I’ve always interpreted it broadly— history, philosophy, language, psychology, sociology, mathematics (which is also an art), fine arts… One of my friends majored in neuropsychobiology, she also passed the foreign service exam and is now a homeschooling mama. She used to work in video game design (medical simulations).

Isn’t it good that there are people who actually study and quantify these things so we can know how best to teach and learn? My lived experience is that most people don’t experience nearly as much as they could learn through study, nor would most people want to experience it all. The school of hard knocks is painful. My primary point is that many of us here make our livings, good ones, using the humanities and know, from experience, that poo pooing them is foolish and comes largely from a place of ignorance.

It’s not because they have a profound impact on everyone but because they make it possible for people to do what they do or want to do in better ways, from bedside manner to sales and product development. It also isn’t required or necessary for everyone but it’s a big mistake to eliminate it from being an expected and necessary part of a basic four year degree.

The people who are most successful in my line of work do what TechWife said and have a deep understanding of human behavior and motivation and the modern and historical influences that drive it.

The GI Bill is how my spouse and grandfather funded their educations. DH wasn’t a fan of his humanities coursework at the time either. The more senior he became, the more he needed to not only dust off those lessons but add to them with additional reading and study to fill in gaps related to philosophy, world history, and global perspectives. DH grew up rural poor in the south and there were many gaps. The people he interacts with now from other countries’ militaries have a head start in that respect.

I think this is an extremely narrow view of what humanities courses are and do and I’m sorry you didn’t have a meaningful experience with them. I know course depth and breadth varies wildly nationwide. All of my friends, myself included, were low-income students who lacked family financial support and our experiences were quite the opposite. Each of us continues to work in helping professions that draw heavily from the humanities, whether as military officers, judges, educators, translators, forensic scientists, or SAHMs.

So, we have a divided household. Half of us embrace accommodations and the neurodiversity paradigm and half do not. The half that do not are extremely resistant to acknowledgement let alone helps. The other half embrace all the things.

I work with so many people who do not understand the purpose or history of government, particularly administrative entities/rules, the true source of authority (the consent of the governed as provided/represented in documents) and act in ways that hurt people and undermine trust because of it. I can only hope folks get away from thinking higher ed is nothing more than job training and show some respect for skills/expertise they don’t have and people who do work they can’t or won’t do.

This. I’ve always thought it better to help them think through how to monetize and/or channel their passions into something that pays the bills. DS wants to be a working/paid artist so he’s looking at animation and graphic design. He still plans to play music on the side, for fun. These things don’t have to be in tension.

Piper, Dinah, Kyla, Pooka, Pita/Peeta

Anya, Marquis, Lyra, Misha, Mushu, Sasha, Sailor, Toya, Tiny… Can you tell I like short two-syllable doggy names that end in vowels? I think pups learn them faster and respond better.

Even in state tuition at our local community college is $190/credit hour. Many states don’t subsidize higher ed like CA.

Molly, Pippa, Stella, Marva, Mitzi, Kona, Koba, Willa

Pasha, Mikki, Naya

They shouldn't be forced, no. Still, best practice is to treat children with the same respect you'd give others. Sharing the reality of the situation in age appropriate ways. Outcomes aren't always positive and kids shouldn't be blindsided. It sounds like they're doing that.

Honestly, I felt really uncomfy saying much of anything other than ‘it’s wonderful to see you supporting a cause you care about and you've really done well!’ Questions I would ask an adult related to where the money is going (specific local facility or national campaign), how it would be used, other connected entities or parties etc., these two obviously couldn’t answer. The whole pitch was stop abortions and save the babies. That’s it. I, obvs, think it’s a lot more complicated than that. We’ve participated in things like blankets for babies w/out issue but this just made me feel some kind of way.

My ‘I don’t want to travel’ kid came back from her overseas, school-sponsored trip and wants to apply to study abroad next year! Woot!! DD will be continuing her mathnasium gig this summer. She's also keeping her roomie for next year.

