I have one like this, drives me crazy! I believe that starting that negative story in your head is a habit- a mentally unhealthy habit. It's true that we do need to vent, and I'm happy to be the listener, but at some point it goes beyond vent into speading negativity- or even spewing negativity on everyone around you!

Congratulations!!!!! I am so happy for you. He deserves every penny.

Awe! Glad it was a great trip!

All the younger people I see are vaping. My college kids have also mentioned people vaping everywhere- including sneaking it in class, hallways- last week one was in a private study session- 4 kids- and one started vaping in the very small study room. Both find it annoying and kind of alarming how many are vaping and how often they must do it- not even able to go through class without taking a puff.

A Tahoe or Suburban would be my pick, but they don't get the best gas milage. Mine are all about 6 feet and do not like most cars or Rav4 sized cross-overs.

I would very seriously consider sending the 7th and 9th graders to public school. I have a friend who faced a similar situation when her kids a year older than each of yours- same genders. Youngest thrived in PS, oldest finished with lots of DE, and the middle one had started high school at home- it was very hard because in our state, public school are often all or nothing for high school. He went to a small private homeschoolish school, doing the next level of programs they used at home, online DE, and eventually at the college campus. I think putting him in public school would have been a much easier option for all involved. She was in a similar situation, knew they were splitting, but still wanted to homeschool. I get that, and its hard when life doesn't turn out thecway we had imagined. Homeschooling means you have a lot invested in their education, and its hard to put them somewhere else. I would pause for a bit and consider how the next 5-7 years will play out and what would be the best way to balance everyone's needs. Be realistic, not best-case scenario. Do you really think you can finish the 9th graders high school? If Dad isn't making them do the work now, is that going to change? For the 11th grader- what are her goals? If DE is an option? If not, what credits does she still need? Do you have any private Homeschooling type options in your area?

Last year I was that support person and I really felt the need to not push my way in, just be the support, the driver and the coordinator. I didn't want to over-step, the issue was with a private body area, and I know the person values their privacy. At the first few visits I stayed in the waiting room. After 3 or 4 months, with the person still having issues, no testing, various medications that weren't working, I decided to take matters in hand. I called the Dr office and demanded a referral- sort of like " Person has been having severe pain for 4 months. These medications are not working and she needs a referral to a specialist. She will be calling to make an appointment for the referral in 10 minutes." Of course since they had done no official testing, they couldn't refer her anywhere ;) but that got the ball rolling, ultrasound scheduled by the next week, CAT scan, etc. She got the referral and within a month surgery, problems solved. When we finally go to the specialist, she asked me to go in, ask questions, take charge- and I did. Turns out her Dr hadn't even done a pelvic exam!!!! All the pain and symptoms, she was just Rxing her various meds to try, without even doing a physical exam. The cyst was palpable, that side of her stomach visibly swollen. I had no idea because I wanted to give privacy, but that privacy meant she didn't get proper care. That exam should have been done on the first visit, a good 6 months before her surgery. That was 6 months of daily pain! All of this to say that sometimes they need us to step in and advocate. If you think that more should be done- testing, referrals, different therapy- ask the person if it's okay if you ask questions.

Prayers for your family. I cannot imagine how you must feel right now.

I finally have our schedule worked out for fall semester. This will be the beginning of DE at our local CC. DE English 1 DE US History 1 DE Intro to Computers PreCalc or Calc 1- Cool Math Guy, then maybe DE Chemistry- taught by me in fall, planning DE for Spring if they can get in- this class tends to fill quickly I'm also looking for some online CAD type classes, maybe a little basic programming? They will do some electives at co-op, too.

Sometimes there really is nothing that can be done to help someone. This is one of those situations. I don't have an answer to how we help people like this. When a grown person does not want to do the work to get clean and get their life together, there really isn't anything you can do about it. Scarlett, I hope your DH is able to peacefully get him to leave. If that doesn't work, they need to officially evict him.

Agree with other posters about figuring out specific credits he has earned thus far, and mapping out a plan for the future. For American History I would move this all to movies and TV shows. We love the Men Who Built... series. There are cars, food, inventions. America, the Story of US. Lots of historical fiction, even Forrest Gump. Make history low stress, no reading or writing, and all discussion based. I'd try to do something similar with science, but it will probably require you to read it aloud. We love Amoeba Sisters for Biology, but there are lots of great videos and channels to learn science. This will give him more brain power to focus on the writing and reading just for English and math.

Ugh! I was afraid the pills would make her mood worse.

Hope the $$ is right!

My kids have taken classes at my local CC for the past 6 years- it's very mixed! Some instructors are great- and that includes both online and in person classes. Others are terrible- they are on my NOT AGAIN list. I know one I complained about to the DE coordinator- the professor was fired (I wasn't the only complaint). At the bigger universities you can still find lousy instructors. One if mine had one last semester and she was awful! I'm not sure how many students failed the course, but she isn't an instructor this semester (according to RMP she has taught at 3 other colleges). My DD managed to get an A, but she self-taught the whole course, several hours of studying a day.

