I'm Tina Pollard. I live in a small town in Virginia with a population of who knows (how do people always know this?). Besides writing recommendation letters and wedding speeches for friends and family, I have had the opportunity to write family humor articles for local newspapers.

My husband, David, and I have worked hard to maintain as simple a lifestyle as possible. It's not always easy because we have three teenagers (B-19, G-17, B-14) and on alternating weekends my step-daughter who is 7. Besides those of us who walk up-right, we also have three dogs who think they run the place...and I sometimes wish they did.

Even though we only have four children, it really does feel like more.

One just bought his first house and will be moving out in a couple of months. Either A) we really suck as parents and he can't wait to get away or B) we've done a fine job and he's showing his success and independence. I pick B...because that makes me feel better.

One can't decide where to go to college. JMU, VCU, CNU, SCU...how bout this, I'm tired of paying application fees. Make a decision and stick with it!

One says he's not driving the old Volvo tank even if it is a family tradition that everyone has to drive it as their first vehicle. I suggest that this one start saving his pennies. We just had a safety check done on that tank and it's good to go for another 200,000 miles!

Two spend too much time with XBox, Nintendo DS and PlayStation. I blame Santa for this.

One forgets to tell us about an unscheduled football practice until 10 minutes prior.

One doesn't like our sheets and prefers to buy his own with a higher thread count. OK!

One uses all the hot water when taking a shower. Actually three of them do this.

One forgets deodorant (phew!)
One NEEDS new jeans (8 pair aren't enough).
One has to have a special shampoo (why?).
One can't be bothered with taking out the trash.

Boy it feels like a dozen children, but at the end of the day it's back to being just the four of them. Four children who have made me crazy and more often than not have made me proud.

It's a daily battle and sometimes I actually think the dogs, who are trying to take over, would do a better job keeping this crew under control. For now though, they're all mine and I'm going to do the best I can and pray a lot!

My passion is ...

Writing

I know too much about ...

Children

My parents always told me ...

think about the consequences and if you can live with them, go for it.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a mom.

My favorite memory ...

Christmas morning with my kids.

Why I write ...

it's either that or talk too much...and I still talk too much.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Reading a Beverly Lewis book I received as a gift for Christmas

My first job ...

McDonald's drive thru - I love talking to the customers.

My best moment ...

Finishing my screenplay

My inspiration ...

God.

Parenting & Pregnancy > Adolescence Parenting teens: Knowing how to choose your battles

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Having three teenagers (19, 17, 15), I've learned the hard way about choosing my battles. As I've won a few and lost a few I've come away with a bit of knowledge. I've also preserved my sanity by learning what's not worth fighting over. Before engaging in a battle, I try to think, "Will this make a difference in five years?" For most things, it will not make a difference.

If I find that I must relent on an issue, I typically lay down a couple of ground rules. After all, I'm still the mom.

(1) Clothing choices
This has had the potential to be a battle for years. I refuse to engage....

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