Oh, kiwi--didn't even go into the music thing!

One thing about my oldest S--who seems to have bought a clue somewhere along the way in the past few weeks--has always been unmotivated. We had him tested in the school district, but nothing was abnormal. (His biological father has always been unmotivated, and very well may have ADD.) Brown pushed for more testing; I didn't. I know look back and say that I could have made a huge mistake in my son's life. He very well may have ADD too. I'm still apprehensive about putting a label on something that is so grey. I'm praying he will learn by our examples and outgrow his "lazinness." I hope and pray that this is all it is.

My youngest S, the one I've been writing about? Complete disreagrd. Whatever is convenient for him. You know, the world revolves around him, don't you?

LINY, I really wonder about what we've done to a whole generation of kids. You do realise I live on the other side of the world but the kids are ALL the same. Especially the boys.

We also thought (and still think quietly) there is something sort of not normal about our son. But there are tons of them (boys like him) out there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> He is so bright, he's polite, he cooks his own (vegan) meals but he just takes, takes, takes.

As I said, I'm going to reread this thread, especially the stuff from Pep and probably print it out.

Jen

Kiwi, our oldest isn't so book smart, though. That's where we worried, along with the laziness. We really, really though things would turn around for him in fifth grade--his teacher was flipping switches on in him--it was a beautiful thing, something I can really never repay that teacher for. But, it went downhill after that climax--he became a teenager!

Now something to amuse you mums & dads....

WHY GOD CREATED CHILDREN

To those of us who have children in our lives, whether they are our own, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or students ... here is something to make you chuckle.

Whenever your children are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to His own children.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve. And the first thing he said was "DON'T!"

"Don't what?" Adam replied.

"Don't eat the forbidden fruit." God said.

"Forbidden fruit? We have forbidden fruit? Hey Eve ... we have forbidden fruit!!!!!"

"No Way!"

"Yes, way!"

"Do NOT eat the fruit!" said God.

"Why?"

"Because I am your Father and I said so!" God replied, wondering why He hadn't stopped creation after making elephants. A few minutes later, God saw His children having an apple break and He was ticked!

"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" God asked.

"Uh huh," Adam replied.

"Then why did you?" said the Father.

"I don't know," said Eve.

"She started it!" Adam said.

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"DID NOT!"

Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

BUT THERE IS REASSURANCE IN THE STORY!

If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble raising children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT!

1. You spend the first two years of their life teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next sixteen telling them to sit down and shut up.

2. Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your own children.

3. Mothers of teens now know why some animals eat their young.

4. Children seldom misquote you. In fact, they usually repeat word for word what you shouldn't have said.

5. The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own.

6. We child proofed our homes, but they are still getting in.

7. Just when you redecorate their room into a nice TV room, they show up with boxes, suitcases and large dogs, to move back home.

ADVICE FOR THE DAY:

Be nice to your kids.
They will choose your nursing home one day.

AND FINALLY: IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF TENSION AND YOU GET A HEADACHE, DO WHAT IT SAYS ON THE ASPIRIN BOTTLE:"TAKE TWO ASPIRIN" AND "KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN!!!!!

aussie...THANKS! Brilliant!

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />