DISers stalking DISers...continuing our friendship!

[SingingMom]

Oh boy...I guess I am getting into a big debate over on another thread that started out with someone asking about "Kids Nite Out" or "Fairy Godmothers". Someone is over there stating about ages kids start watching kids, etc., and it seems like she was "flaming" me for not agreeing that kids younger than 14 should babysit. I don't care what other people do, I have my own comfort levels. Why or why did I post???

uh oh, Dawn Maree... making trouble AGAIN?!

You've got my curiosity peaked..... what's the consensus? And what are your opinions on the subject?

As a mom of an "only", I probably feel a little differently. Dana will be 14 in August... she does not like to be "alone"... only very recently have I left her to run to the store, or to a rehearsal. I can count the times on one hand. The only reason I have left her is to have her feel a little more comfortable. She will go to my brother's and help with my nieces, but my sister-in-law is home at the time.

If she had siblings, I might think differently - since they have "each other" to keep company.
But an interesting thing happened last weekend... we had plans for dinner with another couple that has three children... last time we went out, we brought Dana to their home, and the four of them stayed together - it was a lot of fun for Dana. This past weekend when we arrived to their home, we found out that the 6th grader was at a ball game and would return in a few hours and the sophomore was out for the evening. We knew the hs girl had plans, but not the 6th grader... so Dana in effect became the sitter for their
2nd grader, until the brother came home.

I'm not totally sure I would have agreed to that had I known up front - since they have a MASSIVE house, and the fact that a baseball coach was dropping the son home, knowing the parents weren't home....

The son called when he arrived home, we didn't stay out too late and went back to their home for a little while. They insisted on paying Dana for the evening, but I just felt a little "weird" about the way the whole thing played out. I guess I'm one of those "overprotective moms", maybe.

 

[Disneyolic]

Here is a link to the thread. I made a post on page 2... KNO vs FG.

You'll get a good sense there how I feel but I will just say that I don't think anyone under 14 should be left alone no matter what. Yes, there are some responsible kids out there but that is just my feeling. I was a latchkey kid and I remember being scared all alone in my home. I was a very good kid and responsible but one incident I remember distinctly.

You know NY is not a tornado alley and we almost NEVER get warning for those. But I was home alone watching tv when an alarm came on saying that there was a tornado warning. I called my mom at work scared to death and she told me if a tornado comes to run down cellar. How scary is that????

 

[SingingMom]

I see Dana as well!! So cute! I was an aspiring actress as well and I played the part of "Duffy" in the play Annie. My first line "Can't anyone get any sleep around here?!". Gee, I can still remember the darn thing and I was 12!

Danae is pronounced like Janae, btw. I do like the name Dana as well. Dh wanted it to be a bit different though and he found dd's spelling in one of his books. .

My stage debut was as a doll in Santa's workshop in grade 2..
"Look what time it is!!! I'm not finished!!! My hair's a mess!!!"

So, Danae is pronounced like my name, "Renee"?

 

[SingingMom]

Here is a link to the thread. I made a post on page 2... KNO vs FG.

You'll get a good sense there how I feel but I will just say that I don't think anyone under 14 should be left alone no matter what. Yes, there are some responsible kids out there but that is just my feeling. I was a latchkey kid and I remember being scared all alone in my home. I was a very good kid and responsible but one incident I remember distinctly.

You know NY is not a tornado alley and we almost NEVER get warning for those. But I was home alone watching tv when an alarm came on saying that there was a tornado warning. I called my mom at work scared to death and she told me if a tornado comes to run down cellar. How scary is that????

wow... I just read the thread. Don't you just LOVE the way people "debate"?! The comment about "heck, some 12 year olds are having children themselves" says it all about THAT poster. geesh!

 

[Disneyolic]

wow... I just read the thread. Don't you just LOVE the way people "debate"?! The comment about "heck, some 12 year olds are having children themselves" says it all about THAT poster. geesh!

OMG - when I read that statement I had to physically tie my fingers up lest they type something back they DID NOT want to hear. I think I handled myself with as much restraint as I could in that thread. Did you think so?

 

[wendygrace]

My stage debut was as a doll in Santa's workshop in grade 2..
"Look what time it is!!! I'm not finished!!! My hair's a mess!!!"

So, Danae is pronounced like my name, "Renee"?

Yep!



As for you, DM, causing trouble like that. Shame On You!

 

[Disneyolic]

As for you, DM, causing trouble like that. Shame On You!

That about sums it up!

 

[SingingMom]

OMG - when I read that statement I had to physically tie my fingers up lest they type something back they DID NOT want to hear. I think I handled myself with as much restraint as I could in that thread. Did you think so?

