I would be shocked (shocked!) if there is such a law. I can't find any evidence of it. If it did exist, it would probably be found unconstitutional under both the state and federal constitutions within the first thirty seconds of its enactment.

I know - I think it has to be bunk, but I've got people hollering at me that it is true. I think they probably have the foster-child requirements confused with what is required for non-foster kids.

OK - I was confoosed. It's not the first time.

Foster child rule, on the other hand, is completely plausible.

How Many Kids is the Bedroom
 

I would be interested in what the stated policy is behind the legislation (or maybe it's a regulation but there might be some regulatory history on it). If the rule (applicable to kids over 5) is meant to deter sexuality between children, and the rule applies to foster kids as opposed to non-foster kids, there might be an assumption that a six year old would be more likely to end up in a sexual act with a non-blood related child than a six year old biologically related to the other child(ren).

Or maybe it's not blood relation, but rather the assumption that a foster kid is (or could be) fairly new to the family and so the societal "taboos" would not have kicked in (or kicked in yet). Either way, I wonder how the rule would apply to: (1) adopted children (not blood related but not "foster children) and (2) adopted children brought into the home when the other children are a few years older than the adoptee (i.e., a fairly new, non-blood related arrival).

Vietmom (gonna be a late night stuffing "goody bags" and preparing for the party tomorrow!)

How Many Kids is the Bedroom
 

given that aticus' sister eventually had to get a restraining order against him, (when she was 14!) it is sort or either ironic or maybe sick that he's the one bringing up this distinction.

From some California Group Homes regulation (found by Google search of "california code child bedroom five"), on page 54 of this pdf (that is, page 54 is on the document, it's the 10th page of the pdf).


Article 7. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
84087 BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS 84087
(a) In addition to Section 80087, the following shall apply.
(b) Bedrooms shall meet, at a minimum, the following requirements:
(1) No more than two children shall sleep in a bedroom.
(2) Bedrooms shall be large enough to allow for easy passage and comfortable use of any
required assistive devices, including but not limited to wheelchairs, between beds and other
items of furniture.
(3) Children of the opposite sex shall not share a bedroom unless each child is under five years of age.
(4) No room commonly used for other purposes shall be used as a bedroom.
(A) Such rooms shall include but not be limited to halls, stairways, unfinished attics or
basements, garages, storage areas, and sheds or similar detached buildings.
(5) No bedroom shall be used as a public or general passageway to another room, bath or toilet.
(6) Except for infants, children shall not share a bedroom with an adult.
(A) In bedrooms shared by adults and infants, no more than one infant and no more than
two adults shall share the room.
(B) If two children have been sharing a bedroom and one of them turns 18 they may
continue to share the bedroom as long as they remain compatible and the licensing
agency has granted an exception pursuant to Section 80024.
(7) Private bedrooms, separate from the children's bedrooms shall be provided for staff or other
adults who sleep at the facility.
(A) Staff bedrooms are to be located near the children's sleeping area.

Ah -- here's an HTML version, for CA "small family homes" (evidently their version of small, private group homes, which I read as foster homes).

First Day of School
 

So I dropped my oldest boy off at his first day of kindergarten this morning, and I've got to say, my heart just about burst with happiness for him. He was so excited/nervous I just wanted to squish him with 1,000,000 or so hugs.

Sorry to be such a sap, but I'm still smiling (on the inside, anyway).

First Day of School
 

I miss you too Mommy. And please, no more salami sandwiches for lunch, it's tough to trade those.

First Day of School
 

Awwww. Did you take a picture?

My mom has an album with each of us on our 1st day of each grade, which after about 5th grade chronicles the level of dorkiness we had reached each year. I had planned to do the same, but I have now decided that I like my baby as is and he is never going to grow up.

First Day of School
 

So you didn't get teary-eyed too? I hate when that happens. A few weeks ago, Vietbabe went around on a little ride at the amusement park for the first time "all by herself" and waved to me "bye bye" and I unexpectedly broke down into hysterical sobs while holding cotton candy and a disposable camera. And then couldn't stop! Ugh.

