She sounds like a budding naturalist. :) My youngest is now 16, but we had some similar issues when the kids were younger. Rocks and balls of clay! YES! I'd really try to set up a small nature corner in the room. You might find some ideas on waldorf web sights that would encourage her to keep them all in one area, like a gnome house and garden or whatever might pique her interest. I don't know...my kids did play in their rooms and throughout the house. Those days are pretty much behind us, I don't regret that they had some pretty messy childhood moments. Now DS just has to make sure his head buds aren't on the floor before Roomba starts up. All the legos are on display or kept boxed up for Robotics club. DH bought the roomba for me last Christmas. I had to hint at him about it. I thought they were just way too expensive and couldn't bring myself to buy it, but now I love it. Wish I had 2 more!

:grouphug: :grouphug: We struggled in some of the same ways as a young family for years. Things got so bad (very little happiness in our lives) that I did consider leaving. DH finally sought treatment and our lives have been much better. He is a thousand times more happy and less stressed with his life in general. I really feel for you. I remember the intense feelings of frustration. Will he try things like omega fatty acids? One of my kids was often stressed and crabby and fish oil had an incredible affect.

Do they have trash cans in their bedrooms? Do they have designated spots for old papers to be kept? A designated spot for collected treasures? I did do big clean outs for my kids about every 3-4 months, but now that they are teenagers, life is simpler. They keep their rooms surprisingly tidy. Also, we got a Roomba. Their floors have to be picked up in order for Roomba to be able to run. Part of this, for my kids at least, was that their play was pretty messy. They don't play with only legos. They play with legos and blocks and geometric shapes and build wild and wonderful creations. So of course, when it is time to deconstruct, it gets hard.

Middle son and niece attend the local public school. Also a "top in state" with very high test scores and rigor, etc. The school has wifi so even kids without data packages can use their phones. The teachers sometimes give in class assignments using phones. Phone usage is not a problem in the AP and honors classes at all. But, in the remedial or non-advanced classes, teachers do complain about kids using their phones excessively. Some teachers come down hard on the students right from the start, but others just tolerate it.

Waldorfy, felted washing pin dolls?

We use a spoon for ice cream and a ladle for muffin/cupcake batter.

Good for you! :) I hope it works out well. I think a lot of us forget what it is like to be young and foolish. Yes, many of us were young and wise, but not all of us.

His choices do seem odd and unwise. I wouldn't immediately assume he is a loser though without actually knowing him. Is he helpful and kind? Is he emotionally supportive (although dragging D down into that kind of negative thinking about her job doesn't seem supportive, there may actually be other issues at hand here)? Maybe he is going through an idealistic phase where he is struggling with how society works (serious here--my teens go through some of this kind of thinking as they mature and realize the inequalities of our world). Maybe he will make a great stay at home dad, homeschool their kids and propel the daughter onto greatness!

I was going to say, just wait until they are teenagers but I think Jennifer illustrated that point quite well! Peanut butter and beans are your friends.

Stacia, you go girl! I get the cold winter stuff--I live in the Midwest and it is mind boggling cold. I lived most of my life in the southwest and really the winters here are intense. But right now we are having absolutely beautiful fall days. It is totally stunningly nice out. People here do this parked in the middle of the grocery store parking lot. I don't get that at all. We do also have a very low crime rate, but still, all that exhaust ugh. Now that I have become aware of it I seem to be seeing it happen all the time.

We live in the upper midwest and have cold long winters too. I went with that coat though because 8 years ago we lived in CA and i purchased a simlar coat from Kohls for myself for a trip to europe. I have used that jacket every winter here for the past 5years and it has served me well. IDK what it is about it...it is not very heavy or insulated but seems to have good wind resistance. But in any case, i know it was hard for my boys at a certain point. I usually balk at spending so much for a coat (although it was also 30% off that price) but my niece has just recently come to live with us and I am now faced with a previously unknown realm of fashion issues! Goodluck!

I also cut the sugar. Maybe there is a threshold below which it gets runny? I also use plain milk and have had no problems. Probably going to make one this weekend. :)

I see this a lot here--empty cars left with the engine running outside of a grocery store or post office. What is up with this? This seems much worse than not returning your grocery cart. :P

My 15 yo niece (lives with us) just picked out this from Khols: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1781472/apt-9-hooded-anorak-parka-womens.jsp She is very picky and would not wear the jacket from Target you posted. But, when I drop off or pick up from the high school, lots of kids do wear similar coats. Maybe not in pink -- although I like it--but I know my niece has said she has reached a point where she does not want any more pink in her wardrobe. :)

We have drug users in the family, both sides. I just have never felt interested in using drugs or drinking. I was not scared straight or anything... I just do not like it. I wonder a lot, why not me when it has negatively affected so many others in our families? One son is aspie and I do not think substance abuse will be a problem for him. He has no interest in fitting in socially and he really does not like doing things that end up with him losing control of himself. He is a senior in high school and yes, things may change when he goes off to college but I really do not think so. He is so aspie that he doesn't realize or care how different he is socially. He is a very happy and relaxed young person too though. Other child is a milder aspie and he has more anxiety around social situations. His increased social awareness actually makes it harder for him. He is aware of the hazards of drug use, but it is still always a worry. When son took driver's ed they covered drunk driving quite extensively. We both had to sign contracts, His agreed to call home or take a taxi if he was every intoxicated. Mine agreed to go pick him up or pay for the cab, no questions asked (at that time) if ever needed.

I am curious about this and have questions, but please don't take them as an attack on you. I am honestly interested in this, Does this mean that the drug using children have been cut out of your life? Any thoughts on things you wish you had done earlier to prevent it getting to this stage?

I don't think testing her equals being panicked. Now that she has been tested negative it is now much less panic inducing and more reassuring. I think this is more of the aggressive stance we should be taking to prevent it spreading.

Last night at dinner DS was joking about an app that simulates buying an app. For an extra $1.00 you can upgrade to the ad free version!

:iagree: and :grouphug: :grouphug:

I find Craigslist well used around here, much more so than free cycle. Also, here the landfill has a salvage barn where you can take still usable items. GL!

But they do have super powers, don't they? Please tell me they do!

So much win!

goldfish crackers Now that my kids are teens though, i have to say they are voracious eaters and they have to have a filling meal for dinner of they are foraging for food before they fall asleep.

They do not have to be elaborate. Start with thematic ones and cut out pictures from magazines, print out pics, have her add in info, labels, etc. Make little books, flaps, etc. Some kids end up getting into the design and it takes off all on their own. Other kids don't care for them so much. Pre planned one are probably available on currclick.

dp