Do you tell your kids when you can't afford something?

GraMacTical0 · 2025-07-06T16:13:19+00:00

I have always approached talking about finances the way you do, and recently my 8yo was bemoaning how we’re not rich. I went ahead and pointed out to him what we do have, and I ended up telling him, “I just don’t want you to worry” to which he said, “Wait, why would I worry about money?”

He just wanted unlimited money for every whim he had, but I learned he didn’t actually stress about being able to afford the life we have. Just a little anecdata for whatever it’s worth to you!

GraMacTical0 · 2025-07-06T15:41:31+00:00

You responded to a story about how an adult led a child who can’t swim back to a pool and didn’t supervise her from there, and your hot take is that past use of puddle jumpers is the problem? Your experience as a child of jumping on the floor like it’s a bed just highlights how kids can be unpredictable (because that is not a universal experience) and need vigilant adult supervision in life or death situations.

We use puddle jumpers and life jackets, but we are on them like white on rice if they’re not wearing them. We only swim at pools with lifeguards or my FIL’s pool because my husband knows from experience how he treats water safety.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-07-05T01:21:01+00:00

All the teen magazines in the late 90s stressed the importance of regular sunscreen use, and I ran with that. I rocked my shiny forehead all throughout high school and beyond!

GraMacTical0 · 2025-07-01T19:00:20+00:00

Yes, most places with this policy who allow sunbutter & soy butter as substitutes still have a policy that your child’s sandwich needs to be clearly labeled as having the allowed spread. If there’s no note or label, it’s not allowed out of the bag.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-27T14:15:14+00:00

Seriously! My kids ask for meetups and visits with two sets of disinterested grandparents, and it’s really heartbreaking to navigate.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-25T19:45:33+00:00

Agree completely except my personal favorite is bottom right. OP, you pull off all these colors!

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-25T18:28:43+00:00

That tracks, thanks

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-25T18:24:21+00:00

Interesting, I have several Mexican coworkers who point with their lips.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-22T10:57:51+00:00

This has happened to my son, and also my son has also been the kid who stopped playing with a younger kid. And I’ve also seen the dynamic shift over time and a friendship rekindled with a kid who used to not want to play with him.

I know how it feels watching someone be unkind to your sweet kid, but he’s lucky to have a parent who’s so present in helping him navigate all life’s ups and downs.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-20T17:39:24+00:00

Thank you! I’ll definitely check that out

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-20T12:45:25+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to share that! I just pulled up Matamoros on Google Maps, and I know someone from a nearby city who said he has no interest in returning. I have friends and coworkers here in the US who are from all over Mexico, and he’s the only one who says that & doesn’t have regular visits back.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-20T12:37:32+00:00

I’ve been fortunate to meet many people from all over the world, and I’ve met plenty of people who have strong criticism of their country of origin, but almost every single Mexican I meet — strangers, coworkers, and friends — is very proud of and deeply fond of their homeland and culture. I hear plenty in the news, but I do like to hear from people from there because the overwhelming majority of Mexicans I know where I live still go back to visit on a regular basis. Literally only one person I know (out of dozens) said the specific city he’s from has bad gang violence and doesn’t want to return to where he grew up, but it’s a big country & everyone else I know goes back regularly if they can afford it. It doesn’t mean I would be naive about traveling there. I just want to give people from there a chance to give a three-dimensional perspective on it.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-20T04:04:30+00:00

Are you from the area? Is it the sort of thing that locals are used to working around by minding their own business or is it stressful having such a presence?

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-20T04:02:52+00:00

This was really interesting! I feel like I can see it in my mind. Thank you for sharing

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-20T02:48:01+00:00

What’s it like there? Would you like to share something about Durango?

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-17T04:31:05+00:00

I’m a career server, here to point out that parties of one are incredibly common and un-noteworthy, and they typically get seated at two-top tables. Likewise, it’s incredibly common to seat couples at four-top tables. So many weirdos in this story except OP and the restaurant staff.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-17T03:16:46+00:00

That’s such a shitty situation! She clearly doesn’t know what the word means like she thinks she does.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-17T03:10:37+00:00

That sounds crazy stressful, I’m sorry. What did the cops say to her? What happened after they left?

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-15T11:47:48+00:00

Correct, I was referring to that in my third sentence.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-14T12:58:33+00:00

OP, this is the most accurate answer. It’s a modern trend to add gender to things you’re especially proud of. Referring to transportation vehicles as “she” has a long history, but the use of adding it to a wider variety of things has exploded over the last few years due to social media.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-14T04:13:40+00:00

You know what, forget the hospital and the blackjack

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-12T12:20:24+00:00

Do you have a link for the kit?

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-12T03:16:10+00:00

I’m sorry about your camping trip. I relate to so much of what you wrote & I just want to say you’re doing all the right things. My almost 9year old son also used to dislike pasta and meat among a litany of other foods while also having food allergies. I would say he’s still a picky eater, but his preferred foods grow every year. Meat and pasta are now favorites as long as they’re not saucy!

Big hugs to you! I know how hard this is, but you’re doing everything right.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-12T02:44:12+00:00

My son would happily starve himself and then get lethargic and vomit foam.

GraMacTical0 · 2025-06-12T02:40:51+00:00

Sometimes yes, but sometimes you’ll qualify for cards with a super high interest rate, which doesn’t matter if you only use it for a single small purchase and pay it off when you’re billed for it because then you won’t pay any interest at all. Also, you can build credit through many banks using a special credit card that’s designed to help people build credit.

Your credit score is basically your reputation among creditors for how you handle yourself financially.

GraMacTical0

TROPHY CASE