The Chit Chat Chit Chat Thread

[StarWarsGirl]

Yeah...sometimes it's scary as a parent, because on the one hand, you DON'T want your children to be vulnerable, but you also can't be there every second. I remember being at an indoor play center and DS was probably 5 or so, and he needed to go to the bathroom. Do I send him into the mens bathroom alone or do I take him into the women's bathroom? At 5, I just took him into the womens room, and there was a little girl who said "HEY! This bathroom is for GIRLS, he can't come in here!" I wasn't particularly bothered because she wasn't very old and probably didn't understand the situation. But, as DS got older, it was no longer appropriate for him to be in a women's room. I HAD to send him into the men's room alone....and you DON'T know who is waiting. And there are some really nice people who will talk to children, but as a parent, you also have to be a bit wary of that. I am so fortunate that I have my husband...I have a lot of respect for single moms...I don't know if I could do it. My brother and I always had to ask a family friend to do the dad things...Girl Scout daddy Daughter tea....my dad was working and didn't want to switch shifts or take time off for a girl scout thing. My brother used to go hunting and fishing with the same family friend, and he went camping with his best friend's family. There was a sort of void in our lives that we filled with stand-ins. Part of the reason my mom was so strict was because she was apparently terrified something would happen to me...that my dad was going to kidnap me or some of his friends would do something to me. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone, or go to a friend's house if the parents weren't home, because she didn't want me unprotected. It must have been so scary to have to be solely responsible for another human. At least I have my husband, and I have my in-laws, etc...my mom had no one else to rely on or to get help from. It must have been very lonely and stressful! How do you know who you can trust?

I understand how you feel. The first few times I had my brother with just me in WDW, I was so nervous about the bathroom situation. He was about 9 or 10 at the time, but you know how throwing autism in the mix makes things. Anyway, I hated letting him out of my sight, even for me to go. The first time when I had to go and he didn't, I put him on a bench and told him not to move and I was in and out at the speed of light. The first few times if he had to go, I was so nervous that I found a unisex bathroom and had him go while I waited outside. Then eventually, I had to let him just go in the men's room by himself. It was always fine, but I was nervous about it until he was about 12 or 13. Now at age 16, I pretty much trust he's too big to be a target; heck I worry more about my own safety than his. But there for a while, it made me nervous, and I'm just a sister.

 

[donaldtoo]

Less-than-half-day-Friday...!!!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

I was ahead on my hours and had no crazy deadlines, so I sprung myself early...!!!

 

[MySmallWorldof4]

I was ahead on my hours and had no crazy deadlines, so I sprung myself early...!!!

And that's what happens when you keep up with your timesheet.

 

[donaldtoo]

If that makes you need a nap, can you imagine what it's like to be required to say that "I will be 70 this year?

Yep, all a matter of perspective.
I remember bein' in 4th grade and my best friends older sis was in junior high, and his older bro was in...high school GOOD GRIEF!!!!! I remember thinkin' how old they were and how far off that was for us....!!!
Now, at a spry double nickel, I just chuckle about it. Seems like forever ago.
And, I don't need no stinkin' nap...!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

And that's what happens when you keep up with your timesheet.

Hahaaa...!!!
Yep, I kinda' like gettin' paid for my work, so I'm a bit meticulous when it comes to that puppy...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

I think your clouds and rain are vacationing at my hometown.
I wanted to take photos of that darn supermoon..

Weather goes "lol nope, have lots of wind with always cloudy and overcast weather!"

Sympathy like.
I know your pics would have been awesome...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Well, that is the good part about turning 70... no one ever freaking lets you forget it. Looking back I have to say that there is so little difference between 21 and 23, that it would take a high powered microscope to see it.

Yep, that's like a dash on my timeline and a dot on yours...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

I didn't acknowledge my birthday last year. I was 46 straight through December 31. Maybe I will continue with that thought this year as well. Dh turns 49 tomorrow.

Oh, you young pups...!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Alrighty, out for now to pick DS up from work...!

