This is such a good point and one I have been struggling with myself. I've been drinking much more than usual since covid hit, and I'm really struggling to back off. It's harder too bc I lost my dad, I have no support system, and my husband is drinking from the time he opens his truck door when he gets home, which I don't like but he doesn't listen. He thinks the kids dont notice, but they do. And I need to stop. I have gone from a few glasses every night to one every other night. It's still too much, i know. And you're right, I would be angry if a babysitter was drinking while watching my kids, so why does my brain think it's ok for me?

The whole parenting/drinking culture really bothers me. No, it's not funny or cool or healthy to "need" a drink to get through life. Is that really what you want to model for your kids? That alcohol is a perfectly healthy way of dealing with things? Well, now I'm seeing the same thing with cannabis. Seriously, folks, WTF? If you want to endulge every now and then, go for it. But using it to cope with every day stresses is not good. And you know what else isn't good? Being responsible for your kids when you are drunk or high - even "just a little buzzed." Would you be OK if your babysitter was just a little buzzed? Or knocked back an edible or a few glasses of wine while watching your kids? If not, why is it OK when you do it?

AAaaaaaaand she went back and got him and they're going to continue the vacation. Jesus H Christ on a tightrope. You think it's tough having little kids? At least you have a modicum of control over them. I've never wanted to be wrong more in my life, but I don't see his behavior changing for more than a week. These guys don't change. But like I said, I've never hoped to be wrong so badly.

So DD22 left the boyfriend with some extended family in the area and is driving to stay with her grandparents a few hours away. Apparently she's been concealing the fact that he's been grilling her for some months about her past relationships. And last night he went through her phone. OMG I wish I had known he was like this. We really liked him, too. He seemed great. Sneaky bastard. I'm so grateful she has family in the area and someplace to go clear her head. He has her thinking she's broken because she's had a few friends with benefits in her life. She's not broken, she's normal. He's the one with the problem.

My DD22 is having a potentially break-up causing fight with her boyfriend and they're 500 miles away on vacation. I hate this so much, I can't help her or do anything or hug her. They're so good together but they're both so young. I don't know what will happen. I hope they work this out. I had a feeling when they left, I was going to get either a "We got engaged" phone call or a "We're breaking up" phone call. I thought maybe I was just being paranoid. Ugh.

Yep, it's the LAW in our state. and it was changed a few years ago. The custodial parent receives support until the child finishes college or age 23, whichever comes first, so it gives up to 5 years in college. And I'll take every penny I can get from a man who wouldn't even buy so much as diapers when he was a baby. Who wouldn't contribute to his infant's needs, causing me to have to dip into my retirement while on maternity leave. Who makes three times as much as I do, only pays 9% of his income to support, and pays for nothing else other than half of college tuition, which again is the law. Before DS was driving (I bought the car and pay the insurance) and was too swamped to take him for a haircut, he told DS he'd take him for a cut - as long as I sent him to his dad's with $20. Really? Won't even pay for a haircut? So yeah.

After months of being on a roller coaster with my dad, we have a move-in appointment this afternoon at the assisted living place. He just texted me that he has a sore throat and a 100.2 temp (this has been his ‘way out’ of SO many things alll my life!). I said to call if he needs anything and texted him the name and # of who he needs to call to cancel. The ball is finally in his court.

I thought the same thing, lol! How many years does this adult child get-- to graduate from college? I've never heard of anyone that old getting "child" support. He's been a legal adult for five years.

Dear future DILs: I want to go ahead and apologize and say that I tried really hard to raise my sons to be good, helpful partners. But I learned very late how to set boundaries with my own husband and they watched me do everything and he did nothing. So I'm sorry. I tried, but kids follow examples and not words. I learned that too late.

Child support for a 23 year old??? LMAO WTF!!