I'm trying to approach this sensitively. My 15 yr old is a leader in his scouting troop. He prides himself on his capableness and responsibility, just for a little background. This is important because I have noticed that sometimes the adults forget that he is still a young man and not a younger adult. This past week was scout camp. There is an autistic boy, same age as my son, that just returned to the troop. There is history with the mother and boy, suffice it to say mom has a long history of asking for and expecting handouts, and generally getting them because others feel for her son. This boy also has a history of violence, so his mom is supposed to find someone to provide 1-on-1 support for him (she has other kids, so can never go on events). Well, once again the troop took pity and gave him a free ride to camp. Then she dropped him off without any 1-on-1 support. And then my son, as the youth leader, ended up de-escalating several violent situations with this boy throughout the week (hitting other, including adult leaders, headlocking other boys, general meltdowns). I found out once they got home. In fact, it was my son that told me, the troop leader only said that my son dealt very well with some difficult situations. Once home, my son broke down in tears. Then, he had nightmares that this kid was trying to kill him all last night. This kid said some scary stuff to my son (my son: "you don't need to hit, we can talk it out instead." other boy "If you don't hit them until they stop moving then they can hit you back." Yeah, scary.) Although unverified at this point, it appears the boy also told the camp director that his mom took him off all medication and stopped counseling (believable, there is a history of this with her. Usually because of money or because she simply can't be arsed to take him to the doctor.) I'm livid. I need to address this tomorrow. I see many failures- The boy shouldn't have been there when mom failed to provide 1-on-1. Boy should have been sent home after first attack. My son should not have been used to talk the boy "down." (Supposedly, it is because my son is the leader and because he has known the other boy for a long time). I'm ready to demand that the boy is ejected from the troop. I have already put in a no contact rule and blocked his number, because since we got back he has been texting my son constantly. DH says I shouldn't, because the troop may be the only safe place for the boy. My argument is why can't the other 20 kids in the troop feel safe? When do we quit enabling this? I'm also debating on reporting this -- as a volunteer we are mandatory reporters, after all, and it appears there is some neglect of treatment from the mom. I'm really stressing over this. What would you do?

A lot of sex workers are full-on feminists (this includes men, women, and the gender fluid) and they feel empowered by their profession. They even, gasp, enjoy their job. There is a major shift occurring in the industry, and in more and more locations in the US the exploitation is on a sharp decline. Not for you? Great! That doesn't make these professions tacky, creepy, or disgusting. They just aren't for you, and that is perfectly fine.

For the middle and high school kids, check out CK12.org. The flexbooks are excellent and free.

I have a very, very, very close loved one that has been a sex worker, and would likely become one again if the situation was right. Not all sex workers actually have sex or are even touched by clients. In fact, this loved one's work as a sex worker was almost like being a nude therapist for many of their clients. I don't really feel like getting into more details on this particular board, where judgements tend to run high, but I do feel the need to speak up and say that not all sex workers have "baggage" or "issues," many are wonderful, good, caring, and kind individuals that treat their loved ones and family like gold, and very few of them want the pity or sympathy of anyone else. In every industry we are selling something, whether it's a product, service, or a fantasy.

In some areas, at least, there is more than litigation that leads to officers covering up mistakes or even their own crimes :( There is the "brotherhood" that closes ranks when one of their own screws up. Not saying this is an issue everywhere, of course. Our city has been having issues with this the last few years. Some officers ethically disagree with closing ranks, of course, and they have come out and told the truth about situations or turned in their coworkers (and some have seen their job cut or responsibilities lessened because of it). A friend's DH was one that spoke out on a recent officer-involved ethics issue that became a full-fledged public scandal and he has suffered retaliation within the force as a result. Fortunately, it seems to be getting better because of the few good officers that are speaking up regardless of the repercussions.