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Growing up in a single parent home, I can absolutely say that it is. Statistically, children from single parent homes are more vulnerable. Did you know that a child living in a home with a man who is not their biological father (eg: mom's new boyfriend) is 33 times more likely to be molested? They have asked pedaphiles how they choose their victims and the resounding answer from convicted pedaphiles is that they look for a child who is missing something in their lives and they fill that need...most often that need is the missing parent. Most often, dad is not there much and the child already feels a bit abandoned, and along comes the really nice guy who fills that need and does all the dad things with them.
I didn't say this to attack you, and I'm sorry if it's offensive to you, but statistically, it has been proven that certain people are more vulnerable to certain things....some people are more prone to getting breast cancer. It's not anything YOU have done, it's just the way it is. And pedaphiles target children from single-parent homes, because they see an opportunity to get close to the child. I'm sure you are a great mom, and I'm sure your daughter knows you love her, and maybe her dad is quite involved and she isn't in the category of kids who feel like they are missing a father figure, so maybe YOUR daughter ISN'T more vulnerable. But strictly speaking of the statistics, children from single-parent homes ARE more vulnerable.

You're not the only one that grew up in a single parent home. One dad raising four girls here. I never felt like a vulnerable lacking little snowflake. Maybe in your original post you should have phrased SOME or maybe MOST children feel that way but you broad based your original comment to include ALL children of single parents, which isn't true.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Two of our pups are snuggled up for a long winters nap. Such a good idea.
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Such a good idea!

 

[Cesar R M]

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'til you have to work tomorrow or have an scheduled event because you had no time on weekdays XD

 

[MOXOMUMD]

I will not check the weather again, I will not check the weather again. We're getting either a foot+ of snow or a nasty mix Sunday. Come here little groundhog. I have a nice warm pot er um Time to leave for the day. Have a great start to the weekend

My best friends texted me this morning they're on their way to Grand Turk. I told them to bring back warm weather!

 

[Cesar R M]

I'm watching the live stream for the first time ever, and I mean...... this is more corny than I ever could have imagined.... it's a bunch of grown men pretending they can talk to a groundhog as long as they're holding a magical stick.....

https://www.usatoday.com/story/weat...018-punxsutawney-phils-prediction/1086134001/

Well, Religion can be described very similarly to what you said just saying lol..

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Yep, all a matter of perspective.
I remember bein' in 4th grade and my best friends older sis was in junior high, and his older bro was in...high school GOOD GRIEF!!!!! I remember thinkin' how old they were and how far off that was for us....!!!
Now, at a spry double nickel, I just chuckle about it. Seems like forever ago.
And, I don't need no stinkin' nap...!!!!!

My oldest sister was a sophmore when I was in kindergarten and I couldn't wait to go to the high school, then when I got there I couldn't wait to get out!

 

[DryerLintFan]

You're not the only one that grew up in a single parent home. One dad raising four girls here. I never felt like a vulnerable lacking little snowflake. Maybe in your original post you should have phrased SOME or maybe MOST children feel that way but you broad based your original comment to include ALL children of single parents, which isn't true.

I'm not picking sides here, but men are exponentially less of a target than women. Especially petite women. I agree though... blanket/absolute statements are NEVER true

*do you see what I did there?! LOL!!*

 

[MOXOMUMD]

OMG there are days I'd love to have that hair and days I'm happy it's "normal" whatever that is hair

When we go to concerts it's awesome headbanging hair but the next morning I have to use a lot of detangler. I should just buy it in bulk.

 

[Cesar R M]

The whole practice always seemed ridiculous to me for several reasons....1: If the groundhog sees his shadow, wouldn't you see your own? Can't you just look and see if you see your own shadow instead of stalking a groundhog? 2: How do you know if the groundhog saw his shadow? He can't tell you. And why blame the groundhog for seeing his shadow? It's not like he controls it. I just never understood the significance of the groundhog.

Maybe it has to do with the groundhog actually seeing HIS shadow than ignoring it.
Aka fear of his shadow and noticing his shadow.

 

[Cesar R M]

Those are all logical questions to ask, however watching it today.... those questions are irrelevant. They keep the groundhog in a cage that resembles a stump. They put two scrolls on top of the stump, one for more winter and one for early spring. Then they take the groundhog out of the cage and put him on top of the stump too. Then the guy with the magic stick that "allows him to talk to and understand groundhogs" says, "he chooses this scroll" and taps one of the scrolls with his magic stick. Then they read the scroll and the groundhog goes off to take photos with people.

My biggest beef here is that they report this poor groundhog only has a 40% accuracy rate, when he doesn't get to do the predicting at all. Some old white guy decides and they blame it on the rodent.

Its a nice interesting event on the cultural aspect. But for gods sake, get a better Groundhog!