[Congress Dress Code Discussion]

Well, the opinion piece referenced in the OP is a little silly. It's possible to update one or a few things without people appearing in congress in crocks. FWIW, I think women's professional dress can include certain sleeveless blouses. I also don't care if men's and women's conventions aren't identical.

 

As far as professional dress - I think there are reasons for it, but in this case, I think the issue goes beyond being professional - I think public officials wear special or more formal clothes because they are taking on a special role. Lawyers and judges here wear robes, for example, in court. It isn't because somehow this makes them smarter or better. But it is a reminder, to themselves and the public, that they are no longer acting simply as private individuals. They are working in the interests of justice, for some higher good, and to some extent they are being asked to leave self behind.

 

While some would like to believe that symbols of institutions or ideals may be meaningless, and perhaps in some sort of ideal world they would, I think human nature is such that we require reminders and physical manifestations of principles.

 

In the case of members of the government engaged in the work of government, there are any number of traditions and symbols intended to remind of the importance and gravity of that work for all of us. Getting dressed in a more formal way is one for each individual member.

Well, there's the solution. Maybe everyone should wear robes on the floor of the House or Senate.

[Do you add pickle juice or vinegar to your mayo based potato salad?]

I use Hellmans and a dash of sugar, but pickle juice sounds great... I think I might try it next time. 

[Help make this unpleasent]

Tell them that they are adults and will have to pay for their own vacation. If they choose to tack it onto yours, they can pay the difference, up front. There is enough time before the trip for them to do that if it's that important to them.

[What age did your child get a phone?]

When I started leaving them places for activities they got a phone. It was a different age for each kid.

[S/O: Public school supplies - public school fees & other costs?]

Doctor, dentist, and eye exams are something that responsible parents are doing anyway so while I support having county health clinics for the uninsured, I don't have sympathy for irresponsible parents whining about having to take their kids in.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

That's nice.  We don't have county health clinics.

[Toddler Underwear That Lasts?]

A fb friend was complaining that she bought her toddler a first set of undies at Wal-Mart, and the elastic waistbands all came loose after only a week. Some other posters commiserated about similar problems with clothing purchased at other stores. Anyone have a current recommendation for better quality children's clothes?

[So I spoke up. Right or wrong?]

Dh lost an adult uncle to a fall from 2nd story roof while up there doing some work. I hope the neighbor doesn't end up regretting her decision to allow the kids to play up there.

[s/o people justifying breaking laws (illegal fireworks)]

[sNIP]

 

kids are young enough that I don't think they can fully get the grey areas.  Ds has Aspergers and he is a very rigid, strict rule follower.  You use a bad word and he'll call you on it.  If the children's menu says "10 years old" he won't order from it unless we ask the waiter if it's okay.  

 

And I often wonder how many of the inflexible, rigid thinkers on this board also have Aspergers (diagnosed or not).

 

If you only see the world as black and white you may want to rethink your vision.

 

If the problem is "everyone else", maybe it's actually not...

[Ideas for community service projects?]

We've made little keepsake decorations for hospice to include with their patient's holiday meals - something that can be kept as a holiday decoration by the family as a remembrance.

[SN child ruining family time]

Can you let him know that his behavior is not fair to the rest of the family? Get a sitter and leave him home until he decides to participate appropriately as a family member and not a tyrant?

[Something disturbing happened today]

I'd contact the local news media and let them know to get the word out. Even if the police are not alarmed, other parents will want to know to step up their caution-level. Imagine how bad you'd feel if someone else's kid gets abducted by that woman tomorrow, and you could have done something but didn't.

[How to teach kids about the stock market and investing?]

Our statewide newspaper has a "Newspapers in Education" program in which we've participated.  They send free copies of the newspaper to use during the challenge.  http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20160519/NEWS04/160519215&template=printart

 

Try this: The Stock Market Game online

[Writing an email in "principal" language]

I wouldn't write or call. Make an appointment and go discuss this in person.

[vent: why have libraries turned into play zones?]

Libraries in most of the U.S. are funded by municipalities. Membership, collection, and administration is local. In my tiny town with a population under 1000, the children's section is probably 12ft square. There are no branches. But the library director hussles grants to keep the collection up to date. It is clean and freshly painted/carpeted. Ill is free, but the digital collection is small. There are a couple of computers up front, and it is a Wi-Fi hotspot. They are very resourceful with limited resources.

 

In this rural mountainous area, modern high speed internet is not a guarantee. Before DSL became an option at our home on this interstate highway we often had to sit in the car outside the library to use their hotspot for online classes and such. We still have no cable tv/internet available (even if we wanted it.) Impoverished people where it is physically available may not be able to afford it, or the devices needed to access it.

