I live at about 8hour drive from my grand-parents house and when I was young my parents would do everything they could so we could see our grand-parents at least twice a year. ( me and my 2 older sisters)
My sister gave birth 4 months ago and already did the 8hour drive so my grand-father could see my nephew. ( took them 10h but thats counting the feedings stops lol )
There is NO reason that you should not or could not drive 6h to see someone in the family, especially a new born who got hospitalized.
I even volunteered to do the 8h drive to go get him so he can come down for Xmas this year.
She doesn't have it in her to be a doting mother much less a grandmother. Clearly I need to "adopt" one.
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My parents were old and a) hateful for one, and b) with Alzheimer for the other. My spouse's parents live in Europe and own their own business. We had no/0/nada help from anyone.
It's funny to hear our friends complain how they haven't had a vacation, or don't get any help when their parents spent 2 months here when their kids were born, or take their kids for weekend vacations to different places, or stay at their home for a week while the "get away". GP let me know when you find those substitute grandparents. They are welcome to split time in So.Cal. when it's too cold in Canada.
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Yeah...my mother-in-law lives about 45 minutes away and won't take my adopted son on the day that our C-section is scheduled because she plans on going to a party that day, and is incensed that we let the doctors schedule it then. We didn't know about the party, and even if we did, we scheduled it to not conflict with my class finals, which I'd hope would be...slightly more important.
She's actually pissed about the prospect of missing a party to watch her grandson.
Grandparents these daze.. YEEESH. I vow to be there for all of my kids and their kids whenever I'm able. (I want to be placed in a nice nursing home one day and not the chicken shack my mother's headed to.)
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Seriously, reserve a room next to her for me, GP. Especially astonished me as my wife's an only child. Meanwhile, my parents, six hours away and both actually working and having four kids besides me, told us that they'd come out whenever we asked them to, but suggested New Year's as being most convenient for them since my mom used up her vacation time for the year in January visiting my niece a few weeks after she was born.
O.o
I was told by my Dad this year if I want to be visited, I would have to move someplace that was not so cold? Last year my brother was quoted saying, ' I hope I never get that hungry to move to that ice box'
Dad's in CO, brother in CA nad I am in MN.
I can understand my dads thinking as My mom past away this year (about the same time GP new one popped out). So my happy but and little Girl are going to CO for X-mas
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I'm stuck this year. Their Dad normally went halvsies on pressies and worked odd jobs to make sure they had a good xmas. Now that he's passed, it's all up to me, but I can't give them the x-mas that they're accustomed too anymore. I don't expect anyone else to step in and take their Dads load either. I hope I can scrape together enough to make a Wii and some games appear under the tree. It's not going to be a fun time for me, but I'll do my best to keep em happy and paste a smile on come xmas morning. 
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As long as your kids know their mommy loves them, that should be enough, no matter what you end up getting them. Of course, they may not get it till they're older, but still....
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
I'm wondering if I can get away with putting a bow on their new brother's head and pass HIM off as a prezzie.... prolly not. It's gonna stink because I have Gaelen's Birthday (4) on the 8th and THEN Xmas of which I haven't bought a single solitary thing. Not even going to try and get that Xbox 360 I really want to get for my oldest. This year if hard only because the new baby needs SOOO much before he get's here. Le Sigh.
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Babies don't need much at first. I still don't have a change table or a nursery. He's content with his crib, swing and now jolly jumper. You might want to try children's consignment shops for baby gear. They're barely used and a fraction of the full price.
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My daughter thankfully doesnt care of the $$ of an item right now. She wants Toys and Likes Cloths too (think gawd since she is growing like a wead).
I have always found that christmas comes and goes no matter what. Just dont over do things and buy what you can. If the kids dont understand then they need to learn that its more than getting something.
Lead Squirrel at Dr. E Spider robotic site #643
Nothing saids its your spot like an ourob. Portal dropped on the ground.
Working is always a good option and lesson to start showing them. When they began to grasp the conscept of (results may vary between children) then it makes Christmas and Birhdays REALLY easy to plan for. I consider that a blessing thankfully.
It's my 3rds birthday today. He turned 8. He's in the Autism Spectrum and when his Dad died in June he reacted indifferently. (The other kids were a wreck) Tonight it finally hit him that his Dad is gone and it was hell for both of us but I'm glad he finally let it out. I've spent the last few hours holding him and wiping away tears, and talking with him about the good times they'd shared. He's wearing his Dad's Hulk shirt and after beating up a few pillows, he feels much better. Christmas might bring more tears from all three.
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Sending some happy thoughts your way, for you and your children.
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
Haven't really thrown into this thread, yet, so lemme take a swing at it.
I gots 2 kids. I have no idea what it costs to have a kid when it comes to hospital costs because I'm in the military, but always been curious. My daughter is 4, and my son is 2. Yes, the shirt my son is wearing is Spiderman with dreadlocks. We got it in Jamaica, they call him "Spider-mon". lol.
Anyways, those are my kids. Oh, wait, I forgot one. The pitbull, Sarah. Such a sweet dog with the kids.
Yeah, so there's my offspring. Not sure what else to say, I'll just jump in on the conversation as I come back to this thread.
I echo WHF's sentiments, GP.
Thanks guys. I'm just glad he's finally let it out.
On another note... I scoured the stores today.. and I couldn't find a Wii ANYWHERE. ARGH!!!!
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Quick, tackle or body check the nearest person that has one, grab it and haul butt to the check out counter.
I think she is implying the stores don't have any.
See if they have rain checks. I know the kids will still rather have it at Christmas, but at least you'll be able to claim one when the store gets more.
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
Tried. No dice.
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Looks like a repeat of last Xmas.
Can't get one now til the 20th anyway. Sapped!!
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Well good luck to her as well!
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Six hours drive isn't worth the hassle.
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I'm sorry what? To see her grandchild? OMG that's insane!!! Especially when he was recently hospitalized. My mother virtually FLEW up here when Dev (2 now) was born and had to be rushed to the NICU. She and both my sisters left work, grabbed a rental and drove from Tampa where I'm from originally to Shreveport, LA where he was being treated. Heck they were there BEFORE I was discharged from the hospital!!
And I totally agree.. Babies do ROCK!! He looks just like his 2 older brothers. Same mouth and nose. Gotta LOVE technology!!!