Skating Through it All

This week has been particularly hard on our family, but more on that later. Today, Hubby left for another week away for mandatory work training. A friend invited us to go roller skating with her church group, and rather than sitting at home depressed over all that has and is happening, me and the boys went.

I am so glad we did. I watched Bubba fall again and again. This was maybe his second time roller skating, so no surprise there. I got out there with him and told him "Look at me, not at your feet. You can do this. YOU CAN DO THIS!" He smiled as he tried, both of us laughing as we tried to navigate around the rink, others his age whizzing by.

By the end of the session he was skating on his own. Not smoothly, but he was doing it. And he was happy as he danced robotically across the rink. He continued to fall...and he continued to get right on back up. And the neatest part was when another kid would fall down, he would be right there to help him up.

Later, when I was frustrated about something else, he said the same words I said to him..."Mom, it's OK. Don't get frustrated. YOU CAN DO THIS!"

And that right there made this whole week worth it. My baby believes in me as much as I believe in him. What more do I need?


(It's a cellphone video, but look at the boy try to dance on wheels!)

A More Comprehensive Story

Here is a more comprehensive story about what's been going on around these parts.

http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2009/02/21/stcharles/special_feature/0222stc-rooms10.txt

The Media Circus Begins

This is why I have been so quiet.

I do not like this. Today I show my face and then stand back as people make comments like they know what's going on.

I guess the cover was blown early regarding the press conference today, so now I can share this publicly:

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=167698&catid=3

The comments are starting.... the ones about how the kids should just be in mental institutions or that this treatment is warranted because these kids are 'so violent.' Oh and the ones about how if I would do my job as a parent this wouldn't be happening... Any support in the comment sections would be appreciated. I'm guessing stuff will be in the post this week too.

Chicago Public Schools Should be a Wake-Up Call To Missourians

**Crossposted**

National media has been exposing alleged abuses in Chicago Public Schools. Most people are unaware that corporal punishment of school children is still allowed by law in Missouri. Missouri lawmakers should abolish corporal punishment in schools and also address the abuse of restraint and seclusion in all schools.

House Bill 96, which is making its way through the Missouri House right now DOES NEITHER. Currently The Safe Schools Act allows corporal punishment. HB 96 would also add "use of force" but neither will be defined or regulated. Your help is urgently needed to push for real reform for the safety of children attending school.

Consider contacting the Missouri House Special Standing Committee on Children and Families :
http://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/commit/com488.htm and Elementary and Secondary Education Committee: http://house.mo.gov/content.aspx?info=/bills091/commit/com455.htm

And the Missouri Senate Education Committee: http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/comm/educ.htm and the Joint Committee on Education: http://www.senate.mo.gov/09info/comm/statutory/jced.htm

*****

Copy and paste URL:
http://www.wbbm780.com/Report--Abuse-Found-At-Chicago-Public-Schools/3823032

I think I am going to puke

I am really nervous. I can't say why. I want to throw up.

How much power does one really big school district have? I think I might just find out.

[insert anxious retching sounds]

New Developments

Bubba tends to cycle, and has days where he is aggitated and full of anxiety...but he has no idea why nor does he understand why he feels that way. A few days this week were some


Ummmm...mooser just published this for me. and I wasn't near done...

Why is this so confusing to me?!?!?!?!

I am trying to teach myself the legislative process...again. Again, again. Why is this so confusing? How come the pretty pictures don't help? This is worse than calculus. This is worse than physics. This is worse than memorizing prayers and the process of First Confession, which I never understood, in PSR. And if I do finally figure it out, I forget it like, um 2 seconds later.

Oh I so wish I could avoid this. But I can't. So I won't.