My daughter (13) and a friend are having a debate involving sentence construction. My daughter wrote this sentence: Years of Writing with Skill have made it easy. Her friend says that she should use "has" and not "have." I told my daughter she is correct - the simple subject and verb agree in her sentence; also, the object of a preposition is not what is used for verb agreement. I will note, not that it matters, that I don't know if her friend knows that "Writing with Skill" is the title of a book. Please help by weighing in! Thanks in advance!

I also have kids ranging from 12 to 2 - always makes science and history interesting! The plan for 8th grade: History - Heavily supplemented SOTW4 (with Human Odyssey and more) Math - Saxon Algebra 1/2 and Algebra 1 Physics - Exploration Education Grammar - R&S 8 Writing/Literature - WWS3 and Excellence in Literature Latin - Second Form Latin (probably online at Memoria Press) Economics/Personal Finance - (haven't decided yet) Logic - Traditional Logic II Catholicism - in depth study of the Mass/History of the Church Piano/Voice Lessons Vocal Performance - statewide 4H singing group Homeschool Co-op - (hopefully drama) Whew! Busy!

I have a friend who has a tendency to tell me the same stories multiple times. The first couple of times, I didn't mind it. Now, however, I'm starting to hear the same stories over and over. They aren't tall tales - some are a little complementary of herself, some have a touch of self-deprecation. I usually just smile and nod, but I'm beginning to think that I may need to throw in a brief yet kind statement like, "Yes, I remember you saying that before; that is so great!" Nothing mean or hurtful; she is my good friend and I want her to remain my friend. Is it rude for me to do that or should I just let her tell her stories? Thoughts? [NOTE: A different, older friend once told me if you tell someone the same story more than twice either (1) you aren't paying attention to who your audience is or (2) your story isn't that important. That resonates a bit in my mind regarding my repetitive friend.]

I inadvertently forwarded an email a friend had sent me to a group of people. The email was not exactly mean, but it was negative to one of the people in the group. Because the negative part was not the main part of the email, but part of a response that was tacked on at the very end (below even previously forwarded and replied to messages), there is a chance that the negativity won't be seen. I'm sure that's more than wishful thinking on my part. The question is what to do? I've told my friend about her email being forwarded and apologized profusely. We are both wondering whether we should just come right out an apologize or wait and see. I have mixed feelings about the "wait and see" attitude, but mea culpas are probably due. Hive? (NOTE: I am asking for advice, not to be told how stupid that was. I already recognize that. I sincerely want "what did you do if you've been in that situation" advice. Thanks.)

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Parents have a moral (in fact, a legal, at least in Georgia; I'm a family law attorney and GA is my state) obligation to provide the basic necessities for their minor children - food, clothing, and shelter. A parent of a minor child charging for those items (I'm talking basic necessities, not designer clothes, lavish meals, and cell phones) is simply wrong. If s family's finances are tight and a teen is working, perhaps the parent can have the child pitch in to "help", but to call that money rent or make the child pay for other simple basics is wrong. Once a child is 18, all bets are off - legally speaking; parentally speaking... Well, that depends on other factors, I suppose. I can understand charging some for gas if the drive is far, but in the situation I described above, it is a 15 mile round trip at most. It's the charge for labor that galls me. Yes, dad was laid off from his job, so finances are tight; however, to charge for labor is extreme.

A group of people I know had a multi-family yard sale this past weekend. I couldn't stay for the sale, but I had things I wanted to be rid of. I asked a 17 year old girl I know if she would like to sell my things. She's trying to raise money to buy a car. I proposed that if she remove the items from my house, she could keep the money she earned. She was very excited. Two days before the sale, the 17 year old, her sister, and their father came to my house to pick up the items. The two girls moved everything while the dad talked to me. They took the goods to the yard sale location. After the sale, I sent a message to the girl asking how the sale went. She said after paying her family for gas and labor, she cleared $70. WHAT?! She had to give her dad some of her money for gas and labor?! He didn't do anything but drive (and only 15 miles at most)! Is that okay? Normal? Or am I way off base? I mean I GAVE her those things; I had no idea her dad would reap some of the profit!

Whether or not an extramarital affair is to be considered by the judge in a custody case varies from state to state AND judge to judge. Some of the judges I practice before could care less; to others, it matters. The question is how seriously the father wants full custody or if he's willing to have joint physical custody or if he wants mom to have custody. If mom's affair happened in the presence of the children, a good attorney could use that information to call her judgment as a parent into question. Ultimately, it depends on dad's custodial intentions and whether or not the court cares about the affair. I've seen so many dads in this situation who eventually decide, for whatever reason (whether it be they don't want to tear mom down or they REALLY can't handle the idea of having primary custody, etc.) they let the affair go, claim irreconcilable differences for divorce grounds, and go about their merry way.

The reporting laws have changed in Georgia. As of July 1, there is no attendance reporting. You just have to send a Declaration of Intent to Homeschool. There are time and testing requirements, but nothing that has to be turned into the state. Savannah is a lovely place. My family and I will be visiting tree in the coming months. Good luck if you relocate!

Well, thank you all very much! You've given me some great ideas! If you think of anything else (even non-food things) that would be great!

By the way, I know about the quarantine.

I have an online friend who lives in Australia. I'd like to send her some "uniquely American" items - candies, chocolate, maybe a magazine, a toy or two for her kids, etc. - but I'm not sure what is already available in Australia. I don't want to get something she can easily purchase. Any suggestions?

This IS my bag!!! I love it so much, I have two - one in black and the other in the herbal green color (can't remember the official name for the color). My husband bought me the first when I was looking for a conceal carry bag that would double as a diaper bag but not be too huge. I've always used backpacks as diaper bags and never carry a purse (since I have to have a diaper bag). This bag is the perfect size for me (I have a small frame and I'm 5'3"). I "Girly" up my bags by adding floral pin-on buttons and the like; recently, one of my kids added a Green Eggs and Ham button. I'm also the type to never change my bags out, so I carry it to work, to the store, to church, etc. My husband likes it because if I need him to hold my bag he's not embarrassed - not that he ever minded when I would carry floral bags. So, my vote is YES! Buy one, or two. Add pretty pins to it and take it with you everywhere! :)

I'll just address the nap issue. We have "mandatory rest time" in my house. Every weekday after lunch, all of my kids retire to their beds. If they can sleep or read, but they must stay in bed for an hour (or longer, if I can swing it). My 3 1/2 year old has stopped napping, but he's so used to rest time, he stays in bed and looks at books quietly now.

I have a Highlander which I absolutely adore; I've gad it for 4 years now. It seats all 5 of my children, but my kids are young (oldest is 10) and relatively small for their ages. The problem is now that we are a family of 7, there is little room left in our Highlander for anything but people. I dread the thought of driving a minivan, but I fear it is an inevitability!