Mom and/or Dad Moments

[sweetpee_1993]

Lots of us are parents. Lets have a thread sharing our parent moments or observations. We could learn from each other, share a laugh, or lend a shoulder to lean on. Goodness knows our little bundles didn't come with user manuals. One thing's for sure, we gotta have a sense of humor to survive the parent job!

 

[donaldtoo]

Ours kiddos are now 18, 20, and 21 (DD, DS, DD). I could write a book...and still might, someday...!
Our middle child, DS, was born weighing 1 lb. 4 oz. That could easily be 2-3 chapters right there. We have been as involved in their lives as possible with everything. Taking off work for many things that we knew we could never get back if we missed them. Sitting in the rain selling Girl Scout cookies for hours at a time, coaching soccer, choir concerts, etc. Because of mine and DW's work schedules at one point, I took all three to school (elementary and into middle school) every morning for seven straight years. So many times, when they were in early elementary school, no matter how well we planned and got everything ready the night before, inevitably, it seemed like there was a shoe or something missing EVERY SINGLE morning...it was flippin' uncanny, I tell ya'...!!!
And, let's not forget many Disney trips and the fact that we raised them to be certified Disnuts!
3 basic bits of advice I always give folks getting ready to start a family or already with young children, when I'm asked or it's obviously appropriate for the conversation, are...
1.) You've already mentioned the first...a sense of humor. You need that to get through life in any kinda' decent sane shape anyhoo, but it's even more important when raising a family!
2.) Be as involved in everything about there lives as POSSIBLE without being too intrusive. They will never forget that and definitely remember and appreciate the true love you showed them. Your future grandchildren will appreciate what you did for their parents through the love that is shown and passed along to them.
3.) And lastly, I know it's hard, but try not to blink...it goes by at lightspeed. Soak it ALL in. EVERY SINGLE teeny tiny moment...!!!

Edit: Oh yes, and a 4th most basic bit of advice...DUH!!!
As parents, work together. Don't knee-jerk. Think things through, come to reasonable decisions and courses of action and be able to admit when you're wrong and to sincerely and lovingly apologize.
There is no price you can put on the example you set for your kiddos on that one, for sure!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Sorry about that. Started the thread but didn't get a chance to post my mom moment. LOL!

Sooooo, super proud thing when your kiddo gets his first real job. Well, "real" as in a job where he gets to pay taxes. LOL! Our oldest, Chandler/17 yro, has been working at a local grocery store for about a month now. He hates it and we get to hear all about how awful the management is and all the slacker co-workers who don't do their jobs which creates more work for our dearest boy. It's comical in a way. Sometimes it's hard not to laugh. We try to impart him with patience, etc. We remind him constantly it's called "work" because it's not fun. If it was fun it'd be called "going to fun". I went to pick him up a little bit ago. Had to keep my car today to run to the post office. I was so proud watching him bustin' a hump pushing carts thru the parking lot in the sunny 92F weather. I'm proud that he's such a hard worker and gives whatever he does 110%. But then, he came out and got in the car fussin' & fumin' about everything. Warm-n-fuzzy feelin' gone. LOL! I did get to remind him how irritated he gets when his dad comes home in a -poor mood about work. If you don't like when Dad does it, don't do it. Leaving work at work is a lot harder than it is to say, huh?

Tribulations with the teenagers. Such fun.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

1.) You've already mentioned the first...a sense of humor. You need that to get through life in any kinda' decent way anyhoo, but it's even more important when raising a family!
2.) Be as involved in everything about there lives as POSSIBLE without being intrusive. They will never forget that and definitely remember and appreciate the true love you showed them. Your future grandchildren will appreciate what you did for there parents in ways they may never know.
3.) And lastly, I know it's hard, but try not to blink...it goes by at light speed. Soak it all in. EVERY SINGLE teeny tiny moment...!

