Lots of people seem to have memories of the slapping technique. Never got it myself, but I do remember the arched wrists, now that you mention it, and I do remember her yelling at me once because my fingernails were too long and I was playing with the pads of my fingers instead of the tips. Yes, I remember all of that but once again -- can't play Beethoven's Fifth to save my life.

Your piano sounds like my treadmill. I'm not very good at it...so it's a great place to hang my clothes!

Such a timely post for me, as with two girls in middle school we've had more than our share of Mean Girls situations. It sounds like you really thought it through and gave your daughter some great food for thought. I'm going to remember your words the next time a situation arises with one of my girls. Which will probably be in the next ten minutes.

Looking back, I don't remember my parents forcing me to play -- I think I really wanted to learn and figured that was the only way. Who knew there were nice, cheerful teachers around who actually liked kids? I think the teacher makes all the difference in the world, and when they're young I'll take personality over technical skills any day.

Yes, I've heard of the yardstick method - my teacher's was more of a 'mental slapping.' And I just realized I'm a total failure as an Asian -- can't play an instrument AND I suck at math!!

Amish dresses, chastity belts -- I say we get a couple of other moms and just go for the warehouse discount.

No, I figure once they start swatting the guys on the butt it's time to say something.

Yes, they're getting wise a little too quickly. Time to come up with a new technique!

Oh, I can so identify with this post. I don't know how many times I've been asked if I'm the nanny, how many years I've lived here, how surprised someone is that I "don't have an accent" when I talk. Also, I'm the only Asian in the world who isn't good at math. (And don't get me started on what my parents, who were born here, had to go through after WWII when they were stripped of their land and all their possessions and put into relocation camps...) Also, your neighbor is a tool.

Amy, you're a great mom and Aubrey will be fine. Besides, here's your chance to write and star in a sitcom about a single, Asian parent! (And don't forget to cast me as extra as the lady who owns the dry cleaners. Or your manicurist.)

Amy, you got in too quickly and I couldn't stop you. So sorry for all the french fries stuck to the back of your pants.

When we got married (almost 17 years ago!) we agonized over the kids/no kids dilemma and our wedding planner came up with a brilliant idea: we requested no young children at the ceremony, and hired a group of babysitters (I think there were 4) to watch them during this time. Our planner pointed out that the ceremony isn't the most exciting part for young kids, anyway. It was a little easier for us, because we got married at the Santa Barbara zoo and there's a playground nearby the area where we had our ceremony. The babysitters stayed on throughout the reception, and anyone who wanted their kids with them could bring them to their table, but they were also welcome to leave them with their babysitters. A majority of our guests chose to leave the kids with the babysitters, and they told us it was one of the most enjoyable weddings they had been to because they could cut loose at the reception sans kids but still check on them periodically.

I'm going through this exact same thing (even the front-seat-as-storage conundrum. I don't like to having to clean up all my half-eaten food just for a passenger.) It's my 11yo that prefers sitting in the front seat -- my 13yo is quite content to sit in the back and immerse herself in her iPod playlist. Or maybe it's to avoid all my cussing, I'm not sure.