 

Thinking about the etymology of the word library, you start with the Latin root liber, which meant either tree bark, a public record, or freedom. One could argue that they were all the same thing: freedom comes through knowledge which was eventually collected in the public record, first on scraps of plant materials like bark, papyrus, and eventually paper manufactured from trees. Ben Franklin, a founder and proponent of the American free library system, believed in the necessity of literacy for the maintenance of freedom in our democracy. But modern knowledge is collected digitally, so digital public access through libraries does make sense.

 

The play-space focus discussed here is unfortunate. I suppose its only use is to draw in patrons who may not otherwise enter the library in hopes to get them interested in literacy and obtain their support for funding.

[reading Newbury award books - in order?]

What's wrong with Frog and Toad?  <3

[Dance classes and modesty, moves you are uncomfortable with etc]

I don't love the costumes, but don't see anything suggestive or inappropriate in either of those dances.

[vent: why have libraries turned into play zones?]

Recently, I sent lists home with my students of audio books we got from the library during the last 8 years or so that we loved, such as Mr. Popper's Penguins, The Cricket in Times Square, etc. We enjoyed them so much, I wanted others to have the same experience. When I went to the online catalog to check some of these out to actually bring to my students to hear in my class, most of these classics can only be gotten from one library in our shared system. What? What has happened to these over the years, and why is only 1 library carrying these? (Must be the library with the brains!)

 

Are they all going to electronic readers? I will have to find out. But I know one of our young librarians was removing books from the shelf, they were ones she just didn't 'get' she said. Whoa! Such a waste of our tax dollars just like that! Yes, libraries have changed, and not always for the better.

A lot of the audio books have changed to a digital format instead of cds. You access them the same way you access other ebooks, but download the audio instead of text. It really frustrates me when I'm looking for ebooks but the ones I want are only available as audio books.

[vent: why have libraries turned into play zones?]

Could you ask the librarians about designating a "quiet reading" area? Every library I've been in has at least one of those for people who want to read. It isn't always a separate room- sometimes just an area with chairs and a sign that says "quiet reading area." I've found that most librarians are pretty receptive to requests from patrons.

 

If that doesn't work, could you bring earplugs?

Our library is only one long room. The children's section is in the back. They have lots of excellent children's programming, which means when you go in there (the three days it is open) it always seems to be cant-hear-yourself-think loud and crowded. We couldn't get close to the shelves to look at books last time we went in because of all the kids, parents, and their things. And that was before summer programs started.

 

The tiny local school eliminated their library, and I think the kids go to the town library during the school day instead, like once or twice per month.

[Belly Pain in Kids]

That's the stomach flu. It often comes with abdominal cramps.

[best way to handle fighting siblings]

I don't believe in letting kids fight it out, verbally or physically. Give them SKILLS toward conflict resolution.

 

I loved the book Siblings Ithout Rivalry.

 

I have 4, they have their arguments, but if I can tell they are escalating each other, I will step in. I also step in for unwanted teasing and purposeful bothering/annoying of a sibling.

 

I don't want to say it too loudly, but my kids really do get along well.

Agree 100%

 

Conflict resolution is a skill that needs to be taught/learned. I would make them come to me, face each other, and take turns with verbal and active listening skills, empathizing with each other, and respecting each other's words and feelings. It takes a lot of parental mediation to teach this, but you will be so happy you did!

 

We also have a few hard rules like "no name calling" in all its various forms, "no fun at someone else's expense", etc.

 

It's also okay for kids to need a break from each other and have alone-play time occasionally.

 

My kids get along great most of the time now that they are trained in prosocial interpersonal relationship skills.

[At what point would you go back to work/ how "tight" does it have to be?]

Unless I am going to work full time, it doesn't make sense for me to work. We'd lose healthcare subsidies, etc. And for a temporary boost Dh can work a small amount of overtime and bring home as much as I would have to work many hours for.

[Dance classes and modesty, moves you are uncomfortable with etc]

We did have one teacher who had the teens in one class doing a few questionable moves, but the parents complained to that teacher as a group and the dance was changed with no problems.

[how can I help her?]

As much as I dislike a lot of pop culture, there is something to be said for current cultural literacy.

[Dance classes and modesty, moves you are uncomfortable with etc]

No suggestive moves in our jazz or hip hop classes. I think it depends on the studio. Our studio only has three competition teams, which are invitation-only and you can turn it down. I'd give competition studios a second chance. Maybe talk to the studio directors about your concerns and see if you can watch upper level recital videos.

[venty vent vent....]

Sounds like more than some reflux.

Diverticulitis?

Hemorrhagic gastritis?