But who was the person giving you these results? If it was an administrator, who was snarky and discouraging- don't take that as necessarily the tone of the teachers. We've had wonderful teachers throughout PS, which I would never have guessed from the front office. Also "so far behind" to me means four or five years behind... But we're talking here about 1 year, right? Or maybe even a few months? Don't let that get you down.

I would absolutely tell the host parents, the parents who are your friends, and the pastor. It would not even occur to me not to.

Look in the phone book and choose 5 names at random. Figure out how these 5 people are related and write about their story. Or, for fantasy/science fiction, write about the alien planet they all live on. :)

Just cluelessness about how to have a conversation. Don't pay too much attention.

Advice: I would recommend not submitting your work anywhere that requires you pay a reading fee. Get a copy of The Portable MFA and read the section on poetry. Good luck!

If there were an HOA, the real estate agent is obliged to give out a copy of the bylaws. So they would already know what the rules are.

Double uterus?

I wouldn't- not because of superstition, or ghosts, but because this story might have an effect on my sensitive children- I know a child who grew up in a home where a previous owner's child had died of cancer- actually he had her old bedroom. He constantly brooded and worried over it.

It seems like I'm in the minority, and I may be wrong, but I would be a friend, yes, but I would say something like, it sounded like you guys were having a hard time the other night, how are you doing? If she did not want to answer I would not press, and I would continue to be a supportive presence. That's just what I would do. I have asked my neighbor if she was okay when I found her bawling, and she vented to me about some bad things that were happening- it seemed helpful to her- I do not know her that well but it seemed like the right thing. Best wishes for however you choose to handle it.

As for me, I would go. I would be careful to ask her nurse if she was ok to have a visitor & ask if she wanted to see me. If she did I would make a fast visit & tell her personally that we would do the taxes as soon as possible& it won't be a problem. If she's not up for s visit I would ask the nurse to give her that message. I had to think about this kind of thing recently when I noticed an ambulance backing up to my neighbor's house, with its doors open to receive a patient! Because of some things she has told me, I feared something very bad had happened to her and that she had nobody who would be there for her- due to recent family deaths and her husband asking for a divorce. I had to decide whether to go over there and see if I could be useful, or not to invade her privacy at an intense time. I went over & asked the paramedics if I could be any help. They said yes, she is very worried about her puppy if we take her to the hospital, and we need to take her. I went in and told her I would take care of the puppy and she relaxed a bit and let them take her. So I think I made the right decision. When she came home she gave me a flower to say thanks. (I am not a dog person and my heart quailed when puppy jumped all over me, but it was fine. He took my scarf away and went and hid it somewhere. Cute!) So what I mean to say is, if your reassurance could be helpful, sometimes it's worth stepping over the line a little. :)

I am sorry, but I read your title as "should I give my child a cash tip if he agrees to take his pill?" :) Hey, whatever works!

I'm related to the Getty family.

I would not spend any time with someone who directs that kind of language at me.

:(

From what I understand, whether or not they invite DD is a big "if." It's not clear yet. Don't freak out and make any decisions until you know for sure.

Have her wear the dress! It's so cute and pretty. Don't alter it in any way. I see zero problem. Little girls are often dressed quite fancy at weddings and their dresses are often white.

I really liked the movie, but my kids, ages 9 and 11, were really upset by it. They said there was too much killing and destruction. Both kids absolutely melted down afterwards. :( Both have enjoyed all previous Star Wars movies, and while they are more sensitive than most kids, I would not describe them as extremely sensitive.

Another take: I would think that the teen who is being adopted would need the first holiday to be quiet and low stress, not at an over-crammed house with people who are not sure they are going to get along.

I've answered these a couple of different ways... 1. I said: "Oh thank you so much! But first, I need YOU to give ME your credit card number." This really flummoxed him, and then I said Bye nicely & hung up. 2. "Does your mom know you are working for scammers? They are really bad people- you should just open the door and walk right out." 3. "You sound like a really nice lady, do you know you are working for scammers?"

:(

Nuts.

There's a very helpful book called "The Portable MFA"

Off Into the Wild Blue Yonder: Let Your Clutter Go! Delete, Destress, Declutter

At our PS (middle school) they don't have rules like in the OP-- but they do have miscommunication and cranky office staff. Examples: 1. Written nstructions to parents say that lace-up shoes are required for gym. Fair enough, I thought. So we went out & bought a new pair. Yes, first gym class DS found out that they weren't required. In this case I complained to the assistant principal and got an apology and a correction. 2. Went to the front desk to hand in DS's meds. Secretary informed me there was no record of him needing any meds, and if he did, he would have to carry them around with him since they never keep meds in the office. I told her that I had just spoken to the school nurse who had his documents in her hand and told us to bring the meds to the office. I could not believe that a sixth grader would have to carry Benadryl and an inhaler with him-- which are only for emergencies, not for daily use. Secretary was quite snippy and refused to believe this. I really began to feel hot under the collar. Afterwards I spoke to the nurse who said the secretary was flat out wrong and we would go with our original plan. But why did Secretary have to be so rude? Honestly, just a little bit of power, the ability to sit behind a desk, can go to anyone's head. My advice to everyone is go to the PTA for these issues. Those ladies know how to take charge!

I learned Spanish in public school but finished up with 6 weeks in Guatemala, where I really learned to talk. I've always been told that my Spanish is excellent, and Spanish speakers try to name which country I am from in Latin America. (I'm from the U.S.) The only unique thing I noticed is the use of "vos" for a very close friend. I wish I could recommend the program, but it was a church project, not an actual academic program, and this was almost 30 years ago!