I have only watched one or two episodes of this show, because my friends told me she treats him harshly. I did not see that during the episodes I watched. I cannot believe how her family and friends are turning on her in the media. The viciousness of it all repels me. I guess that she must have caused some amount of unhappiness in her life, since a number of different people who know her personally are very critical of her, but to see her harshly criticized and called fake by her own family in national media.... how she must be hurting! This family is in a sad place and I hope they reclaim their privacy and learn to be a couple and a family again. : (

Wishing you and your family the best. This is such a scary time.

I'm not 100% sure what to think based on your description. Has the former friend said anything to you? Are you just waiting for someone to say something? I think I would continue to wait and see if it gets brought up. Perhaps less than you think was repeated, so there may be less damage control to do. Use this time to find a diplomatic way to apologize if necessary. I have been in your position too and it is sooo uncomfortable!

We go camping with another family every Memorial Day weekend, and every year it has rained for at least part of the time. Last year it rained so much that we had to go to a laundromat and clean our soaked and muddy clothes from hiking in the rain off and on for 2 days. (I was also lucky enough to eat lunch in a warm, dry restaurant....oh, bliss) We usually tent camp, but this year we got smart and reserved cabins. The forecast this year? Bright and sunny. LOL.

Heather is correct. It is too early to worry about it yet. : )

I am so sorry for your loss and for the trauma and hurt it is causing your family. I cannot imagine what your kids must be going through. :(

I am going to use EduGreat for the first time in a few weeks. They accommodate kids with disabilities. http://edugreat.com/

I also want to add that one of my consequences is Time In. Especially for a child who seems to be spiralling downward, I may send them to their room for a Time Out, but then show up and lay on their bed with them and hold them for awhile. Sometimes you just need some extra lovin' from Mom when your day is failing you. :)

Generally, I agree with what Tammy wrote. When the kids were young, if they did not follow directions, I physically helped them follow directions. I explained to them why I said what I said in an age-appropriate way. If the child falls into a tantrum, they need to stay in their room until they calm down and can have a reasonable discussion. As the kids get older, there are often additional consequences, such as no dessert or going to bed without reading books first (oh, the horror!). When my kids are mouthy, they usually get, "Try again." If they re-state it respectfully, okay; if not, I'll tell them how I'd like it to be worded (and if they are asking for something they won't get it). We do talk about manners a lot in our family, and I try hard to treat them respectfully too. I am a happy person and I like to joke with the kids, but I am the parent and the buck stops here. I will be treated respectfully by the kids. I believe that one teaches others how to treat them. I *hope* I am teaching my kids that physical violence and disrespect are never okay, especially from the people who love you the most.

I'd call myself a liberal, atheist, humanist too. I just don't participate in the religious and/or conservative *angry* threads.

I think they can be great, but you have to really enforce your boundaries or the work can take over your life.

I'm thinking 2-4 players, elementary-school aged, very capable readers. I'm looking to teach vocabulary words such as quotient, divisor, factor, denominator, etc.

My kids need to learn some math vocabulary words, and I need ideas for a fun game to play to reinforce the word and definition. The only thing I can come up with is is Concentration, and I'd like to be more creative than that. Does anyone have any suggestions?

As my kids participate in sports, I try to help them find activities they will be able to enjoy their entire lives. Life long learners, life long fitness buffs. : )

I made baby wipes and just used a small amount of baby shampoo and water to moisten them. If you are using cloth diapers, just throw them in the diaper pail. If you don't have a diaper pail, find a container with a secure lid. You can put them straight in there without soaking (dump any solids into the toilet when baby is old enough to produce such things). Dump the contents of the container into the washer and wash it twice in very hot water. I have no advice about laundry detergent. Good luck!

I keep joking that I should star in The Real Housewives of King County (WA). Everyone would be mesmerized watching me drive my beat up minivan around town, taking kids from baseball to homeschool co-op, debating where to get the best organic produce, all while glamorously attired with no make up, fleece, jeans, wool socks, and waterproof boots. I can't believe no one else has copped to the worst of reality tv, Rock of Love Bus. Gosh, I love/hate that show. He should have picked Mindy!

I am so happy for you! I hope you get continuing good news.

You should interfere. You need to call the sister in law. She could be becoming confused by some easily reversible condition, such as low B12 or interacting prescription medication. She needs to be seen by a doctor, ideally one who has been informed of her previous experience. Many gerontologists are used to dealing with reluctant and frightened patients. It would also be really kind if you helped her family think through long-range plans for the dog. He is headed for euthanasia if he can't behave for anyone but her. It's a very sad situation, but she is lucky to have you for a neighbor!

What kind of facility is this? Is there any reason to believe that dangerous people would be lurking? If DH is not worried about what he saw in the locker room then I wouldn't worry about it any more, unless this was a community hotspot for homeless men to take showers or something. If it really bugs you, everyone can shower at home.

As long as they are happy and the religion they choose is prosocial (not a "death to unbelievers!" type cult), I don't care. The kids are certain to believe differently on some issues than I do; I'm producing individuals, not clones, lol.

I have eaten a TON of Easter candy. We have a jellybean dispenser that is too tempting for me. I hit the bar on it like Skinner's rat.

As a former special education teacher, I label that HILARIOUS!

We just invited a few kids from one of our homeschool classes to my DD's party, along with her old friends. My daughter knew them but I did not, but she wants to know them better. All of them came to her party and I hope it will help them build a friendship outside of class. I don't think it's weird.

What a great question. Off the top of my head, I'd say that my goals are to educate my children using curriculum, content, and materials that are accurate, rich, and enjoyable to use. I strive to allow them to learn at their own pace while covering the entirety of the curriculum that I have chosen (so, no ending history at WWII, as my history teachers did my entire life, just because it was time for summer vacation). The learning goals were based on previous assessments about where the kids functioned. My older son took a Stanford Achievement test last year as part of the homeschool assessment requirement in our state; my younger daughter finished kindy and I considered the grade level she was at in those subjects. I purchased materials based off those levels. My kids are asynchronous, so I can't just buy a broad curriculum for one grade level. Inside each curriculum are learning goals that I follow. So far it appears we are matching our goals, but this is our first full year. Both kids will be assessed this spring with standardized assessments, and I want to see that they have made a year's worth of progress in each subject. If they have not, I will consider remediation by enriching or switching curriculum or seeking outside classes in areas of weakness. I did drop a spelling curriculum for my 1st grader because she thought it was too hard and began getting upset every time it came out.

I would be concerned about an embolism. I hope you have checked with doctor about the swelling. We lost a dear friend (at age 32) who died of a pulmonary embolism. Please be cautious!