We had one sunny weekend two weeks ago and I left the pool looking just like this. Normally, I would have a pretty good base tan brewing. We are still in the low 60s with [gulp] drizzle (aka January). Sign me, Pale and Miserable in San Diego

We did the Intensive Practice and Challenging Word Problems books in early elementary (levels 2-4, as I recall), but switched to BA for level 3. Singapore is great, but BA tends to be better suited for the really mathy little ones.

I think Sacha is similar to your DS1. He is pretty accelerated in math (Calc BC in 8th), but it has always been as a means to understand science (and more recently computer science). He has liked AoPS camps and classes, but was never a pure math/Epsilon/Math Path kind of kid. Aside from the issues with the discovery method, the all-text nature of the classes and time slot (430-600 PST -- when ADHD meds are wearing off) have been especially difficult for my 2e kid. He is moving to math at Stanford OHS next year because he prefers the structure of their live classes (which purportedly have similar rigor).

100% All four of us are on ADHD meds, and of course the refill dates don't all come up at once like my beautiful Amazon subscribe and saves. It wasn't a huge deal when we could get 90-day supplies, but now Kaiser limits us to 30 day supplies. And with all stimulants being scheduled meds, you have to get provider approval each month. You can't ask for approval too far in advance because then the insurance will say it is too soon to refill. So, you have to be in the window to refill and pray that the pharmacy has the meds in stock before you run out. Rinse and repeat times four of us, with the same nonsense each month, and it is seriously ridiculous the timesuck this has become.

Previous thread from 2022:

We are still working through our plans for 2023-2024, but this seemed like a better place to talk about big picture goals. My DH and I have gone back and forth with Sacha about whether Stanford OHS is the best fit for him for high school, given his ADHD/delayed EF skills. Despite getting roughed up academically this year, Sacha seems to have come out the other side stronger for it. The rigor at OHS has forced him to finally grapple with learning how to learn and how to be a student. Middle school has been a season of hard knocks, but I see tremendous growth and feel privileged to witness the man he is becoming. I've also learned a ton this year -- most especially, that I have to support the boys much more than I understood previously (thanks, in no small part, to you wise folks). I used to think that I was hindering Sacha's development by scaffolding his EF skills, but I understand now that this area of his brain just needs a little longer to mature -- like a jumbo jet needs a longer runway to take flight. I am not the one taking AoPS Calc. I cannot do math at that level. But, I am the one who meets with him every morning to model prioritizing assignments, backwards planning, calendaring tasks, setting reminders, reviewing emails, etc. And without that support, he flails in rigorous classes under the weight of ADHD. It thus became abundantly clear that I was not going to be able to continue working as a night shift ICU nurse, if I wanted Sacha to succeed. (And not just Sacha; the whole family basically fell apart with me working FT. So, I am back to being a SAHM and the family is happier overall.) Because I was working nights, we had Ronen try out B&M public school this year. He liked it at first, but there were numerous issues in the Spring, and we recently started homeschooling him again. Ronen is supposed to attend a B&M Hebrew/Spanish immersion charter in the Fall, but my heart feels that he will be better off if we continue homeschooling. He generally seems to benefit from the close attention homeschooling provides and thrusting him into an immersion environment in the 4th grade (where the majority will have studied the language since Kinder) may be a rough transition. So, mentally I am trying to prepare for him being home in 2023-2024. Sacha wants to give FT enrollment at OHS a try next year, which makes me nervous. My main goals for both boys include getting more physical activity, taking time to experience more art and music, developing interests outside of school, nurturing healthy/positive relationships inside and outside our family, and building better social-emotional skills. A FT load at OHS would seem to be in tension with my goals. But, I am obviously trying to support Sacha's goals too. So, I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the balancing act that lies ahead. I am not thrilled with having to walk away from a new career, but I am trying to practice those good-ole, radical acceptance skills and embrace this season in my life. Sacha's high school years will pass in the blink of eye, so I am trying to focus on gratitude for having this remaining time with both boys together and building greater family happiness. What are your big picture goals for this year?

It doesn't sound awful; it sounds like depression. Normally, when someone is depressed, I recommend that they just try to do their GRAPES for the day. https://www.integritycounselinggroup.com/blog/2018/12/22/how-to-use-the-grapes-tool-daily-to-combat-depression

I second DBT. You could work through the materials on your own for free by watching Youtube videos and/or checking out books at the library, if there are budget/availability constraints.

I think that those threads tended to start in February, but this year I only posted on the high school board. I didn't see one for this board. What are your plans?

I hope Gil will update us on his boys. 🙂

I use My Calendar, but if I was a young woman of reproductive age, I would not use any apps. The issues surrounding privacy re fertility, birth control, and abortion are just too precarious in our country. I live in CA and am perimenopausal, so I haven't deleted my app. But, if I was younger or in a different state -- no way.

Holy smokes -- what an invalidating environment for anyone prone to depression and anxiety.

