Random questions

katiewhompus

1) Do you keep up with pop culture for the sake of keeping up? I feel like I should be reading the Twilight series or watching True Blood just so I know what people are talking about. Am I a weirdo?

2) Pretend you have a kid between the ages of 14 and 16. Do they have their own email? Do you like the idea of having homework assignments emailed to teachers?

3) Should I be responsible for doing mil/nieces laundry when they are here? They are staying Thursday-Tuesday. Also am I responsible for providing groceries for them or should they purchase it themselves? We did not invite them to stay so I feel like I shouldn't be spending $100+ in food while they are here.

JenGin74

1) Do you keep up with pop culture for the sake of keeping up? I feel like I should be reading the Twilight series or watching True Blood just so I know what people are talking about. Am I a weirdo?
You're not a weirdo. I'm in the same boat. I'm not hip or current at all. You can't be a weirdo because then that would make me a weirdo too, and I just can't have that

2) Pretend you have a kid between the ages of 14 and 16. Do they have their own email? Do you like the idea of having homework assignments emailed to teachers?
Email for 14-16 year olds is fine IMO. I don't really see a difference between emails and texts. I think emailing homework to the teacher is a pretty good idea.

3) Should I be responsible for doing mil/nieces laundry when they are here? They are staying Thursday-Tuesday. Also am I responsible for providing groceries for them or should they purchase it themselves? We did not invite them to stay so I feel like I shouldn't be spending $100+ in food while they are here.
So they invited themselves over or something like that? You should definitely NOT do their laundry. I also think they should chip in for food, but I can't think of a non-bitchy way to bring it up to them.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

1) Do you keep up with pop culture for the sake of keeping up? I feel like I should be reading the Twilight series or watching True Blood just so I know what people are talking about. Am I a weirdo?

I pick and choose what pop culture I keep up with.  Twilight and True Blood are of no interest to me.  You're not a weirdo Or maybe you are, in which case, I am too.

2) Pretend you have a kid between the ages of 14 and 16. Do they have their own email? Do you like the idea of having homework assignments emailed to teachers?

I had an email when I was that age but we didn't use it to send assignments to teachers.  I guess it would depend, really.  But I'd probably be okay with it though.  I imagine I'll be a strict bitch though.  My kids can't get cell phones til they get their drivers license - granted, in ND, the driving age is 14 - but still.

3) Should I be responsible for doing mil/nieces laundry when they are here? They are staying Thursday-Tuesday. Also am I responsible for providing groceries for them or should they purchase it themselves? We did not invite them to stay so I feel like I shouldn't be spending $100+ in food while they are here.

I wouldn't do their laundry, frick no.  Ya kidding me?  I wouldn't mind providing meals though.

jelique7

1) Do you keep up with pop culture for the sake of keeping up?
No. I dont have the mental strength to keep up with how many times Lindsey Lohan has been to jail. Because Im young people expect me to know these things. It drives me nuts.

2) Pretend you have a kid between the ages of 14 and 16. Do they have their own email? Do you like the idea of having homework assignments emailed to teachers?
Yes they would have their own e-mail but you can bet that Im going to have that password! I do like the idea  of homework being e-mailed to teachers. I find it helpful in my classes.

3) Should I be responsible for doing mil/nieces laundry when they are here? They are staying Thursday-Tuesday. Also am I responsible for providing groceries for them or should they purchase it themselves? We did not invite them to stay so I feel like I shouldn't be spending $100+ in food while they are here.
I am a heartless bitch so no I would not do their laundry and I would maybe get dinner for them. Breakfast and lunch they are on their own.

NatesGirl16

1.  Sometimes I feel left out of pop culture convos.  Everyone at my job watches Idol and I hate it, so I definitely feel left out when everyone's on the Idol bandwagon and I'm running behind.

2.  All of my students have their own email.  They only email me assignments when something major happens (printer breaks, etc) or if it's late and they're receiving partial credit.  Otherwise, it's not my job to pay for printer ink and paper to print out their assignments. 

