What are you doing on the weekends

What are you doing on the weekends [2008-06-12]
Luckily, our library is close by and so is the movie store (although still spending money there) and a school is three streets away so we take frequent bike rides up there and let the kids play on the playground. Still, though - it I already spend 120.00 a week in gas just getting to my job so the thought of using even a gallon of gas on the weekends just makes me cringe!

One of my fav holiday weekends, second [2008-05-23]
Saturday, we have a huge craft show to go to, followed by 3 baseball games of my boys', followed by some serious picnicking Saturday evening. As for Sunday, fairly relaxing, a little work in the morning and evening, visiting family in the afternoon and picnicking some more. Monday should be a fairly quiet day - a little work in the morning and evening, a late morning Memorial Day parade and early afternoon picnicking, maybe a movie with the kids! Love this weekend -- gets me started on a great summer!

No weekends [2007-12-13]
Just Monday through Friday 6 hours in the morning and 2 hours at night.

N.E. weekends [2007-07-20]
Here are some ideas that we have done (mom, dad, 8yo DD, 5yo DS): 1. Maine coast - Wells/Ogunquit area. Nice beaches, trolley museum, Portland Children's museum, which is great for kids, good restaurants. We go here every year. 2. Lake George - This year we went and went to Six Flags, Fort William Henry, walked around the village shops, ice cream, nice hotel with indoor pool which the kids loved. 3. New Hampshire - A couple years ago we stayed at the Lincoln Head Resort and the kids loved it! Lots of stuff right at the hotel - good restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, paddle boats, kids activities. A little drive from there was Storyland amusement park, Santa 4. I live literally down the road from Six Flags New England, and there is actually quit a bit to do around here. Spend the day at Six Flags (I think it New Basketball Hall of Fame. Yankee Candle Flagship store and restauarant in Deerfield (aobut a 1/2 hour drive up 91). The musuems at the Springfield Quadrangle (musuem of fine arts, another art museum, historical museum, and science museum and planetarium, Dr. Suess Memorial). Also, Heritage Park in Holyoke (not a great area but the park is a good day for the kids) with antique carousel and Children's museum (we actually spend the day there and make a picnic lunch). Of all of these trips we have taken, the highlight of my 5yo sonlittle fridge in the room. Go figure! Just some ideas though...Where are you coming from?

I think this is about what I spend [2008-11-18]
I'm not sure yet, but I think it's about $200 a month. But there are people posting who spend less than that for several people! I hardly ever use coupons. It just seems like most of the time they are for stuff I never use. No one doubles coupons up here, ever. This mountain community caters to tourists, so things are more expensive on the weekends, when the skiers and boaters are here. I avoid going to town at those times.

About $100 a week give or take [2008-11-18]
That's for four of us and I live in Upstate New York. My older daughter is a vegetarian so we do have to buy special food for her, but because she's the only one that eats it, it lasts a lot longer. We eat a lot of chicken and pork, but occasionally a good piece of steak. We're in the process of getting a small freezer so we can buy more frozen foods so we don't have to go shopping as much for certain things. My daughter's lunches are $2.00 a day also, but for the types of food they get there's no way I could feed her for less. We eat out once a week by ourselves with our good friends on Saturday night and at least once or twice on the weekends to either McDonald's, Arby's, Burger King, pizza, etc.

Well this makes me feel better [2008-11-18]
We tend to eat out quite a bit on the weekends, although we never intend to. We usually eat out on Friday night, then sometimes on Saturday for lunch and dinner, then usually cook on Sundays...if I feel like it and we've had a chance to go to the store. Anyway, it's nice to see we're not the only ones who do this...

