Sexual Health for K to Grade 3

I know with this post there will be several different opinions about this topic. I also want to write that I do believe children should learn about themselves, their sexuality and the boundaries between one another. I also believe that it should be by the discretion within a timely decision depending on the mentality of your own child. I don't believe the public school system should take it upon themselves to teach kindergarten to grade three students without the consent of their parents any forms of sexuality. So my husband and I agreed to keep our children home from school because of what was being taught last Friday. Although today (Monday) they came home with this first picture above. A drawing of a little girl in her bathing suit with her private parts named. Not only named but in my opinion named incorrectly. If I wanted to teach my kindergartner the private part names, I wouldn't have chosen "vulva" and "anus" for example. The first picture above is an example drawn by someone other then a child, nor my child. This came home for an example so they can finish their sexuality project. They are suppose to draw themselves in a bathing suit, circle and name their private parts. So the second and third picture above is the finished project our six and seven year old sons are handing in. I understand completely about early awareness but I don't believe this should be taken away from the parent to do it appropriately the way they want to handle it and when. Once again, our parental rights have been taken away and now our children believe their mouths are a private part. Perhaps but seriously? Our seven year old came home and drew pubic hair all over his own private parts. Is it actually healthy to learn this early when mentally they're already struggling? Did we need this as a family now? I personally don't think so. There was no respect about beliefs, about cognitive delays and definitely no respect for the parents basically pushing sexuality on our children without consent. During this education program they did learn the "Five Principles" Quoted from Sexual Health Right From the Start 1. Sexual knowledge is healthy and increases abuse resistance. 2. Children are born ignorant of sexual knowledge, but they are active learners from birth on (provide age-appropriate info) 3. Factual knowledge about the topic of sexuality is vast and growing constantly and it is easily accessed in multiple ways in society. 4. Sexual knowledge is powerful (healthier decisions and delay sexual activity) 5. Sexuality is an essential part of life and sexual knowledge is essential to a responsible life. "Dimensions of Sexuality" 1. Who we are: Identity 2. How we experience our bodies: development 3. What we stand for: Values 4. How we care for ourselves and others: Health. "Intimacy" Learning about yourself and others as sexual people - is the part that "sticks" and that's really real, because it's the part that's experienced. It's the part that affects how we see ourselves and other people, how we think, how we feel, what we value, how we relate, how we communicate and make decisions. Our children came home with all this information...........It's confusing to our six year old. Apparently a five year old should be taught that they came from the mommy's uterus....quote "Where you grew for 9 months, there is another special organ called the vagina. The vagina is a connecting place between the uterus and the outside, and it has an opening between mommy's legs. When you were ready to be born, mom's uterus pushed you through the vagina until you came through the opening" mmmm......ok then a six year old suddenly asks, "How did I get there in the first place?" Sexual health right from the start quotes "inside daddy's body there are tiny little objects called sperm, located in his testicles (2 ball shaped organs) that are inside a sac behind the penis. Inside mom's body, near the uterus there are different tiny cells called egg cells (ova) that are kept in the ovaries. When a sperm from a man comes together with an egg from a woman, that's called fertilization. Step 2, "How did they get together?" Nature designed male and female bodies to be able to fit together like puzzle pieces. When the bodies fit together, the sperm and egg can find one another. Step 3. "How exactly do they do that?" Quote "Dad had a penis and Mom has a vagina. Man's penis goes inside the woman's vagina (man's penis gets stiff) this is called sexual intercourse. Sperm come out of the end of the penis and swim farther inside the woman's body, sperm meets up with the egg, egg travels to the uterus where it will grow for the next 9 months. - Now with writing all this, I don't know what was presented at the school nor do our children because they didn't attend. I could be slightly ignorant to what was taught although this is what they brought home. As their Mother I don't want them to be ashamed of their sexuality or embarrassed on how and where they came from but again us parents should decide on when and how it will be explained. Maybe it's just me.............I just can't comprehend why this was added for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students in a school setting without consent. I understand the concept behind it but not for my children at age six and as their Mother, I have the right to teach them in the comfort of our own home. At least I thought. More likely this material was for us parents, to teach us on how to teach our children but a project drawing yourself in a bathing suit and labeling your private parts at school? I knew I should have raised children centuries ago, I must be completely old fashioned because I just don't agree.

