I read the SA article about the
Holidays with financial halfwitsAnd I have to say I can relate, but not totally. Most of our differences revolve around parenting issues. Which means no one asks us for anything.
But they do tell us their troubles, or at least used to.
You see we are weird, we breastfeed, I don't work, we homeschool, eat whole wheat, lots of fruit/veggies, frugal, libertarian, and a pair of loners.
The last is why we don't mind telling folk what we think.
recent conversation:
1. Them: Your kids are doing schoolwork on Saturday?
Us: Are we supposed to ban them from learning on particular days?
2. Them: Don't you have school today?
Us: Every day, which is why we are here learning about the bank/store/garage/whatever.
3. Them: How can you afford that?
Us: We make our sacrifices other places.
4. Them: You paid how much for a loaf of bread?
Us: we feel the whole wheat is healthier.
5. Them: Don't you get babysitters?
Us: rarely, but the kids are in bed by 9pm so we have plenty of married together time.
If we can boil our opinion into one simple sentence we prolly will use it on anyone who gives us their opinion. If not, a simple 'Oh' is given.
I used to explain my point of view in detail. Which is prolly why my husbands family doesn't like me.
Now I try hard not to get into any discussions... even about homeschooling. When I do fail, I usually regret it.
December 1st, 2008 at 09:51 pm 1228168263
Years ago, I had this one:
lady giving her kid choc milk--are you breast feeding?
(I was, and was well covered up in a womens lounge at the mall off of the restroom--lounge was for nursing moms at the mall)
Me--yes
lady--isn't that kind of gross, I mean considering where the milk comes from..
me--no. isn't cow milk kind of gross considering it starts its life getting belched up and rechewed and swallowed again by some cow that ate off the ground. And, you don't even know what cow that came from, do you....
she shut up.
December 2nd, 2008 at 03:33 am 1228188810
December 2nd, 2008 at 01:42 pm 1228225367
I remember a man asking my eldest why he wasn't at school as we stood in a bank line. I was quite forceful in my answer (something about why he wasn't at work....) Anyway you guys are doing the right thing. Keep it up!
December 2nd, 2008 at 06:32 pm 1228242727
Homebody, you can tell your daughter I live in NC and I nurse! (lucky enough to know of others too)