Mostly, I agree. It is a safe area, broad daylight. It’s just that *this* issue is so fraught. I didn’t think it appropriate or helpful to probe their understanding of the issue/ask. Their pitch was ‘save the babies’ and as soon as I heard it, defaulted to…nope…they’re not prepared for nuance or discussion, nor is it my place to undermine what they’ve been told. Some kids their age might be and I might have even gifted something. It felt manipulative. Mostly, I was outraged that these kids were sent out to shill for adult issues/priorities.

GOOD GRIEF, YES! At least the GS are in public locations nowadays with parent oversight and supervision. Asking or expecting someone the age of a typical BS/GS to explain this issue is absolutely nuts to me.

My neighbors sent their kids, roughly 10 and 7, ALONE, to solicit donations for Crisis Pregnancy Centers. I saw them in the street when I got back from a meeting but they hit me up about 30 min ago so obvs noted my return. Granted, I live directly across the street and mom may be watching but…?? I praised their advocacy efforts and haul but declined to participate. Listen, people can advocate all they want, but these two babies should not be out, alone, advocating policies and programs that they clearly (based on their pitch) do/did not understand. Is this a thing people still do in your area? How/why is this appropriate?

Not anymore. Our situation just got too complicated with a rental property, dual and contract income, dependent extended family, and a kid in college. The first year (2 years worth plus some back clean up work) it was $1400 or so. This year it’s $455. Worth every penny. I feel lucky that we got out of that transitional year owing $5k.

I think that experience (of ignored abuse, heartened and closed off emotion) is more common among children born of obligation/expectation and not a desire to parent regardless of where or how children are schooled. The absence of eyeballs only affects/can change things for those who have people that care enough to intervene in their orbit. Most of these kids don’t. Reading your description of your ex was triggering.

I have neglected my garden for MONTHS and am trying to dig myself out of a hole. I haven't even cut back the dead growth on my switchgrass. My cabbage never headed (although it looks lovely and big) and now it's bolted b/c our daytime temps are in the 70s. Same for my broccoli and brussels sprouts. My kale, collards, and mustard greens are still ok...for now. Pests are becoming an issue again for the raised beds, not the plants in the ground. I planted some early girl tomatoes and jalapeno peppers already. I put my bush and pole beans in the ground (although no rain in the forecast the soil is still moist). I have volunteer tomato and dill seedlings from things that were left in the beds last year. In the past, I pulled everything out, added compost and mulch but I was lazy. I'm not sure what to expect for yields this year. I've been collecting grounds from Starbucks and will add some additional amendments as top dressing and hope for the best. I tried overwintering eggplant and peppers...we'll see if it works. My lemongrass overwintered, as did my artichoke plant. 'They' say we're are Zone 8a/b but judging from my results last year, I think we're fully Zone 9. Last month, I had a crew clean out my backyard beds and hack off a TON (under and over) from my camellias, azaleas, aucuba, euonymus and whatever else was back there. They look like bald headed stumps but they’re super hardy and will grow back just fine (tamed). This weekend, I got all of my decorative pots refreshed (my spike plants overwintered...it was soooo mild!!). I put in some flag grass, heuchera and sedum in the shadier spots, and next weekend I'll transplant some lenten roses. In the sunnier spots, I put in a couple of rosemary and lavender plants. My marsh marigolds are already in full bloom. I want to add a dwarf citrus tree in that bed too. Some of the liriope I transplanted two years ago are finally growing. Now, of course, I don't want them there, so I need to find them a new home.

This part. These are skills that can be cultivated tho, even in adulthood. People who don't have them, as kids and as adults (varying degrees obvs) are challenging to work and live with. I think 'figure it out' as dogma was traumatic for me. It was a form of parental neglect. Teaching/Modeling how and when to ask for help is how I tweaked it for myself and our kids.

This is hilarious b/c a neighbor once came over and asked DH if he could borrow ‘his’ compound miter saw. DH said no, but I’ll ask my wife if you can borrow *her* saw! DH hasn’t operated anything more powerful than a cordless drill in 27 years, lol.