TJane

Thanks for this. I just had the miserable preschool day from h*ll - so many of the kids, who normally listen to me and follow what I tell them to do, running away from me, biting at each other and me, throwing hysterical fits when I say "it's time to clean up" stuff, the director of the school had to talk to one kid twice (I felt like a BIG failure as a teacher) - I was really at my wits' end by 5 pm. I'm not sure I'm cut out to be in preschool after a day like this one. I need to try to run my classroom (except I'm just the assistant teacher, not the 'real' teacher) more in line with gospel principles. But with 16-20 3-year-olds in one room, it's more like herding cats, some days. *sigh* Thanks for the reminder. I definitely felt like using Satan's way today. Jane

I have a problem with this because my husband had OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and Anxiety so he *needs* things to be done a certain way. Since I have ADHD, tee hee, it has, does and continues to drive him nuts sometimes. I can definitely sympathize with your son about the socks, though. Extra sensitivity to touch is a symptom of ADHD (among other things) that particularly drives me nuts sometimes as well. All my kids have had trouble with that. However, when my children start exhibiting signs of perfectionism, I find ways to teach by example first. I do something that is not "perfect" and say "Well, that's good enough." My mom's phrase was always "That's good enough for goverment work!" which is not PC now-a-days, I'm sure! lol Next, I find ways to teach them to accept less-than-perfect aspects of themselves. I had one daughter who, when she was little, hated to wear clothes that had any tiny spot on them at all - even a drop of water made her shriek to get her shirt changed. I had to force her to wear water-dripped clothes by waiting longer and longer times before I'd change her. (Just in case you think I took this to unsanitary extremes, I never let her run around in wet diapers or clothing that was soiled a goodly amount). I also spilled things on purpose and reacted appropriately - "Oh rats. I spilled the milk a bit. I better go clean it up. Where's the paper towels?" in a calm voice. Good luck, Morning Star. I'm sure with all the praying you do for your family, you'll get the right inspiration for your son - be it sensory retraining and/or teaching him how to accept non-perfection - I've had a few who did the same thing in school and it was definitely worth it to make sure they learned that it was ok to turn in your work, even if it wasn't "the best". Jane

I'd like to praise my husband for never giving up. He's got enough emotional problems, clinical and "family-of-origin"-al, but he's never given up on himself or his family (that would be this family with me, not his mom and sisters). Though he detested his mom by the end of her life, he drove 45 minutes each way daily during the last part of her life to make sure she ate her food and got to her doctor appointments. Unlike his sister who lived in the house with her. He's worked out-of-state for the past year, coming home only on the weekends so my son could finish his magnet high school education and I could get my teaching certification. He is constantly trying to find ways to become healthier and stronger. He is currently inactive, but is supportive about my going to church meetings and activities, as well as taking the kids with me. He may make me madder than anyone else in the world can, but he can also make me happier than anyone else can. Living with him for the past 21 years has been an adventure, ups and downs, and, I believe, the reason I am as far along as I am in become like Christ. (not that I'm there yet, by ANY means). Jane

The really sad thing is that some women these days actually believe that women are better off without men totally. And my husband, insecure as he is, believes it sometimes too. I have to be really careful to let him know how much I appreciate what he does for me and the family. Unfortunately, I've not perfected the 'Keep Your Mouth Shut' principle about things that don't matter but that bother me. Jane

That is such a great idea! I'd like to see the whole 50 questions, but I'll understand if you don't want to type them all in. This is good. I'll mention it the next time someone asks me for Enrichment ideas. Jane

OK, this was an idea I had about a bazillion years ago when I was the Homemaking Counselor in a tiny branch. We were so tiny that we considered Homemaking a success if someone besides the RS Presidency showed up. Anyway, I was not in the mood for crafty stuff as I had recently graduated from BYU and that's ALL we ever did there. So Itook a survey, and one of the interests was music. Since it was a late January, I asked the RS President's husband to teach us about sensuous music (not erotic) - a whole evening of what would be considered romantic music. He introduced us to all different kinds of music - and we discussed how music feeds the senses (that's what 'sensuous' is all about). We had so much fun. We ate cookies and listened to music. Here in NJ, I've not gone often, but the more successful ones have been the ones where we do service - tie quilts for hospitals or shelters, put together hygiene kits or knit/crochet leper bandages. Stuff like that. Just a few thoughts. Jane, who now has to go put on some music! la la la!

Pa Pa, I'm so silly - I didn't realize that you are *MY* age! Since I married *late*, I'm not as far along in the grandchildren department. Glad to see you here. We should have fun. Jane

I, too, am the latest in the move-over, not that I'll stop on 'the other board' (tee hee, now I can say that!). I'm getting a lot of practice moving 'cause I'm spending August moving from an BIG apartment in a two family house to a tiny one family house (still renting though ) Let's see, what to tell about me? Hmmm. Quick, before my girls wake up. I live in New Jersey, USA. I have 3 kids - 18yo son who is in his first year at college out in Oklahoma, and an almost 13yo daughter and a 10yo daughter as well. My husband works 'out-of-state' during the week and is home on the weekends, so I don't post much on Saturdays and Sundays, 'cause I use his computer to post. I was a computer programmer analyst for 20 years but got laid off 3 years ago and went back to school to get a teaching certificate. I'm currently looking for a job - probably will end up in a daycare/preschool but that's not where I want to end up forever - I prefer 2nd-3rd grade kids. For fun I read, chat on the internet, belly dance, run wenchly through Renaissance Faires, and write filk* when the inspiration hits. Oh, and I turned 50 this summer!!! Churchwise, I'm a born-and-bred LDS, pioneer stock, married in the temple. My husband converted from Catholic to LDS about 6 months before I met him. He went inactive about 3 years ago (yep, about the time I got laid off) so I'm a 'single mom' at church. I'm in a tiny branch here and am the American Sign Language interpreter for the few deaf members that come - mostly the 9yo girl in Primary. I'm hoping the deaf adults come back in October like they promised 'cause I miss Sunday School and RS/EQ. Other than that, I guess I should keep my mouth shut. You'll get to see the rest of my personality when I figure out how to get my gypsy dancer avatar over here on this board. Glad to see so many friends here! Looking forward to contributing when I can add to the conversations. Jane (the "T" stands for "Temptress" - my Ren name) *filk - writing parody/silly lyrics to already published songs