Are You Thinking?
In this section of my blogs, I will be targeting items in the news and my personal life that strike me as particularly poor examples of thinking (or really good examples of not thinking). What I will do is target the actions and statements of individuals and groups. What I will not do is judge the individual or group.
I believe every person needs to take responsibility for all that they say or do. No one else is opening their mouths for them or making them do this or that action. So this section is to take a jab at the bad remarks and decisions of not only the individuals making the statements but sometimes the editors and reporters who thought it was a good idea to print such stuff.
The saddest part about everything that will be posted here is it will all be true – especially my series on “What Not to Do in a Divorce”.
Concerning the Curriculum
I am a former K-12 teacher with an emphasis on Special Education and in particular those with Emotional Disturbances. I’ve spent lots of time in varieties of rooms both as a full time and a substitute teacher. In all of my exposure to the public school setting and education in general, I’ve noted a rather serious problem. Blatant falsehoods, distortions and outright omissions from curriculum are being taught to our children as if they are factual. This does not serve our children or society well.
So in this section, I will be confronting the problem. I will be giving you, the reader, solid information in the areas of History, Social Studies, Science and Math. I’ll introduce concepts, omitted information, and illogical premises being pushed in all of the subjects and back it up.
It is my goal to provide a good starting point on a research project as a resource for anyone. Also, I hope to contribute to fostering a desire for honesty and truthful information. In my opinion, one of the greatest challenges facing our children today is telling the difference between facts, opinions, and misinformation. My overriding guideline is an Administrative Code from Wisconsin that basically reads that all textbooks (and all other subsequent info) must be factually accurate. It is a fair guideline but often not followed. Translated it means – tell the facts and be able to prove it.
Disability Issues
In this portion, I will share from the heart issues those with disabilities face as I have one of my own. Many, many people have their opinions on this topic but most haven’t been in the shoes of one with disabilities. Hopefully, I can bring you into our world but not for sympathy as I don’t need it. The goal is to bring you enlightenment as to what life is like. I will also include resources and encouragement for those with disabilities of the physical, mental or emotional sort. However, I will as always give it to you blunt and honest. Some of it you may not like as I will not put the gloves on. You won’t mistake where I’m coming from.
I’ll part this introduction on this note. Whether a person has a physical, mental or emotional disability, they are not truly “disabled”. In my opinion, we are limited in some choices and face a few extra challenges. But as per the saying that we adopted in this household, “the only disability in life is a bad attitude.” That is what stops people not a medical or other challenge. A bad attitude will doom you every time.
Everything Else
What can I say? The term General or Misc. Thoughts is so overused on the Internet. This section is where I will cover things such as general observations, submitting concepts for pondering and other such things. Do not be surprised if I voice some pretty bold statements or controversial things here. I’ll call it as I see it but with respect to individuals and entities. This could also be considered my area of Random Musings but I wanted some category to start with the letter E.
Family Matters
I am married to my lovely wife and have a great daughter. Life happens and teaches us new things every day. This section will tend to be a bit more humorous as I pass on some zingers my daughter dishes out, perspectives gained from my wife, and many other things to ponder. We’ll also be giving out helpful links here and there to some things to help motivate you and keep the smiles going.
Homeschooling
This is a category that I have direct experience in. There are groups out there that are helpful to “homeschoolers” and all those we come across we’ll introduce and link up to. There are also many misconceptions about homeschooling which I will elaborate on. Some will surprise you. As a brief intro, there are a number of reasons why people choose to home school or use a virtual school system. The first reason happens to be the most common criticism of homeschooling. “What about the social side?”
So the top 4 reasons are thus:
1.)Social aspect of child development
2.)Lack of proper challenge for the student in public schools
3.)General disdain of the public school system
4.)Personal reasons of the family, parents, and child
You may be surprised as to why this area is growing. Hopefully, this will also serve as a resource site for people to ponder this and research the topic further.
Not-So-Fancy Chef’s Corner
Ever watch the Food Network and enjoy Dinner: Impossible with Robert Irvine? Or see 2 Chef’s square off in Iron Chef America? Do you get into how they arrange their presentations and the smooth blend of flavor and texture? I watch those shows too and I’m impressed with what they can do with food.
So what the daylights does Not-So-Fancy Chef’s Corner mean? It means this is my recipe section. These are either good but obscure recipes we like OR I created them. However, I must warn you though. As much as I try to learn from the Food Network chefs, my recipes do not factor in presentation, texture or the perfect flavor. Nope, my recipes just flat out taste good and are a result of my experimentation often with whatever leftovers we have in the kitchen. So for budget minded tightwads to cooking cheaply but with taste for the family cooks need a few options, this is your spot.
Warning though, a lot of the food tastes a lot better than the pictures posted here. At least I will not be promoting the consumption of balut which is a name for duck eggs.
Parenting Tips-n-Tricks
Our daughter is a load of fun and is a wonderfully behaved girl. Sure at times she makes mistakes which leads to a conversation or two but all in all she is awesome. However, kids aren’t born to behave well or misbehave. It takes a lot of effort on the side of the parents to get it right.
In this section, we will be offering up several books to read and our review on them. Also, we’ll give you real life examples and why we do what we do as parents and how it works. However, be warned on this category. Almost all of the rules are very strict, very hard, and quite harsh. Most of all, the rules are for us the parents. I’ll hit hard and fast in this area. Am I right on this topic? Well, my wife and I didn’t come up with this stuff on our own and we’ll give credit where credit is due.
Just get ready as we are offering up a looking glass and the greatest asset or hindrance to a child’s growth as a person is in the mirror of you the adult.
Pet Peeves
Similar to the “Are You Thinking?” category, this is a section where I will just flat out harpoon particular conducts and statements individuals and some groups make. However, the difference is these are quite a bit more personal as I’m directly in the crosshairs and suffered from some of these. What I write here though will not be whining or griping or any kind of “oh woe is me” but just some flat out wondering out loud why people do what they do and say what they say.
I’ll give you the first three topics that will be gracing this website as a taste of what is to come.
1) Assumptions – Boy does this topic get my goat. Why? Because making assumptions usually leads to horrid consequences as the assumptions are usually wrong.
2) Inferring – Similar to assumptions but slightly different. This is inserting your opinion into what someone else has read or stated. Like assumptions, this usually leads to disaster.
3) Tailgating – Especially when the other driver is on the cell phone. I like meeting people. I really do. I just don’t want their metal entwined with mine when I have to stop suddenly.
Stay-At-Home Dad
Here in the USA, this is one of the most misunderstood categories of people. The amount of assumptions and biased judgment handed down to stay-at-home dads is practically astounding.
So in this section, I will confront many of the stereotypes and assumptions. If you just read the Pet Peeves section intro, you’ll know full well why this one is a topic of mine. People have the right to know why some of us are SAH Dads. And no, it isn’t because we are losers and bums.
Situations influence choices. I’ll delve into that. Also, some of us really love our children and wives and will do whatever is best for them. Hopefully, I’ll change a few opinions about SAH Dads along the way.
Taking a Break to Bring You These Messages
Remember that long line when you were listening to the radio? Perhaps it is a tad dated but so am I. :p The line was always a precursor to an…………………………………………….AD. Hey, an income is to be made doing this and this is like any other form of electronic entertainment that doesn’t cost you money. Advertisers have marketing dollars, I’d like a piece of that financial pie.
As a note, all of my topics carry with them my opinion. I will not be getting into a forum debate as it is usually not conducive to enhancing production much. If you don’t like what I’m saying, then tough noogies. The Internet is a big place, go somewhere else.
Thank you,
MatureKid
