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<p>Me, too!!! Was there something in the air? I was mad at all of my kids…Son said he’d email me something and never did, oldest D needed to read a book for school but was asleep on the couch instead, and youngest D was cramming for a test that she should have studied for all weekend. I spread my lack of cheer, then went to bed. I *think *everyone was still talking to me this morning!</p>
<p>I almost cried at work today. I was checking S’s Naviance (love to see results change from unknown to accepted) and noticed he had added 2 state schools as I told him to do. I was so mad when he received a rotton progress review last week I told him to pick out 2 state schools to apply to. He did receive enough merit money from one school so that it will not cost any more than a state school, but I wanted to drive a lesson home that he had better work harder or he was bound for Public U. Now of course I feel bad. </p>
<p>BI - Sounds like you raised a great kid!</p>
<p>blueiguana - you made me tear up too, I have been overly emotional these last few days (maybe the moon is doing something? or one of the planets is out of alignment or something?), I had it out with everyone and everything Sunday night. I had to do our tree and my mom’s. Her’s = a finicky artificial and mine = a 12’ real one, that weighed a ton bringing it in… amidst that, I had to help dd1 with research and editing for a literary crit paper which was due Monday. To top off my hectic weekend, my dh (and the “d” there is not exactly felt wholly right now) started to question the college list. This has been MY project since “he wasn’t from this country” and “doesn’t understand” any concept of “fit.” For him, fit = $$ or a prestigious name. URGH! At the 11th hr, after 6 apps are in and deadlines have passed for OTHER options…what exactly is the point to question these schools with a “I never liked XYZ, it’s just for average kids” besides to CYA? Blueiguana, my ds was another one coming over to me to give me a hug. I just feel like sometimes the mom’s are holding up the sky and those below better watch themselves because what would happen if I put my hands down? We all need some wine and chocolate. I have the wine, just restocked! Come on over and see my tree!!!
((btw did anyone see my good news from Sat.? Both ds and dd2 made the NNJ Area Band (it’s a prelude honor band to states) and remarkable since ds hadn’t been able to play his instrument until this past Wed.))</p>
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<p>So true. It seems like all of the “beloved Christmas traditions” involve work on my part!</p>
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<p>That’s awesome. There ARE things other than college admits!!!</p>
<p>BI: You have raised a wonderful son. </p>
<p>I had a meltdown last night when the Ravens blew a 28-7 lead. I had to remind myself “it’s only football.” </p>
<p>I have to get my house together for the PTA Holiday Party I agreed to host in a weak moment. Another last…</p>
<p>Did I do exactly what mamom did? Yes. In a fit of anger, I did the exact same thing with DS1, and regretted it. I still have regrets about all the ups and downs of that year - and consider them part of my growing up process. With DS2, some things are easier, some things harder, but the waiting - still stinks!</p>
<p>Yikes, I’ve done the same thing twice already with younger D and she’s only a freshman…just pick out the in-state second tier public that you want to attend, that’s great, it will save me lots of money anyway. Bad mother bad mother.</p>
<p>missypie - I much prefer “mean mommy” over “bad mother”. It seems more emotionally charged versus character flawed! :p</p>
<p>AmandaK: Congrats on the band success. It’s extra nice that both kids made it.</p>
<p>I know how you guys are feeling. I had a few moments last fall when I figured my daughter was heading to the local state school. I kept my mouth shut, took her on some college visits, and let her figure out what she needed to do to have better choices.</p>
<p>Amanda - Congrats to your S & D! What an honor!</p>
<p>Amandak: Huge congrats to your S and D!!! How wonderful for them!</p>
<p>Well, my meltdown came today. Another snow day here and S2 said he would finish the app that is due tomorrow. I could tell that he was planning to run off to do something with his friends and I just lost it. Wasn’t a very nice mom…strongly suggested that he might want to finish that application BEFORE heading off with the friends. Sigh. He gave me a hug and headed off to finish it. Now I feel badly.</p>
<p>BI: What a sweetie your son is! I love him and I don’t even know him.</p>
<p>GKM, Happy, Amanda - Congrats to all!</p>
<p>BI - What a beautiful sentiment. I got a good cry from your lovely words.</p>
<p>Sunday dh was obsessing about the tree. He was too tired to deal with it, he hates the tree, etc etc. He committed to helping me with it on Thurs. I would have asked ds but he helped me hang an art install all saturday, as well as shelves the weekend before. Needless to say I bought it, took it off the car, dragged it in the house and set it up myself. A complicated scenario involving wire, a ladder and a chair. I finished before I made dinner(well at least getting it standing straight) and the fire dept came over. I set off the smoke alarm cooking and didn’t realize they came over directly. Had to change that yesterday. It was quite embarrassing as everyone was mocking my cooking as usual. The tree however, is perfectly straight and looks quite good. It took me all day monday to decorate.