Quality time with "Noises Off"

Today I spent the day with my Mother. It was her birthday last week and I treated her to a day in Chemainus. We started off wandering the streets and revisiting all the little shops. This is a beautiful little town that my Mother loves. It was my day to spoil her but she spoiled me! She's so sweet and an excellent Grandma to our children. (Our children have been blessed with many wonderful Grandparents and family members) We then had brunch and watched the live production of "Noises Off" It was hilarious! I wouldn't suggest bringing children to this show but if you're looking for a night out, this is the show to see. You will laugh until you're crying. It's a English comedy with tangled love lines, missed cues and lost hope. A stage that everything goes hilariously wrong. My Mom was asking me for a tissue she was laughing so hard, everyone in the building seemed out of control with knee slapping laughter. It was great. I can't express enough that live theatre productions are uniquely the best. At one point I thought to myself about acting like this at home, I wondered how that would go over.....?......I keep telling our children don't be afraid to be who you are, don't be afraid of peoples opinions and judgements of you, act. Enjoy drama, get into theatre. Dance and sing. Direct your silliness into plays, jump into role playing and have fun. I would love to watch some of our children on stage. Anyways, this is almost a repeated post from the last time we went to the theatre so moving on, today was another good day. Mostly because I was able to spend a day with someone I love, my Mother. There is nothing more important then family. It's the quality of time spent. I love making memories, spending time with people I love - that's the gift that means the most. There's a one time event, "Shake, Rattle n Roll" happening at the Chemainus Theatre in June, they're celebrating their 20th season. I'm thinking on surprising my husband to this performance. He loves the 1950's! I also wrote in a previous post that there is a production called, "Animal Tales" with participation kidzplay that I would like to take our children too. In fact I'm starting to believe that season passes for Christmas would be nicer then broken toys the next day and suggesting to our comical children to think about performing arts. What a fun life that would be! I don't know what our children's futures hold but I hope to be the director just a "tiny bit" To conclude, "Happy Belated Birthday Mom" I love having the opportunities to spend days like these with you! We should all take more time to cherish moments together..............

Little piece of earth

I am addicted. Every day for one hour I hike up Notch hill, a little mountain that looks over three separate communities. I usually have two or three children with me. These are some pictures from today, it was slightly raining but when it was pouring yesterday it was rejuvenating. My word for Notch hill is rejuvenating! The middle picture above is some of the terrain along this little piece of earth. The above picture is at the top of this mini mountain of someones burial. Regardless if it's someones pet, a bird or ashes from someone it's a place where I've taught our children to respect and honor that life. They do not step in nor around it. Regardless of why the circle was made, there is still a meaningful history. I often make Inuksuks, it's a stone landmark. It represents human figures and could have many meanings attached behind why it was built. For me, it helps develop patience, stability and it's left untouched for others to know we've been there. Sometimes we will put our first names on the rocks before stacking and building our family unit. If I ever see our children attempting to touch any art form built and left behind, I quickly intervene and explain why. Every time we're at the top we will sit next to this burial, look around at our panoramic views and appreciate life. It doesn't matter who we are nor the amount of money we have, we need to appreciate our lives, our little pieces of earth and love who's close to us as for tomorrow it could resemble something completely different. We just heard tonight about a young man, twenty three years old suffering an aneurysm. Someone our oldest daughter once knew. So I do have an addiction......it's teaching my children to be compassionate, to appreciate and love each other. To live. I smile as I know some might think I'm crazy, perhaps too deep and ones that don't know me, possibly reading my blogs that are sporadic, grammarly incorrect and off the wall with inside humor must question but I am "real" regardless what judgements come my way. Now that was a full sentence! lol Some of my posts can be redundant and that I apologise for although I can't express enough to take notice in absolutely everything, the tiny sprouting weeds to truly enjoying our surroundings which means nature and people. If you don't already do that now, try it. You will have this sudden peace enter your body.........believe me I was very frustrated today with the botched dog mess of our income taxes and when I hiked up Notch hill I was rejuvenated and feeling peaceful. I'm honored and thankful for the existence of all life. Monday we will spread another peddled flower around this potential burial because it's not only actively showing respect, I want whoever that initially built it to know its presence has made a difference by educating our children the importance on life, on death, to honor and appreciate.  