1.) Absolutely. With a sense of humor even the irritating things can be funny. Never forget the boys when they were little got in trouble on the school bus. The bus driver actually called to tell my husband about it. At first we were quite furious. Probably a good thing we had all day for it to settle with us while we were at work. Later that evening we sent the oldest, Chandler, to his room while we asked Brian to tell us what happened. We even told Brian we knew what happened on the bus but we wanted to hear it from him. We wanted him to tell us the truth. We reminded him that aside from what he'd already done wrong the consequences would be far more extensive if he didn't tell us the truth. This was his big chance. That kid wasn't giving anything up. He wasn't going to say a word. We then switched out the boys, sent Brian to his room and brought Chandler out for his big chance to tell us what happened. I don't think we had to say much at all. He sang like a canary. Seriously. If you ever are looking for a partner in crime do NOT recruit my oldest son because he can't stand guilt. He's guaranteed to give everything up. Cool. So, we figured we'd give our baby boy the benefit of one more chance to tell the truth. We swapped the kids out one last time. We stressed to Brian again that this was his last chance to improve his situation. We informed him that his brother had just told us what happened. We knew. If he didn't tell us right now he was going to be in big trouble for not telling the truth. Still, tight lipped. He wasn't giving anything up. That was that. He determined his own fate. He was in super-huge trouble. Don't judge, we believe in spanking. So hubby sends Brian to our room to go get Daddy's belt. He had to bend over, the whole nine yards. The licks the husband gave that kid were barely anything at all. Wasn't much. Seriously. Not much more than 3 taps on the backside. The punishment comes in the psychological & emotional unpleasantness of it all. Brian got "licks" from the belt while his brother did not for the lack of honesty. The punishment for the actual trangressions on the bus was handled in a different way. After his licks, Brian was sent to his room until dinner was ready. Half an hour later we called the boys out to eat. Brian was still sniffling and upset. Daddy asked, "What's wrong? You still upset?" Brian blurted out, "YOU COULDA BROKE MY BACK!!!!" I threw my hand up over my mouth, ran for the laundry room, and closed the door before I let out the laughter. So fuuuuunny how over-dramatic they can be. To this day we still laugh about that. Not at all funny what they did on the bus. We were furious. Ended with a lifelong giggle. Gotta have a sense of humor!

2.) Definitely. Be involved but remember how you felt at their age. That's what helps me decide when I'm not entirely sure how to approach something with the teenagers.

3.) Truer words. The school bus fiasco seems like it was just last year...yet it was 9 years ago. Don't waste a single, precious second. They're only ours for such a short time.

 

[donaldtoo]

Sorry about that. Started the thread but didn't get a chance to post my mom moment. LOL!

Sooooo, super proud thing when your kiddo gets his first real job. Well, "real" as in a job where he gets to pay taxes. LOL! Our oldest, Chandler/17 yro, has been working at a local grocery store for about a month now. He hates it and we get to hear all about how awful the management is and all the slacker co-workers who don't do their jobs which creates more work for our dearest boy. It's comical in a way. Sometimes it's hard not to laugh. We try to impart him with patience, etc. We remind him constantly it's called "work" because it's not fun. If it was fun it'd be called "going to fun". I went to pick him up a little bit ago. Had to keep my car today to run to the post office. I was so proud watching him bustin' a hump pushing carts thru the parking lot in the sunny 92F weather. I'm proud that he's such a hard worker and gives whatever he does 110%. But then, he came out and got in the car fussin' & fumin' about everything. Warm-n-fuzzy feelin' gone. LOL! I did get to remind him how irritated he gets when his dad comes home in a -poor mood about work. If you don't like when Dad does it, don't do it. Leaving work at work is a lot harder than it is to say, huh?

Tribulations with the teenagers. Such fun.

Yep, the first "real job" thing can be pretty entertaining at times.
Mine and DW's parents worked hard all their lives, and thus, we were both instilled with a good work ethic, as well. My FIL has since passed away and my MIL is finally retired at 78. As for my folks, mom is 74 and "retired" and pop is 80 and has been "retired" from IBM for 18 years. I use "retired" 'cause I don't think they really know what retired is! They're all over the place. Just as one example, my dad, at 80, volunteers to do taxes for the elderly, the vast majority bein' a lot younger than him...! They can still outwork MANY folks half their age. Even their friends are amazed at how active they still are and most can't keep up. I guess it comes from bein' born and raised on farms in South-Central Texas and workin' their cans off practically from day one...!
Kiddos noticed the slackers right away when they were first employed and just didn't understand it. How can you take an employers pay, that you agreed to, and just gripe and slack all the time? They learned very quickly that a lot of folks want a job and a paycheck, but don't actually wanna' work for it.