Please...I need someone to talk to...sm [2008-11-13]
Okay, its pity party time. I may need to get a professionalfree therapy. I am feeling really, really guilty about not seeing my dad as much as I should. So, heredad just up and leaves sort of way. He got a job in another city about 5 hours away. I remember we were all really excited about it as it was a really good career move for him. Mom didnagreement was that he would come home on the weekends and see us (right). So this turned into seeing him every month, to every couple of months, to about twice a year (thanksgiving and Christmas). Him and mom are still married (don't know how she does it) but I feel such resentment toward him that it is hard for me to go see him. We only live about 15 minutes away from my parents and are in their town a lot to see my husband's family. However, I choose not to go see my father because it is awkward and weird and it stresses me out to the max. I get to see mom about 3 times a week as we work together (both as transcriptionists) at our local hospital. I love spending time with her, but not with my dad around. I know I'm hurting his feelings when I don't see him but on his birthday, father's day, holidays, etc. He doesn't drink THAT much anymore, a beer or two a day (we think), but it still bothers the heck out of me when I see him drinking. Although it is better than mom and I trying to get him to bed while he is falling down drunk or driving away, getting a DUII, etc. I would never tell him how I feel because I love him and wouldn't hurt him like that. He isn't very healthy (hep C, high BP, neuropathy, etc) and I don't think he'll be around for that much longer. NEway..getting off track...I just need some advice and/or to hear someone else's stories about something like this. I don't know what to do and it is really getting to me. It does feel better to be able to talk to someone about it though (husband doesn't understand and talking to mom about it just makes her feel bad). Thanks ladies for all of your support!!!

There are no jobs where I am sm [2008-11-13]
I had thought of working part-time in a mall to get the discount, do some Christmas shopping, get out to see people, only a few days here and there. Our newspaper used to have at least 3-4 full pages, 7-8 on the week-end, down to 1 column on weekdays, 2 on weekends. Most are heavy lifting jobs for men and/or must speak Spanish, especially if medical. So I buy extra at every sale, extra everything, use coupons, got 30% off from Kohlnice dress with atoy inside.The only thing is I am getting depressed from clutter, too much stuff all over but have to remind myself some have nothing. We do not go out to eat except perhaps soup in a sour bread bowl on special just every other week or at a Panera Bread just to say we went out, bought video movies for a dollar at church bazaars (all Disney) for grandkids, using our VCR which will be obsolete soon but can still watch movies on old TVCutting back in general, baking bread, baking cookies, really clipping and saving everything I can get my hands on. Walmart does not accept internet coupons, so check the newspaper. I do read labels on food from Walmart as some is from China.Joined a wholesale club but found it more expensive than most stores, so we can get our money back, refundin 3 months so they tell us. I really wish I had been more frugal when I made decent money at MT, I can now see I was wasteful and shame on me! I should know better, have been through recessions before. They do turn around and the only good thing is they give us a swift kick in the rear! Feel sorry for those who can barely make it, work is hard to come by in New England and a lot are losing their jobs, even teachers with over 20 years. No one knows when the next shoe will fall, even malls are failing. I am leaving all tags on gifts this year, usually cut them off, but with so many people returning things for the money, they said itand even though I get gift receipts, I want them to see where it came from so the store won't give them grief. Target is the worst for returns. So that's my story here in cold, sleeting today, NE.

My 17 yo son has hockey practice [2008-11-04]
3 nights a week so he really is too busy for socializing except on weekends so that works for me. I like knowing where he is and what he's doing during the week.

My sons are 18 and 20. [2008-11-04]
One lives at college and the other is living at home while attending college. When they were both at home and under 18 I had the same rules as you, basically. During the week, except for their activity obligations of school, sports, scouts, they didnhang out time. It did help that their high school was in the next county, and most of their school friends lived some distance away. When girlfriends came along, life was a little different. My oldest dated a girl who lived down the street. My youngest dated a girl who lived a good 30-minute drive away. Lucky for me, their parents had the same rules for hanging out. It was pretty much weekends only. My boys accepted it all in stride. But I have to say that I've been pretty strict about their attitude all of their lives. Since they first began to speak, they learned not to give attitude to their parents. In return, we always treated them with respect. The few times that they did raise their voices as teenagers, our conversation came to an end, and their requests were denied with no chance for a reversal of that decision. Worked nicely. But, again, I have to say we were very lucky in that most of their friends weren't right in our neighborhood and their girlfriends had the same rules. The payoff is that now as responsible young adults, they've developed a good work ethic. Even my son living at college does well managing his free time, and will be an RA in his dorm next year, partly because he's shown maturity and isn't goofing off at college. (And I'm glad not to have to pay all of the room and board! Hooray!)

