TD_washingtonredskins

I want someone like Skubal (making Grayson our 3, Kremer our 4, etc.), someone like Scott (making Kimbrell our 8th inning guy, etc.), and then another solid bat. With the way we've drafted over the past several years and with the plethora of talent we have at certain positions, there's no reason to go into the late-summer and fall with glaring weaknesses.

I truly believe this team needs 2-3 arms (both starters and bullpen) along with a solid bat. We need someone like that Zobrist/Seager type who always seems to be on WS-caliber teams.

No offense, but that's not just "college soccer" that has it right. It's pretty much every other timed sport known to man. The way soccer does it makes no sense whatsoever. In this day and age, when we have the ability to review plays down to the millisecond, players should never wonder how much time is left in their game.

I can't imagine that duplication across sports is the issue. At some point, I had heard that Warriors in conjunction with any of the old logos or symbolism wasn't a far enough move away from Native American imagery to appease people who thought the old name/logo was racist. I have no idea how legitimate that reason was. But, if you used the name Warriors and a spear, then you could easily just claim that it's a generic/fictional warrior that has nothing to do with Native Americans at all. I'm sure plenty of warriors all over the globe and in many different tales have used spears as weapons.

I'm back - not ignoring the replies... 1) By "getting mad" at the adult who kept it from me, I meant more that I'd hold them more accountable than a child who doesn't want to come forward with it yet. Especially with the importance of proper medical care (pregnancy), the statistics being what they are with depression rates (transgenderism), etc. I don't mean that I'd run through the school making a scene or track that person down to yell at them. 2) I also agree that teachers aren't paid to be family liaisons...which I think makes it even more of a reason why they should just escalate to someone else at the school (get that responsibility/burden off their plate) whose responsible for notifying the parents in some way. It seems like your experience is extremely related which makes you very informed, but also has the one giant caveat of you dealing nearly exclusively with adults. That, to me, is a giant difference regarding how/when/if to include parents (even if a 17-year old might slip into the workflow from time to time). I'm thinking more of a high school scenario when the occasional 18-year old will be the exception, but we are mostly dealing with 15- and 16-year old kids.

Do you feel the same way (case-by-case, for lack of a better description) on if transgenders should be using the bathrooms of their choice or playing on sports teams of their choice? You'd only permit them to do so (and let their personal choice override the comfort or fairness of others) if their mental health was at risk?

But this is where I feel like we have to collectively determine when we are going to decide that transgenderism is or isn't something that requires a special category. One of the reasons people always tell me that we need to loosen the competitive rules of sports or bathrooms and promote inclusion is due to the significantly higher suicide and depression rates. But now, if we want to treat it seriously and loop in the parents, it's simply just "preferred pronouns and identity" at school. There needs to be consistency because there are repercussions. It's either serious and needs to be treated as such across the board, or it's just a pronoun.

Yep, we have been trying to let them know for a couple years that we will never be mad about having to come pick them up. My biggest concern is that we've made it almost too comfortable or safe for them to drink. My older child won't touch anything (alcohol, nothing). My younger one is my problem. I can tell that she loves parties and all that. But, at least she knows she won't get in trouble grabbing a safe drive from us. I KNOW I didn't feel that comfortable with my parents. What I did know is that we always had a house we could sleep at. That helped...a lot! So sorry that happened to you guys...so awful! But isn't that as simple as a "not telling because we've been informed that there's abuse" checkbox? To me, if that's the exception, I'm fine with that. I would hate to exacerbate the situation by involving abusive parents. But, that's about the only circumstance I can think of. And, if we are considering students mature enough to make this call, then shouldn't it be incumbent on them to provide an explanation for why they don't want their parents to know? We don't let them opt out of having their grades sent home or any disciplinary items communicated to their parents.

Eh...again, I think there are plenty of times when a teenager might just want to not include their parents because it's easier. My kids come to me about things. My daughter chose to tell me that she was going to a party where her friends would be drinking (she's far younger than she should be to be drinking). I told her not to get into a car with anyone who's been drinking and to feel comfortable calling or texting me, my wife (her stepmom), or her mother if she needed a safe ride. She did. She had clearly been drinking and was open and honest about it, so I drove her home. We chatted about it the next morning and talked about making smart decisions. I don't air my family's dirty laundry for no reason...I'm sure it opens me up to judgement. I do it to show that I'm not some father whose kids are afraid to "be themselves" or be honest with. All that said, I am sure there are still going to be (or have been) times when they are going to prefer to avoid the headache that comes with dealing with their parents. What kid wouldn't?? This is exactly why we don't give them the option of deciding these things.

I get it and it's tempting to think/say that. I have a great relationship with my 15 and 16 year old. They also have a great relationship with their mother. I also remember what it's like to be that age (with great parents) and feel like sliding under the radar or avoiding repercussions might be the best course of action. This isn't Full House or The Cosby Show. Things don't ALWAYS go the way you assume that they would just because you're an involved and understanding parent.

Agreed. An attempt on his life is 99.99% of what has been discussed. I don't think Trump or his handlers have really played up his "injury" much at all. He was golfing the next day. They may have exaggerated the bandaging on his ear at the RNC to remind everyone that he was hit (my assumption only), but it's not like he came out in a wheelchair or has called himself a gunshot survivor.

BTW - I guess I'm as personally fired up about this as @tshile. Who knew? I want to add that my edge isn't directed at anyone posting, but the concept itself.

Don't forget, your parents have every right to see all your quarterly grades, etc. through the county and school web sites - even for useless elective classes like Gourmet Cooking or Weightlifting. But, no, they don't need to be involved in something like this if you don't think it's necessary.

Call me old fashioned, but I would be furious as a parent if Bob the Teacher found out that my daughter was pregnant and honored her wishes not to tell me or her mother. I don't know what the laws are...but there certainly should be, just as there should be if a child is struggling with something like this. Again, with the exception of an ABUSIVE family, we are the ones best equipped to help our children through this.

Great post. I had as stable an upbringing as possible...both parents in the house, an older sister who was straight as an arrow...and even I thought I had it tough. If I could find a way to choose the path of least resistance and knew there was an option to keep something from my wonderfully supportive family structure, I would have (at certain times in my life). Just because a child wants to cut his or her parents out of an important decision or topic, doesn't mean it's the right choice. Of course, there are some very serious or exceptional cases where it's appropriate (abuse, etc.). But, for the most part, it's incumbent on the "trusted school official" to offload this information to someone closer to the kid.