There was a time when our tax dollars helped fund National Parks. They’ve raised entrance fees and cut the staffing down to the minimum, I really hope we shift back to federally funding our national treasures instead of selling them out to corporations.

I am guessing it will be a long while before we see this on the market, but as an eczema sufferer, here’s to hoping!

I get where you are coming from, but I think if both people in a relationship are this mellow and realistic going in, if a divorce happens, you aren’t going to turn in to the “screw you” types. That said, I kind of wish it was a law to have a prenup when there are children who are still minors involved. I have heard a…

Ah yes, Taco Bell’s lesser known “Big as yo baby” burrito ad campaign.

I found it helpful to remember that our bodies are designed to do this and thankfully we have the medical technology available to assist in the unlikely event of an emergency. There is plenty of time to worry about L&D after you are pregnant - don’t be scared off if it is something you want in life!

I agree that she is free to see him as an ATM and would feel less icky about the whole situation if they had not adopted two girls themselves.

I noted this on another reply, but this crowd is already moving to the more extreme “unassisted” home birth and further regulation makes me wonder if more will go that route.

While I am grateful for the “natural birth/lamaze” movement, I don’t know that home births are such a great idea. Birthing centers close to hospitals are a wonderful alternative that puts you in the right spot for an unforeseen emergency while still honoring the idea of not medicalizing birth. Even when I had my last…

I think it is a way to intimidate members who do not know better into staying. The “freeloaders’ debt” is also unenforceable, but many of those inside believe that they do in fact owe it (and some pay it!).

I just heard about the non profit rootsofempathy.org, I think it is a fascinating idea and I hope more research is done on how to instill/teach empathy.

Sing it sister. I had this surgery at age 18 as well and would have happily done it one year earlier before leaving for college if that was possible (also, I am 40 now, breastfed two kids and *still* have never regretted the surgery). Good for Ariel and it’s a shame anyone is publicizing her mom’s unwanted opinions on…

I had reduction surgery at 18. I have never regretted it and thankfully my parents were completely supportive of my decision (and insurance even covered it)! This just convinces me that Ariel took the correct path distancing herself from her mother - I hope she is at peace and congrats to her on the surgery. The scars…

Yeah, my husband and I made one right after we had a child. Not so much for the financial aspect, since in our state it would go spouse/child by default, but because you have to identify a guardian in case something happened to both parents. That seems like a good thing to have written out and agreed on (along with…

I nominate Stacy as the sacrificial name.

Prime gen-x here and I know several Rebecca/Becky/Rebekahs, one is even 24, but most are rright around 40.

I grew up in a reasonably affluent area and graduated over 20 yeArs ago and witnessed several different girl fights. Most did not involve weapons but could have been worse if there had been a ill-placed object nearby. High school students are idiots who don’t have a full grasp of repercussions. I think this is just a…

Go listen to his Prince story, it will make you like them both more.

Starred for Old97s. Super fun live shows.

You had me at “former employee of Amber”. Feel free to spill more here.

I enjoy working out. When I had kids I realized that a big part of my enjoyment of working out was that I was focused on me. Adding (attempting to anyway) my kid/s into the routine took away all the enjoyment. After they were both in pre-school I was able to start running again and listening to my podcasts and it…