<p>Hi, Heshinedonme, welcome to the thread! You’ll find we laugh about LOTS of things here. Sometimes it’s either that or cry (we do both quite well, and in good company.)</p>
<p>Note that in just a few weeks (July 1), we’re “moving” to a new thread that will be started that day: Parents of the College Class of 2015 and Beyond." Join us over there, too!</p>
<p>snoozn, ShawD thinks that she may earn some money teaching yoga as she will have just finished teacher training. However, she’s a cautious kid by nature and will be afraid of overextending herself. So, I wouldn’t expect her to rush into lots of activities. </p>
<p>I’m guessing your D will be able to figure out quickly if she’s overcommitted and will be able to adjust.</p>
<p>Sorry for your lost, fog fog.</p>
<p>I can empathize with you, MOSB. D sings, has allergies, and it was a nightmare last winter with sicknesses and allergies all rolled up to one.</p>
<p>D has meltdown last night. Not a good time for it since I had been up since 4:30 am, spent the day at doctors, pharmacies, doing errands, making turkey soup and fruit salad for dinner for the kids and her friend, and had to wait up to 9:30pm for the girls to come home from Venture fundraising meeting to have her do this. What is the issue? We are having movers packing on Jul. 11th. In the meantime, we have 2 dive meets, 4 swim meets, she flies to orientation, this Venture Scout dinner and show in which she is the person in charge, pet sitting jobs, college bound picnic, fireworks show, buying other son a car, and she wants more time with her friend. We do only have two cars now and four drivers. In August, we will have four drivers and four cars (with one set going off to IN, and the other to college). It isn’t my fault that her friend moved 25 miles away, doesn’t have a driver’s license although he is older than her, doesn’t like emailing, skyping, texting, phoning, etc, and is starting a volunteer job coaching rugby for kids while still working on finishing high school which he hasn’t done since his family had two moves in nine months. I told her I can guarantee her she will see him at the dinner she is doing, plus she can arrange a going away party- I have even said she can do it away from our house on the last weekend if she gets a place- like maybe our swim club or a park. Oh well, here is to hopes she is better this morning.</p>
<p>AmandaK: Hope that 8th grade “graduation” went well and that the weather holds up for tonight. As for dd3’s foot, don’t you just want to ask these “professionals” how they would feel if it was THEIR child? Somehow, I don’t think they’d be waiting. Hoping the x-ray mess gets cleared up today and that your D is okay.</p>
<p>Fogfog: I’m so sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>MilitaryMom: You have so much on your plate right now! Hoping your daughter awakens refreshed this morning. The stress eventually gets to everyone.</p>
<p>MOSB: Best wishes to SB this week! Hope her voice can make it through the week!</p>
<p>spoke to my sister yesterday and whatever problems I may have are in perspective. Her 19 year old son started using drugs about 3 years ago. First it was “just pot”, but then it developed into a heroin addiction. For the last year and a half he has been on and off of substances, in and out of hospitals. He refuses to acknowledge that he is addicted and enter rehab. He is legally an adult and there is nothing his parents can do to force him to get help. He is living with my sister’s ex husband because he was violent with my sister because her daughter (who is a wonderful high achiever) said that if he moved back home she would move out…she is scared of him. We had high hopes because he finally got his high school degree last month…but he has again relapsed. My heart aches for my sister and what she is going through. She is incredibly stressed. Always afraid she is going to get a call that he is in jail or dead. Drug addiction can happen to any family, any where. I can not even begin to imagine what she is going through. My niece is of course suffering because my sister really can’t focus on her. Fortunately my niece is extremely self sufficient, but she would like some assistance because she is a rising senior and is looking at colleges. She has great grades, incredible leadership experiences, but poor SATs. they live in CA, so I am not familiar with the schools out there, but hope to step in to help her a bit with her college search.</p>
<p>hollie - so sorry your sister and her family are going through this. I grew up with alcoholic parents and have relatives who had problems with drug/alcohol addictions. My H lost a brother who OD’d a few years ago. I know my MIL still doesn’t admit that her S OD’d but blames it on other health issues. She just couldn’t admit her son was a drug addict. </p>
<p>The biggest thing that helped me when I was struggling with the inability to help was attending adult child of alcoholics meetings and doing some therapy. I highly recommend your sister and her family find therapy (free group or private) somewhere.</p>
<p>hollie - how wonderful you can be there for your niece. That is such a rough situation. I have a good friend who has been in much the same situation, and they have found “Parents Anonymous” to be very, very helpful.</p>
