Gorgeous wedding pictures, Maria!

You ignore that there's a price to be paid. It may be that there are one or more sick relatives whom it's the Last Chance To See. There may be healthy relatives whom you can only see in one place at the holidays. You may have relatives who can successfully make your life a living hell if you "let them down". (And don't tell me "that's your choice", because it isn't. If Aunt Sarah spends the next year telling all your family what a bitch you are, that has fallout.) You may love some of the relatives enough that it's important to you to make them happy.

Yes, this. I figure the price Dylan and I pay for getting to live in Seattle is having to endure those long flights back to Birmingham and Tulsa, and doing it at Christmas. If we went any other time, particularly with my very scattered family, we wouldn't be able to see all my brothers, nieces and nephews, etc., because that's when everyone gathers. It's stressful, but it's worth it. It'd be different if my family's dynamics were toxic or something, but I figure part of being an adult is sucking it up and making an effort to be a good daughter and DIL, letting Annabel get some time with her extended family, etc.

I'm sorry about Kyle's ankle and bully problems, Sparky. Much healing~ma to him.

That sucks, Sparky.

You know, ita lives in L.A. Maybe you can work something out with her.

I'm sorry, Sparky. Bullies suck, as do schools who don't deal with them properly.

You know, ita lives in L.A. Maybe you can work something out with her.

It's so very tempting at the moment, but somewhere in the back of my brain I know that the shit kicking isn't the answer.

And, of course, my legal skills and my access to all the pretty databases are so very handy at the moment.

Bullies suck, as do schools who don't deal with them properly.

Actually, schools who don't deal with bullies properly are leaving themselves open to lawsuits. Sparky's nephew was physically injured as a result of something that should have been prevented by the school. Part of the tacit agreement when you send your child to school is that your child will be safe -- not from all possible injuries, because obviously bones get broken from sports injuries, and it's hard to be preventative about SkyLab falling -- but from injuries that can reasonably be prevented. And bullies who break other kids' bones are included in that category.

t edit I should really estimate how long it takes for someone who has actual knowledge of legal issues to come along and point out exactly where and how I'm wrong. My guess: 3-8 minutes.

Sparky, your sister should call the principal ASAP.

I know, because last week I had to call the principal about bullying. He came down like the wrath of God; some kids were suspended. He says California law does NOT allow this behavior.

Any sane principal who is confronted with a kid with a broken leg is going to be afraid enough to take action.

Maria, you were a gorgeous bride! I love the color of the bridesmaid's dresses also.

Healing~ma to your nephlet, Sparky. And I'll be wishing fractured bones for the bully too (because I'm that kind of person).

The actual ankle fracturing took place on Friday, so my sister has been in touch with the Principal and the school has told her they are investigating. My guess is the lawyers spoke with the school parties involved while my sister was in the ER with my nephew, so no one is going to say much of anything at the moment.

Just so I'm clear, I'm not scared that my sister will get steamrolled by the system. She's not going to go away quietly.

If anybody makes any attempt to say "kids will be kids", hit 'em with this:

[link]

The school is required to have a school safety plan, and that plan is required to include

(A) Child abuse reporting procedures consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 11164) of Title 1 of Part 4 of the Penal Code. (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.). (C) Policies pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 48915 for pupils who committed an act listed in subdivision (c) of Section 48915 and other school-designated serious acts which would lead to suspension, expulsion, or mandatory expulsion recommendations pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 48900) of Chapter 6 of Part 27. (D) Procedures to notify teachers of dangerous pupils pursuant to Section 49079.

I'm upset about this because it could have been my kid, and because the protections available to kids in 2006 are much better than those available in 1976. Your nephew has grounds for a police report.

[xpost: Sounds like you have it under control. I'm overreacting because I'm white with rage.]