One thing I know, at least in the case with my son, is that when I get emotionally sucked in or allow myself to engage in an argument with him, the situation gets much worse. Sometimes I can't stay out of it, but I try very hard to be stoic, be a brick wall without emotion, no matter what he throws at me. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes. No matter what K may say... Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Guh. I hear you. I'm so sorry. Here, we are just coming out of his "high" and it was the craziest it ha ever been. It's been a couple of weeks of onslaught and darkness. I'm feeling stronger today than I have in a while. I will funnel this strength into my prayers for you. [emoji173]ï¸ Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

So much of what you write are things that I could have written myself. Know that at least some others truly know what you are dealing with. [emoji173]ï¸[emoji852]ï¸ Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

You sound like my husband. He has really struggled with his faith during this. It is very hard. Do you have any one who *knows* your details or someone who has experience with mental illness? It does really make a difference if you know that you don't struggle like this alone. My son won't stay on meds, and his cycles are becoming crazier. Every time, it feels like we have to relearn how to manage them because each time it's different. I feel like we need to fortify our "armor" so that we can remain standing as he rails against us or is out of control in some really scary ways. Otherwise, we get sucked under. [emoji53] I am praying for you and K. For strength, wisdom and for divine comfort. I DO believe that God really does "have our backs," but there are some days when I think that I'm kidding myself. [emoji173]ï¸ Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Praying. I have no answers at all for you, as I am in similar circumstances with my 21 mentally ill son who believes he is transgender. In our case, he has been out of our house for years and there have been times where he has been essentially homeless, on drugs, in dangerous and terrible situations. We have come to the conclusion, at least in the now, that we are not/can not be the ones to help him. He won't/can't receive from us, for many reasons. He is too unstable and his active presence in our home is detrimental for the 5 other kids we have here. I would ask you, ARE you helping your child? I get that you are providing a safe place for your child to live, and that is not at all insignificant. But, at what cost to the rest of your family? I think about and pray for my son every day, shoot, every couple minutes of every day. It is a terrible and painfully burden we bear, to be mamas and not be able to fix things or to be estranged. But, I will tell you straight up, I could not do life for these other kids with him still here in the house. We were in the prison of his illness and instability. He cannot receive from us, no matter how much we try to give or give real help. It will have to come from someone else. We trust him to God every moment of every day. And that is HARD stuff. Anyway, prayers for you, mama. This sucks and it's not your fault. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And like others have said, we had dreams. He is so talented. He could have done so much. Now, we are glad when he can hold a job for 2 months and isn't homeless. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I would love to be part of a group, for discussion and support. Sometimes you need a place to say things that you never, ever thought would be in your heart or mind, where people understand and won't cast you out for being a rotten person. My story is so very long and I'm very tired, so I won't spell it all out right now, but I'm happy to share. It's not something that I hide anymore. My oldest son is 21. He has been diagnosed by several different doctors with bipolar, generalized schizophrenia, trauma induced anxiety, and depression. He will not stay on any medications or maintain relationships with any therapists. He's been inpatient 4 different times over 4 years. He believes he is transgender. He also believes that my husband and I are the sole causes of every problem in his life. It is exhausting and feels like we are living in some sort of alternate reality. We have 5 younger kids and the things that are part of their awareness and experience would curl your toes. Lord, have mercy. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

My sweet Charlotte kitty was 18 years old. She went downhill for a while, losing weight, forgetting where the litter box was, occasional blood in her urine. Like your kitty, she was a talker, and a loud purrer. She purred all the time. That was why I had trouble gauging her pain. When she stopped eating, I watched her. When she stopped drinking, I knew we were close. All the while she purred. After a couple of days, she was restless and I wished for her to go peacefully in her sleep. But, she didn't and I became afraid of her convulsing or suffering so much at the end. I said if she made it thru the night, we would go the next morning. That was a long and precious night. And she purred the whole time. Having her put to sleep was very hard, but she went peacefully in the arms of the one who loved her best. It sucks all the way around. I am so sorry for you and your sweet kitty. Don't know if I helped with your questions at all, but I wanted you to know you I share in your suffering as you go through this.

"ruining someone else's fun..." This is a hard thing. The love language that I speak is gift giving. Yes, I am able to express love in other ways, but for me, my expression comes alive in the gift giving-knowing someone in such a way that I can choose a gift that will show that they are truly known and appreciated...to not be able to do that...it's not AT ALL about "ruining my fun." I feel as if I cannot properly express love to that person who doesn't want gifts. My need/desire doesn't trump theirs, certainly, but it is harder. I often wish for a different love language, because "gifts" always gets painted as materialistic or shallow or less noble.

I used medjool dates, the big soft ones, pitted them, stuffed a pecan half inside, wrapped with about 1/2 slice of bacon and roasted till bacon was crisp. Crazy good. May have to make them tomorrow...

I have 6 kids, so it it's not the same but there are all kinds of age gaps here. In my experience, at age 8-9, my big boys were very helpful, involved and smitten with the new baby. My oldest ds was 8 when my first dd waswas born and they have always been very close. Currently, I have a just turned 15 ds and a 15mo dd, and it is awesome and so sweet to see their relationship. In our bunch, the kids closer in age are the ones to fight more. But, I think that is normal. Of course, it depends on the kids and particulars of your situation. I would encourage you to not let your mil discourage you from considering it, if you would like another dc.

My bff has an 11 yo ds going into 6th grade ps. He is considerably behind in reading comprehension due to lack of vocabulary. He failed the reading portion of the required standard test. His issue seems to be similar to vocabulary delays that might be present in an english as a second language situation. His primary caregiver when he was a toddler was someone who did not speak english well or often. As a result, kiddo has substandard language skills. He has been tested for a variety of learning disabilities and has been negative for them. My friend is looking for some kind of vocab remediation, preferably a computer program or online game type program, that she could use with him over the summer. He is testing about 2-3 grade below his age-grade. Any recommendation or advice? Thanks.

My kids are 17, 14, 8.5, 6, 3.5 and 6mos. I absolutely know how you feel, except for the socializing with other moms part. These days I am not much interested in visiting. I am peopled out and too tired. Having such a large spread of ages is HARD. Currently I am feeling like no one's needs are getting met completely. Ds17 uses up my emotional energy and the baby uses up my physical energy. I get low sometimes and worry that they will resent me for having too many kids or that they didn't have all the experiences or that there was usually a little kids tagging along. But, I have had many moms tell me that being in a big family is tough, but there are many benefits and good things that they wouldn't get in a smaller family, at least not "built-in." +No offense to any family of any size.+ And my dd6mo is the most doted upon, spoiled little thing. Sometimes it is a drag to have little kids around, but my big boys are having experiences that I certainly never had when I was their ages. I think it all works out. I pray that it does. Some days I feel like I'm doing it all wrong and what in the world was I thinking?! And others I look at my bunch and feel so blessed and amazed. Anyway, hugs to you. We are doing a hard thing. Kim

I always chop mine, put it in an ice cube tray, and top the spot off with water. Each cube is around 1 Tbs. Works great for me, especially since I use it mostly for soups and other hot dishes. I pop the cubes out and store them in a Ziploc in the freezer.