I'm A FEMINIST -- but can you support me financially because I LOST MY JOB!"

I know you're upset and venting right now, and I can understand why you'd feel this way, but I want to go ahead and say that this is not true and unfair to yourself. You do not have control over a ridiculous work situation and asshole bosses. SUPERMAN couldn't do that job.

Being fired unfairly != sitting on your ass so you BF can bring you bon bons

(mmm, remember bon bons? It Friday. smonster want chocolate)

You guys were so helpful last time I needed b-day gifts for a kid that I'm coming to you again. This time I need stuff for twin boys who are turning 1. I'm getting lots of great hand-me-down stuff from their mom (my cousin), so I'd like to get nice stuff for them. Thoughts?

I'm A FEMINIST -- but can you support me financially because I LOST MY JOB!

You'd support him if the situation were reversed. No shame in letting loved ones lend a hand in times of need.

Also, my cats bit my right thumb last night in a dog-inducd panic. Four wounds, and they HURT. My thumb is swollen, warm and seeping. I am keeping it clean, but It's very stiff and sore and I have to pack and move and type this weekend.

Injury to insult, baybees.

You all are full of good advice. And I'm just GRRRing right now -- I have my res updated and will certainly be working my butt off to find a job/bring in money any way I can and be useful.

It's just -- GUH.

Thoughts?

Glam, I'll give my usual recommendation of something like a zoo membership, or playspace, or museum. It's a gift that keeps on giving, and no one has to find space for it!

Oh, Erin, that sucks so badly. That whole hour and a half to turn yourself around really sounds like they were looking for an excuse to fire you, though. Perhaps Ms. Backstabber has a friend she's trying to get in there.

Anyway, good luck with the job hunt. I hope you find something significantly better, soon.

Glam, I like anything by Plan Toys. Eco-friendly and very well-made.

At 1, Dylan was really into sorting toys like this.

Strangely, said arguments rarely bring the men who are being called for reserve duty at least 6 weeks of the year (while most women don't give birth every year).

Here, the disability/sick leave debate is separate from the maternity leave debate. Maternity leave is generous, though. And I got a lot of leeway, when I was working, for disability-related stuff (mental health problems were included in that). I really don't think it's good enough when employers can't be bothered to realise that you keep a good employee by not creating the kind of environment that ultimately creates more illness.

A rainy-day arts and crafts book for kids, and a cache of art supplies in a storage container -- moldable non-toxic clay, pipe cleaners, finger paints, large sheets of paper, preprinted masks, etc.

Or cool books. Ask any librarian or Children's Dept. bookseller for recs for that age group -- they'll have more specific knowledge than I.