My mother’s health is on the downswing today, after being on the upswing much of last week. It is such a roller coaster when you are that age.</p>
<p>I love reading about all of your kids. They are so amazing in ways I can’t imagine. Futures so diverse and paths so unique. I learn so much from your posts about worlds I never see.</p>
<p>As a side note, we are taking dowery bids for Bluejr. Flaws discussed in the itty bitty fine print (I’m his mom, but I’m not blind). ;)</p>
<p>Well … perhaps it is the moon
…our younger kiddo - the executively challenged dear one - is finishing a paper thats due tom. (and kiddo is probably still doing research for it! ) On top of that the science grade is in the cellar, and there is a stack of stuff to be done…</p>
<p>To drive home the points we have been over and over about responsibility, work etc…I asked kiddo2 what college was kiddo2 expecting to attend with these grades…
and when kiddo replied with a name–I asked if kiddo knew what GPA and SAT/ACT scores are required for admission. I furnished this from the school’s profile for further emphasis.</p>
<p>Adding insult to injury, while at the orthodontist today, the MD mentioned seeing kiddo1’s recent accomplishment in the newspaper etc (a surprise to me that it was in the paper) and what amazing opportunities are in store for kiddo1 … </p>
<p>BI’s post is a good one and reminds me to not let the lack of executive skills overshadow what a great person kiddo2 is and how grateful I am to parent kiddo2</p>
<p>Well its after 5 on the east coast
so start passing out the adult beverages and appetizers, we can have the chocolate for dessert. Maybe we can meet at AmandaKayak’s and check out her tree!
Tom. is Dec 15 so more news soon.
Our hs GCs required that the kids have their apps into the offices before the break so the GCs weren’t working all break on sending the LORs, transcripts etc. They are probably ready for adult beverages and chocolate as well!</p>
<p>Count me in too! It was a rough Sunday! D was busy all weekend and I had literally not seen her at all. I wanted to buy the tree so we could start decorating but had a blow up instead. Said some things that weren’t very nice. D handled it much better that I did. Feeling like mean mommy too!! It was not very pretty at all. Feeling overwhelmed with the holidays and waiting to hear from colleges. I feel tired and wish I could takethe rest of the month off of work to get it all done. D hears tomorrow on her EA school. Here is hoping! I think I need a glass of wine! Anyone want to join me???</p>
<p>Already there, Tessa…cheers!!</p>
<p>Keeping my fingers crossed that all the answers due tomorrow are a) on time, and b) exactly what you want to hear!</p>
<p>blueiguana, loved your post so much. These kids are so damn sweet. My own son touched my heart yesterday. He needed to be at school until 9:30 for his EC and was originally planning to look at his ED here at home. But at 6 he called me because he couldn’t wait any longer and w/ me on the phone and his girlfriend and best friend by his side, he opened the decision which was a deferral to a school he’s loved since he was kid – his father is an alum and S has been there more times than i can count. I asked him if he was OK and he simply said that he had to run. When he got home, he only had me to greet him since his dad is away for work. I gave him a hug and kiss and asked him how he was and he replied, “I love that school but the hardest part of this is that I hope I’m not a disappointment to you and dad and all my teachers.” With every fiber of my motherly being, I kept my eyes dry and told him to banish the thought. He’s been nothing but a joy to me. That was a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. He’s worrying about us rather than his own feelings. Have I ever told you guys how much I love this boy?
So, later in the privacy of my BR, like some of the rest of you, I too experienced a meltdown and shed some tears of ache for him.
Today, I got up and made a call to his counselor to see how to proceed. He’s still awaiting some EA news this week and I’m really hoping it’s more positive.</p>
<p>I really wish the deadlines and EA/ED notifications were not in the midst of the holiday/year-end stuff. I am so busy with cards, shopping, decorating, band concert, Senior bake sale, year end work stuff (bad on its own), impending stressful long in-law visit, and the blizzard of the decade, that this college stuff may be the straw that breaks me. My d jokingly told us that if she does not get into reach for everyone school this week, her self esteem will plummet. Said with a smirk, but I know there is a grain of truth beneath her dry sense of humor. For some reason it would be easier if so many other schools had not already notified students. She is genuinely pleased for her friends that got into great schools, empathetic for those who did not, and desparately impatient for tomorrow. Best wishes for you all dealing with this too. Sounds like we all need a mommy time out, me included. Then, hopefully, I can get my priorities right and find joy in all that is joyful.</p>