Erin Middlebrooks
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Comments
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On the article Moms Talk: Homeschool or Public School?
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On the article Moms Talk: "Uh oh, Mommy" Moments
Erin Middlebrooks
3:13 pm on Wednesday, February 16, 2011
ReplyI would be the mom to do the Valentines at 10pm the night before just so that my daughter was not left out of something. I then may contact her leader and let her know that the timing was crazy. I would also keep in mind that in a lot of cases the leaders have children of their own and are just as overwhelmed as I am. Sometimes I see parents pointing fingers at people that volunteer but never once stepping up to offer help. I actually have a friend who this has happened to and it makes me angry. I would say that when you let her know that the amount of time given for the cards was not enough also ask is there anything you can do to help alleviate some of the stresses involved with the troop. In life people are always so quick to notice what others are doing wrong but never quick to offer a helping hand. We have been getting last minute invites for years and try to accommodate if we can. I would never tell my daughter that she can't attend or be a part of something because there wasn't enough notice given on the invite unless we have things already planned. Why punish my child for someone else's last minute planning.
The "uh oh mommy I forgot" moments will end one day when they grow up and move away from home and then we will miss those moments. When we have those moments here we talk about it and how important it is to be responsible because there wont always be someone there to run out. My daughter is 15 and still has uh oh moments are a lot less than they use to be. -
On the article Moms Talk: How did my kids behave?
Erin Middlebrooks
1:36 pm on Wednesday, February 9, 2011
ReplyI don't ever tell the parent that the child misbehaved unless we had a big incident that I feel is not normal child behavior. Every child has there "moments" where they may be not perfect but I have always been of the belief that if they get in trouble for something minor while with me and they get some sort of punishment why double it by telling the parent and getting the child in trouble 2 times for one thing...
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On the article Introducing the Moms Council
Erin Middlebrooks
1:13 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
ReplyI wouldn't want the officials to make a hasty decision to early that ends up causing an accident because weather turned bad in the night. When Prince William County schools close due to weather there will always be someone not happy regardless of the decisions. The decision that is made is made only with the safety of the children and staff in mind. The decision isn't always right but it is done with the right mind set. The parents that have said "they should have closed schools this is unsafe and my kids shouldn't be going" My response to that is if ever there is a time that I feel like sending my child to school walking or on a bus is unsafe she wont go. I have the right as a parent to keep my child home if I feel that the conditions are unsafe. Why must everyone be so judgmental about decisions that are made solely for the objective of keeping our kids safe???? I don't think the officials are looking for a day off since they too will have to make these days up. We forgive the weatherman who is wrong more than half the time but we don't let up on the school systems if they make a "mistake" in an effort to keep our children safe. According to a few people whose streets and sidewalks have been plowed it was a mistake but it is a big county and every street and sidewalk has to be taken into consideration...
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On the article Introducing the Moms Council
Erin Middlebrooks
1:13 pm on Wednesday, February 2, 2011
ReplyI am the mother of a high school student who is taking exams this week. But I strongly disagree with changing the teacher workday. So many people make plans for three day weekends and pay upfront for trips that can't be refunded. I think something could have been done to keep the workday on Monday and still had exams. It is one grade that could have been added after Monday but before grades were turned in. Report card delays I understand but the moving of a workday in my opinion is unreasonable. I am on the flip side of the angry parent about the snow days last week though. I understand that schools closing makes it very difficult for those with younger children to find care. However what is the difference in that and if your child wakes up sick with the flu and can't go to school for days due to sickness. Either way it is your responsibility to find them care. Whether the call is made at 10pm the night before or 5am the day of a closing it is still up to you to find care. Does a child let you know at 10pm that they are going to be sick to give you time to arrange care. I know it is much more convenient to know early but why be angry if they have to wait in order to make an informative decision.
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On the announcement Calling All Moms (and Dads): We Need Your Help
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On the article Arts in Motion at Woodbridge Senior High School
Erin Middlebrooks
12:20 pm on Monday, January 24, 2011
ReplyI think it is a wonderful program! However I think that it is sad that the school that has the CFPA program has some of the worst and outdated light and sound equipment in the county. Not to mention the seats falling apart one seat at a time and then rigged to be functional again. I understand that monies are tight and there are budget cuts everywhere. But you would think sometime between 2002 and 2011 a new system could have been purchesed. Even if it meant fundraisers and extra shows. Make it a priority to a school that offers such a wonderful program...
Erin Middlebrooks
1:21 pm on Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I really don't have much of an opinion one way or another on this subject. My daughter is 15 and a sophomore and has been in public school since kindergarten and we have never had a problem. That being said my daughter is a highly intelligent child who can adapt to any way of learning. She has been getting straight A's since she started school and is now in Advanced placement classes in high school and still gets amazing grades. I on the other hand always struggled in school with different learning disabilities and would have benefited greatly from a method of learning that catered towards my needs and my way of learning which home schooling may have helped. Unfortunately they was not an option for my parents because they both worked full time. I truly believe it is a personal choice that needs to be made based on what you the parent feels is right for your kids. I find that if you talk to some parents who home school they spend a lot of time trashing public schools but in most cases they do not speak from personal experience they usually get information second hand. You will find parents who have had wonderful experiences and parents who have had horrible experiences with both methods. Like I said I am a firm believer that it is a personal choice and as you said if you find that your child is not doing well in the public setting you as the parent have the right to pull them out at anytime and take over.