when we are talking about stranger child abduction, it's a rare thing. But to the extent it happens, boys are vulnerable too. I not sure a boy at 7 is anymore able to defend himself than a girl. But I think some people think 'victim' and a female is all they can envision.

I would focus on my own kid. If I were her Mom, I would be livid at my son and make him apologize on the theory that no one can 'make' you do the wrong thing. But as *your* son's mom, I would be telling him that if he is picking on people, he is creating the problem. If the kid asked him to stop and he didn't, your son is creating the problem. That is an 'if' because I certainly would want to know if your son has a different story. If you son is usually kind and mild mannered, I would Wonder about the veracity of the other kid's story. If he has been mouthy before and you believe that is true, I would be asking my son how he plans to pay to replace glasses, and I would not be willing to accept excuses for his behavior.

I am an organized, analytical thinker. I am good at things like identifying what facts are relevant, composing arguments and rebutting counter arguments, outlining, etc. I am truly terrible at keeping track of material things. I spend a lot of time looking for keys, hunting down misfiled papers, and trying to remember where I parked,. I don't think it stifles creativity to learn to express thoughts, facts, themes etc in an organized way. One thing that seems to help 'rabbit hole' thinkers is to teach them to ask ""What is this all about?" then, "What is important in order to cover this matter?" and then, "Which supporting facts/arguments/ideas am I weak on?" Child may decide to write a paper on whether we need more regulation of dog breeders. He might identify that he needs to cover what it is about dog breeding that is problematic, what type of regulation might address these problems, the reasons why regulation might not really address those issues, and what additional problems might be created by regulation. At some point, he might recognize, "I actually don't know what regulations we already have." If he avoids doing the hard work of focusing on where his knowledge and discussion is weak, he will tend to overwrite what he wants to write about (how great dogs are, how sad puppy mills are etc) without good facts and thoughtful analysis.

I agree. I cannot tell you how difficult it was for me in the last couple years of my father's life, as he was in and out the hospital and rehabs, when people would say he should never be left alone. He was the type of patient who actually did need an advocate. There were times when I stayed with him overnight every night for a week or two here, a week or two there. That required me being awake and aware. And when people said they would never leave him alone, I struggled with guilt. Because there are 16 other hours in the day. I don't know how people sustain several years of an ill relative being in and out of the hospital without leaving them. It would take at least four people committed to full time supervision to make that work. I don't see how we could have done it. My mom even hired a 'home health care' aid full time. If he were in the hospital, that's where she went. But she could not afford that 24 our a day.

I agree. I cannot tell you how difficult it was for me in the last couple years of my father's life, as he was in and out the hospital and rehabs, when people would say he should never be left alone. He was the type of patient who actually did need an advocate. I spent many nights sitting up with him in the hospital, and this was very challenging for me and for my whole family. I was homeschooling and had three kids who also needed me. I often stayed with him overnight - some And when people said they would never leave him alone, I struggled with guilt. Because there are 16 other hours in the day. My parents had more means than most people, and my mother hired a 'home health' person who came to the hospital/rehab/their home (wherever he was) 8 hours a day, four days a week.

I guess if you want to know if you have a right to an attendant of your preferred gender, you have to look at the law, hospital regulations, insurance policy or wherever else that 'right' might be expressed. You certainly have a right to *ask* for a female attendant even if they have a right to refuse. And You have a right to ask the hospital to consider creating a policy allowing you to demand it. I think you have a right to complain, though they may also have a right to not change anything you are complaining about.

Also, I really like King's Moumtain National Military Park. They could combine that with hiking up crowder Moumtain.

The Raptr center is one of my favorites. It's one of a pleasant place to be even apart from the raptors. It's near Latta Plamtation so you could do both.

Sure. Why not? It's not a wedding and your clothes don't make a statement about whether you approve. Being there says you approve.,

To me, it's rude. But it is not my job or desire to correct others who are beng rude. I can remember and not invite that person again, but I probably would not confront him if he were over the age of 14. The world is full of people who don't agree with me. I learned a rules from some wise woman on this board that you never correct someone unless someone else's honor is at stake. That he been a good rule for me. Let it go. He probably isn't going to have a place in your 'mandatory invite' list, and that is ok,

Not one 'best,' but he has several really close friends.

I can hear my mother saying, "well, he has the nerve of a fiddle factory."

We definitely don't Want to drive or park in Manhattan! I guess I was thinking we would drop the car off at the airport and then use public transportation to stay at a hotel and visit the city. But if we can drop the car off somewhere more convenient that would be great.

