<p>Just popping in to catch up and put us back on the front page. DS goes back tomorrow. The house will be quieter and I will miss him but will like having our “new normal” back (and I am so glad to hear so many of you feel the same).</p>
<p>ldinct, would your son have difficulty with you being on his account or giving you power of attorney so that you could make sure things are being taken care of? Would this be an intrusion or a relief to him? My son does not have disabilities in the EF end of the spectrum (actually he can plan out months in advance) but is focuses on only a couple of things at a time (e.g., be top of the class and impress professors in all courses related to my majors; have a good social life this semester) and would prefer not to have to think about anything else. So, he has signed a POA quite happily.</p>
<p>Would your son be happy if you or your H were monitoring his email just in case he misses something? Or would he find it a demeaning intrusion?</p>
<p>Yeah I was thinking about a poa, but I’m sure he wouldn’t want it. My XH would want it & he’s a little type A for both of us. I am going to see if maybe I can get his password & just be another set of eyes & make sure some ongoing things are paid. Because ultimately he’s going to have to manage it. Maybe I can ask him to forward anything from his personal email that he doesn’t want to deal with.
We are going to have one of his sibs, stepsibs or us get over there once a quarter to see how he’s doing living-wise.
His older S was telling him at Christmas that you don’t do everything yourself- she has a house cleaner, a tax guy, etc. That was good for him to hear, but he still wouldn’t know how to get any of those for himself. He doesn’t realize how you ask people for recs, etc. That is part of his social anxiety. When I told him he would have to rent a car when he came home he had no idea how to do it. That is his double whammy- EF with social issues means he rarely asks for help or opinions. You can’t even imagine the scary situations this has put him in over the years & I probably know only half of it if that. Fires, accidents, walking the streets without a hotel, etc. I found a back brace & a shoulder wrap when I was cleaning out his apt, no idea what those were from.
Fingers crossed on how he does with the transfer. Hopefully he will make a couple of friends. With some gentle guidance from us we can help him through some of the practical issues.</p>
<p>Good Morning All - I hope many of you have a holiday today and can enjoy the day off! Coffee’s on with fruit, bagels, and quiche this morning. Please help yourself! :)</p>
<p>ldinct - You really have had a road with your older S! I hope he will accept some minor changes that could really help (giving passwords, etc.). It sounds like the move may be a good change for him. It also sounds like the conversation with your D may have been helpful…hey we ALL use people to help us in our lives (cleaners, tax, etc.). It’s a matter of getting those things in place for him, which I know is an entirely different obstacle. Sending you gentle hugs.</p>
<p>We took Bluejr back to school yesterday. This is the first time we have dropped him off that I haven’t known when I will see him again. He said when I miss him to simply get in the car and come…is today too soon? :o I know he was ready to be back and see his friends. It will be much quieter in the house without him, even with two boys still home. Most of his friends are going through rush this semester. He chose not to for a number of reasons. His university is about 30% greek, so a decent amount, but not overwhelming.</p>
<p>We picked up ShawD on Saturday, drove back on Sunday. Today is move-in day but her room is not yet cleaned and won’t be cleaned until tomorrow. So, they made available a room where she can drop off her stuff and then move it three buildings over the next day. Given that we live less than an hour away (except at rush hour), it’s not clear that it makes sense. But, she is booked from 8 AM to 8 PM on the next day, which is orientation.</p>
<p>She seems very pleased to be switching right away. What she told a friend at dinner before we drove her home was that she had gone over in the first couple of weeks of school (when add/drop was still OK and she could have withdrawn without financial costs) to see about transferring to nursing. They gave her some misinformation at that time, saying she couldn’t switch then but could later. Only later did someone else (from admissions) explain that she’d have to reapply as a first year student. I don’t know if she would have withdrawn, but she might have taken a reduced courseload. A little annoying, but of no great consequence her new school seems to be really good for nursing.</p>
