At that age, my girls pretty much lived in Gymboree. If the dress is short sleeved, they will have a matching cardigan about 99.9% of the time. I actually just ordered my 21month old a few long sleeve dresses and they got here yesterday. Hanna Andersson should have some long-sleeved options as well. We did a lot of that a few years ago, but there isn't a store near us, and the fit tends to be boxy (which my girls don't like) and returning/buying/returning online/mail got old. But we do have a few of their pieces that they adored and passed down beautifully. Lands End is nice but they don't do baby anymore. My 7 year old wears LE almost exclusively now (she finds Gymbo "too babyish" in most respects but I can still pull off a few 3 way matches if I'm careful that there are no bows/frills/etc on hers!) THe other place we have found a few great surprises as far as dresses goes is Kohls and Target. Oh.... and don't forget.... you can always do a jumper with a turtleneck onesie underneath if you need warmth.

We celebrate Halloween, but I thought I'd chime in anyway here.... We don't celebrate hannukkah (for "religious reason", b/c we are Christian) - but when my DDs were in preschool, they learned about hannukkah, and made menorahs and dreidels and learned some hannukkah songs. I was not the least bit offended or bothered. For one, I personally think it was GOOD for her to be exposed to other things (and trust me, I'm not one who pushes diversity for the sake of diversity). But some friends DID celebrate and helped her have a basic understanding. I see Halloween no differently. You can't IGNORE that next week is Halloween - that really wouldn't be fair to all the kids who DO celebrate. I think the OPs plan sounds perfect and extremely considerate and thoughtful. If putting a face on a pumpkin bothers someone that much, they probably SHOULD keep their child home that week. I don't mean that snarky, I mean that references, etc *will* be there - and if it is that important to you for your child to not have any exposure, then keep them home. A lot is in HOW it is presented. "Many people celebrate Halloween and the jack o lantern is a symbol of that" is different than "We should all celebrate Halloween". I don't celebrate chinese new year, but I learned about it in school and colored dragon kites, kwim? it was educational, not intrusive. There are a lot of other "holidays"that I equally diagree with - but I think in a group setting, you roll with the punches (provided it is in a light manner) whether you observe or not - and if you feel so strongly that rolling with the punches doesn't work for you - look into other activities for those few days.

I'd hang it in the shower (where it would get mist, but not wet) and treat myself to a nice, long, hot shower! (That's what I did with the girls witch hats - worked like a charm = and before church on Sunday, I try to throw anything that would need touched up into the bathroom before I shower - usually it takes care of anything!)

I had a similar situation yesterday with my 7.5 yo and "mean-ness" (at a church program of all places....) I'm such at a loss on how to handle it..... I know it's "normal", but that doesn't make it okay, kwim??

I just read the OP's update... thank goodness I homeschool because **I** would be the **worst** ps parent ever! OP - that's just nuts! Nuts that it's a problem to use the restroom 1-2x/day, nuts that the teacher sent the letter, nuts that the teacher counted the number of MINUTES used. Nuts, nuts, nuts.... it's crazy stuff like this that helps me plow on even in the hard hs days. (Not intended as a criticism of anyone who sends their children to PS - I went to PS and I loved it - I think I just have too many issues with authority..... or the schools try to take too much authority.... but either way, it woudn't be pretty (on my part) if I sent the kids to PS!)

we have about 8 years on dh (I think it started as 10 but his salary has goneup and we haven't made a change to the life insurance) and about 300k on me. I may not bring in a salary, but I woudn't be cheap to replace! :-) He'd need a nanny and a housekeeper, a cook, a gardener, a teacher, etc etc etc Eta: About 1/4 of DH's premium would go to pay off the house. We are in our mid-30's so we are counting on 25-30 more years of (increasing) salary from DH.... so I often joke to him that he is worth so much more (financially) if I keep him around. :-) In all seriousness though, we have made a decision to pay for the policies so that in the horrible event the girls do loose one of us, their lives can remain as 'normal" as possible (meaning if it were dh to go, I could still stay home with them - and if it were me to go, they could go to private school vs. public and would have quality care after school and taking care of the home).

With my first 2, we did Robeez while crawling (just to cover the feet on chillydays) and then switched to Stride Rite NMS (Natural Motion System) from the first few steps. For us, they were awesome. I tried Pediped at one point but the upper of the shoe didn't hold up as well. Many of our stride Rites from my first 2 girls are being worn by #3 and look like new! #3 really has worn limited shoes b/c we live in a warmer climate - but when she HAS had to wear shoes, its been the Stride rites too (and now at 20 months, usually crocs!)

I'm not seeing the maternal instinct shine through. :001_huh:

I clicked away and she was gone! Who was watching- where did she go?

