Posts by Richard Fowler13

I have to say, I haven't come across any descriptions or interpretations quite like that in any of the books I've read.
Perhaps you could provide a direct quote so we can actually look at what you're talking about.

As for me, my experiences with religious studies have been positive—at least up to this point.

I can't exactly provide direct quotes because we already turned all the books back into the school library.
Though, honestly, I don't think a verbatim quote is even necessary here; what actually matters is the core substance of what the teacher is imparting—the actual topics being discussed in the classroom.
And, naturally, those lessons are always going to be intertwined with whatever perspectives and values are being reinforced at home.
But let’s be clear: that reality applies equally to the students attending religious education classes and those who aren't.

Matthew Kim88 said:We should be teaching kids to respect differences and other people's faiths, rather than labeling everyone with a different opinion as a pathology.

Well put—concise and straight to the point.

Jason Ortiz5 said:So, does that mean religious education classes should also teach respect for everyone, including atheists?

Because right now, it feels like they're being taught that non-believers are worse than the devil itself, and it almost encourages the kids in those classes to go out and pick on anyone who doesn't join in.

In reality, that is precisely what they are supposed to be teaching, though unfortunately, there is always going to be a Sunday school teacher who fails at their job, much like there are teachers in any other subject; the problem is that we rarely hear about the ones doing an excellent job, whether it's a religious instructor, a high school teacher, or even a principal...

It’s actually quite nice to see some familiar names popping up here; it feels like we all grew up in the same neighborhood🎉

My son is set to start school, and I’ll admit, I spent a fair amount of time debating whether we should hold off another year. He isn't exactly the most mature kid just yet, though I have to say, when he finds something that truly captures his interest—whether it's a specific cartoon or some video game—his level of focus is surprisingly intense🤦

The neighbors and family members keep telling me how great he is, which is lovely, of course, but we’re waiting to see what the pediatrician says at his checkup and how he handles the initial assessments at school,
Honestly, it would be much easier on us if he just stayed home a bit longer, but I suppose we’ll just face the music next year too

amberskipper3 said:And why shouldn't she have shared it?
She didn't reach out to him privately; she contacted him in his capacity as a public school employee.
Besides, the guy is unrefined and frankly doesn't know how to carry himself. I wouldn't want someone like that teaching my kid.
I guess we just have different standards.
The absolute highlight of this whole mess? The guy is heading toward retirement.

I have to disagree with you, and frankly, given the legal framework we live under, I suspect a court wouldn't side with you either; she could have relayed what he said, provided she omitted his specific identity.

I don't quite follow the comment about him retiring—is that supposed to be a bad thing? The man has decades of experience, most parents are satisfied, and his professional references are stellar.

I'm not going to get bogged down in the specifics of how religious education is organized in our public schools, because the system is what it is. Schools are doing their best to balance things within the current constraints. Unless the federal regulations change, we aren't going to see any fundamental shift in how things work.

As for this mother, I won't dwell on her too much, but she strikes me as one of those high-maintenance, exhausting types of parents...

Sent from mTalk

That teacher is truly top-tier, honestly one of the best out there, and he does an incredible job getting the kids ready for middle school.

It’s pretty common for parents to go back to him for their older kids too if they had a good experience the first time—and frankly, that’s all the endorsement you need!

He has this very distinct way of dealing with parents; he basically doesn't give them much room to second-guess his methods, which is exactly why people react the way they do.

As for that woman who went and posted their private messages along with his personal info for everyone to see without his consent—not to mention the local news picking it up—everyone involved violated privacy laws, and that is precisely why a lawsuit is on the table.

Sent from mTalk

Allow me to jump in here....

I’m seriously contemplating a divorce and sending my husband off to some distant outpost, and honestly, I can't help but wonder why on earth I ever said "I do" in the first place, let alone why I've spent the last ten years working right alongside him.🙂🙂🙂

For two days straight now, I have been practically begging him to just ride along with me to the hospital for an appointment—just so he could see where the clinic is, locate the maternity ward, get his bearings—but no, apparently that’s too much of an ordeal because he’s "exhausted."

Yet, funny enough, he had plenty of energy yesterday to sit around for three hours grabbing beers and burgers with a buddy, and then today he managed to squeeze in some quality time with his brother, all while I was left scrambling to make it to my check-up on time.... I suppose it just goes to show that a man always knows exactly what his priorities are.

Taylor Swift just hang in there and keep your eyes on the prize—your baby, your husband, and all that happiness waiting for you on the other side 🙂

As for the whole bladder control situation,
it’s honestly just getting worse by the day; I feel like I’m constantly soaked because no amount of pads seems to do the trick... and honestly, I used to be one of those people who thought you didn't really need them during pregnancy... well, look at me now, leaking everywhere like a broken faucet 😳

Michael Barrett11
I realize he’s your father, but honestly, I wouldn't be reaching out to him anymore if I were in your shoes.🤷
You’ve already laid everything out on the table; if he wants to make an effort, let him come to you, and if not, just accept that for what it is and move on with your life!
If there's actually any interest on his end, the ball is in his court to give you a call and perhaps explain what he's looking for...

