Topic : 12/26 "I Am Right!"

I have a very different take.  I teach college, and I've found that those who are home-schooled are more likely to be childishly inflexible and demanding.  I think it's because of the type of home-schooling, in that they always get to do it *their* way, never have to back off because for common courtesy or sharing power in groups, etc.  But I don't think they *have* to be that way.  I think that that now that home-schooling is including more group-oriented activities and more structured academic and play opportunities, it should improve the outcomes. 

I also think public school was different when the track system was used and kids were in with people who were at the same level in IQ and ability.  I think that trying to mainstream everyone together is misguided--people seek to make it fair, make others more tolerant, etc.  Instead, it makes it horribly boring and frustrating for smart kids and overwhelming for those with challenges.  The talented and gifted programs are useless--you either go to all T&G or none, and most of us have strengths and weaknesses. 

Right now we have an old model operating in the schools and teacher education hasn't caught up with what we know about learning.  things like Neurolinguistic programming and using timelines, and understanding learning styles and when it works to let kids find their own way or receive coaching or mentoring is just now in its infancy. 

Home-schooling also is in its infancy.  It's starting to grow and we're starting to understand it better.  I just say do it for the right reasons.  Don't use it to balkanize your children so they don't participate fully in life.  Don't do it so you can indoctrinate them without outside influence.  Good parenting means let them go in the water, but guide them. 

I think whatever parents do home-school, public school, or private school will succeed if it's done with love and commitment and with the best interest of the child's growth, development, and happiness.  If there are problems, parents and school officials need to take their heads out of the sand and confront them, experiment, and then implement things that seem to work more universally. 

Dr.Phil, 

 I am 34 years of age and I have been with my one true love since I was 19 years of age. I did not even know his name. I was working at a small store in Parkersburg, Wv, he was jogging down the side walk. I just happen to look out the sliding glass door at that moment and something inside me just happen. I knew with out a shadow of a doubt he was who I was born to love. Now here we are 2 son's later. Happy. I do believe with all my heart.  That God did place me on this earth to love my man.  

  This is the first time I have ever disagreed with you. I love you're show Dr.Phil. I am reading your book. I am saving up for the workbook for family first. Take care. 

God Bless You and The Ones You Love, 

Faithful Fan, 

Robin 

It is too bad that the mother of the overweight child does not understand that it does not have that much to do with being a good or bad mother.  What it has to do with is her not having propper nutrition information, and making bad mistakes when it comes to food.  The mother needs to understand that she is setting her daughter up for emotional and medical problems.  I hope that she will not take her mistakes personally and do what is right for her daughter... and for herself. 

You are kidding, right?  Talk about knocking culture back a few thousand years!!!  People are people last I checked. 

MARK, 

I URGE YOU TO STAND YOUR GROUND.  THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE THAT BELIEVE THE WAY YOU DO, AND THEY  THINK THAT THINK THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH THIS MIND SET.  YOUR COMING FORWARD WITH THIS WILL NOT ONLY HELP YOU STAND TO YOUR CONVICTIONS, BUT ALSO HELP THOSE THAT ARE WAITING FOR THE RIGHT ONE TO ALSO HOLD FIRM TO THEIR BELIEFS.  

I HAVE TOLD MY CHILDREN THAT I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR THEIR MATES BEFORE I EVER EVEN THOUGHT OF HAVING CHILDREN AND KNOW THAT GOD HAS THAT SPECIAL ONE THAT HE CREATED JUST FOR THEM.  I REMIND THEM OF THIS OFTEN, AND EACH ONE CHOSE TO SIGN A COVENANT OF AGREEMENT TO GOD, THEMSELVES, US (PARENTS) AND THEIR FUTURE SPOUSES, TO REMAIN PURE UNTIL MARRIAGE.  

THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART, ARE PUT THERE BY GOD, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD, THEN THOSE DREAMS AND DESIRES OF HIS GIFT TO YOU SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW HIS PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE.  HIS DESIRE FOR YOU IS TO HAVE THE VERY BEST HE HAS TO GIVE, AND HE HAS GIVEN YOU THOSE DREAMS FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE. 

