For this week’s Because I Said So Buck and I are answering the question “Will you make your child get a job at 16,17, or 18 years of age?”

If I switch the question around to ask ‘will I allow my child to get a job at that age’ then the answer would be yes to all of the above.  I would allow my daughter to go out and work at the age of 16 just as long as she kept her grades up, was home by curfew (not working car-hop at Sonic until midnight on school days) and was able to keep up with what was going on around the house.  In other words, if she starts living like a slob, is never home to do her school work, her grades drop and she is always too tired to help with chores… Then I’d have to step in and cut the job out.  To me the age 17 is border line adult and obviously every situation is different; whether they are in school or not, when their birthday falls, if they are moving out, maturity level, etc.  The age of 18 in my eyes is an adult and I don’t really think I could stop them at that point from getting a job.

Now to answer the original question on whether or not I would make my child get a job and at what age: I’m not real sure on the answer to be honest.  I highly suggest working at least a few hours a week as a teen.  I think it is very important to learn responsibilities and experience the real world through the work force.  I think teens should have summer jobs to help them earn their own spending money, save for their car of choice or even to just cover their car insurance.  Working and earning money helps prepare them to move out and teaches them independence.  It is very difficult for a teenager to move away from home and step into the adult world head first without being ready.  Of course at the same time I am torn between the facts that if my daughter was very busy in school and extracurricular activities and didn’t have time to work how I would handle encouraging a job.  I wouldn’t want her working to gain extra spending money to get in the way of what is most important which is her education.  I think by the age of 16 if she wants a car, gas money, insurance and the normal teenage necessities like getting her hair done and buying all the material items her heart desires then I would require her to at least get a summer job.  I would asset the part time job during the school year at that time and make a decision based on the situation at hand.

What are your thoughts?  Would you require your teen to get a job and if so at what age? Share your stories in the comments, I’d love to hear your feedback.  I wonder what Buck has to say, I’m headed over to read his post now, you coming with me?

Have a topic or question you would like to hear our views on? Have you always wanted to hear both sides of a topic or answers to a question, unbiased? You can submit topics or questions via comments or even anonymously to djane (at) mommadjane (dot) com. We will pick questions at random and blog on one topic per week.

I received my Census packet in the mail yesterday. Did you know that 2010 is the year for Census? I’ll be honest, I didn’t realize until I started hearing all the news about it online.  I can’t keep up, seriously.

Completing the Census reminds me of when I was a teenager and lived on my own.  I moved out when I was only 17 and got my very first apartment.  At the time I don’t think I even had thought twice about the Census.  I’m sure I learned all about it in school but that was a lesson that I most likely forgot.  I remember a man coming to my door asking me if I had filled out the Census information and my answer was more or less like ‘heck if I know’.  The gentlemen came inside and waited while I answered all these questions and some I wasn’t even sure how to answer exactly.  For instance at the time I had a roommate living with me that had just moved in, but I wasn’t sure if her parents had already counted her or if she had even done the form herself as she wasn’t home at the time.

Glad this year it’s much clearer to me.  I know how important it is to complete the forms and make sure I count for myself and my children.  One important area to me is making sure the numbers are correct so the government can properly calculate funding for our community schools.  When a school is over populated they run out of classrooms to be used for special education.  Sometimes children with special needs have to travel further from their home school to be accommodated.

So don’t forget to fill out your Census packet when it comes in!

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For my birthday I bought myself the Wii Fit Plus.  I already owned the Wii Fit and used to use it regularly.  I have just got out of the habit of working out from home and knew I needed to start back up.  Rachel told me at Mom 2.0 Summit how she had let her Wii Fit sit for nearly 8 months without playing and then bought the Plus and hadn’t stopped since.  At the time she had already lost 15 pounds, which is great!

The girls and I participate in several 5Ks in the Spring and since the first one is coming up this month I thought it was about time I get into shape.  Or maybe the better statement is start working towards getting into shape.  Also I’d love to look better by mid April when we go on our Disney cruise.  It’d be nice to tone up some.

Tonight was my 8th night doing the Wii Fit Plus.  I am so sore I can hardly lift my arms.  I haven’t done it every night since my birthday but most of them.  The kids are enjoying it too.  Matter of fact Noah just got done jogging which is so dang cute and Gabby did the Hula Hoop which is wonderful for her physical therapy.  It truly helps her with coordination.   We have done quite a bit of multiple-player mode games as a family.  The chicken game is hilarious but fun.  We spend most of the time laughing at one another while we are working out.  The whole game system is so fun you forget you are actually burning calories.  I must admit I love it and it is addicting.  The obstacle course is my favorite although I have a hard time stopping to admit defeat.  I keep pressing retry until I’m about to fall over, some nights.  However I have almost mastered the advanced level now!

