After an almost gruelling summer of trying to get my car fixed, my mission has finally been accomplished. I finally got my check from doing an MTV event at Six Flags. That money was used to get my knock sensor on my car, which was causing my check engine light to be on. This was causing my car from passing inspection. The problem was that when my car was due for inspection, someone had hit my car while I was at a Big Brother and The Holding Company concert. I guess that is Murphy's Law in effect.
I only had basic coverage on my car and was lucky enough to get that fixed by Rick's Auto Body. Which you can read about that in this earlier post.
I had planned on getting the check engine light fixed and had went to the local auto part store so that they could hook up the scanner to my car to find out the code(s) that was keeping my check engine light on and to find out if it needed to be special ordered and how much it would be. It was $93.44 including tax. So, I knew to put aside that much money to get the part. Today was the day to get it. When I called the store and spoke to someone there, they recommended me to a local place that I had no idea about. East Coast Swappers is the hidden gem in Springfield, MA.
I took pictures and will be posting them within the next day or two. So, make sure to check them out in my flickr.
East Coast Swappers is a local business in Springfield, MA and they fix mostly Subaru's. The racing ones, even. Did you know that in Connecticut and New York, they have courses you can race and drift? I had no idea, until today. I bought my knock sensor from them, which they pulled off one of their spare engines. How cool is that? They saved me $44.00. I brought it home and thought we could change it, but you need a torque wrench, which we do not own. So I called them back and told them I did not have a torque wrench to do this. He told me if I came back at 3, they would put it on for $20.00. This was still $24 cheaper than if I had bought that one part from the store.
Going there is like the shop in the movie, The Fast And The Furious. They had about 5 racing cars in there, all supped up, working on them. Either fixing what was wrong with them or adding in the extras to make the cars faster. I guess they install turbos and whatever you want to make your Subaru's performance even better and faster.
I called up Welker's Gulf Station today to find out how much inspection stickers were. I thought they were $35 and Shawn thought it was $50. In Massachusetts, they are $29.00. So the money they saved me, I am going to be able to get my inspection sticker. A much appreciated and big thank you to all the guys at East Coast Swappers. You have no idea...how much you saved me!
I talked to my friend, Jessica today. She lives in Mississippi. She told me that in MS, inspection stickers are $5. I wish they were that cheap here. I don't know why the price difference. She also told me that cigarettes there are under $5.00, as well.
Scenario 1: Click here if this is the first corrupted error report for this computer
, which was also PG-13. (Like many boys his age, he's a die-hard
As a father of a seven year old, I must tell you: if you watched the film and you think that it would really affect his perspective on life, then just have a conversation and ask him about the film. Talking to him you would figure out a lot of things about his views. Sometimes you have to cross "the line" so your kid can have a real view of the world. Communicate with him so you can help shape that view, do not block it! The world is what it is.
Too young? Well, you are the parent, no one knows your kid better than you,don't draw lines you can't explain.
Posted by: Luis | September 09, 2008 at 08:18 AM
As a parent of three, ages 17,10 and 9, I often wonder myself when to let them do things on their own. My 17 yr old has special needs, but they are mild so it was hard for me to let him do things. My 10 yr old is searching for independence and we are letting him do little things such as ride his bike with a friend to the ice cream shop or to the gas station. He still can't go fishing with a friend by himself because I feel they need to be supervised. We also got the restricted cell phones for our two youngest to use to keep in touch with us in case of emergency.
Posted by: Laura | September 09, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Determining the right age for children to watch certain movies is often very dependent on the child. That said, does anyone have a recommendation on the right age for watching the Harry Potter movies?
Posted by: Mary Lanzo | September 09, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Well... as a mother, it's your kid, it's your decision, whatever you feel is right. Me.. ha, my kid will not be left home alone until he is 19, because I don't need trouble. Sleepovers, well... depends on the parents. Bike to a friend's house? Why bike, I can bring him. And the whole transportation, I say no, ask daddy. I'm a very strict mother, because I grew up not too long ago, and I know what it's like.
Posted by: amanda | September 09, 2008 at 09:42 AM
As a former latchkey kid myself and single mom of a seven yr old boy. I see him becoming a latchkey kid too. It all comes down to how much you trust your child to do as you tell them. I have left my son home alone for 5-10 min while I go to the apartment office, to check the mail, or even to make a quick trip to the corner store. I make sure to explain the rules to him. He's not to open the door to anyone and he knows not to cook anything. Like everyone else has said, you know your child and your childs maturity. Only you can decide what is best or what responsibilities your child can handle.
Posted by: Jonetta | September 09, 2008 at 10:19 AM
My question is what is the "legal" age for children to be home alone after school in Oklahoma? My children are very mature for their age but they're only 9 and 8.
Posted by: Elisha | September 09, 2008 at 12:05 PM
When we were growing up, they did not have PG 13 when I was that age. So a lot of the movies today that are PG 13 were PG movies back then or were rated R if it was real nudity and very bad language. We as parents want the best for our children so we need to know if the movie is suited for him or her before they see it. If my parents or friends see the movie before my child wants to see that movie, I would asked if it is good for her to watch it.
With latchkey kids, a parent has to know the laws first in their state on what age is it considered to be OK to leave them home for a couple of hours. It depends on the maturity of the child if you can trust them to listen and behave while you are not there.
Posted by: Tina | September 09, 2008 at 12:14 PM
My sons are 11 and 7 and I will leave them home alone for a couple of hours even if it is to go out to dinner with my husband. You have to know your children and know if they are responsible enough to handle ANY situation. Each child will react differently to a stressful situation. Ask your child. Give him scenarios, even scary ones. I know in IN there is not an age limit. Use your own discretion.
Posted by: Gina | September 09, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Hi Elisha,
According to SafeKids.org, the national guideline is not to leave children under 12 home alone. This page on Wiki Answers quotes the Lawson, OK police department about your state in particular:
"In Oklahoma, there is no fixed age when a child can be left alone. Some are unable to take care of themselves even though they may be older than other children." - Lawton (Oklahoma) Police Department
It also cites a California agency that supports allowing children as young as 8 years old to be left home alone for a few hours at a time, such as after school.
Here's the link:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_Oklahoma_latchkey_laws
But again, my strong advice is that you know your child best and if you think your kids are ready, just make sure to follow the proper safety steps. If you're unsure about their readiness, then I would suggest hiring a caregiver for those hours after school, at least to start, as Felice has done with her 10 year old son. Try posting a job on Care.com in either Child Care or Care Gigs to find the right person in your area.
Cheers,
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | September 09, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Wow! What a great article and great comments from all the readers. I am thankful for reading this and someone having the guts to write about this issue. You are right, it is a deep and personal choice/issue each one of us decides as parents.
For myself, my children are still too young...for me(6 and 8), but this has a been a question I have been wondering about in the back of my head...trying to prepare for when that situation does arrive...which will come before I know it.
Thanks to everyone!
Posted by: Jeanne | September 09, 2008 at 01:03 PM"