I have 3. One small and two big. I use them simultaneously often. Green beans in one, baked potatoes in another and a meatloaf in the 3rd...baked beans, corn on the cob and a chicken, etc etc... Curious about the lead thing now.

I worked at Denny's when I was 18. We were trained to enter our tips at 15% of our sales. I was told this was by law. There are probably a lot of other servers who believe that is the law. I know for a fact I wasn't making that much, but what could you do? It is really not a job you could support a home and family very well at, which is sad because so many people have no choice. :(

Never taught my girls sight words. Somehow, they turned out just fine. ;) I think it's an ego thing for ps teachers to try to demean homeschoolers and make us feel insecure. That's why when I'm at the park with a ps teacher, I usually don't have too much to discuss. ;)

I have to agree. I wouldn't respond. It's none of their business. You don't want to open it up for discussion.

As a former server, I feel like I need to address this. Servers are TAXED on 15% of their sales. Let's also remember, that in a lot of establishments, they have to 'tip out' to cooks and bus people, so they don't even get to keep all of what you give them. I get that there are servers that aren't good at their jobs. I don't think you punish them by seeing to it that they aren't paid. Talk to the manager. Tell someone about your poor service. I remember one Halloween in particular where the managers had anticipated nobody would be in, so I was the only server working that night. Well, sure enough, we got slammed. People had to wait for things, and I had orders mixed up, etc. I was working the entire restaraunt by myself, and there were people waiting to be seated! I made 30.00 in tips that night. The next day, I quit. I agree that tipping sucks and I wish shop owners wouldn't rely on it to pay people, but don't take it out on the employee. If you had a bad day, would you like to forfeit your pay?

I don't know, but I have heard from parents of high school kids that in order to take any college courses at any GA university, they must first 'drop out' officially and take a GED as well. Thus attributing to the high GA homeschool drop out rate. It's frustrating, and I hope HSLDA can help.

Ugh. Too much ignorance to warrant a response. :001_huh:

We used the sleeplady shuffle in 'Goodnight Sleep tight' We co-slept with each of our kids for the first year, transitioning them all to toddler beds around 1 year old. This method was extremely useful, and can be implemented in around 1-2 weeks. HTH!

I'm looking for reviews. :)

Just watched the trailer on youtube. It looks like a much needed awakening. I'm concerned that the writer is the 'Inconvenient Truth' guy...but maybe this one actually does tell the truth. I'm in. When it comes out, I plan to see it.

stress naps. ;)

Yeesh! I don't know what I'll do. My youngest is 3, so I still have 15 years ahead of me, and I'm 37 now. I don't know. Maybe I will, just to lump some money into savings so maybe my dh retire faster and come home to spend some time with me. :)

spagetti.

You could make your own patterns....(I did) just trace around a sposie diaper and add 1/2 inch around. OR, you can just order prefolds which are VERY economical and easy to use once you get over the learning curve.

I haven't read this entire thread...but I wouldn't feel weird at all giving the kids coffee. I had never heard of it, but what a great idea! Honestly, seems like it would be a lot better for them than soda or some of the other alternatives!

Excellent Excellent EXCELLENT advice!!! Thank you so much! I just don't know how to set good boundaries. I know when they've been crossed...but I need to work on the firm setting of them. Thank you so much for this. Also excellent advice (and thank you for the compliment to my parenting. Having been abused and in the foster care system myself, I question myself a lot.) I have been asking around at church, but ultimately they all tell me to spank. I can't make that work. I'm not saying it can't work, I'm saying I'm not someone who should. That said, a professional might be a good idea. Thanks again for all the gems of advice here! It's invaluable. :grouphug:

Definitely be positive. She doesn't need all the negative piled on at once, even if that's what it is. I had one in ICU from a bad delivery (shoulder distocia stuck without oxygen) and everyone acted like the baby was as good as dead. I was stuck in another hospital and there wasn't anything I could do...It was terrifying. Be positive, and do whatever she asks if you can.

Apparently so, since my 10yo dd is rolling on the floor right now. The kids will be giggling about that picture still when daddy gets home tonight, so...thanks. :lol:

Cute. :lol: I wonder if she's speaking from personal experience. :rolleyes:

I am getting SO MUCH out of this thread! I am not a big spanker, ok...I'm downright terrible about it. It's just not me, and it's uncomfortable, and they sense that. I don't believe in 'blind obedience'...I want my kids to know the why of what they do...I just want them to show respect to me. And maybe to each other. I like the cheerful obedience, if it's genuine. I think if we're truly communicating, it could be. :) Thanks for all this great info! :grouphug:

My dh is a volvo and lexus certified technician. (he's a mechanic) Volvo, since being bought by Ford is garbage. Just sayin'. They actually don't appear on the Consumer Safety Report ranks at all, and if by fluke they do show up, it's on the bottom. The safety reputation is all riding on their past reputation before they were purchased, and is completely non-existent anymore. If I were going to buy a used vehicle for an extra, I'd go with Honda accord or Toyota Corolla. Any of the models are good, though. We only own Toyota's. ;)

I never did get back about this...we still haven't implemented hard-core 'boot camp' yet, but I've talked to dh and explained it to the kids, and it's been effective just as a possibility. :lol: Seriously, though, I really like the idea of cheerful obedience, and I'm also trying to change the schedule up so that the little one has minimal opportunity to interrupt the school day. This has helped. I mostly have issues with the attitude of my 6 year old. Here is an example of an everyday conversation we have. (sometimes we have this conversation several times) Her: MOOOOM, I need help....MOOOOM!!! I NEED HELP!!! Me: How would you ask me for help? Her: *rolls eyes* Moooom, will you PLEEEASE help me? Me: *sigh* OK, bring it here. Her: No! You come here! Me: I'm with your brother right now, so bring it in here if you need my help. Her: NEVERMIND! *Throws down pencil or book* puts head in arms on the table. I have various reactions. Either I will come in there and firmly tell her to sit up and tell me what she needs help with, which will be like pulling teeth, because, remember- she doesn't need help anymore...or I ignore it. Often when she needs help, it's with something she's just not even paying attention to. Something she's already done 100 times. This is frustrating. She's also mean with the other kids a lot and I have to step in quickly and diffuse because it can go from 0-hitting in .5 seconds. I do recognize that spanking doesn't work for me, for whatever reason. I just don't seem to implement it properly, or have the right presence, or whatever...so I'm not comfortable with it, though since I don't know any other way to immediately get their attention, I still use it. Could still use ideas. Please. :bigear:

Does anyone have any links to books, etc I could look into? I'm having serious problems with attitude and respect here, and would like some ideas on how to address them. Probably another thread...

I've had lots and lots of false negatives...(low hormone) and even a false negative blood test! So.....maybe you are (yeah, YOU) and just don't know it. :D

Used to be 35, but I'm closing in on 40 fast, and I think my views have matured with me. I'd have more as long as God kept giving them to me.