oh, I don't know... sometimes a cute baby can bring some joy and inspire affection when you wouldn't expect the same for a grown up person. If she hangs out with Mal on a semi-regular basis, I can see her feeling all proud of him. I mean, it's your comfort zone that dictates how to deal with it, but I don't think that her behavior in and of itself is necessarily telling of something strange and inappropriate.

{{{MG & C}}} Those parents of hers, so not fair. I hope she thinks of all that drunken drama as a way not to be and makes a better life for herself.

The thing about dramatic sorts in the habit of saying awful stuff to their loved ones is: as soon as it's over, they're all done. They never think that any damage carries over to later. Sort of like, if you are a drunk, you always get to start fresh the next day, like nobody will hold them to account for toilet mouth. I say, pfui.

oh, I don't know... sometimes a cute baby can bring some joy and inspire affection when you wouldn't expect the same for a grown up person. If she hangs out with Mal on a semi-regular basis, I can see her feeling all proud of him. I mean, it's your comfort zone that dictates how to deal with it, but I don't think that her behavior in and of itself is necessarily telling of something strange and inappropriate.

I agree with Nora -- if the nanny's roommate has made a habit of coming over in the evenings with the nanny, then she (roommate) may be fond of Mal and (rightly so) find him to be a total cutiehead.

However, as Nora also said, you're the parent, and if it seems weird to you, then there's nothing wrong in dealing with it.

I agree with Nora -- if the nanny's roommate has made a habit of coming over in the evenings with the nanny, then she (roommate) may be fond of Mal and (rightly so) find him to be a total cutiehead.

However, as Nora also said, you're the parent, and if it seems weird to you, then there's nothing wrong in dealing with it.

What Steph and Nora said.

Has anybody been watching Roller Derby on A&E? I haven't (no cable) but just saw a commercial, and dang, that's tempting...

ROLERGIRLS!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Sister Mary Jane. And Miss Conduct.

I HAVE!! And, I want to start my own team. I will be The Em-Press and have shiny pink satin panties with a crown on the ass. We will be something in French and wear pink and black French-maidy type uniforms.

I want to Roller Derby.

I'd never take pictures of a friend or acquaintances baby without having it at least implicitly clear before the shutter moved. Feeling good about the kid is one thing, but you can't just...you know...steal its soul without talking to Ma or Pa first.

Poor vw, hope it clears up quickly.

I am not all that bothered by it - lord knows that Mal doesn't have much in the way of family, so anybody who wants to join his tribe I'm all for. But it would never occur to me to take photos of someone else's baby unless I were good friends with them.

eta: And asked them. Maybe it is the soul-stealing thing.

I imagine it's...what's the word...she hasn't been here long, and doesn't speak anything but Tagalog, and doesn't have that many people here herself. And I like her, so gut instinct says it's okay. But the alligator brain is getting all mama-bear protective.

I'm sure I could fit another animal metaphor in there somewhere.

Katie B - thanks. I have never lived with anyone like that or had anyone with such serious addiction problems in my life, so I'm not sure how it "works". Her mom is usually more under control (and I use that term loosely), I mean, this is the first bad episode since C has been with us, while dad has had many.

Cindy - I have no interest in talking with the boyfriend. He has been abusive to both C and her mom on and off over the last 10 years. He is just as addicted as mom and I don't trust him a bit to use ANY measure of common sense. He is the main reason C can't live with her mom, more than her mom's problems.

We just kept telling C that as much as she loves her mom, she is not expected to keep her under control when things get bad.

that poor kid. and poor MG.

Also, AImee, I don't think I mentioned how very, very sorry I am about your great-grandmother's death. How lucky you and Em were to have her in your lives for as long as you did, that's a true gift, and I'm sure the loss is terrible.