Ok can we talk about dance for a second. Basically if you’re not willing to go 5-6 days a week by age 8 or 9, that’s pretty much it. I actually tried to get my daughter to take two classes a week a couple years ago, so she could be on that track if she chose it eventually. She’s little, pretty good at dance, and not…

And biodegradable.

Right. My daughter was really out of AYSO soccer after 2nd or 3rd grade. She was on this really good team with a wonderful coach whose daughter was really good— she was on a club team as well and soccer was these people’s life. We just didn’t fit in too well. I wish they could have kept their club sport-my kid is the…

I agree. And the trophy, ribbon, certificate, or whatever is really about finishing the season. My daughter is starting competitive gymnastics this year. She’s putting in six hours a week and there will be a series of competitions. At those, she will only get something if she wins. But at the end of the year, a little…

Some coaches do certificates they print online or something. The good ones do a little speech about something about each kid.

And totally not necessary because by junior high, the vast majority of kids who aren’t super good at whatever sport aren’t even playing it anymore. That’s the real problem— the push to have kids specialize at a sport at like age 7. Travel teams for first graders. Three practices and two games per week in baseballs for…

Participation trophies— the non-issue that every crank loves to yap about, usually with a heavy dose of “when I was a kid . . . “ The fact is, they just don’t matter much. They hand them out at the end of AYSO soccer and I think Little League, usually when the kids are about 4-9 year old. Along with a cupcake. They…

I was watching it thinking a number of them looked very bottled blonde, which is weird to me for that age group. Highlights, yes, but all over color?

Yea and let’s not even talk about the bathroom issues. Nothing like trucking down to the lobby when you need to drop a load.

Good for you! 26 is such a perfect age- I love my life but I wouldn’t mind awhile in an alternate universe where I can be that age again. All the clubs and dancing! Travel the world! Meet tons of guys/girls. Don’t work at a boring job for too long! You can sleep when you’re 43 like me.

I am so against the Happy Birthday messages on Facebook. They actually sort of depressed me on my birthday. I mean god, at least say something else in addition to happy birthday.

I did this a year or two ago- four 40 something moms in one room with two doubles— not even queens. Not my thing.

Oh man. I’m 43, married with two school aged kids, and I got duped into a Vegas trip with couples next month. I already know it’s going to be this thing where everyone has to pretend they’re all so crazy and fun. They are not really.

Also 43. I agree, although I wish my body would shut the fuck up.

I can’t even do the friends’ weekend away thing anymore. Last time we were four to a room at a super fancy place— two to a bed, and about a zillion dollars per person. Not relaxing! At one point they all took a nap, and I’m like I can’t nap with PEOPLE here!!!

They probably were— it’s a good school with kind teachers who seem like they would care about that.

Funny you should bring that up— I just got the fitness report for my fifth grader (incoming sixth grader). Totally had weight on it. I imagine that must have been hellish for a lot of them, especially the girls. So yea that’s still happening.

I saw a woman running yesterday in what looked like Nike or Addias. I was so confused— I thought we only allowed Lululemon here.

Nah- south bay.

We have one in my beach suburb town of LA. Nobody goes there except *maybe* the high school kids. The Lululemon-wearing 40-something moms don’t have much use for gold lame high waist leggings.