sqwirlsgirl

She is 10 months and the joy of our life. TODAY we rescued another female APBT that was being taken to a kill shelter by an overburdened dog parent.

We NEVER for a minute thought that OUR baby would be aggressive toward our new family member (she LOVES our Chihuahua)....but she IS and scaringly so.

Had we KNOWN that we would be new dog parents we would have researched the pairing. Unfortunately this was a last minute save of a beautiful dog with a very sweet personality.

I have read EVERY site on introducing a new pet I could find in the last two hours but I was wondering if there are any tips that a few of you might have that could smooth the process a bit more. Thanks in advance!

We have an 12 year old daughter who is very smart, beautiful, loads of friends and basically just a really nice girl. With these traits she has TONS of friends and are home is usually bustling with activity.

We have raised her VERY openly...anything she wants to talk about WE DO, we don't restrict access to computers, phones, TV, movies because we realize that the more you restrict MOST will just sneak and do anyway....this way we can somewhat monitor what she does. She has NEVER over stepped her boundaries and in fact....kinda makes rules for herself.

All that being said, we ARE having a problem with other parents of her friends who question our technique. I would write this off most the time because those who have commented do not have a straight A kid with NO disciplinary infractions BUT our daughter is really starting to feel the difference between HER home life and her friends and how THEIR parents comment on it.

We DO NOT force any of our beliefs on others and get very offended when I am forced to stomach the ridiculous crap that these parents are filling their kids heads with.

So finally my question. Do we continue on as we have been doing (with GREAT results) and smile through the snide remarks and shaking heads or do we change our way (for her sake) and enforce a bed time, delete her facebook, take away her phone, ban R rated movies and only allow TV for an hour a day. Do we take away her music, her books that contain questionable content, for that matter get rid of the internet PERIOD? Your thoughts?

We love it..double oven, built in stove, dark beautiful cabinets, beautiful wood beams in the living room, paneling (well we got rid of that) but love the rest.

My only problem is the dining area. Its huge, eat in and very bright. BUT after we put our rather large dining table and our buffet in, we still have a den size area of space.

We don't know what to put there.

So no one suggests an office or craft area.......our home included a den, an office and two extra bedrooms we are looking to fill.

Any ideas besides the BIGGEST plant I can find?

my kid is great. She has been straight A since "entering" school and is TAG identified. She started Middle School this year and seems to be excelling at that.

My problem............she doesn't want a thing to do with US when it comes to her education. While she used to love our COMPLETE involvement in her educational journey, now she gets angry and defensive when we offer help with anything.

She is currently campaigning for Student Council and I came up with a few poster ideas, she automatically hated them.

I UNDERSTAND tween angst, I was the poster child for it. That's the reason we have really focused on doing everything exactly opposite the way we were raised, that's why this is kicking us in the ***.

Her work is 90 percent and above, she laughs regularly with the 10's of kids that parade through our home, she bathes and eats. Is this just breaking away, or something I should be worried about?

my kid is great. She has been straight A since "entering" school and is TAG identified. She started Middle School this year and seems to be excelling at that.

My problem............she doesn't want a thing to do with US when it comes to her education. While she used to love our COMPLETE involvement in her educational journey, now she gets angry and defensive when we offer help with anything.

She is currently campaigning for Student Council and I came up with a few poster ideas, she automatically hated them.

I UNDERSTAND tween angst, I was the poster child for it. That's the reason we have really focused on doing everything exactly opposite the way we were raised, that's why this is kicking us in the ***.

Her work is 90 percent and above, she laughs regularly with the 10's of kids that parade through our home, she bathes and eats. Is this just breaking away, or something I should be worried about?

when the little girl across the street came in heat. He has ALWAYS been a house dog, rarely even let out (he is potty pad trained) BUT he fell in love. When I explained to his new girlfriends owners that I "think" they may have mated.....they wanted nothing else to do with her so now we have husband and wife.

Vet verified that she is in fact pregnant. We want her to have a very healthy pregnancy and then get her spayed and re-homed (she is quite the little queen). Is there ANYTHING we can do to besides the generic vet advice to make sure all goes well?

have them come out juicy and tender? Left out ribs for dinner BUT it has decided to "crazy" rain so now I can't barbecue. Is there any way to make good ribs in the oven?

I have a major tooth-ache and i have been just buying thousands of tooth medicine and there not working. Can you please help me?

over a Chilis, TGIF, Applebees? I own a catering company and have had such good luck I was thinking about opening a small place. My specialty being pit smoked meat and all the sides, though I can do anything. What makes you pass up the "regulars" is it price, advertising.......(I ask assuming you have never tasted my food). What would make you walk in my door?

The price and amount of ingredients are not important...just need great ideas. I have NO heat and do have coolers. Need 3 to 4 entrees and some easy sides. Would like some really great ideas.

your small business owning American boss is there as well.....do you let your true views of your views on immigration come to light OR do you cater to the boss?

that I have left over from a catering. Do any of you have ideas for some classy receipes that are outside the box?

you do ONLY for you that you are really embarrassed to tell close friends and family? Lets say its Sunday afternoon and you put in 5 John Wayne DVDS and eat ranch beans and guzzle beer while the family is at the waterpark.....OR you watch Steel Magnolias and guzzle dacquiris in a dirty robe and unwashed hair? I drink vodka and ask insane questions on answers......lets hear yours!

and you had been talking to them for YEARS (3-7) but had never actually met in person. Would you attend the funeral....even if not invited. Would send condolence, not knowing if they knew a thing about you. Would you have a valid claim to their friendship or would you think you would be suprised by their TRUE life?

She has an enormous amount of friends. She texts and is always on some fun girl website and NO she is not ugly but has NO interest whatsover in the boys who call and text regularly. She is really bright and is really focused on school and her future. Should I be attending some class for parents of children who choose a different lifestyle?

I am married what guidelines could you give me? Examples of guidelines would be helpful hints that would make my experience EXCEPTIONAL and his equal. If I am going to take the time to invest in someone else...outside my own home, well I would like to do it right. Any tips would be helpful.

and we have found little online that we can add to "pump it up". Do any of you know of ANY sites that may help?

We are arguing about this at work. Seals, Rangers.....there has to be more. Does anyone know each ELITE section to each section of the Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines).