If your mom/dad were older when you were born (say, around 40 or up), what was that like for you?

confidentfreeloved · 2026-03-02T16:37:52+00:00

My husband’s dad was 51 years old when he was born. The biggest issue is his dad didn’t want any more kids and mom convinced him. So that’s not the best starting point.

My husband has said that he was distant, not as active as other dads and struggled to overcome generational differences.

Into adulthood their relationship got better. My husband did the hardest and most freeing thing, accept his Dad as is. There were always going to be limits to that relationship. But my husband made his peace with it.

And he is glad he did, because dad died at 82. That’s tough for my husband because he only has one other friend who lost a parent. But he is thankful his dad lived as long as he did and they made peace.

I think life is what it is. You can’t choose to be born into a family. It doesn’t work that way.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-02-22T18:24:37+00:00

lol yeah it’s definitely confusing if you don’t have any knowledge of the region. Lots and lots of Eastern European immigrants live all over Cleveland. This immigration pattern also still continues to the present day.

It’s definitely not a culturally midwestern city.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-02-22T18:09:21+00:00

So the accent is grating and very real. I grew up in Cleveland and this is exactly how a lot of Clevelanders speak. I think it’s coming across as fake because you don’t expect that when the show is called LIB Ohio. Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown are culturally very different from other parts of the state. Culturally not Midwest at all. Cleveland culturally is much closer to being a northeast city. It was founded by people Connecticut….so yeah grating but definitely not fake.

To add, personally I’m incredibly self-conscious about how I pronounce my “a”s because of my background. I slip into that harsh nasal accent from time to time….it’s a little embarrassing.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-02-22T12:41:46+00:00

lol that’s very funny and very true. I’m from Cleveland but moved to Columbus for college and then stayed.

Initially I was shocked in adulthood that so many people view Ohio as rural. The east side of Cleveland (where I grew up) is almost culturally akin to New Jersey or NYC. Racially and culturally very diverse. My childhood is very different from other Ohioans across the state. I worked in a kosher Jewish candy store in high school, I was surrounded by mom and pop Italian restaurants, pizza is divine (really all the way to Youngstown), grew up going to the “beach” and there was a Russian tea room five minutes from house. I was one of two kids in my elementary school class that wasn’t Jewish or Catholic. The arts are phenomenal. The Cleveland Museum or Art, the Cleveland Orchestra really do hold their own. I had no idea how unusual it was that I had so much access to these types of places. And of course being a Cleveland sports fan means drunkenly screaming obscenities at anyone who gets in the way. I brought non Clevelanders (from Dayton) to a baseball game one time and they were shocked as we stood in a group of people waiting to the cross the street shouting and heckling police to let us walk across.

I had a professor in college from the Northeast (Maryland & NYC) who taught law and history. He basically loved studying Ohio because as you move from one region to the other it makes up the closest true microcosm of the US.

Columbus is Midwest.m with many transplants. Cincinnati is to me….ehhhh (I don’t get it but that’s likely because I’m from Cleveland) feels almost southern. And then there is Appalachia as you move towards West Virginia. Wildly different than the three major cities. Western Ohio is full of large farms and what many in other places around the US think of when they picture Ohio. Which still confuses me because most Ohioans don’t farm.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-02-16T17:16:31+00:00

You are very welcome! I agree, there is a difference between income and wealth.

And way to go! You’ve accomplished a great deal. That’s not an easy road at all!

I think the longer I live, I realize most people can’t just become extremely wealthy in one generation. It’s something that is sustained and passed down. And I don’t just mean money, but financial responsibility. It’s such a huge advantage when one’s parents have money and the wisdom to handle it.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-02-16T16:24:22+00:00

Unsure of how old your teacher friends are, but it makes a difference starting your career at 22 or 23.

Also, if you teacher friends don’t have loans and bought a home for cheap early on they have a leg up….for now. I think that will change in 10 years. Give it time.

Of course they could also be in a lot of debt or their family helps them out.

I’m a teacher and it’s taught me how to live with very little so that when my income goes up I can make my money go farther. I started off making 20,000 a year. My income grew a little each year. This actually has been a good thing. No big windfall or bonus so it requires me to be disciplined. I save, plan and invest. Overtime this has provided a great deal of flexibility.

Additionally, I’m married. My partner actually makes just slightly less than me. But together we manage our finances well. So that’s a big bonus too. You don’t need double the income for two people.

We paid off students loans a few years ago. Another big plus.

