With the "privacy laws" lots has changed! And, lets not forget the ungrateful idiots that have wiped out their parents savings with POA's. That is what has caused so many changes. I am getting through all this and am very lucky my dad can still sign. Most of the money is in his name so I can get it out to pay mom's nursing home bills, but it has been a challenge! I now have it all worked out so should not have too many more hassles. Our investment guy told me today that I am not the only one complaining about the mountain of paperwork that needs to be done to take care of parents! LOL! Some thing our attorney adviced me to do also was to change the primary benificiary on my dad's IRA's. That way if, heaven forbid, some thing happens to him the remainder of the money will not go to the nursing home for my mom's care. Makes sense and that way I will have a few pennies to take care of my brother and his special wants. Oh, that is some thing else, we also have it set up in the will that when my parents are gone my brothers share will go in to a trust for him, therefore keeping it out of the hands of the nursing home.

They had no discipline at all... none there were not any rules or consequences in this house. They did whatever they wanted whenever they wanted ... I do not delight in being tough on them. But I do take delight on how much they have changed and how they have responded to structure and discipline. They know there are consequences for your actions. Good or bad still consequences. What is a normal bedtime for a 6, 7 and 9 yr old? When I first starting dating hubby they were up til 11 each night he was afraid to be the "bad guy" mommy walked out on them. She believed in the family bed the children slept with her they still do at her house only one bed. So they wouldn't go to bed until daddy did. The now 11 yr old would be up til 2 am and then back up at 5:30 between anxiety and insomnia. He is now in bed at 9 and asleep by 10 still up at 5:30. The younger 2 are in bed by 8:30 asleep by 9:30. We would go into stores and they would take off on him. his response "if I am spending money in this store they can put up with my kids running around" ... then I will not be going to stores with you. They used to get in trouble at school weekly if not daily ... no consequences for their actions no one wanted to discipline them for their bad behavior poor things their parents were divorced. How many first graders and kindergarteners do you know that stayed behind because of being suspended too many times from school? How many times a week should you pick up a child who has to stay after for behavior? behaviors like throwing tantrums spitting hitting. They are much better behaved than they used to be. Yes I am tough on them but so will the world. The real world will not coddle bad behavior. They have come along way. I did the same with my own children from a much younger age so by the time they were 8,9, 11 they knew the "rules".

Dear Jodi, Thank you for sharing that picture of your brother and family ... doesn't that daughter just sparkle? How good to hear that Ginger is improving, even though it appears that there is a long road ahead. Sending many good thoughts and hopes, for them, and your family, and others who love her. Offering some prayers of behalf of Ginger and for all of you. Good wishes to all of you through the coming days. ole joyful

I'm so sorry he was injured, but...not every HS player will play in college anyway. (Not sure that is a 'bright side', but that's how I intended it.) Very glad he won't have lifelong disability. Our next door neighbor has been an outstandng QB up to now, his senior year in HS. He's announced that he will attend Michigan, hoping to play football there like his dad. He was injured in a game and last week he had surgery on his right ACL -- will be having PT for months and months. His mom says he will be able to be a walk-on by next fall, but...who knows? Having a 'goal' in youth can be both a blessing and a curse! Set-backs feel so 'end of the world' when you're so young. (Kinda hard on a kid whose father named him Bo in homage.)