I'm reading your comment, loved it, whipped back up to the username. . and squeee! Fangirl surprise! Always love your scientifically-backed comments.

I know what you mean. I married someone who seemed somewhat directionless when I married him, but I let him know that there was no way we could marry unless he's get his financial act together. He really did a 180 and he's exceptionally responsible now, and he mimics the very involved parenting he received as a…

Potty training honestly isn't so bad. Most kids just do it when they do it. It's parents that try to have their 2 year old potty train that's the problem. If they just waited a year, the kid basically does it in one go.

Like I said below to Sariel, I think that it's not about "My daughter looks too sexy!" It's about showing my daughter that she has to wear a certain type of outfit, because it's "cute".

I don't think the children are "sexual", I just think they look ridiculous, and that they're wearing clothes that have implications and context.

Yeah. Everyone keeps making the argument that boys are allowed to run around shirtless, therefore girls! Something.

There are some fantastic tankini suits then, that covers the stomach more. As for myself, with the skin that flares bright red at the hint of sun, I would never put these on my kids. Rashguards and tshirt coverups all the way!

Also, keep in mind that pregnancy (if you go through with that), changes your boobs. I went from an A to a C with this last pregnancy, although with my first pregnancy I snapped right back to an A. (Although I chose not to breastfeed past 6 weeks, and even then, I barely did).

Exactly. Illinois is broke, and forcing the state to pay for extremely large pay hikes, and then only rehire the most expensive teachers for a vacant position is ridiculous.

Los Angeles schools are closed for the Jewish holidays.

Here's the thing, though. Your analogy is false because if you do a cost analysis on how many construction workers there are in the state, and how many teachers, you'd come up with a crapload more teachers than construction workers, each making pensions and bonuses we'd all cry for.

Everything in life is a "sticking plaster over the problem".

I agree. I like women in the space where I'm getting naked, thanks.

We know of two families that were foster parents, and we're so amazed at their selflessness. Because every foster child they've taken in weren't necessarily avvailable for adoption, and in fact, eventually left. How would I feel, housing a child, knowing it's temporary? Knowing you will have to let that child go? …

One of my sons was born with a disability. I hate to use the term "burn out", but honestly, I'm not sure I have it in me to handle it in more children. Maybe if his issues get easier, or I get older. I'm not sure, honestly.

Exactly. This strike is difficult because on a theoretical level, I believe teachers should be paid very handsomely. On the other hand, there are just too many bad teachers in public schools for me to feel that they deserve the job security and lack of accountability they're getting.

Well, considering that you can sue a doctor for malpractice, I would say very strongly that a doctor's pay/career depends on how healthy his/her patients are. Plus, customer service is big now with doctors, so you have Yelp reviews and the like. Since doctors have to drum up their own business, unless they work in a…

That's true, but Chicago also has one VP for three schools. In private schools, you have the principal/VP come into classrooms on a daily basis, checking out teachers. You have mandatory lesson plan checks. You have weekly teacher meetings with management.

I have a Ph.D, and I don't make 76K. A lot of times, experience has nothing to do with salary.

I'd be more sympathetic to the teacher's union (full disclosure: I've been a teacher for years, teaching science to high schoolers) if they didn't implement policies that were detrimental to students. I'm happy for the power of unions to change the workspace to make things better for teachers, but they have…