It's okay to be sad and disappointed and still be respectful of your children's choices. An older person who would like littles/younger generation in their life has options other than biological grandchildren, it's just more effort to make it come about. There are probably a lot of creative ways that you can be a "grandparent" to some wonderful children that do not have that in their life. Here are a few: Being the grandmother/father neighbor Being an involved great aunt/uncle Volunteering in elementary schools Mentoring at risk youth Tutoring Being respite care for foster families Being a babysitter for before or afterschool care

I have to admit that I generally think of people by the name they were first introduced to me, and it takes considerable effort to recall that they wished to be addressed differently. For example, I have a really good friend from high school. In high school and all through college, I called her Jennie. After graduating college and getting an engineer job she wanted to go by her full name Jennifer because it sounded more professional and adult. I still think of her as Jennie, and I try my hardest to remember to call or address her as Jennifer, but when I am on autopilot, Jennie comes out. It is the same way with friends who I knew before they changed their last name due to marriage.

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Precisely because DH and I have such different tastes in books, we switch off bedtime reading. He reads a book over the course of a few weeks, and then I read a book. And we switch back and forth. This has been great for exposing the kids to all sorts of genres as well as more advanced books. If this is so important to your DH, then he needs to find a way to introduce your DD to it otherwise he needs to trust your judgment. Acknowledge his apprehension of your DD not loving good literature, but also let him know your concern about to much to soon.

Both my DH and middle DD(6) are left-handed. When DD started writing she was doing mirror writing and had a tendency to read R-to-L as well. Now she writes most of her letters correctly and only a few are backwards and reads wonderfully. However the one thing with her writing that I'm not sure about is that she wants to form most of her letters from the bottom. My DH does this too. I have worked on correcting her gently, but I waver because I'm not sure if it just one of those things that are done to compensate for living in a right handed world or just bad form. I've been thinking about just starting cursive with her and see if that solves the issue.

My oldest was a precocious reader, and beginning it was sight words - STOP - comes to mind, but she did realize on her own that letters are symbols for sounds so she was also sounding out words or asking me what letter combination sound like. I spent a lot of time sounding out gibberish using the magnet letters. :) She was one that if you spelled out a word (as a few of my friends did), she would use her knowledge of letter sounds to figure it out and making the leap to what the word was even if she didn't sound it out phonetically correct. Something like - hey is it okay to let Em have a b-r-o-w-n-i-e? As a four month old, she loved to sit on our laps and would let us read through 8-10 books and even wanted to turn the pages. By a year, she would point to words in a book or letters, almost never the pictures, and what to know what "t ay."

Mine were about the same age for writing and reading. In their doodling, they recognized that some of the doodles looked like certain letters and that's all it took. Reading, however, progressed much faster than the writing. Probably the first thing that all my kids learned to write was their name.

I wish in our area recreational sports and competitive sports were separated. We live in a large population ares so there are definitely families (sometimes parents, but honestly the kids themselves too) that are serious about playing/competing in their chosen sport(s). However for families that just want to do it for fun - one or two practices and a local game a week that ends at about school age. Around here rec sports are almost all highly competitive with a lot of traveling to compete.

I set aside time each day M-F that I was physical. For me the best time was right after we finished school for the day because we were almost always done by 11:30. I could make lunch and while the kids were eating I would take about 15 min to be physical - take all the laundry upstairs, making a trip for each basket, walk around the house, do some yoga stretches, etc. The next week, I started with our elliptical- 10 min, then 5 min stretching. Then each week I added 5 min until I was up to 30 min. Once I was up to 30 min, then I slowing increased the intensity of the workout. Now I'm at about an hour - workout, stretching, and showering. Part of the reason I started slow on the amount of time was because the kids (my youngest was almost 2) weren't used to me doing this and would constantly interrupt me as in physically trying to get to me, at least the youngest. By the time I got to 30 min, they were used to waiting until I was done working out. The 2yo played in the room I worked out but left me alone until I stepped off the elliptical.

I've never had cramps bad enough to interfere with life (Advil was enough to cut the pain), and since having children I don't cramp at all. Just tend to be tender and uncomfortable feeling although not painful. Nor do I have such a heavy flow that I need to stay by the bathroom. I use a cup and on day 2 I need to empty in the morning, once in the afternoon, and then right before bed. All other day, I empty upon waking and then when getting ready for bed.

It really depends. Food wise- I need a drastic change. Sleep-I need a gradual change whether it is about going to sleep earlier or waking up earlier. Exercise, also, I had to work up to a good intensity, but I make sure I do it everyday.

Grew up in MI. Always called them burners regardless of gas or electric. Occasionally the electric burners would be referred to as coils but it was usually about something specific like I had to replace the coil on the back burner.

I'm another one that thinks games may be the way to go instead of flashcards and speed drills. Some of the games we do are addition war, Bingo, addition or subtraction memory. Another thing I have done when my kiddos have been ready for math but not to intensive yet is to break a lesson up over a couple of days. Instead of one lesson a day, I will do it over two or three days using most of the games to memorize and learn the facts.

Tea here. It's usually an herbal or roiboos since I don't want caffeine late in the day. I don't drink it the rest of the year, but late fall and winter bring on the tea. As for food, a hard-boiled egg, soup, oatmeal, and crackers with cheese.

Generally reading is saved for later not during family meal time which is usually dinner. Everyone gets up at various times which means breakfast and lunch end up being staggered. The only issue I have is my oldest is such a slow eater and then add reading into that and her eating becomes even slower. If she hasn't finished school for the day, then she needs to each and then move for a little before we get back to school work so I have her hold off on reading.

It would probably be a dual-income household, children in school or in a lot of scheduled activities, and anti-Catholic. Or possibly big spenders that love to shop. :) That would be really hard for me.

I don't hold back because if it is a book I want to do a study with, I think it's actually advantageous to have already read it. All my books are out on book shelves and as long as the kids put them pack when reading, they can grab whatever they want off the shelf. I myself like to reread books. I have found that I have enjoyed them just as much, and each time I read it, I get more out of it.

What a wonderful week!!! Enjoy. Between no homeschooling this week since my DH is on vacation, DH natural inclination to pitch in around the house, and not traveling anywhere, my week has been much more relaxing and restful than a normal week. Since I homeschool, a housekeeper would be fabulous, but alas with only one income that's not going to happen anytime soon. We can dream, right?

It's one thing to buy or give a child something they will not like, it's another to give them something they would prefer not to get as a gift to open. For example, my DD HATES poofy dresses, however she does like and wear dresses. I may buy her a dress (just because or as a gift), but I certainly wouldn't buy her as a gift a poofy dress. According to the OP, the t-shirt was a something her son would like and wear, and in fact did. I equate it to cooking carrots for dinner, which my child likes, but when asked what I'm making, says, "I don't want carrots." then eats (without complaint) the spoonful I put on her plate. And to top it off, exclaims "I love carrots!"

Responding because originally I said that I would talk to said child, although I would not have any type of consequence or punishment. In the above example, no I would not punish my child, send them to bed with out dinner, or make them eat it (although I do encourage them to at least try it.) However, I would say something to the effect, "Honey saying "eewww" is not a polite way of saying you don't like something. You know you need a vegetable at dinner, instead of saying "eewww, I don't want broccoli", please say, "I wouldn't care for any broccoli, I will get carrots (or whatever other vegetable) from the fridge." In my household, saying "eeww" is rude, and I would address that specifically. Because we are at the table and eating, I would address it in the moment. The shirt gift, I would probably address private with the child.

I say cake and a fun/favorite meal. During the meal, everyone gets a chance speak about their accomplishments and goals for the next session or something along those lines.

I wouldn't do any type of punishment, but I would say something. Not in the moment but a side conversation. I would probably grab the shirt, stop in child's room, and say something like "Son, I know you didn't want clothes for Christmas, but I thought this would be something you would like to wear. I know it's not exciting, but it hurt my feelings for you to be rude about said gift. In the future, please me mindful of your words. I love you." I do not think it's okay to treat family worse than others. I believe character and treating people well begins at home.

My DH wants me (and himself too) to be healthy and active. Not crazy active but we both love the outdoors -taking walks, hikes, bike rides, etc. I could lose about 20-30lbs to be a healthier weight for my body, but he doesn't seem to mind the changes to my body over the years. I know his preferences (although he does find a wide range attractive) lean towards soft and curvy, no makeup, and long dark hair. However, he is one that if he likes your inner self (personality, character, interests), your outer self is a whole lot more attractive.

While I did not give my 2yo "chores" or responsibilities, each of my kids around this age wanted to "help" me with everything I was doing. This included dishes (Probably the most fun and I had the cleanest plastic wear on the planet. Seriously the 2yo would wash dishes for an hour. The water, bubbles, and endless pouring containers were great fun. I laid down towels on the floor and then used said wet towels to mop the floor,) laundry (washing and folding), cleaning the bathroom (the main reason I went to non-toxic cleaners), wiping down the tables, setting the table, putting things in their proper places, sweeping, and cooking. Picking up toys, putting dirty clothes in the hamper, teethbrushing (with them starting and us doing a follow up brush), and putting their shoes away were probably the only specific expectations I had at that age. Again we were there to help them and mirror behavior. I don't think the list is unreasonable especially give the time it takes and you are there to help and guide him. 2yo, however, may be young to take ownership of all those things, and I fear that as he gets older your expectation of him doing them on his own will be kind of skewed since he would have been doing these tasks for X amount of years so "he should be able to do them on his own, no problems."

Until she actually learns and then wants to make a hobby of it, I would invest in the basics. I only say this because she will probably develop preferences but won't know what they are until she gets into it. This is what I would buy for a beginner. A basic hook (ergonomic hooks are great and comfortable IME) - size G or H Knitting needles - size 8 (or around this size), I would recommend wood because I find them not as slippery and I had a tendency to drop stitches very easily when learning but everyone has their preference. Worsted weight yarn (a couple of skeins)- something soft in a favorite color but not too dark (sometimes dark colors make it difficult to see the stitches) Yarn needle - this is for sewing in the tails Project bag - (something clear or tight mesh is my preference) to keep everything together. Also, Youtube and KnittingHelp.com are great for tutorials. I know others will have great tips. Have fun picking everything out, and I hope you DD loves this new hobby.