There are lots of reasons for this correlation . . . several good ones mentioned above. Another one might be moms like me, whose own anxiety contributed to my decision to homeschool. "Mood disorders" which includes both anxiety and depression can run in families. That inheritable trait could be an issue for my kids whether or not my kids were homeschooled.

My guess is that is because you are incorrectly interpreting the role of the nurse babysitter. The female is there while the male DOCTOR is doing his sensitive work . . . to protect the doctor and facility against false claims (and presumably also preventing the rare occurrence of a true claim). In contrast, it is much less likely that a female nurse (or doctor) would either commit or be falsely accused of inappropriate behavior with a male patient. That's just statistics. Just my opinion.

When the kids were little, and we had a dedicated "play room" where balls and gymnastics and free-wheeling nuttiness were encouraged, the couch down there was jumpable and destroyable. The rest of the furnishings in the rest of the house was never allowed to be *jumped* on. Gently climbed on, yes, but not jumping. I don't think I was worried about the couches, which are generally hard to destroy (without scissors or glue or paint or such), but I was more worried about jumping into the light fixtures, knocking a painting off a wall, etc, so "horse play" was generally confined to safe spaces such as the play room, outside, or to some degree kids' bedrooms. I'd certainly not allow "jumping" on anything other than a bed or couch, as tables/chairs/etc are all too fragile for jumping.

For the odors: Nature's Miracle. Get the gallon. Get the orange scented one. If any covers are washable, then remove them and wash as directed of course. Things that aren't washable can be soaked in Nature's Miracle. You want it to slowly evaporate for the best effectiveness, over 2 days or so. An easy way to help this happen is to put a damp towel over the treated item(s) or area(s) while it is drying out. In a day or two, when it's dry, do the sniff test. You can re-treat a second time if the first time didn't do it. FWIW, in my world, I simply throw away anything that is soaked in urine if it can't be machine washed. . . . I've gotten too old and cranky to put up with that. Then again, all my couches are IKEA with washable slipcovers, and I've gotten rid of every inch of carpeting in my house . . . You can say that I've had a LOT of experience with pet urine . . . and I have very little patience for it. Personally, I'd machine wash on "delicate" cycle anything I could unzip and get off. I've washed all sorts of things that weren't supposed to be washable. It's better to try than to throw it out right off the bat, lol. The only exception to my "throw it away NOW" rule is when we've had a declining/dying pet and I knew it would recur, but for a limited period of time. Then, once that pet passed on, we threw away that one couch (the last one I've owned without washable covers . . . It was free from a friend . . .) (And, yes, I know the throw it out thing is a bit wasteful. I agree. I have more money now than I used to, and I used to put up with urine more than I do now. It's one of my little luxuries, lol. Plus, we've had a zillion animals for ever (up to 5 dogs and 5 cats at one point recently, all inside pets) and, because of my pet-related cleanliness fanaticism, my house doesn't smell like pets or anything at all unpleasant, and people with asthma and allergies can healthily live here . . . I know, because I am allergic to dogs and cats and have asthma, lol. The occasional discarded futon is the price we pay for living with pets. Actually, the discarded futon was from a 9 year old who wet the bed, lol. I don't even put up with kid urine any more . . . Washable slip covers rock my world. And I really need to get waterproof mattress pads before the 9 year old comes back for his next visit this summer, lol.) Anyway, on to the vet thing. Yes, do get in to a vet. There are things that can be done!!! Don't delay. Go ahead and get things checked out. They also sell doggy diapers! Down side is that, like a baby, your dog will get sores if he sits in urine, so check it like you would a baby. Obviously, these will get pricey, so that makes that vet visit seem more affordable! :) When our old, sick dog was peeing all over (and was beyond anything vet medicine could do for her to help with the peeing), we got washable doggy diapers. They did help us protect the house during her last months. IMHO, they're a more affordable long term solution than disposable. And, I like your idea of a waterproof mattress pad. I'd get them for those favorite upholstered items, and then cover the COVER with a washable quilt or something like that. It'd look OK and be comfy and washable.