Tina
Try listening with one ear in and the other out!
If that’s just how he operates, he’s never going to change or actually grasp what’s happening.

Given his little existential crisis about how much time is left before the wedding, I would have honestly asked him if he needs a white gown, full makeup, and a blowout too—maybe he’s pregnant and that’s why he’s feeling so overwhelmed... a little sarcasm and dark humor is usually my go-to when dealing with nonsense like this!

It isn't your fault; if this is simply who he is, you've probably just grown accustomed to it by now, so don't take him seriously. Just focus on taking care of yourself and the baby, and make sure you look absolutely stunning at the ceremony while ignoring him entirely!
Good luck!

Pure aggravation......

So, here was my mother-in-law’s birthday dinner yesterday:

My husband and I went over to her place, and we were joined by her longtime family friends—people who, frankly, are quite exhausting because they just love to pry into everything. I only see them maybe once a year, but hey, they’re getting older, so I endure it...
Right as I walked through the door, they hit me with: "So, how much weight did you put on during your pregnancy???"🙄😲
Now, look, I’m not particularly shy, and I didn't gain an excessive amount of weight, but why on earth would you ask that while you're still taking off your coats? A simple "how are you?" or "how is the baby?" or "how has the pregnancy been?" would have sufficed...
Me: "That’s private, I’d rather not say." There was this awkward, heavy silence for a moment... then the conversation just shuffled along...
About half an hour later, their daughter—who's about 50—shows up, and before she even sits down at the table, she pipes up: "And how much weight did you gain during the pregnancy???"🙄🙄 (And I only see her once every couple of years).
Then everyone starts chiming in: "Don't ask her that!" "That's a forbidden question!" I jump in and add, "It's incredibly rude..." but she didn't back down one bit. She goes, "Oh, come on, it's not a secret! My sister gained this much with her first, and this much with her second..."
Sure, but I actually told my own sister those details (though she never even bothered asking me), whereas you two aren't exactly on that level of intimacy, if you think about it; besides, it's just plain disrespectful to broadcast someone else's personal business in a group setting without their consent...🙄

Then comes the next remark from this woman: "Well, I thought you were going to give birth today!!"
😲 😲
I was just standing there, utterly stunned and confused: "Why would you think that??"
Apparently, since it's your mother-in-law's birthday, it would have been "convenient"...
Me: "No, it wouldn't, because my due date isn't until the end of the month. If the baby came now, it would be way too early..."🙄

And so it goes... a lovely little evening... and honestly, the mother-in-law and father-in-law weren't even the ones at fault...

So, about the belly,
as far as I’m concerned, nobody even dares to get within a mile of it now.😳

To give you some context, back when I was ten weeks along, I absolutely lost it on my mother-in-law because she just wouldn't stop hovering over my stomach—and by hovering, I mean constantly trying to rub and stroke it 😲 . There were plenty of other little grievances bubbling under the surface, but this particular incident was simply the final straw; I had to firmly point out that the baby is currently nothing more than the size of a tiny pea, so what she was actually doing was just poking at my midsection fat.

Since that little outburst, things have been peaceful, and I can guarantee that no one approaches my stomach without explicit permission from me first.

On a different note, I’m feeling incredibly restless regarding my nursery furniture. I’ve been waiting on the crib, and while the contractor promised it would be finished by the end of the month, I’m really holding out hope that it might arrive before Christmas, just so I actually have enough time to get everything organized...

I’ve been feeling incredibly agitated because my half-sister had the audacity to insist we grab coffee in the smoking section of some local pub.😲

And then, as if she weren't being difficult enough, she starts lecturing me on how much easier it is for non-smokers to endure a smoke-filled room than it is for smokers to refrain from lighting up in a non-smoking area.😳
But here is the thing: I don't smoke, and more importantly, I am seven months pregnant.🙄

So, I finally just laid it out for her straight—I told her quite bluntly that I have absolutely no intention of stepping foot in that part of the bar, period. If we want to sit together, we are either sitting in the non-smoking section or we are sitting outside. No compromise there.

Thankfully, the weather was actually decent and sunny while we were out there! I honestly can't imagine what's going to happen once the temperatures start dropping; at this rate, we probably won't even see each other again.🤷

Elizabeth Bishop49, you need to get yourself to an osteopath—maybe try one of those high-end clinics in downtown Chicago—or find a solid chiropractor immediately!
I’ve dealt with absolutely brutal spinal issues myself, specifically down in the lower back, and let me tell you, there isn't a single pill, injection, or cream on the market that is actually going to fix the root of it.
Even now, while I'm pregnant, I'm still seeing my osteopath to get my spine aligned; though, if I'm being honest, the massive hormonal shifts might be making things a little more manageable than usual.
Don't sit around waiting for some doctor to write you a prescription, because that process can drag on for days while you're in pain; just go see a real professional who can actually help you out in just one or two sessions!

