Well scientists' study of time itself, and the relative ages of things (such as fossils and dinosaur bones) are themselves dependent on assumptions about those things, and how they can be measured, and whether those measurement have been consistent and will remain so. I think there's a lot science hasn't figured out yet. :lurk5:

I think they're always in a hurry because they have to use the bathroom! Here's one for fiction, my friend's older mother tells long stories populated with a lot of side references to people, often puncuated with "he's dead now," as she carries on with the story.

You mean you would still let him go to that house? The one with the loaded gun?

We like spelling workout.

We do one a month (I have a 4th grader). I do some of the material orally because he has handwriting issues. We skip certain things.

As the econmy gets worse (and based on what I've been reading about it, I don't see how it can get better in the near future) we will come to rely more and more on support systems. Families may begin sharing houses, like in the Depression.

He can't pay rent, but he has the money to be out dating? How well do you know his character? Could he be a danger to your kids in other ways? Sometimes people are "shocked" at who could do what to whom that they never would've suspected. Clearly he doesn't share your values -- I would view it as a risk to the children that he's living in your house, honestly.

Guy with issues to involved with your lives. The godparent thing is kind of a technicality at this point, so I'd ignore that fact.

Back in the olden days extended families lived together, until kids started new families themselves. Based on our current economy, I believe we will be returning to those times. Single people living by themselves isn't terribly efficient. And it leads lots of young people down the wrong path. Houses are big enough for three or more women if you have enough bedrooms.

The GPS feature on the Droid is great, it has saved us many times! There are free apps for price checks. You can check out restaurants, stores, really anything on the fly. If you can afford it, I'd go for it!

Not excusing the behavior, or anything, but they DID RSVP and then didn't show? or didn't, and you assumed they'd come? In any case, if it involved picking people up at a specific location I guess I would've done a "Reverse RSVP" and just called the night before "to confirm the headcount." Even then it's no guarantee!

Is spanking also a New Testament thing, or just Old Testament? It's so hard for me to picture Jesus spanking a child. Or Mary. Or Joseph. I'm sure they disciplined, but...

Ouch! I have certainly spanked, but it is really reserved for those special occasions when the kids have disobeyed in a way that endangers them (or a sibling), or the behavior has gotten so extreme that I felt a need to make an immediate point. But, I must say the total number of spankings my kids have received in their lifetimes is probably less than what you've delivered in one day. I'm all for obedience and discipline. But I pray you will find another way to achieve it. There's some good advice on this thread I hope you'll find something that works for you. Good luck!

The Three Investigators.

I don't really understand how they can MISS your house. Wouldn't they have to pass it either coming or going? My kids LOVE to go to the houses where they know people. If their kids play with yours, it really makes no sense. Also as far as the party -- wouldn't their kids insist that yours come? That's how it works in our neighborhood. Unless there's some issue. You're sure there isn't an issue?

Well you'd have to find out somehow -- either someone would bring it to your attention by accusing him/her, or, you'd have to witness it yourself. If the former, i guess I'd talk to my son/daughter to get their side. In any case, it would be a loss of privileges, to be earned back by a period of time when there are NO REPORTS OF BULLYING. (checking with parent or teacher to make sure this remains the case) Bullying continues, more privilges go on hiatus. Etc.

The Vacation Movie! Just had to throw that in there. I'd kennel.

I think it's perfectly fine to make the judgments you're making in the Privacy of Your Own Head. (and I agree with them, BTW) Even though she's practically begging you to call her out on things, I wouldn't. Absolutely nothing to be gained by it, and you know she isn't going to change her ways or think differently about anything. If she can't see that this is bad for her daughters, she sure isn't going to change based on a co-op person's opinion of it! I liked Aubrey's response, "we're going in different directions," and wish her well! You can just mean that in a general sense. I also think it's okay to vent here if it makes you less likely to vent AT her. This forum serves a good purpose that way! Thanks for sharing.

That took a lot of strength and insight. Prayers and blessings to you!

Ultimately they are cheaper than emergency room bills, and, I hate to say it, but in the case of pit bulls funeral bills. Maybe you live in Florida because I also read two stories in TODAY'S paper about a baby killed by a pit bull, and also another child being attacked by a neighbor dog. It's just not something to leave to chance, or even the good intentions of the neighbor. If the dog got loose once, it'll happen again. Sorry you're in this situation!

Delete. Block. Spam. Gotta use your filters, woman!

Figure, there'd be some solution to this if you didn't exist, or lived in Australia, so the way I'd look at it is, having young children in your care are the equivalent of "living in Australia." (hmm. should've checked to see where you're from before writing that!) Their needs come first, at least in the way I would view life! Good luck.

If she's asking tons of questions and commenting on schoolwork she sounds bright and interested. So where would that bright fire get squelched more -- school or home? I guess both places just want to check the box and "get it done," but, gee, I wish there was some option where someone could enjoy her learning process and style. We usually get our schooling done in 3 hours or so -- does that leave enough time to get everything else done, or does it take longer because you have 3? Your daughter DOES sound like a jewel! I can appreciate the irritation with "undone things" because I have a lot of them too, and sometimes I just want everyone to get out of the house so it isn't getting messier! But at other times I'll pause between "Explorers" and "Colonial Times" to do an unauthorized unit on Pirates because my 9-year-old REALLY wants to learn about them. So we do, but also in the context of history, not just the swashbuckling stuff. Sometimes life is about appreciating what you have. Okay, that sounds banal, but if the rest of the world enjoys your daughter, you ought to have the same pleasure! I guess I don't have any solution but I wish you the best in working it out.

My sister-in-law was big on overalls for her son at this age, and for that reason. No need to change your account, I think they all do it! I don't think the OP should rush to judgment here, because then that immediately brings up the suspicion of who DOES have access to him, and you sort of need 'suspects' if you think something's going on when it may very well be all innocent. Maybe just ask him?

I don't see how the drop in values can NOT affect the schools. Maybe not immediately, but they can't "pretend" on the values indefinitely -- there are too many people losing jobs and housing values keep going lower. Our valuation dropped this year. Locally we are voting on whether to raise class size limits.