Jillian Michaels moved us!

Today has been very exciting. My littlest daughter and I after occupational therapy went to buy her a bike! It needs a little modification but it will be perfect for her! She picked out her own helmet and horn. It was so cute and she was so happy. Her Daddy is building it tonight! Then after dinner, eight of our children and myself were working out to Jillian Michaels. She is one of the toughest trainers reaching big results. So we plugged in her exercise DVD and tried her 3-2-1 interval system for strength, cardio, abs then a cool down. It was so cute watching our little guys workout. Little push ups and falling over during leg stretches - just cute! I'm impressed with most of our children wanting to climb stairs, hike hills, mountains and even run with me. Their motivation is astonishing. It could be competition but whatever drives them to exercise it's a great beginning and hopefully not an end. One of my sons argued he could finish a full circuit with weights and he really gave it a try. Our littlest daughter was so excited she was rolling around in her adapted chair with her arms up, when we stretched our legs, she stretched and grabbed her feet! Our littlest daughter has grown with speech and mobility. She has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy with cognitive delays and is so amazing. Her personality is beautiful, she's happy and she's now rolling from her stomach to her back and sitting up! She has determination, loves mobility and speed! So Jillian Michaels is right up her alley. Of course with her new bike she will be fully assisted and I believe that every individual should experience everything if they desire too. We were born to live and whatever that looks like for all of us, that's what we should do. Swim, bike, hike, jump, run, dance, sing, ski............laugh and enjoy each and every day. We do.....even in our living room with Jillian!

Plan,plan,plan then leap! Cures anxiety.....

Ok, so I have a question. Does anybody else get anxiety with the May and June months? I feel with the year ending, graduation planning, completely behind with our camping trailer and lacking that organization I do have with everything, loosing paperwork, scrambling around trying to please everyone including birth families is giving me not only high energy, it's developing some anxiety! We have birth family that want us to go up North this summer, we don't know what's happening with our extended family, we have more birth family that want us to either visit or entertain. Don't get me wrong, I like to please and I understand the more people (family) loving our children is great but just sometimes........it would be nice to just be us. When we first started adopting I didn't think we would have so many different dynamics but as years pass life changes and swivels in several directions. It's forever changing. This summer is yet another BIG change as we've been informed that our oldest and second oldest sons' are moving. Another milestone in life having three adult children. I've learned to take a few steps back, and accept their decisions. Definitely a different role while raising the rest of our children until their turn. Now, our usual crowd is "only ten" children. So I've been thinking ahead on all the best paths to take and I hope (myself) is making right choices too!

Now here's my answer to everything........send a plane ticket for one birth family member from up North to come here for a few days! Grampa will be on his way - maybe! Travel only half way to see the remainder of our other Grandparents, birth parents and previous foster homes - maybe! Perhaps meet my sister in law and her family somewhere in the middle - maybe! The rest of the time camp in our half gutted unfinished trailer and smile because we'll still be covered, warm and happy to be parked in the middle of no where - done! The rest of our time will be day trips with more camping and boating while some of our children are at camps of their own - totally done! Now my biggest answer to anxiety is leap!

Not only did I leap, I went upside down dangling my arms on the longest zipline in Canada! One highlight after practicing first aid along wet cold trails! But to contradict myself, there is benefits to leaping without a plan as it can be surprisingly successful. I'm also known as being completely spontanious! Whatever works, take the plunge! Now I'm going to plunge into massive piles of clothing to donate...........more likely find a shitzu and possibly a child underneath! Perhaps start a clothing dance party like throwing leaves high into the sky catching underwear with our ears............sounds less sticky then a marshmellow war blown out plumbing pipes!

