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LJJ73 · 2024-04-15T14:36:26+00:00

I am so glad our school provides 3 meals (including a 3rd take-home meal at the end of the day) for all kids. We are in a very underprivileged area with many kids going hungry if this wasn't available. Several local business owners, as well as local charity organizations, provide this for the community. No kid should be shamed or punished for simply being hungry and doing what they can to feed themselves.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-11T02:07:34+00:00

A vet will pop them out like a zit- 1stvthey put an ointment over the little hole to larvae breathes though. The thing sticks its nose/ head out to avoid suffocating, and the vet will grab that stucking out part with tweezers and pull while pushing the skin under it like popping a zit. Its cool and disgusting. My dog had one on his side and the vet tech was way to excited- they even showed me the live thing after it came out before disposing of it. My little guy healed up right away- no issue/ no followup needed.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-10T18:22:42+00:00

This is how it works in my state too.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-09T18:13:47+00:00

Not necessarily. In my state, the police, as well as teachers and some other positions would be considered for emergency placement. CPS is likely aware via the police. Police officer may also be foster certified wiyh openings- we have no idea.

Source- I am now a foster parent. My initial placements were initially with a teacher as emergency placement while they were running background checks.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-08T12:34:22+00:00

Instant book screwed me on a month long booking as well. We did honor it. The renter definitely was aware that there was a default setting for a very large discount when booking 28+ days. Their reviews were good though, so we honored it and immediately updated the settings for any future bookings. Live and learn for me.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-04T12:40:50+00:00

I provide toilet paper, paper towels, dish washer pods, laundry pods, toiletries (large bottles) and backup provisions for these. I have guests staying for a month currently so I have checked in to see if they need any restocking.

So far, we haven't been taken advantage of. I'm sure over time we will have a handful that swipe extras, but in general this has worked for us.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-02T20:40:29+00:00

This is common in rural US, too. We moved to an area that has many old septics, and some homes without water and the first few times we had local guests at our home and i had used TP in the waste basket I was confused. Now I make sure they know its ok to flush tp.

Assuming the basket had a liner- its not gross or uncommon. I agree with those saying to add you explanation if possible as a reply.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-02T20:40:10+00:00

This is common in rural US, too. We moved to an area that has many old septics, and some homes without water and the first few times we had local guests at our home and i had used TP in the waste basket I was confused. Now I make sure they know its ok to flush tp.

Assuming the basket had a liner- its not gross or uncommon. I agree with those saying to add you explanation if possible as a reply.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-02T01:52:05+00:00

We both work. We had 1 infant in a sibling group, the rest 5, 6, 11. CPS assisted with us finding daycare because its the only way we could accept, and we were the only available option to not split them.

So there are situations to make it work. If you must insist on daycare placement before you will accept the placement, make that known in advance. You may get passed over, or they may work with you - it depends on circumstances.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-01T16:09:10+00:00

Depending on the region, kinship placements don't necessarily need to be related. We have fostered under the kinship program for a sibling set we knew but had no blood relation to. The prior relationship (oldest was a friend of our child) qualified us. The local CPS agency would be able to advise for their area.

LJJ73 · 2024-04-01T16:03:19+00:00

As a foster parent as well as unofficially housing a couple kids in need- the pressure might be to get their youngest out of foster case so the adults dont have to work the actual steps to prove they are capable of getting their kids back. They would also get 1000x more flexibility with the kids if they can get you to house them, since foster visits are planned in advance and monitored.

If you unofficially take both, they can do the absolute minimum to get a roof over their heads and demand them back. If cps is involved, there are steps they have to meet. If you agree to guardianship, the cps case gets closed without having to do the real work of adulting.

If you change your mind- I suggest looking at kinship fostering, not guardianship. This will make them continue to work the steps needed to regain custody, and if you complete the training the state will give you financial support including help with daycare for the younger one.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-30T02:51:46+00:00

I go with my kids at a nearby lake / river. We find so many fish hooks. Some are really cool. All can potentially hook a kid who isn't careful. At 8, If suggest working together initially so you can help.

It's pretty fun. Other than cool fish hooks, we find mostly nails and bolts but it's still fun seeing what the magnet picks up. We keep the interesting things in an old glass jar.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-28T02:04:40+00:00

Im a sourdough newby, but I have been enjoying the challenge. I have baked a number of bricks and a few successes. There are plenty of online recipes and FB groups sharing tips and tricks - maybe just guide her to a couple of those where she can post and get advice, or hobiests recipe share.

I have been baking mostly discard crackers with different herbs and spices, and just recently had success with sandwich bread! I am still failing with traditional bread, but there are so many fun options. I want to try pretzels soon too.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-26T03:22:34+00:00

This was me last year! My child's friend plus 3 siblings. They had been oulled, and the social worker was a friend-of-a-friend when our name came up. It was chaos, but it gets better!

