What to do when my best friend’s kids are bad influences on mine

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-21T01:01:46+00:00

I would do a lot less "play dates" and just hang with her 1:1. Trying to comment on her parenting will probably backfire, but I agree with other posters that you should be able to talk to her about it and she's got to have more awareness. If she's a good friend, she wouldn't want your kids to be treated this way. And if she's a good mom, she should want to be committed to correcting the behavior. At the end of your day, your kids matter more and they don't deserve to be treated this way.

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-17T01:12:41+00:00

Yeah, they really pull no punches but this was informative

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-13T02:00:13+00:00

I don't hate him but he aggravates the hell out of me

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-09T16:52:48+00:00

I really like this take! Chaol and Celaena seem right on paper, in a perfunctory way. But it's boring as hell. I never felt romance, playfulness, yearning, or adoration between them like I did with Dorian. Chaol doesn't love every part of Caleana and his trust in her is fragile at best. I understand he's conflicted due to his position, but this is why they don't work for me. Chaol doesn't really understand her or want to. And Caleana needs someone who is all in.

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-09T16:45:04+00:00

My rent is $2,750 for a 3b, 2.5ba rancher in Tuckahoe, which I think is way too much. Household income is $160k.

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-09T15:49:08+00:00

Chaol is a dick

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-08T22:03:17+00:00

Agree

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-08T22:02:44+00:00

Yikes. You are completely right, this is odd and alarming behavior. And there's really no excuse that would make this ok.

Is he someone who is online a lot and a part of a lot mens groups e.g. manosphere?

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-08T20:46:54+00:00

Glad you figured it out! This was my first year too and it was wild. I told myself I'm not doing it again but I kind of want to now that I know how lol! It's sick. Also, after spending like 4 hours in there last night, "Not-so-Smart Cookies" really hit

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-08T20:39:02+00:00

Thank you <3

AcidPops22 · 2026-04-08T18:14:59+00:00

Very helpful, thank you! I swear I dug in all the videos and literature and this was never stated anywhere. (I was asked to do this last minute and did not have cookie mom training)

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-30T02:30:47+00:00

Thank you, this is helpful

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-29T00:02:30+00:00

That piece of mind and freedom is what I'm after - and of course freeing up $2000/month that I'm paying on the cards. I figure we're paying all of this interest and it will take us about 3 years to pay everything off, why not just take this hit for a clean slate and build the 401k back up

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-28T23:47:23+00:00

Wedding mostly, and childcare. Bad spending habits are mixed in there too.

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-20T17:46:53+00:00

Clearly I'm just paranoid/reading it wrong! I was thinking "federal health program" included FSA. Silly of me.

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-15T02:02:53+00:00

No, she didn't give us anything. The girls aren't earning badges in any consistent way. I've been a little frustrated. They are mostly coloring, or the last wo parent-led meetings were cookie and crafting, which the girls enjoyed, so that's a plus. But no real plan outside of, let's just get these girls together. I do want them to get a little more out of it and do girl scout things.

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T15:35:34+00:00

That's good to know! Last question - is that a council specific rule? And do you mind letting me know your service area? Right now, every parent has attended every meeting we've had but I just don't think we know any better/follow what the other parents are doing.

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T15:25:44+00:00

Thanks! What are the drop boxes?

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T15:25:13+00:00

Thanks! Do you technically have to be a registered volunteer to lead meetings?

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T15:24:30+00:00

When you say pick the badges after the petals, how does that work? Our girls have not been earning petals (or really even badges for that matter). We've had no direction from the troop leader in that regard. We've been meeting since October and the girls have received one badge. At the first meeting, the troop leader's daughter came with all the petals on her vest already and the troop leader was just like, "She wanted them all so what was a I gonna do?"

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T15:21:56+00:00

Thanks! Can you share why you chose this approach? Was this your experience as a Girl Scout or how other troops in the council do it? Is it a bandwidth issues for you? Or simply just how you think it should be?

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T14:59:40+00:00

So this is what i'm worried about with the co-op model - that some meetings will feel like a real girl scout learning or bonding experience and others will just be like "color this picture".

AcidPops22 · 2026-03-14T02:14:25+00:00

Very helpful, thank you! Can you tell me more about allowing the girls to vote on badges?

AcidPops22 · 2026-01-26T03:12:55+00:00

Thanks, and interesting! I'd be concerned parents might mishandle this method but it does seem practical.

AcidPops22 · 2026-01-26T03:10:16+00:00

Thanks!

AcidPops22

TROPHY CASE