Plum Crazy, I love that idea! I have been thinking about buying gift cards for McDonalds or a local grocery store to carry with me to give, but then I have thought it might be hard for some people to travel to the destinations and get groceries home—especially in winter. Maybe I could tuck the gift cards in a care package like you described. Thanks for sharing! ETA: Just realized I said "get groceries home." I'm thinking of those I see who aren't necessarily homeless in my town but have signs asking for work and/or help.

6packofun, I'm not sure about security in the Utah model. I did notice it said that doors to the outside are locked and people have to be buzzed into the building. At a version of the "housing first" model in Washington DC, "security is provided by a combination of security officers, remotely monitored cameras, and secured door access." Here is the link to that article: http://www.leoadaly.com/about/press/leo-a-daly-and-studio-twenty-seven-architecture-honored-for-la-casa-permanent-supportive-housing-in-washington-dc/ I agree with you that I didn't have high expectations when I saw the first article but was encouraged by what I read.

This topic has the potential to spin off in many directions. What struck me about the article was that it seemed like a fresh approach to me and, even more, a statistically successful one! When I have read board discussions about homelessness (especially related to mental illness) I have wondered what could be done. It especially impacted me when I read posts here about people with loved one who have unmedicated bipolar or other issues and about how so many people fall through the cracks. I also read with interest the many perspectives about the ramifications of closing mental health asylums and how some of those residents became homeless. So, this article cheered and encouraged me that there is an out-of-the-box solution that in some cities seems to be very workable—even affordable!

That's what I found so interesting in the article. They don't require residents to get clean. I would have imagined that would cause all kinds of crime and disorder. But the statistics for the programs show the majority of residents successfully stay and that overall costs to the community decrease. At one point in the article it stated that having a home actually helps provide stability for those who are struggling with mental illness, drug addiction, etc. I found the whole concept refreshing, as I have learned (through this very board :001_smile:) a lot about homelessness and the problems of what to do for those who are mentally unable to live alone and can't/won't progress through a typical homeless shelter/halfway house type of program. It seems, in this program, that there are services provided for those who are willing, but that the focus of Housing First is to address the homelessness first instead of having requirements people must meet before they can be housed. ETA: They do house only the "long-term" homeless. So, I don't know if that makes a difference with the types of people they serve.

I had not heard of Housing First and found this approach instructive and hopeful. Are some of you involved with this program in your communities? http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/housing-first-solution-to-homelessness-utah

My daughter, who was in a ballet trainee program in Chicago, worked at a Wendy's for about a year where she was the only one who didn't smoke marijuana at work. The managers loved her because she was the most dependable and most complimented employee, but it was a tough place to work. We are all thankful that she is not working there anymore. She graduated from that program and accepted a contract in Connecticut where she is happily dancing and doing online work assessing websites. ETA: I agree with others that these things happen in all types of places. This was not a restaurant in a questionable area of Chicago; it was in a nice southwestern suburb.

I have used the FemCap, along with Contragel Green, for the last couple of years and have really liked it.

And, oddly, my mom gave me the middle name "Joan" and it is pronounced...Jo-anne. Why, you may join me in asking? Because that is her middle name and spelling, and my grandparents were taught that was the pronunciation of Joan of Arc when they were in school in the 1920s. Go figure.

Yes, I've been that mom too. It really helped me when I had a kind of mini-revelation that, now that they were older, I could be a coach. I thought a lot about how I could think and act like I was on their side—their team—not in opposition to them. (I had great athletic and choral coaches who believed in us—the group—and motivated us to achieve great things.) I don't know if that makes sense to others, but—although the tasks did not change—my attitude shift helped me better enjoy the journey and helped us relationally.

Well, I will add a sprinkle of hope, too. I had a whistle when mine were little because they literally could not hear me trying to get their attention since they were all three talking. One little whistle, and they all looked at me or came running. Car rides were bad (counting, talking, etc. on 12-hour trips). There was a time when I felt like I was about to lose it from all the noise. But mine are now 20, 18 and 15, and the 20 year old lives across the country. Somewhere in the transformation from little and chatty to young adults, the constant talking stopped. We actually have conversations now, and when we all get together, there is lots of laughter and happy sharing...with healthy quiet too. Just wanted to throw that out there in case it encourages anyone! :)

Progesterone cream works well for me too. We also use GABA-Centered Px at our house when anyone is having trouble sleeping—especially when our brains are going too fast at night.

Missouri and eastern Kansas might be good fits. The cost of living is low and both states have low cost (or no tuition while in high school) community colleges. You might like the Springfield, Missouri area. The Ozark area is really pretty and woodsy. We have lived in the Kansas City, Missouri area and in Topeka, Kansas. Both areas have lots of opportunities for homeschoolers and little regulation, as well as fine arts opportunities.

