I was deeply disturbed to read today's headlines on Yahoo News. Heres why. I cant believe this still goes on. When will it end?

By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 10 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of people have been arrested and 21 children rescued in what the FBI is calling a five-day roundup of networks of pimps who force children into prostitution.

The Justice Department says it targeted 16 cities as part of its "Operation Cross Country" that caps off five years of similar stings nationwide.

Many of the children forced into prostitution are either runaways or what authorities call "thrown-aways" — kids whose families have shunned them. Officials say they are preyed upon by organized networks of pimps who lure them in with shelter or drugs, then often beat, starve or otherwise abuse them until the children agree to work the streets.

"We together have no higher calling than to protect our children and to safeguard their innocence," FBI Director Robert Mueller said Wednesday. "Yet the sex trafficking of children remains one of the most violent and unforgivable crimes in this country."

In all, authorities arrested 345 people — including 290 adult prostitutes — during the operation that ended this week. Since 2003, 308 pimps and hookers have been convicted in state and federal courts of forcing youngsters into prostitution, and 433 child victims have been rescued, Mueller said.

The cities targeted in this week's sting are: Atlanta; Boston; Dallas; Detroit; Houston; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Miami; Montgomery County, Md.; Oakland, Calif.; Phoenix; Reno, Nev.; Sacramento, Calif.; Tampa; Toledo, Ohio and Washington.

The problem of child prostitution has taken on a new urgency in recent years with the growth of online networks where pimps advertise the youngsters to clients. The FBI generally investigates child prostitution cases that cross state lines.

The cases aren't easy to convict.

In April 2006, for example, charges against a Nevada man resulted in a hung jury after his 14-year-old victim refused to testify against him. Months later, however, a second jury found Juan Rico Doss of Reno, Nev., guilty of forcing two girls — ages 14 and 16 — to sell sex in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco and Oakland.

A University of Pennsylvania study estimates nearly 300,000 children in the United States are at risk of being sexually exploited for commercial uses — "most of them runaways or thrown-aways," said Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

"These kids are victims. This is 21st century slavery," Allen said. "They lack the ability to walk away."

Well Xavier is now 26mths old, and I feel he might be ready to start toilet training.

He recognises the difference between wees and poos, and comes to me to tell me to change his nappy now after he has done a poo.

 I went shopping last night to buy him a potty, but apparently there must be some world wide potty shortage because every shop I bloody looked in was sold out.

I still have the old toilet seat with the steps and handles that I used for my elder two, when I toilet trained them, but I'd still like to have a potty to sit him on for when hes watching a movie, as Ive found this is a good way to start toilet training off in a fun way without them getting scared.

Oh well I'll just have to try again next week and get one.

Anyway, his nappy is about to come off now and he is about to wear his first pair of big boy undies. How exciting. Im expecting lots of accidents but its all in the name of learning so I dont mind so much. My boyfriend fixed my carpet cleaner for me so now if he wees on the carpet I can easily clean it up with out a fuss.

How exciting! Stay tuned to see how he goes.

Lol lately for some reason Ive turned into Sadie the Cleaning Lady and my kids have picked up on it and lifted their game too and theyve noticed lately to encourage them Ive been giving them a lolly after they are done if they have done a good job. (not good for their dental health i know but its working and i make sure they brush their teeth afterwards lol)

anyway hows this. Before I had even gotten out of bed this morning, Jaryd my 4yo was already up and out of bed and tidying up his room. Aside from some pencil shavings on the floor (Nathen decided to sharpen his pencils on the carpet grrrr) the room was absolutely spotless. I was gobsmacked. He did it without asking, and literally 5mins after he had woken up!

THEN as if that wasnt enough, Nathen saw Jaryd getting a reward for his efforts, and he goes Mum I dont want to go to school today I want to stay home and clean the whole house up. (The house was messy this morning because I went late night shopping yesterday and was out all day during the day so didnt get time to clean it because by the time Id finished shopping I was exhausted and went straight to bed.)

Anyway I told Nathen that he had to go to school and that the house would already be clean before he gets home because I have someone coming over today and I cant stand to leave the house messy a minute longer anyway so he goes ok tonight then when X messes up the house I'll clean it. I told him how about you put the dishes away for me instead when you get home from school and we'll call it quits. You should have seen the size of the smile on his face. Ive never seen my kids this eager to please! Lmao!!

Something in the back of my head is telling me to enjoy it while it lasts coz the novelty will wear off soon so Im making the most of it now lol.

Come on kids! Time to clean the loungeroom up! (Muahahahahah!)

My 6yo son is right into computer games and today I decided to make him a treat. I put some jelly in the fridge to set and Master 6 sees and asks if the jelly is loading lol.