Posted by: Why not take tomorrow off too Can we just take tomorrow off too? Why go one day this week?

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Posted by: i just have to say I don't want to be critical of the school system since they hired me, but why in the world are Putnam, Kanawha, Cabell, etc. so unprepared when it comes to snow? The main roads are basically clear. The side roads are covered. Growing up, we went to school if it only snowed a few inches. The bus drivers put there chains on and away we went. No one wrecked the whole time we were there. Now there are those of you who are saying why complain if you dont have to work? Well cause I would rather go now than miss spring break. Anyway the highway departments should consider using something beside salt. Other places actually throw traction enabling rocks on the road. Strange huh. oh and why use salt when the temps are less than 18 degrees. Obviously it is only gonna make it worse.

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Posted by: the same ole me Wow!!! I guess my hope for a new year's resolution worked. I had stated that I would like to see readers on here resolve their mean streaks. It's nice to see that Amy & just curious resolved an issue between them. Thats great, maybe now other readers will not be so quick to judge each others comments, or even the story they are reading. Remember people, there is always two sides to every story. Just because you have one way of doing something, doesn't mean it's the only way.

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Posted by: Amy To just curious: I understand how you feel. My parents and my sister always tell me I am too hard on my son. On the other hand, my sister's children have complete run of her house. I've tried to tell her she isn't doing her children any favors by giving them everything they want but she hasn't taken my advice. To each his own, I guess. Well, good luck to you and yours and may yur new year be filled with love and joy.

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Posted by: Just curious Amy, thank you for your kind words. God is a big factor in our lives. I love my children with all that I am and would do anything for them. Sometimes though I feel that I may expect too much from them because I watch other kids whose parents may not always focus on them and I refuse to let me children down. I expect them to behave and succeed in life. I wish you all the luck and happiness for you and your family. May God bless you with all his graces. You are a loving mom. I want you to know that I appreciate what you have said. May everyone learn from this conversation. I did.

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Posted by: Amy To just curious: I just want to say that I severely misjudged you. You do sound like a wonderful and loving parent. I wish there were more like you in the world. Too many parents lash out on their children in anger, frustration, and impatience. I hope others will read your last post and learn something from it. I do not know if you are a religious person, but may God bless you and your family.

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Posted by: Donna I just thought I'd say you all do a great job on keeping everyone informed. Todd and Josh did a nice job forecasting this snow. I only watch WSAZ. Happy New Year!

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Posted by: To Amy I also just want to add that as a teacher, I know that other forms of discipline can work, whatever the form the main thing is consistency.We have four boys and each have a different punishment.For one, all we have to do is take the tv.For one, he loses the right to ride the fourwheeler with Daddy to feed the animals.For the littlest, he has to sit in his bed.For the oldest, he loses the right to the xbox. The only spankings they have earned have been for behaviors that could cause harm to themselves or others.I don't leave them without the explanation as to why they received their spanking.I honestly can't tell you the last time any of them needed a spanking.There is always something that works.Spanking is so much different than beating.I just hope that like you, parents remember to love their children and maintain safety for their child.I commend you in your choice and that it works.I never feared my parents only consequences.The thought of doing something wrong has always scared me.

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Posted by: To amy Yes,unfortunately we were.My brother is now a federal officer and I am a teacher. Growing up,we couldn't understand why we had such strict and demanding parents.We also couldn't understand why all the other kids were allowed to play while we completed every possible chore known to man.Our parents spanked us when we truly deserved it.It worked for us.They could talk to us until they were blue in the face and we would turn around and behave the same exact way.My dad's spankings were the behavior changers.I thought that it was the fact he was upset with me that did it.I never wanted to let him down.Looking back I realize that had it not been for his "iron" hand, letting him down wouldn't have meant so much.He never spanked us out of anger.He spanked us out of love.There were approximately 8 other kids in our small community who were our ages.Some finished high school and some didn't. None finished college and most are addicted to everything imaginable.I wish their parents had cared.

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Posted by: Amy To just curious: It's not about who won the fight. It's about teaching the child that there are consequences to their actions. No, I didn't get to buy what was needed, but he also didn't get to buy what was WANTED. Spanking lasts about three seconds. He has to EARN back his priviledges. If people choose to spank their children, that is entirely their decision. I choose not too. I do not want my child to learn to "fear" me. Instead, I want him to know that I love him and that he is protected by me and that I would never cause him physical harm. My child is very well behaved without spankings. Sure, he has him moments. He is, after all, only six years old. One question though. Were you and your sibling really the ONLY TWO in your ENTIRE community to graduate college and not get hooked on drugs?

