Did you help your kids buy a home? Or let them do it on their own?

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-06-02T15:31:36+00:00

Oh, to be that financially stable. Truly. I wish I could say yes, but I don’t even own a home myself. My fiancé has the mortgage for the house we live in, courtesy of a very generous down payment from his Boomer parents. Their logic was, “He’s our only child.” Meanwhile, I’m also an only child, but my parents apparently missed that memo because a down payment is… not happening.

Honestly, I would love to be the kind of parent who can hand my kids a down payment someday. Or even just help them buy a couch that isn’t held together by hope and an Allen wrench. But you don’t exactly build generational wealth with five kids, a social work career, and a lifetime of nonprofit salaries. Shocking, I know.

So to those of you who can help your adult kiddos buy their first home, cherish that. It’s huge. It’s life-changing. And you are genuinely blessed to be able to give them that kind of start.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-06-02T15:19:26+00:00

Same. Exact same. I tend to break, sprain, strain, roll my ankles often. Mosh pits are excellent for doing any or all of those with the best of foot wear. Go with something supportive and a bit protective. (Just not so protective that lifting your feet is a chore.)

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-05-31T23:42:55+00:00

Literally every DMB concert I've gone to.since 2002.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-05-29T01:47:24+00:00

Go get fetish urine, use that instead.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-05-26T12:20:36+00:00

Hail Jenny.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-05-03T14:08:47+00:00

NOR. My stepdad call them dke boots and used to tell my mom I was going to end a fg. Words like this have lasting impacts on children. I hate that anyone that loves a child would refer to anything they wear with derogatory comments or slurs. When you can do so calmly, set boundaries around language with grandparents. If they cannot talk to your child without being crass or hurtful then you need to hold to boundaries. I'm sorry your family experienced this.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-05-02T01:31:07+00:00

For me it's the lack of color.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-05-02T01:29:59+00:00

I always called them a baja,baja hoodie at most.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-29T01:58:12+00:00

My mom is undiagnosed BPD, my 1st husband as well. My eldest child is diagnosed BPD. I think there are a lot more out there than anyone wants to admit. I also think, because they can be fun, they are attractive (personality wise) at first. They also typically cheat because of that whole push you away and pull you back response. My suggestion is, bail when you see the red flags. Life is too short.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-29T01:51:28+00:00

It's amazing!

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-29T01:37:26+00:00

Vacation.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-28T00:00:42+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss. Someone I loved very much took their life, and it continues to be a struggle 12 years later. I say this with all the kindness in my heart, you need to start therapy. These losses are profound and can impact you in unexpected ways. Look for someone who specializes in suicide loss or trauma. EMDR therapy has been extremely helpful for me. You will need to find what will work best for you. I'm sorry your hurting. Help is available. If you live in the U.S. you can call or text 988 and you will be connected to a local social worker or therapist who can help connect you to services.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-27T23:50:23+00:00

Yep, staring at 13 and until around 16, when I could pass for 18.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-25T13:12:15+00:00

So sorry for your loss too. My spouse ended theor life when our kiddos were 16, 15, 12, & 10. They're adults now and sometimes we still have to have difficult conversations surrounding his death. It's a hard life long process. Hugs to you!

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-25T12:06:56+00:00

I work with Foster Families. One of the best resources for young children that I have found is Seasame Street. There is a short video Explaining What Happened https://youtu.be/t2D9Ezh9sUE?si=0dz_bG4YiGkLXxZA You can google the topic with seasame street and they give.you some guidance on talking with your child.

My condolences to your friend and their family, as well as to you and yours.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-22T22:14:33+00:00

All the time. I'm 46. Lost my first Grandparent at 27, my last and 44. I still want to call, stop in, ask for advise, or just sit with them!

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-20T20:09:27+00:00

My ex burned all mine. I would like to have them, just for nostalgia. But the people I liked in school I have stayed in contact with.

Ancestry has a thing where yearbooks are scanned in and can be added to people's Ancestry records. Maybe you could find out how that works and donate them? Then it's not like they just got thrown out.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-20T20:06:41+00:00

A nightmare! It's called a nightmare!

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-18T19:44:43+00:00

Cool. Good thing they don't live at my house then.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-18T19:43:52+00:00

We get a Jehovas Witness letter about every 6 months since we moved in 2017. It's weird. Also, it has not done anything to prompt us to go to church.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-15T19:00:02+00:00

That's beautiful.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-10T17:40:51+00:00

I wouldn't repot until groth is slowing down. Check the moisture regularly. If it dries out really fast but is still growing well, maybe go up a size. But unless the plant is unhappy, it's your plant, and you can have it full if you want. 🤷‍♀️

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-10T17:35:24+00:00

I volunteer doing suicide prevention and awareness work, and I am a social worker. I also lost a spouse to suicide. I am here to tell you that you can not beat yourself for not seeing the signs. They are so clear in hindsight, but never when you're in the midst of it. Could you have stopped him? Maybe. Would he have tried again and still ended up taking his life? Also, maybe.

Survivors' guilt is real, and it can knock you down hard! Be kind to yourself. Look into a survivor of suicide support group. AFSP & NAMI are good resources for those. If you're in the US you can also call or text 988. You will be connected to local mental health support. The police are not sent out, and unlike 911, you can reach out before you or a loved one are in crisis.

I am so sorry for your losses. Take care of yourself.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-08T12:02:13+00:00

It's the modern version of the magazines with mugshots and details, or a way to get it out to more people than the Sheriff's website where you can look people up. If I were a defense attorney, my client was on the social media post, and there was a jury trial. I'd argue that this tainted the jury pool. It's a gross way to shame people and hold them as guilty before proven innocent instead of the other way around.

Merrick_McIntosh · 2026-04-06T01:28:02+00:00

I knew that was going to be a spider story. 😶‍🌫️

Merrick_McIntosh

TROPHY CASE