I have a 16yo son. On school nights, he has to be home by 9p. SM [2008-11-04]
On weekends, midnight. However, he is not allowed to be gone every night during the week. It helps that his girlfriend Plus they do their homework together which is nice. My son when from failing classes last year to make all As and Bs this year. So I try to give him a little more freedom because of the effort he's been giving.

I have a 17 year old daughter, a senior. [2008-11-04]
She actually doesn't ask to be out during the school week. She's in drama club and working on college applications and homework. If she did ask, I think as long as her homework was done I'd probably let her be out until about 9:00. Her bedtime isn't until 11, but she needs the wind-down time. Weekends, it's midnight.

Why do husbands [2008-11-03]
get special guy weekends but women can barely get to the grocery store alone.

My youngest is much easier than the older 2 were... [2008-11-03]
With my oldest 2, it was easy before they turned 18 - they HAD to be in by 11:00 because of junior licenses. After they turned 18, I think it was 10 on school nights and midnight on weekends unless they were spending the night somewhere. DD was the one to argue at every turn. Drove us crazy. Now my youngest DS on the other hand, is such a homebody. He got his license in October and he doesn't go further than a mile or so to hang out with his friends or his cousin. That might all change some day, so we'll see.

Find a lawyer, find out where you would stand - sm [2008-10-26]
in the event of a divorce/separation, regarding custody, house, etc. Custody was my main concern as well since I lied on numerous occasions about the finances. Where I am I was told that would not factor in to the custody at all. I can prove that I am my kids caregiver 90% of the time, I ferry they around everywhere, help with homework, get ready for school, meet at busstop, etc. I could also point out my husband is an alcoholic, self treats his depression with alcohol instead of getting proper medical treatment, has threatend to kill himself (or me) numerous times (though he always says he was joking and did not mean it.....that is his standard answer to everything, or that he never said that). Now I do love him enough to deal with all that because deep down inside my DH is full of it, luckily for me, he has never followed through on anything he says he is going to do. But I thought my confession would be the straw that broke it all and send him over the edge. He still is angry with me, I am sure he will be for a long time, but is keeping it together pretty well, though he has said the stress was going to kill him, now he know how I felt I guess. I am sorry your husband is such a smuck. I feel like a dog sometimes with the sex demands, have to do it the night before he goes out of town....he will be traveling a lot for work for the next 3-4 months, which I am more than glad about, much calmer here then, though it gets tiring for me but as he is not really helping much right now it really won't be much of a change. As for yours going on 5 day weekends.....have you considered having him followed, sounds like there may be some infidelity afoot, and if so that would strengthen your case in the event of a divorce and custody I would think. Sounds a bit fishy going out until 1 a.m. and his frequent trips. My DH fishes too, but he goes 2 miles from here with one of our male neighbors, they shoot the breeze and he gets to unwind some which I encourage. Very rare weekends with a buddy of his, I am talking once every 2 years, which again is fine with me. Start keeping track of all you do, when he is home, where he supposedly goes, with whom, etc. He cannot show he will be a responsible dad if he is never there or never interacts with his own kids. My DH would probably suggest I take our older daughter and he the younger, spliting them up, he has the same perception, the oldest is mine, the youngest is his. Our younger daughter is much easier to deal with, our older daughter drives him nuts and she is only 10. My younger one (8) knows something has been going one though, and worries we will divorce, which she does not want. She is very perceptive for her years. I hope that if you do go the divorce route, which would actually probably be best in your situation, that it all works out for you and you get your fair share of assets, etc. Make sure before you do anything like that you have all your ducks in a row, so talk to divorce lawyer. I talked to one for 45 minutes, cost me $160 but was worth it to set my mind at ease. Good luck.

