A quick update on Mike . . . he's been released from the hospital, had his front 4 teeth wired back in by an oral surgeon, who thinks he can save them, had his broken hand set and casted and his broken jaw wired/set. He's covered with scrapes and bruises, but he's alive! My sweet sister has picked up his bike from the fire station that was storing it, has already spent hours on the phone with her insurance company, which has waived her deductible and that's going well. She's missed several days of work without pay, which she couldn't afford, but had to, and has met with the police about the driver's insurance, etc. That info I haven't heard yet. So, things are slowly getting back to normal for them. Thank you for all your kind words and prayers for my nephew, Mike. I's my hope that if anything positive has been gained from my posting it here, it's that: 1) we all are reminded that even good people, like the guy who hit Mike ~ or any of us ~ can make one foolish mistake (like texting, dialing or talking while driving) that could result in terrible, hurtful consequences. 2) that we make sure that we (and our loved ones) program I.C.E. phone numbers into our cell phones, just in case. I'm so glad that Mike did! 3) and, if you or your loved ones bike, use bike helmets! Mike didn't and paid a high price for not wearing his. Again, many thanks for your kindness! Lynn

"the child may very well not ask to speak to his mom because he knows there is a rule that he can only speak to her once a day around bedtime" Nope, not the case. Unlike BM, my DH is the caring and rational parent who has his son's best interest at heart. He would never, EVER tell SS "you are only allowed to talk to your mom once a day."" SS just gets busy living with US and doesn't seem to think of talking to mom. Much like when he is with BM, he doesn't call DH except in the evening, close to bedtime I think Marie you are attributing qualities your 11 year old DD has, and comparing them to a 7 year old boy. Sorry, but boys don't seem to like to "chat" on the phone as much as girls do. I can already see that diff. between my DD and SS. Also, a 7 yr old is really not "into" talking on the phone much yet. Maybe when SS gets older, he will want to talk to BM or his dad more often---but for now, it is simply not an issue. I think you are giving the BM in my situation way too much credit here. She is not the caring, "involved" parent you are describing. I could go on and on about the times she has continually NOT put her child first. She with-held visitation for THREE WEEKS last summer because she was pissy w/my DH for taking her to court. DH talked to SS on the phone throughout the weeks sporadically, and SS sobbed one of the times, crying that he wasn't "allowed" to see dad. AWFUL. Many times now when his mom calls now he asks his dad if BM is fighting. Slowly but surely, he is begining to see his mom is WACKY. It's to the point that SS tries to listen in on DH's phone convos b/c he thinks BM is causing problems. Last week, BM called him, and at the end, she asked SS to put his dad on the phone, and SS said "no because I'm afraid you're going to get mad at him." He knows. This woman is irrational and insane. She sent her current DH to the hospital last winter b/c she got drunk, and ripped the phone off the wall, and chucked it at his head---he had to get stitches. The year before last, she was fighting w/her DH, and I guess he stormed out of the house, and IN FRONT OF HER SON AND HER STEPDAUGHTER, she took a KNIFE to the blow-up Frosty the Snowman in their front yard. SS "laughs" about it occasionally, but DH and I both know it's a defense mechanism. Talk about terrifying for a child---to see a parent that out of control. Last Christmas Eve--it was DH's night, but BM begged him to let her have SS until Christmas morning. DH consented. Well, guess what SS did that night? He spent the evening w/his stepdad at his stepdad's parents' house while BM stayed home gettgin plastered. She called my DH and me a gazillion times, sobbing about how she wanted a divorce, hated her life, etc. Nice, huh? You can sit there all you want and say that she is a caring, involved mother. Yeah, she loves her son, I will give you that--but she is an alcoholic with serious mental issues. We will do what we have to do to protect OUR FAMILY from her behavior and her antics. A direct line of communication to SS is not needed and actually, is very detrimental to our family. And, truth be told, to SS. DH wishes BM had LESS influence over him than she already does. Unfortunately, until she really screws up, joint custody will continue---but that does not mean BM needs to be in constant communication w/their son on his father's time. The woman has some serious issues, and everyone knows it---the former GAL, the current GAL, the judge, our attorney, and heck, even BM's own family knows it. We have a letter ON FILE in our court case from BM's cousin stating that she has a serious drinking problem. If we ever go to trial, this cousin will testify on our behalf.

I don't like the law. If they are banning talking on a cell phone than a multitude of other distractions should be banned also. Start with eating while driving. Nothing like a drippy burger to keep one focused on the road. Or those annoying GPS systems. Nothing makes me feel safer than being on a highway behind someone staring at a map on the screen. Snort. Personally I believe that engaging in any avoidable distractive behavior should up the liability and culpability should one cause/be involved an accident. But it should be on a case by case basis. All these laws are useless "feel good" laws/ The scofflows ignore them and the ones who would be most cautious anyway are the ones who obey them.

We were in the olive garden one night and the folks at the table next to us never got off their phones.It was a couple and the girl was talking to someone about her dad,and by the time we were served i could have told you where her dad worked,what he did for fun,what kind of car he had and who he was ticked off with at the moment.Couldn't hear much of the guys side as the girl talked too loud. ON dr phil one day this was his subject,and he had parents complaining about their kids,and it showed these 2 GF'S sitting on the couch and they were texting each other instead of talking.WTH MY GD came to live with us in june,she's almost 25 and that damn phone is like another appendage of her body.Told her right out,that when we sit down to dinner it goes off,and if she is out with us it's to be on vibrate and she's only to answer it if it's an emergency.So far,so good.She knows we are the "My house,my rules kind of folks",and don't plan to change that anytime soon!!! Kathi