We are walking in the Make-a-Wish Foundation 5K on March 27th in Gabby’s honor.  If you live local to the DFW area we would love for you to join our Team Gabby and walk with us.

Full Disclosure: I purchased the Wii, Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus with my own money.  This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% mine that I wanted to share.

Last week Buck and I discussed what we would each do if we won the lottery. So for this week’s Because I Said So we are in a way continuing that discussion. We are answering the question: If money was not an issue, what would your dream job be?

I’m not sure if there is a specific title for what I would love to do.  I love to travel and I love to do volunteer work, especially with children.  So if I could travel around volunteering at different charity events then I would be thrilled.  I also want to be a public speaker so going around to different high schools and talking with teens about pregnancy prevention would truly be fulfilling to me.  I would love to be able to travel all the time without worrying about the funds it takes to cover the cost.  I also wish I had more time to volunteer without worrying how I’ll squeeze in my job related duties to cover the expenses of raising a family.

Maybe my dream job would be spokesperson for a non-profit children’s charity organization that travels around speaking at different events.  Not only speaking but also experiencing the hands-on action as well.  There are several organizations that I feel strongly about.  When we attend the local events with our Make-a-Wish Foundation Chapter I get the best feeling in the world.  Seeing all the smiling faces, taking part in the public event, sharing in their enjoyment and fun.  What better job is there?!  Having fun while making a difference is the most fulfilling job I could imagine myself doing.  I would also love to work with teen parents in a workshop setting, showing them they can do it.  Prevention is my first goal with any teen but once they are parents I do believe it’s very important to show them how to get to the light at the end of the tunnel and stay strong.

Have a topic or question you would like to hear our views on? Have you always wanted to hear both sides of a topic or answers to a question, unbiased? You can submit topics or questions via comments or even anonymously to djane (at) mommadjane (dot) com. We will pick questions at random and blog on one topic per week.

T came home from school yesterday to announce she has been recommended to take Language Arts with Honors next year.  Her current teacher actually said she probably should be in Honors this year but it’s too late to change classes.  I am so proud of her.  I think she is even just as proud of herself as I am of her.

When T started kindergarten she knew her alphabet, how to write her name, her colors, shapes and numbers.  But she was still behind in public school.  In first grade she hadn’t progressed enough in the reading department to move forward without struggle so I held her back.  I was so nervous with her repeating first grade but I know now it was the best decision.  Her birthday is late July and she was the youngest in her class which I believe her majority level at the time was just not up to par for first grade.  To think now she loves to read and is going to be in Honors next year.  What a great change!

She reads at least one novel a week, especially if they have anything to do with vampires!  Looking back I remember the days when it was like pulling teeth to get her to pick up a book, now I have to remind her to put one down in order to help around the house.  She still struggles in spelling so I know it will be more work next year but have faith in her that she can do it.  She is so excited!

That’s my good news for the week and a proud mommy moment that I just had to share!

For this week’s Because I Said So Buck and I are answering the question: What would you do if you won the lottery?

I’m not sure how much money we are talking about so I’ll just pretend it’s a very large, nearly endless amount.

First thing I would do is go out and buy the perfect house for my family.  Not too big but just big enough for everyone to have their own room, an office for myself, nice size family room with media room attached, one guest room for when my family from Tennessee comes to visit and an extra empty room for a foster child.  I have written before about how I’ve always wanted to be a foster parent and if I won the lottery there would be nothing holding me back.  I then would be able to have enough money to buy a big enough house to make them feel equally important with their own room.  I know the day will come when I’ll be a foster mom without winning the lottery, it just takes time to get there.

Of course after buying the dream house I would then have to furnish it.  I love decorating so this would be so fun.  Filling all the rooms and preparing the house just right.  I love to have house parties and love to entertain guests.

After I know my family was secure with our bills and home then I would do something extra special for my parents.  Not quite sure what I would do, whether it was pay off their house or buy them something really nice such as a dream vacation or what.  But I do know I would make sure they were taken care of.  They have always been there for me and I’d love to return that favor.

I believe I would then enroll my children in private school.  I have been so torn between the public schools here: which is the best, which ones do I dislike, etc.  I don’t think I am fully prepared or capable of doing homeschool so I think a great private school where money wasn’t the issue would be best.  Not sure which one I would pick since there are several around us but I would go and look into each of them.

