:iagree: Even during non-holiday times of year, FedEx and UPS may deliver as late as 8:00 p.m. They virtually always knock on door and walk away unless package requires a signature.

According to a Salon article, the deadliest school massacre was a bombing in the 1920s. The bomber was upset by tax increase levied to fund school. Over 30 children were killed.

It is one thing to share personal information about yourself (general yourself) and a whole 'nother ball 'o wax to divulge negative details about your (general your) children, spouse, family, friends, coworkers, etc. I am glad there are people who are willing to share personal information; otherwise, this board would have much less traffic than it does.

This is something I worry about so much that it results in my not sharing information which probably could be helpful or comforting to others. I'll leave it at I have a lot of real world experience in dealing with severely mentally ill relatives. I truly understand the post about hoping the mentally ill people you take care of predecease you; I worry about who will protect the relatives we care for after my husband and I die.

I stopped sending them many years ago. You are excused.

Recognizing that one does not desire a family for whatever reasons and taking steps to avoid that, such as permanent sterilization, is an application of maturity.

I understand statistics. The "concern" was explained farther back in the thread.

It is unrealistic to expect a 24 hour news provider to report only confirmed facts. They are the equivalent of a game of telephone at a time of mass confusion of a breaking tragedy. It is reasonable to expect them to correct errors as they are discovered. It is not reasonable to expect a government agency to fine them when they are not claiming that their statements are fact. It takes time to gather, confirm, and analyze statements and present them in a logical coherent chronological fashion. Turn off the 24/7 and wait until the more serious thoughtful journalists report on the incident. Journalistic competency and integrity takes time.

We used a courier service to deliver an envelope of cash to an acquaintance in need. It was the courier my husband had used for years in his business, so they had no issue with the sender being anonymous.

I allowed them to climb up slide because it is fun. However, they were NOT allowed to do so when other kids were using slide. We purposefully timed our playground break to be at least crowded times. What is the problem with going barefoot as long as the area does not have broken glass? I walk around my own neighborhood and neighborhood park barefoot. Are there signs at your park prohibiting bare feet?

The turkey I served for 2012 Thanksgiving had been in deep freezer since November 2011. No one had anything but compliments. Usually if the price is low enough, I stock up on a year's worth of turkeys in November.

You've always been lovely at any size, Renee.

I think that the stars are supposed to be given based upon quality or relevance of the thread content, not as a measurement of personal feelings toward other members.

Pdalley, my children and I had a discussion recently about the impact of changes in social policy for dealing with severe mental illness, particularly those cases where people live in fear of their mentally ill loved one. Do you believe that we should reopen more of the closed state mental hospitals and relax the standards for involuntary commitment? All of us were leaning in that direction but our concern was whether the horrific abuses of past would crop up again and how to make certain that the hospitals were truly treatment centers, not human warehouses. I wonder how these cases are dealt with in the universal healthcare systems of westernized countries. ETA: Sorry, did not intend hijack. Should have started new thread.

:iagree: Also, I get a little nervous when there is talk of government intervening in family size control (either direction) beyond assistance to offset costs of raising children and access to affordable family planning methods. It NEVER bodes well for women. Perhaps this thread boils down to people have more choices than ever before, and some people disagree with other people's choices.

Sadly, I see.

It would be normal for my family's culture in regards to buying holiday gifts.

Wonderful! I always a good bargain find story.

I do not understand why there is concern about "fertility collapse" in the U.S. which has an all time high population of 311 million.

I don't know what is inherently admirable either way about the number of children a woman has. The number of childrent does not necessarily correlate to the quality of family life.

I do not understand. If anything, recent legislation has limited women's access to birth control. Are there public or private assistance programs that require a recipient use birth control? Birth control gives us choices that our female ancestors did not have. Is it that you are disappointed with the choices women make?

A food treat is consumable and leaves no clutter. Homemade would be even better.

I used NFP for seven years and generally was content with it until it became increasingly difficult to read fertility signals due to certain changes in body as I aged. However, I knew quite a few women who allegedly used barrier methods if they decided to have relations during fertile times. Without getting graphic, others managed to have physical relations in a manner that would not result in pregnancy. NFP is wonderful for teaching about the awareness of the body's fertility; my own daughters learned it in homeschool health class even though it may not ultimately be their choice of contraception. Of course fertility control methods fail. Not much in life is a certainty. Birth control fails when it is used conscientiously but a pregnancy results anyway. Assuming a woman does not desire pregnancy, using bc once in awhile or not at all and hoping for luck is carelessness and would not be considered an accident. However,I do not think anyone should be inquiring whether a pregnancy was intended or not except a healthcare provider. Frankly I am grateful that women now generally have access to family planning methods so they do not have to be celibate or have to limit their sexual activity to acts that will not result in conception. I was born into a time and place where women did have to abstain from physical intimacy to avoid pregnancy. Nowadays women with health problems for whom a pregnancy would be dangerous can continue to be sexually active with their husbands. Women who for any reason don't want to conceive can continue sexual activity if they desire with a low probability of conception. Most people do not cease driving because of they want to avoid serious auto crash at all costs. In a country where widespread public transportation is not available, they prepare by learning driving skills, getting licensed, not driving while impaired, not driving in inclement weather, etc. I suppose they could bike or walk to work but that is not always feasible either. Life is risky. People having children they cannot afford? As I said earlier, the human reproduction system functions regardless of the responsibililty level of the couple involved. Who in their right mind would not prefer that children are born into families who can meet their basic needs for love, nutrition, shelter, and education? The couple are the ones who have to deal with the stress (and rewards) of unintended reproduction. Frankly I do not fret about whatever public assistance a child born into struggling family uses. I do not consider that government waste but rather an investment in our future.

Using birth control is common sense if you do not want a pregnancy yet wish to continue in a non-celibate marriage.

Have you considered having your child volunteer at a local animal shelter or humane society? Our humane society has volunteers who work to socialize semi-feral kittens and walk dogs. Don't bunnies, ferrets, and chincillas all need large cages plus outside-the-cage time? We had two bunnies in a tri-level cage that was 5 feet tall by 3 feet wide. One of them chewed baseboards terribly during his out of cage time even though he was supplied with toys and boxes for play. I babysat a ferret once and overall the experience was negative because it was a biter/scratcher. I have no experience with chinchillas except that I know they're awfully cute.