Just thinking back to when I applied to college in the dark ages (before pc's, but thankfully we did have White-Out!), I didn't bother asking anyone to read my essays before mailing them in. I can't remember how many I wrote...maybe 2? They were probably so similar that I used the same ones with minor variations for all the schools I applied to. I'm wondering how often kids these days get help from their parents on their essays and personal statements. I'm thinking of proof-reading and editing help, both for content and clarity. I have some friends who don't even know what their kids wrote about, and other friends who admit to helping edit the essays, but they're not saying how much help they're giving. I don't know if it's because it's not a significant amount of help or because they don't want to say that they're practically writing it for their dc, lol. So what do you guys think or know about this? What have you heard?

Lord, have mercy. I am so, so, deeply sorry. :crying: :crying: :crying: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I'm not there yet, but it'll be here soon. I can't even imagine how I'll feel. Probably a huge mix of happy and sad, and wonderment at what we accomplished together. Well done, mama. Well done. :hurray: :grouphug:

:grouphug:

This :iagree:

Ohmygosh, I'm horrified for you. No answers, but I'm clenching my pelvic floor in solidarity with you. :svengo:

You know what was great about it for me this year? ZERO expectations, therefore, ZERO disappointments. For many years I've thought that it was important for my kids to do something special for me, even if it's just buying me a card, so that they'd be trained in some way for their future wives, MILs, etc. But lately I've been thinking, you know what? That's not my problem. They can figure it out when they're older and perhaps run up against their wives/MILs expectations. Maybe then they'll learn to put a bit more effort into it. For me, personally, I don't really care that much. I'm always glad when they holiday is over so I can stop feeling like something's wrong with my life, lol. DH did buy me flowers right before dinnertime, so there's that. Although, honestly, my *KIDS* are the ones who should be marking the occasion since I'm their Mom. Whatever. Maybe they'll see all the Mom- tributes their friends have posted online and feel kinda bad for being slackers. :D

Tunics, girl, tunics. They cover a MULTITUDE of sins.

Except...summer is coming. And it gets hot, hot, hot and humid here. What is the summer equivalent to leggings? :001_unsure:

I voted yes! It's summer. Summer is hot. In the hot summer you go to the pool! Making friends at the pool is a great benefit, and one that can last all year long. You may make mommy friends, too, and then together you coordinate what times you'll meet up to swim, have lunch, etc.

Your family has been on my mind. Continued prayers for strength to take the next breath and step. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I wouldn't say it's suggestive, but it's annoying and predictable.

Fwiw, I don't think drug use would have been my first thought at all! I have one DS who has tried this hand sanitzer and lighter thing. He learned it at summer camp and thought it was so cool. Freaked me the heck out, but I chalked it up to reckless boy stuff. I made him promise never to do it again, and he hasn't (to my knowledge). The other stuff sort of sounds like regular ol' teenage moodiness and feeling out of place (in school, etc.). I would just suggest getting some therapy and let the professional assess whether he/she suspects substance abuse. It doesn't sound out of the realm of normal for teenagers to go through this.

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: So sorry for this trial, Moonhawk. I agree that it's best for the kids and for you that he left at this time.

I actually had goose bumps reading your post. I'm a sucker for a good underdog story. :) Congrats!

I only upgrade when my phone gets sluggish and I can't get messages. I was told this happens when it's too old to support app updates.

Sorry, but I think the bolded is your only option here. If someone can invent a yap button, I'll contribute to a Kick Starter campaign, because I could use one (or three...). :grouphug:

Apparently he was found dead in his prison cell...suicide. This is just days after he was acquitted and was apparently looking forward to part 2 of his life. What a tragedy this whole story has been, for everyone involved!

DC have been to many over the years. PM me with questions. :)

How can you tell?

I'm so sorry for the news, the bad delivery, and the wounds that it has opened for you. I'm shocked that you didn't have your mother's support when you were leaving an addictive, abusive spouse. That must have been so painful. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

Do me a solid aka do me a favor. I'm pretty sure it's been around forever, because it's nothing new to me. It never would have occurred to me to think of poop, lol! :lol:

I would highly advise that you have your DD call and/or email the school and let them know they are her first choice if the $$ comes through. I was amazed at how much wiggle room there was for this sort of thing when my DS was in scholarship negotiations. ETA: Make sure the communication is coming from your DD, not you. Even if you proofread the email, make sure it's got her name on it.

I agree with the others that a 2/20 on a test shows a lack of understanding. Sounds like she panics when she has a test because she feels so shaky. Are you using Saxon? I ask because of the 20 question test. When my dc have gone through Saxon algebra I literally sat right next to them for each problem to provide immediate correction when needed. It also helped *me* because as I watched them solving a problem I could see right away where their thought process was going awry. I know you have other kids, too, as do I. But mastering a skill like Algebra is so important, and so many other maths build from it, that I would prioritize working on math right beside her. Organize your other kids' schoolwork and your involvement with them in such a way that you are 100% available to her during that block of time. It sounds like she's a good kid who is feeling overwhelmed. I think it can be solved with another approach besides public school. Hugs, mama. Homeschooling is hard work!

Alcumus from Art of Problem Solving?