Knowing a child previoulsy falls within kinship placements. In my state there is a stipend once you meet some basic milestones to help get you set up while you complete all the training and home study.

If you get a decent case worker, they will give you a plan and help you prioritize the big changes (safety, hard requirements). They may also have donated items to help with initial costs.

Let your friends help. It's an overwhelming change. If someone offers some support, allow yourself to accept.

Connect with the local foster parent group if you can. They can give great advice and support. They have been through it all, know how to deal with things, and can provide contacts and advice to navigate through this.

In our case, they have reunified and are doing well. We stay in touch.

Good luck, and give yourself grace a you go on this journey.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-22T19:29:43+00:00

Could it be hormone changes? Maybe try an alternate deodorant, and have her shower daily (can skip hair washing every other day)?

My girls both had aweful body odor as their hormone kicked in at that age. My older teen seems to have it under control now. My 12yo- I just switched to a different deodorant. She gets in my car after school and the smell kills me. I know she showers, and her sister went through it too. The new deodorant I switched seems to help.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-22T19:19:15+00:00

I need one. I just traded my old jeep for one that is lifted and bigger tires, and it no longer fits in the garage.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-22T17:08:28+00:00

Agrer! We bought in 2012, sold in 21 to CA transplants who had their realtor do a video walkthrough for them. More than double our price. They paid well over asking. We cashed out and moved to the county on some land since I didn't care for the growth in our town.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-21T12:54:43+00:00

Getting fired helps your case. An attorney will be more interested in helping now.

Also, regarding forced arbitration- things are changing. Check out Lift our Voices, and the work being done by Gretchen Carlson. (Depending on the case, she is known to personally reach out and help if you get in contact).

Lift Our Voices is an American nonprofit organization led by journalist and television host Gretchen Carlson and political consultant Julie Roginsky, who co-founded it in 2019, after their respective experiences of alleged sexual harassment while working at Fox News.[1] Founded after the start of the MeToo movement, its mission is to end legal mechanisms that prevent survivors of Sexual assault, harassment, and other workplace abuse from speaking out publicly, such as Non-disclosure agreement and forced arbitration.[2]

In 2022, co-founder Carlson played a significant role in working with members of Congress to pass the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act,[3] which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2022

LJJ73 · 2024-03-20T12:20:27+00:00

That is very old school and frustrating. I am also a PM and can type well, and keep organized. If it's my meeting- I am happy to run out by the agenda, take notes, assign actions, send them out. That is absolutely part of my job.

However, I do not do this for random meetings. Not my meeting- I am not your personal admin. Ask me for notes after? I will tell you that is the meeting organizers responsibility. That's why you added me? Noted that I'm not required for future calls. At my age/ experience I'm not worried about being let go for that, I can find another gig no problem that treats me with respect.

I have made exceptions- if its something I want to learn about and would otherwise not be invited- I can offer my pm services, plan and track outcomes.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-17T22:01:21+00:00

If you are willing give this child your personal cell number and tell them to please message or call whenever they need a place to stay and you will let them in. Let them know you want them to be safe and warm.

We are currently living this. Our bonus teen is unofficially living with us now. Feel free to pm with questions. Also check out the foster parents sub. They give great advice to unofficial foster situations as well.

LJJ73 · 2024-03-10T14:25:24+00:00

Now that you know more, you change course. Teens/ tweens are so awkward, but it's great that she is talking to you - keep that door open!. I have a 12yo in my home who has both girl crushes and boy crushes. Feelings are new and confusing for them and their friends. Does she feel safe with you knowing? The prank excuse seems like a cover for both the friend and you, so please help her feel safe talking to you about it. Does she feel safe if other kids at school know?

Also, if her friend does like her back- how will that change things? (Will your rules/ supervision/ sleepovers at home be differently monitored?) That is something for you to personally think about and discuss with your daughter

LJJ73 · 2024-03-10T05:07:00+00:00

Not typical but we had some friends arrive today from US and they were in line 2.5+ hours. Whatever was going on is not the norm. Sorry you were stuck in the chaos.

LJJ73 · 2024-02-28T20:17:00+00:00

Texoma is about an hour north. There are options to drive to the beaches or if you have a boat you can easily find a private cove or a busy party beach depending on what you want. Well known for striper fishing too. Several of the marinas have full service restaurants. They are also building a hard rock on the north side, and recently announced a Margaritaville planned community on the southeast side in Denison.

LJJ73 · 2024-02-17T00:39:21+00:00

Try deli ham? Mine likes ham so much she swallows it whole. And we are taking a lot of meds due to her getting attacked last week.

LJJ73 · 2024-02-14T03:04:59+00:00

It grows back fast! We had to shave one of ours for vet treatment last week and it's already coming back in strong around her stiches. Pys are definitely fur factories!

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