I had an out of county appointment today,and things seemingly went well, until the return trip home.The cab got onto I-90 at the 200 mile point- and before we hit mile 206, the engine lost power. Seems some switch kicked in- a switch that makes the power levels drop when a sensor says "we're slidingon ice;" The driver beatthe dashboard, tried to pry the switch plate with a jacknife to get it to pop-nothing helped.Got off the interstate at mile 213- 10 miles ahead of schedule, and limped home on the 'back road'- a very hilly road that parralllwls90, but less trvelled, and if the vehicle should die, at least there would be buildings and bathrooms around. The road is also very scenic. It wasa nice two hour triphome at 15-20 mph. the sun was shining, a nice day for a drive through the country...

I hope he charged by the mile and not the minute.

most charge by the mile. I have never had one do otherwise...that would certainly suck in this situation! At least you look at it positively! lol

Actually, it was a Non Emergency Transport-medical transport that is covered by medicare/medicaid. Two ays a week, the county arranges for this kind of transport so people can see their speacialists in other counties. Of course, the specialist I want to see, is not 'on the route' though they are 30 miles closer than the Cleveland Clininc-- go figure! it was fun- even stopped off at Mickey D's before we got onto the interstate. The other patient, a 5 year old, poor kid, has to go to Rainbow Babies and Childrens next week to get some teeth filled. And from her behaviour== another single mom needs lessons in child rearing. I don't think I could have ever raised my kids without the benefit of 'firm, fair, and consistent'
And check, having a vehicle not work properly, and have it be someone else's headache is a blessing!

I think that it is hard to raise good children now-a-days, for many reasons, but a big part (imo) is all the new research they have been doing in the areas of child developement. You don't know anymore what is right, what is "best" so it is very easy to not do anything at all, or to be inconsistant, which, in fact, is a bad parenting choice as it is.

I know I struggle intesnly with wanting to be a great parent, and not knowing how to go about that.

Shara- "firm, fair and consistent" work very well, no matter WHAT the research says. And, children need to be taught how tol earn at an early age- this helps them later on. The "age of reason" is around & years, when children start to think like an adult does, as long as the child has been educated well.
As far as being a good parent- you know what you went through that 'hurt' you as you grew up= avoid doing things like that, and you will be way ahead of the game. Children need tolearn limitations early-- it helps them control themselves later!Never try to reason, beg, cajole a child into the behaviour you want/desire. it just does not work. And kids don't NEED Xboxes and Gameboys. And something a counselor once told me-- If you set a punishment up, say grounding, make sure you, as a parent, are willing and capable of enforcing it for the full duration. THAT'S the hard part!!!

I hear ya Terry, and know that you have golden advice. I guess for me it's getting past my abuse and realizing (not just knowing) that it is possible to dicipline WITHOUT abuse. And being able, when I DO dicipline, to control how far it goes. I am so so scared of losing control.

Yes, it is the 'losing control' part that is dangerous. I was helped in part, by a group called "Parent's Anonymous"= it is NOT a 12 step program. It uses trained moderators at the meetings. you can try looking them up- it costs nothing to participate. If you PM me with your number, I can call ya, we can talk....Ihave unlimited long distance on my land line..

I will as soon as I have one.

I have told me husband most of my past. I have told him how afraid IO am of losing control. I have told him how much it hurts that no one stopped my mom and stepdad when they did what they did. He is here to watch most of the time, lol. He is here to make sure dicipline does not turn into abuse, and to remove the kids from me if it does, until i can be safe again.

Do you have Yahoo messenger?

no, I do have google. I could set up yahoo.

Do that-- hold on and I'll get my yahoo address for ya

huntndawg1

__________ Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:11 pm __________

Ihave it open and waiting

trying to download it....seems to be stuck on stupid "offers" where in small print they offer to take $10 a month from you in return for spam. Go figure.

that is one of the reasons i do not let it automatically load when I sign on... too many advertisements-- the AIM is worse, and actually interferes with some programs

got it done! imed you