I just found this board...

[RVGal]

... and how sad is it that I've been posting for almost 2 years and this is the first time that "Gay and Lesbian" caught my attention as I was scrolling down from the Disney boards to the Universal boards.

I am fortunate enough to be the younger sister of a lesbian. My sister and her partner have been together for... goodness... 15 years or maybe a little more. Growing up with my older sister as my best friend and then watching her deal with/accept who she was has made a profound impact on me.

I hope it is okay, even though I am straight, if I drop in from time to time and chat.

 

[rosiep]

Welcome!!!! This board is for gay and gay friendlies.
You're sister sounds like a very lucky woman, to have both you and a loving partner in her life.

Please feel free to join in the fun!

 

[ConcKahuna]

We've got lots of straight folk in here, and they are welcome!!

After all, we do need at least a few smart breeders, that way they can pass it on to their kids!!

 

[RVGal]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I think the luck between my sister and myself is mutual. I'm just as lucky to have her in my life as she is to have me.

I've been the subject of some ridicule in the past 6 years. I am 41, and hubby is 50. We have two kids... DS5 and DS2. We live in a somewhat rural area, where most people marry somewhere in the first few years out of high school, have kids in their 20s, and are looking at becoming grandparents when they are our age. You wouldn't believe the comments we got when we decided to have children.

Anyway, I know that my experience is in no way the same as the discrimination that my sister has faced from time to time over the years, but it is an example of how people can be narrow minded... and of the opinion that if you aren't doing things just like them then something must be wrong with you.

Sigh.

But, enough of the negative, I try stay on the sunny side of life.

And I'll try to keep the bumper sticker metaphors to a minimum.

 

[OrlandoMike]

I hope it is okay, even though I am straight, if I drop in from time to time and chat.

We hate chatty people!

But seriously, your always welcome over here!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

Hi RVGal! This is a very fun board. Nice people.

We had kids early in life ... and late in life. Gotta tell ya -- it was tons easier to do right by'em with the second batch -- so I think you made the right choice.

 

[RVGal]

We had kids early in life ... and late in life. Gotta tell ya -- it was tons easier to do right by'em with the second batch -- so I think you made the right choice.

It was definitely the right choice for me. I look at the nervous, "developmental derby" moms around me and I am SO glad I am past the point of caring what other people think of me.

I'm sure you know the developmental derby moms. The my-kid-hit-this-basic-milestone-way-ahead-of-schedule-so-I-must-be-a-fabulous-parent types. I had this one mom at a playgroup going on and on about how she had potty trained her daughter at 16 months. There was a pregnant pause where I was clearly supposed to praise her and/or her daughter. I just looked at her and said, "Wow. That's great. Do you think you'll be able to fit that in on her resume?"

Needless to say, I didn't last long with the playgroup moms.

 

[steven_&_daniel]

RVGal,

I grew up in rural Ohio, I know what it's like. Your situation is actually very common these days. Many couples are waiting until later in life to marry and/or have children. When today's young children graduate, there will be many older parents there with them.

The next time someone says anything to you, tell them to join the 21st century, or at the very least the 20th century (I know some areas are still catching up to that).

 

[lttlmc3]

I'm a long-time lurker on this board. I'm just taking the opportunity to say hello!

 

[RVGal]

I grew up in rural Ohio, I know what it's like. Your situation is actually very common these days. Many couples are waiting until later in life to marry and/or have children. When today's young children graduate, there will be many older parents there with them.

I grew up in Atlanta (well, the 'burbs), so this move was quite an adjustment for me.

I don't mean to make it sound like a stereotypical small town where everyone knows everyone and they all think and act alike, but it never crossed my mind that we'd get a reaction from anyone when we had kids. We've had several. The most common is along the lines of, "I couldn't handle having kids at your age. Had mine young and got it out of the way. Now I can enjoy myself."

Ummmm... where is it written that having children is a requirement? Or a chore?

 

[rosiep]

I'm a long-time lurker on this board. I'm just taking the opportunity to say hello!

Hi!

Time to stop lurking and come play.

 

[rosiep]

RVGAL,

My husband and I are just the opposite. We had our kids really young.

