Sincerely,
PeePee Pet Peeves

Dear PeePee Pet Peeves,
It sounds like you and your mom trained your men well. Most of us don’t train our guys very well. I was raised in a houseful of males and none of them put the seat down. When I was little I was forever falling in the pot! I didn’t know it was physically possible for a guy to put down the seat–until I met my ex-mother-in-law (what a wonderful woman!) she was the only woman in a houseful of guys. She made her husband and sons sit on the toilet to go. She knew they would never remember to put the seat down and wouldn’t aim well. So when I married her son, it was never a problem and I taught my boys they had to sit also. Now I know that is not very “manly” (I really don’t get that way of thinking) but they never clean the bathroom, either.

I think all women should band together and make their men sit. I just went through that this morning as I was scrubbing around the toilet, I admit I yelled at my current husband that at least at night he has to sit on the throne. When he is half-asleep he has terrible aim. Cleaning bathrooms puts me in a very foul mood. Afterwards, I told my small son he will be sitting from now on!

But to your question: I am glad you came from a family of trained men and you are doing well with the men you live with now. Keep up the good work! Like everything YOU have to make sure they never get away with leaving the seat up. But, sorry to say, you can’t do a darn thing about other women’s men. As long as there are women who put up with this, the seats will remain up. Life is hard and we can only train one household at a time.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 10 years old to 33 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via askmom@kunachronicle.com.

Sincerely,
Deep Fried

Dear Deep Fried,
We have deep fried turkey in the past and I think you are right about all the fuss and expense maybe not being worth it. I never thought it was as great as everyone says it is. Besides it is quite a mess to deal with!

To your question: the oil should keep quite a while if you strain it thoroughly. We used big coffee filters set inside a wire colander. Make sure the oil is hot when you do it so the oil will go through the filter faster and better. As far as storage, I just kept the oil in a cool place in the plastic jug it came in with the lid on tight. I’m not sure if you could freeze it in smaller plastic containers–you could try that and see, maybe do a little “experiment” and find out.

I have used just about all of our left-over oil now–it kept a really long time. In any case, that oil is way to expensive to put on your driveway. Now car oil, that’s another question…

Love,
Mom

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Sincerely,
Opportunity Hunter

Dear Opportunity Hunter,
From my experience there are very few “get rich quick” schemes that work. I have tried a lot of different ones and I’m still not rich–maybe a little poorer for them. One involved selling vitamins and I even went to a few of the company’s seminars in Las Vegas. So then I was even poorer after the gambling…but I have no idea how any of those people got rich. I did find I really liked the vitamins and have been taking them for years. I don’t sell them anymore but I am still a consumer. So maybe the rich ones are getting richer because of me–I don’t know and frankly don’t care.

I really believe there is no such thing as a free lunch. All these companies always want an initial “investment” from you. To make money you have to work really hard at it no matter what you do. Now Pampered Chef, Avon, Mary Kay, or others like that–well I’m sure they won’t make you rich–but you can make a little spending money. Personally, I say “no thank you”–I will be a consumer and will never try another one of those schemes.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type—just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Sincerely,
Senior Student

Dear Senior Student,
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is: do you like where you are in your life? If you don’t like the way your job is or the way your future looks, I don’t understand the hesitation. What are you afraid of? On the other hand, to really be a success at college you had better want it. Don’t waste your time and money if you just want to “play” at it.

If you do want it then just jump in, that is what I did. I had 2 little kids and went back to high school when I was 21 to get my diploma. I succeeded because I really wanted it. Later when I really was too old for school—37 years old—I started taking a few credits at Boise State. But, my life was too good and I didn’t want a degree badly enough, so I only played at it a few years.

If you really want it, do it. But if you don’t really want it, you may find yourself spending a lot of time and money for not much reward.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type—just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Sincerely,
Concerned with Kids

Dear Concerned,

Growing up, my family never really made a big deal of birthdays, so because of that I didn’t make a big deal about birthdays with my kids–especially after one of my girls had a party that I worked really hard on and the kids wouldn’t eat the cakes I had made.

But I do remember having a birthday party one time and my mom said my brothers were too little to understand so she got them each a very small present that didn’t cost much.

When your child is old enough to understand, you can tell them “when it is your birthday, you will be the special one.” Until then, getting him one small gift will not spoil him.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type–just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Dear Overworked and Underappreciated,
I’ve always kept a chore list for the kids on the refrigerator. Each child has their own list with daily and weekly chores.

Even very small ones who don’t read yet can have a list of age-appropriate chores. You can make a list on your computer for each child using pictures instead of words for the little ones who can’t read yet. If you have a list for the small children as well as the older children the little ones will feel important and the big ones won’t feel like they are being picked on.

I never really believed in allowance for allowance’s sake. My dad used to say “I’m not going to pay a kid for living”–but for chores, I think it’s different. You can give chore money in whate ever amount you think is right for the child–it doesn’t have to be much. On our chore list we also had a day picked out that said “Saturday Payday, $1.00.”

Small kids just like to be told they are doing a good job and how big they are getting doing chores. But they can also learn if they don’t do their chores, they don’t get paid.