3.  Well, is this a social visit?  First, I would feel weird doing anyone else's laundry or having someone else (even fam) do mine.  Also, the circumstances of their visit would determine my attitude towards purchasing groceries for them.

katiewhompus

I love my in-laws, really I do, but I'm really agitated by this. Sil is going to London for a friend's birthday, and as a result MIL and my niece (who is 4) is going to be staying with us. At first it was cool. They would come in Thurs and leave Saturday afternoon. Now it's extended to leaving Tuesday afternoon. H and I both work Thursday, Friday, and Tuesday. He also works Sun and Mon. This was definitely a "We're coming to stay with you, you don't mind right? Remember all those times we helped you out" kind of thing so yeah, I'm annoyed.
It's also the same weekend we were supposed to go to MN with my parents to see my relatives, since we went up to Maine during his summer vacation to see his relatives, so I've been listening to my unhappy family as well. (And now they can't even get tickets for my parents because the airlines are sold out)

JenGin74

Maybe you could just not answer the door when they show up. Problem solved 

katiewhompus

And the email thing was a huge drama at work the other day.  A teacher required that the students all submit their homework via email, printed material was not allowed. Parent finds out through interims that their kid didn't submit the assignment and was given a 0, with a C grade for the class. The kid does not have an email because 1) he lost email privaledges and is not allowed to use email  and 2) They have no computer at home (and he is unable to get to school early/late to use the school ones).

The parent's stance (which I support) is if the county is requiring assigments to be turned in via email, then the county needs to offer an email service which they will monitor (not a huge thing, we have one for teachers/staff already). The teacher said the mom was being irresponsible for not buying a computer for her son and letting him use email.

NatesGirl16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_random-questions-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:2b262c61-8665-464f-b68d-ea5a71bb4db7Post:560faff0-fe81-4d45-97a0-be7b22466fba">Re: Random questions</a>:
[QUOTE]I love my in-laws, really I do, but I'm really agitated by this. Sil is going to London for a friend's birthday, and as a result MIL and my niece (who is 4) is going to be staying with us. At first it was cool. They would come in Thurs and leave Saturday afternoon. Now it's extended to leaving Tuesday afternoon. H and I both work Thursday, Friday, and Tuesday. He also works Sun and Mon. This was definitely a "We're coming to stay with you, you don't mind right? Remember all those times we helped you out" kind of thing so yeah, I'm annoyed. It's also the same weekend we were supposed to go to MN with my parents to see my relatives, since we went up to Maine during his summer vacation to see his relatives, so I've been listening to my unhappy family as well. (And now they can't even get tickets for my parents because the airlines are sold out)
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]
Frustration central.

Well, since they have the "We've helped you out" vibe, I would think suggesting that they get their own groceries might not go over too well.  Maybe ask them if they'd like to go to the store with you to pick up stuff they'd like or ask what they'd like you to buy.  Then, maybe MIL will offer to kick in some cash.  Otherwise, it seems like you're stuck playing host, unless S can say something about it. But I hate forking over cash to pay for situations like this, so I feel your pain.

But the laundry?  They're on their own.  C'mon--I've been on vacation longer than that without washing clothes.  They'll just have to pack enough or do it themselves.

JenGin74

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_random-questions-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:2b262c61-8665-464f-b68d-ea5a71bb4db7Post:a2434b4b-daf1-4e9d-8be2-4aae4b06e378">Re: Random questions</a>:
[QUOTE]And the email thing was a huge drama at work the other day.  A teacher required that the students all submit their homework via email, printed material was not allowed. Parent finds out through interims that their kid didn't submit the assignment and was given a 0, with a C grade for the class. The kid does not have an email because 1) he lost email privaledges and is not allowed to use email  and 2) They have no computer at home (and he is unable to get to school early/late to use the school ones). The parent's stance (which I support) is if the county is requiring assigments to be turned in via email, then the county needs to offer an email service which they will monitor (not a huge thing, we have one for teachers/staff already). The teacher said the mom was being irresponsible for not buying a computer for her son and letting him use email.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]

That teacher sounds like an asshole. Emailing assignments would be great as an option, but it shouldn't be mandatory.

