. Inspection: Mom & Dad can request to inspect your phone at any time.
10. Time Out: Remember this is our phone...If any of the above rules are broken, or you have a bad attitude, Mom or Dad may put the phone on "time-out" for as long as we feel it is necessary.
I am sure there will be more to add in the future. BTW...they know they pay for their portion of the phone bill.
LOOK FOR MORE INFO HERE!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Cell Phone Rules (found them here and gave them a little tweak to meet my needs)
1. Phone Number: Do not give your phone number to anyone without Mom or Dad's permission first.
2. Caller ID: Do not answer any calls or reply to any texts unless you know who it is (Caller ID). Always answer when Mom or Dad call.
3. Extras: No downloads ("Get It Now") or using the Internet ("Web") without permission ahead of time -- this costs extra.
4. At Night: Phone MUST be turned off by 10pm each evening and left in mom and dad’s room for charging. It stays off till the next morning after you're ready for school and/or chores are done.
5. Pictures: Sending pictures to anyone requires permission by Mom or Dad first, for now. If you receive any pictures from friends that make you uncomfortable, tell Mom or Dad about it.
6. At School: Phone must be on "silent mode" during school hours and left in your backpack. The phone cannot be used at school during school hours unless you have your teacher's approval first.
7. Off Limits: No cell phone till your homework and jobs are done after and during family times (dinner, family night, etc).
8. Contact List: You can only call or text those who are on your contact list. Any additions to your contact list must be approved by Mom or Dad.
9. Inspection: Mom & Dad can request to inspect your phone at any time.
10. Time Out: Remember this is our phone...If any of the above rules are broken, or you have a bad attitude, Mom or Dad may put the phone on "time-out" for as long as we feel it is necessary.
I am sure there will be more to add in the future. BTW...they know they pay for their portion of the phone bill.
LOOK FOR MORE INFO HERE!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, July 17, 2009
REMINDER TO SELF: appreciate my teens...
My son in the seminary who prays for us!!!
The four "left behind" who do all the work around here and made Sunday possible...I sure hope their friends on FACEBOOK don't see this funny picture I took in JANUARY...Many days I complain about teenagers...well I had a "what would I do without them day" on Sunday.
My running sardonic husband did a race on Sunday. On Sat night he and one of the teenage girls went to 4:30 mass. So Sunday I got my pregnant self out of bed to get ready for mass. Two of the boys were serving 10 am mass and my 19 year old left at 9 to feed my sister's cats. Geama came and took the 3 & 5 year old over for a fun day with grandma. I woke up the daughter who went to mass earlier to watch one year old. The 13,11,9, and 7 year old and I went to mass. We rushed home, ate, put the one year old down for a nap, and the three boys and I rushed off to see dad run across the finish line. The race was a 31 mile trail run and was about 2o minutes away. We got there with about a half hour wait till we cheered on my man!!! Then the 11 year old and I headed home after picking up gift card at Target for the wedding shower I was going to. Dropped off 11 year old. Got home just in time to see one year old wake up...loved on him for a minute than the 19 year old took him to visit Geama and the girls...I got ready and left for the shower. Got home right when my daughter and the three little guys got home...(perfect timing)!Got to visit with Father Kevin who just stopped by from his year in Rome...got kids settled and got ready for dinner out with Boompa for dinner...The 16 year old took the 14 year old to youth group and the 19 year old went out. The thirteen year old made dinner and put the kids to bed. We got home around 7:30 exhausted from our busy day!!! Said good night to the kids and passed out!!!
Couldn't of done it without my teens...(or Geama)
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Friday, July 10, 2009
Raised them too well??? Doubt it!!!
MY FIVE TEENAGERS!!!Last week one of my teenagers (remaining nameless) was whining about not having any thing to do. All friends were busy and it was a good night to go out and have fun..."the teenager" looked at me and said, "This is your fault, IF YOU DIDN'T RAISE ME TO BE SO AMAZING I WOULDN'T BE SO PICKY ABOUT WHO I HANG OUT WITH!!!"
Now I remember blaming my mom on alot when I was a teen...but this was way out there...I just looked totally confused toward the "teen" and winced. The "teen" then said, "If I wasn't amazing I would hang out with partiers, dirt bags, mean people, and the like".
Now I remember blaming my mom on alot when I was a teen...but this was way out there...I just looked totally confused toward the "teen" and winced. The "teen" then said, "If I wasn't amazing I would hang out with partiers, dirt bags, mean people, and the like".