<p>Shawbridge - sorry to hear your dd was a victim of misinformation early on. Over time, I’ve learned to ask then verify. My DS and DH have learned one of my mantras - Always do your due diligence which goes with You must have a Plan B and sometimes a Plan C. Glad it all worked out so well. With her positive outlook on life and friendly attitude, she will thrive.</p>
<p>Idinct - such tough challenges for your son and your entire family. There are no easy answers. Sending you hugs and support since I’m sure you have considered anything I might suggest. Wish I could be of more help.</p>
<p>Momofzach - welcome back</p>
<p>DS has resume polished, cover letter done and list of companies to apply to for summer internships. One week left at home to get this done. Fingers crossed. This reminds me of the college app/essay process we all enjoyed so much. Not!!! Fortunately DS’s first drafts are vastly improved (as one would expect). Still an expert procrastinator. So glad I am not involved with the timing and deadlines for his schoolwork. We have different styles. I like to get stuff done ASAP and have time leftover. DS doesn’t. I’ve never interfered b/c his grades are great.</p>
<p>Hope the employed folks are enjoying a day off.</p>
<p>FLMM–yep, my DS is also quite the procrastinator. I’m like you–get it done and not worry at the last minute. DH just called DS (woke him up) and he told us he’s working on his final essay for one class (he’s doing finals this week/next). Paper is due tomorrow. He was at the library till midnight and will be back there today. He wants to email it to DH for an edit. Needless to say he mentioned needing to work on this paper over his break (never did) and has been back at school a week. Yes, he likes to procrastinate! As it seems to work for him–he’s always had good grades, I didn’t say anything negative. Why bother–he knows what he’s doing (or not)! </p>
<p>DS2 got into his first (perhaps only???) honor society last week. He’s taking ASL and loves it. It’s the perfect fit for him. I’m so glad his school offers it–a regular language would have been a disaster for him since he struggles with reading comprehension. Visual is the way to go for him!!! He amazes me daily. He’s downstairs right now working on a project for his History class. </p>
<p>Nothing else too exciting around here. DS has been gone a week and I’ve finally stopped glancing at his room to see if he’s there. We quickly readjusted to him being home, and have to do the same about him being gone again.</p>
<p>DS won’t be doing any internships this summer. He’s hoping to get into a summer class that will last the month of June (only 16 students will be accepted). We have a family vacation the 2nd week in July. I doubt anyone will want to hire him for 6 weeks, but we’ll see what comes up. </p>
<p>Thanks for the breakfast BI–DH ate the last of the breakfast this morning and I didn’t get any! I guess that means that I need to go shopping–the cupboards are bare!!!</p>
<p>I’m thinking of sending my son, daughter, nephew and nieces a small care package in February. Nothing real expensive, but something fun. Seven kids in all. What would be fun little things besides 6 homemade cookies? They are in colleges all over the country.</p>
<p>Kathiep - Chinese New Year is coming up (1/23) - if you have an asian food market around you, they should have paper lanterns (come flat so easy shipping), and red envelopes (traditionally you put some money inside and give to kids). I’m planning to do this for ds this week.</p>
<p>I’m rethinking care packages. When we dropped bluejr off we helped him clean up/organize some, including pulling some boxes/trash from under the bed…lots of odds and ends from care packages he’d forgotten about. :-/ The room is sooo small and I know he just gets overwhelmed with nowhere to put extra stuff. I’m really going to carefully think about each item that gets sent from now on. Cute extras probably won’t make the cut.</p>
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<p>Valentine’s Day is mid-February and provides an opportunity for all kinds of treats and surprises. This exact conversation came up at dinner last night so I am pretty sure that AvonMom and DD will be putting something together that will take me back to the Post Office in a few weeks. DS’s birthday is at the end of January so I will get to know the Post Office staff very well. :D</p>
<p>D1 got a post card from her school’s housing office advertising the virtues of sending students Valentine’s care packages. I think they need to work on how they target their marketing. ;)</p>