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Posted by: unknown I agree with some below on different things... i myself was spanked when i was a child for no reason what so ever...i remember one time i said the word kiss.. and spanked with a switch.....its not fun being spanked... i belive in some cases its okay.. But not with a switch or a belt or anything.. that is just plan wrong.. and it teaches them nothing.. besides that they think you dont love them and your beating them or something... Yes kids are way out of control.. i mean i have a daughter and im a kid my self.... im only 18 and my daughter just turned 1.... But she is a handful... I love her to death i dont know what i would do without her... but some parents take consideration from love and being scared... and other do it because they just look at there kid as a mistake or something.... they dont teach there kid from right from wrong.. they just yell at them could care less.... go do there drugs or whatever they do... and some parents yell at there kids out of love.... so it depends

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Posted by: peasant Yep the courts are gettin through. It seems to be people are siding with the government and not spanking. But chances are the same people who are posting fairytale solutions are guilty of what they are writing against.

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Posted by: Brian I just returned home from a family vacation to Walt Disney World. I was in shock hearing some of the conversations that parents were having with their children. One evening I watched a girl about 10 years old scream at her mother "I hate you" over and over, just because the mother would not buy her a set of mouse ears and the father just stood their and did nothing while the mother was in tears. This was an every day occurance throughout the week, kids wanting something, then screaming because they did not get it. If my sisters or myself would have acted that way toward any adult, when we were growing up, we knew we were in deep trouble just by the way the adult looked at us. We were taught to respect others and that is something that is missing in most children today. They want everything and they want it now.

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Posted by: Be the Boss I too was spanked as a child, & believe it should be used when needed. However, my daughter is my foster child, therefor, I am not permitted to spank her. If I could, she would have gotten one. I have to use other means of discipline. That is why I chose to leave the store with her. It is much better to leave with a crying child, then to stay with a crying child. Why should I subject other shoppers to my child's temper tantrum? Why should I allow her to ruin someone else's shopping time? If she can't behave, then she doesn't get to participate in the activity chosen. That is what I am allowed to do as a foster parent.

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Posted by: just curious Who won the fit if you go home and didn't buy what you needed? Most kids don't care if they leave and from experience of trying the leaving thing, the only thing that was a success was me saving money. to those of you who think spanking is so horrible, I for one can tell you that I have only administered a few. Don't have to do it anymore, it worked the first time. It worked for me as I grew up. My brother and I both were spanked and the only two in our small community that were so lucky. We learned respect, fear, consequences, etc. Just so you know we also were the only two to graduate from college and who do not use drugs. I will taken the spankings any day over the lets be friends approach. A parent should be a parent not their kids friend. You have to teach them to do the right things and that there are consequences for bad things. I for one don't understand how we help our kids by turning them into self indulged, demanding brats.

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Posted by: Amy To sc: I only have one child, but as a single mom going to school full time and holding down a job I too am very busy. However, we have to find the time to teach our children what is appropriate and what is not. Yes, spanking your child does send them a message. A message that violence is the way to deal with a problem. My child does not rule me and I do not rule him. I teach him to respect himself, me, and people around him. When he is misbehaving, he loses priviledges. He doesn't get a swat on the behind that he will just forget about in twenty minutes.

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Posted by: Anonymous to did you ever think...I thank you. Teachers have their hands full. When you have that many children, its hard to keep track of all of them I agree. Especially when one runs back out the door. You prob saved that childs life. But when you have one child and that child is 3, yelling will accomplish nothing. I would just be thankful my baby was ok. I would be mad at myself for not protecting her. I have 3 kids and I do what Amy does. If they act up, I take them home and go by myself. (I leave them with daddy) And oh my I have yelled...especially when they act up. But I still think its terrible to yell at a baby after the fact. She should have been told before. I also realize that kids can move very fast...Im just glad that the baby was returned unharmed back to the arms of her mommy.

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Posted by: sc... "Spam Walton", you are such a self-centered jerk!! You set on your -high horse- thinking you are so much better than everyone!! I hope this new year people give you as much criticism as you give others!! Karma, is sometimes, such a wonderful thing!! Think before you judge! AMY::I have three small children-ages 3,4,and 5... my husband are very busy!(2full time jobs, school, sports) When we go to the store, we do not have "time" to "leave" the store and return later! This may work great for YOU, however, lets not give advice to others you know nothing about! When my kids act out I spank them! That seems to do the trick. I do not care if we are in the middle of Wal-Mart. This sends them the message-I have to behave or I am going to be in trouble! That is what is wrong with the world today... kids rule their parents! I am the parent and my kids know that! I am not leaving the store because my kids are being monsters... guess others like you will just have to get over it!

