sandi

I'm an overworked/underpaid PhD student. I put in on average 50-60 hours a week. At least I get paid to be a student.

I've got tofu marinating to bake tomorrow. Yum! Okay, I guess it doesn't sound good to most people, but I'm looking forward to it.

I think personal statements probably vary depending on what field you are in. I can only speak for psychology Ph.D. programs which are very competitive to get into and the personal statement is important. A mediocre statement will land you in the reject pile quickly. A few things to keep in mind: 1.It’s called a personal statement but it’s actually a professional statement, don’t make it overly personal. 2. For psychology programs it’s a research statement and that’s probably the case for most Ph.D. programs since that’s what you’ll be doing there. I know my program looks to match applicants’ research interests with a faculty member who does research in that area or at least a closely related area. If there is no one to match an applicant with then again, off to the reject pile. Spend some time on the department website and read the faculty research areas. You don’t what to end up somewhere doing research you have no interest in, believe me you’ll be spending countless hours on it. 3. Most applicants will have similar credentials as far as GPA and GRE, your personal statement is the place to set yourself apart and tell them why you are a good fit with their program and department. I think the more competitive the program, the more important the personal statement becomes. 4. Have a faculty member read it before you send it out. They can point out potential problems or places to elaborate. Those are my personal statement tips. May or may not be useful to you. Good luck!!

Actually the one you refer to Quade is Grady L McMurty. The creationist is Grady S. McMurty. His bio on Creation Worldview Ministries gives his education as B S, University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture M S, State University of New York, College of Environmental Science D D, School of Theology, Columbus, Georgia He doesn't appear to have any scientific training, his doctorate is in Theology, not science. The Grady L McMurty that went to Berkeley may have been his father, apparently being a nutcase runs in the family.

I agree, planning is very important for parents, particulary for single parents and she didn't have a good plan. But the situation in that moment was that she was scheduled to be deployed (after having informed her superior of the situation) and had no one to care for her child. Better planning and correct information from her superior could have avoided the situation entirely.

What I got out of my reading is that she had a Family Care Plan. When it got close to deployment time her mom decided she couldn't handle the additional responsibility. With deployment drawing near and her plan gone she discussed the situation with a superior who told her to put her child in foster care. Obviously not an option. It appears that is not the military's policy (at least I hope they do not force people to abandon their children) but I don't find it too hard to believe that a superior would have said that to her. It sounds like she tried to take the necessary steps and was left with the possibility of losing her child. She made the decision to take care of her child. As far a personal responsibility goes (previous posters). Once you become a parent, your first responsibility is to your child. Living up to your responsibility for your child is personal responsibility.

I like this statement better. From http://www.reasonproject.org/about/ The Reason Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation devoted to spreading scientific knowledge and secular values in society. Drawing on the talents of the most prominent and creative thinkers across a wide range of disciplines, The Reason Project seeks to encourage critical thinking and wise public policy through a variety of interrelated projects. The foundation will convene conferences, produce films, sponsor scientific studies and opinion polls, publish original research, award grants to other charitable organizations, and offer material support to religious dissidents and public intellectuals — all with the purpose of eroding the influence of dogmatism, superstition, and bigotry in our world. While the foundation is devoted to fostering critical thinking generally, we believe that religious ideas require a special focus. Both science and the arts are built upon cultures of vigorous self-criticism; religious discourse is not. As a result, religious dogmatism still reigns unchallenged in almost every society on earth—dividing humanity from itself, inflaming conflict, preventing wise public policy, and diverting scarce resources. One of the primary goals of The Reason Project is to change this increasingly unhealthy status quo.

I'm going to be in Denver for a few days in early April. I've never been to Denver, so I'm excited to go someplace new. What is the weather like in April? Will I be able to jump or should I just plan on checking out the wind tunnel? Any suggestions for other stuff to do or good restaurants? I'll be there for a conference, but I should have time for some fun too.

I agree that fathers play an important role in a child's life. I don't think fathers are insignificant at all. I wish my daughter had a dad, I've done my best to provide her with everything, but that is the one thing I can't give her. There are many great dad's out there and I do get your point that sometimes the dad gets pushed out through no fault of his own. Unfortunately, sometimes the dad is not so great or doesn't want to be a dad. Sometimes the woman has to go it alone. My point is that it is entirely possible to raise a happy, healthy, responsible child in a single-parent home. That goes for single moms and single dads. It's hard not to get a little defensive when I read things about single moms being the downfall of our society after I've taken on all of the parenting responsibility and worked really hard to create a good life for myself and my daughter. Good parents are good parents regardless of marital status. There are good and bad parents in both the single and married categories.

Since I am pretty familiar with research in this area, I’ll contribute my .02. Negative outcomes in children generally arise from multiple negative factors in the child’s life, not just one. Problems that are correlated with single parenthood are not simply due to a child growing up with one parent. Single parenthood is often associated with other negative factors such as low education, low wages, poor quality childcare, poverty, poor nutrition, lack of medical care, and as nerdgirl pointed out lead exposure (particularly in urban neighborhoods). One negative factor does not usually result in problematic outcomes. It is when there are several that things go bad. Yes, many single moms do experience some or all of these issues, but they can also be present in two-parent homes. If you have an actual study indicating that single parenthood causes children to become criminals I would love to see it.

Exactly, it is the quality of the parents not the quantity. Two bad parents are not better than one good one good parent. Of course, it would be great if all children had two wonderful parents, but that is not always the case.

You know, not all single moms are uneducated losers. I hate the term single mom because of its negative connotations. I’m single and I have always supported my daughter by myself, I’ve never received (nor have I asked for) child support. I’ve worked very hard to build a good life for us and to balance being a good mom while also establishing my career. I’m working on my doctorate in psychology and my daughter goes to a fantastic preschool on campus. I worked hard and studied so I could to get into a top program in my field that funds me for the duration of my PhD program. So now I get paid to go to school and do research (not that grad students get paid much, but it’s enough for us to live off until I graduate). Fortunately, I am able to do a lot of my work at home at night after my daughter goes to bed. So she doesn’t even know that mommy is up all night writing, she just knows that she gets to play with mommy after school every day. As far as male role models go, they don’t necessarily have to be the child’s father (and I’m sure there are many cases where he may not be the best role model). My daughter is surrounded by people who love her; she has family and friends who are excellent role models. And I like to think that I’m a good role model for her. She will grow up knowing the value of hard work and education I may be ranting a bit, but it just annoys me that people seem to think that just because a woman isn’t married, she isn’t capable of raising a child on her own. I realize that I may be an exception, but I think there are many women out there working hard to give their children a good life.

I had the same problem with my four year-old. She has gymnastics at 5:30pm one night a week. She's on a pretty similar eating schedule to your child. I started giving her a snack right before we go to gymnastics, usually string cheese or a granola bar or something. Her energy level has been much better.

Athiests are starting to organize. In addition to the FFRF, there is also The Reason Project. http://www.reasonproject.org/index_ee.php/about/ Founded by Sam Harris (author of End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation).

In Indiana we have to show ID. When I went to vote today they wouldn't take my Illinois driver's license as my identification, they said the ID had to be issued by the state in which you are voting. However, a student ID was okay. I think it's a little strange that my valid Illinois DL was not an acceptable form of identification for voting, but my IU student ID card was fine.

Okay, begin rant. I’m a single mom and I find it incredibly irritating that anyone would suggest that someone who is not married is incapable of being a good parent. There are plenty of bad parents out there who are married. I have a four year old and I have considered adopting since I would love to have more children and I don’t anticipate ever getting married again. I just can’t imagine going to an adoption agency and saying I have a happy, healthy, amazing little girl whom I have loved, cared for, and supported by myself since she was born. I also have (or will have by the time I would be adopting) a PhD in developmental psychology, so expertise in child development, also stable job, home in nice neighborhood, etc. I can’t fathom them telling me none of that matters, the only consideration is that I’m not married. Single does not equal loser or imply bad parenting skills. What kids need is a loving, stable home. It doesn’t matter if that home has a mom and a dad, two moms, two dads, only a mom, only a dad, or parents who simply chose to live together and not marry. Legal marriage is a piece of paper not a qualification to be a good parent. I don’t think marital status or sexual orientation should matter if someone is willing to provide a good home to a child who needs one. I’m amazed at the level of ignorance in this country. End rant

Anyone know if the teacher was arrested? The article just mentions the "firing process" and a lawsuit from the family. I would think that intentionally burning a child would constitute a criminal act (assault, child abuse). If it were my child I would want him to spend time in jail.

Do you have statistics more recent than 26 years ago? I bet those numbers are different now. By the way, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not support spanking. They encourage other forms of discipline.

I never said kids should be allowed to do whatever they want. In a previous post I stated that I do not think kids should be given free reign in decision making. Sitting in your bedroom, playing video games, and stuffing your face full of oreos wouldn't be among the choices in my house. As I said, I'm in favor of spending quality family time together. The weekends are usually the only days that the whole family is together. People should find an activity that they enjoy doing together. If that is going to church then that's fine. I'm not in favor of preventing anyone from hearing anything. I don't personally go to church, but I have no problem at all with people attending whatever church they choose to. As I stated earlier, parents make that decision and they do what they think is best for their own families.

Sorry, I was being sarcastic. I don't believe in heaven (or hell). Given the options you presented, I would much rather see a child having some quality family time at the beach (or a museum, or a park, or at home).

Being healthy and physically fit may prevent those conditions and improve quality of life, but it doesn't get you into heaven/paradise/desired afterlife.

I completely agree with you that children shouldn't be given free reign to make their own decisions. I also agree that, unfortunately, many parents do. A decision regarding attending church is up to the adults. My point is that parents pass on their beliefs and values to their children. Parents may choose to take their kids to church, temple, or wherever, every week or twice a year or not at all. That is not related to good or bad parenting. To the OP, the decision about whether to take your children to church is something that should be decided and agreed upon by the parents. There isn't a right or wrong answer, decide what you both can support and do what works for your family.

How does not taking your children to church equal laissez faire parenting? Does taking your children to any church, temple, etc make you a good parent, or is there a specific religion associated with good parenting? How is any of this related to church attendance? Are you saying childhood obesity and illiteracy are the result of not going to church? Do you know that the kids in your examples have never been to church?

Nope, claimed by me.

You can check the status of your stimulus check online: http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=181665,00.htm It said that I have no qualifying children. I guess my 4 year old doesn't count.