Yes, I hope you took a picture. If you didn't you could still take one and then say "This was your first *week* at school." I would add: see if you can also take a picture of the other kids. My "first day at school" shot included 4 other kids waiting at the bus stop. The picture is great not just because I'm standing there pigeon-toed in ugly Stride Rite's, but the other kids are wearing hilarious Brady Bunch "groovy" clothes (a boy in a suede vest and striped pants!!) and so the pic is nice as a period piece.

Congratulations on successfully mothering your boy to Kindergartenhood. You must be so proud. *Sniffle* *Sniffle*

Vietmom

First Day of School
 

Actually, no; I didn't get teary-eyed, although I do get teary-eyed at other moments. I was much more upset leaving him at preschool (even the very thought of leaving him on his own at school brought a lump to my throat).

As for the photo op, my mother came over this morning and hogged up all the film and I can guarantee you there won't be one in-focus picture among them -- so I'll have to take a picture on Wednesday (it's "assembly day" and he has to wear his jacket and tie!).

It was an extra-special day today, though, because I went to pick him up at school today too (not just drop-off!), so he was very very happy.

First Day of School
 

I intended to write a letter to the Brazenette each year on her birthday. I sat down to do so this year and was completely at a loss for what to say beyond "You are the most amazing child I have ever met. I love you. I can't believe I made you." That seemed like sort of a stupid sentiment for something as monumental as a first birthday, and so I abandonned the idea.

In its place, I went to the paint-your-own pottery place and made a plate with her handprint. If I remember to do this every year until she is some unspecified age, I should have a nice set to give her for her first apartment. Of course, I am aware that I will never be able to part with any of it. I am such a sap.

First Day of School
 

You know that movie about the dancing boy? (The British working-class kid who doesn't want to box, but to dance -- SHIT -- what is the name of that movie?)

Anyway, his charcter has a letter from his dead mother, who knew she was dying and wrote him a letter, part of which makes me tear up just thinking of it:

I'm proud to have known you, and proud you are mine.

SEE? My eyes are leaking.

First Day of School
 

Make two and save one for yourself.

First Day of School
 

My father's mother died of cancer when he was 16. She left a series of letters... one for the day his father remarried, one for the day he married, one for his future bride. They are each treasured family items.

I cannot imagine the fortitude it would take to write letters like that.

First Day of School
 

Dance Billy, Dance!!!!

I can't think of the name, but you and BNB made me cry, damn you both.

Billy Elliott
 

That's the movie, you sentimental girls.

I'm getting a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic. Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island. Discuss.

I kept thinking Billy Madison, but was sure that wasn't it.

First Day of School
 

Billy Elliot.

While you are crying over little boys, rent My Life As A Dog. After his beautiful mother has died, the little boy replays over and over and over again in his mind the same short (and immature) memory of her. What he remembers (and plays over and over in his mind) is being on the beach with her and making her laugh really hard. It must have been his favorite memory of her and it is clear that he felt so proud that he could make her laugh. Tissues, please.

Vietmom

You Bitch! Stop making me cry - I'm hormonal enough without your help!

Your Kid's Piggy Bank Is Empty Day
 

• Your Kid's Piggy Bank Is Empty Day!
  
  This is warning sign number two that he's addicted to the pot. Warning sign number one was when he was rude to his mother the other night. And warning sign number three is on its way. That's when he'll run through the living room naked, tearing at his own flesh, screaming "GET EM OFF ME! GET EM OFF ME!"
  
  Just so's you can kept an eye out, here are all of the warning signs that your kid's addicted to the pot:
  
  4) You find him in his little sister's room, forcing the barrel of a semi-automatic weapon in between her teeth (she's 9).
  
  5) Large black people on the front step.
  
  6) Unraked leaves.
  
  7) He can levitate.
  
  8) He is dead and there's nothing you can do about it now because you didn't heed the warning signs.
  
  9) He is fathering children left and right.
  
  10) He talks endlessly about how awesome the pot is and how it's the best thing ever.
  
  11) When you ask him if he wants to go play mini golf with you on the weekends he just doesn't seem all that interested.
  
  12) He has withdrawn roughly $78,000 from your bank account.
  
  13) Snot pours out of his nose like water from a spigot.
  
  If your kid exhibits any or all, or hell, even none, of these signs, he's probably addicted to the pot and you should beat him with a ring of keys until he's better.
  
  Happy Your Kid's Piggy Bank Is Empty Day!

Girls Are Pretty

First Day of School
 

One day last week, I had to repeatedly smash the tenth grade Baguette's fingers with my steel-toed boots to make him let go of the door frame as I dropped him off for the first day of school. He yelled, and I yelled, and he screamed and swore and smacked the window and he threatened to run away, and I threatened to kill him, and, finally, fingers bloodied and smashed, he let go, and then he ran into the woods behind the school. We still haven't seen him.

I cried a small tear, too. Memories are precious things.

First Day of School
 

You wear steel-toed boots? Man, litigation in Minnesota must be tougher than I thought.

The Lexling took a step today. Despite my best efforts he's going to be a big boy soon. Sniff sniff...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...dac90000002610

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

A discussion board for thems that are anti-children.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

I wonder how many are Fringey?

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Good gracious, those people are bitter and resentful. It's a good thing they're not breeding, but a good schtupping here and there might relax a few of them.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

I got schtupped last night so none.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Now we know what happened to PJ.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Are you saying that you think she's at a JOB where she has a MANAGER who actually expects her to WORK to pick up the SLACK of the MooMies who think it is their GOD GIVEN RIGHT to get PAID to sit at home and watch their precious bundle while the childless people like her are exceedingly PRODUCTIVE in between ranting in person and on the internet about the ENTITLED attitude of people who have experienced the miracle of procreation and popped out a screaming BRAT????!

I could see that.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Oddly, I like PJ.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Aren't you sweet? You should post that somewhere she's likely to see it, if she ever comes back.

(Actually, I do too.)

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

I liked a lot of these posts as I'm guilty of much of the annoying parenting the CF (child free) complaint about on there. Like the medical transcriptionist poking fun of parents who overreact to a fall and bring the kid in because of a cut; parents hogging the sidewalk and hiking trails with their kids. And I can definitely see most of their points about media stories downplaying the child’s culpability when reporting an accident (kids drag racing, etc.) and the obsession with children.

On the other hand, there are some whackos on there. Take this guy for example:

Sounds like this guy has been spurned by some single Moms (how DARE they!) in favor of someone maybe more exciting (but became a jerk eventually). For some reason this reminds me of a post-mommyhood change in dating dynamics. I noticed that I am approached more by men who are considerably older and don’t take care of themselves at all (translation: sometimes fat and hideous!) and when they see me with a kid they seem to think they have a better shot at hooking up (yeahhhhhh baby!) and get a little bitter when I decline. I don’t mean to be cruel but becoming a Mom has meant I’ve changed my priorities but I haven’t lowered my standards or become desperate or anything. Who knows. I find that the more competent I become at fixing things and doing man stuff (I now mow the lawn, built some stuff with my circular saw and power drill and even own Carhearts) the pickier I become and the less likely I am to "settle". I don't even know if there are other single parents on this board. I'd be interested in hearing dating stuff if there are.

Have the BEST weekend everyone and kisses to the Lexling's footies.

Vietmom

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Who is PJ?

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Just hypothetically, what catagory of woman should a fat hideous guy go after? Just wondering, sort of for a friend.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

Perhaps a few more Zs and randomly placed Ys would further highlight his position, well composed and compelling, though it may be.

-T(Moooooo)L

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

If your, ahem, friend is going to be in Little Rock anytime soon, I have a very good (actual) friend that needs to get laid really bad. I've mentioned her on the FB before, you may recall - she has a great personality, but not so much with the fashion sense.

Need to raise your blood pressure?
 

A woman who might help him lose either his fatness or hideousness or both, I suppose. Barring that, whichever category of woman could at least help him buy decent shoes.