You handled yourself with dignity. More than what I can say about some of the others. You didn't attack - you stated your view. When you are passionate about something it is hard to stay restrained - but you did good! (I'm a big supporter of acting with dignity and class. Call me a snob. LOL)

My mother always said, "Right is right - even if no one is right... Wrong is wrong - even if EVERYONE is wrong." Think about that for a minute....

Just because "EVERYONE" leaves their children alone, doesn't mean it's RIGHT. Just because "EVERYONE" does drugs, or drinks & drives, or murders, or etc etc etc......., you fill in the blank.....

I've always been my own person. I'm thankful that I don't want to be just like "EVERYONE".

 

[wendygrace]

You guys are too funny. I was what, 11, when I started babysitting. I did just fine. Just don't tell my mom that I planted the kids in front of the tv and smooched with my bf in the backyard. She'd have a cornary. Well, maybe not. I was 15 when I went wild. My mother had to contend with the fact that my sister was 12 when she was babysitting the youngest and she did a LOT worse than me. Oops! You can imagine that my children will be by my side at all times until they're 35! LOL

Alright, made ressies to HNV for 2:15pm on June 26th. My chillin's will be thrilled! Couldn't get ressies for the castle for ds' bday though. Not that I expected to anyway. Our coordinator has also put in the request but I'm not holding my breathe.

 

[Disneyolic]

You handled yourself with dignity.

Thank you Renee. It means a lot to hear that from an elder.... Joking aside. I do appreciate your comments. I do agree with your mother and that is a good saying.

 

[sunlver]

Here is a link to the thread. I made a post on page 2... KNO vs FG.

You'll get a good sense there how I feel but I will just say that I don't think anyone under 14 should be left alone no matter what. Yes, there are some responsible kids out there but that is just my feeling. I was a latchkey kid and I remember being scared all alone in my home. I was a very good kid and responsible but one incident I remember distinctly.

You know NY is not a tornado alley and we almost NEVER get warning for those. But I was home alone watching tv when an alarm came on saying that there was a tornado warning. I called my mom at work scared to death and she told me if a tornado comes to run down cellar. How scary is that????

Ihavent read the thread yet. I just wanted to pipe in here . My oldest will be 13 this August. Does he get left alone? Well some times, but never for long periods of time. For example, If I have to run and do an errand, take one of the younger kids to the dr, I dont worry if I am home when he gets home from school. He doesnt get home until 4:10, my 2nd grader gets home at 2:30. Normally if this happens, I either let him know ahead of time, or leave him a note. Basically I am normally home within 30 minutes if not sooner of his arrival. .We are not in the bus zone for the elementary school, which means I have to bring my 7 yr old to school. Granted, we live 7 houses from the school and I can see the school from my driveway.If the weather is bad I drive her. Sometimes Faith is still asleep. And, am I going to wake up my precsious 2 1/2 yr old on a cold winters morning..heck no! My 12 yr old son sits here with her, with the monitor right by his ear. I am always back in about 3 minutes..Honestly, he doesnt like to be home alone for long periods. He rather be with the family then home alone. I am not complaining about this at all, I think its sweet. I have no problem leaving him home for short errands and such.

 

[Disneyolic]

Sunlvr - I certainly do not put down anyone who makes those choices. Your choice to leave your son alone for a couple of minutes doesn't really sound so bad. And only you know how responsible your son is. This can be a very touchy subject to people (which was obvious by that thread). I may feel different when my boys are nearing the early teen years. From what you describe as your "leaving" your son, that doesn't seem unreasonable by any means to me. I am really talking about a significant amount of time left alone. And I do not think someone under 14 should really be babysitting - at least not my kids. But that is just MHO.

In fact, unless I personally know exactly how responsible a person is, there is no way anyone is going to watch my kids.

Psst...anyone wanna watch my kids for me while I'm riding some rides that they can't?

 

[sunlver]

Sunlvr - I certainly do not put down anyone who makes those choices. Your choice to leave your son alone for a couple of minutes doesn't really sound so bad. And only you know how responsible your son is. This can be a very touchy subject to people (which was obvious by that thread). I may feel different when my boys are nearing the early teen years. From what you describe as your "leaving" your son, that doesn't seem unreasonable by any means to me. I am really talking about a significant amount of time left alone. And I do not think someone under 14 should really be babysitting - at least not my kids. But that is just MHO.

In fact, unless I personally know exactly how responsible a person is, there is no way anyone is going to watch my kids.

