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Haven't purchased a copy of the good book of imperfection?
 Patty and Gina's parents (aka our Senior Shipping Department) want to remind you that there are plenty of copies still left in their basement.
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"Shut Up" Member Entrance
THE BOOK
When it comes to imperfection,
WEAR YOUR
"IMPERFECTION" WELL!
Shut Up Sisters Featured
in New Magazine, Motherwords
Imperfection has hit the newsstands. Catch Patty and Gina's imperfect column in the new magazine, Motherwords. Launched in January 8, the magazine provides personal stories, advice, community events, outreach and support to mothers throughout the Northern Shores of Massachusetts by the REAL parenting experts: mothers.
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Welcome to Your Daily Dose of Happy Medicine |
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Welcome and thanks for stopping by shutupaboutyourperfectkid.com, the site for parents of special and other “imperfect” kids designed by “imperfect” parents. You can come here to relax, laugh, exchange ideas, and revel in the comfort of “imperfection.” (You don’t even have to comb your hair to visit us, though we do ask that you brush your teeth.) Be sure to read our humorous Blog, Submit a Story about your wonderfully imperfect child, participate in our Interactive Contests and Question of the Week (below). Maybe even purchase your copy of our imperfect book, Shut Up About...Your Perfect Kid!. Just remember what happens on this imperfect website, stays on this imperfect website.  IMPERFECTION TOUR KEEPS ON MOVING We continue to rack up the miles on our Shut Up Tour bus (OK, junky SUVs) as we take our message of imperfection across the state of Massachusetts. On Monday, May 5, we had the privilege of speaking at the Children's Mental Health Week Celebration in Holyoke, MA. We were a tad late for the presentation, proving yet again that we are indeed imperfect. Truth be told, we got a little caught up in the sightseeing. "Gene, look at that sign. I didn't know Holyoke was the birthplace of Volleyball. Get out of the car and pretend you're going up for a spike so I can take a picture for our scrapbook."
NEXT STOP -- Weston, MA On Monday, May 12, we'll head to Weston, MA to speak to the Weston Special Education Parent Advisory Council. This event was re-scheduled from earlier in the year when we were hit by a blizzard. Of course, no one was more disappointed than us. "What do you mean it's cancelled and I can't get out of the house tonight!" For more information on our speaking engagements, visit our imperfect calendar. Also, if you'd like to book the Shut Up Sisters for your next event, meeting, or talent show, call the Shut Up line 978-857-4566. STORY OF THE WEEK This one comes to us from a Massachusetts Mom. My six-year old daughter Rachael was born with Down syndrome. She now goes to Kindergarten and I communicate daily with her teachers and aide through a communication notebook that is carried to and from school by Rachael. A couple weeks ago, we started having issues with Rachael making the sign of an L on her forehead and calling people losers (I wonder where she got that from). Well she decided to bring this new phrase to school with her; I knew it was just a matter of time before we heard about this one. One evening when I opened her communication book, sure enough there it was “Rachael had a few incidents today calling people losers while making the shape of an L on her forehead, but on the bright side she was able to put the sound the L makes to the word Loser while making the shape of an L.” I guess that isn’t the phone call “Your child is so sweet, and well behaved, but who would have thought there would be a bright side to calling someone a loser. |
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Shut Up Daughter to Speak at Suicide Prevention Event |
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On Thursday, May 15, Jennifer, one of the Shut Up Daughters will speak at
the Families for Depression Awareness' Here Comes the Sun: A Concert for
Youth Suicide Prevention fundraiser in Concord, MA.
We're so proud of Jennifer who is a shining example of a teen living with
bipolar disorder and a beacon of light for those teens suffering in silence.
It is our hope that teens and parents will feel comforted in knowing they are not alone and that they too, can live productive lives.
If you'd like to purchase tickets or obtain more
information on this event
and the great work the
Family for Depression Awareness, is doing to help
prevent teen suicide, visit www.familyaware.org .
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Team Shut Up Wants You To Walk the Walk |
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Get ready...on Saturday, May 31, Patty, Gina, Zippit, the Senior Shippers, and all our other imperfect family members will walk in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Boston Walk at Artesani Park in Brighton, MA. If you'd like to be a part of our imperfect team and to help NAMI in its ongoing efforts to break down the stigma of mental illness, we'd love to have you join our team. We'll give out orange Shut Up t-shirts to the first 25 members to sign up for our team, and add to any donation you can make toward this worthwhile cause.
We can't guarantee great weather, but we can guarantee a great time filled with lots of imperfection.
If you have what it takes to join our team (i.e., you're imperfect) contact us or call the Shut Up Line at 978-857-4566.