Ahhh, I remember this well. It was and is my tradition to keep calling my friend's mom "Mrs. Bryant" or "Dr. Jones" until they, with years of insistence, wear me down and I finally relent and call them "Jim" and "Sally" -- generally between age 30 and 40 was when I made the switch. I had friends who kept calling my mom "Ms. Craig" until she died, even though she'd have been very fine with them calling her "Mary Ellen" for decades, lol. I thought it was respectful and sweet. Mom didn't mind at all, either. There were a few of my mom's friends that I finally relented and called by their first names in the last years of her life (when they were in their 70s) just because I was talking to them routinely to arrange get togethers for Mom (who had dementia, so couldn't manage these things), and I was also communicating with them a lot about Mom's status, etc, so I finally felt more like friends. So, I finally relented . . . I got old enough and tired enough to finally feel comfortable being their "equals" . . . So, that's what I've encouraged my kids to do . . . Stick with the respectful title at least into college age, unless the person in question insists super strong, in which case, of course, try to respect their request. At that point, play it by ear with each relationship. Seems to work for us.

No, you are not too picky. If you aren't comfortable with a helper/nurse/doctor of another gender or for any reason at all, that is FINE! You have the right to be comfortable. You're not anti-male nurse. You're just anti-male-seeing-me-shit-myself. You'd be fine with him taking your blood pressure or monitoring your surgery, I bet. You are human. The female nurse was a bitch to you. That's wrong. When my kids hit pre-puberty, I switched my son to a male pediatrician and girls to a female. I myself was only comfortable with female ob/gyns through at least my first pregnancy. (Now, I don't care, lol.) Everyone has unique needs and these should be respected. IME, doctors are understanding and respectful of this, and it is NOT unique or terrible of you for you to be uncomfortable with an opposite-sex care giver. I'm sure it is a nuisance for the staff, but that is their damn problem. I think it's terrible that they made you feel uncomfortable with your needs. My rule is no being in hospital without a loved one (or private hired aide) with you 24/7. It's non negotiable for me. I'd beg, borrow, or charge it if I had to in order to live that rule. (My dad died in hospital due to hospital errors. He would NOT have died if one of us had been with him. This is unequivocal, legally established fact.) So, when my mom was in hospital over the years, I was there 24/7 until she was discharged. I informed the staff of this, and told them that if they wanted me out, they'd have to physically remove me. I wasn't leaving without physical force. Staff accepts this when you give them no choice. This will *always* be the case with dh and my kids. I will be there. If I am too frail or it is too much for me to be there 24/7, another family member will be there, or I will hire a private duty nurse. Period. If you'd had a family member with you, they could have helped you to the bathroom (perhaps with the male nurse near by doing his job but not invading your privacy). They could also have gone into the hall, and out of your hearing, advocated for you that you needed a same-gender helper for the bathroom. And they could have taken the heat from the staff, buffering you from anything stressful. Those are the sorts of things I do when I am with someone at the hospital. Make sure they get the water/ice/snack/blankets/pillows they need, etc. Those simple things can make a huge difference in your comfort and recovery. And, FWIW, you are in charge of you. If you want to get out of bed without help, and you are confident you can, then do it. Their rules can go screw themselves. IMHO. (Note, however, that my dad's death was due to a preventable FALL. . . . So, getting up on your own before they say you are ready is not always a good idea. . . But, he was recovering from a massive stroke, was catheterized, and was supposed to be restrained 24/7 . . . Every case is different. When Mom was in hospital, I helped her to/from the bathroom, etc, all the time.) I'm SO sorry you went through this. (((hugs))) and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