NatesGirl16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_random-questions-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:2b262c61-8665-464f-b68d-ea5a71bb4db7Post:a2434b4b-daf1-4e9d-8be2-4aae4b06e378">Re: Random questions</a>:
[QUOTE]And the email thing was a huge drama at work the other day.  A teacher required that the students all submit their homework via email, printed material was not allowed. Parent finds out through interims that their kid didn't submit the assignment and was given a 0, with a C grade for the class. The kid does not have an email because 1) he lost email privaledges and is not allowed to use email  and 2) They have no computer at home (and he is unable to get to school early/late to use the school ones). The parent's stance (which I support) is if the county is requiring assigments to be turned in via email, then the county needs to offer an email service which they will monitor (not a huge thing, we have one for teachers/staff already). The teacher said the mom was being irresponsible for not buying a computer for her son and letting him use email.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]
As a teacher, I think you're (in the general sense) opening yourself up to trouble if you don't clearly communicate class requirements and get a written agreement from the parents that they can adhere to these requirements. For instance, I have my parents read and sign my syllabus, so that they know what materials I ask for and they know to contact me if they need help obtaining those materials.  I've bought binders, notebooks, pencils, etc. for struggling families in the past.  But without asking first, I would not have known and would have came across as a major bitch for taking it out on the student's grade.

 I think it's irresponsible to assume that all families have computers. 

Also, saying that the parents are irresponsible for not buying a comp is obnoxious.  I'm sorry, but your coworker seems like a douche and it's people like that who give all teachers a bad rep.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

1. Sometimes, depends. There are some things/trends I intentionally buck because they are SO popular. I read Twilight, though, and I want to see True Blood.

2. Yes, they'd have their own email, but probably with supervision. I like the emailing assignments thing. I do that, personally, a lot in grad school. Everyone I know with a kid that age has given their kid a cell phone too.

3. Laundry, no. When FI and I visit our families, though, we do our own laundry if needed. However, that if we're there for a week. I usually go at least 4 days without doing laundry. For meals, unless they suggest going out, I would plan dinner with them in mind (because what will they do, make their own dinner while you guys eat?) and maybe tell them there's stuff for sandwiches and cereal in the house. EDIT: I thought it was Tuesday through Thursday, not Thursday through Tuesday. Even so. My mom tells me to throw my clothes in the laundry, but I just do a load for myself when I visit.

FI's mom and sister came to visit once and I bought groceries to make dinner for the week they were here. Then they only wanted to go out to eat that whole week. Which blows, because when we visit FMIL always cooks for us and we never go out to eat. Plus, you know, I felt inferior, like she wouldn't eat my cooking.

katiewhompus

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_random-questions-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:2b262c61-8665-464f-b68d-ea5a71bb4db7Post:9b3e7156-5e80-49cc-8add-e609d7f74f64">Re: Random questions</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Random questions : Frustration central. Well, since they have the "We've helped you out" vibe, I would think suggesting that they get their own groceries might not go over too well.  Maybe ask them if they'd like to go to the store with you to pick up stuff they'd like or ask what they'd like you to buy.  Then, maybe MIL will offer to kick in some cash.  Otherwise, it seems like you're stuck playing host, unless S can say something about it. But I hate forking over cash to pay for situations like this, so I feel your pain. But the laundry?  They're on their own.  C'mon--I've been on vacation longer than that without washing clothes.  They'll just have to pack enough or do it themselves.
Posted by NatesGirl16[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I love the "we helped you out vibe". Yes they have helped us in the past, but H has also been bending over backwards for them as well. I mean, you guys have heard my "we drove an hour up there to clean a fan" rant, and H did it again last week. Then when we went up last weekend we got pulled into mil/sil drama and almost missed our movie. We also regularly drive up there (hour drive each way) to feed her cats, help clean her house, etc.

Yeah, I'm also way jealous that she's flying to London for a birthday party too. There are times where our income differences make the green monster come out to play.

gottahavashorti

1) Nope

2) I had email at that age.  But I don't like the idea of requiring it for turning in homework. I did have to use e-mail to turn in assignments in college, but usually to teachers who would do markups/comments in Word and e-mail them back.  E-mailing assignments was annoying when the internet would go down all the time and the tech center liked to do their darndest not to fix broken computers successfully, but getting to a working printer before class wasn't always a piece of cake.

Most people have e-mail, but what about kids who don't live near DSL lines and it will take ages for them to do anything online via dialup, those whose parents can't afford a computer and internet, or those who are having computer problems?   I can see using it as backup just like a flash drive - if the paper gets misplaced or the printer breaks, show the teacher that you did do the assignment then print it out and bring it back.

3) No on laundry since they shouldn't need to do any in a 4-5 day stay.  No on groceries for days where you're working and will be out of the house.  Maybe a couple meals for days where you'll be home, but they don't need to be expensive - pasta, grilled cheese, etc. 

I doubt 4 year olds eat much anyhow and MIL can be a big girl and feed herself.  "Sorry the cupboards are bare, we just haven't had time to make it to the store!"

katiewhompus

Ha, sorry the cubboards are bare, our cars sucked up all our funds!

