I want to just reiterate the above. I think that you can quietly and firmly start setting boundaries around your time and energy, while also getting your ducks in a row for various possibilities, without issuing ultimatums or forcing changes that you might not be equipped for yet. Do you need to upgrade some of your own education to be employable? Do you have a financial safety net? Since you have become so enmeshed in his family, do you have a support system of your own? Evaluate what life might look like for you after you issue ultimatums, then prepare for the possible outcomes. I also just want to assure you, that you are sane, and you appear to be in an emotionally abusive and manipulative relationship with a man-child, which will absolutely make you question your sanity. Big hugs. I'd start setting boundaries with packing the kids (if they want to go) off on winter vacation with husband and his family, while staying home to rest and relax. You are worth your own time & energy.

I would try using EFT with her. https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/tapping-confident-kids-eft https://www.thetappingsolution.com/tapping-solution-kids-how-to-tap/

I would remove the t.v, and do built in bookcases on either side of the window with bench and shelving underneath, connecting the two floor to ceiling bookcases. If a bench doesn't make sense, then I would just have additional bookshelves under the window and put a photo gallery or other decorative items in the top of the shelf. https://www.heytherehome.com/built-ins-with-bench-seat/ Like this, but with stained wood instead of white.

Apologies if this has already been posted: Library card phone case

Creative Memories paper scrapbooking still exists. They have a Black Friday sale (edit:promo, not sale) if anyone is interested. https://www.creativememories.com/

I'm glad she gets to see the show!

Thank you for the update. Sending speedy healing vibes J's way.

It's an and situation, instead of an or/but situation. There are legitimately hard things in life AND great things. Sometimes it's one "thing" that is both. One of the great dichotomies of life. I'm truly grateful for and love my family members AND they drive me batcrap crazy and make me wish I lived in a cave sometimes, too. 🤷🏻‍♀️😁

I'm so sorry. Sending you gentle hugs as you navigate all the pain and emotions. 💕

My mom's version is chopped grapes, canned mandarin oranges drained, pineapple tidbits drained, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and Dream Whip (you can use Cool Whip). Mix ingredients and refrigerate. You can make the top look pretty with some of the orange slices, grapes, pineapples and a few maraschino cherries if you want.

Selfishly, I'm hoping that if an eruption does occur, that it will not affect Europe - North America travel too much. My niece is currently backpacking/hosteling in Europe and has a flight booked home that would be taking that north route.

Oh no. I hope they can get the pain under control soon.

Gut instinct. Sending fizzle vibes your way, because your gut is probably right. Nothing to do with hurting my kid directly, but I had an immediate, visceral, irrational dislike for a woman whose kid played the same sport as mine. Literally, across the building visceral dislike - she walked into the building, I did not know who she was, but I did.not.like.her. on sight. It was the opposite of love at first sight. I'm normally very unobservant, so don't even notice when people I know walk into a room, and adhere to "live and let live", so don't pay attention or judge people even if I do notice them, so my reaction to her was very out-of-character for me. We ended up on the board of directors for our town's sport together. My gut instinct was correct. The board ended up imploding thanks to her and had to be rebuilt. She was subtle about it so it "looked like" the big bad actions were actually another board member, but it was the lady that I viscerally could not stand who was sowing the seeds of dischord from the moment she got on the board which the other person reacted just the way manipulative lady wanted. Reactive person and myself were already on the board for a couple years before manipulative lady joined and everything was smooth sailing up to that point.

The mama bear instincts are strong! I get it. My DD has a "friend" that I do not like/trust at all due to similar treatment. I do not trust her as far as I can throw her.

Nothing special. Shove it back in the box and duct tape it shut for 11/12 months. 🤷🏻‍♀️

It's OK to step back from being "on" for the kids all the time. Acknowledge the stress that you are feeling and the neediness that arises from that but ask them to let you get some sleep first. HUGS! You've had so much going on for so long between MIL, DH, and DH's family. It's a lot.

Our pre-lit is 13 or 14 years old. There is one spot at the bottom that quit working a couple years ago. That is now the "back" of the tree. Lol We just turn the dead light spot to the wall. Or throw one string of lights in that spot. It's still easier than stringing the whole tree.

@saraha Try the above video, but if that is not enough, I can try to help you. I do a guided 4 Level self-forgiveness routine with my clients that should help.

New stuff is exhausting. You haven't developed any routines or habits yet, so everything requires brain power - even going to the restroom because it's not just an "automatic left turn, 20 steps down the hallway", third stall from the right situation. You still have to pay attention to where you are going so you don't accidentally go into the janitor closet next door to the bathroom. All of that takes energy. So since you've also inherited a dumpster fire at crunch time, you can probably expect to be well and truly tired at the end of your day for awhile. Hopefully though, you'll settle into some routines and systems soon to help take some of the load off.

Do you have to set up formal tours, or could you just go walk around to get a feel for the campus? Maybe take in a game at the school or something since you're in town anyway. I don't think 10th grade is too early if he's already getting anxious about it. A low key, no pressure campus visit might help dial down the anxiety.

She needs a new job because she is really not qualified to do the one she has, no matter what her degree says. I would seriously consider reporting her to her superiors at the VA and to her licensing body. She should not be working with emotionally vulnerable people, creating more problems vs. helping with the problem they sought help for.

I don't think the anti-biotic is a fever reducer. The fever and the anti-biotic will work together to kill off the bug hopefully really soon. I hope you start to feel better by morning.

If anything is going go happen, it will probably happen long before you leave tomorrow morning, so you'll know if you need to cancel. When our family all got food poisoning from a cookout, we started to experience symptoms in about 4 hours. Fingers crossed that she is fine. 🤞🏼🤞🏼

I was just wondering how you were doing yesterday. Wishing you a smooth high school journey with your DS.