Kindle Fire! :-)

Only read the first page - but I'll have to be the outlier here and say NO. My older 2 girls have a combined 5-6 plus 2 bitty baby toddlers and a gazillion outfits. SOOOOOOO not worth it. In the past year since we moved, the box has only been out of the garage for about 3 weeks (and that was just b/c my MIL was visiting and soem of the stuff was gifts from here and i knew she'd be looking for it!) Once she left, the girls lost interest and BACK TO THE GARAGE they went! Of course, now that the Christmas catalog came, they have requested new dolls - hahhahahah..... I doubt they'll make it to the 'final list" of 3 things they are allowed to ask Santa for!

I, too, was getting annoyed by the "overages" on the clock, particularly by Romney. I agree with the PP who said they should both be able to follow the rules of a civil debate... Then I saw the final time count for each candidate an Romney was down by 3-4 minutes at final count - a whole 8-10% less time! So I can only imagine what that would have been had he *not* continued on in those instances. Politics aside -a competant moderator should have a better handle on things.

Sure - you can collect money. But if you don't have 501©3 status yet: 1) The money is taxable to the organizaiton and: 2) The donation is not tax deductible to the donor. But, there would be no legality preventing the collection of money - just how it is taxed/not taxed.

At least this solves the problem about them living together outside of marriage:001_smile::grouphug:

FWIW, I never really thought about it I agree with the PP about what she has told her childrne. I think I will outright tell my children that they can TRUST that I am their mother and I will always do whatever I need to do to help them as long as they are my children living in my house. If that means read their emails, diary, go through their room, etc - they will know up front that I will do it. There will be no presumed privacy, so that "trust" won't be able to be broken. I do not look forward to the teenage years and really feel for the moms going through it now. :grouphug:

Clearly we have all had different experiences that have given us a different perspective on this issue. I am probably just as wrong in saying that OPs DD will evenutally appreciate her getting involved as those posters who say that if she ever found out they read her diary they will hate her forver. None of us, except the OP, knows this girl. While even OP doesn't know how she will react, all she has to go on is her "mommy instinct". OP- If your mommy instinct has you worried - there is probably a reason. I think part of the question that you need to ask yourself is - why did DH look at/for the diary - was it because he was genuinely concerned about her or just out of curiousity. Is there anything else "off". Either way I would personally be addressing it - it would just depend how. If you *as her parents* have concerns outside the diary, then I would say deal with her anger, tell her what you read, and take her to counseling. Maybe she will never forgive you - but that's better than you never forgiving yourself heaven forbid the unspeakable happen. If the diary entry seems like a "one off", I would really try to take a good, long hard look at my relationship with the DD and figure out how I can relate to her ON HER TERMS/LEVEL. I have 1 DD who is basically my "mini me", she is still young, but she is an open book to me - without even speaking, I know what she is thinking, her motivations in a situation, when she is lying etc because she is just like me. DD2, whom I love dearly, is a constant mystery to me. I often wonder what goes on in her mind. I don't mean that negatively, more that she and I have very very different personaliteis and it is much more work to relate to her on her level - and she is only 5 - I can't imagine when she is 14! She is quiet and reserved and it will be much tougher to get her to open up. And she is my middle child too - so she skirts her way out of so much that would have never flown with her big sis! I think if you want to / feel you need to improve communication with your daughter - you aren't just going to get her to "sit down and talk to you". It doesn't seem like that is in her nature. it sounds like she would benefit from some regular one-on-one time with you - maybe where you shared stories from your childhood without the expectation of her opening up. Over time, I think she will.

I haven't read all the responses - but this is (imho) how this will play out over the years... Everyone will say that "race is just being used as measuring tool'.. until every group EXCEPT ONE meets their goals - let's say the Hispanic Group. So -they the Hispanic Kids are going to be pulled out for special enrichment to help that group (b/c that's how the teacher/school/district) is being evaluated. Let's forget Suzy, the Asian girl, who ALSO is below grade level - the "Asian" group, on the agrregate, scored high enough - So Suzy won't get the help she needs because she's not in the "group that needs improvement" (ie she is the wrong race for the enrichment class). It won't be the first year, or even the second - but when you use race as a measuring tool - you will also use it as a remediation tool. And the children will be aware they are being measured based on the color of their skin - and that more is expected of some, and less of others. It's really a shame and quite sad.

:iagree::iagree::iagree: I couldn't agree with this statement more- and I've BEEN THERE from the child perspective. My mother didn't find/read my diary -but she did go through my room (I was 18 or 19) looking for "something" to give her some clue as to why I was acting different. She found some stuff and - honestly, I was slightly angry at the time - but at this point, I'm so glad. I didn't feel comfortable opening up to her on my own - and then I had no choice. It was all out in the open and it got so much better after that. Your DD might be angry - but she will not stop loving your DH - just the opposite. At some point she will realize how much he loves her to be willing to spend his time trying help/fix her.