Don't Enable [2008-10-17]
You need to nip this in the bud, literally, right now while you still have the opportunity to reach your son. I had the same parenting style you did. I too hid my sonall teens try it. I too had a husband who would have kicked my son out of the house to teach him a lesson. How I wish I could do it over. My oldest son is now addicted to meth and just got released from prison after 8-1/2 years. Buy your son a home drug kit and test him immediately. Continue to do so (especially after weekends). Sit your husband down and decide TOGETHER how tosave your son. If he pops positive, get him into treatment immediately. Drugs are absolutely destroying our children's lives. Get on top of the problem while you still can. Being a Mom is not a popularity contest. It is a serious responsibility that means a lot of uncomfortable decisions. My oldest is lost to drugs. I learned from my mistakes and my other 4 children didn't dare even try drugs. Learned The Hard Way

This is true scripture. However, I made a point [2008-10-16]
when the parishioners in Sunday School elevated themselves as better than the people who were not at church that day. I pointed out there are many reasons, such as having to work, or having to tend to a sick person, or being ill, including emotionally challenged. THey had no clue what I, as the Pastorus versus them disgusts me. Truly it does. BTW: I have to transcribe on Sundays, because my husband's Pastor job does not pay enough for me to quit and guess what, as MTs we have to work weekends. I work because I have to. And not because I am avoiding regular church, which BTW our denomination does not offer services other than Sunday morning.

Yes, I am always crunched for time but (sm) [2008-10-13]
I am a Brownie leader for my daughter's troop, fourth year now, teach her 3rd grade Sunday School class once a month, and volunteer with my son's youth group at church. I also volunteer for special events at school. Yet I am constantly asked to do more and I have gotten really comfortable having to say no!! Plus I work at lot, often weekends too. So I am always busy, but it is fulfilling. I try to make sure that whatever volunteering I do involves my children, so I am spending time with them and helping others at the same time, plus teaching my children to help others.

No work for me today [2008-10-12]
I don't work at all on the weekends. And today I'm extra glad. The weather here in NY is beautiful. About 75 and not a cloud in the sky and this is the second week of October. Just got back from visiting the neighbors and watching all the kids playing outside.

This may be to personal for some of you but... [2008-09-25]
How is the economy crisis effecting you? Your budget, your retirement, your family, your FRIENDS families. How is it effecting the circle you run with? Do you discuss this with family or friends? It is effecting my family. The gas thing alone is cutting our budget! My youngest started college and is driving back and forth. I've called my aunt who lives close to the school and asked if he could stay with her a few nights a week to save gas money. The drive for him one way is 1 hour. It has already saved us $$$. The fact that he can't find a job isn't helping either. There are no jobs for young people. Even in fast food! Food prices have effected what we eat! Have you priced CHEESE lately? A 2 cup packages of shredded cheese cost more than a gallon of milk! Food has gotten outrageous. We have our primary home and we have a small cabin that we go to on weekends. Our primary home is paid for and has been but we do have a mortgage on our cabin. LUCKILY and by the grace of God, we are in a fixed rate situation but it's still difficult. Did we spread ourselves to thin? Sometimes it is tough but we budget and try to be careful with what we spend. Our payment is nowhere near the $1500 per month mortgages people are talking about - and at that price point with an adjustable RATE - I don't know how people are living. Also lucky that we do not have credit card debt. I've read where the CC companys are raising limits to increase spending while increasing the payment interest as well? I see more and more credit cards being used at the grocery store. It's all just very scarey for me. We have some friends who are building their dream home. They have worked and saved for 15 years. The economy is blessing them in some ways since there are a lot of people looking for work but hurt them in others as the price of materials skyrockets!

Neglect [2008-09-21]
My son was no longer seeing this woman by the time my GS was born, but wealways tried to get him for visitation every other weekend. My son works many weekends, so half the time it is just mepicking him up. I live out of town, but still make the trip every other weekend. Mom also has 2 other children prior to my GS.When my GS was about 2 she met and married someone.My son and I are the only family that However, there are sometimes my son wants to spend time only with my GS. I agree the 8-YO should not be in charge, and I'm sure he does resent this. But from everything I've seen, Mom is not going to make the effort. These children need to fend for themselves for most everything. I I used to pick my GS and his brother up on Saturday at 10:00 and could see her just getting out of bed.So I switched and try picking up on Friday after work as often as I can, but is difficult with living out of town. I know the 8-YO needs attention, because he monopolizes the conversation when he's around. When he doesn't come along, my GS always takes something back for his brother. I am trying to teach him to be considerate of others. I worry about what happens that I don't know about. If it wouldn't have been our weekend to pick him up, then I probably never would have known about it. Question is, do I report this to DHS as sibling abuse, or is this considered normal behavior?

