[Help Me Brainstorm Strategies to Help My Teen Girl Deal with Unwanted Male Attention]

7 minutes ago, Tibbie Dunbar said:

 

I think you must have missed that she was leaving class and still literally in the building, on school grounds. Pepper spray and a dog are probably not options. (I wouldn't mind if she could have both, even in school, in the current climate for women, but I don't make the rules.)

It sounded like Chelli was asking for advice for multiple situations. 

[Treating head lice without chemicals]

My sister had great success with mayo and covering with plastic wrap/plastic bag overnight.  And then repeating that a few times and spending hours and hours combing out the nits. And washing everything that could be washed and bagging and putting away the other stuff. 

[Do you think this is a great idea or a horrible idea? Drug tests for teens]

I voted “other” because I didn’t want to say “never” but I really can’t imagine doing it. 

[Argh! Oven Mitts -- do you have a favorite?]

I use something like these from BB&B. 

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/kitchensmart-reg-solid-pot-holder/3176220

They're a rectangular potholder shape with pockets to put your hands in and they have a (silicone?) grip on one side. I really like the grippy part and the pot holder shape is a good size for my hands. I’ve tried the silicone oven mitts at other people’s houses and they are WAY too big for my hands. I don’t feel like I have any control. These are perfect for me, this is the second set I’ve had in 14 years and I’m going to buy some new ones before we have company for the holidays because they look a little grungy. 

It looks like this style is called “pot mitts”. 

[Adjusting to new social norms when moving (subtitle: is everyone in New England really this rude?) UPDATE AT PAGE 7 or SO]

13 hours ago, moonflower said:

I love updates on threads (especially ones I read several years after the fact as a google search) so I just thought I'd update this thread.

 

We signed a lease on a house in the Midwest.  We loved many things about New England - the food is phenomenal, the environment is largely clean and very beautiful, the weather is decent (in summer!).  But we didn't fit there.  I underestimated how important it is to fit in where you live, even for introverts, or maybe especially for introverts.

Anyway, we moved back to the midwest after a summer of looking around for a place in New England and we're quite happy overall.  The water is not as clean. The food is not as good.  But we got a nice place for the money and I don't feel quite as out of place as I did.

Hilariously, though, I find myself accidentally omitting social niceties that our (now fairly rural and almost-South midwestern town) expects, so I think they think *I* am a rude Yankee!  

 

sigh, can't win

I just found this thread today and read through it from the beginning. I was happy to see your update. I’ve lived in a few states in the Midwest and in California. I know I would have a very difficult time if I moved to the NE. 

[S/O -- What do you keep on your kitchen counter?]

Coffee maker and a paper towel holder. All the appliances live in the pantry. 

This is not because I’m neat and tidy, it’s the opposite. If I have anything put on the counter it attracts more stuff and then I can’t keep it under control. 

[Weird phone use in person ~ 60 yo]

1 hour ago, Rachel said:

I bet he has an iPhone. You can send texts with effects (balloons, confetti, spotlight, and more). You can also reply to an individual text with a small thumbs up, heart, haha... If you use these features with people who don’t have an iPhone, it sends a message that says something along the lines of “sent with heart”. 

Yes and if you’re in a group text and some people have android then it doesn’t show up on the text like it does on Iphone. 

It will just say “added heart to text”, “removed heart from text”, “laughed at text”, etc. 

I'm in several family group texts. None of what you’ve describe seems particularly strange. 

[Any Experiences with IEW Online Classes & Instructors?]

Hi, 

I was wondering if you ended up doing the class and if so, which instructor you chose? My son is in SWI B. 

[Is this a hot flash? Updated in first post]

Anxiety? It sounds like it could be a mild panic attack. 

[Would you take your puppy to a farm?]

I would hire a professional dog walker to take the puppy out. 

[Does anyone have "Ring" home security doorbell/cameras, etc?]