IT IS VERY HONORABLE, ADMIRABLE, AND HIGHLY FAVORED OF GOD, FOR YOU TO NOT DEFILE THE MARRIAGE BED, AND FOR YOU TO BE PATIENT AND WAIT FOR THE ONE THAT HE HAS FOR YOU. 

I DO AGREE WITH DOCTOR  PHIL ABOUT YOUR SPECIFICS COULD  BE OFF, BUT I WILL NOT SAY THIS IS THE CASE IF YOU DO INDEED HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD...BECAUSE IF YOU DO STUDY THE WORD OF GOD, HE SPECIFICALLY SAYS WE ARE HIS SHEEP AND KNOW HIS VOICE AND WILL FOLLOW NO OTHER.  THIS IS WHERE YOU AND YOU ALONE HAVE TO DECIDE IF THIS "SARA" IS OF GOD, OR IS JUST ONE YOU DESIRE BECAUSE OF HAVING MADE HER UP.  BUT KNOW THIS, YOUR MATE IS OUT THERE, AND WAS CREATED JUST FOR YOU AND YOU ALONE.  DON'T GIVE UP ON THAT AND STAND FIRM.  

I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT YOU READ ANOTHER LOVE STORY WHICH IS TRUE AND ALONG THESE LINES, AND BELIEVE THAT IT WILL HELP YOU TO STAY THE COURSE.  THERE ARE 2 BOOKS SPECIFICALLY, AND THEY ARE  WRITTEN BY ERIC AND LESLIE LUDY.  

 THE TITLES ARE, "WHEN GOD WRITES YOUR LOVE STORY", AND "WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE."   

I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT HE IS AROUND YOUR AGE, AND SHE IS A BIT YOUNGER, BUT THERE STORY IS INSPIRING AND WILL HELP YOU TO SEE THAT YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH.   

I ALSO WANT TO COMMENT ON YOUR LOVE LETTER TO YOUR FUTURE WIFE.  CONTINUE TO DO THIS, BECAUSE WHEN GOD DOES BRING HER INTO YOUR LIFE, THESE LETTERS WILL BE CHERISHED BY HER FOR ALL ETERNITY.  (OF COURSE, DON'T PUT THE NAME AND DESCRIPTION UNLESS  YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU THESE SPECIFICS.) 

SO MARK, HANG ON TO THE DREAM YOU HAVE OF YOUR WIFE.  SHE IS OUT THERE!  GOD BLESS YOU AND I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR MATE TO BE. 

I am sorry to hear what you are going thru...but I am glad someone our there agrees an eight year old should not be on a diet.  My daughter is on the heavy side she is eight...certain people think she should be on a diet....I didn't agree and I am glad to know others agree....I know I could be doing healthier habits for my daughter...we do try to keep junk food out of th house but that doesn't always happen.  My daughter is active of course when winter hits not as active as she is in the spring, summer or fall.  But I always worried how do you help your daughter who is heavy....I know portion control is what allot of people say and maybe if we do the portion control together it would help...(I am heavy also) my husband tried to bribe her saying if she lost so much weight by a certain date he would buy her this or that...I noticed her worry about what she ate how much etc....she would say mom they had a cookie at school for lunch can I have one....I told her yes that one cookie is okay....I have told her to eat what the school lunch provides....they are healthily for you...she has been weighing herself once a week and she hasn't gained but hasn't lost and she gets upset...I try to get her to forget about dad's bet.  Should my daughter and I do portion control together?  Does that do harm?  I did weight watchers at one time and I know portion control long with exercise does work you just have to stick with it...but I don't want to do harm mentally either.   

Melissa 

For the last couple and the homeschooling decision.......... As a pre-school teacher of 10 years I just have to say.......... If I had a dollar for every time I heard  "My child is so advanced..." I'd be rich.  I laughed that no teacher would be able to deal with his "advancness".   And about the poor little 8 year old girl: It is sad that parents don't see their children gaining weight.  I am thin and have 2 thin children and it is because we just don't eat garbage.  It appears overweight parents overfeed their children.  It's not fair to the kids. Dr Phil, God bless you for having to deal with people who really just don't get it.