He is smart. He ist bored with what we are working on for school, but its like he cant cope with down time to just be childish and have fun. He cant play lemonade stand for instance with toy food or imagination he wants dh to build one made of wood and nails like on the spot and lets make signs and go to the store and buy real lemons, right now.. likd imaginary childs play is just beneath him. My second son will take a paper clip and run around and pretend its an airplane and spend a good time doing this. My 5 year olds birthday wish list includes a recliner and a fish tank. I feel sorry for him, I just want hin to be playful and carefree, but he isnt at all.

Also, as children and adults dh and I both would be described as controllig and manipulative. No question why he is how he is, I just dont know what to do with him. I was an only child and my parents indulged me and did anything I wanted, dhs parents were abusive, so obviously both our parents didnt really have it figured out at all.

I plenty of good things to say about him as well. I love him with all my heart. He just mentally exhausts me almost daily.

Good advice. Yes I think he will go far because he wont accept no very well, he finds a way.

I dont know. He is a great student and I feel he would. be in the top of the class, but gifted Im just not sure. If anything Id say he is quite advanced at math. Fir instance one day he asked me what 5 -10 was and I briefly explained the concept to him in passing and he really understands the concept of negative numbers. He doesnt know any multiplication facts, but just out of curiosity he understands 2 x 3 means 2 groups of 3. and so on. Math is the only thing he is like this with though.

I dont like it myself, but this is how my mom makes it too.

Yes!

Right and we dont, but whe we say no we are the dealing with him beung whiny or being naughty to keep our attention on him.

I often wonder what exactly is the deal with my oldest son. He is the most difficult of the 3 of them. For instance I was just playing with the baby, I was counting 1, 2,3 and the tossing her on the bed. My 4 year old joined in. Then the 5 year old came in and wanted to play too. He insisted I count too 100 for him. I told him I wasnt strong enough, he said just do it and Id get stronger. I tried counting by 5s 10s and saying 1 2 skip a few 99 100. Not good enough. Its like he enjoys spoiling the rest of the familys fun. Its like he is never satisfied. The 4 and almost 2 year can occupy themselves with a box of toys alone, but he cannot. There are barely any toys he even enjoys playing with. He just gets bored so easily while my other 2 can make fun out of nothing. He just has such a controlling personailty. Its not his age because thats how he has always been. There is only 17 months between 1 and 2 so he always has had a sibling as far as he can remember. Any insight on raising kids with this behavior and personailty. My dh and were talking about how crazy it is how much attention he manipulates out of us compared to the other 2. He steals the show every time.

Never heard of them, but maybe.

It is woods.

When our family plays outside in the evening our legs start itching from some kind of bug. Doesnt seem to be mosquitos because they leave big bites and itchiness on us. After we go in and have a bath the itching stops and there arent many bites you can see, maybe a few small red dots. Someone I talked to mentioned sand fleas, but I dont know anything about them. What could it be and how do you repell then?

Thanks so much!

You sound like me. He was supposed to do more than he has...I have planz for him to teach history because I hate that subject and he loves it and knows so much. We shall see.

You all are great with recipe help. How do you prepare rice you are serving with tacos. Thinking along the lines of what you get at a Mexican restaurant. I usually just buy a packet of whatever brand it is preeeasoned taco rice and I thought Id try to improve and make it myself. eta 1 more question. Anyone make theirown taco seasoning that isnt too spicy for little ones. Ive tried a few recipes Ive found online, but my little ones think it is spicier than the store bought stuff.

Thanks for the help. You all are the best! At everything it seems!

Do you make it in the crock pot or oven?

I have a family reunion coming up. I was thinking of making pork bbq sandwiches. How do you make it? Do you use bottled sauce or make your own? What type of pork do you use. Also, what else is a good thing to make for a gathering with no plans other than bring whay you want.

We actually dont know him. The activity is during day work hours, my dh works nughts so hes there and her dh is at work

About ravioli soup...it has been 90 degrees and Im sooo in the mood for soup. I thought Id be the only one wanting soup this week.

Yeah. I was too surprised to know what to do at the time, but Ive felt guilty about not saying anything.

I have this friend ( I use this term loosely as we dont know each other too well, but we talk when our kids are at events together.) I like her event though we are a bit different. She has a bigger family and I think she uses the teenagers as babysitters a bit much for the little ones. We were at an event this week and as I was buckling my kids in the car my dh saw her teenage son spanking the almost 3 year old in their car about 10 times dh said. What to do? Dh said the spanking was quite excessive, but holy cow this is touchy stuff. I wouldnt know what to say. Im wondering if things go on like this all the time. She seems to put so much on the olders to keep up with the little ones. I wonder if she honestly would care as long as she isnt having to keep up with all the little ones.

Just seeing what you are having beforr I make my list.

How long is this ok? Just curious.

How long is this ok? Just curious.