Our Blog
OK Poodles, here's where you can tell us your stories, share a good book or resource – anything that helped you get through the day. Like you, we've been in the trenches with our children who learn differently and we know how valuable it has been to share our 'light bulb moments' with each other.
Below are excerpts from your stories; starter topics of your own conversation threads. If you'd like to start a conversation on a topic, please feel free to send it to us from our 'send us your stories' page.
How to Request a One-to-One Paraprofessional for Your Child
by Wayne Steedman, Esq. Reprinted from Wrightslaw. When parents request a “one-to-one” aide or paraprofessional for their child with a disability, they are often frustrated by the school district’s response. Even when the district agrees to their request, parents may be dissatisfied with the results. Parents need to know what they want, how to get [...]
[read more...]Remembering The First Day of School
Heading back to school . . . oh, the memories I have of those painful first days of school. Fast forward to sending my own kids off to their first days of school and I finally realized something. What we want for our children who learn differently is exactly the same thing we want for [...]
[read more...]Your Brain is a Rain Forest
People with conditions like ADHD, dyslexia and mood disorders are routinely labeled “disabled”. But differences among brains are as enriching—and essential—as differences among plants and animals. Welcome to the new field of neurodiversity. Thomas Armstrong | April/May 2010 issue – Ode Magazine Imagine for a moment that our society has been transformed into a culture [...]
[read more...]‘Thank You’ to the Whidbey Island Sketchers!
This is Life’s a Poodle’s first original piece of artwork sketched by Poodle 333 during the 2nd Annual Choochokum/Poodletini Party in Langley, WA on July 10th. Check out the Whidbey Island Sketchers Website and you’ll see some amazing work by some amazing women artists on Whidbey Island. Each month these artists choose a theme to [...]
[read more...]The 2nd Annual Choochokam/Poodletini Party
What a wonderful time we had at our Second Annual Choochokam/Poodletini Party . . . . in Langley, WA this past weekend. Nothing like sunny weather in the Northwest to bring out our poodle supporters from last year and new ones this year. We are always asked, “Poodles and learning differences?” Poodle 2 loves to [...]
[read more...]Poodle Dancing at the Bainbridge Street Fair
The Poodle Gals were back for another fun-filled day at the Bainbridge Island Street Fair. We were amazed at how many of our poodle friends came back to see us. There were quite a few memorable moments . . . like poodleizing this mini-horse! And of course the Conversations . . . the couple visiting [...]
[read more...]Poodletini Support Group in Sammamish
We want to send a great big “Thank you” to Susannah (Poodle 175) for hosting our very first official Life’s a Poodle “Poodletini Party” in Sammamish, WA last month. We met some fabulous women, shared delicious food and had some wonderful heartfelt conversations. Poodletini Parties are the new support group model for parents with children [...]
[read more...]My ‘Ah Ha’ Moment – Teachers Need to Bring About Change
We must have the passion and commitment to renew our faith in the ability to change the institutions we learn in. -Jonathan Mooney I had an ‘Ah Ha’ moment with a friend I have known for years, 25 to be exact. He has been in the educational field his entire career first as an elementary [...]
[read more...]An Amazing Story By An Amazing Mom Who Didn’t Give Up
We first heard this story at the WA State PTA Convention from Elizabeth’s husband. The name of her company is EnviroVogue™ and here’s one of our bags from Elizabeth’s company. This is another good example how learning differences touches so many lives. She’s a parent who refused to take no for an answer and was [...]
[read more...]The Importance of Family, Talking and Listening
Sense of community, sense of family, sense of happiness, making sense of it all. After spending a few weeks away from my home base traveling with my mother it has given me pause. Not knowing for sure if my 85 year old mother could make the trip at all. . . we got on the [...]
[read more...]An A.D.H.D. Student Finds Confidence on the Track
This inspiring article was recommended to us by Poodle 6. It was published June 15, 2009 in the NY Times. By MICHAEL EDWARDS As a child, school for me was like being in Charlie Brown’s classroom. The other kids heard what was going on, and all I would hear was “Waa, waaa waaa, wa wa.” [...]
[read more...]Life’s a Poodle Conversation Card Kit
Child to Parent Questions What are your child’s strengths, what are her passions? When was the last time you had fun? What did you do? Tell me about a person you most admire. Why? What do you love most about your child? What do you wish your child knew about you? Tell me about the [...]
[read more...]My Review of Different Learners By Jane Healy, Ph.D.
When I was asked to promote Jane Healy’s book, Different Learners, I hesitated because one, I hadn’t read it and two, I have never written a book review. But since I am a huge fan of two of her past books (Endangered Minds and Failure to Connect) I was curious to read a book with [...]
[read more...]When You Believe in Miracles
I am a parent of a daughter who is dyslexic and I believe in miracles! Why? Because as I write this my daughter is attending a four year university, passing all of her classes and enjoying the learning process. But it hasn’t always been like this. I must share with you a turning point in [...]