<p>Counting down to our new thread! I do feel like my D is no longer a HS student, and I’m getting very used to the idea that I don’t have any schoolkids in the house. She started her freshman book yesterday, put in time on her theatre internship, and had an evening rehearsal. She’s getting lots of downtime, but I know she has a lot on her mind. Transitions always have this hard side to them - MMom, I feel for your D!</p>
<p>amanda - what your medical people are doing is completely unacceptable. Isn’t there an urgent care option?</p>
<p>Welcome to Heshinedonme. You will love this community of friends.</p>
<p>Reading through this thread this morning made me feel grateful and sorrowful all at the same time. </p>
<p>So sorry for fogfog for the death in the family.</p>
<p>Frustrated for amandakayak for the broken bones and x-ray run-around.</p>
<p>Feeling for MiliitaryMom and the meltdown. Moving is Stressful. In our frequent moves, we had buttons made with that phrase and wore them to remind each other!</p>
<p>Aching for HollieSue’s family. Addiction is a horrible reality and the emotional pain hurts as much as the physical. H’s family has a history of addiction in his siblings and cousins. Intervention saved his younger brother.</p>
<p>So grateful for a great conversation with my mother yesterday. My niece (a nursing student) was able to be her “private” care-giver yesterday. It was so great of the teaching staff to allow her to do that. She had to give her grandmother a shot, take out an IV, help her with a sponge bath. Normally, when my mom is in the hospital, she complains about not getting enough attention. That was definitely not the case yesterday.</p>
<p>Mom was very upbeat and so relieved that the doctor believes he got all the cancerous cells. (Full pathology report next week.) He had to remove half of her ear lobe but that’s a small price to pay to be cancer-free. She has stitches from above her ear down to her chin. My niece says a med school friend of hers did the stitching. Mom should go home today and get care once a day from the home health care nurse who was been with her pretty much every day since January. Mom’s goal and mine is for her to get well enough in the next three weeks to be able to go to her lake cottage in Michigan for rest and recharging.</p>
<p>We leave at 5 today for Mizzou. It’s a three-hour drive and orientation starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow, so we will spend tonight in a hotel. DS2 and his roommate will stay in the dorm tomorrow night. H and I have opted for the hotel rather than the dorm. (We were apart for nine days you know!) I am excited to officially begin my role as a Mizzou Mom.</p>
<p>On this second day of summer, we are experiencing a breezy cool day with high temperature expected to only reach 77. Window open, fresh air flowing. Breathing it in and enjoying it all.</p>
<p>Have a great day!</p>
<p>Welcome Heshinedonme!</p>
<p>Fogfog: I’m sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>Amanda: How frustrating! I hope that you get a clear diagnosis today. Have a wonderful graduation day!</p>
<p>MM: I can’t imagine the stress in your household right now. Hang in there and feel better.</p>
<p>Holliesue: I’m so sorry to hear about your nephew. What a sad situation. It’s great that you sister and your niece have you for support. My sister has had a rough few years while her son battled mental illness, and I have found that it really helps her if I call frequently and just listen. As you said, things like this really make us appreciate our normal lives.</p>
<p>OWM: I’m glad that your mom is on the mend. Have a great orientation trip.</p>
<p>Fogfog - sorry for your loss. Congratulations on finding the unexpected money though!</p>
<p>Classof2015 - had to laugh about your coupon story. H would definitely do something like that.</p>
<p>I have several B&B coupons stashed away - but we haven’t had a chance to look at anything as yet. Headed out on vacation end of this week - can’t wait!! All college stuff will have to wait till we come back. D has been filling out all her forms - hopefully she is on top of all things that are needed, since I have been too busy to look at anything for her! Orientation is mid-July - she’s one of those flying there on her own.</p>
<p>OWM - glad your mom is doing better. Must have been nice to have a personal care aid in your niece! Have a good orientation trip!</p>
<p>Amanda - can’t believe it takes that long to figure out if your D did break her foot. Good luck with the graduation!</p>
<p>holliesue - tough situation with your nephew. Glad that you can help out your niece though.</p>
<p>Work is crazy and with vacation around the corner, everything seems to have piled on at the same time. Will probably not be able to check in again until we are back from the cruise - at which time, we should be on the new thread! So, here’s looking forward to the new thread in July…who’s launching it??</p>
<p>Trying to come up for air here. I had a wonderful week with Bluejr after graduation before he started his internship this week. I am going to miss him so much!</p>
<p>OWM - So glad to hear that your mom is doing better. Having your niece there with her must have been wonderful for everyone. I must say I am a wee bit envious of your season tix to Missou! We will be able to make it to a few home games for Bluejr’s school, but Bluedad is a mentor with Bluejrjr’s EC that meets on Saturday’s. Have an awesome time at orientation!</p>