If your parents are still fully with-it and able to manage their affairs, you don't *have* to get involved . .. But, just be ready for when they are no longer managing. You could encourage them to streamline things. Assuming your parents are married, then the easiest way to convince them to streamline and "get their affairs in order" is likely to be to take care of the other spouse when one passes away or is incapacitated. Then, it's not you looking out for your own convenience/inheritance, but you looking out for your parents. And, even if there is only one parent (or they are divorced), then having things streamlined will enable you to better care for THEM when/if something happens that makes them unable to take care of their own affairs -- a stroke or other sudden change of status . . . My parents were each single in their later years, but I can't tell you how much more difficult it would have been to care for Mom during her declining years if she hadn't had things in order. I thanked the stars, and thanked Mom's foresight and consideration, innumerable times during those months as well as in the months since her death. In my case, once our kids are in their 30s (when dh and I are in our 60s), I intend to have a q5 years meeting with the three of them (assuming all 3 are responsible and reasonable, lol), both my husband and I, and, eventually, including our financial planner if we have one at that time. I'd plan to review/update our estate documents at the same interval, and have the meeting with the kids after that . . . Having a "Disaster Plan" in a binder of folder, with locations of all major assets, account numbers, insurance policy information, safe deposit locations, etc, is important, too. Mom started doing that by age 50 and showed me (and presumably my brother, too) where that folder was, where she kept her safe deposit box key, etc. That was pretty much as soon as I was an adult. My mom started involving my brother and I more seriously in her affairs once she was 65 or so. A few years later, once she suspected that she had early dementia, she also brought us into her financial planner's office to meet her, and she put us on her safe deposit box, and further updated/streamlined her documents as well. I think she did an amazing job making things as simple as they could have been for us, and STILL, it was a daunting amount of work . . . I will do everything in my power not to burden our kids needlessly. I'd rather they can focus on loving us and helping us enjoy life if it comes to that, rather than have a FT job just figuring out our finances!

OMG, what a nightmare. Taking over my mom's money was a nightmare, but not anywhere near as bad as it could have been. Lesson I've learned and things I'll be doing as I age: Keep everything as simple as possible. This means: - just one or two banks - just one or two savings/checkings account - write down everything in one place - use a financial planner if feasible - get rid of all excess credit cards (no more than 3) - fewer, larger accounts and insurance plans - consolidate, simplify, repeat At this moment, in our middle age, our finances are necessarily very complex. We own multiple corporations, real estate, etc. Have lots of shit going on. But, as our lives simplify as we approach retirement, I will, for sure, aim to simplify, simplify, simplify. And, of course, have all appropriate documents in order!! Oh, also, be sure to use beneficiary designations properly on all IRAs, insurance policies, investment accounts, and even bank accounts. Doing so can expedite settling your estate immensely.

Yellowstone at any time of year can be quite cold at night. I'd just make sure you all have ground pads (foam or air) as well as 20 degree bags or warmer. And, clean sets of good long johns, fuzzy socks, and snuggly hats for sleeping in. So long as everyone has all those things, you should be OK. However, if your baby is really under 1, then you will likely need extra warmsies for her. If I were camping somewhere cool with that small a baby, I'd have likely had a double sleeping bag for me and the baby (two zipped together). And, since that's less warm than a single bag, I'd have made sure I also had a couple nice fleece blankies to snuggle/wrap up the two of us with, in addition to SUPER warm sleep clothes for the baby. (Double layers of high quality long johns, etc. )

Oh my, you didn't happen to be a member of St. Anne's Episcopal in Reston, VA?? Your list sounds exactly like their list. (We were members 12-14 years ago, and my mom was a member up until her death last year.)

Exactly! (If it were my kid or my dh, then I might correct them very carefully and privately . . . But other than those few adults, I don't think it's my place to even try to correct another adult.) Unless someone is actually abusive towards someone (i.e., yelling at my kid or making a racist joke), I wouldn't say anything. Being rude with phone use is bad manners, but it's not abusive behavior that, in my book, would indeed require my intervention. So, I'd just ignore the bad behavior. I might take note and avoid inviting that person to the next event, but I wouldn't try to intervene any more than I'd correct another adult's fork choice or nose picking. That said, of course it is rude. I don't do it. If my phone buzzes during a social engagement, I glance at it, but I only answer if it is my kids, someone who "has" my kids somewhere, or something that may be some other critical business or personal matter -- a friend in crisis or a business call that can't be missed or something like that. I always explain and apologize, and I excuse myself from the room if the communications will be continued more than a moment.

