Long Island Mamas??!! - Page 102

[healthgirl]

Roblauerin - I was just wondering if your 5 year old DD goes to public school and if you managed to get a religious wavier? My DD just turned 5 the other day and although she was vaxed up to two years old, she won't be getting any more shots and I'll be filing a religious exemption. I live in Smithtown so I'm wondering if it's possible to get a religious wavier in this area or even on Long Island. Thanks for any info you can share!

[roblauerin]

Originally Posted by healthgirl

Roblauerin - I was just wondering if your 5 year old DD goes to public school and if you managed to get a religious wavier? My DD just turned 5 the other day and although she was vaxed up to two years old, she won't be getting any more shots and I'll be filing a religious exemption. I live in Smithtown so I'm wondering if it's possible to get a religious wavier in this area or even on Long Island. Thanks for any info you can share!

I'm in Kings park, so I'm not far from you at all! She is in PreK now & I had no problem at all. She will be attending public school, I hope! I spoke with Dr Sherr, (my chiro,he won a lawsuit against Npt SD in '87 for this very reason), and he told me just to write a short & simple letter. He says the less I say at first,the better. He seems to think I won't have a problem, but I do. He then told me if they question that letter, then to write a long one explaining what my religious beliefs are. Now, that is going to be difficult for me because I'm not exactly a religious person. And, if that fails, he will refer me to a lawyer I also contacted Gary Krasner from CFIC.US. He sent me a TON of info. It's a bit overwhelming & confusing to me, but I just need to find the time to read through it all. I have to register her the week of March 1st & I am TERRIFIED! I promise, I will do what I can to help you, too!

[healthgirl]

I'm surprised to hear that Dr. Sherr told you to write a brief letter. I too have been in touch with Gary Krasner and he says you have to write an 800 - 1000 word letter ... which I have not even started yet. You are right, all the info he sent is very overwhelming. I already registered my daughter for kindergarten last week since she is vaxed to age two so I don't have to worry about my letter for her school for a few months. However, I have a 2 1/2 year old son who will be going to Pre K in September who is not vaxed at all which is causing me great stress! What pre-school did your daughter go to? I'd love to not have to worry about his non-vax status for a while!

You can email me privately @ [e-mail] if you'd like. Maybe we can help each other through this process!

[aneta]

Babywearing meeting/ cloth diaper and ec support

Hi Everyone,
Next babywearing in Lindenhurst is scheduled on friday, february 26th, 11am-2pm.Bring along your carriers and cloth diapers,it's always great to share experience.Kids all ages are welcome.If you are coming, please e-mail me for the address.
See you soon
Aneta

[aneta]

healthgirl,
yes, a religious wavier for non-vax brings goose bumps and stomch cramps to me . we did write a wavier for our daughter, and it worked.we started with short statment, and after that they asked for more of the explanation of our religious beliefs,which to me is absolutly ridiculous that you have to exlain that.So we did hire a lawyer, Charles Nicholas from Baldwin, to write a letter that wouldn't be question, and it did work.
So good luck to you and i must say from what i have heard it's is more of the headace then a real problem.But is just difficult not to worry, i guess that what moms do.

[StephM76]

As for the religious exemption, you NEED to contact Gary Krasner, a short and simple letter will get your exemption denied. You want to get it right the first time, trust me.

The info may be overwhelming but you need to read what has worked for other people and what your rights are in these situations.

[Jugs]

I'm surprised to hear that Dr. Sherr told you to write a brief letter. I too have been in touch with Gary Krasner and he says you have to write an 800 - 1000 word letter

If I'm not mistaken, it used to be that you would submit a brief letter and nothing else, unless specifically asked. But a few years back the exemption requirements were streamlined to where you have to submit a letter on the standard form, which requests that your letter cover the following points:

-Why you are requesting a religious exemption
-The religious principles that guide your objection to immunization
-Whether you are opposed to all immunizations, and if not, the religious basis that prohibits particular immunizations

[roblauerin]

Thank you again for helping me with my concerns. I sent a copy of my religious letter to Gary & he said it was about "50% there". He said I needed to add more personal experience, which, honestly,is going to be very difficult for me...I'm not a religious person, so to speak. I've read what he has sent me, but I'm still a bit confused...for a fee he willhelp w/ the letter writing process, right? I'm willing to pay anything in order for her to attend school...

