Bwwaahhhaaahhaaa!!! Are you crazy? I used to think I wanted to...until DD got into a 5-yr BS/MS nursing program. No way. I'm done. I want to work at Wegmans and enjoy working, not stress over a job. Lord knows, I've earned it!! Ria

This region of the world has been in turmoil since the end of the Middle Ages. Nothing new under the sun.... Ria

Some of you may remember that I've posted a few times about my dad being involved in the Navy's Aegis-based ballistic missile defense program. Well, that's the system that shot down the satellite last night. We are pretty tickled about it over here. Go Navy!! You may now return to your regular programming. Ria

I'd contact companies that offer full-time positions in your field, and see about the possibility of part-time employment with them. Once you get your foot in the door you'll suddenly have a current reference, and they'll probably be interested in offering you a full-time position when it becomes available. I just put my four children (15, 14, 12, 11) in school last week, and I'm looking for a job, too. In my case, I want something part-time that involves no stress, thinking, planning, or teaching (LOL...can you tell that I want a break after 16 years of homeschooling?!), so I'm not looking for a "career" type job. Still, it was daunting not having current job references (I even had my own business, but I can't reccomend myself, lol). I know giving up homeschooling must seem devestating to you, but remember - you will always be very involved in your daughters' educations, no matter who is their primary teacher. I've been very pleased to find that my boys come home daily and want to show me their work, ask my opinion, have me read over their writing assignments, etc. You'll find that you are still very much a part of their educations, no matter what. Good luck. Ria

Great news, Amy! Congratulations!!! Ria

Ah, Kelli, this is hard, isn't it? Remember when my dd's roomie was pregnant? I didn't call the school for two months. Then, when roomie continued to talk abut staying in the dorm until her due date and my dd was stressed beyond belief (avoiding her room at all costs, etc), I did call and talk to Residential Life. Here's what they said: while they appreciated hearing from me about my concern, and they shared my concern, they could do nothing unless my daughter instigated the action. So, I called dd and told her this: Either you go to Residential Life and talk to them about how you want this situation to be resolved, or you live with your situation. Dd did go talk to Residential Life that very day. As it turns out, the roomie did decide to leave school after first semester (thank God!), so she and dd roomed together until then. Even if you call the school you won't get them to change anything. You might alert them to the situation, but they will maintain what the other women on the board are saying: your dd must talk to Residential Life herself. Ria

My suggestion would be to give your son a cell phone and have him call you when he arrives home - and before he parks. Then either you or dh go outside and coach him as he parks, each and every time. Ria

My dad is a classmate of John McCain (USNA 1958). I've met him. I had a long talk with Julie Nixon Eisenhower and David Eisenhower at a Navy function. Dh and I are friends w/ Bob Amos (bluegrass singer). I've met Tom Clancy, too. Ria

The tetanus booster is given every 10 years or so after the 12-yr booster. I just had one this fall. Recent studies have indicated that kids who received the varicella vaccine (chicken pox) need a booster around ages 10-13. Not sure about any others off the top of my head. Ria

I think it is possible to love and emotionally support a child whose lifestyle is not what you would want. Scarlet said, "This doesn't make sense to me. I suppose it just depends on the 'direction'...but what if your child takes on a lifestyle that you consider immoral. Or won't work though able. Or marrys a child molester. Ok, so I know that is an extreme example....but how do you support someone, remain close to someone whose life is so opposed to all you hold dear? I don't think it is possible." (someday I will figure out how to insert those nifty quotes here, but for now I'm clueless) For example, say that your child grows up, you are very close, and then she tells you that she's a lesbian. Wow...that would probably be a shock. You might well find that morally unacceptable. BUT - this is still your beloved daughter, the one who loves and trusts you, the one with whom you share a lifetime of memories. You could still remain close, because what makes your daughter "your daughter" has not changed. Fundamentally, she's still the same young woman you've always loved. My best friend in high school told her parents she was gay after she graduated from college. Her parents had no idea, nor did I. No clue whatsover. Although her family was shocked, they eventually realized that their dd was still the same dd they'd always known and loved. They don't approve of their dd's lifestyle (religious reasons), but they still love and accept her for who she is. And, she and her mom are still close. Being a parent is not easy, and even though it's hard, you have to always make sure your child knows that you love them unconditionally. That's the key to remaining close, I think. Ria

