[blparent] Herding cats and children?

Tue Oct 6 17:02:19 UTC 2015

			I wouldn't want a reporter and photographer in my
home taking pictures of me, my home or my kids. I'm not comfortable with
that type of visibility into my life, and I don't want it for my kids who
are too young to give an informed conscent. 
If I were you, I'd meet the reporter to talk about your book, but I'd not do
it at your home. 
All that being said, I think your aunt is screwing with you. She could have
gotten you in touch with a reporter if she wanted to. 
That being said, reporters are always looking for stories. If you want to
talk with one about your book or anything else, call the paper. Your aunt
doesn't own access to the reporters or to you. 
If your writing takes off, you may indeed want a nanny so you can write
during the day. Statistically, that nanny will be sighted, and if you want
childcare help or any other kind of help, then go get it. Your aunt is
reminding me of The Suppranos (I do miss that show) she'll help you but only
if you spend your money to do what she wants and hire who she wants. Trust
me, that won't end well

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto via blparent
Sent: Thursday, October 1, 2015 7:11 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jo Elizabeth Pinto <jopinto at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Herding cats and children?

The thing is, sighted people often can't imagine how they would possibly
keep track of active children without watching them.  It just blows their
mind.  Within the last couple of weeks, I've had two well-meaning aunts say
things that have really shaken me up and hurt my feelings.  I have a new
novel out, and one of my aunts, who has a lot of contacts in the local
business world, would like to get me an interview in the metropolitan
newspaper about my book.  Her hesitation is that she's afraid if she brings
a reporter and a photographer to my house to do a story about my book, Child
Protective Services will be on their heels because they'll worry about the
safety of a blind mother raising a sighted child.  My reassurances to her
have so far fallen on deaf ears.  Her older sister has actually suggested
that I hire a sighted nanny for a little while, just to appease the public. 
I've politely refused.  What I've told my aunts is that my daughter is well
taken care of, she's doing fine in school, the house is clean if a little
cluttered and not decorated to the nines, and my kid has never been to the
emergency room with injuries or been brought home by the police.  Not every
sighted parent can claim that.  I've also told them that we blind parents
tend to pay close attention to our kids each day, and we know what to listen
for.  We know what normal is, so when something doesn't sound right, we tend
to pick up on it right away and check on them.  Like Tammy said, your new
baby won't come out of the womb walking.  You'll figure out what her
patterns are as you get used to her while she's learning to crawl and then
walk, and you'll learn what to listen for as she becomes mobile.  More often
than not as my baby got around, I was the one telling her dad, "Hey, she's
getting in your desk drawer again."

Jo Elizabeth

"The Bright Side of Darkness"
is my newly published novel,
available on Kindle and in paperback at Amazon.com.
-----Original Message-----
From: melissa R Green via blparent
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 3:39 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Cc: melissa R Green
Subject: Re: [blparent] Herding cats and children?

Buy bells that go on her shoes
when she begins to walk.  You
can also put bells on the cat.
Parenting without sight is a
great book, also finding other
blind parents.  Even the most
supportive parents will be
concerned.    I actually had
my sighted rehab counselor say
that she wouldn't bring her
child to the Montessori school
where I work because I
wouldn't see him.  She made it
a point to say she would take
him to any childcare facility
with a blind person there
because of this same thing.
You know me Darrell, But I
kept my cool and nicely
educated her.  Later, she said
I made her into a believer out
of her and I stayed calm after
she pissed me off.  Her words.
You can be hands on Darrell.
Smile.!

Warmly,
Melissa R. Green and Pj
It is 'where we are' that
should make all the
difference, whether we believe
we belong there or not.

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent
[mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbne
t.org] On Behalf Of Darrell
Shandrow via blparent
Sent: Wednesday, September 30,
2015 7:01 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Cc: Darrell Shandrow
Subject: [blparent] Herding
cats and children?

Hello Everyone,

Our cat got out again a few
nights ago. Every time this
happens, my
in-laws question our ability
to keep track of our new child
once she
is able to walk.

It's all very discouraging...
If I can't keep a cat in the
house, how
am I going to make sure our
little girl doesn't run
outside and get
hit by a car?

I have some ideas, and I know
we'll figure it out in due
time. But,
seriously, what alternative
techniques do you employ as a
blind person
to effectively keep track of
your child at all times?

I think we need the Find My
Cat, and Find My Kid, apps.
:-)

Regards,

Darrell

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