Reading

(no subject)

Dear Eric: I’m married with four kids and have a sizable extended family. One son, who is in seventh grade, runs track and finished the season with personal records in his events, which also happen to place second in his school’s all-time best records.

I sent out a family text to all of our extended family raving about his achievements. This is common amongst all of the aunts and uncles. We got a load of congrats. However, my husband’s brother side-texted my eldest daughter, “tell your brother to stop being first loser.” (He did not text any “congrats” to the group text.)

My daughter showed me the text and chuckled. I’m not sure if she showed my son. I’m so deeply angry about this. I know that everyone will tell me he was joking. Or that I’m misinterpreting his meaning. I just cannot get over it.

My initial feeling is to keep my son as far away from his uncle as possible for the rest of his life. My second feeling is to call said uncle to tell him he is a complete loser himself (which would be super biting as he just got laid off, has to sell his house and downsize everything). I know I won’t do either but I am having a hard time imagining being around him this summer as our families usually get together each summer for a few days.

How do I express by complete disdain for his comments without upsetting the entire extended family? Am I being oversensitive?

– Second to None

( Read more... )

Entry tags:

Care & Feeding: Wandering Toddler

I Left My 2-Year-Old Alone With My Husband for 15 Minutes. The Aftermath Might Haunt My Marriage Forever.

( Read more... )

Entry tags:

Dear Prudence: Wedding Toast Blunder

Help! My Husband’s Best Man Made a Stunning Admission During His Wedding Speech. I Might Never Get Over It.

( Read more... )

Current Location: Sanctuary
Current Music: Two Hornpipes / Tortuga

Entry tags:

The Scrolls of the Ancients: Chapters Thirty-Eight - Forty-One

( You're about to view content that a community administrator has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

One column, two letters

Link

1. Dear Care and Feeding,

I work from home. My kids are 8 and 12. When they were little, we hired a sitter to watch them on the random days off from school, but they don’t really need a sitter now.

For holidays when they are off and I’m working, my husband and I agreed to a set of rules for them: If the kids help with two small chores, read for 30 minutes, and play outside all before noon, then they can have screen time. The kids reluctantly agreed to this policy.

But they still demand my time. They will complete the list above, then ask to FaceTime with a grandparent (a clever loophole). They come into my office whining that they are bored. They are old enough to help themselves to snacks, but if I don’t supervise, they will eat everything before lunch. I make and serve lunch. Even after lunch, they play on their tablets and mindlessly snack. If they ate everything earlier, they come to my office whining for more snacks.

I feel like my husband is taking advantage of my work-from-home job. I feel like my work and time come second to his. I would like to have a full day off the weekend after one of the school holidays. A day when no one asks me for food or entertainment or a ride somewhere. A day when I’m not picking up after everyone. I don’t need a spa day; I need a day to myself. My husband says that’s not fair because his job doesn’t have working from home as an option, and I can’t just “quit parenting for a day.”

—Holidays Are Not Days Off

( Read more... )

**********

2. Dear Care and Feeding,

When should I let my daughter learn lessons on her own? My daughter “Chloe” is 12 years old. She recently went with her two closest friends to the zoo. She really wanted to wear a summer dress and white sandals and tried to leave the house without wearing sunscreen.

I talked to Chloe and made her go wearing sunscreen, and also shoes that would be better for walking on the dirt paths at the zoo (I couldn’t change her mind about the dress, so I picked my battles). But I’m not sure I like doing that.

She’s 12 now, and none of the consequences would have been disastrous. The next time something like this comes up, should I just let her make her mistakes and experience the consequences?

—When to Intervene

( Read more... )

I don't know why this was sent to Pay Dirt, but Pay Dirt gave excellent advice the LW will not heed

Dear Pay Dirt,

Our next-door neighbors were really welcoming when we first moved into our new home. Within weeks, though, they started complaining that our son was too loud and that he was “bothering” their dogs. He’s 5 years old and rambunctious, and he’s attracted to furry animals, which makes it really hard to keep him away from fun, furry floofs!

We tried talking it out with our neighbors, but they lodged a complaint with our HOA, presented us with a massive bill for repainting their fence after our son drew on it with chalk, and twice called the police because he was “trespassing” on their property (he entered their garden uninvited to play with their dogs).

We’re at our wits end. We are seriously considering selling up and moving, as we can’t reasonably expect a child to forever remain indoors. But it will result in a loss we cannot afford.

Is there any way to fix this situation? We feel like we’re being bullied out of our home, but our neighbors are operating well within the law and their rights.

—Homewrecker

( Read more... )

Current Location: Mortoth's Estate
Current Music: The Heist

Entry tags:

All Shadows Fled Chapter Twelve: Whistling, the Wizard Met His End

( You're about to view content that a community administrator has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Current Mood: cold
Current Music: Nine Inch Nails- La Mer

Entry tags:

Letterkenny: S10E1- King Of Suckers

( You're about to view content that a community administrator has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Catholic school 1940's Quebec

Hi!

I've been reading up on the historical Catholic school system in Quebec, and I've gathered that until 1960 there were commonly Catholic schools that were supported by public funds (officially ended in the 90's). I've been able to find the names of some of the girl's schools, but haven't been able to easily find the names of any of the mixed or boy's schools below the high school level.

Anyone know any specific schools that could have served a 10-year old, working class, Catholic boy in Montreal or Quebec City ~1940?

Thanks!

Entry tags:

The Gabriel Hounds, Chapters 11 and 12

Picking up until

aella_irene can resurface!

( Chapter 11 )

( Chapter 12 )

The atmosphere of menace is somewhat lighter in these chapters. I did enjoy the description of the bath! And also all the flowers around the border post. Also nice to read about immigration officials who are, while not able to help Christie, also not bullying or unpleasant; of course, being an upper-middle-class white woman in the Middle East of this era probably helps a lot, but it's a bit of a contrast to most of the stories you hear these days - no one even handcuffs Christie and deports her to a random third country! Amazing.

Charles is still being mysterious, but actually I didn't think his letter was too bad - I didn't blame her for being annoyed, but it felt like that was more about the situation than his specific choices. Her dad was also quite reasonable, and entirely willing to validate her annoyance even while he also wanted her to stay put! Something is Up, and I suspect he has guessed more of it than Christie has yet.

But what a frustrating cliffhanger! Tune in next time to find out more, maybe??

Entry tags:

Ask a Manager: Job Candidate Got into A Fight With My Wife

Twists and revelations!

( Read more... )

Entry tags:

Ask a Manager: My Boss's Parenting Choices Are Driving Me Nuts

A Reder Writes: ( Read more... )