 

[donaldtoo]

1.) Absolutely. With a sense of humor even the irritating things can be funny. Never forget the boys when they were little got in trouble on the school bus. The bus driver actually called to tell my husband about it. At first we were quite furious. Probably a good thing we had all day for it to settle with us while we were at work. Later that evening we sent the oldest, Chandler, to his room while we asked Brian to tell us what happened. We even told Brian we knew what happened on the bus but we wanted to hear it from him. We wanted him to tell us the truth. We reminded him that aside from what he'd already done wrong the consequences would be far more extensive if he didn't tell us the truth. This was his big chance. That kid wasn't giving anything up. He wasn't going to say a word. We then switched out the boys, sent Brian to his room and brought Chandler out for his big chance to tell us what happened. I don't think we had to say much at all. He sang like a canary. Seriously. If you ever are looking for a partner in crime do NOT recruit my oldest son because he can't stand guilt. He's guaranteed to give everything up. Cool. So, we figured we'd give our baby boy the benefit of one more chance to tell the truth. We swapped the kids out one last time. We stressed to Brian again that this was his last chance to improve his situation. We informed him that his brother had just told us what happened. We knew. If he didn't tell us right now he was going to be in big trouble for not telling the truth. Still, tight lipped. He wasn't giving anything up. That was that. He determined his own fate. He was in super-huge trouble. Don't judge, we believe in spanking. So hubby sends Brian to our room to go get Daddy's belt. He had to bend over, the whole nine yards. The licks the husband gave that kid were barely anything at all. Wasn't much. Seriously. Not much more than 3 taps on the backside. The punishment comes in the psychological & emotional unpleasantness of it all. Brian got "licks" from the belt while his brother did not for the lack of honesty. The punishment for the actual trangressions on the bus was handled in a different way. After his licks, Brian was sent to his room until dinner was ready. Half an hour later we called the boys out to eat. Brian was still sniffling and upset. Daddy asked, "What's wrong? You still upset?" Brian blurted out, "YOU COULDA BROKE MY BACK!!!!" I threw my hand up over my mouth, ran for the laundry room, and closed the door before I let out the laughter. So fuuuuunny how over-dramatic they can be. To this day we still laugh about that. Not at all funny what they did on the bus. We were furious. Ended with a lifelong giggle. Gotta have a sense of humor!

2.) Definitely. Be involved but remember how you felt at their age. That's what helps me decide when I'm not entirely sure how to approach something with the teenagers.

3.) Truer words. The school bus fiasco seems like it was just last year...yet it was 9 years ago. Don't waste a single, precious second. They're only ours for such a short time.

No judgement on the spanking thing here.
Pop favored his belt and mom a good wooden spoon...!
After about the second wooden spoon broke across my , mom switched to the plastic kind...!
I'm the oldest of 4 so I'm pretty sure I got the brunt of it, but to be honest, it really didn't happen all that often. I have an 18 mo. younger brother and a 5 yr. younger brother, and by the time my 12 yr. younger sis came along I don't think any spanking occurred after that.
We never really did much of it 'cause we usually found some other creative ways to get our point across, but it did happen a few times. I also remember how takin' off my belt and snappin' that puppy a few times got some attention...! And, I do remember one time when oldest DD started to bolt out into the street after a ball when a car was coming and I grabbed her and was so scared and upset that I gave her a coupla' swats. I then remember thinking to myself... "Why did I do that?" and then tryin' to explain it to to her...!
I just remember bein' so dang scared that she was gonna' get hurt, or worse.
WOOF!

 

[Zweiland]

Thought this might be an appropriate place to post this:
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mattbellass...gs-a-child-has-ever-said-to-a-parent?s=mobile

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Even though I'm not a parent, I thought I could contribute

I recently told my mother some of the stuff I would do as a kid. After about the third one, she turns to me and says, "Ya know, I don't think I want to know!" Examples include jumping off the step from the fifth step, doing flips on a trampoline...you parents don't want to know the rest.

A sense of humor is very important. Lots of laughter in my house. Unfortunately for my mother, most of it is directed at her. My dad came up with this thing when I was about three where he'd randomly say to me, "Let's laugh at Mom!" and we'd laugh for absolutely no reason.

