i agree that trying sign language is a great tool for parents and young babies. my friend told me about seeing a parent and child in the co-op we participate in, and the child was able to express what kind of fruit he did or didn't want. amazing! children should be respected.

and i really like when you/AShadow said:
"He has a right to express his feelings. We can teach him to express them in a better way, but he has every right to feel upset, angry, sad, aggravated, etc. They're human emotions and teaching him not to express them or that they are wrong will only make him try to supress them and not know how to deal with them effectively. How would spanking teach him how to deal with his emotions effectively? Do we want to hurt ourselves now for being upset, would that make everything better, will that help us calm down? Not really...I think that's where SI stems from."

i think that's really interesting. absolutely he should be allowed and encouraged to have and express feelings. there are lessons to be learned as he grows up, for sure, but we shouldn't be teaching children to deny or hide their emotions. i have been involved in many conversations about SI and that is a very interesting point... learning about how to deal with emotions through physical means is well... for lack of a better word, interesting. i'm fascinated by it at least.