My New Dilemma

I've already spoken to most of you about this issue, but there are some of you who's opinion I haven't received yet.
The deal is with Cecelia's preschool class/teacher.
A few weeks ago Cecelia started telling me about group time-outs in her class.
Keep in mind that she is only there for 2 1/2 hours 3 times a week.
The time-outs consist of having to either put their heads down, or lay on their backs with the lights off.
I asked CeCe's teacher about it 2 weeks ago and she basically said that when the entire class is getting out of hand that's the technique that they use to get them to calm down. I asked if my child was causing a disruptance and she said no. I also asked if the individuals who are causing the problem are addressed and she said that, yes, they are to sit in a chair with the group instead of running around the climber room or sitting on the floor, etc.
Now yesterday when I went to pick up Cecelia and her friend they both told me right away that they had another group time-out in the climber room because kids were fighting over toys. The girls said that the teacher yelled at them to "get on your backs!" and turned the lights off. Then, while they were lying there the teacher allegedly kept saying "if you're not quiet you're going to have to lay there longer"...over and over again.
Lastly, Cecelia informed me that both teachers were not in the room with them - only the one teacher.
Generally speaking, I feel that this type of group punishment is tolerable if it only happens once and a while. It seems to me, however, that this is going on fairly frequently.
Is it just me or does this seem to be a class out of control with a frustrated teacher??
And, why isn't the other teacher in the room? Is it not a law that there has to be a ratio of teachers to students at that age?
My feeling is that there has to be a better way to get control of the class.
Thoughts?????

GOBAMA!!

Two words for you today:

Yeah, baby!

Congratulations Are in Order

My Dad and Marilyn got married!

We are very excited and happy to welcome Marilyn to our crazy family. She is a warm, caring and wonderful woman with two very special children of her own - John and Amy.

It's amazing how our family just keeps getting bigger and better.

Congrats Dad and Marilyn!!!

My Special Day

Well, my big day is coming to an end - sadly :-(

Bill took special care of me this weekend: baked a cake, hung blinds, grocery shopped, helped with Laila in the middle of the night, bought Champagne and......gave me the illustrated version of "Angels and Demons"!! I haven't read that book yet but am SO EAGER to get started.
It always makes me feel really special when he gives me something so thoughtful.

I received lots of phone calls and cards from family and friends. I want to say thank you all and I love you very much!!!
As a side note to Nancy: watching my girls all.day.long last Sunday was supposed to be my gift! Thank you for the extra something special on top of that.

I'm 33 years old today and as my family sang Happy Birthday to me this morning I got a little weepy thinking of how lucky and blessed I am. To look at my beautiful, happy, and healthy family is, to me, a miracle. Some days I feel as though I am undeserving of it all, but thank God for granting me the life I always dreamed for myself.

It's a new year and a fresh start for me.
I think it's going to be a good one.

My Birthday Buddy

This weekend is so bittersweet for me.
Everbody knows I love my own birthday! This year, though, it's just not the same.
Rick's birthday is today. One day before mine.

Rick and I had so much fun over the years being eachother's birthday buddy. We had this fun loving competition over who's birthday was better. Of course, he figured he had the better birthday because his came first. I thought mine was better because my came right after his and I got to bask in the glory longer.

When we went to DisneyWorld we had a competition over who got the most birthday buttons - and then - who got the most cool stuff while at Disney because of our birthday buttons.
I have to tell you that Rick beat me, hands down, each year. Not only did he get more buttons, but the cast members at Disney paid more attention to him! He got free ice cream, free pins and during the Main Street Parade at Magic Kingdom Cinderella herself looked right at Rick standing on the curb, smiled and waved and said "Happy Birthday"....right to him!

Even though Rick was such a selfless man, I think he truly enjoyed the attention he got on his special day.

It brings huge tears to my eyes to think he's not here this year. I want to pick up the phone and sing to him. I want to laugh and joke around with him. I want to fight over buttons and ice cream. I want him back.

But since I can't do any of that this year the best I can do is celebrate him in spirit. To tell you all what a special and loved person he was.

Tomorrow I'll light an extra candle on my cake in honor of Rick. We miss him so much.

When You See Them Coming

Give them lots of candy!

Although I typically like scary costumes for Halloween, the girls insisted on being princesses (again). With the exception of Laila - who is a Ladybug.

Can't wait until Friday!

In Response

In response to my own Hot Topic.

Yes, I was spanked as a child. I do remember it hurting and I, most definitely, remember wanting to avoid it at all costs. I'd have to ask my parents whether or not it curbed the unwanted behavior. Probably not.
We were spanked for various reasons - of which I cannot really remember. I'm sure lying to our parents was a biggie.
Mostly, though, we were grounded if we got in to trouble (especially me!).

I do not spank my children. I use time-outs. Everything that I learned in college in regards to child development proved that spanking is just as ineffective as any other punishments we dole out. What matters most is consistency. Eventually kids will outgrow certain unwanted behaviors.
And for the the stuff that they never outgrow? I'm still learning. For me, discipline means to teach, not punish. For most unwanted behaviors distraction and redirection works best - especially with the younger ones (around 2 years old).
For the older kids I use negative reinforcement. I will take away your favorite Barbie, then your book, then your dress-up shoes, etc, etc.
When the kids fight I separate them from eachother - and the thing they are fighting over.
(I guess I went too far on this part of the topic).
It is not to say that I have never swatted the behind of any of my children (because I have), or never placed them firmly in to time out (because I have). It's just that if I can use another technique other than spanking that is just as effective, than I will avoid hitting my child for no real reason.

Do I care if someone else spanks their child? Not really. I try not to get involved with other people's business unless someone is being put in harms way.

I think that was it for the Hot Topic.

I'll post a little something more light-hearted next - maybe some pictures of the girls in their costumes.