There’s an exact gap of six and a half years between the five of us,😉

And let's be honest, investing in a second language starts way back in preschool if you actually want them to master it through college.😲

As for your logic regarding buying a sandwich for one kid but not the other—I genuinely don't even know how to respond to that... I mean, even if you happen to be doing both at the exact same moment, at the end of the month, it all just rolls up into one single bill anyway.

And regarding the whole "time" issue, if you just took a moment to actually engage—asking the kid how their day at school went, what they worked on, if their homework is finished, or just playing with them for a bit... would that really take five times longer?

Oh, I completely neglected to mention the day-to-day living expenses🙄

We were going through about two or three loaves of bread and roughly four liters of milk every single day🙂
And the deli meat—the cheap stuff, obviously—would only last us maybe two or three days before it was gone...
I won't even get started on all the other necessities for kids... sure, you can inherit some clothes, but not everything, and footwear absolutely has to be bought new... then there's books, notebooks, transportation, backpacks... the list goes on and on
If you're looking at a home for a family of seven, you’re going to need significantly more square footage (unless your ultimate life goal is to cram everyone into a tiny 400-square-foot apartment and call it bliss)

So, my advice to anyone thinking about having a massive family is that there is a whole lot of logistical reality to weigh before you decide to go out and have five kids☕

So, you’re sitting here lecturing me about the cost of a Happy Meal? Fine. Go ahead, take your five kids out to McDonald's, buy five of those meals, and tell me that isn't a massive chunk of change right there, $50isn't it?
And don't even get me started on a decent sit-down restaurant...

Or take them to see a movie—just five tickets alone will run you $50, and then you’ve got popcorn, drinks, the whole nine yards...
If you're vacationing at the beach, try buying everyone ice cream every single day, even just one scoop per kid...

Then there's paying for five different language tutors, maybe some sports leagues, music lessons, or heaven knows what else...
What exactly is your plan here? Are you working until 5:00 PM just to be back home by 6:00? When are you actually going to raise them? If you can only manage to give each child half an hour of undivided attention after work—and anyone who actually has kids knows that's a gross understatement—how much time will you truly have for them, specifically for each individual soul?

And where does that leave any time for the parents themselves, or for having a hobby of their own?
It is incredibly easy to make children, but raising them is an entirely different beast; you can't just let them fend for themselves, letting them wander off, doing everything solo, or leaving them out on the street to play just so Dad can catch his breath...
So, before you start philosophizing about the "ideal" number of children, perhaps you should actually consider the sheer amount of effort and time required—not to mention the money (and yes, I mean real money, because nothing is free unless your ultimate goal is living off government subsidies)—to successfully raise five well-adjusted kids who will actually miss you when you're gone...

None of you have actually mentioned how many siblings he has.
There were five of us kids, and honestly, we’re doing alright now; we've become our own support system, gathering for Sunday dinners and showing up for one another whenever life gets heavy...

But my mother—who carried the lion's share of the weight when it came to raising us—didn't exactly have a life of her own. She learned how to do everything just for our sake, subordinating every single desire to the needs of the household; she had to cook for seven, handle the laundry, work, and more... she never even had five minutes to herself. Nowadays, she feels somewhat lost because she spent her entire existence learning how to be needed by others, always placing herself at the very bottom of her own priority list.

Now, some people might argue about what we lacked. We didn't have the latest designer gear or endless piles of books, sure... but they made sure we had music lessons, language classes... we had family scattered across the country that we actually got to visit... all of us ended up graduating college and becoming completely independent.

The truth is, we lived in a different era. Materialism wasn't the driving force it is now; apartments and mortgages weren't the insurmountable obstacles they are today, and it was entirely possible to live on a single income and still build a house. Kids didn't need a closet full of Nike sneakers back then because we didn't even know they existed... though, don't get me wrong, if we wanted something, we wanted it; it just wasn't treated like the end of the world if we didn't have it immediately.🙂
As it stands, I'm living in a small apartment, and even with two average salaries, we can barely make it through the month. Don't even get me started on saving for a larger home; we can't afford to travel, maybe a week at the beach if we plan months in advance... I would love nothing more than to have a whole brood of children, but under these current conditions, I'll be lucky if I can manage two.🤷

So, before anyone starts philosophizing about having five children who will supposedly mourn you at your funeral—which, frankly, is a rather selfish motivation for bringing life into this world—just consider that nowadays, you have to invest more than ever into your children, their health, and their education... and that kind of money doesn't just fall from the sky.