Four of us are flying to New York. We will rent a car and drive to West Point for two night, leaving one son there. Then three of us will drive back and spend two nights in the NYC area to see some NYC stuff before flying home. So of the airports near NYC is one easier to get out of on our way to West Point? Not sure what all I should be considering, and just looking at a map, it's not clear which we should prefer. We can get direct flights to all of them for a reasonable price.

I know that I bring my personality, habits, preferences etc. to being a mom. But I don't see my forgetfulness, hatred of shopping, preference for IPAs over Porters, affection for dogs, reading choices, tolerance for messiness etc. to be about who I am "as a Mom." They do affect who I am as a mom (and as a wife, employee, daughter, friend) but everything in my life isn't primarily about myself as a mom. In my mind, these are things are about me as a "person." And my reference group, if I am comparing personally, interests, habits etc, isn't 'other moms'. It's other people or perhaps other women. If you substitute out 'woman' for 'mom', this discussion can quickly reveal a lot of gender oriented assumptions. Does the 'typical woman' care deeply about hairdos and lipsticks? Does the typical woman love shopping? Does she bake? Is she fake or sincere? Goal oriented or passive? house proud or casual? Because most women I know (certainly not all) are mothers. If I talk about "typical moms" I am to a large extent talking about women generally. And I can't say a lot about how typical women are.

Also, I do understand why it bothers you because your son likes her and she makes you nervous. But from what I can tell, you are really close to your son and engaged in his life. I doubt your son is likely to be a candidate for being 'taken over' by her. I still get why it makes you anxious. I do. But don't let it make you crazy. My guess is that he is so much more invested in you and that your voice is still the big voice in his life.

Well, on the bright side, the girl sounds like she's ok. She petitioned to move out of her mother's when that wasn't working. Then living with her brother, she realized she needs community - friends, church, etc. So she managed to make another change. Her next step may not seem right to you, but she chose it and it sounds like she probably could have gone back with her brother if she really wanted. She never got wrapped up in the "Mom" thing with this lady, and apparently moved out when she wanted. Really, she sounds like a kid who is strong enough to make choices. So maybe even though the "Mom" is over the top, it sounds like the young woman has managed to navigate things pretty well. It may not be what you think is right. But it's not really your story.

I would give her something unique. If you live in a place where there are local galleries, I might look for a nice piece of blown glass or local pottery. There is something about being sisters (even not close sisters) that calls for something a bit special - I can't see sending a sister a box of food goodies for her wedding. But I usually have luck when I hit the local craft scene. I did that for a cousin who I don't feel super close to and who has the best of everything already.

I recently looked through a Tupperware catalog. I wanted to buy something for a friend who sells it. There honestly was not one thing I wanted. Buy something off her registry or give money. Or buy something personal and perfect you know she will love. But not plastic ce@p. Spend within your limits but according to her desires. This is not the time to make a statement about what you think she should want.

Am I wrong that ultimately, Karenina would not agree to a divorce? And she would not agree to live a pretend marriage.

It does seem ... sort of creepy. But I can also think of it this way. Young women who under-cared for in their families (mom's partner is an addict, mom may be too, I assume that may be the case here) are vulnerable. In my experience, they often get wrapped up in relationships with men that aren't healthy for them. Maybe this women is over the top. But maybe she also made space in her family for this girl and provided a safe and loving alternative to hooking up with a guy who makes her feel 'safe' but is a bad idea or finding some other way to feel she belongs somewhere. It may not be perfect, but it seems better than so many other options. I want to ask one thing. You say there are the parents, grandparents, two buys and a nephew in that home. You said that including her, it's people from four families. Are the boys also people she took in? Are the grandparents actually her or DH's parents or grandparents? Because this looks like one family plus her if so. And if the grandparents aren't related, I am less inclined to think she has a need to steal other people's kids and more inclined to think she just has a need to feel important or to be a 'saver.'

I adore Anna Karenina as a character. I think Tolstoy loved her too. If I could meet up with Tolstoy, I would have a number of questions for him, starting with, "how could you do that her?"

Why? If cops want to search and are able to make an adequate case for it, they get a warrant. Why is it morally wrong to refuse consent until they do so?

That would be a fun law school exam question. Driver consents to blood test. Blood drawn. Driver claims to lack capacity to consent because he was soooooo drunk, and argues that blood alcohol evidence is inadmissible.

1. Unless Florida recently changed the law, it is a misdemeanor the second time you refuse to take a breathalyzer. 2. Not sure if you are responding this or not, but the Supreme Court has ruled that drawing blood without a warrant and without consent in a dui stop is a violation of the 4th amendment and the evidence is inadmissible. Are you somehow saying that isn't applicable to Florida?