No, I'm fine with just cooking more for when we are home, but they eat/drink a lot of things we don't and will probably expect them. It's just stupid stuff like milk, caffeine free pepsi, etc but it still annoys me. I know, I need to chill.

But...if mil smokes in the house...or leaves the door open (she has a habit of doing that) and Demon gets out, I will go apeshit.

gottahavashorti

[QUOTE]I think it's pretty disrespectful of you MIL to just announce she's coming without any regard to your time, especially when you had plans with your family. I can see my MIL doing this one day and I'm already irrationally upset abou it!
Posted by JennaV26[/QUOTE]
We said "no" and "that is about the most inconvenient time possible for DH" at least a dozen times to mine when she was insisting on visiting us and trying to scout out whether we'd have a pullout couch for her to sleep on.  She finally decided that she was going to rescind her offer since we didn't seem interested.  Yeah, if you're going to drive several hundred miles to see us, we should probably have some veto power over dates so that we're free.

katiewhompus

Kids are going to be a huge drama when it comes to summer vacation. I don't even want to think about that yet.

TheCranberry

1.  I keep up with pop culture because I'm genuinely interested in it.  I read Twilight and watch Tru Blood because I like them.  I don't watch American Idol or Survivor, but I generally know what's going on because I read mags and blogs that talk about it. 

2.  I think it's okay to have email at that age.  I don't really have an opinion about email assignments.  If the teacher wants it that's fine.

3. Definitely no need to do their laundry!!  It's easy for them to pack enough clothes for that length of time.  I think you do need to have food in the house, and maybe ask them if they have a few favorites you can buy for them.  No need to get them every little thing they might eat, but if they have a favorite cereal or snack or something like that it would be nice to have it.

flyjawn

1) Do you keep up with pop culture for the sake of keeping up? no, sometimes i'm interested and others times my 25 year old friend keeps me updated.  for the most part, i don't care.  this applies to anything vampire related.
2) Pretend you have a kid between the ages of 14 and 16. Do they have their own email? Do you like the idea of having homework assignments emailed to teachers? email - of course.  and i think the idea of emailing assignments is great.  less chance they get lost on the way to school.

3) Should I be responsible for doing mil/nieces laundry when they are here? They are staying Thursday-Tuesday. Also am I responsible for providing groceries for them or should they purchase it themselves? We did not invite them to stay so I feel like I shouldn't be spending $100+ in food while they are here. this is a tricky one and i feel like there's more to the story.  i always make sure there's lots of food in the house when we have guests but i've never done their laundry.

uncbamber

1) Do you keep up with pop culture for the sake of keeping up?
Not for the sake of keeping up, but I can't lie and say I'm not interested in some of the 'hot items' -- I'll admit, I read (and liked, not loved) Twilight, but I'll also read pretty  much anything someone hands me. As for shows, I'm really picky about what I watch (because I don't watch tv very often) so I'm definitely not going to suffer through Idol so I can talk about it at work.

2) Pretend you have a kid between the ages of 14 and 16. Do they have their own email? Do you like the idea of having homework assignments emailed to teachers?
Email is not a problem for me, I know I had an email account when I was 12, so I think it's reasonable.  I turned in a lot of assignments via email when I was in college, but I don't know that I would recommend it for someone that young.  I think having the responsibility of printing and turning in assignments by hand is a good way to teach kids responsibility without shoving it down their throats.  To me, emailing assignments is too easy of a way out.  Also, that teacher sounds like a complete douche (but I live in an area of great class disparity, people either have it all or have nothing here, and I don't think that kids/families who cannot afford computers/internet access should be punished for the inability to provide something I deem unnecessary to life)

3) Should I be responsible for doing mil/nieces laundry when they are here? They are staying Thursday-Tuesday. Also am I responsible for providing groceries for them or should they purchase it themselves? We did not invite them to stay so I feel like I shouldn't be spending $100+ in food while they are here.
I'm going to be the oddball and say I would do the laundry before I'd feed them, but I don't think that either should be necessary.  Buy a loaf of bread,  packages of turkey and cheese, and some doritos.  As far as the drinks go, buy one of each, and after that let them fend for themselves.  A grown woman 1) should not invite herself and a child to stay in your home and 2) expect you to wait on them hand and foot while they're there.