en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/3262 Comments by Peter Schott http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/2012/05/win-50-visa-gift-card.html#IDComment371065825 I'd like to pick up a new board game for the family. This would about cover that cost. Thu, 31 May 2012 13:34:34 +0000 http://www.whatjeanlikes.com/2012/05/win-50-visa-gift-card.html#IDComment371065825 http://www.life360.com/blog/win-100-amazon-gift-card/#IDComment368518899 I think I missed the winner on this one. :-) Sun, 27 May 2012 22:37:43 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/win-100-amazon-gift-card/#IDComment368518899 http://www.life360.com/blog/the-avengers/#IDComment367133671 Still have yet to see the movie so not quite sure whether or not it's appropriate for our little one. Someday, probably when it's broadcast on TV.... :( (Do want to see it, but lots of other things going on...) Fri, 25 May 2012 16:52:18 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/the-avengers/#IDComment367133671 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2012/05/when-it-comes-to-homosexuality-we-need-more-stories-but-we-need-even-more-of-the-bible.html#IDComment358697988 One of the things that we have to remember is that God isn't as concerned with our happiness as much as with our holiness. Many times in the Bible we read of people who didn't have a happy life, but were called to live through that time and be holy. Thanks for the reminder that God's story is bigger than our stories. We're a part of that bigger picture even if we don't understand how. Fri, 11 May 2012 20:37:56 +0000 http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2012/05/when-it-comes-to-homosexuality-we-need-more-stories-but-we-need-even-more-of-the-bible.html#IDComment358697988 http://www.life360.com/blog/the-mommy-war-dont-buy-the-hype/#IDComment355455034 Not sure why you're suggesting that we call Mitt Romney. Call Hilary Rosen - that's what started the mess this time around and just about _everyone_ is distancing themselves from those remarks. The politicians are actually being somewhat smart this time around and realizing that anyone saying stay at home moms don't work is foolish and doesn't want to associate their name with that sort of talk. Most stay at home moms are hard workers and the ones that aren't are definitely the exception, not the rule. Sad that some people have to open their mouths and say something to incite this sort of thing, though. Sun, 6 May 2012 22:08:35 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/the-mommy-war-dont-buy-the-hype/#IDComment355455034 http://www.life360.com/blog/teenager-expelled-for-tweeting-the-f-word/#IDComment352771686 Sounds like another zero-tolerance policy in effect. Yeah - that's pretty bad. We would have had about 1/4 of our graduating class expelled for a policy like that. Now if he'd used the school's computer, I can see it going into a little more than a talking to, but not to the point of expulsion. I'm not going to condone the language, but I'd still say this is overkill for a consequence for a one-time infraction. Wed, 2 May 2012 16:32:38 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/teenager-expelled-for-tweeting-the-f-word/#IDComment352771686 http://www.life360.com/blog/predators-walk-among-us/#IDComment352764373 I appreciate this article. While I knew about grooming and had received some basic training in it, I didn't realize the adult-child implications of it in situations like this that would otherwise seem pretty harmless. Wed, 2 May 2012 16:17:11 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/predators-walk-among-us/#IDComment352764373 http://www.life360.com/blog/fractions-and-music/#IDComment352763817 That is a great idea. I know that music and math are related and can usually see the benefits. It's great that schools can capitalize on this. Now if only we could get them to also realize the benefits of music at the higher grades as opposed to the new stadium or yet more emphasis on teaching to the test. :( Wed, 2 May 2012 16:15:59 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/fractions-and-music/#IDComment352763817 http://www.life360.com/blog/religion-and-easter/#IDComment340348801 I'll definitely grant you the bunnies and eggs being tied in with the whole fertility/rebirth thing, but the resurrection of Jesus happened around the Passover and is generally tied to it through the whole lunar calendar schedule. Yes, part of it could be tied to the church using a pagan festival, but Resurrection Sunday would still be celebrated even if Easter were not. We might lose the bunnies and eggs, but the celebration would still take place even if under a different name. Not trying to start any sort of religious debate, just pointing out that even though the events may coincide and somewhat combined, it's not the same as Christmas in taking over a pagan holiday. