We were at the airport to get on a flight years ago, before we were savvy about using the apps to check in, when the airline that we were flying on had their site go down. Those of us with paper tickets/boarding passes were able to carry on, while those who had everything on their phones were stuck. I don't remember all the details of that, but was impressed at the time to always have a paper copy with me of at least the ticket, though we always use the phone for boarding now.

Oh Wendy, that's a LOT to deal with. I'm sorry, and I hope things improve drastically from here on.

I'm not saying this as an "opposite" opinion, because I think there is lots of validity to the suggestions being made. It is only an "another thing to consider." So, that said, another thing to consider 😉 is that he is thirteen. And I think many of us, probably from about thirteen on for maybe another ten years or so, don't really know what we think and how we feel until we "try on" thoughts, feelings, activities, etc., for size. Experience and time teach us who we are and what we think, especially for those of us who are not as solid in who we are right from the start. The environment that you create, along with those who are considerate of him, will help him gain confidence, as well as the "boundaries" education/conversations. Trauma messes with that normal developmental growth, but some of us take longer to grow into ourselves anyway. I guess I'm trying to say that he may really not know what he wants or thinks in a lot of ways; so that it may not just be to people please, but a matter of growth and maturity in knowing who he is and what he wants/thinks.

Dh and I are in our 60s. Due to our life's work/lifestyle, we did not buy a home until we were in our upper 50s. We still had (and have) two sons living with us. We bought a house with 1800 sq ft (3 bd 2 bth) that would be great to age in place unless we need care that we can't get at home. Everything is on one level--no steps at all, almost walk-in master shower, and the yard is low maintenance. However, due to dh's work, we live far from our home state and most of our family (though our other kids are very scattered). Where we plan to retire is not a hcol area, yet housing here is even lower. When I look online, even houses of 1200-1400 sq ft tend to cost 40-50K more than our current house. I'm not sure what we will be able to do. Same. The only downsizing situations of the older people I know/knew are of those who needed to move to either assisted living or in with relatives due to limitations.

Praying that the hard memories will fade to the background and the good memories and new memories take the forefront, so that peace, joy, and comfort will be the prominent feelings in your new environment.

Except for our sons who live with us, I don't know the updated vaccination status of others we saw during the holidays, except that they had the first vaccine series. Thankfully, as far as I know, we did not give covid to anyone, despite our having multiple contacts before symptoms showed up. Especially thankful that my mom (93) did not get it; nor did she get the flu, which she was exposed to by living with my sister who had it. We were so glad she came through those exposures unscathed.

Three of us got boosters in September. Dh and I tested positive for covid on Dec 28. Neither ds who was boosted or ds who was not got it.

Everybody pitched in and gave me money for a new chair/recliner. The one I use is literally falling apart, but I love it so much! (It has paisleys, and it is hard to find them.) It wasn't enough money to go all out--everybody is on a budget--but I went out yesterday to look, and found one very close to price range that I really like, and to my surprise, it was a Lazy-Boy. I think we are going to go get it today. I also got a couple of coffee shop gift cards, some inexpensive earrings I picked out from dh, and also a book from him that I had requested. Sadly, I left the book at dd's house, so I'll have to wait to read it.

I have no answers, but I read that as "hydraulic" at first. 🙄

Already???😳😪 I mean, that's good, of course, but still...

Oops, sorry, I misread. For me, I think it would be okay if the house isn't too warm.

Since they still feel cold, I would think they are fine.

I didn't vote because none exactly apply. With my first, we lived several states away, and my sister was due at the same time. When I had my baby ten days early, it put my mom in a quandary, but she knew I had a lot of experience with babies, and my sister did not. So I told her it was fine to wait to come, which it was. We lived in the apartment complex where dh worked at the time, so he was free to check in on me during the day. Our Sunday School class was always generous with meals for new moms, so food was taken care of, and that was an immense help. When my parents came ten days later, my mom helped as needed, but mostly I just wanted to show off my new baby. We lived in a 1-bedroom apartment, so there wasn't a ton of cleaning or laundry to do. It was nice to have them there (they slept on the sofa bed in the living room), and we had enjoyed our first days as a new little family, and were then ready to visit. My mom's philosophy was basically that the mom/parents need to bond with the baby, and her job was to help with anything else that needed doing, though she did enjoy holding baby too. With my own grandchildren's births, I have basically done what they wanted me to do. I have told them that I will not be offended, because this is about them and what they need from me at the time. With one, I went for two weeks. With one, I waited for a couple of weeks. With a very precarious pregnancy and two preschoolers, I moved in for a couple of months to help with daily life and to ease anxiety (we lived too far away for me to just go over every day). So it has varied a lot. While there, I focused on cooking (and putting things in the freezer for later), cleaning, laundry, caring for older kids, and holding the baby so mom could get a nap. My kids and dil are all pretty straightforward about stating needs, so that helps.

I was surprised when, on my 60th birthday several years ago, instead of feeling kind of old and depressed, I just had a weird sense of relief and relaxation. Totally unexpected. People just don't have the same expectations of you, or maybe it was my own lack of caring. Either way, I felt free of it. And yes, I have been 10 ½ years without periods, and that, too, is freeing. There are things in life that I see with more clarity. So many many things that used to tie me up in knots, I realize are not really that important. So I am trying to be wise in my later years, and focus on living simply and intentionally. The relationships I value are where I want to spend my efforts and intent. Dh and I have also found a new footing. We laugh a lot, usually at ourselves.

My dh travels internationally, and is sometimes in places where it's just not possible to call. When I get calls, I'm glad, and when I don't, I assume he couldn't, or was in a meeting/rush, or was exhausted, etc. It would be so annoying if I were always calling and texting to check in on him when he's trying to do his job. When someone works emergency services, they don't need the distraction. So she might be anxious, but you are doing the right thing to just trust that you will hear if you need to.

Definitely!!😳

Our whole family (18 of us) stayed in a VRBO summer before last for a few days. It was perfect for our needs. However, when we left, despite our doing everything they had on their list for us to do, they rated us badly. (?) And we never knew why.

I kind of picked up on that!😂

Recommendations for laundry sheets? I have been toying with the idea of switching over to something better for the environment and better for us. However, dh is a runner, and sons' clothes get stinky, so it needs to really work.

No, we both had it in early 2022.

Dh and I both have covid. We got boosters in September when the latest ones came out. I feel pretty miserable, but bad-cold type miserable, not I'm gonna' keel over miserable. He has a pretty deep but productive cough. I have a lighter irritated throat type cough. Lots of congestion, sneezing, drippy nose. No fever. I've had bad headaches off and on. It hasn't gone to my chest at all right now, and I think he's okay too-he's outside raking leaves.

I second The Dangerous Book for Boys, and for the older one, there are SAS survival handbooks that one of mine devoured (wilderness, urban, etc.) In addition, simple but real tools and/or survival-type equipment. If tools, some project books to go with them.

Me too!❤️

Ooo, I really like that! It looks like it would be a great top for nursing.

We don't give each other anniversary gifts either. We try to find funny cards sometimes, but mostly we go out to a nice restaurant.