Yikes. That seems dangerous! Oh wait - it was 40 total he was supposed to do, not 40 at night. That makes sense. I don't love driving in the dark either, but hopefully he will get more comfortable with time.

Do you and DH not buy for each other? Maybe it's time to start!

DS16 was the first love of my life. I left an abusive marriage when he was an infant, and we have a very close bond. Though I've been remarried since he was 2, and we adopted two other children - he and I have maintained that special closeness. For the last year he has struggled with depression and anxiety. It's been so bad he has missed school, lost weight due to not eating enough, and it's affected really all aspects of his life. We have a new psychiatrist and he has been on a new medication for almost 2 months, and he's finally doing so much better. I can't even express how much my heart sings seeing him smile, and laugh, and be himself again. He's talking about the future, wants to get his license and a job - I'm just feeling so incredibly grateful for answered prayers this Christmas. The only thing I really wanted for Christmas was to have him back. I know the road is still long, and there may still be hard, dark days ahead...but today I'm so thankful. I just wanted to share in case anyone else is in the hard, dark space with their child - there is hope.

Some don't! Some get dog walkers to come and take them out during the day. But truly - no dog should be left alone for longer than an 8 hour or so stretch. I can't hold my bladder that long, and they shouldn't have to either!

Yes - becoming an authorized user on a parent's card can built good credit fairly quickly. Also, secured cards are a decent option.

Sharing a bedroom is not the issue - teenagers of the opposite sex sharing a BED is.

Yes. You'd be surprised how often incest/abuse happens in situations like this.

I would separate them at those ages.

Bring it back in without the receipt.

Citizen's Access is rated #1 on a bunch of lists - no fees, 2.25% interest! We love it.

I don't see anything wrong with a guy who is excited about his girlfriend doing a special dinner/date for monthly anniversaries. Honestly ... my DH sent me flowers all the time our first couple of years (we got married after one year) until I asked him to stop. He celebrated months and still celebrates our first date-iversary, engagement-iversary, etc. He's not clingy or weird or insecure - he loves me. Maybe some people would find it offensive, but celebrating monthly anniversaries isn't necessarily a problem. Moms aren't always right, either. Maybe there are other things "off" about him, but this isn't weird IMO at all.

Why are you stressed about it? She's an adult and navigating her own way through relationships. I don't see any need for you to be worrying about any of this at all!

Usually vegan mac and "cheese"

I agree. I think it sounds hurtful to completely exclude him and set him as "less important", especially since you think he could be 'forever.' Also, I wouldn't classify a fiance as the "next level" if you're going to break it down that way. For me, a stocking would come after marriage...not just because there's a ring.

Ah. I feel like so many of your posts make more sense to me now that I know you are a JW. I'm sorry about your MIL - sounds upsetting.

Yes, it's triangulation. Yes, parenting a RAD kid takes away everything - peace, love, a general sense of well being. Our RAD son was adopted at age 10. We were told he had only ADHD. We were told he could love. Reality was very, very different. He has no conscience. He has mental illnesses on top of RAD. He is also intellectually disabled. Our life has been a living hell for 9 years and there's no end in sight. In our state there is no help until a "child" is 21. I don't think we will make it there. The destruction to our home, the stealing, the lying, the violent rages - no family should have to endure this. The only alternative is a homeless shelter. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't like the person I am when he is around. Feel free to PM me. I get it.

Yeah that is standard protocol for most competitive sports IMO.

Perhaps not, but that doesn't mean that the ones who really do should be punished for it.

I think making fun of a child, either online or in real life, is unkind. The pronunciation of the name is quite pretty IMO.

I would not have them stay with me, and I would severely limit their contact with my children.

Age 5

First, I think I'd ask your DH not to put any kind of pressure on your weight whatsoever. Telling you he'd like you to gain, when struggling with an eating disorder of any kind, just puts further emphasis on food at a time when you're already struggling. He can't manage the eating disorder for you, so asking him to come up with an idea for night time seems like a bad idea. You, and a therapist, need to make a plan. Second, it sounds like you need to eat foods with fewer carbs. IME, carb-heavy foods like cereal simply make the body crave more. Maybe try eating fruit and protein after dinner and see if you feel more satiated.

I'm not sure why you're so adamant that her son must have either of those. Many, many people have Generalized Anxiety Disorder or OCD or Social Anxiety and are not autistic and do not have ADHD.

Homesickness is hard, and painful, and nothing to feel guilty about. Hang in there. Sending prayers your way.

Gardein holiday roast, green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, gravy