Year 12 #1 - GCSEs are sooo last year!

[bpisok]

New thread to see us through to Christmas?

Alex, good to hear DH is able to return to work even if phased. Is he able to return to similar role (no worries if you don't want to say) and hope it goes well.

Thoughts with all those with some parenting issues. It is hard in this interim stage when we're not sure how much we should be influencing or be in control - but if its any consolation, in my experience, post 16 has also brought a greater maturity and self awareness in the dc which has helped them deal with these issues. So maybe we can trust their views and decision making a bit more. I also had several surprises when DD wouldn't admit at the time the school or I was right but would later act on advice given,

No real advice to offer just thoughts all round.

DD ate an evening meal with us, that the first time in a longgggg time. She has been surviving on sandwiches or similar for at least a year and not eating any meals with us and DS

I am sooo happy

Hooray!

Today I let DD use her judgement on when to take a tray bake out of the oven. I should have trusted my instinct. Looks like it's oaty choc traybake & custard for pudding.

That's fantastic twin. Now just have to find the balance of providing support, whilst still giving some space and trust, and letting them know how well we think they're doing without sounding condescending - its such a balancing act but sounds like your doing a great job - I hope things continue to improve for you !

I have tried to catch up. I see everyone is dealing with issues and it is so true one doesn't know how much to say, how to help without getting in the way, how to be whilst not being.. This is the hardest parenting period in my view. I feel everything was so easy up till now (in my case) and still he is an easy teen, it's just Iearning to adjust my role! No girlfriends here yet or having to have "the car conversation". Courage and wisdom to you all

So right about that delicate balance. It’s back to running behind the recently de-stabilisered bike...

I have spent the afternoon being an unappreciated thesaurus for DS’s essay.
DS: made bigger?
Me: extended?
DS: No!
Me: Enlarged?
DS: No!
Me: Elaborated?
DS: (grumpily) I suppose that’ll have to do.

Agreed, hardest parenting stage

I’ve “helping” DS revise for his test on Quantitative chemistry... not a clue, hated science. Google is my friend

Definitely the hardest parenting stage (and I’ve got it fairly easy with DS). And I hate to say it, but it doesn’t get any easier for a while (once again, looking at you DD)

I'm not sure DS1 is my trickiest child at the moment! DS2 (Year 9) is probably 'harder'. Hitting adolescence with a vengeance and very sociable compared to his two older siblings. DS1 can be rude and difficult but is very good company and generally more affectionate than his younger brother!

He has now completed his CV for a Christmas job at Blacks and says he will deliver it tomorrow.

However I am aware that all these things are a stage do am sure he will be back to being difficult soon.

Sending get well wishes and a hug to Limit's dog and the same to Alex - ear infections are so horrid.
Parenting doesn't get easier, just different. DS went off to a party last night and didn't return when expected. In his defence he was helping a sick friend home and he did answer his phone as soon as I called but he has promised to tell me next time what he's doing before my imagination goes into overdrive!

@Twinplusone I sympathise with the autism discussion. We are going through exactly the same thing. It's bizarre it's like we are seeing the mask falling off as we are progressing through this and it is making me realise how much she has been dealing with throughout her life. It seems to manifest differently in girls and this seems to be a critical age when the pressures of academia and social expectations hit a peak and often people who may have been missed suddenly seem not to be coping. At least this s what I am learning. More than anything a diagnosis for DD will help deal with her emotions as it means she understands herself and why she has had the difficulties she had.

Special thoughts to all of you who are facing challenges.

Get well soon Alexander. Ear infections are the worst!

Limit, best wishes for you and your dog. Hope he can recover and has a lot of happy years with your family.

Twin, happy to hear that you had a meal together. Hope you and your DD find a good way to cope with everything.

I don't know which is/was the hardest parenting stage so far, but DS is way my easiest child. At the moment I need 90% of my energy and nerves for my nine year old DS. The rest is split between all the other kids.

eaglefly yes i’m learning that too. Although about a boy I’ve bought the book “The reason I jump” haven’t found anything about girls though?

Thanks for the well wishes, Ddog is doing quite a bit better and appears to be on a recovery path according to the nurses on the ward when I rang last night. I am currently waiting for an update from the vet after she has completed her ward round.

I hope that the ear infection is resolving Alexander, and its good to hear that your dh is starting his phased return to work. I do hope that goes well

Noticed that you got the 'fear' when your ds temporarily went off grid after a party over the weekend Loose. Its scary how when they get older we have to give them that independence and trust that they are okay. I am a worrier so dd has kindly agreed to have Life360 on her phone so that I can track her specific location! She has now booked to go to the Boardmaster festival in Cornwall with 4 friends next August. Although two of those four friends are super sensible, I am definitely worried. Am wondering if it would be OTT to book a cottage nearby and stay somewhere in the vicinity in case she needs me

Alexander hope you’re feeling better this morning and if not that you’ve managed to see the GP. Also hope your DH’s return to work goes well.

Limit good news about your DDog. Hope he continues to improve.
Re the festival, I’m sure your DD will be fine. DS went to Reading this year (along with most Y11s in this neck of the woods it would seem!) and I was really worried about it before he went. But all was fine.

Glad to hear your dog is improving Limit. Dogs really are part of the family.

Got to keep an eye on ours today. Please don’t judge but whilst I was in bed in pain yesterday my parents came round to take Ds to rehearsal for me. The dog jumped up to greet my mum and burst the wound where she had a cyst removed 10 days ago. There was blood everywhere and her instinctive reaction was to kick him away. She would never normally kick an animal.

Good news is my ear is a lot better today. Last night I kept getting the odd hour or two where the pain cleared and the ear seemed to stop throbbing. Managed to get to sleep at about 1am after a painful hour or so before but this morning the pain has gone but it feels wet like fluid is draining.

Work have told me to take the day off today so I’m going to catch up on some rest.

alex if fluid is draining then your eardrum has ruptured. That is why it feels better as pressure subsides and air starts the healing. However the infection may still be there. Please beware of using eardrops whilst your eardrum is open. Most Gps will happily tell you it's fine but that's not always the case and ENT will tell you. I think you should see a doctor if it keep supurating in the next 48 hours and then follow up later to make sure it has closed.

Limits My DB is a local and will be there with his camper van. If there is a crisis of any description, you can message me next summer and I will get him to rescue them.

I did have some discharge before. Nurse practitioner asked me about it but I will see how it goes.

Glad I haven’t got to go to work as my hair feels awful. I asked if I could wear ear plugs and be careful but was told not a good idea.

alex this really helps if anyone can go out and buy it for you: www.boots.com/klorane-dry-shampoo-with-oat-milk-10081231?cm_mmc=bmm--Google+Boots+PLAs--(GB:Whoop!)+Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Beauty+-+Mobile-_-(GB:Whoop!)+Klorane&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi_fB07fg3gIVS7ftCh3jdgjyEAQYASABEgIR_PD_BwE

But cover ear with towel before you spray it!

There is a small Boots not too far away. I reckon I’m pretty safe to drive now.
Did see some dry shampoo in Sainsbury’s but they looked highly scented and I get scalp reaction from some products. That one you linked to looks a bit more sensitive.

That's a very kind offer Sticker - thank you!