Well my friends.....

[Lennycorn]

You just did that didn't you, Lori CEC. :roflmao:

 

[LBoz]

You just did that didn't you, Lori CEC. :roflmao:

I did. My therapist says I'm slowly recovering.

 

[Pruddock]

While I suspect that we are essentially on the same side here, I must point out that I for one was not pointing out my superiority to Ryan, or his necessarily being inferior due to age. But to comply with your wishes I'll restate in a form you might find acceptable:

Ryan has the maturity of a 20 year old, the intellect of a 20 year old, and the ethical age of a 20 year old.

Now where does that leave you? Have I just insulted Ryan or praised him?

In this case I believe that Ryan's physical age exactly matches his level of maturity, ethical reasoning and intellect. If you don't think that being three times someone's age and a parent to adult children gives me an experiential edge when discussing parental feelings then please advise me on your reasoning, but make it good.

I don't disagree with you when it comes to the way Ryan is acting. I was also not just merely addressing your statement but also those by, in this thread, yellowbelly such as, "Finally a young person with a brain." That isn't such a good statement to make without some form of alienation to a group of members on here.

I do believe that age is definitely going to give somebody experiential age especially when it comes to a subject such as parenting, but I would address the person's experience rather than their age.

I was not trying to attack you or your statements directly, just making a broad sweeping statement that I think people need to take into account. I know I wouldn't say something like, "Finally, a woman with a brain" or any other type of -ism statement because of the hellish backlash I would receive. On this forum though, ageism seems to be a fairly accepted thing and I just believe people should have more respect for each other.

In Ryan's case, however, I hate to admit that I believe your statement above is still probably giving him too much credit. There's a difference between "telling it like it is" and just plain immature, and he crosses that line.

 

[snakemom1961]

Hippy(sorry don't know your first name). I am envious of you and your family. You have come through a great tragedy and still are somehow keeping it together and able to provide your wonderful son the birthday he deserves. KUDOS to you and your husband.

I'm sure it isn't easy, and wish I could say I know how you feel, but I don't. I just hope that your son and family are able to forget the tragedy that has inflicted itself on you for just a few hours while your at CEC.

CS.com will be here when your able to pay your bill, but your sons birthday will not. You most certainly have set your priorities right, and please don't let some snot nosed ppl on here bring you down for your decision to give your son a very special bday vs. internet so you can read such rude and thoughtless comments.

 

[wade]

Tara, you and I haven’t met yet, Hi I’m Wade. You sound like my kind of people. I’ve been to Chuck E Cheese for my kids birthday parties (years ago) so I know the sacrifice you are making. Worth every penny. The needs of your kids come before everything. I’ll look forward to your return.

 

[ratsncorns]

I am young and I have no children. Yet, I know exactly where you are coming from YBH. When I was in kindergarten, I was living in the NW Chicago burbs. I was due to finish school at noon that day. Well, I got sent home early due to an emergency. That emergency was that my babysitter, who was watching my two younger brothers, managed to rescue them from our house that had caught on fire. My youngest brother, Daniel, had been trapped in the basement where the fire started. I dont know how she managed to rescue him as the door to the basement had swelled from the heat and she almost couldnt get it open.

We lost everything in that fire. My brothers and live-in sitter almost lost their lives. After the fire, it took years to rebuild that house. In the meantime, we had to move several times, living in cramped apartments and townhomes with both my parents and my two brothers. It was a trying time for all of us. I know my parents were scraping by with us and with rebuilding of their home. They still had to pay a mortgage for a house we werent living in, and paying rent at our apartment, plus caring for us.

Even though that was a very hard time for my family, we got through it. Not only that, I dont even recall it being a real stressful time because my parents made the best of it. They didnt have much money, but I remember going to Showbiz Pizza (now CEC) and having so much fun! I remember doing family things as much as possible, and having birthday parties at Hardee's. I remember these things more than the bad times.

But, to this day, the smell of a house fire gives me anxiety attacks, because that is something you never forget.

What you are doing for you son is the best you can do. Make him happy, so that way he wont see this tragedy for what it is, and remembers it as a time when you were the strong one

 

[starsevol]

This is what I see.......

I see a mother doing right by her child, and putting his happiness first after a very difficult time....

And I see a young man whose parents apparently failed him.....

 

[kathylove]

OMG- I don't remember reading about the fire!

So sorry for your loss! But I am very happy that your family is ok. And I am really happy that you have a husband to help you get through this. Seems like it would be even more horrible to go through this as a single parent.

I would certainly defer to your experience and knowledge of your own family as to the best way to use limited resources to best serve your family. You sound amazingly cheerful and level headed, considering what you have recently been through.

Keep your chin up, and keep up the good work!

 

[ruraldean]

I was not trying to attack you or your statements directly, just making a broad sweeping statement that I think people need to take into account.

Then please accept my apologies for jumping down your throat.:cheers:

 

[Carinata]

Nope I never sleep!

 

[yellowbellyhippy]

Can you believe I still have net?! Wow! Thanks for all the kind words everyone. It made my day
And to Ryan, I use Cricket for my phone and internet service and it is prepaid so it doesn't affect my credit. However,Im the kind of person who could care less about credit. I pay for everything in full with cash. I don't want credit cards or loans. It's just how I am. And you know what? this will happen in Feb. too, when my daughter turns 6.

Also Ryan, this is the first time my 8 yr old is getting a huge party. Every year we *have* done a 50$ party.
I suggest you don't judge people so quickly!

