Any stepmoms?

Ohhh if she likes Miami Ink, remind her that the new LA Ink is coming on tv I think August 10th or thereabouts. I'm sure she'll love that you remembered something that interests her. Just be a bud, Jen. She's a young woman, likely not looking for another mother figure anyways but an older female to turn to for advise is something a lot of young girls need in their teen years.

If she is going to be coming over more regularily set up her own "space". Whether that's a room of her own or a dresser for her to store things in, it will make her feel more part of her father's home if she has a place in it. :)

One little trick with teens. Avoid the word NO. They stop listening and basically go deaf when they hear it. If she wants for instance to go riding but you want her to help with the dishes...don't say "no you can't go for a ride". Instead just tell her that you'd love to take her riding, it would be so cool and fun!!!!.....right after the dishes are done. :)

It's harder for a teen to fight you on things when you haven't said no to anything. Drives em nuts! Save the big NO for things that really need that face to face "you may absolutely NOT" do stuff situations. It'll mean more then.

Quote:

---

If she is going to be coming over more regularily set up her own "space". Whether that's a room of her own or a dresser for her to store things in, it will make her feel more part of her father's home if she has a place in it.

---

Cha-ching! Give Jo a cookie! :D
VERY good idea. ;) Having one's own "space" that is all theirs and no one else is allowed in... without prior written consent and a doctor's note that is :P is probably one of the best things any parent can do for a teen... especially a teen. If you have a room for her, she will, no doubt, totally love that. A place to call "my own" in this house, thus, it is more "my house"... "our house"... "home" rather than just "Dad's and Gin's house.
Well heck, ya know what, give her 2 cookies. The "no" thing was a diamond too!

My kids hate that "she won't say NO" parenting thing. They give me that LOOK...but I just grin and keep saying....

"wow your friends are all going to the mall...HOW MUCH FUN IS THAT!!!...yes of course you can go!!! IT'LL BE A BLAST!!!...

oh right after your room is done of course"

*smirk, smirk, smirk*

They usually stomp off, do their room and mutter at me....do I care...nah...mutter all ya like...the room's clean! :D

Seriously though, when they hear a really strong NO from me, they know I darn well mean business and whatever I just said no about...it's no and not up for two hours of "but mooooom".

My biggest problem as a parent (and the kids know this) is I'm mush for a kid in tears...absolute flippin mush...they pull this trick....I have to call in the big guns...Mike!

I'm not like that...with the crying thing. But then again, I haven't had a break from it in... oh.... 8 years or so. :D
Maybe after my kids get out of the "if I cry for everything, maybe I'll get what I want" stage and I have a chance to become less annoyed with it, it might work again later on.

Call me in a few years and remind me to NOT give in to it. ;)

Oh with 4 kids I don't fall for the "cry till I get what I want" thing. It's that time when their chins sort of tremble and their eyes well up and well....that's it...I'm flippin lost and basically will hand them my spare kidney if I had to just to stop whatever hurts (I know some of em are fakin it! I know, but I still fall for it). I know...I'm a total sucker aren't I! LOL

OK folks, now we have a full blown delemia (sp?) on our hands here.
Do we take away one of Jo's cookies for being a "sucker" or do we give her another one for being a "good mom"?


OH THE DECISIONS!!!!!! :P

:tears: oh please don't take my cookies...please :tears:


(where'd ya think they all learned the "trembling chin, overflowing eyes" thing! :devilish: )

You ladies are awesome! Today went great. We went 4-wheeling, frog hunting, and spent time with the horses too. And she is definately a great little chicken chaser! For the hour or so we were alone, we watched Ghost Rider (cool movie!) and talked generally about horses and tattoos Yay!

My kids LOVED Ghost Rider... Nicolas Cage, meow baby! He and I have the same birthday (not year, but date) :D
Sounds like the day was a complete success!!!!!
*Happy pee pee dance*

I'm a bit baffled though, you're profile says you live "only in a jeep"? Where do you house the horses??

Oh, and Jo...BAD MOM! :colbert:
Not only am I going to take a cookie away, I'm going to take a bite out of a couple more for you teaching your kids how to stick their bottom lips out in "just the right way". :mad: :P

My wife's stepmom is hot...lol

however I will soon have a stepmonster and am just thrilled...lol:salute: