I can't really give good advice bc 1) I have never been a member of such organization and don't know the dynamics (I am not a Christian and 2) I truly don't care if people talk to me at social events- I actually prefer to sit and watch people - free entertainment right there. But it was heartbreaking to read your OP and please don't be mad at me for saying this - but this congregation doesn't sound very nice. I think you deserve so much better!!!!

Sooooo....my kids are 8, 9 and 11. I am starting with $25 / per kid / per qtr. I based that on the fact that we spent $613 on kids books this year so far, so I am going to try to cut that in half (it might not work!). that will not include books that they can request as holiday and bday presents (my oldest has done that numerous times). ETA: they already learned that amazon is cheaper than B&N (even with my educator discount) and that library sales are awesome for book-buying. I am guessing that my youngest will spend his $$ on January 1st and then will start begging for more for the next 90 days and my oldest will have $50 going into June major book sale at our library 🙂 We'll see.....

I am the wrong person to ask (especially this year) bc we went CRAZY with how many books were bought - for me and kids. soooo much money was spent. My husband had to build a new bookcase... Next year I am giving kids book budget every qtr and will let them decide. I am putting myself on a book buying spending freeze. I am going to read from the shelves!

And that kind of goes to my point - we need to deal with the issue from the jobs / community side and not additional school / govt side. Providing more job flexibility is a huge step, I think bc it shifts the mindset to the actual "family" friendly lifestyle. Not just that has to do with kids, but marriages, taking care of elderly parents, helping neighbors, etc etc etc

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that the jobs you listed are shift jobs that can provide more flexibility than the job I had pre-kids - I had to be in the office "9-5" which usually translated into 8 to -whenever-big-bosses-thought-I-was-done.

First of all, I wasn't even talking about boarding schools, but again, unless it's a child's choice, my opinion stands. Second of all, you don't like "institutions", pick a different word, I am not picky.

I am not sure what schools you are referring to, but I don't think I am mistaken at all. I think a child or even an adult, for that matter, rarely does well in an institutional setting for an extended period of time unless he chose to be there. Military is one example that comes to mind where a person chooses to do so.

Mandatory or not, I don't think this is good for kids or anyone, really. Kids don't need more "enrichment" programs, more activities, more time spent away from families and communities. I think we need to build communities, where people know and trust and help each other. The idea of "it takes a village" should not translate that the village is govt sponsored institution. The idea of the village should be companies providing more flexible work hours and more work-at-home opportunities. We need to stop increasing retirement age and provide better retirement savings options to people so they don't have to work until they are 90 and can actually help with child care and so kids spend time with their grandparents vs "strangers". We need a huge mindset change. From govt taking care of people to people taking care of people.

that's really good to hear! Consumer Report doesn't have good reliability rating so I was getting concerned

thank you. She actually has an interview with Dr Wahl, so that's a great start

that's interesting bc the dimensions show that it has a lot of leg room

We are looking at getting an SUV - we are deciding between Subaru Ascent and Chevy Traverse. We already know everything we need to know about Subaru, but would love to hear the good, the bad and the ugly about Traverse. Please share!!!

I don't know what to do, honestly. His neuro is doing a low sodium study but other than that says that there are no evident of anything other diet correlations. I don't know how to start eliminating things and how long to wait to see if there is any results. I need to find LOCAL professional who is well-versed in all aspects of MS - western and alternative remedies and has a common sense approach to life!! I need a unicorn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh man, I JUST got him to eat yogurt a few months ago.......arghhhh

you are in my thoughts!!