This is your husband's job. Can you get on the same page with him?

I could have written the same title but it would have said "Help -- my 7 year old is too bossy" -- not her friend. I always describe my DD as a "natural born leader." She doesn't out and out boss, but does like to be in control of the fun and games. When she plays with friend, I usually give her a few gentle reminders to let other kids go first or choose what to do. I honestly think she gets so caught up that she forgets. Anyhow, some things I've noticed about this age: each girl (I only have girls) seems to have some sort of personality flaw. Some are bossy, some are caddy (like you one day, not the next), some are manipulative (I'll only play with you if we do XXX), some like to leave other kids out of the play... Though my child's "leadership" tendencies worry me, I am thankful that she usually always tries to include everyone in the fun. Anyhow, back to your problem. Another thing I've noticed is that most kids will only put up with being bossed around for so long. Then they usually migrate to other children that are not like that. That is why I tell me kid "nobody likes a bossy friend." So, when you can, maybe give reminders like "make sure you guys are taking turns". It would also probably help if you DD expanded her friendships beyond this girl. I don't think girls need to have best friend at this age. One day they think Sally is the best, the next day all you hear about is Mary, etc... Could your DD be smothering this girl? You might also suggest to your DD that she purposely not sit by this girl on the bus, ever. Let the other girl come to her if she chooses. Why set her up for rejection? Good luck. This is a fun age...full of drama.

Hi dmb, I am so sorry to hear about your predicament with your 19 year old cat but I have to say that I thought I was reading about my 18 year old female cat when reading your cat's symptoms. I am at the same place you are - what to do now? However I have gone one step further than you and thought this migh thelp you. I have been giving my cat the Sub Q fluids for her renal failure for the last 2 years now and she really rallied once I started to that. Also at the same time I have been giving her renal support probiotics (2 kinds) to support her kidneys and that plus the fluids gave her back a couple of years for sure. However about 2 weeks ago she started to bang into things and I realized she had gone blind and that my stupid Vet hadn't ever mentioned blood pressure taking especially if the cat has thyroid or kidney issues and my cat has both. She had the radioactive iodine treatment about 3 years ago so I was expecting the kidney issues but after I reached out to a different Vet they told me that her blood pressure probably caused the blindness together with the renal or the thyroid issues. Her thyroid might have gotten worse despite the iodine treatments. Sigh. The new Vet said that she probably had a stroke during the night that I didnt know of and that she was totally blind. I was so upset. Also she has gone totally deaf before this stroke so now she is deaf and blind and last week she took a step backwards and seemed to be acting confused like she did when she had the first stroke. She was starting to adapt to being blind and had figured out where to jump and where not to and I was so excited then she took a backslide. Another stroke? Who knows. I really think you should try the Sub Q and the 2 renal support powders that you just mix into your cats meals (wet is best in food for this) and you will notice a big difference in her health. However the deafness and blindness is another thing. I am trying to decide if her quality of life is worth keeping her going. Now she is so blind that she just seems to be giving up and laying down wherever she is and just goes back to sleep and this is so unlike her. Also she is getting grouchy (Himalyan) and never was like that before. Now she only responds to touch and when I touch her she knows it's either to put a needle behind her neck for the sub q fluids or to stick a pill down her throat for high blood pressure or to move her to the litter box so when I just pick her up to pat her she growls. I mean what kind of life is this now? I don't know. She has been the best cat ever, always gentle and loving and she appears okay in other ways. She is still grooming herself, eating well, pooping well etc but I know her kidneys won't last forever and with the blindness and with no hearing I just don't know. I am giving her a blood pressure med ever since a new med took her blood pressure 2 weeks ago but like I said since that she has slipped. I don't envy your situation because it's mine too but maybe try the sub q and renal support and the blood pressure meds and see what you think. The best of luck with whatever your decision is. I know you will make the decision with love and respect for the cat no matter what. My prayers are with you and your pet.

--"Neither man will cave and give respect to the other."-- Two roosters, one coop. Sad part is they put you in the middle and want you to choose between the two. Want you to side with one or the other in their turf strutting. You need to remind them both that you love them both and intend to have both in your life no matter how ruffled their feathers get at each other. Sit down with each and discuss individually what the 'game plan' is. Son can not live at home forever, and from the sounds of it, he does not intend to. He's been working and saving to start his life out. Congrats to him, nice to hear about one who is not 24 and an uneducated lazy bum with no goals for the future. Time though to sped up the plan. Something along the lines of beginning to look for his own apartment. A reasonable timeframe. Six months, nine months...enough time to gather deposits and set his finances in order. In the meantime, son is expected to be civil and do his share of peace making in YOUR home. Same with the hubby. Explain SS is working his way to beginning his own home and the goal set to spring from nest is blah blah. In the meantime, hubby is expected to be civil and do his share of peace making in YOUR home. Hubby always has the option of purchasing a new home for you and he that he would get to 'rule'. You can not and will not 'choose', you intend for both to be longterm men in your life and you ask both to be adult and sensible during the current temporary situation. You won't let the hubby toss the son out in a fit of anger, nor will you let son make hubby seem unneeded/unnecessary in what is now also his home. What they're currently doing is selfish and unfair to YOU, and that they can both man-up and act the adult... or they can both hit the door.