Firstly, dude if you don't like the thread don't post on it.  Also, Jay has a point, and until he makes one of these everyday about the same thing, I don't think you should be complaining about it.    It's not like all his threads are the same, anyway. 

Lastly, if there are standards that should be held, wouldn't that mean all real-life related issues shouldn't be posted in a general discussions thread?   It's not uncommon for people to talk about these sorts of things online, so I suggest you should either get over it, or not post in topics that don't discern you. 

Dude, don't let your kids be in the middle of a territorial fight about your kids. Their mother is trying to put her 'mark' so to speak on the kids. Let your kids decide what they want to were. They may stick to some of the things, but probably were already more like they wanted to be. You shouldn't criticize their mom - cause no-matter what, that's still their mom.

Hopefully that had a good time and will have good memories with her.

2 years? And since we didn't just have someone return from Mars I doubt she has a real explanation of why to be so absent. Parents that are in 'every so often' seem mess their kids up the most. One of my buddies bio Dad was in an out for years. Would say he was going to be around more, maybe a month, or a few weeks, but really messed my friend up. (I am not talking about custody sharing divorced parents - but people that vanish for extended periods of time.)

I really wish people that wanted to be 'occasional' parents - like very few years, would just stay out of it, and let the kid see the people that want to be in their life. And not think something is missing by someone that makes 'guest appearances.'

And good luck with that. It sounds super stressful to have their Mom show up and do that stuff to them. Shocking, shocking I say too! But hopefully that had some good times and they can grow into good happy people.

I think you are a bit harsh on her.. If thats the trend wheres she comes from and didn't see how the kids evolved in 2 years don't expect that she does everything right in your eyes.. Maybe she doesn't know better and spend a lot of time and money to get them the gifts..

Ask the kids - do they like their hair and clothes?

they've got pretty big say in this, and you don't want to aienate them.

My point is there's nothing to discuss, and it's a stupid and trivial topic.

I always take the mindset when evaluating whether something is acceptable or not: "What if everyone does this?"

And just imagine. Every day, every user just posting "I burned the toast today" "Somebody didn't say 'bless you'" etc

What if everyone posted threads with meaningful topics that have room for discussion? Well that'll just be fucking fantastic.

She is a bitch. A good mother does not leave her own children for that long. She should not be such a big influence to them. Your children have been growing up in a certain way. And it is not right for them to be changed just for their mother's pleasure. So, protect your kids and make it clear to her to stay put. After all, the day she is going to leave the kids (again) will come. Parents' actions have a huge impact on young children. 

I agree. I don't know if it was all her fault or her decision not to see the kids in 2 years, but IF that's actually the case you shouldn't allow her to have any influence on your kids at all. It sounds like she doesn't give a damn and only came back to "play with dolls" for a while.

shouldn't you like be talking to your kids how they feel about it?

not that i know anything about parenting, but that is what came to my mind first.

When this site was on its height in 2009 - 2010 off topic was the most popular section, that untill ioi got angry and removed off topic from the hot topic section.. and the site went downhill.. people shouldn't forget that off topic is an important part of the site for newcomers to post harmless stuff and learn how to post before entering the gaming sections where they will be eaten alive by us, the wolves.. it already attracted 3 members I have never seen before..

Off topic =/= Low quality threads.