Here’s a great link for information on this subject:
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
Foster Kids on Mind-altering Drugs?
{Update: the last link is no longer working, you can do an internet search for this topic and find many sources}
(President Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov. 1997, 7)
It is with great pleasure that I tell you that the Direct-Entry Midwife Act has moved forward to the 2005 session as a committee bill. Since the bill has strong approval from the interim committee, it will skip some steps during the session, namely the committee presentations (adapted from an e-mail by Holly Richardson, CPM).
I’m so excited at the prospect of my midwife being legal soon. I haven’t been one of those moms who feel they can’t ask their midwife to assist them at home because of legal issues, but I’m still not totally comfortable with putting her in that position. Passing the bill this year may not effect me (we’ll be moving out of Utah) I still love my midwife and want her to be able to practice legally.
I’m so grateful to all (midwives, doulas, child educators, homebirthers, mothers, fathers, etc…) who have worked so hard to get the bill this far. I haven’t helped nearly as much as I should have, but I’ve enjoyed learning more about the bill and how legislation works. Also, thanks to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee who made efforts to understand the issue and support it.
Here’s the link if you would like to read the Direct-Entry Midwife Act. For those that would like to, I encourage you to thank those committee members who supported the bill:
Sen. James M. Evans, Chair
Rep. Mike Thompson, Chair
Rep. Marda Dillree
Rep. Craig A. Frank
Sen. Scott K. Jenkins
Rep. Patricia W. Jones
Sen. Paula F. Julander
Sen. Sheldon L. Killpack
Rep. David Litvack
Rep. Rebecca D. Lockhart
Rep. Steven R. Mascaro
Rep. Darin G. Peterson
Rep. Aaron Tilton
Rep. Judy Ann Buffmire
Rep. Mark Walker
Utah House of Representatives – Look up contact info for UT Reps.
Utah State Senate – Look up contact info for UT Senators.
I had my 21 week appointment with my midwife today. It was so nice to hear the heartbeat again. I’ve been feeling more movement lately. After not hearing the heartbeat until 17 weeks, the movement is such a relief!
My blood pressure is normal 125/70, and I’m measuring large, 29cm. She checked for more than one heartbeat (because of my measurements), but she only found one. She didn’t suggest an ultrasound but said to let her know if I chose to do one. David would love an ultrasound. I’m not concerned and don’t want to be tempted to find out the gender. I want a surprise this time! I want David (if he wants) to announce if it’s a boy or a girl. We haven’t discussed it a lot, but we need to. I haven’t discussed the birth much with him either. Maybe I’ll start blogging my birth plan. It may just jumpstart me into discussing it more with him. :)
I’m so grateful to Tamra who has allowed me to borrow her copy of Rachel DeMille’s article: A Thomas Jefferson Education In Our Home: Educating Through the Phases of Learning. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. It reminds me of why I chose to use the TJE model of education. Now I need to reread the Core and Love of Learning article again.
So many times I get caught up in the questions from people about what Ella is learning.
“Is she learning to read?”
“Does she know this?”
“Does she know that?”
I forget that she’ll go at her own pace. Pushing children before they’re ready is one of my reasons for not using the public school system. Why do I keep letting the pressure from others to get to me? I haven’t pushed Ella yet (thank goodness!), but I feel so pressured to conform sometimes. I know that well meaning family and friends just don’t understand what getting a true education really entails, and so they ask only what they know about…is your child learning what other children his/her age are learning? (i.e. forced to learn). Someday, maybe, I’ll be able to put into words (without notes…lol) why I choose what I do, and present it to them.
I’m so grateful for wonderful friends who continually support and help me remember “how” to do Core Phase. I feel like I’m in Core Phase myself sometimes. I’ve been reading A LOT more lately, so I suppose I’m moving to the Love of Learning Phase. I pray for strength to continue moving forwards instead of letting myself slip back again.
So, on to what I need to remember:
The Seven Principles of a Quality Education: Classics, not Textbooks; Mentors, not Professors; Inspire, not Require; Structure Time, not Content; Quality, not Conformity; Simplicity, not Complexity; YOU, not Them.
You, not Them is the one I need to work on the most right now! I’m trying to work on it by reading more. The writing is slow in coming, but hey, I’m working at it! My problem with writing is that I don’t like to share what I write with others. I still feel like I’m in school and at a Junior High writing level. I’ll get over it, but I think that’s why I don’t like to write much. I feel it’s pointless to write if I won’t let anyone else read it. This problem is why I have this blog. I’m trying to get over the fear of what others think. Since I’m such a perfectionist, I feel my writing is never good enough. My blog has helped me learn to get over it and just write anyway.
The Basic Curriculum of the Core Phase, (approx. ages: 0-8 years old): Right and Wrong; Good and Bad; True and False; Relationships; Family Values; Family Routines and Responsibilities; Learning Accountability; The Value and Love of Work.
True and False – We’re doing pretty well at this one. From time to time I see Ella’s mind turning and wanting to tell me something untrue, but she will be truthful to me when I ask her. Veggie Tales has a great film about this one: Larry Boy and the Fib from Outerspace. I use it to remind Ella (she’s such a visual learner) of what happens when we lie. I’m so proud of her when she tells me the truth even though she knows there will be consequences to her actions. It’s so rewarding!
Family Routines and Responsibilities – We need more routines. I’ve struggled to have a morning devotional. Mornings when I just can’t get out of bed from exhaustion make the rest of the day even harder, but having a devotional makes it better. (I’m pregnant for those who don’t know.) Why can’t I get myself together to “just do it?”
The Value and Love of Work – This one is a tough one for Ella who whines about everything. I can’t stand it! Then, Aurora does the same thing…whine, whine, whine. I need to find an approach that will work for Ella. Suggestions??? :)
