Well I have read all your comments about the rude DIL. The mother that said "have patience"....I've been patient for 10 months now. My grandson was born last October. I welcomed my son's girlfriend in my home 2 years before she became pregnant (living with me). I think I have a great relationship with her personally. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to come to the hospital for the birth. I respected their wishes because they wanted it done this way. No one to be there so they could relax and bond with no company. Her mom did not respect this and showed up anyway and stressed her and my son so bad by being there (constantly talking, laughing, etc) all day that her labor became stressful. My son was so upset. Finally they booted her mom out. Again I'm saying, I respected the wishes. My DIL breastfeeds and she claims he won't take a bottle. I say she's wrong. A little bottle manipulation will take care of that. Mfg. companies do not make the nipples wide enough so not enough milk comes out. (I breastfed my son but pumped so my parents could feed and bond with their grandson--I had to have the nipples opened a little more so he would take it). I feel she doesn't want me and my husband to feed him, which is a bonding experience to grandparents. When I told her about this trick, my son was excited to try it because he too wants to feed his son. If I'm giving to her (money, gifts, going out to eat, etc.) she comes over and stays for a good while so I can play with him. If I don't have anything to offer, I never see her and she's always busy if I want to go over to her house. Her mother and family dont help them out or see the baby but once a month, but when there is holidays, her family gets first dibs on the visit. Me and my husband are always last and the baby is tired because they get to my house so late. His first birthday party is being planned around her mothers schedule, not the grandparents that have literally spent out thousands of dollars to help with their bills and baby items. (they have asked and I have offered). Yes, I am expected to help her out with buying decorations, food, and the rental space at the park but me and my husbands schedule didnt matter. I, too, have taken care of many babies and know what I'm doing. She won't let the baby out of her sight. She's always "right there" and seems she wants him to always want her or cry for her when he sees her so she can take him. I feel I haven't got a grandchild or bonded the way my parents bonded with my son. I've respected their wishes since she gave birth to him. I've only babysat 20 minutes a couple times. Although one time she and my son was doing some delivery work to make some extra cash and left him with us for 3 hours when he was 5 months. I insisted on them not to ride around that long with the baby in the carseat. They agreed reluctantly.....Believe me, by the time they got back, my grandson was not happy. He wanted food that I couldn't give. Did not have a bottle because i was not allowed to feed him. So needless to say, I dont watch him long periods like that anymore (with no bottle). She pumps but claims she doesn't pump enough. He feeds and within an hour he's hungry again and she feeds him again. Seems like she's breastfeeding constantly. Like I said, I feel I'm being used and I have to "pay" to see my grandson. When hes out of the baby stage, boy, people will be getting some good deals at my yard sale because everything is new since I see him maybe once a week, sometimes once every two weeks. I've tried everything. In my opinion she's too too too overprotective. I'd like for my grandson to grow to be a tough playing little boy not the opposite. I need that bonding experience. Yes, i have tried to talk to both of them and theres always excuses that doesnt make sense. I do want you to know I love my DIL very much. I just want to feel I've got a grandson and feel the baby stage experience... not blink and he's a grown boy. Any advise, please help. I've done everything I know of and now just being unemployed, I'm short on money. Makes me feel I'm being used. My husband is upset, too. HELP!!!!

Glad they are okay. I wrote my friend who lives in Tokyo a week ago, hope I hear back from her soon. She was an exchange student when I was in high school and we have kept in touch all these years.

Hi Kschipper621 - Don't know where you live, but have you researched law schools with evening programs? I stated in an earlier post that I'm in an evening program and am probably on the younger side of the class at 32. My study partners are 36, 43 and 45 (I think). I'm also quite good friends with at least 3 other women in their 40's - one has a son who just graduated college himself, one has 2 small girls and the third is single, never married. At least 2 men in my class have daughters my age. I don't think you're ever too late for law school. Some of my older classmates often joke that no one under 30 should even be allowed to apply.(Again, no offense intended to those who went at younger ages - each person comes into it in their own time and for their own reasons, but you know how the old fogies like to joke...). So I would encourage you to seek out programs that welcome non-traditional students. They are becoming more popular and slowly (very slowly) the legal community might be starting to recognize the value of the life experience and legal training that we bring to the work place. It is probably especially helpful if you want to practice in a field that you have some past related work experience or if you have some business/marketing experience. It seems that there have been more and more articles written lately about the importance of being able to network and build a client base for the firm - especially if you want to work in a private firm. If you want to go into public interest or social justice work, you might find that it's even more acceptable and easier to get work. Those jobs tend not to pay as well and there can be a great deal of emotional stress dealing with some of the clients in those areas, but that's where your background and maturity can come into play and really be a benefit. Evening programs tend to draw those of us who work during the day and/or those who want to be in a class with older, more non-traditional students. However, I know at our school at least, you are not forced to remain in the evening program during the course of your schooling. I started taking a mix of day and evening classes this semester and was able to flex my work schedule to accomodate some scheduling variety at school. So, no, you're not too old and your GPA is the same as mine was when I applied. I think given your age and life experience, a well written and thoughtful personal statement coupled with strong references would be important and could get you over the hump if you're worried about your scores. I can't say that it worked exactly that way for me, but my scores were somewhere in the bottom of what they accepted and I feel like I wrote a very good letter of personal intent and had some great personal referneces who knew me quite well professionally and personally. I was a Teaching Assistant for a first year class at our school and that program is linked with a special admissions group of students who maybe don't have the top scores but have personal/professional experience that makes the school think they would make good attorneys. Those students who are accepted under the special admissisions criteria are placed into the TA sections and receive some additional assistance and resources to help them be successful students. After being a TA for about 20 of those students, I'm not sure I really saw a difference - they were really energetic and very devoted to their academics. It was a great program that lends some extra support where needed. I'm fairly certain that my school is one of the schools to pioneer the program in the country and we've received awards from the ABA in recognition of it's success. ALSO - final tip - submit your application EARLY in the timeframe that they accept them - ESPECIALLY if it's a school with rolling admissions. Time is on your side if you get it in early. Wow - I babbled a bit, and I sound like a recruiter for the school, which I'm not, I just really like my school. So I say, go for it! You'll never know unless you try.

good one Maybe she looks like Helen Brown.