Psst...anyone wanna watch my kids for me while I'm riding some rides that they can't?

So Amazing, how so many parenting topics become debates. Personally I wouldnt feel right leaving my son home for hrs on end by himself. As he gets older we try to give him more freedom, but not too much at a time. We feel he has to earn it. I am enjoying the fact that he still wants to be with his family, then to be alone.

I love when people think they are the better parent because of such and such LOL.. I was involved in a parenting debate last yr, which started on a dift board. Oh such fun

 

[Disneyolic]

Did I fail to mention that I am the bestest parent ever? Right!!

Okay...so how bout them New Orleans Saints?

 

[sunlver]

Thanks for everybodys help in explaining of posting of photos. I am going to try it later when my husband can help me. He is the computer geek in the family , and just all around more patient.

The Great Wolf Lodge was a hit today. Faith really enjoyed the water park, so much she didnt want to get out of it.
We arrived up there are 9am, and left there at 1:20. I get antsy just sitting around. I must tell you, the first time you put on a swim suit for the season, well its very eye opening Once I got over the shock on how bad I actually looked,I enjoyed myself I mean I know what I look like, but to see yourself in a swim suit, well its just dift Now if were outside and I could get a tan, well I would of wanted to stay longer. By 11am I was ready to go, but I sat and talked. I let my husband take Faith for a bit. I would say things to my husband like "Oh look, she really does love that lazy river"..by that time I would walk Faith over to her dad, and she would grab his hand, and off they went.
Apparently my 7 yr old was not being nice last night
So the girlscouts spent the night. 2 adults and 4 girls in a room. My 7 yr old, is as tough as nails,and honest to a fault. SHe is what you call a real Dennis the Mennis. Last yr on this trip, she rode up with my friend and her daughter. My daughter was swinging around the seatbelt and hit her friend in the eye, gave her friend a black eye: Not on purpose, but that is just how ELizabeth is.
So I kept thinking I hope this yrs trip is better. Last night my friend calls me at 8:30 to give me a run down the days events, to tell me about my daughters behavior. She said she has really been good, except for on ejumping on the bed incident. OK.. no problem..Normally Elizabeth can be a real pain in the butt...
So I get there today thinking eveything is AOK...to find out Elizabeth was being mean to her friend. WHY? you ask... well her friend has a bad cough, allergy/sinus related. Her friend was coughing and hacking for several hrs. My not so tackful daughter was making comments about "Stop coughing"... why dont you take a cough drop, dont you have any cough medicine...Then she went up to my friend and told her "Why dont you take Brittany to the dr", she wont stop coughing...nothing like having another parent telling me my child did this Of course this got Brittany crying saying it wasnt her fault, she cant help it...
I talked my daughter about it today... she said I wasnt being mean, that Brittany just wouldnt stop coughing and she couldnt sleep because of it My daughter has got the compassion of a flea....

Its very embarssing to me of course, having a daughter who acts llike she was raised in the wild.

 

[sunlver]

Did I fail to mention that I am the bestest parent ever? Right!!

Okay...so how bout them New Orleans Saints?

NO WAY... didnt you see my trophy????

 

[mandy200587]

Okay I'm back from shopping, I left some stuff in the stores. We got some cute stuff for Disney.

We went to Target and got little ankle disney socks for a dollar! Got some shorts, and walking clothes for me to wear.

Went to the Disney store and got a shirt with Minnie, Daisy and some others on it. Plus I got an ipod case that has a gold mickey head on it.

Went to a different target and some shorts.

I'm so getting ready for this vacation.

It's going to be a busy summer btween cleaning the house, helping plan a wedding and vacation.

 

[SingingMom]

NO WAY... didnt you see my trophy????

eh ummm..... I hold that title... and I'm not passing on my crown.....

 

[SingingMom]

Okay I'm back from shopping, I left some stuff in the stores. We got some cute stuff for Disney.

We went to Target and got little ankle disney socks for a dollar! Got some shorts, and walking clothes for me to wear.

Ok Mandy, I've heard of Imelda Marcos and her SHOE fetish, but how many pairs of SOCKS do you really need?!?!

 

[MagicAddict2178]

It's been a crazy busy week for me! I haven't had time to do much DISing, and there's no way I'm going to catch up on everything, so just tell me if anything important happened while I was MIA, ok?

My daughter's birthday party was this afternoon and, while it went really well, I'm so glad it's over! She turned 7 on Tuesday - what happened to my baby?

Here she is all dressed up to go out to dinner on her birthday:

And here she is at her party today:

Anyway, just wanted to check in and say hi!