When you make the chore list be sure it is reasonable and not too much for the age of the child. Also be sure there is enough time for the children to get their chores done. Kids are busy these days with a lot of activities; it’s up to you to make sure they have time for their chores. Make a big deal about pay day and waht a good job they have done.

It’s always more work to get kids to do chores than to do all the work yourself, but I think chores make the kids more self-sufficient. When they grow up they will be happier for what you put them through now. If anything they can brag to their kids about how much work they had to do growing up.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type–just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS

Sincerely,
Picky Eater Woes

Dear Picky Eater Woes,
I was just thinking about this the other day. My kids went through a picky eating phase from about age seven to fourteen. I don’t know the psychology of it but I my theory is they become more aware of where their food comes from, especially meats. The thought that food comes from cute living animals or grows in the dirt probably bothers them. Just think about where eggs come from!

Also small children are able to taste better then adults so spicy food or strong flavors are more intense to them. Any amount of pepper is almost impossible for smaller kids to tolerate. But I also think if kids get a lot of different tasting things when they are small and the food is chosen well and cooked right (like using fresh broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts) they eat it better. Also kids really pick up on if mom, dad or someone they respect says yuck, or even makes a face at what is being served. This has a much bigger impression than adults realize.

Finally for the question: my kids always had to at least taste what we were eating for dinner. If they still didn’t want to eat then I’d do what my mom used to do: take their plate and tell them “supper’s over for you.”  Then do not—under any circumstances—let them have anything else. You don’t need to make a big deal about it just make it “matter of fact.” Kids will eat as much as they need and believe me they will not starve to death by choice. Little ones also are very good at judging how much they need to eat.  For weeks they seem to eat nothing then they have a growth spurt and eat everything in sight!

I hope this helps and don’t worry about them. And also, I don’t believe food should ever be used for punishment or reward.

Love,
Mom  

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type—just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Sincerely,
Deep Fried

Dear Deep Fried,
We have deep fried turkey in the past and I think you are right about all the fuss and expense maybe not being worth it. I never thought it was as great as everyone says it is. Besides it is quite a mess to deal with!

To your question: the oil should keep quite a while if you strain it really well, we used big coffee filters set inside a wire colander. Make sure the oil is hot when you do it so the oil will go through the filter faster and better. As far as storage, I just kept the oil in a cool place in the plastic jug it came in with the lid on tight. I’m not sure if you could freeze it in smaller plastic containers—you could try that and see, maybe do a little “experiment” and find out.

I have used just about all of our left-over oil now—it kept a really long time. In any case, that oil costs way too much to put on your driveway. Now car oil, that’s another question…

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 9 years old to 32 years old.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Dear Mom with Bored Kids,
I am really sorry to hear you have bored kids but there is a solution!

If they are small let them help you clean or cook. Little kids love to clean but as soon as they get old enough to realize it’s “work” they won’t want to do it anymore.

Older kids are a little harder to entertain. I’ve always told my kids when they complain about being bored that they can vacuum the floor, clean up their room, read a book, do a puzzle, or do home work. Those things won’t necessarily cure their boredom but at least they won’t complain to you about it as much.

I do think you are right to curb their video game play. Life is too short to waste on that.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.

Sincerely,
Birthday Woes

Dear Birthday Woes,
Growing up, my family never really made a big deal of birthdays, so because of that I didn’t make big deal about birthdays with my kids—especially after one of my girls had a party that I worked really hard on and the kids wouldn’t eat the cakes I had made! But I do remember having a birthday party one time and my mom said my brothers were too little to understand so she got them each a very small present that didn’t cost much.

When your child is old enough to understand, you can tell them “when it is your birthday, you will be the special one.” Until then, getting him one small gift will not spoil him.

Love,
Mom

Dear Mom,
Ten years ago I graduated high school and went right to work. I am now finding myself interested in college. What are some ways to “get in the game” and keep myself motivated to go back to school and earn a college degree after all these years?

Sincerely,
Senior Student

Dear Senior Student,
I guess the question you need to ask yourself is: do you like where you are in your life? If you don’t like the way your job is or the way your future looks, I don’t understand the hesitation. What are you afraid of? On the other hand, to really be a success at college you had better want it. Don’t waste your time and money if you just want to “play” at it.

If you do want it then just jump in, that is what I did. I had 2 little kids and went back to high school when I was 21 to get my diploma. I succeeded because I really wanted it. Later when I really was too old for school—37 years old—I started taking a few credits at Boise State. But, my life was too good and I didn’t want a degree badly enough, so I only played at it a few years.

If you really want it, do it. But if you don’t really want it, you may find yourself spending a lot of time and money for not much reward.

Love,
Mom

Mom grew up in Libby, Montana and moved to Idaho with her husband in 1979. She has seven natural children and one adopted child ranging in age from 32 years old to 9 years old.

Mom doesn’t claim to be a professional of any type—just a lady who’s lived a lot of life and is happy to share what she’s learned.

Send all “Ask Mom” questions via LAN_EMAIL_SUBS.