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[-]Friend's dh is being transfered TO Austin from NYC (I'm in NYC too). They have dcs under age 5. Any websites, lists, discussion groups, etc. where she can find info about neighborhoods, schools, life in Austin with kids? Thanks!!
2 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreI'm from there, and I moved to NYC to leave that hell hole. It is lame as hell, best of luck to her. My DH tried to live with me there, born and raised here in NYC, and we didn't make it a year before he came back here and said join me or leave me! Things are laid back and people are just not very open. very republican.. i hope it works out.
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[-]Austin parents: I need to find a pre-K program in Central or North Austin. Any suggestions for ones to check out AND ones to avoid? Looking for a full day, 4-5 days per week program. Thank you!
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[-]Help! My mom is turning 80 soon, lives in Austin TX and neither one of us can travel to the other around the day. Plan a party ion the summer with my sibs but any suggestions of special stuff I could do for her long distance? I don't think a spa day would cut it. Thanks!
14 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreMake one of those photo books of you and family when you were young. Put old movies on DVD. Choclates & Flowers.
[ Reply | More ]ITA. We did a photo book for my grandmother's 90th with photos of everyone in the family, and she said it was her favorite gift. You could collect photos from the whole extended family (each person could email you a recent photo of themselves) and then make up a photo book (perhaps even with personalized notes accompanying each photo) and give it to her. Not that hard if you use a good online photo book place.
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NP: I think that this sounds like a really neat idea! That way she doesn't have to leave her house or do the actual entertaining herself. Depending on what kind of 80 year old she is (energetic or easily tired), I might also hire a housekeeper to come by earlier that day to tidy up.
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Hate to say it, but the same thing happened to me. My mom's 80th birthday was in December and I couldn't make it. We were supposed to have a family party for her later, but that didn't happen. She died in April. I wish I had made it to her last birthday party. There aren't too many more birthdays after 80 for most people. Just go.
[ Reply | More ]OP: not sure why this came up again it was last spring but I ended up calling Jeffreys and arraigned for Mom and her husband and 2 of their more mobile friends to have dinner there and I paid the bill with my credit card. A dinner in her home was going to be more than $800. The restaurant did a card for her and treated them very well. She was thrilled and we got together over the summer. We can't always do what we want when we want but I was very happy and want to recommend the restaurant.
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[-]Is it petty or worth my time to expect a thank you from my sister-in-law for sending her a bday gift? Every year I remember, buy, and mail all my in-laws birthday gifts. I also remember and buy their christmas gifts. Hardly ever do I receive a thank you. Not asking for a note or a phone call. A text msg or email would suffice. Sometimes they thank my DH but rarely thank me. DH would not remember their bday dates or to get x-mas gifts if I didn't remind him. In general, I get along with my IL but their lack of manners bothers me. Should I let it go? Say something to them? WWYD?
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[-]BRATTINESS -- I do not spoil my children, but they still act like brats. I don't want to be that mom! Ugh. We went to a restaurant yesterday evening and they would NOT sit still. (both under 2). I feel like they are too needy. My goodness. I used to judge people whose kids acted like mine did last night.
20 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreDon't take under 2s to a restaurant for dinner - it's a disaster waiting to happen because they are too tired at the end of the day to behave that well for that long. If you want to take them to a restaurant at that age, make it for brunch - it's an easier time of day for them. DD was like that - an angel at brunch, but a nightmare at dinner
[ Reply | More ]I am appalled that you expect proper behavior from a toddler, let them be and act their age, please, and yes at that age they are needy.....for mom, for attention, for maybe being home because they are tired; I think your children are behaving as they should for their age, your expectations are totally unreasonable.
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"sit still"??? LOL. You liken this to being bratty? Come out to dinner with us some night. (6 year old and 2 year old boys). It is like shushing banshees and herding kittens. We don't do it often because we both are so exhausted it isn't worth it! A tip: bring LOT'S of cars, crayons and picture books they love - read NON educational. Just the fun ones that they don't see often. And keep them as surprises so they don't know what the surprise will be til you get to the restaurant.
[ Reply | More ]They are babies. Of course they are going to be needy and not want to sit still. We avoid taking our three and one year old to restaurants because we know it will be messy, loud, and just more work than it's worth. I'd rather save dinners out for date night. Your dc are acting like they should at their age. I worry more when I see a family with well behaved seemingly perfect little angels. Like what the hell are they doing to the kids to make them act like little adults? Toddlers are suppose to be loud, antsy, throw temper tantrums in public, and announce they have a "bagina" to your whole family on Christmas eve. Ok, maybe not the last one, but that's whay my dd did last time we took her out to eat!
[ Reply | More ]You need to also set realistic expecations for their age. Our dc's would not and could not sit still in a restaurant under the age of 2 (realistically, more like 2 1/2 or 3). We ended up eating out with them very very rarely. Now that they are older, they're fine. So be certain to put your dc's in situations where they can succeed. Not being able to sit at the dinner table at 1 1/2 is not being bratty; it's just being that age.
[ Reply | More ]I can't believe that you brought 2 dcs under two to a restaurant at dinner. What did you expect? They aren't brats.. they are under two!!! They are babies that thought that being in a restaurant is BORING and didn't want to be there. You would have had a much better time if you let them stay at home and the adults go out. Don't blame your kids for your bad decision.
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Worse when parents make kids do it that are too young to have a say in it, like 2-3 year olds. All around, it's a bad idea. My dd participates in a variety of activities that require athletic ability and brain power. She's also quite beautiful, but I want her to realize ALL of her talents and potential, and go from there. I wanted to do pageants as a child desperately. More around age 13. So glad my mom didn't let me do it at that age.
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I wasn't allowed to do it until I was 18! I never did a pageant, but I went to college in NYC and did some modeling on the side. Did it satisfy your need? Not sure how to handle it if dd wants to do stuff. I think my parents were too extreme, and I rebelled a bit because of it. 16-17yo begging to do it is one thing...13 was prob too young. Have to find the right balance.
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A baby contest? That's very "middle america". Doing it for the money or because you need people to tell you that your kid is cute? What if your kid doesn't get noticed? I think it's a bad idea. If you want people to tell you your dd is cute, dress her up in frilly dresses and walk around manhattan. People will give you compliments left and right. We don't need the money, and I know my dd is beautiful. I would not have done it. Also don't feel it is fair to do that to a child that can't give consent.
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My cousin has a dozen trophies from when she was in child pageants. She won dollars too. I think they boost her self esteem because she is a large shapely girl now, 5'10 and 160 maybe 180lbs?. Though, I think that it is not the greatest thing for older children. They get hung up on it and it affects how they view themselves.
[ Reply | More ]The dollars they win seem absurdly small in proportion to the dollars they spend on dresses, crazy rhinestone cowboy and baton twirling ensembles, entry fees, fake hairpieces, etc. The whole thing seems like a nightmare to me and the "High Glitz" pageants for little girls are horrifying.
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From watching the shows most times it comes off as the moms being really pushy. But I have to think whats the difference between a mom being pushy trying to get her daughter to walk right, wave right and smile right versus a mom yelling from the sidelines the entire game for her kid to make a touch down or get the ball. I think pageants, sports, or whatever should be fun and stress free for children.
[ Reply | More ]They have their place I suppose. However most of them are really big scams: many of the baby contests, the money you win is in the form of bonds that only give you the amount of money if they mature. Often by the time you've put in the entrance fee money, the costuming money and what not, you've spent or come close to the money you'd have gotten as a prize, and you still may lose.
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[-]Moving from NYC to Austin. Very nervous about the change. Please recommend neighborhoods (no burbs- looking for places where things are going on- maybe able to walk to things?). Also have 2 small kids- what and where are the good preschools? Is Downtown Austin family friendly?? Please help!!
3 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreDon't stress out. You are going to LOVE Austin. Lived there before DB so I might not have the best info - no idea about public schools, sorry about that. Lived Downtown - more apartments than houses so not many children there. My choices if I were to move back would be Hyde Park (north of UT, older houses, many trees, beautiful), South Congress (very nice older houses, pricey these days but close to the action) or Tarrytown (West of MoPac, also nice, old money neighborhood). All of these are very family friendly and the prices would not scare someone coming from NYC. None of them are burbs, all very close to downtown. I'm so jealous of you right now... GL!
[ Reply | More ]Just moved to Austin for DH's job - while also expecting in 1 month too. Seems nice enough but very, very slow. Don't know anything about pre-schools as just getting my first in a few weeks, but was recomended to go to Westlake Hills, but West Austin and Bryker Woods seem more "walkable" than other places. If you know of any NYC transplant groups, wld. love to know. Looking for some east coast edge.
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[-]Help! I am an experienced nanny for a young family who I really enjoy. They have a five year old son with some pretty terrible behavioral issues, and an adorable two year old daughter who is an angel. The issues with the boy have gotten out of control. His mom went back to work in August, and it has been a struggle ever since. He knows that with terrible behavior, he gets his mom to come home. These behavioral issues are problems for them when she is home too though. The parents do not believe in spanking, and their other discipline attempts are inconsistent and not effective. Lately it has gotten so much worse than just not listening. He has been hitting, kicking, throwing things, spitting on me, and running away when we are in public. He ...
7 replies [ Reply | Watch | MoreSounds like a challenge and they are more than lucky to have you. You sound like you have a good heart and maybe you can just stick w/it a little while longer with the provision that they actively bring him to a child therapist. Forget the informercial. If it were me I'd spiral out of control if I had to quit my job and train someone new on top of trying to deal with these issues.
[ Reply | More ]The DC has issues, either anxiety or ADD or PDD. Clearly he needs help. I'm sure the school is been calling the mom asking her to have him evaluated. Maybe he needs someone trained to deal with Special Needs DCs
[ Reply | More ]It doesn't sound like you are a very good nanny. Either this is a behavior issue or it's an issue that needs evaluation and treatment. Regardless, how you handle the situation is the most important part of your working environment. Do you set limits for him? Do you have a discipline system or technique? You are the one with him -- if you can't do the job, then you absolutely should give notice but make sure the mother has plenty of time to find a replacement who is qualified for the position.
[ Reply | More ]I really apreciate everyone's comments. Maybe I also should have noted that these are issues that the parents have delt with whenever he is with a sitter, relative, and even with them and that this has been a continuous issue, not just with me. I would never leave the family without notice, and am just looking for an objective point of view as to whether or not it is wise to continue working for them during the process of learning to discipline their son, or if I should let them deal with it on their own and then hire a nanny after they have gotten things under control. I really dont think a therapist is necessary though I can understand in some cases it would be, but being in the home day in and out, I can clearly see that a lack of consis...
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[-]I'm 12 weeks PG with twins and we are going in for our first visit with a new high-risk OB at Mt. Sinai. What questions would you suggest asking? I have a list going, but want to make sure I don't overlook anything. Thanks!!
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[-]NOT SPAM !! WOHM needs other moms' help. My firm is looking to understand moms' views on buying and/ or not buying 'green' household products. We'd like to have a conversation with moms who use, and moms who don't use, these types fo products. The research will be on-line, in a discussion forum some time the week of December 1st. If you would be interested in sharing your views on this topic, please e-mail me (Norah) at greenresearch12@yahoo.com. TIA.
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