Sibling abuse [2008-09-20]
I picked up my 6-YO grandson today to bring him to my house for the weekend. When I got there I could tell he His mom sits on the couch and says nothing to dispute it, so I This brother is also his babysitter after school until mom and step-dadget home. Not too long ago DHS was involved andstep-dad was charged with abusing my grandson. Of course they always try counseling first before thinking about removing a child from the home. I constantly worry about the environment he is in as I Is this something I should report to DHS? p.s. His mom is just beginning to speak to me again.She blames me for the last DHS thing even though I wasn It's a long story, but there is nothing in writing about visitation. I have pretty much had visitation with him every other weekend for the last six years. What to do.

Great minds think alike? :) [2008-09-16]
I was thinking about the recipe this weekend! Thought about trying to add cinnamon or maybe some dried cherries to the bread...wondering if bread lady has tried any variations of her recipe to split up the 4 loaves into different items. my weekends are usually pretty crazy but I hope to try it this weekend.

Our daughter is pretty trustworthy - sm [2008-09-11]
Actually, she just turned 17 two days ago. Generally, the rule of thumb was that on school nights she was home for supper and thereafter. On the weekends her curfew was 11:00 and she never violated it. This summer, as she neared 17, we let her stay out until midnight, and often she would just stay outside on our lawn swing with her friend talking until 1 or 2, which was fine - we knew where she was and what she was doing. Oh, yes - when she was babysitting on school nights she still had to be home by 10:00. That worked out fine.

curfew [2008-09-11]
Our DD, who is 18 now, had an 8:30 curfew on weeknights and 10:30 on weekends when she was 16````no exeptions.

When I was 16, about 15 years ago [2008-09-10]
My curfew on school nights was 10. Weekends, it was 12. I did work, however, on school nights and weekends at McD Working or not, I had to tell my mom where I was going, who with, and when I would be home. I didn't have a car until after high school, so that did make it easier to keep track of me, I guess. Personally, if I wasn I think for your daughter You might want to reconsider the weekend 11 curfew or at least lighten up when needed (for late movies, dances after the football games, etc.) Otherwise, I think you're pretty reasonable (but she probably doesn't).

I don't meet the survey target , but [2008-09-10]
my two boys had a 10:00 p.m. curfew on school nights when they were 16. Curfew was 11:00 on weekends, unless something special was happening. I was told I was absolutely barbaric for setting such early times. My kids didn't tell me that. Other parents did. Not that I cared, mind you. Each son proved himself to be trustworthy and responsible, and so the day they turned 18, all curfews were lifted. I only asked as a matter of courtesy that they tell me where they were going and give me an approximate time to expect them home so that I knew when to officially start worrying. They didnWhy are you asking me? You LOL! They are 18 and 20 now, and doing just fine. The 18 year-old is commuting to a university in our city. He refers to us as his college roommates.

It depends on the day. [2008-09-05]
School mornings are crazy so its usually a granola bar, pop tart, piece of fruit or something of the like and then maybe a mid morning bowl of cereal, oatmeal, or cream of wheat. On weekends my hubs is usually the one up early so he usually makes a traditional-type breakfast with eggs, hashbrowns, bacon, etc. or pancakes, french toast, or waffles. During the summer I went through a homemade egg mcmuffin sandwich phase. Those were quick and easy but not quick enough for school mornings. Funny, we had breakfast for dinner last night. Scrambled eggs with cheese, hash browns, toast, bacon, and OJ. It's been a long time since I have done that and I told my hubs this should be a once a week dinner. Its so simple, easy, and healthier than a lot of other stuff. Besides kids love it! :) Just this morning I was thinking I need some new ideas for quick mornings but i hate buying prepackaged stuff like poptarts.