>>>>>>
>>>>>>The voice of experience. I agree with you completely and have tried to gently make the same point to Kevin. Sometimes I get the impression he expects Katy to be his Mini-Me, sharing his enthusiasms and dislikes. Maybe it will happen that way but IMO it would be an exceptionally docile teen/lpreteen who wants it. Part of growing up is to learn to think for yourself.
>>>>>
>>>>>Neither of you know a thing about how I'm raising my kid.
>>>>
>>>>No, not much. And I know enough to know that's that's stepping on the third rail to try to tell someone how to raise their child. I don't think that's what Nick meant and I know it wasn't what I meant. More of a caution flag. I considered what he said good general advice.
>>>
>>>Mike what I said was a joke. I don't do child raising advice. I'd stop someone beating their child with a stick. Thats about it.
>>
>>OK, I misunderstood. I thought what you said was right on the money -- if you (any parent) push something on a kid too hard it is more likely to make them want to do the opposite. I should have stopped there, and will stop here.
>>
>>Happy holidays. Are you going away anywhere?
>
>And Happy Christmas to you Mike. I can say that as in the UK we don't have that issue :-).
>
>No at home which is nice.
>
>A few times in the past we have gone to France with family renting gites. usually near the coast so its not a big drive. But not this year
>
>Visit to my in laws after Christmas (my mother in law has just had a new hip)
>
>What about you ?

Will be at home also, with my daughters in and out. They both have long breaks and want to make some extra money at their jobs in Wisconsin so will not be here all the time. Allie has a 6 month old puppy so all in all it will be much livelier here than usual.