worth it- kids just f off?
813623
Haha!! Laughed out loud!!
672024
How about stop teaching them to materialize every event of their life? How about a great family trip to Europe? Ok, a great family trip to somewhere interesting in america...can't think of anything intersting that isn't mediocre. It teaches them that they shouldn't expect prizes to do what they should be doing anyway. Just my two cents worth.
1161947
I am a stay at home mom with a 4 year old and a 1 year old. So yea i get you....sometimes i find myself getting mad, and when i do i just take a time out for my self, like go into my bedroom for a minute, or step out side really quik, even just take a deep breath i have found it very helpful...most people do not understand what stress it is to stay home all day and deal with 2 kids. Your not a bad parent, u just get stressed like everyone else...I will say to keep the yelling where your kids are not exposed to it, its not good for them to see or hear it.
96005
Wow.  You take me back.  I had to handle school and four children from age 2 1/2 to 7.  It was a long time ago - 25 years.  And I was younger.  But I know how you feel.  I always thought "when I have the time, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown, because I deserve it."  Funny, huh.  \n\nTry to make sure you get enough sleep.  Without it, school is so much harder.  See if you can get help with babysitting.  I wasn't aware til my last year in school that the state would have paid for babysitting for me.  See if you can talk to a counselor there and find out all the programs you qualify for that might give you some help.  Enlist any friends or family and don't feel guilty about it.\n\nI felt a lot like I was not giving enough attention to my kids, and maybe I wasn't.  But now they have children of their own and they grew up ok.  \n\nTake some deep breaths.  Know you can do it.  And that it too will pass.  (I wondered at the time if that light at the end of the tunnel was really an oncoming train.  It just didn't seem to end.)\n\nGood luck to you.  And, in a funny way, thanks for reminding me of things I have been through.  I admire you greatly.  By comparison, the things that are going on in my life right now do not seem so bad at all.
801063
I took my kids to Build a Bear...  The basic bear, with an outfit and not many extras will cost about $40.00.\n\nDon't go unless you plan to spend close to that or a little more.  You will be disappointed if you aren't prepared to spend at least that.\n\nI hate to say this but the other people who've answered so far don't sound very nice.... these are your KIDS we're talking about... I'm all about my kids.  I don't spend a lot on myself, it's all about them.\n\nI think it's a fun experience and $40 isn't so much to spend to have a fun time with your child and have a nice cute bear to take home to keep.  You'd spend more than that for a day at an amusement park or a night out without your kids.
750698
I get £10 each night and theres between 2 and 4 kids. Unless they have friends stopping over then its total chaos. As for the neighborhood it only has a few houses and is all quiet except for the house i babysit in.
1050072
I do homeschool my two children ages 9 and 6.  I wasnt homeschooled but my lil brother was.  He just graduated. Is extremely smart. Just started his first job, already paid for his truck in the 3mths he worked there.  Is going to Air Force next year.  \nI enjoy teaching my children, my son has reading problems that the public school couldnt help with. So I pulled them from public schools. We are able to slow down and read at his pace, no pressure atmosphere.  He excels in math, so instead of being bored with 3rd grade level math he is able to continue to 4th grade math, while still working in a 2-3rd grade reading level.  \nYou can spend more time with them working with their problems and encouraging them when they need it most.  Most teachers are so busy with 30 kids they cant help the one that needs it most.\nMy daughter is already doing 1st grade work well.  She doesnt do well with math, but loves to read, so we work with her, not pressuring her to be up to par with other kids her age.  \nAnd no TAKS test pressure, that was all they were teaching them in 3rd grade public school.  Pushing them to pass this test, when it doesnt matter if you pass the test if your failing your regular grades.  Think they have their priorities backwards. \nMy kids do hands on science experiements, grow their own little garden, learn how to use the computer, get exercise, eat whenever they are hungry, go to the bathroom when they need to without having to wait for permission from a busy teacher.\nThey are allowed to ask questions and search for the answers till they are satisfied. They pick out books based on their interests in the library and we read them together and alone.  \nI personally love being with my kids, and I love seeing them read for the first time, learn new spelling words,  get excited and jump for joy when their volcano actually spews. We have learned alot from each other and will learn more each day. \nAs for social skills, I actually prefer that my kids dont talk back, dont cuss, dont call others stupid, dont get called stupid, and  dont get told to shut up.\nThe kids I've watched on the local school play ground are cussing, pushing, rude, biting, hitting, and talk back to adults.    If this is what they learn in public school, I think I can do without .
1175198
You know what, when i was a kid my mom thought the school I was going to was not good enough for me and she wanted to send me to a private school.  My sister and I went crazy - we thought it was a punishment.  We told her that we would get ourselves thrown out of that school - so much we did not want to change and leave our friends.  They dropped the subject.\n\nFast forward 7-10 years I come to find out that everyone (I mean everyone) i really liked as an adult went to the very same school I would have been sent to, if I hadn't been such a ninny and said "No, don't spend your money and energy giving me a better education!  It is more important to me that I stay right where I am."\n\nMy point is that there is a lot to consider here.\n\nHomeschooling is a way for children to find and nurture their own particular gifts and talents.  In school settings there are just too many kids for teachers to allow kids to go at their own pace or spend extra time on what interests them.  Who do you think are going to be the leaders and sought after employees of tomorrow?  The kids with uniquely tailored education or the kids who get it out of the same can as everyone else?\n\nThere is still plenty of time to socialize - I mean how much actual social time would you be missing in school?  2 hours?  Most of the time you are not supposed to be talking - but sitting and listening.\n\nMany mothers I have told I was homeschooling my kids have said to me "Oh god - that sounds like way too much work!"  Your parents want to spend their time and energy giving you the very best education you can get.  In this world, you will surely need it.\n\nPeace!
482595
I just went through a similar move a year ago... We have 3 children  all elementary school aged. Try to scope out some of the local parks and hang outs before you go and tell them how cool they sound, try to take them there within the first week of the move. I don't know if you know anyone in that area or not, but we did so, I had her give out invitations to a welcome new friends party....talk to your kids and listen to them... our "big" adjustment period was over within a month. Good Luck.
127354
It depends on what part of the country you're from, to tell you the truth.  In areas where things cost more, babysitters are paid more.  I was paid $8/hr to watch only 2 kids, so for them to watch that many children (especially in that age range), it sounds perfectly fair.  Also, you said it was New Years Eve, holidays cost extra, it's all about supply and demand! :)
1072152
$7-8 for one kid, and add at least $2 per kid for more.  I watched 3 and I was getting $12/hr.  Have fun
801615
I am a mystery shopper in australia. I didnt have to pay anything. If u can, u could take your kids with you. It only takes a couple of minutes. Its so much fun and i get free stuff. I can spend up to $20 and the company re-emburses me within 2 days, while i keep the products. I joined through shopncheck.com.au. You should be able to find one that doesnt cost u any money. I have 2 kids under 5 and they dont cause a problem while i am mystery shopping
61644
You can do simple things like potato sack races, pin the tail on the donkey, bingo, stuff like that.  Since the kids are so young, they don't need a lot to be entertained and you want to do something that doesn't require a lot of rules/directions.  Besides, you also want stuff they can't cheat easily with!
515180
yes,depends on the environment and how you treat the kid.\nThey will learn as they grow older. Be nice to them.
455342
Well, if they are paying then you better listen to them.  If not then, do what you want.  Just realize that you run the risk of losing financial support from them, and that will be hard.  Speaking from experience.... a free ride is almost always a good thing.  If school is paid for and you don't have to work full time to pay bills then take it.  It's the smart thing to do.  You'll be better off financially and it's not for that long.  Maybe you can stay home for the first 2 years and then move out after that?
1046123
If you mean be strict right off the bat, I would say it works. Of course, there will almost always be one or 2 kids who will probably challenge you. Those are the ones that usually end up respecting the teacher/ adult the most. That's my experience anyway...And there are some kids who will never respect certain adults for their own reasons.
578725
YES. DEPENDING ON AGE. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR KIDS.