[BabyPie]

Gary helped me tremendously in dealing with our public school. He doesn't actually write the letter for you but sends you examples so you get a feel for what kind of letter is required. Then he gives you advice on how to make your letter personal and sincere. It needs to be personal because the school will reject it if it looks like a generic letter you copied from somewhere. What helped me to write this letter was to start from my childhood experiences and how it led to my adult religious view.

This was one of my most stressful experiences and I couldn't have done it without Gary's help. I was so relieved and happy when we got our exemption. Good luck with getting your exemption

Originally Posted by roblauerin

Thank you again for helping me with my concerns. I sent a copy of my religious letter to Gary & he said it was about "50% there". He said I needed to add more personal experience, which, honestly,is going to be very difficult for me...I'm not a religious person, so to speak. I've read what he has sent me, but I'm still a bit confused...for a fee he willhelp w/ the letter writing process, right? I'm willing to pay anything in order for her to attend school...

[roblauerin]

Thank you BabyPie! I will contact him again tomorrow while Erin is at camp...it's so difficult to concentrate with her around...love her to death, but she's very spirited & demanding lol...I wish Gary would take credit cards over the phone..heehee...I don't expect anyone to write it for me, I'm just afraid of saying the 'wrong' thing, I'm sure they read these letters very carefully...

[spmama]

This may en a bit late. I am very new here- two kids keep you busy, so I post very little. I did have to say that I did use Jeanette Breen for child # 2 & she was wonderful. It was a wonderful experience & she was supportive even after #2 was born- colic. Jeanette was far more help than our pediatrician in finding the problem & solution for our little ones colic.
I would recommend her to anyone!
She offers gyn services also & is very informed about womens health.
Hope you find this helpful.

Originally Posted by Port

Hey LI mamas! Sadly, I'm no mama or mama-to-be yet (but I do live on LI -- Port Washington, great place to be!) but I really hope to be soon. When I discussed it with my *forever* gyn (I've been seeing him since I was a teenager!) he informed me "he only does C-sections"... great. Anyhow, I decided home birth is the way I definitely want to go and I got about a million recs for Jeanette Breen who operates closest to me. I talked to her on the phone and loved her, and I have an appointment in about 2 weeks. When I mentioned my choice to my gyn, he told me not to use her because she's no good and has "bad outcomes." ?!?! Obviously, his stock isn't high with me right now and I'm not going to let it put me off meeting with Jeanette, but I didn't feel like I should just totally disregard such disturbing input. Does anyone know anything that lends credence to this claim, or is this guy just an all around idiot?

Thanks ladies!
XOXO

[aneta]

Babywearing meeting

Next babywearing meeting in Lindenhurst is scheduled for Friday march 12th, 11am-2pm. If you have any baby gear, please bring it along to show off.Also we will talk about cloth diapers, this topic gets pretty popular these days.Kids all ages are welcome.
Please, send me om or e-mail me for the address.
Aneta

[fitandhealthyny]

Doula recommendations

Hi everyone,

I am somewhat new to the mothering forums. I am due with my first child in June and I'm looking for a doula. I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations. I live in nassau county. I am using Barbara Charles as my midwife and giving birth at Nassau University Medical Centers water birthing room. Any info would be very helpful. Health & Happiness

[Demeter_shima]

Attachment Parenting anyone?

Originally Posted by lsmama

Hi all. I'm relocating to Nassau County (North Shore) this summer from Arizona. I have a 20 month old daughter, and am looking for playgroups, meet-ups, and other likeminded parents. Anyone out there?