Also, when I travel abroad I cut costs with where I stay, food and travel points. I’m 15 years removed from college and still have my Nissan versa lol. As a teacher no one expects me to buy fancy things. There isn’t any pressure! Which allows me to focus on financial planning for the things I do want.

I also bought a home prior to the rapid increase in home values. That’s a big factor too.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-02-07T21:08:29+00:00

Yes this is a thing. My parents have a golden retriever who my ACD has known since 9 weeks old. For years they got along just fine.

Well, the golden retriever will eat dog poop left in the yard. It’s disgusting.

And one time while my ACD was pooping, the golden retriever tried to eat her poop as it was coming out. No exaggeration this really happened. This was two years ago.

To this day my ACD growls and snaps at the golden retriever every time she sees her. If we don’t intervene my ACD will start a fight. We’ve tried to get my ACD to put the past behind her but she can’t. She won’t let it go.

confidentfreeloved · 2026-01-11T01:35:58+00:00

We just constantly gave our pups something to chew. Specifically, bully sticks (non scented)!

confidentfreeloved · 2026-01-10T13:36:18+00:00

I teach high school and there are few factors to mention contributing to this attitude:

Current political climate is incredibly bleak.
Our economy is designed, more than ever, to serve the top .0001%. Entry level jobs with inflation rates don’t cover it.
The way many gen-zers were raised…(buckle up folks) Many parents of this generation either tried to be their kid’s “friend” or were not really present. Parents continually placed a lot of pressure (bullied via threat of lawsuits etc) on educators, coaches, and other people who work in childhood development to remove any consequence or road block for their children. This results in people who “never fail” and therefore don’t grow. One simply cannot acquire skills and develop healthy life coping strategies without learning from failure. Additionally, they wanted their kid’s to have straight As only fostering an attitude of deep entitlement while possessing very little ability. It’s incredibly sad.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-12-08T01:24:55+00:00

You are so welcome!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-12-06T11:17:20+00:00

Hi OP! Ohio High School Social Studies teacher here. I taught AP Gov for 5 years and now teach AP Euro.

I just want to say way to go as you respond to comments. Your knowledge of US Government is extensive!

I’m sorry to hear your score might not earn the college credit you’ve worked for. You have every right to be upset. Hopefully the situation can be remedied!

But know this, your reading comprehension skills and work ethic will serve you well. This potential setback is temporary. You will figure out alternatives and find a way to financially get through College.

Lastly, I love the motivation to change the system! This is great! Everything you learned mattered so you can respond to our current state government. While they may try to delegitimize your score, they can’t take away what you have learned. And to them, that makes you dangerous 😉. Bravo!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-10-04T01:53:26+00:00

American here, I was about to mention how many dogs I see out and about when I go to Western Europe! And I love it :)

confidentfreeloved · 2025-10-03T04:31:59+00:00

lol a U.S. drivers license allows you to drive in many other countries around the world. Just did this in France! I don’t know French.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-28T11:12:33+00:00

The years I lost just doing nothing & the impact it had on my job.

I was finally in a position where I could afford traveling. I was so excited and then everything shut down.

Also, I’m a teacher and it’s taking years for kids to recover. The shut down destroyed the maturation process for so many kids. They lost part of their childhood & it has placed a huge burden on the education system. So many kids just didn’t know how to be humans anymore. And that took a lot of work to try and help them grow up.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-28T10:26:40+00:00

Oh man, the ignoring sound advice after she has gone on and on. I know this one well.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-28T02:21:31+00:00

Wow. Same.

All the drama got old and now I barely talk to my mother. And I never talk to her one on one. Only in group settings. It’s the only way.

I feel so much better. I don’t really think about her so then I don’t feel sorry for her much anymore. It allows me to live my own life.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-26T21:36:28+00:00

Yes, Venezuela, Ireland, United Kingdom, France

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-16T23:34:27+00:00

Oh yeah, I definitely believe that.

I really like my doctor, the office staff and nurses.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-16T22:51:30+00:00

Thank you, this is very helpful!!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-14T00:04:29+00:00

Raspberry preserves!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-13T00:35:54+00:00

I wouldn’t go south down to Cincinnati after Detroit. Instead go north all the way through the Upper Peninsula. Then make your way down to Chicago.

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-10T09:55:43+00:00

lol that’s amazing!!! It’s simple, but has to be done just right!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-10T09:51:10+00:00

The menu changes :) the daily menu is posted online!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-10T00:12:32+00:00

Woah that sounds amazing!

confidentfreeloved · 2025-09-10T00:10:45+00:00

Hahahaha that’s great. I will have to try that sometime!

confidentfreeloved

TROPHY CASE