Luv, You were much nicer than I would have been. We too are very media conservative at home and those topics would have caused an immediate visit by my husband (yikes) to the principal and curriculum coordinator, as well as, the teacher.

D-you always put things into prospective. I noticed the saving money thing too when I had hand surgery at the beginning of summer and couldn't drive, swim, cut my own food, etc for a couple of weeks.

GaMom, you crack me up. Mainly because when our last PTO pres resigned, I felt like standing in the school driveway singing "Ding, dong, the witch is dead!" As for interesting items, we got some partially used lotions, soap that didn't look used but didn't have any kind of wrapper, some Halloween ceramic peices that do not go with any of the themes and are so weird, I'm not exactly sure what they are, and, for the family movie basket, popcorn outnumbers all other items donated. Someone suggested I pop some of the popcorn as filler for the baskets.

As for my son, he coughed all night, not croupy anymore, but he didn't seem to wake up (that was me) or feel any pain. The nice thing about him being sick (if you could call it that) is that I don't have to attend the last minute, after the carnival, birthday party.

Just my 2 cents, I have a thing for Navy men. I think it's a family thing, too. I love pictures of my grandpa in his uniform in WW2 but my husband's grandfather (and all of his brothers) were all Air Force and very fine looking. So maybe I just like men in uniform because they make me feel like they are the protectors of the world and I know I'll be safe with them. It's gotta be a family thing.

Hi everyone, thanks again for the travel tips! I will hide some snack, activities in my husband's carry-on too!

Another good coffee, add Kahlua! Yum!

ScottMom - as Bella K would say, YOU CAN DO IT! You've come this far, we've got faith in you. Deep breaths, step by step, it'll be done before you know it...

LUV - I'm agree with you on that whole assignment scenario. There are most definitely other major news topics they could be researching besides than those!!! That's a tender age to begin with. A general understanding of events - good and bad - that happen in the world, yes. Giving or having to talk about specifics when your child might not be ready to understand, definitely no!

My $.02, I don't think you're out of line in the least...

I'll chime in with a "No Way!" of my own. 12 year olds should not be researching this type of info. And shame on that teacher for dismissing you. I sense that a letter is being written as we speak.... Am I right?

Besides, mass media sensationalizes everything. There are about 1000 other stories that could provide the same research opportunities without dealing with such mature subject matter.

Seriously, "What is homophobia?" was a question they had to answer?!?!?!

Foley's issues aren't about homophobia anyway. They are about him being a child predator. Karr - also a child predator. What, exactly is this teacher's agenda? Actually, the more I think about this, the more I'm furious with the guy. What's his number? I'll call him.

Okay ladies and gentlemen, I need your opinions:

My 12 year old daughter is in a class where they have been studying mass media. Two of the "events" she has had to research are the JonBenet murder case and Mr. Carr and the recent resignation and scandal of congressman Foley. My husband and I are a bit bothered by the selections of news items being used and feel that there are many other important topics that are as sensationalist and perverse as these that could be studied. After taking a poll of some friends and other parents, I spoke with the principal, who spoke with the teacher and instructed him to call me to discuss this. He waits a day and then calls me. I explain our feelings and view on the curriculum selection and tell him that we are relatively conservative in the topics we discuss at home and the depth we go into them with our children is based on their age and "need to know". I told him that we felt that these topics were not necessarily the best topics to use for 12 year old children. I wasn't really pleased about having to explain in depth homosexuality and homophobia to my child or discuss the details of a child's brutal murder.

His comments: We don't go into the topics in depth in class.

Me: Okay, but you send the child home with a research project that FORCES their parents to discuss in depth and detail topics that they may not prefer to get into with a child so young.

Him: Well, there were only a few questions on those topics on the homework.

Me: I'm aware of that, but the questions "How was JonBenet murder and how and where she was found?" and "What is homophobia?" are pretty powerful questions.

It went on for about 10 minutes and he tells me he understands our view and appreciates the input and discussion. I kept waiting for the "but", because the whole tone of the conversation was that I was not going to tell him what to teach in his class.

Are we out of line here? Are these appropriate topics for 12 year olds? My friends all say "No way!" and some of them are teachers and administrators.

[ 10-12-2006, 10:28 AM: Message edited by: LUVMYKIDS ]

CC--what a lovely story...seems your family gave you an awful lot ... I wrote my president's column once about what we as parents are packing in our children's "kit bags" for life. I think memories like that are the ones that form us.
Neck is healed but I'm still in the brace until sometime at the end of this month. I've really slowed down a bit and am looking very forward to driving again but am forcing myself to not think about that. I'm amazed at how much money I waste every month and now that I'm home, seeing that extra in my bank account has caused me to pause. So as I've told folks...this time has given me tremendous lessons and since life is a collection of experiences I can honestly say I'm glad I've had this one.
NOT THAT I'D WISH IT ON ANYONE ELSE...

Having said that..the next time God wants me to reflect I hope he just sends a paper cut!!!!
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d

Not more than we wanted to know - just wish we had a photo to go along with the story!

Those Toys for Tots ads that are all over the tv during the holidays get me all wound up every time! Especially the one where the little boy asks the Marine if he's Santa Claus and the Marine turns his hand out for the wish list. Every time.....

I remember when my mom and dad would get dressed up for the Military Ball. Once a year they could pretend we weren't dirt poor and go out for a wonderful time. Dad would come down in his dress greens and mom would follow in a beautiful evening gown. I thought they were the most beautiful people I'd ever seen.

d - how's the recovery process going? I nearly died laughing at your response to kelgf last night. It was a good reminder that things really can always be worse!