Friday, June 15, 2012

"Side-Yard Superhero" Book Review

"Side-Yard Superhero, Life Lessons from an Unlikely Teacher" by RIck D. Niece, Ph.D. If you haven't heard of this book, you need to go out and pick it up! I currently live in Ohio, so it's really nice to read about kids growing up while mentioning landmarks and areas that I am familiar with as well. While reading this, I took my time and enjoyed each adventure, each lesson learned, and each heart-breaking moment that two young boys encountered. This book truely is life lessons from an un-likely teacher, just as the title states. A young child named Rick Niece is curiously drawn to a young boy, Bernie, with cerebral palsy. This curiousity soon turns into a lifelong friendship, with endless adventures and learning. This book is one to relax and enjoy...you will laugh, you will cry, and you will love growing up with Rickie and Bernie. This book truely is a wonderful tribute to Bernie and the struggles children with cerebral palsy must overcome that many people take advantage of. A great read for everyone of all ages to enjoy.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Enough is enough

When is enough enough when it comes to negativity from family? The yelling, the put-downs, the embarassment...I'm done. When I was a little girl, I remember thinking my mom was the best. I wanted to live with her forever and be just like her when I grew up...but then I grew up for real. My mother and I have been estranged on and off since I was 18. Within the past year, she has made an effort to be apart of my kids and my life, but Sunday was the last straw... Every time my 6 year old daughter visits Grandma, she comes home as an attitude-strung little girl. You see, Grandma lets her (and only her out of my 5 kids) do whatever she wants and behave in any manner. Back to Sunday... So, my mother, daughter, 2 year old son, and I went out to brunch and planned on spending the day shopping. I met my daughter and mother at the restaurant and quickly we became THAT table. You know the one with the out of control kids. Yes, it happens to everyone no matter what any parent says! We ate quickly to start shopping. From one store to the next, my stress level elevated. Four stores later, I had had it. The baby was finally sitting in the stroller, but my daughter was still not listening. Every time I would correct her, she would run to Grandma and my mother would have the nerve to tell ME to leave my own daughter alone! And she continued to be careless and not listen to me. A short while later, a wheel of the stroller ran into my daughter and the dramatic, hysterical scream soon followed. By all means, it was an accident and she was told to move before something were to happen. Grandma ran to my daughter's rescue and nastily stated that she was ready to go. As we are waiting in line, my mother reached into the basket to collect her items, when I'm assumming the baby grabbed at something she had in her hands. Suddenly she goes to swat at his hand and missed... "You better watch it, you little *ucker! I'll beat the crap out you too and I don't give a *amn who the *uck your mother is either!" Are you kidding me right now?!?! Then she proceeds..."This little *ucker can get away with murder, while your daughter gets in trouble for everything!" All I can mutter in embarassment is that he's just a baby. I calmly get out of line, return the stroller/cart, and walk out the door carrying my baby and my now obedient daughter at my heels. It's one thing to yell at ME, to put ME down, and be negative to ME...but it is NOT okay to do any of that to my kids. Enough it enough...