"One of the things my H did when I first started staying at home was to install the following rule: When he arrives home, he comes to me first. He gives me a hug and a kiss"

I do something along those lines already, but I'll have to admit that I probably come across very tentative. I'll strap on my brass-ones tonight and come across very manly and see how it works out.

"baby just comes up and flat out pushes us apart, then raises her arms as if to say, Yo here I am..which wanna you lucky dogs is going to pick me up?"

If you said nothing else, that would prove you have kids. The smaller of the twins will actually start crying a bit if I hug momma too long (in her opinion).

"If this magnificent Hero Guy goes to ME first, I must be pretty special."

You know, the whole "a good R with your S sets the tone for your kids" is obviously true, but your statement really crystallizes it for me. My kids (at this age) do really look up to me (well, so does everyone else) so if I treat momma as a very special person, and I wouldn't have to fake it, it can't help build respect for her in them as a collateral effect. Wow! Light bulb for sure.

"Anyway, he's done that every night for the past 6 years and it really helps. Go get em tiger."

Actually I like to think of myself more of a Lion, but thanks anyway. I think combining your suggestion with NOPkins (see later post) are really great. Heartfelt thanks! See, this is what we all need. Concrete plans of action. I have always hated sermons in church that go on an on about "being a child of God", "love Jesus", "Don't give into the Devil." I've always like the "there is an old lady out there who can't make it to church anymore, why don't you videotape the service, take it to her house (bring your VCR if she doesn't have one) and watch it with her." Action!!!


"Recollect me darlin, raise me to your lips, two undernourished egos, four rotating hips"

Inertia Creeps by Massive Attack