<p>MM - I’m really thinking of you during this move. Please take care of yourself.</p>
<p>holliesue - Hugs to you! What a difficult situation with your nephew. The support to your niece is such a gift!</p>
<p>Amanda - Cheers on the graduation. Sorry for the frustration on the x-rays and referrals. I hope your D’s foot is feeling better quickly.</p>
<p>Classof2015 - Love the BBB coupon story. I started reading and thought ‘Wow! What fortune, I’ve never gotten one that big!!’. My guess is people mistakenly bring in competitor coupons all the time.</p>
<p>fogfog - I’m amazed that Amex send you a reminder about the rebate check! That’s pretty amazing. What great timing also!! I am sorry to hear of your loss.</p>
<p>Heshinedonme - Warm welcome! Depending on how far back you have read we’ll be starting a new thread on July 1. Starting fresh as parents of college students, leaving all the nonsense and baggage of high school behind us, and hoping it’s a little less intimidating to new people who want to join us. I can’t remember the name that was chosen but something tells me you won’t miss us! :)</p>
<p>MOSB - I’m thinking about dear songbird and hoping her voice recovers. Her dedication to her passion is nothing short of amazing!</p>
<p>cooker - Glad the tree has been removed finally. What a mess! When it rains, it pours…and evidentially tress fall!! :eek:</p>
<p>I was thinking about how many hours the kids have to take. It is a delicate balancing act for sure. Bluejr is required to take 15hrs each semester within SEAS (the e’school). This makes since as if he went lower there is no way he’d graduate in 4 years (or 8 semesters) given the degree requirements. Going longer isn’t an option at his university even if he wanted to. They are limited to 8 semesters…period. The option is to take classes in the summer, but most kids make it work as their graduation rate is quite high. He took this into consideration when he made his decision. I have no doubt he’ll do fine.</p>
<p>Resurfacing after a longer than planned posting hiatus. But I have been semi-following all the goings on over the past couple of weeks. We are a busy group of moms/dads indeed!</p>
<p>Congrats to the recent grads and their families. Hard to believe that we are almost done with all the grads and will be moving to new thread at the end of next week!</p>
<p>Fogfog: So sorry for your family’s loss</p>
<p>Holliesue: Sorry to hear of your nephew’s struggle w/ addiction. So difficult for all involved. Your niece is lucky to have you for support and help w/ college process. These things do make us put our own “problems” in perspective.</p>
<p>MOSB: Sounds like SB’s voice is being properly coddled and that she will shine in the show(s) this weekend</p>
<p>mamom: there is a product that I’ve seen in some dorms and online called a “Microfridge” which may work for your S (just google it)</p>
<p>Classof2015- loved the BBB coupon oops by your H. A 60% coupon would be a major find- LOL</p>
<p>Amanda- your 8th grade D’s pics on shutterfly were stunning. Hope the grad goes/went well. Sorry about fracture/x-ray drama.</p>
<p>Cooker: Glad to hear that tree removal is done. Hope you didn’t get anything else after last nights insane storm. Trees are down all over my northside of Chicago neighborhood</p>
<p>OWM: glad to hear of good news on your Mom’s procedure. Enjoy your orientation at Mizzou! Many of D’s classmates are attending Mizzou next year!</p>
<p>Blueiguana: Surprising to hear that Bluejr’s college doesn’t allow more than 8 semesters. I thought most colleges like to get a semester or 2 of extra tuition $$</p>
<p>arisamp: enjoy the cruise</p>
<p>Emmybet & Shawbridge: just wanted to say that I really enjoy your posts. Great combination of wisdom & humor. </p>
<p>D1 and I went to her orientation/registration last Wed and it was a nice visit. We stayed in her suite-style dorm which gave us a chance to take inventory of what she’ll need to bring this fall (for example, there is no mirror in the bedroom, the overall lighting in the room is not so great, there are limited outlets, but the bed is raised and there is lots of room for storage underneath) We also found the closest Starbucks (2 blocks). She selected her fall classes and knows her schedule. She registered for 17 hrs, but I have been suggesting she drop down to 14 which is the minimum for her honors program. She needs a 3.5 to remain in the honors program and needs between 3.0 & 3.3 to keep her scholarships. </p>
<p>D1 starts her FT job as a day camp counselor on Monday. She has training tomorrow & Fri. She (and I ) will be happy when her paychecks start coming in. She’s had too much free time this month and has used the vast majority for the 3 S’s: socializing/shopping/sleeping - LOL</p>
<p>mommylaw: The top four hometown areas for Mizzou students are St. Louis and Kansas City (pretty obvious), then Chicago and Dallas. Big, active alumni chapters in both towns and the school is targeting those areas.</p>
<p>I just hired a suburban Chicago Mizzou Journalism graduate to be the graphic designer at our offices in Indy. (I work remotely.) I can understand the draw for J-School students, but her sister is coming to Mizzou for elementary ed. It’s an interesting new dynamic. </p>
<p>Of the 36 Summer Welcome leaders at Mizzou, 16 are out-of-state and five of those are from the Chicago area.</p>
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<p>True, true! 