SO, I guess I accomplished the good old self esteem lesson in life and now I know the "teen" has my husband's and my pride problem!!!
I will say the first five have turned out pretty good...well so far...let's all pray for the next seven to be as amazing!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Teen Media:
Tips for Parents on Teen Media Management (Fr. Michael Sliney, LC)
The following are first and foremost guidelines. My concern here is to protect the purity and integrity of teens, as well as to improve their personal interaction while promoting accountability for the content they are absorbing on a day-to-day basis. Ideally, these guidelines would be worked up to over time, starting with tighter restrictions while young and gradually giving them more freedom. After consulting with parents, both high-school and college students (a special thanks to Matt Williams), and based on my own experience with youth, I would like to offer the following tips on media management:
1. Cell Phones
- Given the generally informal, impersonal and at times vulgar nature of text messages, texting should be used more for business than pleasure: use it to send quick info or scheduling but not as a substitute for personal conversation with friends and family. Virtual contact should not overshadow personal relationships.
- Turn in or disengage cell phone to parents before they go to sleep. Use of landline is preferable for many reasons.
- Hierarchy of Communication: 1)Face-to-Face, 2) Phone, 3) Internet or Texting
2. TV/Movies/Video Games
- Less is better: limit usage to not more than 1 hour per day; always watch with other family members
- Check out movies and games for family using websites such as: Common Sense Media, Screen-It, Kids-in-Mind, Plugged-In, Christian Spotlight (MPAA Ratings are not always accurate)
- Try to open the kids’ eyes to the world that the movie is coming from and to what it’s negative message will do to their soul
- No channel surfing, know what you want to watch before starting (have a goal)
3. Internet/Computer Use
- Install strong internet filters that prevent inappropriate content (Net Nanny, CyberSITTER, Familink, Safe Eyes, BSafe Online, CyberPatrol)
- Ratings for these and other sites: http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/
- If possible, place family computer in public area with large monitor for accountability (for grade-schoolers, this should be the only computer they use)
- Limit non-academic internet time to less than an hour per day
- No internet in bedrooms, if possible
4. Facebook
- “Friends” should be people you know and trust: Facebook is for connecting with friends not for making new ones. A mother of a teen-age daughter recently sent me the following comment as a tip: “And her "Facebook" page is checked all the time by myself and my husband (and so are her friends- that was the deal we made when we let her sign up.)”
- Avoid posting anything that you wouldn’t want to be seen by your college admissions director, your future employer, or your future spouse
- We recommend that Facebook (or other social networking sites) should not be used before high school
5. I-Pods (Music)
- Be very much aware of the underlying message in the music your kids listen to, both in the lyrics and in the music itself (rhythm, sound, etc.). If your kids are attracted to music that promotes immoral/sexual behavior (ie, hip-hop) or that has dark or Satanic undertones, analyze it with them so that they understand why they are not allowed to listen to it. Plugged-In may be used to screen music also.
- Don’t allow Music to become an obstacle to healthy communication with family and friends
Thank you Father Mike for letting me share this. May God bless and protect our children all the days to come!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
The following are first and foremost guidelines. My concern here is to protect the purity and integrity of teens, as well as to improve their personal interaction while promoting accountability for the content they are absorbing on a day-to-day basis. Ideally, these guidelines would be worked up to over time, starting with tighter restrictions while young and gradually giving them more freedom. After consulting with parents, both high-school and college students (a special thanks to Matt Williams), and based on my own experience with youth, I would like to offer the following tips on media management:
1. Cell Phones
- Given the generally informal, impersonal and at times vulgar nature of text messages, texting should be used more for business than pleasure: use it to send quick info or scheduling but not as a substitute for personal conversation with friends and family. Virtual contact should not overshadow personal relationships.
- Turn in or disengage cell phone to parents before they go to sleep. Use of landline is preferable for many reasons.
