I was watching some show about out of control weddings & out of control relatives of the bridal couple. One wedding had bridesmaids, jr bridesmaids, flower girls, and ring bearers. The bride sister was seriously pissed off becuase the bride wouldn't let her niece be a jr bride.

That's right junior bride.

I don't what that is exactly but it seemed like the sister was treating the wedding like a beauty pagent rather than a marriage ceremony.

That would be a way easy dress to make, for way less than $270.

Susan, is your neighbor with a little girl a SAHM? You might also consider exploring her caring for Annabel - it would certainly be simpler and more convenient, and probably cheaper, than a center. Even if you didn't want to do it long-term, it might be a good short-term solution if you are temping irregularly or waiting to get into a center. And if she's not a SAHM, you could ask her for advice on local child care.

By the way, if Plei or anyone wants advice from one experienced in the trenches of nanny-sharing, I am your woman. It has great advantages and some dis- also.

I need a concensus on what "Light Snacks" means.

In my opinion, right now? Light snacks means pizza and subs, or whole maine lobsters, or whatever the hell you feel like eating.

Also, I had no idea B was COMPLETELY PSYCHO.

Flea, what are the main disadvantages?

The bride sister was seriously pissed off becuase the bride wouldn't let her niece be a jr bride.

My brother had a miniature bride at his wedding. And a miniature groom.

The bride had a 6YO nephew who really bonded with my brother, and they wanted to put him in the wedding. So they made him mini-groom. And, to come up with a mini-bride, they drafted mini-groom's 3YO cousin.

Mini-bride was getting pretty cranky by the time post-ceremony photos ended.

Yep, my neighbor is a SAHM, but she's having another baby in November, so I'm thinking this probably isn't the time she wants to take on a kid pretty much halfway between her first and second in age. Of course, a few months in once the newbie isn't so new, it might be easier. Also, when Annabel is a little older, she'll be able to play with Alexandra, and maybe then they could amuse each other and make things easier for C and the new kid. I'll ask her.

Junior bride, from a wedding message board:

We are planning our wedding and it is a whold 8 months away. The only thing so far that we are disagreeing on is the junior bride and groom. So i need to know what exactly is their business in a wedding, what are they supposed to do?

Re: What Are The Junior Bride And Groom For?

No, I think she said what she meant - a "Junior Bride" & "Junior Groom". In some cases, they are children too old to play the traditional role of flower girl & ring bearer (around 8-12). In other cases, they are children who are given special roles & symbolism in the wedding, particularly in the case of a single-parent bringing children into the marriage. The person(s) MOST special and close to their hearts, prior to being swept off their feet by the new love of their lives, are their children and they express that during the wedding by giving them this role. Most of the time they dress like a miniature-version of the bride and/or groom and participate in the candle-lighting, etc. Again, as a symbol of the joining or "marrying" of the original family (parent/child) to the new family (parent/child/step-parent). This is espcially nice/special/significant if its a mother/daughter and the groom will be adopting the daughter. Or even when their is some jealousy on the child's part & fear that the new spouse-to-be will in some way "take away" their parent or change the way he/she and their parent related before, when it was just the two of them. I know I felt that way when my mother married - 'cause it was just the 2 of us for 24-year (yes, I said 24-years ;-) Back to the "real kids" - Some folks have a real issue with this one . . . Having the children dress like miniatures and all, but remember - its just a "symbol" or "gesture" of the significants the children play or will play in the couple's life (no proversions intended here, just the JOINING or better yet, CREATING a new family). It is even more lovely at photo time when the groom poses in photos between the mother (bride) and her daughter (Jr Bride). Oh yeah - the Jr Bride is also usually escorted by a like-aged male, who is in turn referred to as the Jr Groom or Jr Groomsmen. Adding in the Jr B & G do not force you to have to remove the flower girl & ring-bearer. Everyone know (or at least should know) to keep in mind that the bride always has the final word (along with the MOB), and ALL symbols can be explained in the wedding program!!! All the best in your planning!

Creepy child models modelling jr. bride gowns

Mmm, lobster. Too bad today is not a cheap lobster day.

It's always stromboli day, though.

Dealing with the other family - there are pitfalls if your expectations of the nanny and/or parenting style differ, there can be quibbles over cost and logistical arrangements, the sheer complexity of dealing with many humans trying to arrange something.

Figuring out the legal and financial/tax requirements - but there are books that help with this, and I'd be happy to share what I've learned.

It may be easier if you are more laid back than I am. I have trouble with change, lack of advance planning, and flaky people. I find it stressful, but on the whole worth it. Our nanny loves Eve, Eve loves her, and she is getting good individual attention - she is one of 2 or 3 kids cared for at all times, whereas in a daycare she'd be one of 4-6, all the same age.