I intend to live forever - so far, so good

[awest1217]

I understand you want to give your daughters the world, but she should be very appreciative that she even gets to go to New York and California. Many children never get to go past the states connected to where they live. Instead of always thinking about what you can't give the girls, they and you need to focus on what you are able to do. There is so much you do with the girls that many parents would die to be able to do, but they can't (even some two parent households) because they are struggling to just put food on the table. Maybe start a thankful list because you have so much to be thankful for.

The daisy troup e-mail: You just said yesterday that you wanted to be informed about STBXW talking to the principal so now she informed you about the Daisy troup and you are upset. Choose! To that e-mail, I would just say, "thank you for the information. Is there anything you would like me to do to help with this situation?" D8 is really having a hard time with the D even though she doesn't show it, probably because of all of her energy, so you need to help her when possible. Work with STBXW on behalf of D8 and D11 to help them adjust. A C may need to be called in for the girls so they have someone safe to confide in. D8 may be thinking this is her fault even if you tell her it is not so she needs help to realize it.

With the babysitter, I am sorry but it is illegal for her to not claim that money. I believe anything over $1000 is supposed to be claimed. She is making almost $4000 a year so it should be claimed on a moral route. Depending on how old this girl is, she probably still won't pay much for that, but she does need to learn to pay her taxes. My accountant always says to hold back about 30% so for the girl it would be $400.

As for the other things, I will go with what others have said. Choose your battles wisely. Do you want to fight with STBXW over some $ or save that battle in case the babysitter quits and you have to fight for the extra day? Since STBXW is still paying the full daycare bill so if you fight her about the lower child support she could say then you have to start paying half the child care. Which is better?

You D is going to happen and be finalized. When, who knows, but it will happen so why not start getting things ready. Why make a big deal about the insurance when you would have to be take off soon anyway? This is just one less thing to worry about when the D is final.

Choose wisely...