Hey there!
I organize an AP family group on LI. We are currently Suffolk county, but we're planning to expand to the whole island!
Come take a look!
-Annette
Long Island Attachment Parenting

[Jamie Bird]

Responding to two different posters:

Mary Betsellie (who is on here) is a wonderful doula and so is Tamrha. Mary was at my son's homebirth and provided wonderful support, and I've heard great things about Tamrha too... If you want to email me ([e-mail]) I can give you their emails so you can write them. Please put in all caps what it is regarding in the subject line so I don't accidnetally delete it (too much junk mail!!) They are both in western Suffolk - Ronkonkoma and Huntington.

I am an API (Attachment Parenting International) leader and have monthly meetings on the north shore. I am trying to do some weekend meetings as well as we meet monthly on a Thursday morning at a library.

Good luck with the move!
Jamie

[nabigus]

Hi, LI mamas! I hope you can help me. My sister (hi, Jane) and her hubby currently live in Princeton, and he commutes into Manhattan. My sister's applying for a super duper job in Manhattan as well, which would make their commuting life and family life pretty hectic. I'm in Queens, and I'm trying to convince her that they could live on the LIRR (say, within 30-40 minutes of Manhattan) and have a much easier commute.

But I don't know LI at all! Are there communities that a) are affordable for a family with three kids, b) have really good public schools, c) have a community of like-minded crunchy folks, and d) have some of the bennies, like a CSA, real farmers' market, good coffee shop, etc? Any advice??

[cubanamami]

Nabigus_ I wish I knew such a place cause then I would move there! I think they will be pretty spoiled from Princeton but man that WOULD be a tough commute.
Closest I can think of to meet most of your requirements is Port Washington but it is not really that affordable. It is a good commute, farmers market, some great AP mamas (not the norm though) and a LaLeche meeting, a downtown area with stores, restaurants,library, not sure on the coffee shop. Good schools.
Huntington and Northport are another choice but an hour+ commute and Huntington school district kinda iffy. Northport and Harborfields have good reps but having grown up in NJ I think the education system as a whole is better there. Although with the new Governer and huge cuts who knows now. HTH!!!

[OGirlieMama]

Originally Posted by roblauerin

Hi all! I hope you don't mind if I join you although, I think I joined this tribe back in '06, but I've been MIA for awhile I grew up in Northport, but have been living in Kings Park for the last 10 years. I have a 5 y/o DD, Erin. We do not vax & I am as holistic/natural as I can be being that my DH is the opposite...but, I try really hard.

GreenT~there is a great doc in Huntington, I'll ask my brother his name as I can't think of it right now. Dr. Larry Palevsky is also wonderful! He works with Alan Sherr, DO at the Northport Health & Wellness Center. I love him, but when I took Erin to him as an infant, he didn't accept insurance and it was a bit pricey. I'll find out for you

ETA: ok, his name is Dr Kerfus, I believe his first name is Lee. HTH!

It's actually Kurfist, and Lee is correct as his his first name. He's in practice with Tara Lefenfeld. My kids don't go to his practice, but my BF's twins do and they are very very happy there. If I were to switch, I'd go there.

[bu's mama]

Hey LI mamas - I haven't been on here in forever & it's great to see so many new people on here.

Anyways - I'm doing some spring cleaning & I have a bunch of nursing tops if anyone is interested in them. I figured I'd post on here before freecycle.

I was about a 40-42C while nursing & most of the tops are L or XL. There are a couple of denim ones, a 3/4 sleeve ivory one, & I also have a pair of summer pj's - a tank top & shorts. I'll probably come across more as I'm clearing out.

If you're interested, pm me.

[Faither]

Hey Ladies,
Very new to the msg boards here. I have a three month old girl. I'm looking for a ped on the south shore in suffolk somewhere between Amityville and Sayville. I like our current ped in West Islip but not the other docs in the practice. We're looking for someone who will allow us to delay vax mostly. Thanks!
-faith