Based on thus information, I have no problem figuring why other people have not volunteered. She gave you one day's noticed to make 3 different kinds of cookies from recipes of her choosing. She gave you one days notice to get to the church for early set up. I imagine other's have volunteered and found they couldn't make three kinds of cookies on short notice.

Spent $200. I loved it. I had it cleaned and it's in my closet. 27 years later I can say the style was not classic, so it is very dated in it's look. I've told dd, she's free to take it apart and create something new or acquire something different.

My neighbor's DS went to one. He ultimately decided not to go to the school, but everyone attending the event got entered to win some giveaways throughout the event. My neighbor's DS won an IPAD. He thought it was worth going for that reason.

I stopped going. I wish I'd stopped sooner. I am stopping by my brother's at 5 pm this year. So, the day is still pretty free. Last year didn't see anyone. For us it's no longer about enjoying family time. There is one person who just has a lot of difficulty with Christmas, so it's best to be as low key as possible. Whatever the reason you don't want to go doesn't matter. Just say you aren't going and then don't go. Doing that takes a lot of pressure away. Why don't all the families stay home and the grandparents take turns visiting each of them through the holiday season. If Grandma wants everyone in one place why doesn't she do that on a Sunday before or after the holiday or on New Year's Day.

I'm not sure. She sounds immature. Just because a house is home to pets doesn't mean that home is open to pet visitors.

Ask about PT before and after surgery. There are PTs who specialize in these muscle groups.

You need to refer to each state and each school, but I would expect overlap with the rules that apply to independence from parents for FAFSA. Independence for FAFSA is generally one of the following: Age 24 Married Have a child Join the military

This is what I often feel with my parents. Good luck with your move!

I think some people have been a bit hard on the OP. I get that there's a lot of frustration in her posts. That frustration doesn't mean she is voicing that to her dss. She is expressing frustration to people other than him. Additionally, I cannot believe that she makes him feel bad. He chose to live with his father and stepmother. It was his choice. If the op treated him so awfully I'm not sure he'd make such a choice. I do think the op, should stop worrying about it. I've had a teen boy who was overweight. You can make all the tools in the world available to fix the problem. He has to use them.

When my Dd was dx with celiac I cleaned house and the whole family ate gluten free. We still do 16 years later. That approach really won't work here. The SS is not 4. The OP does not gave total control over food. He gets food at votech daily and he visits his mother. At this point I think the op needs to accept that she cannot advise and she will not change her SS. So she should stop making her focus on fixing central to her relationship with him. Based on this thread and others I thunk the op knows how to shop. So she should just continue with shopping the perimeter. But I also think there's nothing wrong with her son having a box to lock up snacks in his room. Again, these aren't preschoolers. These are young men. If her son isn't eating in front of ss then there shouldn't be a problem with him choosing to eat. The SS has been given all the tools necessary to lose weight. He's not going to take advantage with forced external parental control. So OP should just back off. She shouldn't talk about it to him in terms of diet or overweight anymore. I do think there would be a lot of frustration with ingredients disappearing. So, my approach might be to maintain a strict menu plan for the week. I'd post what we were eating so it was clear the x ingredients and y leftovers were not up for grabs. Perhaps leaving a note with the weekly menu identifying what is available to eat between meals and saying it is available until it is gone and won't be replaced.

If I'm remembering correctly, the older ds is underweight so OP would like to have food to meet his needs as well. I know a family that had two underweight sons and 1 son who was significantly (300lbs) overweight. They locked up food that belongs to the underweight boys. The underweight boys had a key.

My coworker lives Iceland. She is making that ger go to vacation. She flies on WOW airlines.

Two years ago dh picked a sweater out for me. I really liked it. This is the first time in 26 years he picked something out entirely on his own. Last year he gave me the exact same sweater. I told him I liked it, it was the right size and color. And he gave it to me 2 years ago and I've been wearing it. Poor guy.

The things you've stated don't strike me as grooming. However, this man has set off an alarm for you. So there's probably more that you haven't noticed subconsciously. If it were my child I'd remove her from the program (choir?). I'd raise concerns to the pastor about him not speaking to you about the dress code and its application to tweens.

Yes. Skip all of it. I am.

Water. I have the Fitbit flex 2. It can go in water. If you need something that can get wet this is one to go with.

thanks everyone. I got through today. Thankfully, I forgot I have a few meals frozen in the freezer. That will help me this week. It is not the end of the work that I will have a new boss. The transition is just going to be rough. I still have a job and aside from one person the people are friendly. I have a plan for Christmas. Similar to last year. I'm still working on accepting that my family can't do a whole family time together (reasons somewhat explained last year), but I do have a plan for two of my kids. We have no decorations. I used to make multiple gingerbread houses. I used to make cookies. I think we will still have a game night on Festivus with the neighbor (I will have to cook for that I think, but it is a fun evening--thinking about that doesn't drain me.) I still need to talk to my mom and I don't want to. I can do this. I might break down again, but I'll be OK. It was just a hard day and hopefully tomorrow will be better. Thank you!

I love July 4. We have a neighborhood block part. It's pot luck. No assignments and we always end up with a good range of food from appetizer through dessert. It's so relaxing. No pressure.

I'm so sorry! Prayers for your family. :grouphug:

I just need to say it to someone. I no longer enjoy Christmas. I've been the chief coordinator of decorating, presents and family traditions. I've asked for help on presents from dh for years. This year I am not decorating. I bought a few presents. I sent dh a list of what I got and said I can do no more. I clarified that point this morning. I think dh got the message now. My mom keeps calling me for ideas. I want to say to her "Christmas is awful for my family. It's been awful for a few years. I don't and won't have any ideas on what you should give your grandchildren. They are young adults and probably just need money." I can't actually do that. Starting tomorrow I'm working some long hours through 12/31 except for 12/23 and 12/25. My boss has taken a new job and his last day is 12/20. The person who will be in charge is not prepared and disorganized (he will work very hard, but not very smart, he will spend time putting out fire after fire and miss some fires). I've already seen this person's management in another area. So, I'm stressed. My anxiety is out of control. I'm going back to cleaning my house. I vacuumed my bedroom and that feels good.

No there is not a huge percentage of fires compared to households who gave a live tree. However when a tree does catch fire it burns quickly and the results are devastating.

I would not have a problem with my dc getting a theater degree. I would not encourage borrowing a large sum of money for any degree and would not borrow on my child's behalf. If attending an elite school could be done for a small amount of loans then borrowing could be worthwhile, but 100K is too much. That kind of debt can hamper career choices and opportunities. Not only does the graduate need to find jobs that have good entry level salaries, some positions may not consider applicants with significant debt.

Just read this. My reaction is run. Do not consider this job. Just run.

Parents are correct. However if the parents won't negotiate at all I'd be concerned about other things too. I'm sure you are thinking about all the other details. Have these people had a nanny previously. Can your DD talk to previous nannies and find out if the stuck to agreements as far as amount of time worked. We're other nannies in school. What happens when exams roll around and are scheduled at all times a day thus interfering with school pick up. When you live in, the situation is a very slippery slope.

So, glad it worked out. IME most hotels have cancel by 6 pm (maybe as early as 4 pm). Only in resort areas have I experienced 24hours or more.