Your spouse is making enough money to allow you to stay home with your (smaller than school-age) children. You get a chance to take a full-time job in your field, that would allow you to pay for daycare. Do you take it, or do you stay home? Why?

I was browsing Passive-Aggressive notes today and saw this:

http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2010/03/26/there-are-crazy-people-out-there-you-know/

I work in public facilities with children in the city where I live, and photography policy has varied. When I was a kid (in the early 1990s) you could videotape in public buildings. When I started working, there was a strict no photography policy. I had to hunt down people with cameras and cell phones. Nowadays you can apply for a permit, and take pictures as long as no one but your child is in them. (And of course, though, absolutely no pictures in public changerooms!)

Having been in a few confrontations where people ask me why such a policy is in place, I explain that paedophiles could take pictures of the children, but many people think that this is an overreaction. It's difficult to explain as well, I find, because naturally people think you're accusing them of being a paedophile. And it's true, 99% of the people who come in the building aren't - they probably just want a snapshot for the family album.

What do you think? Is this an overreaction? Should we prevent other people obtaining pictures of other (or your; I don't have any) children at all costs? Even when they are clothed and engaged in activities? Where do we draw the line? How do we determine when it's okay or not okay?

How do you all feel about babies (under 1 or 2) getting junk food? (juice boxes, french fries, iced cream, mac n cheese, etc.) Do you allow it? If so, how often? Would you be okay with this once a week?

edit: I am referring to the prepackaged, processed versions, NOT homemade.

You have a choice of two schools to send you child for elementary school.

A) Walking distance. Probably has better education (let's say the test scores are higher and it has slightly better reviews). This school has no playground at all. It is just a vacant asphalt lot.

B) Not within walking distance. Decent education. Amazing play yards for the children.

So which one do you pick? Does it matter that your child has a play ground at school?

Is it okay to raise a child bi-lingual if your partner can't speak the other language?

I think its something that would be beneficial to the child, but also fear that it could become a block where one's partner feels left out.

Thoughts?

My 2nd grader's friends already have cell phones. I refuse to get her one yet, but this year seemed like the right time to get my 6th grader one. It wasn't even a week before she needed a lesson on texting etiquette. She was constantly texting at places like the dinner table.

It was amazing how quickly this obsession took hold of her but I also use my phone like a mad woman so at least I "get it". With a couple exceptions, most of my friends just a few years older don't use theirs nearly as much as I do. Most of the older generations in my family still have no idea how to even send a text and hate how the younger generation constantly has phones going off during family gatherings. The "generation y" line has been drawn. I can't wait for stories of how people had to walk uphill barefoot both ways in the snow to get to a library for a book report.

A quick search turns up endless articles blaming the constant texting, tweeting, facebook, and easily accessible information for creating a generation of self-absorbed kids with poor work ethic and no attention span now entering the work place, though they are undeniably more connected, more knowledgeable about technology, and better able to balance work and play. A previous post hit on the fact that the younger ones are apparently unable to spell because of all the txtspeak, but few of them seem to think this skill is even important anymore.

Are you part of this obsession? Are your parents or does it annoy them? What age is "too young" for a cell phone and do you enforce any rules like not using cell phones at dinner or during movies? Any other thoughts or pet peeves about this txting/pic messaging/tweeting/facebooking/cellphone obsessed generation?

Kindergarten teacher giving kindergartners candy/sugary sweets on nearly a daily basis.
Yay or nay?

Imagine your pregnant. Now imagine that instead of a nice neat bump you have a huge one. When people you don't know or barely know come up to you in the street and say things like "Wow, that's a big one!" or "Who ate all the pies? Hahahaha." would you just put up with it or would you tell them where to go? Is it offensive to say such things to a pregnant woman or is it just friendliness? Is it wrong if the woman gets offended?
I am very interested to hear some views on this.

EDIT: Just to be clear, I mean huge not as in looking fat but just looking VERY pregnant. So the comments are on a pregnant belly, rather than just saying your fat in general.

i am currently 18, and have moved in with my grandmother,72, to get to know her more.
i go to college full time, and work two part-time jobs (somehow my life isnt very busy)

my grandmother is an interior designer and has her own business. she was also married at 16 (she had a tough home situation) and moved a lot due to the army. because of this she is very demanding and controlling. which in my view is completely understandable- i am young and able to change, while her life is set in stone.

my problem is, she wants me to not date or have friends that are male, in the service, married, older, younger- THE LIST GOES ON FOR AGES. pretty much, her friends -although funny, nice, and interesting- are my friends. she is constantly saying to me, "when are you going to make friends your age?"

i hate to say this, but im so bored with my at-home life that i sneak out at night -not to party, but to hangout with people my age. i have a feeling one day ill get caught, but what would be my punishment? not go out- i already do that!

how would you handle this situation?