They told me (at two different places) it was not a problem. When I was talking to the pharmacist about it, he said that I might feel bad both times either way, so it was just up to me. I decided I'd rather just deal with it. I made sure I didn't have anything on the schedule that was important, and went for it.

This reminded me of the other day--I had had vaccines, and both my shoulders were sore. Dh started to pat me on the shoulder or something, and I immediately shot my arms up in a defensive gesture. It caught us both completely off guard, and we laughed, of course. But it was thought-provoking to me how instinctive the movement was. Someone who has been trained would be more likely to have that type of reaction. On situational awareness--I was very intentional in teaching my girls, especially, to be aware of who and what is around them. I may have made them a bit hyper vigilant in the process. But we lived where subtle attacks on women were very common, and not-so-subtle ones were somewhat common. I taught them that how you carry yourself can easily tell someone else if you are an easy target or not. Of course, some might see that confidence as a challenge, sigh, so it isn't a completely foolproof approach, but I felt that the awareness could at least lower their chances of being a victim. It's hard.

Dh and I got ours last week, but we took a big whammy in getting flu, covid, and 1st shingles shot at the same time. Arm soreness and fatigue for me with some slight nausea. Flu-ish feelings for dh for a day or two. I have gotten the flu and covid vaccines together for several years without problems, so I think it was the shingles that cause reactions for me. But I was just ready to get it taken care of.

Many years ago, I had all four cut out and was not put under. It was manageable, but I certainly wouldn't have needed to drive myself home, so he might want to rethink that part. He needs to stay on top of the pain meds. I had the bright idea that I would wait until I needed the Tylenol with codeine rather than taking it immediately upon getting home like the doctor had said. That was unwise. It took awhile to get the pain back under control. After that, I only needed regular Tylenol, but I did try to stay on top of it better. Ice packs, soft/cold foods, especially ice cream or smoothies without seeds (like no strawberry seeds).

Congratulations! This is the type of job I want.

I don't quite understand their desire for her to be out and about when she doesn't feel well anyway. Like the above and going to church? Doesn't sound like a good idea.

Except that she has five kids and another on the way, so this is an ongoing situation. The chances that any school activities they choose would all be at the same times, and/or that they'd want the young drivers transporting all the younger high-schoolers are iffy.

This was my thought too! I'm so glad you are still in a medical facility that could treat this. And I'm sorry. I know this is scary and discouraging.

I see why people are choosing D. But my first reaction is A. Because over time, all of your kids will benefit in being close to the school they will be attending as far as friendships, extra curriculars, and time saved in commutes. You can all participate more in the community life that tends to center around school life if you are on-site. It sounds like your kids would really enjoy that. It is true that college costs are huge. What are the possibilities in the other town/state as far as summer jobs through high school? How about acommunity college? Is there a good local tech school there or near there if you have one/some who want to go a different route? Any commutable universities? Just wondering if there are other amenities that would add to the value of living there that might make it even more worth the cost.

I love to hold newborns, but I'm not going to hold one unless I am asked or unless I am helping out with a new grand baby. I figure the baby gets passed around enough, and I don't want to add to its stress or discomfort. I am also one who will not engage much with children at large gatherings. If I already have a relationship with a child, and they want to interact with me, that's different. But I much prefer to interact one-on-one in a less stressful environment than a large gathering.

I think I remember your mentioning how much you like to teach (if I am wrong, just ignore this). Teaching positions can have LOTS of stress, and take up much more time than they appear they will. But if the part about it you enjoy is the public speaking part (that's me--I like public speaking and teaching in conference-type settings), or some other aspect of teaching, there really might be something to explore there without completely changing fields. Maybe do some brainstorming and research into new options, and maybe we can help you do some research into it more if you list for us the things you like for now, the things that drew you to law in the first place, and the things that are calling you into a different field.

I don't know if this is feasible, because I don't know much about how the field of law works. But would it be possible to morph to a different area of law that you would enjoy more? Look at the things you do enjoy about your job, look at the outside skills you feel you are good at, and find an area that is more compatible with those two things than your current job--is that something that could work?

I think it would be easier to start them with laughter, but end them with tears.

Yes, I was going to ask, can you do both?

There was a huge lawsuit over this several years ago because a woman suffered irreparable damage due to a nurse doing this very thing. It was horrible. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/news/a62592/caroline-malatesta-brookwood-childbirth-lawsuit/#

If there is room, I'd want a table to the side that could be used for games/puzzles, etc., in addition to comfy furniture.

Good Night, Good Night, Construction Site I Love You, Stinky Face

Now what I'm about to say usually happens a few days later than these concerns, but one thing I don't see mentioned is that the tendency to pass newborns around from one person to another isn't necessarily good for them in another way, either. Newborns' muscles are still pretty soft, and when they get passed around, it tends to make them sore, which makes them fussy, because they are uncomfortable, possibly in pain. I'm not talking about simply holding your baby, but constant picking up and moving from one person to another is a lot more than what happens when just the mom and dad soothe the baby. Their muscles start toughening up quickly, and within a few weeks, it is a different story. But at first...

This has been on my mind as well. With consideration for how difficult it would be emotionally, I am concerned about your going home while still sick, and them realizing that you cannot enforce the rules like you could previously.

Without googling, I think it just makes them gassy. When I was a kid, I liked to munch on them sometimes. ETA: Oh, for some reason, my brain turned this into sweet potatoes. I liked to munch on raw sweet potatoes. And my mom told me it would make me gassy. I never tried it with white potatoes.

This reminds me that one time ds and ddil were at a conference with their 5yo and 3yo. The children shared that their dad was really scary. The leaders asked them about that, and were reassured, "Oh yes, he is really really scary!" What the leaders did not know was that one of the kids' favorite things was to be "scared" by dad, who would hide and jump out at them to the response of screams and laughter. That experience was really sobering (and yes, scary) to ds and ddil, who are great with their kids, and whose kids are all over them, cuddling and hugging, etc. It didn't help that ds is a big man.🙁

And that is one reason why, when seeing or hearing concerning things coming from little ones, a few good questions are in order before jumping to the worst conclusions! Sometimes there is a very simple explanation with no deep and dark meanings.🤣

I have called my parents Mama and Daddy all my life. My dad died when I was in my 50s. I'm in my 60s now and still call my mom Mama. From the time we were married, we lived long distances from our parents, so it had nothing to do with our maturity or dependence on them. My kids have always called us Mom and Dad. I'm not sure why that instead of Mama and Daddy, because both dh and I used the latter with our parents.

My mother used to be in a group at her church that they called Round Table. Each month, a member of the group would read a book and then report on it to the others. It was usually missions related--a missionary biography or autobiography (the missions emphasis is possibly why the group existed to begin with?). After the meeting, others would usually request to borrow the book, and it would then make the rounds. So like GH is talking about, only one person per month. Of course, snacks and coffee were served.

Personally, I would have her go to one where she lives, since she doesn't have anybody where you are anyway, as long as you think she will follow up on it. It would be a lot easier for her to work out appointments. I would probably start with a GI doc (who might take it more seriously), but she should probably have a general practitioner, and a GI doc might have to have a referral to them. Ask her to make sure you can get her medical information, and hopefully access to her portal. ETA: In the meantime, she might try a modified elimination diet--such as leaving off corn syrup, etc., to see if it has any effect. Are there foods/drinks that she started eating/drinking in the last year or so, or has she changed her diet since going to college?