Also, about the age thing....I didn't mean young people in general. I ment the young ones here seem a little immature.

Anyways, I gotta get kids ready for school
Hope I keep my connection today!
Have a shiney day everyone!!

 

[Carinata]

Can't you see he has his shirt off in his avatar! It is supposed to intimidate you! I would be more careful when talking to him :sidestep:

 

[yellowbellyhippy]

Can't you see he has his shirt off in his avatar! It is supposed to intimidate you! I would be more careful when talking to him :sidestep:

LOL~ thats like the myspace girls in their bras for their profile pic:rofl:

 

[leimwolf]

Can't you see he has his shirt off in his avatar! It is supposed to intimidate you! I would be more careful when talking to him :sidestep:

wow. ummm, maybe just ignoring ryan would work? probably best.

so glad to see you still got net! i'd do me a profile pic with my shirt off, but i know just how afraid everyone would really be if i did that.

Leim:twoguns:

 

[RyanR]

Can't you see he has his shirt off in his avatar! It is supposed to intimidate you! I would be more careful when talking to him :sidestep:

Intimidation over an internet forum? Yes, My goal exactly. Its not like its a picture of my abs, or trying to act tough, it was actually the only picture that showed my face clear, I see all these responses about me, and actually just laugh... Honestly, Look at some of these replies from a narrative point of view, there Is, ALOT of jealousy in replies against me, Be it that I own what I own, Know what I know (I dare you to argue I don't know alot about the species of snakes I work with ) or Look how I look... the fact that i'm 20, and all said above, really, really. bothers some people,

The fact that some try to bring MY parents into this, shows alot actually, If you must know, I moved out when i was 15, from there, worked full time WHILE finishing school, WHY did I move out? not that I had bad parents, but because they tried to push a religion on me that I didn't believe, and I wanted no part of, I don't hate them for it, and don't think I hate them.. I still have a strong bond with both my parents, Personal choice, for personal growth. how many of you that have commented, the 20-30 year olds, started working full time before you even had your sweet 16?

 

[wade]

Ryan, you are truly a narcissistic immature young man. This thread is not about you. I’ve read the whole thing and can’t find the part where anyone asked for your opinion of how they should budget their money. No body cares about your snakes or your childhood. Lots of people work as teenagers, you are not special.

Get over yourself.

 

[ComoxCorn]

To Ryan......

In this case it would have been better for you not to post here. You're not a parent, and somehow your statement suggests the internet is a bill that is a priority over a childs birthday party. Maybe in your world......but not in the real world. Sorry. You should have sat this post out.

 

[ruraldean]

Personal choice, for personal growth. how many of you that have commented, the 20-30 year olds, started working full time before you even had your sweet 16?

Probably none. They were getting an education.

You're right Ryan - it must be jealousy about everything you have or know. Maybe I should sell one of my houses, buy your snakes, and pay for expert tuition. I think there would be change.

Pruddock, you're right. Too much credit.

(Christ, now I'm arguing with a boy - a boy intellectually, ethically and emotionally, that is. Wade, stop me for Heaven's sake).

 

[starsevol]

Intimidation over an internet forum? Yes, My goal exactly. Its not like its a picture of my abs, or trying to act tough, it was actually the only picture that showed my face clear, I see all these responses about me, and actually just laugh... Honestly, Look at some of these replies from a narrative point of view, there Is, ALOT of jealousy in replies against me, Be it that I own what I own, Know what I know (I dare you to argue I don't know alot about the species of snakes I work with ) or Look how I look... the fact that i'm 20, and all said above, really, really. bothers some people,

The fact that some try to bring MY parents into this, shows alot actually, If you must know, I moved out when i was 15, from there, worked full time WHILE finishing school, WHY did I move out? not that I had bad parents, but because they tried to push a religion on me that I didn't believe, and I wanted no part of, I don't hate them for it, and don't think I hate them.. I still have a strong bond with both my parents, Personal choice, for personal growth. how many of you that have commented, the 20-30 year olds, started working full time before you even had your sweet 16?

Left home before he was fully cooked.....explains alot....

 

[Carinata]

Intimidation over an internet forum? Yes, My goal exactly. Its not like its a picture of my abs, or trying to act tough, it was actually the only picture that showed my face clear, I see all these responses about me, and actually just laugh... Honestly, Look at some of these replies from a narrative point of view, there Is, ALOT of jealousy in replies against me, Be it that I own what I own, Know what I know (I dare you to argue I don't know alot about the species of snakes I work with ) or Look how I look... the fact that i'm 20, and all said above, really, really. bothers some people,

The fact that some try to bring MY parents into this, shows alot actually, If you must know, I moved out when i was 15, from there, worked full time WHILE finishing school, WHY did I move out? not that I had bad parents, but because they tried to push a religion on me that I didn't believe, and I wanted no part of, I don't hate them for it, and don't think I hate them.. I still have a strong bond with both my parents, Personal choice, for personal growth. how many of you that have commented, the 20-30 year olds, started working full time before you even had your sweet 16?

Dude get the hell over yourself! I don't care about your boas! No one is jealous! You seem to think you are high and mighty because you bought some boas! Big deal! My god dude you are worse than I have been! Good for you leaving your parents and growingsome big boy pants! No one is jealous get over your self

Ryan, you are truly a narcissistic immature young man. This thread is not about you. I’ve read the whole thing and can’t find the part where anyone asked for your opinion of how they should budget their money. No body cares about your snakes or your childhood. Lots of people work as teenagers, you are not special.

Get over yourself.

Thanks Wade!