Well, there's a difference between plopping them in front of the TV and sitting down to watch with them. Did they watch together? Growing up, we didn't watch much TV, so I was surprised when my DH told me that some of his fondest childhood memories involved watching TV with his dad. They'd make popcorn and watch the Muppets. They'd have pancakes and take in Saturday morning cartoons. They watched football together. I think that part of the grandparent/grandchild relationship is that they get to know each other and developing shared interests - even if the interests aren't ones you care for (as long as they're not harmful). In this instance, I think I'd let them develop their own groove instead of trying to manage the relationship based on some kind of ideal that your parents can't live up to. If your parents knew you expected them to build a birdhouse or do anything out of their comfort zone as part of a visit, then they probably wouldn't invite your kids again. And then your kids would miss out on any kind of relationship with your folks.

When I was an adult child living at home (after graduating from college), I paid rent (my mom called it "board") and it was not returned. Frankly, that money was an important part of my mother's budget at the time, and I was glad to help her. If my kids were to live at home after college graduation, I would also ask them to contribute in some way. Thank heavens, DH and I are quite comfortable, and I don't foresee needing them to pay - however, I firmly believe that no one lives for free, even young adults, and they need to get used to contributing. We don't handle our finances in such a way that we would have a pool of money that was the child's contribution (in a separate account or earmarked line item), so I don't think we'd ever give it back to a child, as "Surprise! We've been saving your money for you, now here it is back!" However, having had the additional contributions over a period of time would likely give us additional funds that we could apply to helping said child later on, either through a more generous wedding gift or assistance with a down payment, etc. Note that this would be a gift, not likely even close to the same amount as the child contributed to the household over the duration of her/his residency (could be more or less), and would be completely at our discretion.

Sparkpeople will also track vitamins and other nutrients. You have to set it up to track them for you, which takes a little digging at the get-go, but it will do it.

We're visiting the last week in August this year, as we did a couple of years ago. It's hot, but the crowd levels are really low since most of the country is back to school (but not the northeast where I'm from). I'll echo some pps who recommend planning a longer trip. We usually aren't amusement park lovers and a week sounded like a long time to just do theme parks, but it was hard to cram everything into "just" a week. This year, we're actually going for 12 days, with 10 park days planned (though several of them will be half days). We don't get park hoppers. With small kids, it's time-consuming and lots of effort to transfer between the parks. If you do decide to hop, though, you can add that option once you get there. May be worthwhile to buy the basic tickets to start with, and then only add the hopper option if you decide you need it once you're there (can be pretty costly). Even if you're staying on site, I'd recommend getting a rental car. I am so done with Disney transportation. We had to plan an hour to get anywhere. This involved walking through the huge resorts, waiting for the bus in the sun, getting preempted from getting on the bus by scooter users who have an entourage of 10 family members, waiting for the bus to fill up, not getting a seat during crowded times (even when holding an infant grrrr), and sometimes making extra stops along the way with associated delays of loading/unloading guests using scooters. I am done, done, done with that. Another recommendation is that if your kids are into meeting characters it may be worth scheduling a character meal or two instead of waiting in line to get the autographs.The website "Allears.net" has lists of character dining options and associated menus/costs. Finally, I concur with the previous posters who sent you to easywdw.com. That is a great website with loads of useful information. Planning a Disney trip can seem like too much work at the get-go, but your time spent now will definitely improve your experience once you're there. We have relatives who hated Disney because "there was nothing to do; the lines were too long." This is completely attributable to the fact that they hadn't planned their days. You can't walk through the gates and THEN decide to look at a map. The lines will get longer and longer as you decide what you want to do. Make a plan and stick with it.

At 2 my now 3yo could identify all of the US presidents by face. All of them. Came from playing Presidents vs. Aliens with DD on the Ipad. I always thought it would make a good Letterman Stupid Human Trick. Of course, he still cannot identify all of his capital letters despite working with him closely on it. And he's not potty trained. I've come to the conclusion that kids are weird and there's no way to predict what will interest them or what they will retain.

I've been married to DH for 15 years now and I've just started calling my MIL by her first name. We met in college, and she's been Mrs. Lastname to me for the past 20 years. A couple of years ago it started to feel weird, so I stopped referring to her by name at all, except as "go tell Grandma" or "ask your mother". Finally I've decided to just call her Kathy. The first few times it felt so weird... but now it feels pretty natural. So anyhow, long way of saying, I think you should start as you mean to go on. If your DS's other friends call you by first name, then that's what the girlfriend should do as well.

This is the only way to make the game tolerable. Those picture cards always result in tears (it's not the kids crying, though, it's me).

How about a Quest bar? High protein, low net carb. They taste really good if you microwave them for about 10 seconds. I'm a big fan of the brownie flavor myself, and the cinnamon roll bar is pretty good, too.

We do a $1 coin under the pillow. No notes or fairy-dust here - I'm lucky I can even remember to put the coin under the pillow! DD has told me that $1 is not the going rate for many of her peers. There was even a kid getting $20/tooth, which is ridiculous IMO. This is supposed to be fun, not a money grab!

Your sad example raises a really good point. What happens if it doesn't work out? Is there an exit strategy? As I said before, this arrangement is working for us, but if it weren't I think we'd be truly stuck. There would be no way out without major damage to our relationships and finances.

And here's another thread: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/457038-multigenerational-same-house-dwelling/ And more wisdom courtesy of me: We do it, and it works but it isn't perfect. My mom lives with us. In no particular order here are some thoughts on the positives and negatives of our situation. Many of these comments are specific to our personalities/situation, so not sure how helpful they will be to others. What works: Separate space - We have a large house (3800 SF) that was purchased specifically for intergenerational living. There are two living rooms on either end of the house, so we each have privacy. Our kids' toys aren't strewn all over Mom's living space making her crazy. Mom isn't rolling her eyes whenever DH turns on Star Wars for the umpteenth time. There are also two master suites. Mom's bedroom is on the 2nd floor with en suite bathroom. Our bedroom/bathroom is on the third floor. We share a kitchen, and that works out fine. Division of Labor - I'm really lucky in that I work outside the home. Mom starts dinner every night which is a huge help for me and allows me to enjoy more time with the kids each night. Mom also minds DD after school in the afternoons - a cost savings, convenience, and load off my mind. She also minded DS when he was an infant, but had to stop when she became ill and he got to be too much for her. Intergenerational Time - I love that DD and DS are so close to my mother. They all really adore each other, and it is really sweet. Frank Understanding of Money Issues - We sold our previous separate homes and purchased our current home together in DH's and my name with the understanding that this is my inheritance. DH and I pay for all of the bills associated with the house; she is welcome to purchase things as she wishes (e.g., she recently replaced the fridge because she wanted in-the-door ice and water) but she isn't asked to contribute otherwise. What Doesn't Work Personal Space - I am never, ever alone in the house. My mom is retired and an introvert. She doesn't belong to any clubs or get out much besides when I take her someplace. Very occasionally she'll go out with her sisters, but this is rare. Mostly, I am OK with this, but sometimes I just yearn for a quiet hour in the house or the ability to clean my kitchen without my mother suggesting I go about it some other way. DH/Mom Interaction - DH is awesome to put up with this situation. He really is. My mother isn't the easiest person in the world to live with. She is very opinionated and often critical. He doesn't rise to the bait, even though I can tell he is often irritated. My/DH Relationship - I love my mom (despite all of the grousing above). I actively seek out her company and opinions. I think if she weren't so easily accessible (again, ALWAYS here), I would transfer some of my need for adult companionship to my husband which would be better for our relationship.

There was a thread on this a long time ago. Here's a link: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/431693-multi-generational-housing-has-anyone-here-done-this-successfully-thoughts/ And I'll quote my very valuable contribution to the discussion at that time :laugh: : I've been in this situation from a couple of perspectives. Growing up, my mom and grandmother were both widowed, and we all lived together. From my perspective it worked great, but Mom has commented that she felt like there was never a lot of time that was "just us" without my grandmother. It also changed the dynamic, I think, between my grandmother and her other grandchildren with whom she did not live. She didn't have the same closeness with them, but nor did she witness the day-to-day pain-in-the-neck factor of the other kids. Now as an adult, wife, and mother, we have my mom living with us. We bought a house specifically with intergenerational living in mind. There are two master suites (on separate floors) and two living rooms (with lots of space between them) so we can get some distance between us when necessary. The kitchen is shared, which is an occasional source of irritation but generally is OK. Most of the time it works. I know my kids adore my mother and the time they spend with her. My DH feels a bit differently and many times should be a candidate for sainthood. My mother is very opinionated and now that she is aging doesn't get out much. Without other outlets for her ideas, we hear all of them. As her DD I can take it with a grain of salt, but sometimes it really grates on DH, who however always remains respectful, no matter what outlandish things she may say (including some thinly veiled criticisms). Like I said, candidate for sainthood. She relies on me, as her only child, for all appointments and social activities. I can honestly say that it has been YEARS since I have been alone in the house. That is my greatest dissatisfaction with the situation. In some ways I have lost my own identity as wife/mother since there is constantly (CONSTANTLY!!) another adult female presence in the home.

Thanks for the update, Gloria. Like you, I felt like I had the old system down to a science, so this new program has me worried. We're planning our first off-site stay for August, and your info about getting to the parks early has helped to ease my mind. DD will be disappointed about the Frozen princesses, but we're just not going to wait that long. Sounds like the lines are as crazy as when Rapunzel and Tinker Bell first started their meet and greets. We try to schedule a few character meals so that we don't have to wait in all those lines for autographs. DD is 9 this time, so maybe this year she'll be more interested in the rides than the characters.

I'll second the recommendation for a Roth. At entry-level income, her tax rate shouldn't be too high (sorry if that's presumptuous), so it may make sense to pay the taxes now rather than later. Also, with the Roth you can take out the initial contribution later without penalty. This could come in handy if she ever wanted to use the money for a down-payment on a house. Any growth should be left in the account, or there will be a penalty assessed. When I graduated from college I read a book called "Get a Financial Life" (it's been updated since then so still relevant). It covered all of the basics: insurance, retirement, record-keeping. Lots of good graphics, including those eye-opening charts that have different scenarios regarding starting to save early vs. later and the huge difference it makes on the final tally. Also discusses credit card debt and provides equally eye-opening charts documenting how a $50 pair of shoes can cost you many times that amount if you just make minimum payments. Good for you on guiding her in this area! I think a lot of families miss the opportunity to pass along important information by being unwilling to discuss finances openly.

You are right on target with this plan, OP. The girls are going to go crazy for this basket! My DD is not a huge AG fan, but she is a huge dress-up fan (even at age 9). Her two favorite items are: 1. An AG nightgown that looks pretty simple. Here's a picture: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/321324874632?lpid=82 2. A prairie style dress with pinafore that we got off Etsy for her Anne of Green Gables Halloween costume: http://www.etsy.com/listing/180721111/the-unruffled-dress-full-set-girls-dress?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=anne+of+green+gables+dress&ga_ship_to=US&ga_ref=auto5&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery As for size, I think the previous recommendations of 8/10 would work perfectly.

Thanks again for so many thoughtful responses. I really appreciate the differing viewpoints that have let me see this from a number of perspectives. This will definitely help me to coach DD through this process, which I think is rather a combo of toughening up/learning to deal with authority/accepting different styles but also assessing situations, setting boundaries, and advocating for herself. This teasing/fresh approach has gone on all year, and I've perceived DD as being on a bit of a roller coaster about it. Sometimes it works for her and other times I think she's a bit overwhelmed by it. I'm curious to see what will happen next year, as I expect her next teacher will have a completely different teaching style. While I think she'd thrive in a very structured, by-the-book setting, I think there's also been a lot of personal development by having been exposed to this very different type of environment. WRT to the smarty-pants statement, she took that as a compliment, and I think from the way she re-told it, that it was intended as praise - but in the teacher's typical fresh style. Because she's a sensitive, rather bookish child I'm attuned to the fact that there may be some peer-to-peer teasing about being nerdy or geeky down the road, but I haven't seen or heard about anything like that so far. Heaven help me when the time comes to tackle that one! I'll be back for more advice then, for sure!

No chance of any sassy comebacks from DD. She is a rule-follower to her very core. Well, I should clarify. She's loaded with sassy comebacks for me and DH, but outside our home, no way. And to the PP who used the word "fresh" - that's exactly the word DD uses to describe the teacher.

Just to update, DD did not ask the teacher to stop the teasing yesterday. The teacher mentioned the incident again by once again praising the other little girl (who deserves it BTW) but also mentioning that DD didn't do it. ("Wanted to tell you again, BFF, what a great job you did, unlike someone else who will remain nameless, but who's name rhymes with XXXXX"). Again, the tone was completely jovial, but this kind of bothers me because no one wants to be the butt of a running joke. HOWEVER, DD also told me about another exchange where she liked the attention given by the teacher. They were doing this "second step" health/feelings thing (another story...) and the teacher asked about ways to verbalize feeling sad/unhappy. DD is all excited (Mom, I got to quote Anne of Green Gables!) and said, "Being in the depths of despair." Teacher, says, "Wow, miss smarty pants, only you would come up with that one!" I explained to DD that she needs to distinguish good attention from bad attention and that the speaker's intentions are important to determining the difference. She needs to ask herself if the person is meaning to hurt her feelings or just trying to pay attention to her. I also pointed out that she needs to take the good with the bad. If she asks the teacher not to tease her anymore, she will likely also lose out on some of the positive attention, since that is his way of engaging the class. She's mulling it over... Also, as info, we are fortunate that DD is in an excellent elementary school. Class size is only 18 students, so I think that the teacher can personalize his approach to working with the kids to a certain extent. I agree with the poster, though, that pointed out every interaction can't be individualized as the needs of a sensitive student shouldn't trump those of the kids who enjoy/require a more dynamic (for lack of a better word) approach.

Thanks for the additional comments. Lots to think about. I agree that there is a strong element of perception in determining whether something is considered harmless or mean. And as adults we have a better ability to discern intent than children do. As for the suggestions that anxiety may be an issue, yes, I've had occasions where I've wondered if her sensitivities could be something more. I've previously reached out to a couple local therapists but neither returned my calls, and I gave up too easily. I'm going to call her pediatrician and ask for another round of referrals. Thanks again!

Thanks for all of the feedback. Yes, the teacher is definitely a nice guy and not malicious. He just has a different sense of humor than DD is used to at home. For example, teacher sings pop songs and changes words to be about kids in the class. I think most of them really like the attention, but DD has a hard time differentiating it from negative attention. Great point. When she gets home from school today we can have a sit-down and discuss how her conversation with the teacher went and also speak to your point about being able to differentiate teasing from meanness. Thanks for pointing out that email isn't the best medium for this kind of conversation. You're right. Sorry, hard to make it clear in writing (speaks to Alessandra's point about email!). Teacher wasn't just glancing at DD. He was staring at her and emphasizing BFF's name. So looking pointedly at DD and saying, "Way to go, BFF! Very brave, BFF!" as in "but not you, DD." Again, many thanks for all comments. Feel much better now.

I have a very sweet and sensitive third grader in public school. She is a pleaser by nature and a rule follower. Our home is pretty sedate and low-key. She has a male teacher who has a "teasing" sense of humor that I think most kids would find pretty engaging. DD, however, is not comfortable with it. She doesn't like comments he makes to other students, and she REALLY doesn't like it when he teases her. Example: Yesterday the class was discussing the Boston Tea Party. DD's best friend told the teacher that she and DD had made up a little dance to go with the School House Rock song about the Revolution (yes, they're both kind of geeky). The teacher encouraged them to get up in front of the class and perform their little number. DD is shy and said she'd prefer not to. Teacher ribbed her a little bit "Come on! It's for fun!" DD still said no and the other little girl did the song/dance routine. Classmates applaud and teacher says, "Way to go, BFF! Very brave, BFF!" while looking at DD. His tone was pointing out that DD hadn't participated. OK, the way DD told me this story, she repeated the teacher's tone and words exactly. I laughed because I thought it was pretty funny. She was horrified and asked me to email the teacher and tell him that he'd hurt her feelings. Well, I don't want to do that because I honestly believe that it was some good-natured, harmless ribbing, and she needs to develop thicker skin. I told her I wasn't going to contact the teacher, but if she was sincerely upset about the incident, she should bring it to teacher's attention herself. She thought about it overnight and this morning decided to tell the teacher that his teasing makes her uncomfortable and to ask him not to do it again. I supported this decision and helped her craft a statement to him that would be clear but not offensive. So, now my question. Am I not being supportive of my DD? Should I have called/emailed the teacher? Is it better for DD to develop this skill on her own? This is NOT a JAWM post. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

I start with about 2 TB of prepared brown mustard (like Guldens or similar). Then I add some fresh garlic, kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, maybe some Italian seasoning. Mix into a bit of a paste then add olive oil and apple cider vinegar. If I'm using jarred banana peppers in my salad (love this addition to a salad, by the way, completely transforms the salad), I'll often pour some of the brine into the salad dressing. Nice and tangy.

Loved this one on audio. My very favorite audiobook ever (and I've listened to tons) is To Kill a Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacek. Her reading is spectacular!! Humorous but not fiction is The Geography of Bliss read by the author Eric Weiner Also very funny and well read is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn performed by Dick Hill, who does a marvelous reading.

More praise for Cerave! DS had terrible eczema this year - huge patches of cracked and bleeding skin behind both knees. The ped recommended treating with hydrocortisone cream and then maintaining with Cerave. Has worked so far.

I'm giving up elevators so will be taking the stairs. My office is on the fourth floor of an old warehouse building (so more like 6 stories than 4) and I hope to use that climbing time for brief reflection and mindfulness of sacrifice. From a fasting perspective, I'm going to try to stop eating off the kids' plates. I know that sounds strange, but I do it without thinking several times a day. I'm hoping that it will be give me lots of opportunities for mindfulness - both about how I eat and about sacrifice.