Inland Pacific Northwest: $134 electric (all electric house on the "budget billing" plan that allows a flat rate averaged from previous year's usage.) $90-ish for water/sewer/garbage/single stream recycling -- combined billing. $60 for highspeed business-class style internet. We own our modem, which saves us $10. $165 for mobile service (Sprint business class). This includes four lines with unlimited data/text/talk, a tablet with mobile hotspot for my work, and an included netflix/hulu subscription - which is handy since we don't have cable.

People from all social stratospheres go, and it's not just men. I do not see it as infidelity, unless it's an ongoing habit. Once or twice for an event, like a bachelors party? Who cares. I've been to strip clubs for bachelors parties (most of my friends are male), and never once was it that big of a deal. DH and I also have friends in the burlesque show industry, which some liken to stripping and sometimes have shows in higher end strip clubs, so we have been together to support friends. Once again, no big deal. Strippers show up to a bachelor party? My husband should make sure the guys are respectful and don't break any of her rules. Many men don't know how to behave around strippers due to the way society vilifies and taboo-izes the sex industry. My adult 19 to 20 year old son goes to a strip club? His call. My job is to raise them to be adults, then to allow them to be adults. If he chooses to share this with me, we will have a discussion about some of the issues in the sex industry and how they affect the workers, how for some it is actually empowering, and how to approach sex workers with respect.

To buy property and move to the Olympic peninsula in two years. This has been a long time dream, but with the current political climate in our area and the specifics of our family, it has gradually taken on more importance to make the dream of moving to the friendlier west side of our state into our top priority. After our last visit there a couple of months ago, we realized that the only time we are really without major stress and comfortable is when we are there, so all budgets were revised and extra earnings opportunities were sought as soon as we got back -- focus, focus, focus!

Cream cheese, pepper jack, and cheddar are our queso dip cheeses. I'm not sure if I have every eaten velveeta.

Older DS was 13. Two reasons for the long wait -- he would have to watch over a younger sibling, and that was the age when he started to show maturity. Previous to this he was the type of kid that instantly burst into tears in the store if we barely walked out of eye shot. Man, has he grown up! At nearly 16, we've left him alone for an entire weekend with no issues. Younger son was 10. He matured emotionally more quickly than his brother, and he was born with that street smart analytical mind that makes him more naturally capable. We did leave them alone for quick errands, like running out to get milk, much younger. For this I'm talking about leaving them alone for an hour or more, and sometimes in the evening so mom and dad could have a night out.

We like it. My older son (a huge Pokemon fan) is at camp with no wifi or 3g access so he hasn't played it yet, and my younger isn't into that sort of thing. DH and I have had some awesome dates the last two weeks, though, wandering through different parks in the city, seeing the sites, chatting, and being silly with the game. As an aside, I keep hearing these stories of how the police hate this game, yet our neighborhood resource officer says this game seems to be solving an ongoing problem at our local park. Our neighborhood has been fighting an influx of crime at the large park and school nearby. Graffiti, vandalism, drug dealing, even a stabbing. The Pokemon people decided to put a gym and six pokestops in this park and there has been almost no crime since the game launched. He says it is because people are once again out in their nieghborhood. We see couples, young and old, young kids, teens, whole families, and surprisingly quite a few octogenarians or older in the park now. Everyone is also talking to each other, checking out the flowers, playing on the playground, having picnics, and doing everything a park is meant for. It's not for everyone, but that is how it is with most hobbies. There will be stupid people in every hobby (I'm also an avid hiker. Talk to a search and rescue volunteer sometime if you really want to hear about stupid people doing stupid things). Different strokes and all that.

As part of white privilege, we have the privilege to be "proud" of our heritage in most instances, whether its Scots, French, German, etc -- most of us have at least a small idea of where our families came from. Many African Americans do not have this luxury, since many of their ancestors were uprooted and no records can be found. There is no "Kenyan pride" etc heritage to fall back on. Thus, there is "Black Pride," which is more akin to a cultural or heritage pride. THAT is the difference. White pride = racist because it is designed to lift one skin color above another. The correct comparison to Black Pride is "insert your heritage" Pride.

If you want to weave it into your curriculum, I cannot recommend gamedacademy.com enough. DS11 did some of their offering last year, and for the first time ever actually found an interest in history. Their programs are both affordable and really well put together, and they do a great job of keeping the educational flow and safety in tact on their server.

My almost 16 year old went through the over the top eye roll phase a year or so ago. Drove me batty, but I took it in stride. First, because from my own teen years I knew this was really the last gasp outward display of the childish talking back of elementary/middle years, so we just had to get through this. Second, not the mountain I wanted to die on. I took the calm acknowledgement path -- "I know it's frustrating/annoying/tedious/whatever, but let's keep it respectful." When and if innocence was feigned, I would then quickly mimic the expression. Never a big deal, never let it escalate into an argument or a discussion, for that way lies madness. I am happy to say we only average about one eye roll every couple of weeks, and usually they are much less over the top and often followed by a sheepish smile when he realizes someone saw him.

I did the Coursera.org course myself last year. This year, for my 10th grader, we signed up for the Coursera course (you can do it at your own pace). We are planning one Coursera week per month so he can really delve deeply into it. I'm not sure about the website, but the Coursera site has all the videos and several of the reading assignments neatly bundled in one location, along with extra reading and viewing list so he can go in deeply. We do an independent study type of curriculum with most of his subjects, so he will put together his own projects for each section to show his learning. I will simply approve the project idea before he starts.

Someone once told me that middle schools were modeled after prisons because Americans are so terrified of kids in the initial throes of puberty we had to corral them in a separate building. Funny thing is, when I think of the four cities I have lived in, all the middle schools had small, high up windows and really did resemble prisons, while the elementary and high schools had big windows and open floor plans. Coincidence probably, but the image has stuck with me. Personally, I would prefer smaller K-12 schools with classes differentiated by ability rather than age. We have experience with a local K-12 enrichment program, and it's amazing how well kids do when they work at their level with kids off all ages, instead of being stuck only with age mates of varying abilities all day. At the 8-12 level, I would like to see options for kids on a trades path and those on the college path.

A few options off the top pf my head: Public schools -- You can rent the multipurpose room in our public schools on weekends or in the evening for $15 a pop. Retirements comunitites (not homes, but the gated condo or twonhome communities) -- some of these have meeting/party rooms and they allow people to rent or use them for free. You may need to approach a homeowners' board for permission. Hobby/comic/gaming stores -- we have a hobby/gaming store that allows us to use their game room for all sorts of meetings during weekdays. They only use the room on weekends and in the evening for card and tabletop gaming, but they enjoy have the kids back there when it's not being used. Parks and rec department -- they may have a free/low cost option they can point you towards. Local community colleges -- at least one of ours has a community room they rent for a low cost. A local 4-year univeristy allows free use of some rooms outside of class time if a staff member vouches for you. It can't hurt to call around.

We like Concordia University's free art program. The entire program, per grade, is available online: http://www.cuchicago.edu/artlessons

Not discrimination but still illegal. If he is under the influence on the clock or if his off the clock usage affects his work performance, then firing is a legal possibility. Perhaps a federal employer could dictate off-the-clock pot activities, but only because it's still illegal on the federal level.

I don't do girl talk, I never did. Not even with my mom. When she tried to give me the talk, I requested a book on the subject instead. For this reason alone I am so glad I had boys. I consider "girl talk" to be women's health issues, birthing specifics, boring fashion and appearance issues, and bedroom and relationship discussions. In my rather limited experience, it also often devolves into base gossip about other women, family members or signifigant others, which I have no interest in pursuing. I am not comfortable when other women try to include me in their girl talk. Health issues, female or otherwise, are discussed with my husband and family, not friends unless they are exceptionally close friends and it's an issue I am seeking advise or help with. Coversationally and interest-wise I have always fit in more with the guys, though, so I have avoided most girl talk opportunities over the years.

I guess I don't understand. Is the play date for your child or for you? Why is a dad awkward and a mom or grandparent isn't? My DH finally got to the point where he would not take the kids to any activities because of the cold shoulder he received from other moms/grandparents. The other mom's seemed to think he would hit on them, molest their children, or that he was a "good-for-nothing" unemployed leach. He is also self-employed/work at home, and he was a full time SAHD when the kids were younger. Yes, I'm a bit sensitive to this, but really, what is the motivation for him being unwelcome?

Ah, the overscheduling of young kids craze -- don't feel guilty for opting out! At this age, an all arouund group like scouts or 4H, is the best option. Girl Scouts, for example, is fairly lowcost and will give your daughter the option to try out lots of different activities. Later, when she is older and has begun to develop her passions, interests, and talents, I would look into more targeted activities and lessons.

I used to write resumes in a past life. Some of the "rules" have probably changed since then, though! I would definitely include an objective. I used to tell clients that every job was a stepping stone to the next part of their life goals, so to frame the objective so it encompasses what you hope to get out of the job (beyond money) while including something you will give in return for the employer. For example, a teen flipping burgers may put something like "To secure a position that maximizes my organizational and multi-tasking skills, while developing my customer-service skills and deepening my responsibilities in preparation for my future goals." Definitely include volunteer time just as you would work experience. You do want to indicate that he is still a student with ongoing educational responsibilities. Include any educational or other awards, as relevant. Depending on the position and relevance, he can also include a short section with loose details about future career/college goals and how the job fits into that. HR managers like to see forward thinking and planning from young applicants.

On the flip side, at my 13 year old's last visit, he got to give the doctor the third degree. Our insurance company is trying to work with doctors to get teens more active in advocating for themselves with the doctors. They sent him a list of survey questions to ask his doctor. By sending back the survey card signed by the Dr., he received a $10 gift card. I sometimes wonder if some of these questions are an attempt to ease the doctor-patient divide, not make it larger. Naturally, with some people it backfires. Our dr. also requests time to talk to my older son alone now that he is a teen. He asks me permission to address sexual issues beyond puberty questions first, but the point of the alone time is also to start helping my son become comfortable with talking to his dr and begin teaching him how to advocate for himself. From after appt run-downs, he doesn't ask probing questions. At his last appt they ended up discussing Minecraft! For the last five years, until my father's death, I got to see health care from the other side of life. If you think the questions are invasive now, wait until you are elderly. My dad was a researcher and although he respected his doctors, he did not put them on pedestals. We were told time and again by many doctors that he was a "refreshing" patient because he had already looked up most of the things the dr. was there to talk about, so he was able to ask intelligent questions. We were told that most people were their own worst advocates because they trusted everything the dr. said or were too intimidated to ask questions. I'm sure many parents are the same way. One time a nurse asked my dad if he felt safe at home. Considering he had just had a hip and knee replacement, he joked, "Yeah, until I have to lower myself on the toilet." A few hours later a special toilet cover was delivered for him to take home. Seems Medicare covers these with a dr's release, but doctors don't tend to think of it and patients don't know it exists. I guess the bottom line is, if you don't want to answer, then don't answer. If the doctor pushes, find a new doctor. Personally though, I hope they keep asking because kids, just like the elderly, are a vulnerable population and they need as many lines of defense in place as possible. Sometimes the defense is for a simple thing, like a toilet seat. Other times, it could be a life and death issue. I'm tired of reading about kids dying for things that could have been prevented if someone just spoke up. It seems we have one every week here, and I don't live in an exceptionally large city.

Don't get it bound! Get an ARC planner at Staples. You can make your own pages, but you can remove and shuffle them about as needed. It's just as streamlined as getting it bound.