<p>Blue - My poor deprived ds only got one true care pkg (unless you count the box I stuffed with polarplus sheets and nothing else, not even a note) and felt “unloved” - LOL.</p>
<p>I don’t think Bluejr knew how lucky he was/really cared. Perhaps I should be sending my care packages to kayakson this semester? :)</p>
<p>Tell me about these polar plus sheets. I’ve heard about them. Are they nicer than the flannel or jersey knit?</p>
<p>My D texted me in the middle of the night last night to tell me that her passport expires in Septmeber. I appreciate that she is thinking ahead, though a more normal time may be more appreciated… (does anyone know if she can take care of that at any Post Office or does she need to do one local to her permanent address?)</p>
<p>Polarplus sheets are just the best thing ever invented. Berkshire Hathaway has them avail online or you can find them at TJ Maxx/Marshalls (or Bed Bath & Beyond - but they are more expensive there). Just feels so cozy & Warm, but you don’t get sweaty. Flannel to me is very stiff. They have alot of stretch to them so they fit all sized mattresses too. You should give them a try - I bet you will not want to get out of bed - that’s my problem.</p>
<p>ldinct: I’m sorry to hear about S1’s challenges. It does sound like he’s had success at work. I hope the transfer goes well. </p>
<p>Congrats to Vamom’s S2 on his honor society induction. It’s great that he found an area where he can shine.</p>
<p>I never heard of polarplus sheets but they sound amazing. My linen closet is stuffed, so I can’t buy any new sheets until I purge it.</p>
<p>We’re back to our empty nest after a very nice month with both girls home. I’ll miss them, but not the extra dishes, laundry and grocery shopping. D1 came home yesterday for the playoff game which was a nice treat. I dropped D2 at the aiport this afternoon. I got a little bit sad when I left her in the security line. She took back 2 large suitcases and a carry-on duffle (thank you Southwest). I have no idea how she will fit everything in her dorm room, but she is sufficiently set with boots and coats.</p>
<p>Now I’m really feeling the empty nest as H is home more now that it isn’t his busy season. We are trying to figure it out as a couple. What do we do? I am throwing out so much food, that I now know why my parents went to the dinner every night. Last week when H was driving S to school I got take-out from my favorite restaurant for Sunday dinner, 2 entrees. Had 2 dinners & 2 lunches for $26. I don’t think I could make four meals for that, well not anything that would taste good. </p>
<p>My sister called to remind me that today is the first anniversary of my mother’s passing. I’m glad she reminded me as I would have felt guilty if I totally forgot. We are not very good about dates around here. H & I have totally missed our anniversary twice. I knew it was around this time, but had forgotten the actual date. I will have a glass of wine on her behalf. </p>
<p>I am no longer the helicopter mom with S2, I have gone one week without a call or a text. His choice, not mine. It’s sink or swim time. Thank god they will post midterm grades is all I can say. </p>
<p>On his agenda in the next couple of weeks- finding an off campus apt for next year & his fraternity formal in NOLA (oh boy!).</p>
<p>Bajamm…
I think she can do it anywhere…
<a href=“https://www.usps.com/shop/apply-for-a-passport.htm[/url]”>https://www.usps.com/shop/apply-for-a-passport.htm</a></p>
<p>From any post office–with her current IDs and photos etc. </p>
<p>I think there is a form for the renewals…though I recall there being an issue from child to adult…It might depend on when it was issued. The last time we did these…my older kiddo (the freshman) could apply for renewal and pay/renew it when we did ours at the local county annex…and yet our younger kiddos had to be mailed away as kiddo2 was younger etc</p>
<p><a href=“U.S. Passports”>U.S. Passports;
<p>Good morning all. Doesn’t it seem earlier on mornings after a long weekend?? Muffins, coffee and tea are ready–enjoy!</p>
<p>Bajamm–Fogfog is correct. Probably the issue that effects the passport renewal is that the last one was probably issued before she was 16. She needs to apply in person. She can get forms online to fill out in advance. She will need passport photos. She can go to any post office that accepts the paperwork. The good news is that now the passport will be good for 10 years rather than 5!!! My DS2 turns 16 in May and his passport expires in April. I will wait until his birthday to renew so he gets a 10 year passport. We have a a trip planned in July, so we should still have enough time for it to arrive!</p>