1 minute ago, Catwoman said:

 

Yes, you’re right — they definitely do. I just thought sheryl was only interested in the doorbell with the camera that shows who’s at the door.

I think she was, it was other people who were talking about getting access through the WiFi locks. 

 

[Budget for teen boy clothes?]

7 minutes ago, Pen said:

 

 

I may be making a mistake to want this!  I’m trying to work on increasing his independence skills and budgeting skills, and should say teen in this case = 16. And he does care somewhat about fashion. 

I could just continue with long distance orders for clothes. 

It’s not a bad idea. It made me start thinking about it. My DS is almost 13 and I don’t think he would have any idea how to shop for clothes. I bring ALL his clothes home for him, I can’t even remember him going to a store and trying on clothes. I can just picture him standing in the store with no idea what to do. Lol

[Does anyone have "Ring" home security doorbell/cameras, etc?]

On 8/22/2018 at 11:28 PM, Catwoman said:

 

How could anyone get inside your house by hacking a Ring doorbell? The doorbell isn’t attached to the locks on the doors.

You and I must be thinking of two different products. We use the Ring 2 doorbells and we like them. Easy to install, easy to use, very simple app, and the camera quality is adequate — and I can’t imagine how or why anyone would hack them.

I think a lot of these companies also have WiFi door locks now. Like a keypad lock that can also be opened electronically. 

[Modesty Vent ahead]

4 minutes ago, HomeAgain said:

? I'd be raising holy hell on that front. I don't fight many battles for my kids once they're in high school, but that was so inappropriate that I'd be in the principal's office with the trainer and make it known that under no circumstances is my child responsible for anyone else's behavior, especially when it crosses that line. I'd also be demanding that the boys and staff get a "do not rape" talk if they're going to put that on the girls.

I totally agree. I would be LIVID, I’m pretty worked up just reading the post!

[Dr. Hive: Visiting a home with a cat and having cat allergies]

You can take Benadryl and Zyrtec at the same time. I would also add a nasal spray like Nasacort. 

[I’m preparing for a contractor to take a look]

6 hours ago, rjand6more said:

So many of the suggestions sound great in theory, but don't work in practice.

Like getting a time guarantee.  DH is dealing with this now, for example.  Full house remodel.  He is down to the master bed/bath.  Homeowner wanted to special order a vanity.  She ordered it.  Then, she picked it up(to save money, I guess.)  DH opened it yesterday and it was broken.  So it will take weeks for a reorder.  He can only work so far.  Then he slows. Then he waits. Sometimes his projects rely on other trades, like the plumber, electrician, etc.

Itemized estimates.  DH offers customers this and will do it.  But, often it costs MORE to do one project at a time, especially if it is in the same room/area of the house.  If he is all set up, it takes less time to paint a wall adjoining another wall, for example. He's already there, paint roller is already full... Or painting trim costs less if he's painting walls because it's easier to cut in a wall than to cut in trim. DH figures how much time/work is involved.  

Yep. My dh can create a very tight schedule and get things done very quickly.  But if there is a delay in the decision making (delays ordering and scheduling) it can translate to weeks and months of delay. We have a customer right now who is at least 9 months behind schedule because he won’t make decisions. 

We don’t write deadlines into our contracts. 

[I’m preparing for a contractor to take a look]

On 8/7/2018 at 2:00 PM, gstharr said:

Break out the handyman repairs an farm these 1 or two at time.   If you like the work, keep using.  Get bids from separate sources for repair and remodel.  Lumping everything into one bid makes it easier to inflate bid.

I totally agree. We own a construction company. We don’t do small jobs, my dh would bid the small stuff along with the remodel but it would be much, much better (cheaper) to have a handyman do that. 

If you do the remodel, it is crucial to make decisions quickly. Every time the contractor has to wait for a decision the schedule gets pushed further back. 