"Been busy"

I haven't written in awhile, a week is a long time for me. A few reasons, just busy and not wanting to write about anything, secondly my blog has changed its format that upset me some because I'm a creature of habit. Simplistic and comfortable my blog was, now it's taking me sometime to catch on its new look for composing. Our weekend was busy. Today is now Tuesday and it was busy. May is now approaching us which is developing "some" anxiety to get our camping trailer ready. Not the loading up and going part, more like ripping the whole front end out and rebuilding it from rot. One nice touch is we're adding bunk beds. I've been feeling slightly swamped with paperwork (files and files) of diagnoses and designations for homeschooling in September. What's frustrating is one box is completely missing. I attend to over organize! I will say with prompts from a friend, I have six children registered for summer camps this year! They get to leave for one week each with friends! I'm planning ahead! One huge task on my list of accomplishments is piling all our children's clothes in a heap, sifting through everything and cleaning out. We have too much. My Mom once told me that children don't need piles and piles of clothing. It's completely true because once I have the laundry done and put away, we never see the bottom of a dresser drawer. We are already washing and wearing. So time to sift through! Other then that............I haven't disappeared! In fact I'm multi-tasking right now while writing.....cooking dinner, changed a bumb, wiped the floor, I have three children on time-outs and believe it or not...........cutting hair and bathing our children! Thinking about tomorrow, our week and months to follow! Texting my teenagers (perfect way to communicate it seems) and replying to forty two emails! Yeah! And honestly this isn't a complaint, I love it.....................and I'm back from hibernation.

"Happy Parent"

It's been a productive few days! I love days where everything I want to accomplish happens! Today I was worried at the beginning because my motivation was low. Then I began. What helps for me is a list to tackle. If I've accomplished everything on the list, it's been a successful day! For example, yesterday my list looked like this: 1. Take back McDonald juice containers 2. Return the Easter bunny 3. Get groceries at Costco and Superstore 4. Buy dog food 5. Go to the bank 6. Finish all the laundry 7. Make lunches & dinner 8. Bath all our children 9. Therapy for our youngest daughter 10. Go for a run with one son- 30 minutes  Check! Today was Monday, most Monday's I will bake. 1. Bake 2. Finish paperwork 3. Make two dinners (one for weekend) 4. Make lunches. 5. Do more laundry 6. Hike Notch hill with two sons - one hour. 7. Clean up vomit 8. Bath one of our children because they decided to stick their head into the toilet 9. Vacuum 10. Blog about it! Check! Now in between my list there is of course interaction with our children, my husband when I see him, organizing different appointments for our week, helping with homework, doing dishes, checking emails extra......you know what it's like! I don't sit down until 8pm. Even then, I'm up and down like a yo yo! But I'm not complaining, I actually love being busy, I love multi-tasking and I'm back to my fitness at least one hour a day. I've been back to the stairs, 1404 steps a few days ago, last night I ran 4 km and today Notch hill! Basically switching it up. You're probably wondering why I'm writing about any of this and it's because I'm an example of loosing motivation. I can't express enough to awake and get cracking. Push through that sluggish feeling and start off writing a list. Then don't stop until it's finished. I will guarantee after your day is done, you will feel good. On that list, always have something for yourself. If it's not hiking or running, reading a few chapters in a book or finishing a craft that's been sitting there forever. You know; I love my family, my children and my life but I'm really happy when I get one hour a day. Periodically I get a weekend for First aid and hiking combined throughout the year. My husband's solitude is his garage. So whatever it is - make sure you take that time for yourself. One thing I won't loose is myself while raising a family. It makes for a happy parent! We can do it all! My day is even longer tomorrow...........and what doesn't get done tomorrow, will get done the next day. I can count on that!

"I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen" - Frank Wright.

"Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind" - Dodinsky.