LOL, I don't research stocks. I buy Vanguard Index Funds. Investing made simple. Mostly Target Retirement Date 2035. VTHHX. 2035, here I come. :)

Do you make sure he gets plenty of morning sunshine? On days it isn't possible to get lots of morning sunshine, I'd use a high quality light therapy light. FWIW, I've been taking melatonin to get to sleep for years and it really helps me, but I have been able to gradually decrease the dose, not increase it. I started at 5mg, went to 3 after a few weeks, and got down to 2 after a couple years. I'm still hoping to decrease more. :) I do feel hung over and foggy the next day if I take 5mg. So, based on my experience, I'd just try to keep to the lowest effective dose if I were using it. I'd be leery of using it long term on a young child, though. Who knows what it really does to us . . . Do you have the option to just let the kid go to bed late?? Give him a book (or pile of soft quiet toys) and a safe nightlight??? My mom let me fall asleep in my toys every night as a little tiny kid. Seems like a good option to me.

ditto

Alrighty, I think this is the crux of our different perspectives. I'm a biologist. I think of shifts in populations over evolutionary time. To me, a few months change in 30-50 years is huge unless explained by something obvious (starvation/not, etc.) and there is no such obvious (healthy) explanation for a shift of a few months in the last 30-50 years in the western world.

ps. Editorials in academic journals are controlled by and typically authored by the lead editors of those same journals. One doesn't become an editor of an academic journal without being a leader in the field, with strong academic credentials and numerous prestigious publications. Being an editor is typically considered quite an honor, actually. The editors aren't the grunts who put commas where they go . . . they're the lead thinkers in the field.

The Reference section of the article lists numerous sources. Presumably from some of those. For fun, maybe someone should email Mark Bellis. (Email addy is on the above links.) My guess is that he'd be rather amused by homeschooling moms researching this topic and cooperative in sharing both his CV (and those of the other authors) as well as explaining the data sets used. I bet he'd get a bang out of it. :) If I'm wrong about his credentials, I'll be the first to say I'm wrong, but I don't think I'm wrong. *I* wouldn't do it, but I'm not in doubt of his qualifications, lol. References 1. Hermanâ€Giddens M E. Recent data on pubertal milestones in United States children: the secular trend towards earlier development. Int J Androl 200629241 [PubMed] 2. Anderson S E, Must A. Interpreting the continued decline in the average age at menarche: results from two nationally representative surveys of U.S. girls studied 10 years apart. J Pediatr 2005753–760.760 [PubMed] 3. Anderson S E, Dallal G E, Must A. Relative weight and race influence average age at menarche: results from two nationally representative surveys of U.S. girls studied 25 years apart. Pediatrics 2003111844–850.850 [PubMed] 4. Bodzsar E B, Susanne C. eds. Secular growth changes in Europe. Budapest, Hungary: Eotovos University Press, 1998 5. Tanner J M. Trend towards earlier menarche in London, Oslo, Copenhagen, the Netherlands and Hungary. Nature 197324395–96.96 [PubMed] 6. Whincup P H, Gilg J A, Taylor S J C. et al Age of menarche in contemporary British teenagers: survey of girls born between 1982 and 1986. BMJ 20013221095–1096.1096 [PMC free article] [PubMed] 7. Gluckman P D, Hanson M A. Evolution, development and timing of puberty. Trends Endocrinol Metab2006177–12.12 [PubMed] 8. Parent A, Teilmann G, Juul A. et al The timing of normal puberty and age limits of sexual precocity: variations around the world, secular trends, and changes after migration. Endocr Rev 200325668–693.693 [PubMed] 9. Office of National Statistics, England, 2005. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/(accessed 11 2006) 10. Brown J D, Tucker Halpern C, Ladin L'Engle K. Mass Media as a sexual peer for early maturing girls. J Adolesc Health 200536420–427.427 [PubMed] 11. Finkelstein J W, Von Eye A, Preece M A. The relationship between aggressive behaviour and puberty in normal adolescents: a longitudinal study. J Adolesc Health 199415319–326.326 [PubMed] 12. Kinsman S B, Romer D, Furstenberg F F. et al Early sexual initiation: the role of the peer norms. Pediatrics 19981021185–1192.1192 [PubMed] 13. Wellings K, Nanchahal K, Macdowall W. et al Sexual behaviour in Britain: early heterosexual experience. Lancet 20013581843–1850.1850 [PubMed] 14. Krug E G, Dahlberg L L, Mercy J A. et al eds. World Report on violence and health. Geneva: World Health Organisation, 2002 15. De Muinck Keizerâ€Schrama, Mul D. Trend in pubertal development in Europe. Eur Soc Hum Reprod Embryol 20017287–291.291