I could speculate on reasons for the 8 semester limit, but I’ve never seen a published statement on this policy so it would be just speculation. It certainly keeps the four-year graduation rate high and makes room for the new crop of kids. Semesters abroad don’t count, nor do work-study. I assume many kids come in with a good number of AP credits as it’s a higher rated school in our state. The kids in Arts & Sciences have a 12 credit minimum, but still the 8 semester rule. They have a much different focus then the e’school so I wouldn’t say it’s easier by any means. My son will take 8 hours of proofs and lab prep over 8 hours of reading and analysis ANY day of the week!! It’s only a burden if you don’t want to be doing it. That’s a gross generalization, but you get the idea. The minimum rule is just that, a minimum. Most kids end up taking more than that. I think many of the e’school classes are 4 credit so the minimum is deceiving. Having a 12 credit minimum would allow kids to take only three classes possibly which would not allow them to graduate on time.</p>
<p>So nice that you got to stay in her dorm and make some preliminary plans. We’re just going to go with the basics. We have the luxury of being a couple of hours away and plan to start with less and gradually take down more over the fall as he needs it. Big cheer going out for a raised bed with storage!! I am actually keeping my fingers crossed for this over a loft-style. It’s all random at bluejr’s school. I’m sure he’ll adapt to whatever.</p>
<p>Warm welcome to Heshinedonme!</p>
<p>fogfog - So sorry about your loss. </p>
<p>Just checking in for a second to let you know that southwest has airfare sale for the flights from 8/23 thru November something. Price for the flights up to 450 miles is $40+tax one way. Great for the move-in and parent weekend days.</p>
<p>Edit: Sale ends tomorrow.</p>
<p>Welcome Heshinedonme!</p>
<p>Keylimepie ~ Happy to hear your DS might be able to enroll in a higher level physics class! :)</p>
<p>Amandak ~ Sorry about your dd3’s foot and all the aggravation about getting an x-ray.</p>
<p>Fogfog ~ Sorry for your loss…</p>
<p>MOSB ~ So glad to hear your D’s voice is back! Will keep her in my prayers…
I really enjoyed reading about all that can go wrong on a stage, hahaha.
Reminded me of one: how about the piano on stage being…locked!?</p>
<p>Heshinedonme ~ Welcome!</p>
<p>Holliesue ~ So sorry about your nephew’s situation…</p>
<p>OWM ~ Have a great trip!</p>
<p>I concede EmmyBet’s point about this forum being useful for real decision-making, along with all the shared joy, laughs, and commiseration! Thanks for bringing me around to a more reasonable position mathmom and shawbridge. Your wise advice reminded me that she’s being the mature one here – she’s not working (one of the perks of going to the more affordable state U) and taking outside classes is “safer” than taking an extra for-credit dance class, since she can drop them if school gets overwhelming. I think I had just fallen into this one mode of worrying about her doing badly her first semester and wasn’t able to see past the potential bad effects!</p>
<p>mosb, glad sb has a few more days to continue her recovery – what a trooper she is!</p>
<p>Milmom, wow, always lots of extra stress one way or another for military families. Hope your d can “cool down” rather than “melt down!”</p>
<p>holliesue, I’m glad you are there in your niece’s corner. There are certainly lots of options for her in CA. My daughter and I enjoyed our visit to the Claremont colleges (5 college consortium near LA), which she may be interested in if she likes small LAC’s. I hope rehab is successful for you nephew. My nephew battled alcohol addiction starting early in high school and has finally turned things around and will be starting grad school next year! (Of course heroin is more challenging to overcome…)</p>
<p>arisamp, enjoy the cruise! </p>
<p>My house has returned to regular noise levels now that “the prisoners” are back. Gotta admit, I missed them.</p>
<p>OK, foot is broken, finally got bootie and 70% chance of rain in the forecast - sweeeeeet!!!</p>
<p>Oh no, amandak! 
At least it was finally taken care of…
Wishing you the best weather possible!</p>