I wanted to add that I have frequently contacted the owner with questions before reserving lodging. You could email the couple of the listing you're interested in (through airbnb—click on their name and you will find the link to contact them on their profile page). You could ask if the area is safe late at night when you would be returning, if there is off-street parking, etc. According to your comfort level, you could even tell them you are new at this and a little uncertain about the airbnb experience.

We have used airbnb in Chicago, rural Nebraska, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee, and Greenville, SC. We love it. Sometimes we have rented a whole house/apartment, sometimes a room. It is not like a traditional hotel stay, but we enjoy meeting the hosts (have met some really lovely people), having use of a kitchen (not always available), and of course saving money. I have always felt safe.

Some teens don't ovulate when they have a menstual cycle, so their bodies don't release extra progesterone. Our daughter had horrible cramping that caused her to vomit and pass out. We found out at the doctor that she was estrogen dominant. They prescribed a low dose of progesterone, and that took care of the problem for her. Hope you find something soon that works!

I'll second airbnb.com. We have had great experiences in multiple states. I just did a super-quick search (so won't swear for my accuracy) for San Diego and saw one for $80 a night that will sleep nine, renters get a whole floor to themselves, and the house has an outdoor spa that guests can use. Also, we love that we can use the kitchen with airbnb rentals which saves money and is relaxing after a busy day of vacation. We have booked through airbnb in rural Nebraska, Chicago, Milwaukee and Evergreen, Colo. We have met some great people traveling this way.

I'm a professional editor, and my answer won't help much. The company I work for defers the decision to the client. So the good news is, your decision won't be wrong whatever you do! I think all of the above advice is great. When I have edited diaries, I made changes to retain consistency (for example, dates written in the same format) and small punctuation changes to aid readability.

Thanks for sharing what you learned firsthand! I tried to coach dd as she grew up, and she does a pretty good job of trying to address issues with people (not just being a doormat) and a great job of involving someone in authority when things get out of hand. She and my husband are both quirky and creative and, for dd, it seems people either enjoy her fun, unique personality or find her annoying. She is a wonderfully kind young woman, but gets flack for just "stuff" that is part of her and in no way needs changing. She will have to live with this certain group of girls for the next couple years (trainee house), so distancing herself isn't an option. That's why she is looking for specific tools in how to develop the assertiveness that tends to put off bullies.

OK, I just spent some time researching. In case anyone is looking for similar help. I think we'll try "Stand Strong" by Nick Vujcic and, maybe, "Speaking the Truth in Love—How to Be an Assertive Christian" by Koch. These seem to deal more with the bullying aspect.

Thank you! I'll have to request that one from the library. Like you, I have seen it recommended often but have never read it and did not think of it in this instance. Glad you mentioned it.

Our nearly 20-year-old daughter has always been the kid to get picked on. She left for college at 17, finished the program she was pursuing, and is now a trainee with a ballet company in a city far from home. She is competent and independent, living on her own, working evenings after the dance program, etc. However, she seems like a magnet for meanness. She gets the comment that she is "so nice" and that people can just do or say anything and she doesn't get mad. This is true, but she would like to change some patterns and learn how to be kind but also to draw boundaries. My husband was "that kid" too. So I definitely think this is a personality thing. He broke out of that bullying cycle by late high school, though, and doesn't have any trouble being assertive with rude people at this point. I first thought of counseling, but she dances from 9-4 then drives to work until 11, Monday-Saturday. So her time is at a premium. My husband suggested finding a book on the topic, which she and I both think is a great idea. Have any suggestions?

Our son is a senior, and he tested again because most colleges want testing to be no more than two to three years old for college accommodations (like notetaking, extra time for tests, etc.). So if there is an issue where an accomodation would help, this is actually a really good time for testing. BTW we have always tested privately, out of pocket as our insurance doesn't help.

I wash stinky ballet (and soccer) clothes too. I hang-dry many items (tights, synthetic jerseys, etc.) and have found a great solution for us. I keep a spray bottle with vinegar/water and several drops of tea tree oil on my dryer. I spray the underarms (or feet) when I hang the items and it totally neutralizes the smell when the clothing is dry. I was so glad this worked because I was tired of pretreating underarms of garments (and they still didn't smell that great when they were dry).

Well, OP, I do want to encourage you that others have been there and survived. :) We also have a ballet girl, and she called us several times through the years, disorientated and needing help with navigating. Our daughter is extremely directionally challenged, and a GPS app has been wonderful for her. But, to the encouragement part, although our daughter did have kind of a slow driving start, she has become a responsible, confident driver through the years. (I credit it to practice and brain development.) Now she is 19 and living far away from home in Chicago. She does an excellent job driving herself to ballet, work, church, etc. So, those driving skills can improve! Some people just need a little more time.

There is a good chance our 17-year-old had it. He came home from school with a cold one day, felt worse the next, and we had to make go to the ER at 2 a.m. because he couldn't breathe. He was on albuterol, IV steroids, and had to take prednisone for several days at home. He still has a horrible cough and coughs up mucus, and the ER episode was a couple weeks ago.