I always tell people when they think they have found a name they like for their baby, is to go to the back door and yell the name!!
My mom and dad both worked. They had 7 kids to support. Luckily we had a grandmother to come home to. The smells that would come out of that house--mmmmmmmmmm! DH and I try to pay cash for everything. If we do put something on the credit card, it gets paid at the end of the month. Our kids did without but they survived. In fact my daughter loves to go to second-hand stores, flea markets, etc.
I love your way of disciplining Tomtommom!!! We don't believe in 'time-out'!
Lisa![]()
Credit cards can be marvelous things, if used right. I have a handful.. my emergency fund when needed. The cash back ones are great: charge what you have cash for, pay at the end of the cycle and woo hoo $25 to pocket.

Discipline depends on the kid. I don't spank the toddler.. he has not a clue what it means and just laughs about it. But a firm 'no' and a look in the eyes... goodness, his lip will start trembling!
The step-son... we tried the time-out thing, pointless. He gets an occasional spanking, hand to the booty, and that's after plenty of warning.. with him it hurts his pride, more than anything. I find talking works best, now that he's older, but sometimes he's so far gone you have to get him back with a spanking. We've had our struggles for sure, took us both a while to figure eachother out... but now, sad to say, I know him better than either one of his parents. He looks up to me for guidance, something he needs very badly. He likes to play his parents, something I can see straight through

My friend's very young nephew is autistic and does not speak at all. A therapist suggested they try sign language and he has begun to respond! They are only at a very basic stage, but there has been great relief that he can now communicate his needs.
I am blessed with a very, VERY stubborn son. No surprise, both me and his dad are stubborn as can be. He refuses to sign. His therapist tries to bribe him with things he likes to do.. she'll stop and he HAS to sign 'more' for her to continue... and this little goober wont do it. Only after a lot of prompting he will sort of sign and say 'mo'. He wants to talk, not sign. She's been working almost a year on 'more', 'all done', 'food' and 'please'... he's not gotten anywhere with it. He much rather walks to the fridge and tries to open it, if he's thirsty or hungry, instead of asking. She takes toys and repeats sounds to him. She repeats 'mama' over and over. He's not doing it. Stubborn child

I'm sure one day he will start speaking when we least expect it and say something eloquent and we will all be just amazed.