[read more...]Henry Winkler and ‘Hank Zipzer’ on Bainbridge
For our local Puget Sound friends and followers don’t miss Henry Winkler as he reads from his newest book in the Hank Zipzer series, “A Brand New Me” Sunday, May 2nd at the Bainbridge High School Commons. There will be a presentation and a booksigning of the final book in the ‘Hank Zipzer’ series by [...]
[read more...]Different Learners – A Workshop with Jane Healy, Ph.D.
Jane M. Healy, Ph.D., veteran educator, acclaimed speaker and best selling author will present a workshop based on her new book ‘Different Learners”, Saturday, May 15th, at the Bellevue Hilton, Bellevue, WA. You can pre-register online by going to http://janehealyworkshopmay15.eventbrite.com/ Enter the password ‘jasper’. For more information about the workshop click on the following link: [...]
[read more...]Every Child is Special…Some Even Learn Diffe ren tly.
Thanks to our new friends on the east coast, Beth and Sammie from SAMMIE’S MISSION, our new Life’s a Poodle t-shirt was born! I’m a believer that we are somehow all connected and I believe change is coming for those of us who learn differently. Just think how many different learners we lost thru discrimination, [...]
[read more...]Two Fearless Poodles
Stand up and cheer for Sammie and her mom, Beth – two fearless poodles who have worked for the last four years to get recognition for Dyslexia in the NJ public school system. Thanks to their efforts the NJ legislature passed a bill to form the NJ Reading Disabilities Task Force. Sammie and her Mom [...]
[read more...]Their Beautiful Minds
THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN THE 2010 EDITION OF THE PARENTS LEAGUE REVIEW. THEIR BEAUTIFUL MINDS – THE SMART CHILD WHO STRUGGLES Edward M. Hallowell, M.D It is time, long since past due, to follow a strengths- based paradigm as we understand children’s minds, especially the minds of those children who struggle to learn. It [...]
[read more...]Life Without A Book
I’ve been corresponding with a mom from New Jersey who’s on the same mission that Life’s a Poodle is on. She and her daughter can be seen in the following trailer for a documentary about an accomplished drummer named Pepper who graduated from high school unable to read. Check out the trailer for Life without [...]
[read more...]ADHD and Dyslexia Documentary
This is the best documentary I’ve seen on the similarities between ADHD and Dyslexia. It’s a very moving story. Thank you Ben and Joe…..you are right we must keep fighting. Check it out: http://www.headstrongnation.org/documentary Poodle1
[read more...]Headstrong Nation
Check out this website Headstrong Nation – they are ‘a community of strong-minded, intelligent, dyslexic individuals who refuse to dwell on our learning disability’. Sally, Poodle 2
[read more...]Parents, How Can We Help?
Don’t you wish someone had asked you this question when you were struggling to figure out how to help your learning challenged child? There were a lot of offerings for my child but not much for me. What was I hoping for? A hug, reassurance, a community of other parents with similar concerns, someone to [...]
[read more...]Race to Nowhere
Life’s a Poodle is thrilled to be a sponsor for the WA state premier of the documentary Race to Nowhere, scheduled for Monday, March 1st at 6:30 pm in the Bainbridge Island High School Commons. If you haven’t heard about this film, you will. This is a profound documentary that will challenge your core assumptions [...]
[read more...]Race To The Top
Race to the Top and putting principals in charge can improve schools Washington State has been handed an opportunity for improving our schools. President Obama is offering $4.35 billion to states in Race to the Top funding to achieve school reform. Washington’s share could be up to $250 million. In order to receive this funding, though, [...]
[read more...]The ‘Pink Poodle’ in the Room
When Sally and I first started Life’s a Poodle we were just going to have a little fun. She was coming from the non-profit sector and I from the retail sector. We were Mom’s in our 50’s who could sit still no longer doing it the conventional way. We were going to merge our experiences [...]
[read more...]Labels and Kitchen Calendars
Every year my husband I look for a kitchen calendar that has meaning for both of us. This year we picked Eckhart Tolle’s calendar. Lo and behold January’s quote is exactly what we have been discussing with our Life’s a Poodle supporters about the dangers of labeling our children. Meaningful quotes have always been a [...]
[read more...]As I Look Back . . .
This is a recent post to the Blog: Sammie’s Mission (www.sammiesmission.com). Beth, Samantha’s Mom, articulately expresses what most parents experience every year. Thank you Beth. As I look Back Last night I could not fall asleep. Many people know this feeling. Your mind races …Thinking of all the things you have to do. I was [...]
[read more...]Hope for the New Year
Woke up at 2:00 am this morning…….you know the drill your mind starts working overtime in thought…..Sally and I have picked our word for 2010 using Christine Kane’s blog as a guide. Check it out; I think it makes more sense then a New Year’s resolution. http://christinekane.com/blog/ Mary-Poodle 1, Guidance Sally-Poodle 2, Listen John-Poodle 70, [...]
[read more...]NJ Gov Corsine Please Sign Samantha’s Bill
The following article was in the Philadelphia Inquirer 12/27/09. If you live in NJ please call the Governor’s office and ask him to sign the bill. Girl’s wish: N.J. study of reading disorders By Rita Giordano Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer The stuff on Samantha Ravelli’s holiday wish list was pretty much standard fare for a [...]
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