My 15yo has a 17yo friend that has lived here off and on since last spring. He had family problems with a stepfather, and was struggling to make the right choices in his life. Overall, he was a great kid, and I love him like another son. However, he was living in legal limbo - no longer living at home, but not 18 yet either. For example, if he were really sick and needed to leave school, there was no one to sign him out, so he would have to just leave and end up in ISS for skipping (this actually happened.) Over the past 6 weeks or so, things had gotten particularly stressful for him. School started, the school resource officer was hounding him regularly, and he was starting to feel like he was a terrible person. The SRO was out of line, and I offered to go up the chain with it, but he didn't want to make things worse. I couldn't do it without him, as I was not his legal guardian. Things came to head this past week, and the decision was made that he would go live with his Dad in another state. I think it is a BAD decision, but I understand that he feels that he doesn't have a choice. His Dad is a recovering addict, but hasn't been clean long. His stepmother is an active addict. I don't see this working out well for a kid who is at the "Y in the path" so to speak. He says he'll be back as soon as he's 18. I told him he is always welcome here, and we would get him a ticket back if he needed it. He left this morning to start on his 2-day bus ride. I held it together until he walked out the door, then cried. I didn't want him to see me cry. Unfortunately, he came back in to get something he forgot, and felt like he had to comfort me. I just hope things work out for him. :crying:

Actually, I was a teen mother, and I turned out pretty well (as did the son born to me at 17.) My stepsister was pregnant at 15, and she is in college and a wonderful mother. I could keep going - I know of plenty of others who managed to live a successful life after unplanned, unwed births. I would prefer not to be a grandma now, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

It's 8 OR 80, not and.

My oldest ds lives in Greenville near the university. He would agree with the crime aspect - he was not happy about walking the 3.5 miles home from work at night before he got a bike. Now he has a car, so it is less of a concern. The cost of living is much cheaper there than here, and we are only 2 hours away. He likes Greenville, but he is 20, and it is a party town.

I don't know...my cop friends like brownies and cupcakes too.

Glad everyone is ok!

Amen! A second-grader is perfectly capable of sitting in a locked car for a few minutes.

I absolutely agree with you.

This. Until you have lived a moment where someone's mental illness make him/her a danger to YOU then you might not understand.

I pay $850 a month in the Durham, NC area.

I had to use the 1 parent, 3 children (I have 6 at home) and came out with $74K. I would say it is about right, except I don't pay quite as much for child care unless you average in the summer care for the school-age ones. I have good, cheap health benefits and my children get state insurance, so medical is not quite that high. Otherwise it is right on.

My kids go to school, and I am counting down the weeks. Childcare has been a BEAR this summer, and bored, loosely supervised children are no fun. Children need structure, and without school, mine have none.

Just heard from her sister - she is still here and her flat is fine.

I pop in every now and then to see what is going on. :seeya:

I'm pretty sure she is still here in the states. She usually stays a month, and I saw her when she got here about 3 weeks ago. I'll ask her sister on Facebook and let you know. Edited to add: In case you were wondering, she is my cousin.

No, I do. All the time. And I wouldn't freak at finding an empty condom box.

I HATED my iPhone and recently returned to an Android operating system. I actually have a Droid Razr M.

I don't come around too often these days, but I wanted to make sure and tell all those who have supported me over the past years thank you. I passed my 4th and last section of the CPA Exam at the end of May. I got my official "Congratulations" letter from the state board yesterday. All I need now is a bunch of paperwork and an ethics course, and I will be licensed. If you had told me in 2010 that I would get my Masters degree, pass the CPA Exam, and get a very good full-time job in less than 3 years, I wouldn't have believed you. I am proof positive that people can achieve things that seem impossible. My next goal? Tough Mudder Carolinas in November. Thank you all for all of the love and support over the past years!!!!

I hope it turned out well, and the science fair goes on today as planned.

ADHD does not always mean bad behavior. My 12yo isn't allowed to throw fits or not be engaged or behave properly. In 2010 he was given an IQ of 62, and I was told he needed to be in special ed to learn life skills. He was on a preschool level at age 9 and a half. A psychiatrist prescribed meds for two reasons - to control his rages (where he banged his had against the wall and said he wanted to die) and to "up his processing a little." HE noticed a difference on day 1. Three years later his IQ has jumped at *least* 40 points. He has not only learned to read, but is on grade level and has been on the A-B honor roll all year. Stimulants changed his life. He can tell when he doesn't take his meds because everything is harder. Without meds he wouldn't be where he is now.

The baby most likely wouldn't stay in the hospital during the investigation, but be taken from the hospital and put in foster care.

I'm doing this in November in the Carolinas. I'm doing a much shorter one (only 5K) called Rugged Maniac next weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

Beachbody has a program called "Chalean Extreme" which is strength training at home. It's a very good program!

Sorry Kay and family...you will be missed.

More locally grown organic (or organic-type) foods. We've switched to more of a whole foods diet that is focused on lean meats and fruits/veggies already, but I'd love to take the next step.