I really don't think a 14 yo should have an expectation of privacy from his/her parents. I know I did not as a child. A 14 yo is just that - a child and I think it is the parents *responsibility* to know/find out what they can about their children. I'm not saying you MUST read your child's diary - what I am saying is that if there is some concern or worry that prompts you to read it - you shouldn't feel apologetic or ashamed. That being said - I would also let DD know that we did in as non-confrontational a manner as possible - if you found something that worried you. It is your right as a parent, plain and simple. You can choose to not excercise that right - but don't feel bad for trying to find out what is bothering a 14 yo child. Finally - I will just share this one piece of advice (and my children are younger, so this is more coming from my memory/perspective of BEING a child). In retrospect, I kept a lot from my parents.... and had they been more involved, they could have helped me prevent a lot of mistakes - some I still regret to this day. I'm not blaming them - but the fear of "disappointing" them was overwhelming. In addition - though I "could" talk to my mom - there really wasn't any real time/opoortunity for me to open up, kwim? I was the oldest of 4 and though my mom stayed home, she was always busy (doing mom things :)). It really takes time and bond for a teenager to feel comfortable opening up and talking. So - it might be one full month of 2 hour one-on-one ice cream dates before you get her to say anything - but don't give up just because she doesn't share all those feelings inside during the first one!

I order hangers from Manhattan Wardrobe Supply. I get the clear hangers - some plain and some with clips for bottoms. I got the smallest size when they were babies and I just ordered some of the next size up for my 7 year old. THey are the ONLY hangers I allow in their closets (keeps things neat and uniform) and having the little clippies keeps leggings/bloomers/accessories with the right outfit. Sometimes they have free shipping - these are the only hangers we used since my first was a little baby. I think I've ordered 3 times in 8 years and my girls have a LOT of clothes (probably $70ish each order). They would last forever if my kids didn't leave them on the floor and then step on them! I placed an order when DD1 was born, when DD2 was born - and now DD3 has DD1's and DD1 got "bigger girl" hangers. (I may have had to place one other order to replenish along the way). In my closet, we use the velvety kind - but I like the clear plastic better for the girls.

I wouldn't be SURE that her insurance didn't cover it.... It seems convenient, dont you think, that she says her insurance doesn't cover it and now she thinks she is completely off the hook. You would think her response would be - "Sorry, my insurance won't cover it - what will I owe you for your deductible or can we get an OOP estimate". I may be jaded - but I wouldn't be surprised if she never actually called her agent. Wonder if there is some way your agent can help you verify that info without you actually having to file a claim...???

Didn't read all the responses but wonder if OP's DH would feel different if he was the one doing the daily watching of the child? :)

FWIW - we looked into the "kids" type fisher price (and similar) camera 2 years ago. I ended up getting DD(3 at the time) a Vtech camera and regretted it completely. It was no more "user friendly", the screen was WAAAAY smaller and the picture quality awful. The only possibility is that it held up better if dropped (but that's debatable b/c I've dropped my sony a few times with no dire consequnces). For the price I paid I would have been better off buying her a an entry model that didn't have a retractable lens (b/c that's the part a kid is most likely to break). I paid MORE than I could have for a low-range but reputable brand "real" camera and have ALWAYS regretted it!

I was the oldest of 4 - and my parents were WAY stricter with me - so I really do feel where your DD is coming from. And now, I see it with my own oldest (of 3) DD. That being said - I think 8 is old enough for a camera (at least, it is here - every kid is different). We had a similar experience when DD got a kndle for her 7th bday this year. 6 months later, I got one for DD who was turning 5. Similar to you - I saw that she was responsible with sister's - would really enjoy it - and that way I didn't have to worry about them "sharing". DD was initially a little upset because she saw it as a "big girl" thing - but she got over it quick as soon as she saw I wasn't giving in. :-) I think it is important to not tie things to a particular age unless you (A) want this problem or (B) plan on waiting for the others also. Vague "we'll see" or "when the time is right" type answers allow you a lot more flexibility in making changes to what you did with the youngers. That being said - I experience it with pretty much everything growing up - and I am fine. The only "side effect" is that I'm probably a little more sensitive to my oldest DD's feelings (neither of my parents were the oldest) - but even with that increased sensitivity, we still occassionally have those issues. It's just part of life!

The bright side here - if there is one - is that this man has proven to not be a reliable and loyal worker - likely he'lll continue the same shenanigans at his new employer and hopefully not add much value there. So sorry that you are going through this. It stink so much b/c even if you "win", I know it will be a lot of time, energy and money! :grouphug: