I think we're all saying the same thing--the more we're there for our kids, the better, but obviously the financial situation affects our decisions. We help our kids a lot. We try to do what feels right to us--it doesn't seem to work for us to do what we're "supposed" to do--like kicking kids out when they're 18. Rafi still lives with us (he's 25) and his girlfriend, too. We're happy and they're happy. I'm sure they'll move out sometime in the near future, but I don't see what's wrong with them living with us if we're all okay with it.

Bring on summer! I am on Vacation officially as of today. It rained overnight but the sun is shinning now. Hopefully will for the day....I plan on sitting in my lounge chair reading a book.
I probably won't do it for long....I always find other things to do. But am so glad and appreciate being able to be home and do the things I want to do for the summer. ( Try to imagine me smiling while writing this)! Happy Thoughts to all.

As often happens in e-mail and internet conversation I think there is a similar sentiment being shared here but....

Without face to face communication, we lose the nuances of body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. Without these the message can be misinterpreted. Studies have shown recently that the more people communicate via technology, even phones since everywhere you look someone's got a phone to their ear, or so it seems, we as humans are losing our aility to communicate orally. We use short cut language and spelling. Much of today's communication is about getting the message out as quickly as possible and the quality of language usage is diminishing. I agree with much of what these studies have shown. I see and hear it in the schools and I believe it happens here on our blog as well. Particularly when it can be a couple of days between parts of a conversation.

At least in instant messaging it can be in "real time" or chat rooms where if you spend time you can have an ongoing conversations with a friend without it going on over days and losing some of it's intent. I prefer my conversations in person but that obviously can't happen with us.

Happy Thursday everyone, Only 2 days left to school including today. Bring on the sunshine.

so true Pat. decisions made to support a family are just that and usually always work out great. Nothing wrong with an opinion or observations as they arejust that and we should take them that way and learn about one another inthe process.

Living in rural communities all my life, I can say that I don't know anyone male or female who work in what might be consider a high power job. For myself and many of the moms I know, we've worked outside the home when we needed to and stayed at home when we could. I was lucky enough to be a "stay at home mom" both in Vt and ME through most of the boys early years. I went into teaching when they were in middle school and I was able to be at home by the time they get home and had the same vacation schedule they did. I was very aware that they liked having me here. Certainly I liked being at home with them.

Living where we do now the expenses are high and salaries are low. Incomes are depressed and one wage earner households find it extremely difficult to own a home and meet expenses. I'm just talking the basics not family trips and "stuff". I know many moms who would like nothing more than to be at home for their children but it is not feasible. Most of us are just doing the best we can. I for one don't even make $12.00 an hour. A house painter makes more. If the girls I teach find themselves needing to be employed I want them to be able to find the higest paying jobs available to them and often those jobs are traditionally male centered.

As parents the choices we make to support our adult children are simply that. The choices we make. Neither right nor wrong for everyone. All of our situations are different and we do what we think best at the time for good or ill.

So there's my 2 cents for the day.

Greensboro's awesome. The Four Seasons is nice place to have the convention. Speakers have been great and the music too. David Phelps singing I've seen the light brought the house down.
Nice to get away for a week in a totally different format of study. All the movers and shakers of the Nation are here.

One more day of school. I am so excited. Probably now more then when I was a kid! I think summer vacation is suppose to save the sanity of those who work in school with Children all year. We are having a splash party tomorrow...if I remember to bring the nozzle for the hose!...maybe I should forget it....I just hope they don't plan on splashing me! lol.....we have had a couple of days without rain...which is wonderful! Even got some of the lawn mowed yesterday. Neil even got some of the garden planted...very late...but its in. I'll have time to work in my flower gardens later this week. Can't wait to sit in my lounge chair and read a book...well, enjoy the rest of the day! Happy Thoughts...........

Karen, I liked your analysis of supermoms a few blogs back. I definitely would have gone crazy if I had had to take care of the kids AND work at a high-powered job. My kids tell me now that they're glad I was at home for them. On the other hand, if I hadn't had my writing to keep me busy between kids and housework, I don't know if I would have handled it as well. I guess it worked out for the best for all of us....

wow 29 yrs.....congrats!!! time does fly but you sound like its been good to you. we made it up her to Greensboro today after the 2nd service and were able to take in the evening lectures. guess we'll head back thurd am. should be an awesome week!!! lots of big speakers and new materials let alone the testimonies.