Oh the guilt!
Our adult daughter struggled so in school right from the start. I tried everything I could think of. I did not know what I know now but I did read to her a lot. She learned to cope and just got by. Her teachers loved her and gave her passing grades even when I questioned that she did not know the material. She learned how to copy very well and passed the standardized tests. At home, homework was a nightmare, I would not give her the answers. I sent her to many different tutors and none worked. It all caught up with her her freshman year in college, she took remedial classes and learned how to learn. We knew she had what was called short term memory storage problems from testing that was done. I blamed the prednisone I was on during my last 2 trimesters or her lack of sleep as a baby or watching so much tv while I tried to sleep when she was awake all night ect. She now is about to graduate from college, it has not been easy for her but she learned how to learn. I am so proud of her and remind her that so many of her so called smart friends are not going to college anymore and have dead end jobs they hate. I just want to let you know that your struggles have been felt by other parents and children and just maybe it will end up in the LONG RUN ok. If it wasn't for music, sports and friends my daughter would have not survived Junior HS and HS.

The only way I could logout was to go to the HELP screen and use the log out on that page. Sorry you had the same problem but glad I'm not the only one (I thought it was my computer).

Now that I logged in to reply to this I am ahving the same problem.

It will log me out now.

When I try to logout, I get an "error try again later" notice. I tried rrestarting my computer and was still logged in. Help

Thanks for the replies. I am not sure what instrument we will start with. I think I might see which DS wants to learn first and add the other at a later date. I am not musically inclined but appreciate music (I sing horribly and have 2 left feet). I really found the entire NOVA program facinating and liked that Einstein would play the violin when he hit a difficult physics problem. I was surprised that his brain was taken without permission though.

After watching NOVA's show on the brain (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/how-smart-can-we-get.html) I just had to ask those of you with children who are already being taught a musical instrument which  you stared  with the violin or the piano and when/why? The NOVA segment states that the violin helps to enhance and develop an area of the right brain and the piano does the same except it is on the left side. I plan on starting LMs soon but am not sure if I will start violin or piano, or eventually both (cost is a factor).

Thanks

Just watched my Nova recorded show on Einstein's Brain and thought others here would appreciate it. It goes over many topic we EL parents are intersted in.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/how-smart-can-we-get.html
Program Description
 How do you get a genius brain? Is it all in your genes? Or is it hard work? Is it possible that everyone’s brain has untapped genius–just waiting for the right circumstances so it can be unleashed? From a man who can immediately name the day of the week of any date in history to a “memory athlete” who can remember strings of hundreds of random numbers, David Pogue meets people stretching the boundaries of what the human mind can do. Then, Pogue puts himself to the test: after high-resolution scanning, he finds out how the anatomy of his brain measures up against the greatest mind of the century: Albert Einstein.

I have the mini trampoline and use it often for EL and just plain fun. Little man loves it! Here is the one I purchased:

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=536126&cmSource=Search

A bit expensive, $99 but it is much sturdier then others.

I'm glad you liked the site. After posting this I thought I was the only one who liked it.
Thanks

I have Babybit Spanish and am looking for Babybit French DVD 1. Please send me a pm.

Thanks,
Tracy

Keri,
I will be ordering some of Spiffies for DS. We have been doing better with our brushing but could always use to do better. Our dentist suggested having a toothbrush for DS and one for me to use.

Seastar,
I wish your child's dentist visit was like DS's first check up. I took him to a pediatric dentist for his first  (2 yr old ) appointment. They were exceptional: they made sure I filled out all of their paperwork prior to the appointment, because nothing was to take away from the fun of our visit. They emphasized that this 1st appointment was meant to make sure DS likes going to HIS dentist from now on. We were greated and shown to the toy area that was filled with books about teeth, toys with a dental.mouth theme (i.e. huge toothbrush and a mouth with teeth to brush). They had gum ball machines with toys in them and DS was told he would get a coin for the toy machine after he was done with the dentist. The dentist walked the other child to the door and then greated DS in the toy area. He showed us pictures of his DD and held DS's hand as we walked to the office. DS sat on my lap while the dentist explained that he wanted to count DS's teeth, they counted some ducks together that were lined up on the desk. He had DS face me then lie down with his head in the dentist's lap. Apprehension did set in but was smoothed over by the dentist, teeth were counted while A and Ah were said by DS. Mom was told to brush better but all looked good. He mentioned that all four 2 yr old molars are coming in at the same time, that might explain the crankies we have been experiencing. DS earned his coin and a bag with a duck, toothbrush, kiddie toothpaste, kiddie dental floss. We made our return appointment 6 months from then and the dentist excorted DS to the door with a handshake good bye. WOW, I sure was impressed and DS only whimpered once. They emphasised that I return in 6 months to continue the posttive feelings. Our dental insurance covers these appointments and even if they didn't I would return. I know this is a long post  but I just wanted to let others know that a pediatric dentist is well worth taking your toddler to.

I must admit I'm a mom who used a walker for both of my kiddos. Both of my homes were one story and I used a walker for limited periods of time, like while I was in the kitchen cooking or cleaning. Both of mine were early crawlers and walkers so I would have to say I doubt the use of a walker stunted their physical development. If you use one make sure you think of the child's safety, tipping over and getting into things they otherwise would not have access to.

I probably used a walker once they could sit up in the seat, not age driven but physical ability driven.

I have family in Chesapeake and Alexandria VA so both plans are good for me. I am overdue for a visit.

I really enjoyed the clip of Shirley Temple. We hear so many bad things about former child stars it is good to see a well adjusted sucessful former child star. I will have to read her book.

Thanks, TY