I have no idea how you come to the conclusion that the authors do not have academic degrees. What would make you think that? A quick google found several bios for the lead author, and he certainly appears to have very strong academic credentials. http://dcp-3.org/author/mark-bellis http://www.cph.org.uk/people/professormarkbellis/ http://www.who.int/violenceprevention/about/participants/cph/en/ I didn't bother googling the other authors, but I am very confident you are incorrect in this statement. Having a research science background, I am familiar enough with academic publishing to know that the authors would not have their credentials listed on papers, and that it is extraordinarily unlikely that someone with the number of very reputable publications as Bellis has would not have strong academic credentials.

Goodness gracious, *I* wouldn't suggest anything at all. I'd leave that to the doctors. I have no idea what may or may not be considered or advisable medically, as I've never faced this issue myself. FWIW, here is one (of many) article detailing changes in puberty age in the last 100 years or so. The shift to younger ages for puberty is not at all insignificant. It is *years* earlier than a century ago . . . (and note that the Fig 1 chart only goes through 20-30 years ago, during which time the shift has continued if not accelerated.) This particular article also discusses the problems associated with a dis-harmony between "social puberty" and "physical puberty" If it were my kid, and they were facing the physical changes of puberty very young, well before they had the "maturity" of a teen (lol) to handle the stresses of puberty, including the associated hormone surges and sexual urges, I'd want to think through these issues to help best support my kid emotionally and socially. Puberty is hard enough at age 13-16. At age 9-11, it'd be that much harder, I'd imagine. Personally, if my kids had entered puberty that early, I'd have had to tweak my timing for various "talks" . . . among other things. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2465479/ :leaving:

Well, it might if you told the kid! A 10 year old doesn't generally require or even ask for explanations of why you are going in for a routine DR appointment. If you just made a pediatrician appointment for well-child (if he's due, as my kids usually were, since I often didn't remember to go in every year), or even just a routine check up . . . And then told the DR to check your kiddo' out . . . that he's starting puberty and you wanted to make sure everything is on track . . . I don't see a complex developing there. I went in for wellness myself last week, and I asked the DR to run blood work for "baseline" because it'd been a while . . . I don't think taking humans in for a "check up" will give the human a complex anymore than taking your car in for a tune up, lol. I don't think DR visits need to be reserved for when you *know* things are abnormal. I think they can be helpful to track normal development and to catch problems before they become serious. In the case of OP's son, in my experience, it'd be out of the norm. For a thin caucasian male, I think 10 sounds young to me for facial hair. I'd get it checked out with an overall wellness exam +/- further workup if the DR advises. And, FWIW, IMHO, just because the average age of onset of puberty is now much younger than it was just a generation ago, that does not mean that it is HEALTHY or ideal to enter puberty so early. If it were my kid, I'd want to know why, and I did intentionally do what I could to reduce the risk of this for my own family. FWIW, my 3 kids have each entered puberty around the same ages I and dh did (older than typical now -- more around the norms from 30-50 years ago), and I made a significant effort throughout their lives to do the things I could to avoid things suspected or known to cause to be what I consider to be abnormal development. (Avoided excess weight, nursed for 2+ years each child, maximized healthy time outdoors, minimized chemicals in the home, minimized fake foods, avoided hormones and other chemicals in meat and dairy, use grass fed organic meat, don't cook in plastics or store food in plastics, etc. . . . I won't argue about the risks of any of these specific things, as I really have no certainty about ANY of those things . . . they are just a few random things that I came across reasonable arguments that suggested that doing/avoiding/etc could help my kids, so I've done them. . . I am sure some are bunk and some are probably important.) The average weight of people is also much higher than it once was, but we mostly agree that average is not ideal for weight . . . So, IMHO, I'd get it checked out. OP asked for opinions, and I offered mine. Feel free to disagree! :)

