Maybe it's another Facebook Experiment.

I wouldn't worry about the opinion of a bridesmaid. I think bachelorette parties are optional. If you were in the area you ought to be there, but no I wouldn't make a 5-hour trip just for that.

It would be so much cheaper to rent Romancing the Stone. That's what I did before I was on my own. Rented movies.

Well since she is *more likely* to be assaulted/molested by a family member, I guess statistically you have to let her go. Unless you have family members in Colombia... Tough one, I'm glad I don't have any adult children yet!

I think even Wally Cleaver was concerned about his hair. As was the Fonz.

There's such a brief period in life that guys get to be vain about their hair! Anyway, make him aware of the time/space/availability restrictions, and let him decide what he wants to do. I don't think it's a character issue, it's a phase. However it's character-building to either live with or figure out how to slalom around the limitations life puts there for us.

And couldn't come up with a better name than "North Sudan?" That doesn't sound enchanted AT ALL.

Generally speaking I try not to call people on their rudeness, or put them on the spot. But in the situation you describe here, I would've been strongly tempted to be forward and say, "The kids have all talked about getting together for a playdate, and I know my son would LOVE TO PLAY WITH THEM today. Do you think he could join them?" What the heck, if they are going to so brazenly talk about something like that without inviting your kid, PUT THEM ON THE SPOT. Let them hem and haw and explain why it might violate a fire code to have an extra kid in their house or yard! I would love to hear the explanation as to why this would be *impossible.* Do that a few times, and they'll either learn to be nicer, or they'll learn to be more discreet. Win/win. So sorry you had to experience that!

I'm thinking the U.S. is still good because if you're not in a good spot you can still GET to a good spot. Obviously the bad parts of the U.S. would be the coasts, anywhere along the Mississippi, the Gulf states. All of California. The Great Lakes region would probably be okay as long as you don't get TOO close. There remains the question of whether you'd actually want to SURVIVE the coming difficulties. Edited to say: if Yellowstone goes, then I think anyplace east of that quickly becomes uninhabitable for a long while.

The way I look at it is, WE'RE your new childhood friends!

Do you know the nature of the "unexpected" Library Problem? Maybe it's.....BEDBUGS! You might want to snoop a little before rushing over there. Just sayin.

This is what I like about being Catholic.

Well I used to run, but I'm saving my joints for my old age. Now I'm using the indoor exercise cycle and swimming. Recently I've been going to funerals of health nuts, so I'm trying not to overdo anything!

If you take them out of their routine while in the potty training process, they tend to regress when they get back anyway. So I'd wait.

Is the local state school turning out inferior engineers who wouldn't be able to do your husband's job? Are they Engineering Lite?

"Of course. Right before I came! BURRRP."

Actually I thought bedbugs aren't technically a health issue. Along with lice. Send those in next!

A lot of highways there are "The." THE Squajaquada. THE 219. THE Kensington. THE 400. THE Skyway. THE Thruway. THE Millersport. This is a great time of year to be in WNY.

People who work for the U.S. government do pretty well. Average salary is 70K plus. And I gather the number of government workers isn't going down.

Send in the bedbugs...

Why do miserable people want to be camp leaders? My guess is this is what has worked for discipline in her household so she doesn't see anything abnormal about it. Sorry, I'm glad you said something!

Trip abroad, didn't they have a face to face meeting with parents/kids regarding details? If some issue came up while they were there, you'd have very little to go on. My teen is getting ready to stay at a week-long work camp about 90 minutes from where we live. There have been monthly meetings for the kids since last fall, and 2 meetings for parents already (preliminary details; detailed details) and this Sunday one FINAL meeting for kids/parents to make sure everything is squared away. Can't imagine sending kids abroad with minimal information! Anyway, it sounds like things are at least coalescing little bit more, make sure you get the info you need, we don't want Night Elf to have Sleepless Nights!

These seem like separate issues, the girlfriend and the technology. He was planning to "secretly meet up with her" -- the initial problem that warranted taking away privileges. Since the GF's parents facilitate their meetings, how was this "secret" meeting going to happen? And why did it need to be secret if their relationship was something everyone knows about? Re: his phone, if the reason you want him to have a phone is so you can communicate with HIM, then he doesn't need an Iphone. You can sell that and get a dumb phone that will allow you to talk/text. I don't see any special reason to limit their talking/texting during the summer unless he isn't getting his other responsibilities done. Maybe their should be a house rule about phones kept downstairs, you certainly don't want him up all night talking. Re: The Ipod, agree with others you can put a password on your internet service. Not sure why you should facilitate a relationship that has so many negatives. How did they even meet, or was she close and then moved away?

Well if trouble pops up, it's a comfort to know it's statistically unlikely! That's why I use a seatbelt every time I get in the car, driving in fear and all that.

Because the stated reason is "I pay the mortgage." If I'm expecting a call/text from an adult teen, I'd expect it whether or not I paid a mortgage. I'd expect it if I were in government housing, if grandpa paid the mortgage, or if the TEEN in question owned the house and paid the mortgage. But I also wouldn't sit around awaiting the text if I were worried. I'd just go ahead and text the late person.