I let the child guide me, Doran. If one of the boys is running a low-grade fever, I'll let him take it easy and make sure he's well hydrated, etc. If he starts to complain about a headache or other pain symptoms, I'll offer Tylenol or Advil. For higher fevers (102 +) I generally go straight to the OTC meds, probably because I know how bad I feel when my temp is that high. I have the sickies take vitamin C and echinachia, too. Hope your dd feels better soon. Ria

Wonderful, wonderful news, Jenne! You will remain in my prayers. Ria

I'd take him to the doc and have them run a flu test on him. If he does have the flu, he'll be down and out for 10-14 days with a high fever, aches, and cough. Watch for pneumonia and other complications. Flu is a nasty virus. Good luck...hope he feels better. Ria

I've taught homeschoolers for many years (science and English classes). I've seen a lot of homeschooled high school students who lack basic writing skills, who have poor reading comprehension, lack basic study skills, and are years behind in math. This is not to say that I don't run across well-educated homeschooled high school students, but that they seem to be in the minority around here. Overall my experience with homeschoolers has not impressed me. I've run across too many kids of all ages who are behind in lots of subject areas. And, for the record, I live in PA which is one of the more regulated states. There's a myth in the homeschool community that homeschoolers are ahead of their public school peers just by virtue of being homeschooled. Don't believe it. A good education doesn't fall into your children's laps just because you homeschool - it takes dedication and hard work. Unfortunately, I've seen far too many parents who are not willing to put in the time and effort, and it shows in their kids. Ria

Everything gets washed together here. Dishtowels go with the darks...that's as much sorting as I do. Ria

It's not necessarily once a day!! Please talk to the pharmacist. Effexor comes in standard-release, in which case the usual dose is twice a day. It also comes as Effexor XR (extended release) in which case it is taken once a day. It's very important that you know what you have and how often to take it. Good luck. Ria

We do this, too: I think Pam of the Flaming Sword's input is stellar. Personally, I think kids, even teens, benefit from parents who spend most nights at home. There's the comfort factor for the kids, and the safety factor for them as well (especially once they become teens...). Ria

I"m pretty much in the same camp as most of the other posters. The guy, while probably very nice, is just too old for a 13-year old. I like Plaid Dad's suggestion of having your dh have a talk with him. In addition, I'd ditch the cell phone. Why does your dd have one if she's not allowed to use it? Is there a reason for her to have it? Our rule w/ our kids is that they can get a cell phone once they are employed and able to pay for it themselves. If that day hasn't come, I'll give them my cell if they are going somewhere they'll need one. As far as emails go, I think this is a slippery slope as well. My kids use the family email, and they know I can read whatever comes in. We've recently allowed our ds (15) to get his own email account; he also has Facebook (but we are friends on Facebook and monitor things). Hugs, Doran. Raising teens is always a bit of a guessing game. You'll figure this out. Ria

I just can't get the hang of this new format. I'm sorry. My post is in response to the post about the shooting at the college this afternoon. It's tragic, and we are praying. Ria

Oh, my. Dh and I are praying. Ria

Hysterical!! Ria

It would never occur to me to vote for any thread or post. I read your post (I think...the one about broomball?) and thought the game sounded interesting. I don't know how anyone could rate a conversation, lol. Ria

Wonderful! Great pictures, too! Thanks for sharing, Colleen. You must be thrilled and proud. Good for you! Ria

Well, I send all five of my sons up to Canada to a canoe camp for six weeks each summer to do wilderness canoe tripping. Last year my youngest went, at age 10. So, yes, I'd certainly allow a child to go away, lol. But your comfort factor plays a role here, as well as the age and gender of the child. Follow your gut. Ria

I'd send the kids, to be honest. I know how much it means to my children to be able to do something special with other kids. Social time is very important, IMO, and since you are homeschooling, they already get a lot of family time. Ria