Just like you, I'm a parent trying to figure things out as I go. I write this column not because I'm an expert, but because I enjoy sharing experiences. I think we can learn from each other, and certainly laugh together, about parenting.

I appreciate when readers take time to share thoughts and ideas with me. Not only can I learn from other parents, but it's refreshing to hear other parents are experiencing the same things I am.

The following excerpts are comments I have received from readers over the past months. Thanks for reading, and please send your thoughts when an article strikes a chord with you!

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I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed your potty talk column in the Carroll Eagle on Sept. 20.

I could so relate! I'm the mom you can hear in the other stall frantically telling her kids, "Don't touch anything! No, not even THAT! You are having a bath as soon as we get home!" I thought I was the only neurotic one.

Alison Jones

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My boys are 30 and 23 years old already, but they just paid me a compliment. What they remember and appreciate when young was that I would tell them they had 10 minutes to wrap it up before we left someone's house. And if going to the grocery store for a few items, I would tell them before we got there that I only had so much money and couldn't get them a toy or a whole bag of something.

I treated them like I would want to be treated, I guess, and it must have worked. Even though my guys are all grown up, I enjoy your articles. I don't know how you find the time, but I'm glad you do. Thanks!

Ginny Schoenberger

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I enjoyed your column on adoption (July 26, 2009). My wife and I jumped through the hoops you discussed several years ago. We were blessed enough to foster, then adopt two beautiful girls from here in Carroll County.

They came to us Dec. 17, 2005, at 9 p.m. They were 3 1/2 years old, and 6 months old at the time. They are now 7 and 4 and beautiful little girls. They came straight from a Dumpster, and the baby was wrapped in a blanket I wouldn't allow my dogs to sleep on!

You can never put a price on a child's life, but conventional adoption was not an option for us due to the costs involved. I look back in hindsight and thank God we couldn't have a "regular" adoption, as we would not have our two angels.

As your article concluded, it reminded me of something I say all the time. I constantly hear, "Those girls are so lucky to have found you." To which I emphatically answer, "No, we are, by far, the lucky ones!"

Tim Glover

Kym Byrnes writes from Finksburg. E-mail her at kymbyrnes@gmail.com.

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