Parent's Rights

So I received a brochure from the school yesterday called "Parent's Rights: A Brief Summary of Procedural Safeguards" Call me crazy, but am I not the one who pays taxes for them to educate my child - so shouldn't I be the one to tell them what their rights with my child are and what I want done to ensure their safety?

One statement stood out: "You must be given the opportunity to participate in all meetings during which  decisions will be made about your child's educational services." At first glance this seems rational but the real question is what makes you think you are the one who gets to control everything about my child? It basically said that they are going to have the meeting and make the decision whether we are there or not, and we only have to be informed about what is going on.

Please don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to the whole education system. I was trained in education for a reason - I have a passion to work with children and to help them learn and grow. But I think that we need to remember that all of our good intentions will never replace the rights and responsibilities parents have for their own children. Schools can not take the place of parents, even if the parents are really bad. We need to help parents learn to be parents and to train and discipline their children. Teachers and administrators should only need to be concerned with teaching our children, not raising them.

Thanksgiving

Last year was my first Thanksgiving married and I was privileged to host dinner for my parents in my tiny apartment. It was something that we had discussed making a new tradition and I was ecstatic. However, things were a little different my my family this year.

This year my Mom really wanted us to come down and celebrate Thanksgiving with her family as it's been a difficult year for some.

Another difference this year was that our foster child was able to go with us to celebrate the day.

My aunt hosted dinner at her house and almost everyone from my extended family on my Mom's side was there! It turned out to be a great day and it was nice to visit with everyone. I also think that despite being nervous, our foster child really enjoyed it too.

We spent several days at my parents house enjoying the farm and just visiting my parents. Warren and I had a blast riding the four-wheeler and taking a trip to Knoxville to visit friends (my parents watched the kid for us), while our foster child enjoyed riding horses and playing with the rabbits and dogs.....not to mention she was loving having cable AND being allowed to watch it!

All in all it was a great holiday!

Now, if I could just get excited about Christmas that would be better!