Honestly, I don't mean to offend anyone. I am not proud of anything. Old Navy just did something quite similar to Kim Kardashian and no one boycotted Old Navy. We're all probably still buying BP gas. Samsung violated Apple's patent and is operating sweatshops in China and no one is boycotting Samsung. Comparing evils doesn't diminish the rottenness of what BSH has done, but I think to be morally consistent, one would have to be doing a whole lot more boycotting than just BSH. And LLBean doesn't sell dishwashers. Gary - My cabs are already installed, panel just sitting there waiting for a DW. DW sitting in appliance store waiting to be installed. So too late to do any recessing or deepening of cabinets. And I have managed to melt several things on my heated dry in my current DW - mostly small little plastic containers that I use for my DS's lunches or chopsticks that fall through the racks with the spray and end up on the coil. I'm glad it doesn't happen to you - it's annoying when it does happen.

Thank you both for continuing to check up on them, and for the prayers, Shee. Shee, they function because they have to, I think. My friend whose child has very complex SNs says, "What other choice do I have?" People say they couldn't do it-- but again, how could they NOT do it? Sadly, what you posted about criticism is not an isolated case. They are pretty vigilant about taking down things like that on the FB page, but people have posted some horrible things and emailed Kristen (the mom) directly with their hateful messages. I can't begin to imagine why. :( Lascatx, yes, it's very up and down. He has been having so many bad episodes lately, getting worse overall, I think. But, every time it seems like he's only going down, suddenly there is a new treatment (not a cure, but palliative) to help him be a little more comfortable, thank goodness. As you said, we cannot begin to judge what we would or would not do. Every parent must find their own way. Kristen has a blog. She posted recently to describe what a typical day is like, if you are interested. Here is a link that might be useful: A Parent's Journey Through Hell

I re-read your letter. I applaud you for not abandoning your children, and leaving them to fend for themselves if you left. That is a real father. A father who will make sacrifices for the children. It sounds as if your wife was in the wrong type of counceling. It sounds as though what she really needs are classes in anger management for the well being of your children. Perhaps that is one of the things you will require of her that you will not waiver on. After re-reading your first two posts, I believe that what I suggested in the above two posts sounds like a long shot. And I can imagine how difficult it would be to pull off with a person who is angry and bitter. Especially given how you feel about her. Does she have ANY good points? If so, what are they? I think it would be so depressing to live with someone who has been depressed for 20 years, and is so angry and bitter. If it were me, (OK, I am climbing up on that soapbox for a speech) I think I would tell them that I am sick of them using depression as an excuse for rotten behavior. I would tell her that if it is real depression...meaning chemical imbalance of some sort, then to get herself to a doctor and get her medications right. And if it is depression caused by her own disappointments in life, then suck it up and put a smile on your face and start doing some of the things you need to do. Because the kids and I hate living like this, and your anger and bitterness is destroying our family and the childhood of these children. They do not get a second chance at childhood...this is it, and it is going to be happy from tomorrow on. And if you cannot be a part of making this family a happy and good place to be, then I (meaning you Dave) will step up to the plate and raise these kids and give them that happy, safe childhood. Your 14 year old has so little childhood left, and I (meaning you Dave) am going to make sure it is great! Are you on board, or are you going to continue to hide behind your depression and anger and bitterness, doing your best to make sure home life is crappy for us all? She has a choice to make here. And you may find she is on board, and will begin some new changes, or that she likes being angry and miserable...and then you will know what you need to do. Forgive me for the two messages above, as after I re-read your original posts, I realized how they must sound to someone who is really in the pits in a marriage to someone who is so angry, and bitter all the time. I am not sure any of us could actually rise to the occasion if we were in your shoes and actually pull off what I suggested above. It sounds as if the marriage is just too miserable to actually bring yourself to do as I suggested. Not that it couldn't be done, but it would take a better person than I am to pull it off. Unless she actually makes a decision to change. If she does...perhaps she will surprise you all! In my best pollyanna view...I sometimes think that we can change someone else by being really kind to them. I sometimes have these wierd thoughts that you could take her for a morning of pampering (facial, massage) and then take her for a new outfit, and take just her out to dinner. That by you treating her differently, that maybe she will thaw out, and begin to see herself differently, and begin to change and laugh and smile. That she will "want" to be a better woman for her family. Perhaps it is just wishful thinking...but just maybe????? Anyone, I forget that some people actually "like" to be angry and bitter and miserable all the time. That is their comfort zone. Perhaps she is one of those people. I don't know.

Thirteen year old boys becoming fathers, is not big news around where I live. The difference is the attitude. Many teenage boys think it's "cool" to become a father and a status symbol, and since they are living on welfare and grew up with it, they know that the baby will get benefits too. According to this article the boy did not plan the pregnancy with the girl and none of the quotes from the boy seem to indicate he is proud of this. I think this story made the news because the boy in this situation looks so young. Some boys that age are 6' tall and shave. I'm sure someone at the hospital tipped off the newspaper for a story with photos that is packed with all the shock value needed to sell those extra newspapers.