Monday, February 18, 2008
The Flu
It is horrible. The Flu. I am seriously re-thinking my whole "the flu shot is worthless" attitude. I didn't even REALLY have it. Two in my household did. I have remnants of it, and Brooke, as far as I know, didn't have any of it.
One word:Tamiflu. It must work. Two of us tested positive for the Flu. Some of us were on Tamiflu, some not, and the ones who weren't got the whole shebang, fever, chills, headache, cough, tiredness, etc. The person who happened to get it NEVER gets sick. I mean like this was the sickness for a couple years.
So to sum up: The Flu sucks, get Tamiflu if you have been exposed, and get the Flu shot if you want to prevent it.
And that's what I have to say about that.
One word:Tamiflu. It must work. Two of us tested positive for the Flu. Some of us were on Tamiflu, some not, and the ones who weren't got the whole shebang, fever, chills, headache, cough, tiredness, etc. The person who happened to get it NEVER gets sick. I mean like this was the sickness for a couple years.
So to sum up: The Flu sucks, get Tamiflu if you have been exposed, and get the Flu shot if you want to prevent it.
And that's what I have to say about that.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Principles and Methods
As a preface, reading this post by my friend would be helpful. Realization
(Before I really start, these things aren't a criticism against the post referenced above, just about the the discussion in general. Also, the example is not about anyone who reads this blog, so ITS NOT YOU!)
As to the discussion of Principles vs Methods. I think others have plenty to say about this topic, and if you have finished the post above then we can continue.
I think the whole principle/method discussion thing is very interesting. The underlying supposition is that even if the methods are different, the principles are still observed (hence, feeding the children. They must be fed, yet we all go about it differently.)
I think some things are overlooked in this particular discussion. People get so wrapped up in defending their methods that they often lose sight of the Principles.
For my example we look at Discipline in terms of the Principle: Obeying.
(I'm not proposing to be an expert, just stating what I have had experience with.)
Parents have plenty of different strategies for discipline. Some parents discipline more, some less. Our overall method is very much different from our close friends, but in the end, our children (by the grace of God) often come out with the same principles.
Methods can be different as long as the outcome is the same. Let me repeat that:
Methods can be different as long as the outcome is the same.
What I am concerned with is when the parents defend their method as being different, yet claim that the principle is the same, when the principle is not even remotely being followed. Confused yet? Here is an example:
Once we were visiting someone's house with another family. It was made clear to a certain child from the other family (I think this child was around 2) that the kitchen was off limits due to the fact of overcrowding and the oven frequently being opened. This child repeatedly ran into the kitchen. The first time the parent scolded the child, removed him, and repeated that the kitchen was 'NO' (from experience, I know for a fact that this child knew what NO meant)
This happened over and over. At least 6 or 7 times. Each time the parent picked the child up, repeated the instructions, and less than 2 minutes later, that child was right back there again. The child was choosing not to listen to the parent, and directly disobeying what he was being told.
Later that night, my husband confronted the father (by confront I mean he casually asked what happened, why the child wasn't disciplined for not obeying) and the father, while he didn't take offense, basically said "just because our method is different than yours doesn't mean it is wrong."
Now, here is my problem with the situation. The method WAS wrong because the principle wasn't being followed.
Principle: Obeying.
Let me be clear, the method was not wrong just because it was different than what we might have done.
If the child had stopped running into the kitchen after the first time or even the second, we would have not mentioned the method at all. If the principle had been followed, the method would have been a moot point.
As long as the children obey, each set of parents get there differently, and each child has different flexibility than another. Some need strict discipline, and some get the idea with just a stern look. I have two of such in my own family.
However, in the example case, the method wasn't working to promote the principle
By approaching the parent, we were not actually disagreeing with the method, but reminding them of the principle. Children need to heed their parents word. Especially given the situation:
1. They were in someone else's house
2. The host specifically asked that the child be kept out of the kitchen
We were simply trying to remind the parent that by allowing their child to not obey, they WERE in fact being inconsistent. Something should have been done about the child's repeated entering the kitchen. Let me repeat the mantra of my post
Methods can be different as long as the outcome is the same.
In this case, the outcome needed to be that the child was kept out of the kitchen. The method should have been adjusted to make sure that the principle (obeying) was in fact being promoted. To me, adjusting your method when it is not working is the definition of flexibility.
Fortunately, we have plenty of Biblical guidelines for principles, and a lot for methods too. Every single situation is not addressed, and therefore that is why parenting often looks so different. However we do need to keep in mind the principles we HAVE been given. We can't rearrange our principles to fit our methods. It MUST be the other way around.
(Before I really start, these things aren't a criticism against the post referenced above, just about the the discussion in general. Also, the example is not about anyone who reads this blog, so ITS NOT YOU!)
As to the discussion of Principles vs Methods. I think others have plenty to say about this topic, and if you have finished the post above then we can continue.
I think the whole principle/method discussion thing is very interesting. The underlying supposition is that even if the methods are different, the principles are still observed (hence, feeding the children. They must be fed, yet we all go about it differently.)
I think some things are overlooked in this particular discussion. People get so wrapped up in defending their methods that they often lose sight of the Principles.
For my example we look at Discipline in terms of the Principle: Obeying.
(I'm not proposing to be an expert, just stating what I have had experience with.)
Parents have plenty of different strategies for discipline. Some parents discipline more, some less. Our overall method is very much different from our close friends, but in the end, our children (by the grace of God) often come out with the same principles.
Methods can be different as long as the outcome is the same. Let me repeat that:
Methods can be different as long as the outcome is the same.
What I am concerned with is when the parents defend their method as being different, yet claim that the principle is the same, when the principle is not even remotely being followed. Confused yet? Here is an example:
Once we were visiting someone's house with another family. It was made clear to a certain child from the other family (I think this child was around 2) that the kitchen was off limits due to the fact of overcrowding and the oven frequently being opened. This child repeatedly ran into the kitchen. The first time the parent scolded the child, removed him, and repeated that the kitchen was 'NO' (from experience, I know for a fact that this child knew what NO meant)
This happened over and over. At least 6 or 7 times. Each time the parent picked the child up, repeated the instructions, and less than 2 minutes later, that child was right back there again. The child was choosing not to listen to the parent, and directly disobeying what he was being told.
Later that night, my husband confronted the father (by confront I mean he casually asked what happened, why the child wasn't disciplined for not obeying) and the father, while he didn't take offense, basically said "just because our method is different than yours doesn't mean it is wrong."
Now, here is my problem with the situation. The method WAS wrong because the principle wasn't being followed.
Principle: Obeying.
Let me be clear, the method was not wrong just because it was different than what we might have done.
If the child had stopped running into the kitchen after the first time or even the second, we would have not mentioned the method at all. If the principle had been followed, the method would have been a moot point.
As long as the children obey, each set of parents get there differently, and each child has different flexibility than another. Some need strict discipline, and some get the idea with just a stern look. I have two of such in my own family.
However, in the example case, the method wasn't working to promote the principle
By approaching the parent, we were not actually disagreeing with the method, but reminding them of the principle. Children need to heed their parents word. Especially given the situation:
1. They were in someone else's house
2. The host specifically asked that the child be kept out of the kitchen
We were simply trying to remind the parent that by allowing their child to not obey, they WERE in fact being inconsistent. Something should have been done about the child's repeated entering the kitchen. Let me repeat the mantra of my post
Methods can be different as long as the outcome is the same.
In this case, the outcome needed to be that the child was kept out of the kitchen. The method should have been adjusted to make sure that the principle (obeying) was in fact being promoted. To me, adjusting your method when it is not working is the definition of flexibility.
Fortunately, we have plenty of Biblical guidelines for principles, and a lot for methods too. Every single situation is not addressed, and therefore that is why parenting often looks so different. However we do need to keep in mind the principles we HAVE been given. We can't rearrange our principles to fit our methods. It MUST be the other way around.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
One of those days..............
I bought 3 dozen doughnuts at WalMart Yesterday.
Not just Glazed.
Not just chocolate.
Oh yes, glazed doughnuts with chocolate icing.
To tell the truth, I had a plan for each one of them. One dozen went to school with my daughter today. I'm sure the teacher appreciated that. Can we say: Sugar High?
The rest were supposed to go with my husband to work today. To be fair, some made it. I got some lovely 'i love you's' from the guys my husband works with. Totally platonic of course.
The rest were, shall we say...............waylaid.
I think 18 doughnuts of the 24 made it. One was eaten by my daughter.
The rest...........well..............let's just say I will be working out extra today =)
Not just Glazed.
Not just chocolate.
Oh yes, glazed doughnuts with chocolate icing.
To tell the truth, I had a plan for each one of them. One dozen went to school with my daughter today. I'm sure the teacher appreciated that. Can we say: Sugar High?
The rest were supposed to go with my husband to work today. To be fair, some made it. I got some lovely 'i love you's' from the guys my husband works with. Totally platonic of course.
The rest were, shall we say...............waylaid.
I think 18 doughnuts of the 24 made it. One was eaten by my daughter.
The rest...........well..............let's just say I will be working out extra today =)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Taxes
Okay, whose taxes are done already?
Mine are effectively in the hands of my accountant. Yes, we have an accountant. We got complicated a few years ago due to business, rentals, children, buying selling property, you know..... complicated. Turbo tax ain't cuttin it anymore.
If I had Turbo Tax however, the taxes would have been submitted about 4 hours after we received the last W2. If you aren't complicated, use it, it works.
Mine are effectively in the hands of my accountant. Yes, we have an accountant. We got complicated a few years ago due to business, rentals, children, buying selling property, you know..... complicated. Turbo tax ain't cuttin it anymore.
If I had Turbo Tax however, the taxes would have been submitted about 4 hours after we received the last W2. If you aren't complicated, use it, it works.
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