I think my mom has had it rough with the two of us. I had a lot of health problems. Had to have my tonsils out in eighth grade after never having issues, then bleeding three days after the surgery. I have severe asthma, so there were so many nights where my mom would be up with me, and I'd be wheezing and we'd be contemplating trips to the hospital. I had pneumonia and two cases of bronchitis in one year in elementary school. I was hospitalized for my asthma in seventh grade after they called 911 from school. This past school year I was down at the ER three times, once from shooting myself with the epi pen after an allergic reaction and twice with my asthma. I started getting horrible migraines this past year. I've just had a lot happen that she's had to deal with (sorry dads, mine proved that you can be completely clueless about some of this stuff. Like mine: "She looks fine!" Mom: "Her chest is moving up and down meaning she can't breath!)

Then there's my brother. He has autism, which makes everything twice as difficult. I know she's constantly plagued by questions such as, "Will he graduate?" "How will he do next year?" "When is he going to melt down again and how hard will his sister/me get hit?" IMO nothing challenges a parent like having a child with special needs. He's got a long way to go, but my mom and dad have certainly done their best.

Things my parents did well:
1. They waited to have kids. They were married 9 years before I was born. This has led to a strong marriage. They also leave us at home some of the time and go off together. I think a strong marriage is important to raising kids. I know this isn't always possible, but it's made my life easier.
2. They wanted us to work hard, but at the same time not overdo it and have fun.
3. Family time is important. We go to baseball games, vacations, spend time outdoors, just try to be together.
4. Keeping lines of communication open. Sure, in middle school I went through the, "I don't want to talk to you." So my dad would talk about mailboxes. Why? Who knows. But it kept us talking even if it was nonsense, and when I had a bullying problem at school, I came to them right away and trusted them to handle it.
5. School first. Big one. I've now got a scholarship to go to college because of this.
6. If you do something, they will find out. So don't do it.
7. My mom is a big praiser. My dad is not. Mom wins on this one. Positive reinforcement is best, whereas not complimenting/saying "but you could have done this better" just tears down self esteem.

 

[donaldtoo]

Even though I'm not a parent, I thought I could contribute

I recently told my mother some of the stuff I would do as a kid. After about the third one, she turns to me and says, "Ya know, I don't think I want to know!" Examples include jumping off the step from the fifth step, doing flips on a trampoline...you parents don't want to know the rest.

A sense of humor is very important. Lots of laughter in my house. Unfortunately for my mother, most of it is directed at her. My dad came up with this thing when I was about three where he'd randomly say to me, "Let's laugh at Mom!" and we'd laugh for absolutely no reason.

I think my mom has had it rough with the two of us. I had a lot of health problems. Had to have my tonsils out in eighth grade after never having issues, then bleeding three days after the surgery. I have severe asthma, so there were so many nights where my mom would be up with me, and I'd be wheezing and we'd be contemplating trips to the hospital. I had pneumonia and two cases of bronchitis in one year in elementary school. I was hospitalized for my asthma in seventh grade after they called 911 from school. This past school year I was down at the ER three times, once from shooting myself with the epi pen after an allergic reaction and twice with my asthma. I started getting horrible migraines this past year. I've just had a lot happen that she's had to deal with (sorry dads, mine proved that you can be completely clueless about some of this stuff. Like mine: "She looks fine!" Mom: "Her chest is moving up and down meaning she can't breath!)

Then there's my brother. He has autism, which makes everything twice as difficult. I know she's constantly plagued by questions such as, "Will he graduate?" "How will he do next year?" "When is he going to melt down again and how hard will his sister/me get hit?" IMO nothing challenges a parent like having a child with special needs. He's got a long way to go, but my mom and dad have certainly done their best.

Things my parents did well:
1. They waited to have kids. They were married 9 years before I was born. This has led to a strong marriage. They also leave us at home some of the time and go off together. I think a strong marriage is important to raising kids. I know this isn't always possible, but it's made my life easier.
2. They wanted us to work hard, but at the same time not overdo it and have fun.
3. Family time is important. We go to baseball games, vacations, spend time outdoors, just try to be together.
4. Keeping lines of communication open. Sure, in middle school I went through the, "I don't want to talk to you." So my dad would talk about mailboxes. Why? Who knows. But it kept us talking even if it was nonsense, and when I had a bullying problem at school, I came to them right away and trusted them to handle it.
5. School first. Big one. I've now got a scholarship to go to college because of this.
6. If you do something, they will find out. So don't do it.
7. My mom is a big praiser. My dad is not. Mom wins on this one. Positive reinforcement is best, whereas not complimenting/saying "but you could have done this better" just tears down self esteem.

Yep, we were quite the daredevils when we were kiddos.
We used to play hide and seek, and at one point I got the idea to climb up the fence and onto the roof of our house. they could never find me and would give up and then I would jump off the roof into the yard at a spot where they could not see where I came from (NO JOKE - I had a way of tuckin' and rollin' so I didn't get hurt). At one point I finally told them 'cause they could never find me. They didn't believe me, so I demonstrated. They freaked! We also used to disappear into the foothills for the entire day on our bikes on a summer day or weekend and jump the drainage canals and do other crazy stuff up there. I could go on, but you get the idea.

We also had our share of ER visits, etc. with our kiddos, too.
Along with the requisite occasional stitches and such, Oldest DD had mild asthma and also now suffers from celiac disease and has also become a vegitarian.
Youngest DD had a really bad allergic reaction several times a few years back that we never did find out the cause of. Carried an epi pen with her for quite a while but hasn't had any real problems with it in quite some time.
DS is a whole other story. He was 1 lb. 4 oz. when he was born. He spent 4-1/2 mos. in the NICU. When he finally came home it was with 7 different meds that had to be administered several times a day, a nebulizer, an oxygen tank just in case and a heart/apnea monitor that he had to be hooked up to at all times if he was left alone in his crib. He was on the monitor for a year and that puppy had to be downloaded and recalibrated every month based on the fact that his heart rate and breathing would slow as he grew. Towards recalibration time that would go off all night long, but we didn't want to disconnect in case he had a real event. It was a pretty wild time, as you can imagine, but we love them so much we would, and still will, do anything for them in that regard. It wasn't always nearly easy, but it was more than worth it. They are our gifts from God!

 

[donaldtoo]

1. They waited to have kids. They were married 9 years before I was born. This has led to a strong marriage. They also leave us at home some of the time and go off together. I think a strong marriage is important to raising kids. I know this isn't always possible, but it's made my life easier.
2. They wanted us to work hard, but at the same time not overdo it and have fun.
3. Family time is important. We go to baseball games, vacations, spend time outdoors, just try to be together.
4. Keeping lines of communication open. Sure, in middle school I went through the, "I don't want to talk to you." So my dad would talk about mailboxes. Why? Who knows. But it kept us talking even if it was nonsense, and when I had a bullying problem at school, I came to them right away and trusted them to handle it.
5. School first. Big one. I've now got a scholarship to go to college because of this.
6. If you do something, they will find out. So don't do it.
7. My mom is a big praiser. My dad is not. Mom wins on this one. Positive reinforcement is best, whereas not complimenting/saying "but you could have done this better" just tears down self esteem.

Also:
1.) When we got married in '88 I was 26 and my DW was 25. Our oldest was born in '92 when we were both 28. We made sure we owned a home and both had good jobs before finally starting the family we had talked about before we ever got married. we feel we planned it just right!
2.) Yep, a good work ethic is important, but downtime and making time for family is just as important, if not more.
3.) Yep, used to go to the park just to ride the train here in town, the Natural History Museum, Trips to the San Antonio Zoo, etc. along with many other family activities.
Heading over to oldest DD's place in just a bit to look at all of our PhotoPass pics!
4.) Our kids do not hesitate to talk to us about pretty much anything. Helped youngest DD with a bullying problem that she came to us about her sophomore year, also.
5.) School a BIGGIE here too!
6.) Yes, yes we do!!!
7.) DW and myself are both big praisers, actually. But, were also good about offering constructive advice when it's solicited and or when we feel it's necessary...!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yep, we were quite the daredevils when we were kiddos.
We used to play hide and seek, and at one point I got the idea to climb up the fence and onto the roof of our house. they could never find me and would give up and then I would jump off the roof into the yard at a spot where they could not see where I came from (NO JOKE - I had a way of tuckin' and rollin' so I didn't get hurt). At one point I finally told them 'cause they could never find me. They didn't believe me, so I demonstrated. They freaked! We also used to disappear into the foothills for the entire day on our bikes on a summer day or weekend and jump the drainage canals and do other crazy stuff up there. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Oh my! I was never quite that bad, lol.