- Hierarchy of Communication: 1)Face-to-Face, 2) Phone, 3) Internet or Texting
2. TV/Movies/Video Games
- Less is better: limit usage to not more than 1 hour per day; always watch with other family members
- Check out movies and games for family using websites such as: Common Sense Media, Screen-It, Kids-in-Mind, Plugged-In, Christian Spotlight (MPAA Ratings are not always accurate)
- Try to open the kids’ eyes to the world that the movie is coming from and to what it’s negative message will do to their soul
- No channel surfing, know what you want to watch before starting (have a goal)
3. Internet/Computer Use
- Install strong internet filters that prevent inappropriate content (Net Nanny, CyberSITTER, Familink, Safe Eyes, BSafe Online, CyberPatrol)
- Ratings for these and other sites: http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/
- If possible, place family computer in public area with large monitor for accountability (for grade-schoolers, this should be the only computer they use)
- Limit non-academic internet time to less than an hour per day
- No internet in bedrooms, if possible
4. Facebook
- “Friends” should be people you know and trust: Facebook is for connecting with friends not for making new ones. A mother of a teen-age daughter recently sent me the following comment as a tip: “And her "Facebook" page is checked all the time by myself and my husband (and so are her friends- that was the deal we made when we let her sign up.)”
- Avoid posting anything that you wouldn’t want to be seen by your college admissions director, your future employer, or your future spouse
- We recommend that Facebook (or other social networking sites) should not be used before high school
5. I-Pods (Music)
- Be very much aware of the underlying message in the music your kids listen to, both in the lyrics and in the music itself (rhythm, sound, etc.). If your kids are attracted to music that promotes immoral/sexual behavior (ie, hip-hop) or that has dark or Satanic undertones, analyze it with them so that they understand why they are not allowed to listen to it. Plugged-In may be used to screen music also.
- Don’t allow Music to become an obstacle to healthy communication with family and friends
Thank you Father Mike for letting me share this. May God bless and protect our children all the days to come!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tips for Teenage Boys on Respecting Girls
Tips for Teenage Boys on Respecting Girls
These tips are useful both in and out of dating relationships both in high school and college. I do not recommend having serious dating relationships in high school. In general it is better to stick to larger groups and any relationship should be paced, chaste, respectful, non-exclusive, and public.
1. Be sincere (don’t try to be somebody you are not…girls see right through this. You are much better off just being yourself)
2. Don’t brag, talk too much about yourself, or speak poorly of others
3. Be kind to EVERYONE. (A girl judges whether you’re a good guy not just by how you treat your buddies or herself, but ALL people: the janitors at school, waiters, kids you’re not necessarily friends with, etc.)
4. Be respectful of the rules imposed by a girl’s parents. Every family has different guidelines with respect to movies they’re allowed to watch, parties they’re allowed to attend, curfews, etc. Don’t criticize, make fun of or even worse encourage her to break them, no matter how much you want to spend time with her.
5. When you go up to talk to a girl, make a point to say hello and talk to her friends as well.
6. Don’t expect a girl to hang out with you and ten of your buddies. This can be very uncomfortable for a girl. Ask her to bring a few of her girlfriends along as well or don’t insist that she come over to watch a football game if it will be all guys.
7. Be very selective in the movies you take girls to see. Inappropriate content makes a girl feel very uncomfortable and it is simply not considerate to put her in that position.
8. Be a good listener. Ask questions and allow the girl to talk (don’t dominate the conversation). When a girl has a problem, she needs to talk about it. She is looking for empathy (NOT sympathy) and not necessarily a solution. If she asks for advice give it to her (and give it some thought).
9. Give special attention to etiquette and chivalry:
a. Stand up when she stands up from the table, and stand up when she returns to help her with her chair
b. Hold doors for the girl, especially car doors
c. Give the girl the seat of preference and offer her a seat if there are none readily available
d. Walk a girl to her car if she is driving alone
e. Check on the girl to make sure she gets home safely
f. Come to the door when picking a girl up and meet the parents and come to the door when you drop her off as well
g. Stay out of other girls’ bedrooms and don’t bring them into yours
h. Keep eye contact (if you can’t look her in the eye, look away, not anywhere else)
i. Walk on the outside of the sidewalk (the guy is the protector)
j. Don’t cut off conversation for a social text or call
k. A guy should be the one initiating contact (phone calls, etc.)
l. Give preference to calling over texting and always take care of important business face-to-face
m. Respect girls online and via text the same way you would face-to-face
10. Most importantly, treat a girl with RESPECT. She is not an object, but one of God’s beautiful creatures. Dating and friendship are for getting to know the person rather than for physical intimacy. Girls are created in God’s image the same as guys. If you always try to see a girl the way God does, you won’t ever have a problem treating her with respect.
From Fr. Michael Sliney,
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
TRUE BEAUTY!!!
This video has been around for awhile...I showed it to my older daughter a couple of years ago, it was time to pull it out to show my next daughter!!! It is very powerful and well done.
May the message of true beauty of Christ shine through to our future generations!!!
THY WILL BE DONE!!! +JMJ+
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