There are several charities that are very close to my heart.  We love being active with them now, participating in their 5Ks, yearly fundraisers and other local events.  I would donate to several of these in my daughter’s name.  I would then sponsor one full wish for a child through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.  Whichever child was next up to receive a wish local to us I would be honored to be able to provide that.  Those wish trips are so very special to not only the child but the family experiencing the wish with them.  Whether the child wishes for a trip to Disney or a shopping spree I would be blessed to be able to provide that.  The fulfillment in my heart for granting that child possibly their last wish gives me the warm fuzzies inside already.  I’m not quite sure what could possibly make me feel better than that.

I am not sure how much money would be left after all this was complete.  I know once my family was taken care of and the charities we feel passionate about were provided for then of course I would do what I could to help others.  Maybe take my daughter on that trip she has always dreamed of in Paris and convince my best friend Brandy to fly with me somewhere nice for a girls only vacation.  If I won the lottery then the possibilities would be endless, right?

Full Disclosure: I do not play the lottery.  Therefore the possibilities of me winning the lottery and making all this happen… well I guess it’s none.  However all the dreams are real and hopefully one day I’ll make them happen.  It’s nice to dream big, isn’t it?

I’m headed over to read what Buck has to say, you coming?  What do you think he would do with all that lottery money if he won?

Have a topic or question you would like to hear our views on? Have you always wanted to hear both sides of a topic or answers to a question, unbiased? You can submit topics or questions via comments or even anonymously to djane (at) mommadjane (dot) com. We will pick questions at random and blog on one topic per week.

Danielle Steel was on The View this week.  She seemed so sweet and soft spoken.  I have read some of her books years ago and always knew she had published quite a few.  However I had no idea she published ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN Best-Seller books!  Isn’t that amazing?  I am struggling trying to make sure I have the perfect words to complete my ONE memoir.  Also she is a mother of nine.  She raised nine children while apparently writing non-stop.  I admire her.  When The View ladies asked her how she did it, Danielle just shrugged and said well I just mostly wrote at night and mothered during the day.  Like ‘ehh no big deal’.

Her interview was a true inspiration.  It made me realize that the only person holding me back from completing my memoir is myself.  If Danielle Steel, a mother of nine, can publish 111 Best-Sellers then surely I can publish just one memoir…

I plan to start writing more of it soon.  Even if it is just a little bit at a time, I am going to get it done!  I promise, myself.

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.”

Today I turned 28 years old. There are times I feel over 40 with how much I’ve lived already. However today was one of the best days I’ve had in a very long time. I woke up this morning to play Madagascar Kart Wii with Noah and all day I heard him sing to me. I finally recorded an Audio Boo of him singing so I can listen again. He was so cute I just couldn’t get enough! Before lunch I was pleasantly surprised by the best cake ever arriving at my front door in the form of flowers from my best friend Brandy. It is just gorgeous and even Noah loved the fact that although it was made of flowers, they still put candles on top. Such a cute idea! A few hours later I got a very nice flower arrangement from Elizabeth Irvine, whom I have the pleasure of working with.

After the girls got home from school we went out to dinner at Texas De Brazil with my good friend, Alan, my Dad and my niece, Deianeira, who just celebrated her 15th birthday last week. The seven of us had a great time and the food was excellent. Unfortunately my mom is very sick so couldn’t make it but she sent me the cutest Tinker Bell card that plays music. More for Gabby’s entertainment I’m sure but we all enjoyed it at the dinner table. Food was great, dessert was even better but the best part was the company of course!

I created a Whrrl story showing photos from my day. This was one of the best birthdays ever!

I also received a ton of emails, tweets and Facebook comments wishing me a wonderful birthday. I love all the support and best wishes!
Thank you to everyone for making this day great!

Tonight the kids and I went to Chuck E Cheese’s to meet up with some great long distance friends of ours. In 2007 when the Neurologist gave me the news they planned to do brain surgery on Gabby he told me about a little boy that was currently in the hospital undergoing the same surgery. Tonya and David were so kind to allow Gabby’s Neurologist to invite us down to meet them and their son, Chevy. I got the chance to visit with them, play with Chevy while he was in the hospital and even see how his head looked with the grids in. It gave a little peace of mind to at least meet someone else dealing with the same battle as us.

Although the end results of Chevy and Gabby’s surgeries weren’t the same, Tonya and I have always kept in touch. It’s nice to be able to share the same struggles with someone, chat about their progress and just know you aren’t alone. Since they live out of state in Oklahoma when they come up for their six month checkup we always plan to get together. We have started a nice tradition of meeting for dinner and play at Chuck E Cheese. The kids look forward to it and never want to separate at the end of the night.

Below are a few photos from our Whrrl story tonight with our great friends at Chuck E Cheese.