Over-stimulation?

Congrats!!! :party:

I feel so schizophrenic reacting to this subject. No, we aren't making progress. Acknowledging lamentable human phenomena isn't progress; it's the baseline. But I'm a bit mad at that last article, so let's just be 'safe' and say I disagree with everyone about all of it, and since I'm a white Southerner of German descent, go enjoy connecting your dots.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Well I usually cut everyone's, so there's not much choice there, lol. But I took DD (11 1/2) to great Clips a few weeks ago and let her choose from a book of photos.

Well it depends on who it affects. A kid in our room affects both of us, just like a dog on the bed affects both of us (not comparing the two; we've dealt with both). So whoever is bothered by that, wins. DH doesn't want kids in our room, I don't want a dog on our bed at night. But the rest ends up being whatever I think is best or just end up doing, even if it's not best.

Heavens no! God bless you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: And thank you.

I make one meal, the kids help set the table and clean up afterward (extra clean up plus dishes if a treat is involved). The kids and I all eat at the table at the same time. All meals are like this.

I get caught in a similar loop (but with a lot more feels in the mix), end up feeling selfish, then exhausted, and then decide to ignore all these conversations because the worry in my head negatively affects my public interactions, which I find truly tragic. Maybe one day I'll get better at this and be able to do both just fine. :( FWIW, the first time I heard the term "white privilege," it was spat at me. By a white person. And was absolutely in the context of "you can't help but be racist because you're white." /sigh. They may not have meant it that way, or regretted it later; it's a particular person in my life who does that. But it left a mark anyway. The article helps, so thanks, OP.

OP, Beautiful.

Me!!! We tried the Upward soccer one year. The kids were 6 1/2, 4, and 1--so an exhausting time of life anyway. But yes, it wrecked my Thursday evening for practices, and shot my Saturday for the game. And unlike most families there (so it seemed), we couldn't afford to just go grab food somewhere before or after. And really, my kids just wanted to kick the ball around with other kids; I feel like we could do that in a less exhausting way. When we do lessons or regular activities outside the home, I schedule them for twice per month. I don't know what I'll do if someone decides to have a passion for a team sport.

I usually smile and say something along the lines of, "I'm not bothered, but you do what you gotta do." I guess that could come across wrong, too. idk, ya'll. But I've noticed that, too, and try to respond in ways that don't reinforce whatever the parent is trying to stop.

Gaw that made me tear up. wth?? Thanks for linking, umsami! I rarely see commercials--probably for my own good. ;)

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Alrighty! /slightyconfused

To me, single stall with a lock = unisex/family bathroom. And really, why can't all single stall bathrooms just be family bathrooms? Urinal, changing table, toddler seat, (ETA: the toilet proper and sink are a given). Bam. I get cost and coding, just my little "if I had a magic wand" thing. I don't do super smelly/dirty/buggy bathrooms, though. I will go somewhere else. On a camping trip, this has meant the woods (ironically). And in defense of the guys, here's a short poem: No matter how you shake and dance, the last two drops go in your pants. You're welcome. ;)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I think so, but I'm not a member of the one local group; I don't know what their policies are for "outsiders."

Hey, that's actually a relevant point in today's advertising world. Sex sells everything.

My 11 year old isn't too far behind yours.

Land's End. It's wroth it. When they have sales and promos, it's not quite so much sticker shock. I hardly ever shop in clothing stores for any of us.

Bookmarking!! Mushroom Rice saute mushrooms & onions in oil (usually 8+ oz. and 1 onion) dump in 2 C. rice, 4 C. chicken broth season to taste (I typically do 1/2 Tb. salt, a goodly amount of pepper, and some garlic powder at minimum) cook the way you'd do plain rice, and fluff it up when done. It's a good basic side ad easily customized.

The house rule is you can be calm and quiet inside or wild and noisy outside. And then I'll also have times where I just say, it's outside time, now. And if they try the run-inside-every-2-minutes routine, I just say: use the bathroom, get some water, now don't come back in for 20 minutes (or whatever). They're ok with and/or used to this, though the heat of summer is hard. Either I try to boot them out early in the morning or let them have the hose. All of this is generally speaking; we have our ups and downs with it.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I'm sorry for your loss.