ULtralite, what did you want to know?

[Zoe Girl]

I have a snow day today, so I have time to clarify the things you have recently brought up. Something on my work wardrobe post you wanted clarity on about parenting and money. I am not sure what exactly you wanted to know, but this is a good way for multiple perspectives to have a voice.

[Ultralight]

Why don't you start us off with your parenting and money mission statement?

[Zoe Girl]

Okay don't mean to laugh, but I don't really have a mission statement? I have those for work,

I would say balance, take care of the kids's needs first, except when you really need to balance it with taking care of yourself as well, don't feel guilty about the choices overall, learn from your mistakes as you go, money doesn't mean everything but it sure is important when you are at the emergency room or orthodontist, sometimes just splurge on that thing that makes your kid so happy they are going to burst! And sometimes do that for yourself.

Oh and have health insurance.

[Zoe Girl]

One more, develop holiday traditions that don't break the bank. Then you can keep up the holiday traditions that are important and comforting to kids even if you have a crisis. My favorite was to have a sleep out under the Christmas tree and read all our books. We brought sleeping bags to the living room and made hot cocoa and read lots of books.

I read about a family that started going to Disney Land when the kids were young, they lived close and it was very cheap, but as they got older the tradition was more expensive. Not continuing a loved tradition is very hard so it became difficult for them when the kids were teens and prices went up.

[iris lilies]

I really like that Christmas tree tradition.

[rodeosweetheart]

My favorite was to have a sleep out under the Christmas tree and read all our books. We brought sleeping bags to the living room and made hot cocoa and read lots of books.
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I love this. And just think--you get to do it again soon, with the grandbaby! Awesomeness.

[Zoe Girl]

Yes with grandbaby, as the kids got to teenage years it didn't keep going and I wasn't too keen on sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor. But I am going to be a fairly young grandma so I can rough it!

[rodeosweetheart]

You could also do what I am thinking of doing and buy a recliner, and then you get to be on the recliner while they are on the floor! I figure my joints have earned it.

I was just taking care of my granddaughter and dancing around and boy, I realized how different it is to take care of the little ones at 60 then at my son's age of 34. Although he did throw his back out carrying her around on his shoulders and jumping up and down, and had to go to the ER!

Bad backs run in our family.. .