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and was made to be in December around the winter solstice, partly because the date is unknown and partly for whatever reasons the church had at the time. The resurrection is pretty well tied to Passover weekend. :) I would also argue that you're already setting out your kids on the religious path you've chosen - it's just human nature to imitate the parents. They'll likely take on whatever you're modeling right now. (Once again - not criticizing your choices, just making an observation that parental influence in spiritual matters pretty much directs the children towards those same things in a lot of cases, though definitely not all.) For my part, Easter was definitely more about the baskets when I was growing up, though I knew we went to church, dressed up, released balloons, etc. Of course, the idea of lots of candy/toys was quite appealing. That focus has changed since growing up, but I do remember that the church side didn't mean as much when I was younger. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:29:17 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/religion-and-easter/#IDComment340348801 http://www.life360.com/blog/the-value-of-volunteering/#IDComment335406104 To my knowledge, we don't even have the option to volunteer to drive down costs for field trips and such. We've always had the fundraiser option at higher grades, but it goes towards just that student (which I feel is fair). The concern I have with the volunteering is that some parents work - no time to really volunteer when it's most needed. I'll agree that this does tend to favor those who have parents who can either take time off work or who stay at home. I don't agree with the legislation, but I can see how some would view it as unfair. Of course, seeing that these tend to be extra activities, I'd also tend to think that education is the main thing over whatever costs are incurred. I'd also wonder whether it might make sense to limit field trips in order to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. As for the whole "don't collect fees for mandatory activities", I'd actually lean towards being okay with that. If something's mandatory at a public school, but you have to pay extra for it, there's a larger problem. What do you do when someone says "not going to pay that fee"? Do you kick their kid out of school? Do you find the money somewhere? Do you take the parents to court? What if the parents really don't have that money? Mon, 9 Apr 2012 17:20:42 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/the-value-of-volunteering/#IDComment335406104 http://www.life360.com/blog/mom-i-think-ive-lost-my-voice/#IDComment332533208 Yeah - drinking too much is not the norm. It's just something to watch for. If you're going way over the recommended ounces for your body weight, you're more likely to hit that problem. The guy I knew was drinking gallons per day - at first a good thing, but he drank more and more and all of the nutrition was gone. Sometimes using a sports drink can help there - still has some of the nutrients, even if not as much. I definitely wouldn't recommend overdoing those either. :) In your case - liquids were definitely good and I seriously doubt he was even close to being over-hydrated. Thu, 5 Apr 2012 20:09:41 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/mom-i-think-ive-lost-my-voice/#IDComment332533208 http://www.life360.com/blog/mom-i-think-ive-lost-my-voice/#IDComment330866780 OK, that's good info. I sing in a Barbershop chorus and have definitely felt like this before. I didn't realize the the stuff in cough drops tends to dehydrate so I'll be looking at those alternatives. The only warning I'd have is to watch out for over hydration. I know a chorus member had that happen - drank so much he washed the nutrients from his body. Apparently we had that happen at a Scout camp last summer as well - kids encouraged to keep drinking and one got a little sick because of that. Off topic, but still something to watch for. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 16:45:05 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/mom-i-think-ive-lost-my-voice/#IDComment330866780 http://www.life360.com/blog/california-begins-early-warning-system-for-at-risk-students/#IDComment330863097 I guess it can't hurt much - giving kids hope is always helpful. I do tend to mostly agree with berry, though - our public school systems overall are failing. Too much teaching to the test. No Child Gets Ahead, I mean Left Behind - I've seen the kids slowed down who are too far ahead so everyone is at the same level. There are good parts to the system, but we've really lost the quality of our education to unions, special interests, political agendas, and so on. Yes, stopping kids from dropping out is a good thing and if this program can help that it's worth pursuing to see what can be done. Tue, 3 Apr 2012 16:39:18 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/california-begins-early-warning-system-for-at-risk-students/#IDComment330863097 http://www.life360.com/blog/single-moms-equal-child-abuse-and-neglect/#IDComment326818650 I'll partially agree with the above - I think a 2-parent house is _generally_ better for children (but not always). I know quite a few single parents, have heard their struggles, and sometimes wonder about one or the other of the parents. Sometimes they're both doing well and