I've bookmarked it to read later. I may be just a hard hearted person, but since my kids hit adulthood, I don't actually feel a particularly motherly pain about what they have to inherit. They are humans, and like all humans, they will be living in a difficult world. I never felt they would be in any way exempt from suffering regardless. We all suffer in ways unique to our context, including our historical context. Given that suffering is a universal, I don't feel pain about it so much as hope they have the resilience to persist despite or within it. I will be quite pleased if they don't have children of their own, however - what pains me most is thinking about my children's possible pain at their children's circumstances. A sort of deferred empathy, I guess.

I don't even find underwire uncomfortable. Idk. Maybe I just wear really good bras? I think, sitting here in a sleep bra and paying attn to what I like about it, and I think it's the feeling of slight pressure? holding? Anyway, some sensory thing, just in the opposite direction.

And I agree re shoes - shoes come off the minute I get home.

I like bras, and I also have sleep bras. I am 100% more comfy in a bra than out of a bra. Take one off to shower and that's about it. I know I'm not meant to be pro-bra, but I am. My only bra issue is cost - I can't get a good fitting bra for less than $60.

Yes, my parents also had no side effects. Worth it anyway, for me.

Mine will be about 1.5 x last year's bill. I'm not too worried - I do bill smoothing, meaning I overpay each fortnight in summer, and have lots of credit for the winter bill There's hardly anything we can do here other than turn off appliances at the wall.

2nd booster wiped me out (Pfizer). @Ausmumof3 I know you were a bit worried about side effects of 4th jab. Nurse said ppl seemed to experience more side effects with second booster compared to first. Is Novovax booster an option for you?

Be patient. Yeah, I know... The well won't ever run truly dry, but sometimes you've got to have a break from carting water, kwim? Ask where your creativity wants you to go. Be kind to yourself.

I've never had an excessive lifestyle (by Western standards) but have found pleasure and energy in simplifying. For example, I've been on a work break recently, and I made a list of what I wanted to do, then ranked them. I crossed out anything that wasn't top 3. So instead of two weeks running around trying to fit a stack of stuff in, I've had a slow fortnight of writing, yoga and meditation each day - very restful. I think it's good not to become rigid about it, but the simplifying principle can be a pleasant one.

Yes, but not randomly. To support legal actions.

It's hard. My eldest was similar until recently. I think all you can do is just keep being mom. Listen & love. Everyone has a different path through life, and sadly, it's a harder path for some than it is for others. Hopefully things will change with time.

Boosted! Hope it helps.

It can be linked to anxiety. Hoarding was the first symptom for one of my kids. She did not grow up to be a hoarder so it wasn't an enduring symptom, but I sometimes wish I'd known it could be linked. It might have given us a head start on treating the anxiety.

I highly value practical help + giving me space for some solitude. Hugs sometimes but not always. My idea of love is someone taking chores off my plate, making me a cup of tea, and then letting me go off to read/write for a long time. That's what makes me feel good. I wouldn't say I'm an easy person to show love to, because to.me it involves an acceptance of my need for solitude.

I don't know how you can get over it. Maybe more worthwhile to practice your verbal communication skills? People often find crying as a firm of communication 'manipulative', so I personally have a hard time seeing it as a successful communication strategy.

I cry very rarely. It's related to a number of things, including hormones changing, emotional numbness/fatigue and anxiety meds. I don't worry about it much. Seems counter-productive to pressure myself about it. When I do cry, it tends to be in moments of extreme stress and tiredness. I cried more when I was younger. I think now I'm just guarding my internal resources - crying takes energy. I occasionally cry in therapy, but it's not my norm.

Response to the shortage of teachers?

https://noahpinion.substack.com/p/abe-shinzo-a-retrospective This was a really interesting read. Lots I didn't know. I think, regardless of one's opinions on the ex PM, the political assassination of a major world (ex) leader is worrisome.

That's shocking.

Hope his cough settles. I forgot to update my anecdotal news which is that dd didn't get infected even though she'd been at the same party where her partner got sick, and obv, in the same home as partner. They did pretty strict iso for the partner..

Yes, AU, sorry.

Weirdly, so am I, and I'm not sure why. I'm going to get it on Monday, but I've been putting it off. Just a no-evidence niggle.

I hear you on knowing more than you want to know! It's weird for me, b/c I left home the minute I finished school and never lived at home again. So my lucky parents got to live in blissful ignorance of whatever I was up to.

Thanks, this is a great rule of thumb.

New infant?! Congrats!! I will light all the candles for you 🙂