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Posted by: Be the Boss I also agree with Spam Walton, & Amy. I recently had to carry my 6 yr old girl out of a store. We were there to purchase gifts for others, & she knew the rules b-4 we got there. We talked about them. However, kids will try to do their own thing. She kept wanting to play, & look at toys for herself, instead of staying with me. I told her once to stay with me, or we would leave. Well, as I have already stated, I had to carry her out. She refused to walk out with me. She kept sitting in the floor, saying I wanna stay. I picked her up, & out we went. If a parent allows a child to "do their own thing", then the child has become the boss, & will not ever learn. Yes, when good behavior is done, then allow the child to look for themselves. Yet, when they try to get the upper hand, we parents need to already be one step ahead of them.

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Posted by: did you ever think Have you ever stood at a door of entry while a bus load of kids came through the door only to realize you were looking the wrong direction?I have.I was making sure all the kids from the bus came in safely only to discover that a child sneaked back through on the opposite side.I didn't see him until he was about 10 feet away.I immediately ran after, shouting his name. The only reason the bus driver,who by the way had already started moving,stopped was because he saw me not the little boy.All the mom could do was hug him.I gave him the lecture.I was scared out of my mind.I later realized that I had a bruise on my leg from hitting the front of the bus.Do you think anyone cared?Not one person said thanks.That little boy knew what he was doing and yes I raised my voice with him. Why,because I was scared and deal with my emotions diferently than others might. When you are scared you act differently No matter how closely you watch kids, anything can happen.I have four boys.It is tough.

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Posted by: Amy I totally agree with Spam Walton. At Walmart, or any other local store for that matter, you will see parents yelling at their children for something they have done wrong while the parents weren't paying attention. My suggestion is this. If your child is acting up, don't stand there and engage in an argument with them. Leave your cart where it sits, take your child and leave the establishment. This lets your child know that this behavior is not acceptable. The next time you take your child to the store (or any where else) let them know before hand that if they cannot behave appropriately, then the outing will be cut short again. I do this with my child and it works great. I've only had to leave early twice. Each time we have gone home and discussed the inappropriate behavior. Children need to be taught and supervised constantly.

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Posted by: Chuck Derwin Just wondering - I was watching "The 2007 Worlds Strongest Man" contest Wednesday night and saw our Gov'nr was there watching Phil Phister. Was that another business trip paid for by tax dollars? Just wondering.

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Posted by: Anonymous She was 3 years old. She should have been in a buggy or her hand should have been held. It is the parents responsibilty to take care of them and teach them. YOu dont YELL at a 3 year old...you direct them. The parents are to be held responsible for that. Most 3 year old cant make decisions on their own. Unlike yours astonished....Some dont talk until well after they are 3. If my kids would have taken a candybar, I would have done the same thing you did by making them take it back. But to yell at a baby that didnt know what they did was wrong is terrible. She needed to be sat down and told not to run away from them. Im sure she wont do it again, not because he yelled at her, but because as a 3 year old she was scared because her mommy and daddy were not there to protect her.

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Posted by: Astonished I just read with disgust the critique of the person who was so disappointed that the parents were yelling at the child. What is your suggestion?Oh sweetie will you please stay where I can see you?come on quit setting society up for failure because our kids aren't expected to take responsiblity.I teach my kids to be responsible for their actions just as I was taught to do.I have watched too many people sit back and say they can't discipline their children because it will hurt their feelings.At the age of two my little boy had some how managed to get a candbar when I was checking out.I took him back in, he gave it back and apologized. He hasn't touched anything since.Oh,yeah he could talk and understand just fine. He like my other three could speak in complete sentences by the time they were 18 months old.Yes we work with them all of the time.We don't treat them as if they were mistakes.We cherish every minute with them.Children need to understand there are consequenes for bad behavior

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Posted by: Spam Walton Anytime you want to study poor family structure, just visit your local Wal-Mart, and you will be subjected to negligent, verbally-abusive, and grossly unintelligent parents. Crying children will be screamed at for not knowing how to act, spoiled brats will be criticized and compared to those around them that have been taught otherwise, and small toddlers will wander the store looking to reunite with their lost parents who will eventually inappropriately scold them for not keeping up. Luckily, I just read that WV's population has increased again this year. Thank God. Watch for falling standards.

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Posted by: ROB HEY WVU BRING THE DOC IN WE NEED BROKEN HEARTS FIXED WHO ELSE IS BETTER THAN THE DOC