True story:

When my daughter was in grammer school there was a room set aside for parent volunteers to have coffee and hang out. One morning a woman I didn't recognize came in and started talking...being of a friendly nature I responded to something she said and she gave me a look that would wither an oak. I was taken aback and tried again a few moments later...when she spun around and demanded "Where do you belong?". I was so startled and asked "excuse me?" and she said "I said what class are you in?".
It was then that another parent realized she thought I was a student and introduced me!

Oh well! Young or old I think anyone who approaches parenting with thoughtfulness gets full points in my book!

 

[RVGal]

I'm a long-time lurker on this board. I'm just taking the opportunity to say hello!

I'm brand new to this board, but, "Hi!"

 

[RVGal]

RVGAL,

My husband and I are just the opposite. We had our kids really young.

True story:

When my daughter was in grammer school there was a room set aside for parent volunteers to have coffee and hang out. One morning a woman I didn't recognize came in and started talking...being of a friendly nature I responded to something she said and she gave me a look that would wither an oak. I was taken aback and tried again a few moments later...when she spun around and demanded "Where do you belong?". I was so startled and asked "excuse me?" and she said "I said what class are you in?".
It was then that another parent realized she thought I was a student and introduced me!

Oh well! Young or old I think anyone who approaches parenting with thoughtfulness gets full points in my book!

I guess that gives me the perspective that some people with find a way to take a jab at you no matter what. I don't think there is a perfect age for parenting. I have a friend who had her first when she was 18. I have a friend who is now pregnant with her first at 39. And then I know some people that maybe shouldn't have had a child at all, but that is whole different can of worms and one I'm not brave enough to open.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I'm sure you know the developmental derby moms. The my-kid-hit-this-basic-milestone-way-ahead-of-schedule-so-I-must-be-a-fabulous-parent types. I had this one mom at a playgroup going on and on about how she had potty trained her daughter at 16 months. There was a pregnant pause where I was clearly supposed to praise her and/or her daughter. I just looked at her and said, "Wow. That's great. Do you think you'll be able to fit that in on her resume?"

I love the threads that spring up on the "other" boards on the DIS. You know the ones. "My child is gifted, but the test is wrong and shows the IQ as less than brilliant." Always good for some good chuckles.

 

[darlak]

Hi RVGal, you have stumbled onto the nicest place on the Dis. This is where I come when I need a refuge from the nastiness on the rest of the boards. Now, I should add that I am neither shy nor the retiring type, so you will often find me deep in the midst of some of the most heated debates. So when I come here to feel welcomed and safe, you gotta know it's gotten really ugly out there.

That's not to say you won't find some strong opinions here, just that in general, you will find them expressed in a more civilized manner here.

(This is where the nice kids play)

 

[rosiep]

I'm brand new to this board, but, "Hi!"

That's it! Just jump right in....the water's fine

 

[RVGal]

Hi RVGal, you have stumbled onto the nicest place on the Dis. This is where I come when I need a refuge from the nastiness on the rest of the boards. Now, I should add that I am neither shy nor the retiring type, so you will often find me deep in the midst of some of the most heated debates. So when I come here to feel welcomed and safe, you gotta know it's gotten really ugly out there.

That's not to say you won't find some strong opinions here, just that in general, you will find them expressed in a more civilized manner here.

(This is where the nice kids play)

So, should I start a thread about wearing my Heelys while riding an ECV and pushing a stroller at the same time, while drinking from a 10 year old refillable mug, then pushing my way in front a family with small children that have been waiting for an hour just minutes before a parade starts, all after standing in the middle of the walkway to study a park map for 5 minutes, with plans to return to my onsite hotel and pool hop after I'm done?

Goodness knows, I need a break from THOSE threads.

 

[Saxton]

RVGal & Lttlmc3 - welcome to both of you! As you've already seen we've got a great group here & we tend to have lots of fun.

 

[rosiep]

So, should I start a thread about wearing my Heelys while riding an ECV and pushing a stroller at the same time, while drinking from a 10 year old refillable mug, then pushing my way in front a family with small children that have been waiting for an hour just minutes before a parade starts, all after standing in the middle of the walkway to study a park map for 5 minutes, with plans to return to my onsite hotel and pool hop after I'm done?

Goodness knows, I need a break from THOSE threads.

Now THAT'S funny!