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LATE-BREAKING SHUT UP NEWS... |
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The Movement Hits YouTube
The creative department at Shut Up Industries (Patty, Gina, and Ernest and Julio) are pleased to announce that our new YouTube video, Coffee Clash, is starting to get noticed. We hope you'll check it out and forward it to all the imperfect and perfect people in your life. If Oprah or Jerry Springer happen to be one of them, that's great!Go Here To View It Right Now
Email us to give us your feedback at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
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Imperfect Question of the Week: |
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What's the funniest school call you've received? We're bringing back one of our favorite questions -- What's the funniest school call you've received? Just scroll down below to submit your answer.
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I’ve never been a big fan of change or transitions. It’s probably why I’ve had the same hairdo since fifth grade and why I’ve been married to the same man for sixteen years (“Mike, we can’t get a divorce. I’m not good with change”). And it’s pretty sad that after all our time together, my husband has no idea how far I’ll go to avoid change. “Gina, did you get your oil changed like I asked you to?” “What’s the point? I thought the oil in there was doing a pretty good job.” My husband, on the other hand, seems to have no problem with change, particularly when it comes to his television habits. “All right Michael, pick one. It’s either Planet of the Apes, Three Stooges, or The Girls Next Door.” Change is difficult for me to manage in so many aspects of my life. But when it comes to raising my 12- and 8-year-old daughters with special needs, it’s nearly impossible. Take for example, when they begin the transition to a new grade in school. Each summer, I work myself into a panic worrying that their teachers won’t understand their learning difficulties. But fortunately for me, their teachers have been pretty quick to pick up on my concerns. “Yes, Mrs. Gallagher, I’m well aware of Emily’s past difficulty with polygons, I saw it in the information packet you provided. You sure put a lot of time into that video.” “Yes, Mrs. Gallagher, I realize that Katie doesn’t eat lunch. I was tipped off by the plastic food in her lunch box.” (continued) 
Patty and Gina were thrilled to meet their Midwest Fan Club, affectionately known as the "Midwest Stalkers." "We can't wait until you meet Diane, our Southcoast Stalker. Maybe we'll have a Stalker Mixer and get you all together some time." |
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Read more...
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Imperfection in High Definition! |
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Shut Up Sisters appear on WCVB Boston's Chronicle.
On Friday, November 16, Patty and Gina, their two daughter's, Jennifer and Katie, and Katie's imperfect Bichon, Max. appeared on Boston's highly regarded show, Chronicle, as part of an informative segment on special education.
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Imperfection Tour 2008 Rolls Along |
2008 is turning out to be a very busy year. And it's not just filled with therapist appointments. Here's a list of our upcoming speaking presentations. For more information, visit our very imperfect calendar.
Saturday, May 10, PAL Training session Monday, May 12, Weston Special Education Advisory Council Thursday, MAY 29, Department of Mental Health Dinner If you have an event you'd like the Shut Up Sisters to speak at, please email us at
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
or call the Shut Up Line at 978-857-4566. |
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Writer's Digest judge lauds the Shut Up message. |
A few months ago, we entered Shut Up About...Your Perfect Kid! in the Writer's Digest 15th Annual International Self-Published Book Awards. Sadly, we didn't win (we think we may have lost points in the swimsuit contest), but we were thrilled to receive the following comment from the judge (which we just so happen to remember):
"The stories told in this book are both touching and hilarious. The authors do a wonderful job of finding humor in everyday challenges that could prove to be deal-breakers for many tired, over-worked parents. Not only are the authors funny [aww shucks], but they are witty, too. They force the reader to evaluate how he/she might react in different situations involving children, or even adults for that matter, with special needs. It takes great strength for the authors to expose themselves and their difficulties in this narrative and their bravery is to be commended. The drawings also add an enjoyable and personal touch.
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LOOKEY WHO'S JOINED OUR FAMILY |
Our imperfect family keeps on growing. Make room at the table for these newest members:
Simplysan67 Michellx42006 Nicole The Zoocrew Marjorie18 Fletchen Gretchen |
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Lights! Camera! Imperfection! |
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View our TV clips
Patty and Gina, the faces of imperfection, were thrilled to be guests on NBC's 30 10:00 Morning News with the lovely Keisha Grant. If you missed the Shut Up Sisters on Boston TV, check out these clips: NECN and Fox 25 Morning News
Be sure to check our calendar for the latest national Shut Up radio interviews and speaking engagements
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Imperfect Question of the Week |
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It's a new week and time for another imperfect question. Just submit your response to the new question below. All entrants will be automatically entered in a drawing to win a snazzy Shut Up bumper magnet. This week's question: What's the funniest school call you've received?__________
Type your answer below to enter.
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Recent Posts to the Daily Blog |
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