Tenyamc

MMOC will meet in Lansing, MI on Tuesday, July 18. Social hour will begin at 6, the meeting will begin around 7. The topic is as follows: What if it's true? What if there IS a god? Would an eternity in hell really be worth our own pride and principle here on earth? Can it be considered a conflict of self interest, since self interest involves considering the long-term and not just the short? What have we got to lose by believing--just in case? Contact me privately for directions if you are interested in coming.

The Death Penalty..to some, a CAPITAL idea, to others, it's murder...it's something that has divided libertarians since the word was created. Hopefully it will divide our group next Tuesday, June 20th at the home of Jack McHugh. Social Hour (just to KILL time) will begin at 6, and the meeting will start around 7:15. Please bring a LAST MEAL, oops I mean snacks and/or drinks if possible, and lets EXECUTE some fine philosophical discussion. At the heart of this discussion will be the concept of justice vs. the divinity of human life, even that of a convicted murderer. If you have some valuable reading material or something to share that would add greatly, bring it! Hope to see you there! Contact me for directions.

Mr. Hall, Wow, that is really interesting. I'm glad you shared it. I'm pondering what causes that change. I don't have anything, but you've got me thinking. Thanks.

I want to apologize to Kat. She generously invited me to this on OL a couple of weeks ago. At the time I told her I would get to it in a couple of days. THEN LIFE HAPPENED... I had several issues take up far more time than I'd intended--including a surgery from which I didn't recover as quickly as I thought I would. I guess I'm not immortal anymore. When Kat contacted me about the article, she mentioned "attachment parenting." It took me somewhat by surprise. I had never heard the term until about 5 years ago (when I started using the internet fairly regularly). When my older kids were small, I just did what made sense to me for these individuals--as it turns out they call that attachment parenting. Go figure.

When you're expecting your first baby, you can find numerous books that include directions for bathing your new baby. New parent classes usually devote at least one session to bathing the new baby. Finally, if you feel the need for some last-minute instruction, most hospitals have videos and nurses available to advise new parents on this and many other aspects of newborn care. What these many guides fail to make adequately clear is that wet babies are very slippery, once soap is added, they are even slipperier. Further when you bathe a real live baby, you get very wet. If you bathe your child in the bathtub, it hurts your back. Added to these complications, many very young babies become frightened when placed in a tub of water. I hadn't been a new mom very long when I decided the baby bathing instruction I had received was baloney. I took my daughter into the bathtub with me. This was a great solution. I wasn't concerned about getting wet, no back pain from leaning over a tub and it was easier to hold onto my wet, soapy infant when she was safely on my lap. My daughter enjoyed the bath far more when it was something I was doing with her rather something I was doing to her. My youngest child, at 2 1/2 years, is still enjoying most of her baths with me. When I ask her if she'd like to take a bath, she responds affirmatively and starts up the stairs toward the bathroom. If I don't come along right away she returns to remind me of our mission. She asks me, "Bubbles?" Of course I agree that bubbles are clearly in order. Our baths accomplish far more than mere hygiene. They are a wonderful distraction-free time we spend playing and talking together. We talk about sounds we hear and what they might be--a train, a dog, the house creaking. The bath is a great time to talk about body parts, use toys to talk about colors, numbers and animals, and experiment with filling and pouring various containers. Once we saw a spider on the ceiling. She still likes to talk about and look for the spider. We also sing. I can't believe how many aquatic-themed ditties I know: "Boop Boop Dittem Dattem Wattem Choo" (3 Little Fishies), "Eerie Canal", countless songs about frogs, and my favorite, "King of the Road." I admit, this last is not particularly on theme, but it sounds great in the bathroom. Our before and after bath routines give my daughter an essential feeling of independence by letting her know what's expected and giving her regular practice. "I can do this myself" is very important when you're two. Before the bath, she undresses herself, and puts her laundry in the hamper and her diaper in the garbage. She also reminds me if I seem to be forgetting a step. After the bath, she loves to be wrapped in a towel before we both dry off. She asks for her toothbrush and we brush our teeth. While I dress and straighten the room, my daughter goes to her room and gets clean clothes (or pajamas) and dresses herself. Sometimes she asks for help with dressing, but not often. My oldest three girls are teenagers now. We haven't bathed together in many years, but my bath time is still one of their favorite to talk with me. It's still a good time to spend together without distractions. It's not unusual for me to have a 2-year-old in the bathtub with me while three teenagers sit around the bathroom discussing their ideas. In fact, when we remodeled the bathroom, I made sure to have plenty of space for "company." I do enjoy the solitude of a quiet, hot bubble bath and a book. But this truly quality time with my girls is far more satisfying. I would love to hear others' stories about how everyday events have become prime time with your kids.

People who bring their dogs everywhere they go. Including my house (where I do not keeps dogs inside) on my new hardwood floors. :roll: Anyway, we didn't hold an airing of grievances, but we did have feats of strength this week. Very entertaining.

(((((BIG HUGS)))) Sorry I missed the party. Did you save me some cake?