my oldest dd is able to do some limited things. For instance, she can remove a toy (weapon) from her baby brother's hand or she can grab his hand to make him stop (gently of course) all the while she should be calling for mom. This only happens when I am not in the room and only lasts until I get there. It helps her not to be continually assaulted while I am on the way. Then I can step in and do the disciplining.

What exactly are they doing? Just getting rowdy or pestering him or what?

kudos to your dd. And you did fine banning her from those kids. I'd have done the same.

ALL of the teachers that I run into are amazingly supportive, most of them say things like, "That is wonderful. I really wish our family was able to do that." They KNOW the deficiencies of our system, and are glad that others have the opportunity to avoid the educational holes that others fall into.

How about going to the fabric store and finding a length 2-3 yds, maybe of coordinating satin or formal wear fabric (there's tons out there now and many are GORGEOUS) and figuring out an artful drape for the dress. Hemming the ends would be all that would have to be done to it.

nope. if there are bad attitudes displayed, I cut it off. We have enough of that here as it is.

yep. All of a sudden she reailzed that she could read and it wasn't that hard and there were some interesting things to read about.

I think it is rude, and have told my kids that as well.

I know I wasn't the one complaining about my child this time, but you ladies have given me some wonderful food for thought. And it helps to know that others have been in the trenches too. Sometimes the way my oldest behaves is absolutely incomprehensible to me. She is a headstrong firstborn and I am a get along with everyone, people pleasing middle child. I NEVER did this stuff growing up. I constantly find myself thinking "why does she want to do it like this? All she has to do is go pick up her dirty underwear, like I asked her. Why turn it into an hour long drama?" The birth order book helped a little bit. And it helped when I decided that SHE was going to be the one who decided how her life went. Mom provides consequences and if she decides to be ugly, then her life wouldn't be much fun. goodbye Mommy guilt.... But anyway, this thread has been so helpful to me too.

me too. Haven't found any solution.

you think it could be strep??? This sounds alot like when I had strep.

I definitely would lessen the weekend activities if she can't keep up with the attitude. Perhaps she can hang out at a friends house till say 10 then you pick her up so she can sleep at home??? (after, of course, the grounding passes) Then she can have some friend time, but not be so hard to be around. Mondays are always our rough days around here. Tired from the weekend, piano lesson, and the weekend mess I am trying to get cleaned up, makes for a VERY difficult morning. Just saying that I've been there, more times than I care to admit. Hopefully we will all survive!

Would I miss too much if I couldn't use the videos? There's not a group nearby.

You may be in luck. 2 of my dc's who were allergic to cow's milk outgrew it by the time they were six months old! Maybe she's past it. My other one still has slight allergies (no stomach pain, but exhibits eczema when she gets too much) but it is nowhere near as severe.

I do 1-2 loads a day. I try to keep the kids clothes pared down myself. They usually have 6-8 play outfits, 2-3 "going places" outfits, and 6-10 church outfits. This gives them plenty if I get behind in the laundry, but not so much that I cannot fit them in the drawers.

sounds like you did fine. Although in my family with my mouthy eldest child, extra chores seem to work better than taking away privileges. Then if she REALLY crosses the line, then we take away major privileges. She knows that slamming a door, means she must fold one load of my laundry. Being disrespectful gets a 5 gal. bucket of rocks picked up from the garden, etc. It helps to have it written down. Then I'm not scrambling to think of chores when I am so angry and frustrated with her. Why does she end up so tired on Sunday?

I've done Esther, and the Beloved Disciple. I'm considering Breaking Free next. Any suggestions?

no way. I have a 12 yr. old and I wouldn't do this.

riding mower--when she was old enough to not trip the safety switch...about 11. still haven't done the push mower. But be careful, my adult brother nearly cut off his toes mowing his ditch, and he was an adult! He had gobs of stitches and was a fraction of an inch from losing some toes! I'd advise level ground for a kid.

my ds watches Blue's clues. It helped him learn his shapes. btdt!

If she want's to treat you like the chauffeur (home, Jeeves) perhaps she should pay you like one. I like the idea of work=transportation, with perhaps a baseline of stuff you are wiilling to do for "free". Maybe, I'll take you 2 hours worth of driving per week. Any thing beyond that, you owe me work for.

(Heaving a huge sigh) Ok, so maybe it will go better than I think. I'm needing new tennis shoes so maybe that will be my contribution to the shopping trip. I refuse to get a pedicure though!!! Even if I am the ONLY ONE IN THE FAMILY WHO WON"T! I have major personal space issues. I hardly can stand in-law hugs, much less a total stranger picking my toe lint out!!!

We raise our own beef; to my knowledge there is nothing different about cooking with it. There is a slightly different flavor, that you will become accustomed to. Store beef tastes very bland to our family now. As for the porterhouse, if it is a steak it is and excellent cut for grilling. The chuck is probably a chuck roast. Long low cooking temps would be best after browning in oil...think crock pot all day.

I hang a dark colored sheet over our curtain rods in my early riser's rooms. It does help some. I also shop on the web more than in a store. The selection is better since many times the sizes are not available that I need in the style that I want. I would not repeat jr. high for any amount of money. I was miserable. My dd 12 is having a hard time too. Although the greasy hair thing is keeping me from staying on her back about taking baths. it is not fun to be 12.

in my house, each girl is allowed to decide on her sixth birthday.