the best they can. Most often, I get the feeling that they need some support and sometime to listen/talk. Abuse, though? For all cases? While I'm sure that he has some well-meaning reason to want to do this, it's really, really misplaced. Having done foster care - there are FAR better reasons to call in CPS than for someone being a single parent. If there are other factors, by all means investigate. Of course, even then, do so carefully. I've heard of kids being taken for the most ridiculous reasons and those are moments you can't get back and a feeling that you've done something wrong when you haven't. You should not have CPS called in because you withheld dessert or disciplined in a non-extreme fashion. :( This particular case - pretty insane. Would like to know more about what's really driving this. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:20:17 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/single-moms-equal-child-abuse-and-neglect/#IDComment326818650 http://www.life360.com/blog/how-to-calm-down-after-a-tough-day/#IDComment326813973 Breathing - totally helps. I'll have to keep this around to try one or two others. I know my wife sometimes just needed some time away or time out with another mom who could understand and just be there. Not listed, but that time handing off parenting duties to me was really helpful to recharge. Thu, 29 Mar 2012 03:10:21 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/how-to-calm-down-after-a-tough-day/#IDComment326813973 http://www.life360.com/blog/advice-from-a-music-parent-help-them-succeed/#IDComment326762354 You've got a lot of patience. I think a different instrument every year would drive me crazy, especially for 5 years. :) Thu, 29 Mar 2012 01:24:47 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/advice-from-a-music-parent-help-them-succeed/#IDComment326762354 http://www.life360.com/blog/paleo-versus-vegan/#IDComment325878195 Can't argue with most of that, but I'd say that most of what America eats in terms of grains/dairy is more processed than anything else. Just looking at the ingredients that don't really belong in foods but are added for longevity, color, etc is enough to give us pause. Bread should not contain HFCS, though I understand it helps with shelf life. There are a ton of other examples, but just that one speaks a lot about our diets. I will agree that we eat too many processed/refined foods and will also say that it's hard for everyone to avoid those because of the cost factor. (Not for most people, but there are people who really can't afford the fresh, non-processed foods all of the time, even in America.) Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:41:53 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/paleo-versus-vegan/#IDComment325878195 http://www.life360.com/blog/advice-from-a-music-parent-help-them-succeed/#IDComment325643889 I'll admit we're not a completely musical family. I played some instruments and currently sing. My wife doesn't do any of those. My daughter is currently studying piano (and doing relatively well), but doesn't really show an inclination towards voice. I'll have to remember the advice about shaking things up, though that will likely come when more instruments are available through school. I know that schools tend to start string instruments earlier than the others so I may encourage her to hold back a year until the full range of instruments is available to try if that's the case. I know I ended up being a lot happier with clarinet/sax than violin - it fit my musical style a lot more. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:53:09 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/advice-from-a-music-parent-help-them-succeed/#IDComment325643889 http://www.life360.com/blog/advice-from-a-music-parent-help-them-succeed/#IDComment325639996 I'll admit we're not a completely musical family. I played some instruments and currently sing. My wife doesn't do any of those. My daughter is currently studying piano (and doing relatively well), but doesn't really show an inclination towards voice. I'll have to remember the advice about shaking things up, though that will likely come when more instruments are available through school. I know that schools tend to start string instruments earlier than the others so I may encourage her to hold back a year until the full range of instruments is available to try if that's the case. I know I ended up being a lot happier with clarinet/sax than violin - it fit my musical style a lot more. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:46:57 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/advice-from-a-music-parent-help-them-succeed/#IDComment325639996 http://www.life360.com/blog/a-mothers-instinct/#IDComment325636409 Not a mom, but agree that there are times you just won't know and have to go with what you're feeling. I've totally been there on the 99 degree side and we just have to look at the overall trend and whether our kid has lots of energy (a good sign for recovery) or not. Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:41:22 +0000 http://www.life360.com/blog/a-mothers-instinct/#IDComment325636409