I once ate too many carrots and my hands turned a tint of orange!!!

My mother, now 92, lied about her age from the time she met then married my father. Back in 1948, she did not want his family to know her true age fearing they would influence him not to marry an “old maid.” (she would have been 33!) I only learned of her true age as an adult when we were at a governemnet office together and she had to show her social security card. She continues to lie about her age as she feels people would treat her differently if they know she was in her 90’s. This is a woman who goes to the fitness center 3-4 days a week! We now talk about “cell age’ instead of chronological age. I never lie about my age.

Like all parents, mine each had their strengths and their faults. My father, was in some ways a typical man of the “greatest generation”..devoted son, serious, hard working loving but not very “open” father. Both my parents respected and expected academic achievements but it was my mother who talked like to talk to us for hours and allowed us to venture in non traditional paths. My mother is now in her early 90’s and living independently, working out at a fitness center 3 times a week! She is definitely a role model to me now. Over the years I have learned from both their strenghts and their faults what values/behaviors I want to keep and those I chose to reject as a person, mother, wife. I consider myself very fortunate!

To KB, Thanks for asking! Yes, I do work outside the home…full time. And this is why I have not given up my cleaning help. Also, I hired her when I was pregnant with my 2nd child, 20 years ago…I trust her and know that she counts on the money every other week. She has raised her prices and I’m pretty certain that I could get help for less.. But I don’t have the heart to let her go. She is no “spring chicken” herself and I doubt she could find a fill in at this point in her life. Can’t see my husband starting to help clean toilets!

Paying for cleaning help when I no longer have any kids at home.

Congratulations to all of you and many thanks! WOWOWOW was initiated at a perfect time for me…starting my empty nesting..this site has helped fillup more down time than I’ve been used to!

I used to teach social skills classes to “at risk” learning disabled elementary and middle schoolers. Two of the teaching videos I used were “Ten things to do instead of hitting,” and “How not to be bullied.” They offered great strategies which the students and I role played. In the heat of the moment, however, these children have trouble reaching into the bag of tricks and remain very vulnerable. I attended a meeting once with a wise school principal who, “off the record” said to a parent “Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he learned to hit back.”