We also had our share of ER visits, etc. with our kiddos, too.
Along with the requisite occasional stitches and such, Oldest DD had mild asthma and also now suffers from celiac disease and has also become a vegitarian.
Youngest DD had a really bad allergic reaction several times a few years back that we never did find out the cause of. Carried an epi pen with her for quite a while but hasn't had any real problems with it in quite some time.

I got bit by something and developed a really bad hive on the back on my neck. Something like that may have been the case for your daughter. I was just thankful I had an epi pen already because of my food allergies. Allergic reactions, I have learned, are sometimes weird and unexplained.

DS is a whole other story. He was 1 lb. 4 oz. when he was born. He spent 4-1/2 mos. in the NICU. When he finally came home it was with 7 different meds that had to be administered several times a day, a nebulizer, an oxygen tank just in case and a heart/apnea monitor that he had to be hooked up to at all times if he was left alone in his crib. He was on the monitor for a year and that puppy had to be downloaded and recalibrated every month based on the fact that his heart rate and breathing would slow as he grew. Towards recalibration time that would go off all night long, but we didn't want to disconnect in case he had a real event. It was a pretty wild time, as you can imagine, but we love them so much we would, and still will, do anything for them in that regard. It wasn't always nearly easy, but it was more than worth it. They are our gifts from God!

That has to be every parent's worst nightmare. I didn't have the breathing problems as a baby, but I certainly understand the nebulizer situation. I have two, a portable one that I keep in the car and take on vacation, and one in my room. How does your son do now?

 

[donaldtoo]

Oh my! I was never quite that bad, lol.

I got bit by something and developed a really bad hive on the back on my neck. Something like that may have been the case for your daughter. I was just thankful I had an epi pen already because of my food allergies. Allergic reactions, I have learned, are sometimes weird and unexplained.



That has to be every parent's worst nightmare. I didn't have the breathing problems as a baby, but I certainly understand the nebulizer situation. I have two, a portable one that I keep in the car and take on vacation, and one in my room. How does your son do now?

Yep, we got a little nutty sometimes...!

As the allergist told us when we first went to visit him...
"A lot of times you're not allergic 'til your allergic, and quite often we never find out what it is that's causing the reaction."

Glad you have 2 nebulizers just in case.
Thanks for asking about DS. I was getting to that but had to end my post 'cause we were headed to oldest DD's place.
Anyway, he never really had asthma, he had residual chronic lung disease from bein' born so small, so he needed the nebulizer for that. As he grew the damage stayed the same size but his lungs grew so it eventually negated the problem and he hasn't had to use a nebulizer in many years.
He did have premature retinopathy and had to have surgery before he ever left the NICU for that to save his eyesight. He has had 3 eye surgeries since to do with the muscles around his eyes and we're told he will probably need another one in about 5 years.
He also has been diagnosed on the high-functioning autism/aspergers spectrum. He is 20 now. He can read and speak like anyone else and most folks don't have a clue about his bein' different until they get into a more indepth conversation with him. He is very interested in science and history and is as curious as they come.
All that bein' said, he is not ready for a drivers license yet, still has problems with math and writing, and also issues with time and space relationships. He will ask us over and over about things that we have planned months from now and is it almost time for them yet. Stuff like that.
He is just wired differently than most folks and that was a bit difficult to get used to at first. But, the kinda' neat thing about it is that he comes up with some really cool observations about life and such based on his slightly different perspective. He sure can come up with some gems!
Anyway, that's all I have for now on all a' that. Thanks for "listening"!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'm dying laughing! Oh this is faaaaabulous!!!!

I'm on the phone with Chandler. He just went to pick up his paycheck. He had the most hours he's ever worked last week so he was expecting an extra big check. He called to tell me how much taxes were held out of his check....and now he's ranting and raving about being robbed blind by our freakin' government...blahblahblah...because they took $70 from him. I. am. dying. here! I need to dig out one of his dad's paycheck stubs. Or last year's W2. Cracks me up!!! Welcome to life. You work your off and the government will take their hefty share. No use crying about it. LOLOLOL!!!

However, he did have the joy of turning in his 2 week notice a few days ago. He found another job that will give him better hours for better pay. I know it's just a matter of time before he hates that job with a passion, too, so I'm sure there's more of these life-revelations in store for him. I love this stuff. It's so awesome to see his naive eyes being opened to...*gasp*...work and fiscal responsibility!