I bought some frosted window film for a laundry room window that my dogs insisted on jumping up on and breaking the blinds on within a month of replacing them (as it faces the front of the house where UPS men and other terribly dangerous people approach . . . lol) Anyway, I put it on 3-4 years ago and it has been perfect ever since. I think it was maybe $20/roll. It is a "cling" type thing, you apply it wet, but it is NOT glued on. You could peel it off in a second flat, leaving no residue. There were lots of choices on Amazon. It took me maybe an hour to apply, but I'd never done it before. They had loads of choices, including stained-glass look things or the simple "frosted" look that I went with. I don't think anyone other than me has ever even realized it's not "real" frosted glass.

I would get him to the pediatrician ASAP unless he has already had a lot of growth in height. If he was already within 4-6 inches of what you expect to be his full height, I wouldn't worry, but if he is still tiny (like my kids were at that age), then, yes, *I* would have it checked out just in case. (But I am a worrier and like to get the DR insight on anything outside my norms. Plus, my 6'1" 16 yo son who is otherwise fully post-puberty still doesn't shave regularly at all, lol, so that's my personal experience.) It's probably totally normal and fine, but I wouldn't want to risk missing something critical.

FWIW, we have booked this hotel for our 4 nights in the Arenal area. (We got 2 rooms, as we have 3 teens). To me, it seemed like the best choice. (We'll be there May 22-May 26, just in case you overlap and see us! Wouldn't that be funny!!) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309226-d626270-Reviews-Hotel_El_Silencio_del_Campo-La_Fortuna_de_San_Carlos_Arenal_Volcano_National_Park_Provi.html It has nice hot springs right on site, which is a big plus in my book. :) Supposed to be fairly convenient to the various attractions in the region. If I were in your shoes, this is probably where I'd go, as it should be manageable to drive to/from the airport on your travel days, not needing to stay anywhere else (as long as you make sure to arrive not too late and leave not too early, to avoid driving a lot in the dark.)

We are going there at the same time!! (May 22-Jun1)!! We'll have 10 nights, so we're going multiple places. I think the Arenal area would be where we'd choose if we only had 4 days, because it's a lot closer than the beaches. You'd lose most of a day on each end going to the beach. So, if you're not dead set on beaches, go to Arenal. Hot springs, zip lines, volcanos, etc. We're still nailing down our itinerary, but I think we're spending 4 days in Arenal and 6 on the beaches (Santa Teresa area, on the Nicoya Peninsula, for surfing, etc.). BTW, if you are renting a car, be careful. I did a lot of research, and I found that wildrider is *the* reliable/honest company. I've booked our vehicle with them already (first thing we booked after our flights), and they've been great to work with.

ps. When you are considering things, do google image searches for your ideas. "Medium oak cabinets with hickory floors" and you'll find zillions of images (and opinions if you do a text search). Seeing pictures really helped me come up with ideas during our renovations.