I've had a networked/wireless Brother printer for years. Haven't changed the settings recently. Have had Amazon Alexa since 1st Gen. Have the setting turned off where you can order on Amazon through Alexa because I didn't want the kids to order something without asking. I get an email the other day from Amazon with an order for printer toner made by the printer itself (the confirmation literally named the Brother printer as the culprit who ordered the toner). I was never sent anything whereby I consented to the purchase before it was made by the printer. I only knew about it because of the email confirmation from Amazon -- after the item had already been charged to my default card on file with Amazon. Since we haven't made any recent changes to the settings on either the printer or Amazon Alexa, my only guess is that we may have recently updated the printer driver on a new device and, perhaps, buried in the consent to install the driver, was something that allowed the printer to make Amazon orders without my prior knowledge or consent.

Faith, I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending love and prayers for healing. ❤️

I am so fed up, I signed up for Moms Demand Action. I was inspired by one of you all (apologies that I don't remember who it was). So, whoever posted here about becoming active with them -- thank you. The CA statewide new volunteer meeting is on 4/24 at 8pm on Zoom.

So, if we don't sign up for scores, we can cancel after we find out the score in the late summer? How long do you have to cancel after you find out? If I understood you, you seriously made my day. I've been stressing about Sacha's lack of time for AP exam prep this year.

I will also say that I started HRT two weeks ago (I am 48 and still have regular cycles), and think it is helping. I tried to remember the last time I felt this bad and it was when I had ppd with both boys. It made me think that, yes, I have situational stuff going on that may have precipitated/contributed to my present mental state, but it felt like it was more than that. Hanging out on the Menopause Subreddit, reading Dr. Jen Gunther's The Menopause Manifesto, watching videos from Drs. Lisa Mosconi, Peter Atilla, and Barbara "Menopause Barbie" Taylor on YouTube (Taylor's delivery grates on me, and I never fully trust people who are schilling something, but the info seems scientifically accurate) all helped me to understand that the risk/benefit calculation re HRT was not at all what I had thought. I don't know if this rings true for anyone else, but just throwing it out there.

I use the Calm app. I get it free from Kaiser. You could check your insurance. Otherwise, tons of guided meditations on YouTube.

Hugs, and 100% with you. When my mental health is super bad, I *try* to do my grapes and call it good -- without judging my lack of productivity. GRAPES: https://www.integritycounselinggroup.com/blog/2018/12/22/how-to-use-the-grapes-tool-daily-to-combat-depression

If you do decide to stay downtown, Little Italy is probably your best bet. Close to the water and the trolley line, with lots of great restaurants within walking distance, and safer than in the Gaslamp area. I am not sure if you plan to drive, but trolley access is not available in the beach areas. CA car culture is still very strong, but the trolley can you take you around to many places -- with bus transfer to even more. SD is definitely more like LA with respect to public transpo (fairly limited) vs NYC/DC.

Hi, Sorry that I am just now seeing this. Depending on your budget, I am partial to beach areas. Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, and Mission Beach are all very central and lovely. La Jolla is a bit further north, but still very central. Further north of that are Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Cardiff, which are all cute beach towns, but a bit of a drive to central SD. The Sunset Cliffs Inn in OB has a fantastic view. We live in Mission Valley now, which is slightly inland and has lots of motels/hotels. The area around Balboa Park is called Banker's Hill, which overlooks the airport. Hillcrest is also nearby, which is very walkable and fun with the LGBTQ community. I would avoid downtown, especially the East Village. Our homeless encampments have grown very large in the last few years and there is more crime/drugs. As far as things to do, people like hiking around Torrey Pines, Mt. Soledad, and Mission Trails. Kate Sessions park has a phenomenal view and is a great place for a picnic. A lot of people enjoy visiting Cabrillo Monument and the tide pools there. The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is nice. People also enjoy seeing the seals and sea lions around La Jolla Cove. The Midway is a nice tour with a beautiful view of SD Bay. I would definitely take the time to enjoy everything Balboa Park offers. It is the crown jewel of the city. Re weather, May is often pretty gray on the water due to the marine layer (aka fog). Just a few miles inland changes the weather substantially. It generally doesn't warm up until July and sometimes even August in SD, and the hot weather usually lasts until Thanksgiving, so expect the water to be pretty cold and the skies to be gloomy near the water. Happy to provide more details about anything. 🙂

<From a bar in the SD airport, en route to my sister> Just wanted to thank you ladies for sparing S and I from certain disaster! Calculator in hand and vids watched. So, now we just have to ward off the potential disasters. ❤️

Are there videos that people recommend to learn to use these graphing calculators? Does he need to load anything ahead of time into the calculator to make things easier?

Oh FFS. I am flying to Santa Rosa tomorrow for 2 weeks to take care of my sister. Just ordered a TI-84 CE from Target and my DH is going to pick it up today. I seriously would have sent him in there with that other calculator. I am so not on top of this stuff. My poor kid. Thank you so much for helping me!!

I am totally panicking now. I bought Sacha a TI-36x Pro calculator because it said it was allowed on AP exams. But, I guess this is a non-graphing calculator. Do I need to buy him a graphing calculator and teach him to use that?