Random musings of a blond chick

I think I mostly agree that this can be ok

 
The knee-jerk reaction is no way.
But looking at this situation and thinking about my kid, maybe it's not so bad. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that the dad isn't the only one who thinks the kid is good.
 
Bottom line, if Niall is an obviously fabulously talented hockey player with a good chance of getting drafted (or picked up by a college team, then drafted) and can do so with a GED after 2 years of high school, I may not stop him. Actually, if there was a good sports-related reason I'd probably consider it as well.  He's not dropping out to stay home - he's going to school, at least at first. Of course by then he may be going to a virtual school or something anyway, which diminishes the traditional 4 years of high school pattern. But with schools the way the are now - high school just for school's sake is over-rated. if he's going to a good college anyway (and even junior colleges can be good), then I'd probalby let him.

HAHAHAHA

This is what we need for potty training! Of course, he's so excited now about what he does that we have to hurry to keep it from spilling on the floor. I'm thinking lights and whistles would only make it worse.

The Jack Potty provides a fun and interactive potty training experience. The sensor technology detects a deposit and triggers lights and sounds for fun and encouragement.

  • Pulling the handle and hitting jackpot causes spinning shapes, lights and sound as well
  • Adapter seat removes to fit an adult toilet

Available at Walmart for only $15.00.

IVF families are well adjusted

This is good news I guess. It's a follow-up study about parents and their IVF-conceived kids: http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/23/12/2724

Background: " A follow-up study was conducted in mid-adolescence on parenting and the child's psychosocial development after in vitro fertilization (IVF). The first phase of the study had compared 31 IVF families and 31 families with a naturally conceived child when the children were 2 years old (Colpin et al., 1995). Of these, 24 IVF families and 21 control families participated again when the children were 15–16 years old."

Results: "No significant differences were found in self- or adolescent-reported parenting style, or in parenting stress between IVF mothers and mothers in the control group, nor between IVF fathers and fathers in the control group. Neither did we find significant differences in self- or parent-reported behavioural problems between adolescents conceived by IVF and those conceived naturally. Comparison of behavioural problems between IVF adolescents informed or not informed about the IVF conception did not reveal significant differences."

My question - Why would there be a difference?

It does bring up an issue I have thought about. When/what do we tell the kids about the way they were conceived? When they ask? It's not something I want to hide by any means, but I'm guessing it will come up at some point. The science-interested part of me thinks it's cool that we were able to do it this way, and that it actually works, and I do want to share that with them.  But how will this fit into the "where to babies come from" conversation that's only a couple years away (if we have that long).