Ah Summer time...

For the next couple months our kids our out of school; we all spend a lot more time out side; many of us go on vacation - or just sit on the patio and drink... There's just so much to do in the summer. Please bear this in mind when you log on and wonder why you only have two pages of unread posts instead of ten.

We've thrilled with the response we've had to the Premium Membership switch. With your help we've switched to our fantastic new host (Alpha Red); and we're working on upgrading the shop to open it to other sellers. Thank you all so very much for your support!

If you hadn't noticed when we came back from our down time, we updated many of the policies. Please take a few minutes and re-read them. While we love you all to pieces, we have to remind our members that we do have some strict rules. For the most part, we have no problem with our members following the rules, but once in a while, we hit a snag when someone thinks that because they're a long-standing member or because they post a lot or whatever that they are exempt from the rules... Well, that is not the case. The rules apply to everyone.

Lastly, please remember that Punky Moms is a register Trademark. If you are thinking of using our name for anything, be sure to get our express permission first. And if you see someone else out there infringing upon our trademark, please notify us at once so we can deal with it. We have a good reputation and don't need imitations ruining it.

Once again, thanks for your continued support of Punky Moms and enjoy your summer!

Smooches,
Winter, Sarah and Jenn

Dear Douchy Dan,

My daughter's pre-school/day care is always giving the children candy. I really have a problem with this - why do 3 and 4 year olds need to be pumped full of sugar each week? Why can't they give the kids stickers or silly cheap toys or fruit or carrots? I mentioned this to her teacher and I was given the brush off. I don't allow my kid to have that much sugar, but I can't stand over her shoulder in school either... What the crap should I do?

Sincerely,
Tired of my kid bouncing off the walls in a sugar induced high


Dear TOMKBOTWIASIH,

That's very frustrating that the teacher just gave you the brush off when you tried to discuss this matter. I think the next option is to go to the manager of the day care. Tell them your concerns and great ideas. But I'm sure this won't work. Only a douchy manager would hire a douchy teacher who doesn't listen to parents concerns. So you'll have to take the matter into your own hands. Each day give your child a sticker, cheap little toy, whatever. Tell her at the end of the day when everyone else gets candy that she can then put on her sticker or play with her toy. You can also tell her that when you get home you can fix her a special healthy snack. It would be good to bring extra stickers and toys to kids who would decline the candy and subsequent dental work for a fun sticker or little toy. If you're able to do this, your child won't be pumped with sugar and she'll learn responsibility and leadership. Good luck!

Your Douchiness,
Douchy Dan

If you have a question for Douchy Dan please PM danimal921 with the subject line "Dear Douchy"

The summer reading list we found covers:

K-1 Fiction for Beginning Readers
K-l Fiction Picture Books
Grades 2/3 Fiction
Grades 2/3 Fiction: Picture Books
Grades 4/5 Fiction
Poetry
Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends and Mythology
Biography and Autobiography
Non-Fiction: Information
Books for Families to Read Aloud

and you can find it here! For more extensive lists as well as activites, please see this site:
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/learnresource/readmotivation.htm

Do you remember when a hand written letter was appreciated? When you took the time to write a letter to your loved ones in your best penmanship? Do you even remember what penmanship is? We may have thrown away those old ways (Thank you oh mighty and powerful internet!!!) but our children will be raised in an almost letter-less world. Get them writing this summer with a PunkyKid Penpal (or two, or three....). Lets all try to disconnect our kids from the boob tube, video games and ipods for a bit and get them writing!

Please note that the PunkyKids Penpals section of the board is for Premium Members only.