Just saw these updates. Hoping you get some answers, bloodwork, something! The waiting is so frustrating.

Nice classic book, art supplies like nice paints and paper.

I would let this roll right off your back. You have done as instructed by your boss. Miscommunication isn't your fault. People like to pass the buck- because you weren't there, you were an easy target. Glad the one had your back! I try to give teachers and councilors a break- their jobs (including yours) are too hard. Too many cases, too many behaviors, too many requirements, too much paperwork and documentation- and way too little support!

We were in totality, the first time I've ever scene it. Very cool! I've watched an eclipse before, but never at totality- huge difference! I found it amazing how once a tiny crack of sun came back out, the sky lightened immediately. We had fun with shadows, too. Overall a very fun day that we will remember!

We always have to travel to find the cars we like, do a 60 mile trip wouldn't be a big deal at all. My "local" dealerships are at least 45 minutes away, anyway. I would go and test drive the vehicle 2 with the tow package you want. If you can't find the color and features you want, tell your local dealership to put you on the list- they can often trade with another dealership if the one you want comes along. New cars are getting a lot easier to find now vs the last 3 years! There is pent up demand, so some still go pretty fast, but at least dealerships are getting new cars in. As for car dealers- there are good ones out there. We've bought 2 new vehicles in the last 1.5 years and this is how we do it- be clear about what you are looking for and how much you are spending. Let them know by your language that the whole over-sale stuff won't work. One car bought at a dealership 4 hours away- the salesman is a top salesman in our state. Called, said what we wanted- non-negotiable must haves (which included a specific backup camera package) and a price we wouldn't go over. He called a few weeks later with one available. We drove up and bought it. Next one I just happened upon. I went by to look at a specific feature as we were still trying to decide our non-negotiables. They had one on the lot and offered to sell it to me. It had everything we wanted in the right color, right price. We went ahead and bought it bc at that time the wait list was 4-6 months. The guy who had reserved it wasn't returning their phone calls, so they offered it to me (I kinda know them). They didn't even try to up-sale. When you go in, all excited, looking at all the options, that's when they can get you. They are looking for an emotional sale. Stay cool. In your shoes, I would call around (usually more accurate than online) and go look at one that had all the options. Tell them you want to consider mirror placement and visibility- that's something that either works or not, depending on your size and mirror placement. If it doesn't work, look at other models and brands. If you tow, get the tow package. I also pay more for better backup camera systems.

We are directly in the path of totality- 4 minutes. We are just having a family party day, but the town is having 4 days of festivals, parades, etc. They expect thousands of visitors- it's nuts!

I have lots of old flatware- ask around! Maybe you can borrow enough for 30 people. Check out thrift stores, too. I've bought stuff for college kids at garage sales. Get the word out that you are looking. If you were by me, I'd happily let you borrow mine.

Me- agreeing with your YA about politics 🫠 I say to focus on local elections and ignore the political mud-slinging I do have one that tends to be negative and want to spew negativity on me via the phone. Sometimes I listen, other times I just tell her I can't listen to complaints- because that's what they are! Once I told her that I was too busy with things that were actually happening- I couldn't deal with listening to her complain about petty things. I was dealing with serious medical stuff. Her conplaints were very trivial in the course of life. I think that made her kind of look at her conplaints a little differently. I do think that young adulthood is full of new things to navigate, including insurance, job applications (have you had experience with the new online application processes, ridiculous and extremely time consuming. Bordering on abusive IMO), just the prices of everything compared to your salary. Even if we weren't going through a time of high inflation, just learning how much it costs for your comfortable cost of living is a shock.

Be sure to have her lay down if she feels like she's going to pass out. Injury in falling is a big risk. I tell mine flat on their back on the ground, if there is a chair nearby, elevate the legs. I've got DD2 and DH who pass out, sometimes with seizures. Sometimes it comes on too fast, but if she gets that feeling, get into position before she falls.

Just now seeing this weekend update. I'm soooo sorry she's still dealing with so much. It's scary when they pass out like that- tell her to get laid down anytime she gets that feeling- falling is the biggest risk. I don't know who you should call but I do think she needs to see some sort of Dr.

I had a little better of luck with an older kid using Apples and Pears Spelling by Sound Foundations. That would be my first choice for the 6th grader. Unfortunately some people just really struggle with Spelling. At around 8th grade I switched to Word Roots, I think it helped a bit. I also suggest looking at MegaWords. Our focus switched from focusing on Spelling to focusing on when to Google how to spell a word, picking the correct autocorrect, and homphones. I'm hoping that AAS works with the 3rd grader, but Apples and Pears might fit him, too. I would also do daily copywork.