We just moved to another state from VA as you know. Our new pediatrician was shocked that our kids didn't have the Hepatitis A vaccine. The nurse thought we might be antivaxers even when I told them no doctor in Virginia ever recommended it to us. Both kids have now gotten the first shot and have to go back soon for the second shot.

Do not quote please. My life isn't super great right now. DD14 is struggling greatly with her mental health and life is hard all day everyday. I am on an ssri currently and have occasionally taken a Xanax, but the truth is i would like to take something occasionally that isn't addictive like Xanax can be. I want something to help me calm down when my dd is completely melting down so I can be more present and feel less like running away to Bermuda. I have zero experience with CBD oil. Is it addictive? Can it help with anxiety in critical panicked moments, or is it better for lowering anxiety in general? What is your experience? Any advice?

For our yard we pay the kids 3 dollars a bag.

Ooh... that is awkward. That poor poor family. I hope and pray somehow she and the kids find a way out.

All of this is on my mind A LOT. We recently moved to another state (as you know Terabith) and I'm glad we did. Almost all of my 14dd's friends where we lived before identified as being somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum, mostly with gender identity. I would say 70% of the conversations the kids would have with each other were about gender identity. We have trans friends. Being transgender is real. I don't think though that more than half of DD's friends that I've know since they were 5 are all biologically non-binary, gender fluid, or trans. It has to be cultural and I think a large part of it is that what it is to be a woman or a man has become even more rigid and limiting. That is a big step back as a culture. Our dd10 came out to us as a lesbian recently. This isn't a surprise to dh or I. I have a feeling she is going to be a more traditional butch lesbian. I'm so glad we moved, so she is not overhearing all of the gender identity conversations all the time. I worry that would make her think that because she is more masculine, that means she must be trans. Women can be masculine and men can be feminine!

I've been waiting in suspense! Thanks for sharing! It is even better than I imagined!!

Thank you all for your thoughts. It seems my kid isn't the only one who isn't actively seeking out social interaction and that will hopefully come with some more time. I do think kids today are missing out by not talking on the phone for hours a day but that is my own old fashioned opinion! Lol

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm sorry it took so long to figure it out for you. DD looked it up last week and said most people don't get diagnosed with PMDD until they are in their 20s. DD, dh, and I are so relieved to have an explanation for what she is going through. Knowing you aren't alone and having a name for what you are experiencing is a game changer.

Thanks for sharing. The ideas that different activities with the same kids can help build relationships is very interesting. I am going to have marinate on that!

LOL True! She hasn't expressed that she thinks it is a problem. It is just so different from how I was. I always was talking on the phone with my friends and asking my mom to do stuff. She just...doesn't... It is hard for me to understand and then I worry I've sheltered her too much. It is kind of funny to think there are other homeschoolers who talk about family focused teens as the ideal, but now I've got one it makes me nervous!

I like hearing that! Were your kids similar in their social habits?

I am looking for suggestions for encouraging independence in teens. Dd14 struggles with anxiety, depression, and PMDD. These things meant that typical kid activities like sleepovers or summer camp weren't an option for a very long time. Overnight summer camp is still not an option. We also moved across the country this summer which actually didn't make things worse, but kept us in a holding pattern. Although she is charming, funny, and extroverted, she is very dependent on us socially. She likes seeing her friends, but doesn't arrange get togethers on her own, or to talk/text with them between visits. She doesn't keep her own schedule/calendar. I'm struggling a bit because her friends where we used to live all went to public school this year(9th) and are posting homecoming pictures with dates etc. Now my brain is spiraling and I'm worried we've held her back socially somehow without meaning to. That is a long winded way to ask, how have other parents encouraged more social independence in their homeschooled teen?

Bleeding for 3 months sounds absolutely awful! It might be worth still asking about it though-would a hormonal IUD be different? Also, I have heard that sometimes people have ongoing bleeding after insertion if the IUD is inserted at the wrong time in their cycle. Is there any truth to that? A hysterectomy is a huge decision so checking all options, even just to make you more confident in getting a hysterectomy might be helpful for peace of mind. Thinking of you as you deal with this.

Would an IUD be a possibility? I was having heavy periods that lasted 10-14 days, and my doctor said I could get an ablation or an IUD. I ended up getting the mirena IUD 2 1/2 years ago and it has been a game changer. I don't even get a period now!

I would love to join! Will send you a pm with my info!

Hooray!!!! My family loved it so much we are reading the book aloud right now. We are looking forward to January 9th!

I would highly recommend Math Without Borders! It uses the Foerster Algebra text, but has video lessons where the teacher walks through the lesson problems step by step. We used it for algebra last year and are doing geometry this year!

Or how to delete and I can start over?

Crap. Do you know how to do that? Thanks for pointing that out. I am not on my game.

We are doing a year of medieval history. My dd14 loves The History of the Medieval World by SWB, but it really digs deep into details and I would like to have time to explore some other materials too. Has anyone gone through and tried to pick and choose chapters in a way that still made sense? And if so, would you mind sharing with me? Thanks!

Thank you all so much for sharing your struggles. Today was another terrible day with her having an extremely disruptive panic attack during Friday night services and we had to take her out. Everything just feels like s#$@ but I keep rereading your messages and holding on to that. It means so much. Thank you.

I am so sorry Janeway. It is so terrifying and heartbreaking and we really can't fix it. Holding you all in my thoughts.

Yes, We've had our dd say very similar things to both of us and defense on our part quickly escalates the situation. Her whole perspective becomes completely twisted around. I'm so glad to hear about the bc and hope your dd resets as school settles in and this is just a hiccup.

Is your dd doing better now? I am starting to think a therapist for me would be a good idea. Maybe even necessary at this point...

Thank you for this encouragement. I really appreciate it hearing stories where it has gotten better, even if there will always be some challenges. Congratulations on all the progress your son has made!