[setting boundaries with sister's newborn]

9 hours ago, hippiemamato3 said:

We  had a very similar situation when our nephew was born. Our DS was 6 at the time and had previously been the apple of his uncle's eye. Suddenly he was too loud, too everything...it really did damage to their relationship, long after we pointed out the problem and the uncle (sort of)  tried to patch things up. I should also say that this DS is not loud, not crazy, and was completely respectful. 

This. 100% this. And just because she's 6 doesn't mean that her feelings aren't valid and worthy of notice. If this was my sister, I'd be telling her that we're taking a break because DD is hurt. And MY child's feelings are important too. 

We had a situation like that too, it was really unfortunate.  I also thought that since the family member had spent to much time around my kids that they would be more relaxed. I was wrong. Very. Very. Wrong. 

[setting boundaries with sister's newborn]

1 hour ago, Mergath said:

 

She's eleven months old and twenty-five pounds and my arms are SO SORE.

What? How in the world did that happen? Time flies around here. 

[Recyclable and or "greener" Swiffer pad product?]

4 hours ago, Katy said:

For the dog hair, I got a knockoff of this Dyson cordless vacuum at Amazon.  The particular brand I bought is no longer for sale. It's a quick  2 minutes to walk around the house sucking up the dog fur dust bunnies with the narrow attachment.  Then once a week I switch to the upholstery brush and use that to dust things like the vents and returns and baseboards. Maybe every 3 uses I plug it in.

 

ETA:  I was wrong, the seller I bought it through no longer sells there, but the model still is: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CCMNQCS/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_1_w

We have a cordless Dyson that I have DS use every day. It works great to get up all the hair. I seriously thought about a Roomba but ultimately decided on the cordless vac. 

[kids safety]

We had magnetic locks on the lower cabinets and they were worth every penny.  We also used baby gates to keep them away from stairs, outlet covers, furniture anchors, etc. 

For my own sanity I needed to be able to turn my back or do something in another room for a minute and know that the kids couldn’t get in to things.  Some people don’t need that but I can’t be *on* every second of the day. 

[s/o teeth cleaning dog]

When I had it done for my chihuahua in California it was about $600 (including a few extractions. We had it done in Nebraska and it was $130 (also including a few extractions). 

 

[reusable freezer containers?]

47 minutes ago, SamanthaCarter said:

You can get square sided deli containers similar to the round ones linked above. I’m almost ready to buy a case. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/reviews/B01M06YL0L/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_show_all_btm?ie=UTF8

Those are nice and it does make the most sense to have square containers. I use my 16oz containers the most so I would probably try a set of 16oz first. 

[reusable freezer containers?]

1 hour ago, happysmileylady said:

I tried glass canning jars and they just didn't work for me.

 

I am in LOVE with these containers.  They work for leftover storage, freezer storage, taking things for lunch, storing chicken stock, etc etc etc.  Plastic?  Yes.  But inexpensive, versatile, fridge, freezer, microwave friendly, as well as dishwasher safe.  Pluse they seal well so that they don't leak at all when used for things like taking soup to work for lunch, etc.  

 

I use similar containers. 

Reditainer Extreme Freeze Deli Food Containers with Lids, 16-Ounce, 36-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HG8YTB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.rNxBb4DFB604

I have them in 8, 16, and 32oz. Love them. 

["What can I use for homeschooling that is free and all online and requires no parent interaction and reads outloud becaus the child can't read"]

4 hours ago, KungFuPanda said:

I do not blame you for thinking it’s an exaggeration, but I’m seeing this on local and state FB homeschooling groups a few times a week now. I’m left stammering each time. I have to stop reading them. I have ONE more year of homeschooling and then I’ll be out before this new crop of clowns cause tougher regulations for everyone. And I live in a fairly educated area with a good school system. I don’t see how people have the nerve to even ask! It’s even scarier to think this isn’t just a MD problem. 

I understand the frustration but what this increase says to me is that people are frustrated and desperate to get their kids out of public school.