I like Barry. He reminds me of my youngest brother. Just like I sometimes do with my baby brother, I’m going to have to agree to disagree with Barry on the topic of ‘picking your battles‘. I have five very different children. Each of them is treated just as differently. However, none of them is disciplined or trained the same way that we trained our very well-behaved German Shepherd. They are unique individuals who are being raised to think for themselves and learn from their mistakes. I think that Doug and I are very strict about expecting honesty and respect from our children. In other areas we are much more liberal than other parents. We know that. The most harmless example I can think of is hair. While they aren’t allowed freedom with permanent things like tattoos or piercings, they are allowed to do what they want with their hair. I may think it’s stupid when Sarah combs her hair over one eye, but that is a battle I won’t fight. The grandparents all hate Tommy’s long hair but that is not a battle we will fight with Tommy OR the grandparents. Doug will tell you that I am a bit over-sensitive about clothing. While we both agree that underwear can’t show and t-shirts should not be crude or rude, I expect clothing to be clean and matching. Doug thinks color and style clashes should be ignored but he lets me have my hang-ups. I won’t even begin to explain the importance of picking battles with a special needs child. I pick my battles. Do you pick your battles?