<p>Re essay topics: we have a running (dark) joke every time a skateboarder races in front of my car about what a good essay it would make if I hit him. Apologies to parents of skateboarders. </p>
<p>Walker, I don’t think I appreciated my Mom’s sacrifices either. And I work, but in a school so my kids – and, more annoyingly, spouse, expect me to manage everything bc I get home early. There is no acknowledgment and I don’t blame you for being frustrated, but realize that they are young and oblivious. </p>
<p>Btw, totally unrelated: what is up with the boys needing to strut around in their skivvies? I know it’s hot, but boxers are more discreet…?</p>
<p>Sorry for all the stress this week. I’m trying to send happy thoughts everyone’s way. Whenever I start to get stressed about the college process, I remember that my older D did not get into her 1st or 2nd or 3rd choice college, but now is deliriously happy and successful at her “fallback” school. She has had wonderful experiences and opportunities and has added a double major which would have been impossible at the other schools. Most kids end up happy and successful wherever they attend. It’s just all about managing expectations. I know S’13 will be happy anywhere! And I will be just as proud of him whether he goes Ivy or state.</p>
<p>I noticed a couple of people doing SAT’s this weekend. So is DD. The the following weekend is ACT. I am frustrated because dd hasn’t studied for anything…PSAT. previous SAT, etc. We have hired a friend’s daughter to “tutor” her this week and next. It’s a combination of helping her and at least she’s doing some sample test items. If her score for CR+M can go up 100 points or so, that will put her for possibly receiving some merit aid. At this point, it’s probably worth a couple of hundred dollars not to start the summer off at mad at her (for my own mental health)!! And if she ends up getting the merit aid, so much the better.</p>
<p>If it goes well, we’ll also use her for getting the essays done for EA.</p>
<p>We have finalized our plans for our college tour. The schools are : Purdue, Marshall, UK, UGA, Ole Miss and USC. Any comments or info are welcomed. In addition, we are sightseeing one day in Nashville and having a day to drive the Smoky Mountains and having a day at Dollywood (my choice). I booked my air early, and now that schools have fallen out of favor, it was too pricey to change plans.</p>
<p>Oldest ds is not coming home from school this summer. He wasn’t really going to make much money, staying at school, but I figured it was better for him to work down at school than come home and sleep until 11, go out for fast food and play video games all night! That would just irritate me. As it turns out, he’s getting more hours than we anticipated, so should be able to bank almost what he would have at home (if he got the job here-not sure that would have happened)</p>
<p>Walker - I know the feeling. I did go on strike where I refused to cook for 30 days. It seemed every time I would cook someone would want Zaxby’s or Pizza or whatever. So for 30 days I only cooked for myself. Now before anyone runs out for fast food they asked if I’m cooking. </p>
<p>College essays - S has been mulling over different topics. None that jumped out at me but I’m not a college admissions counselor so what do I know. At least he is thinking.</p>
<p>S also had an interview today for a great job. He will find out in the next two days if he gets it.</p>
<p>Good luck to your son, CBGMass! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for him. </p>
<p>D has several ideas for college essays, she’s trying to think of topics that really are meaningful to her and will be relevant to the rest of her application. I think that she’ll spend more time on them when exams are out of the way!</p>
<p>Walker: I’ve only worked full time for the past 4 years; about the same time that DH stopped traveling as much for work & D1 got her license. It was bumpy & I had to bite my tongue a LOT because I had to let go & stuff didn’t get done the way I would have done it. But there’s a lot better sense in my house now that the laundry fairy, grocery fairy & cleaning fairy don’t exist ;)</p>
<p>wherenext: I’m so sorry if I contributed to your stress!!!</p>
<p>MomofNEA–I can TOTALLY sympathize with you. I work from home most days and you would think that I was on an extended vacation…they all seem to miss the “work” part of that.</p>
<p>ahhhhhh----a new morning…a new beginning…I am going to be at work…ALL DAY…which will help me…I work about 3/4 time but have the same problem as Walker…and sounds like many others…I still am chief cook and bottle washer at home…it can get pretty overwhelming when you’re doing so many things. But, I also have the same problem as RobD mentioned…letting go, letting others learn to do “without Mom”…ah well…DD woke up…SCREAMING that she just doesnt have enough time to do all the projects and study for all the tests that are still due before finals, AND get SAT stuff done…hmmmm, how do I put a positive spin on this?..at least she is aware of her problem?</p>
<p>Drmom, same here. Though the screaming was replaced by tears. D is freaking over the SAT again. Friends are tweeting about studying for it and she just has no time to do anything beyond school. Meanwhile S14 was slammed with HW and needed help last night, and I had no time due to S17 and the tears and drama over the abrupt departure of his coach. Ugh. Anyone else need a clone?!</p>
<p>when I had my 3 kids all under age 6, and they kept asking for things…all I could do was say “I wish after giving birth, I automatically became an octopus with 8 arms…that would fall off after the kids turned 18”…now, I wonder…maybe those should not drop off…but turn into clones…and stay forever…? or move out with the kids…?!</p>
<p>wherenext, hooray for rational self! Seriously, it sounds like your DD is on track for the schools he is looking at, and she has found several options that she really likes. Seems like you are in a really good place!</p>
<p>For essay topics, DD has her “main” essay topic, but beyond that, I don’t know what she’ll do. We talked briefly about this the other day, and I told her that the essay is a chance to show what makes you special - what makes you “you.”
DD said “mom, I’m just a regular kid. I don’t have anything spectacular.” </p>
<p>I tried to show her how special she really is, but I wanted to cry. My amazing, wonderful kid feels so overshadowed.</p>
<p>This is such a rough time - I’m skipping the wine - hand me a margarita please!</p>
<p>DD has her “junior speech” due this week. It’s a big project that they’ve worked on most of the marking period. The kids get dressed up and present it to the junior class. DD was really unhappy with hers, and after a practice run last week, sat down with her teacher to rework it, but she still was unhappy with it. Last night she had a breakthrough and basically rewrote the entire thing. She’s bringing it in today to go over with her teacher and I hope that she’s as happy with it today as last night. Fingers crossed that it goes well!</p>
<p>In softball news - her team is headed to the state championship game (for her conference.) Looks like I’m taking off early on Friday for that game! This is so great for these kids - it’s the first time ever that her high school has made it this far. So proud of these girls!</p>
<p>Have a great day everyone, and I hope that all our kids can see what we see - that they really are amazing and wonderful!</p>
<p>Good morning all…a very depressing weather out here in Boston today morning. Hope my S’s prom will not get socked in rain!!</p>
<p>S have not talked about the essay topic yet. </p>
<p>And count me as one who didn’t work for a long time after I had my S, started working 7 years back. Now, my husband travelling most of the time and with a soon to be senior son who is yet to get his license, it is all stress here most of the time. Recently we carpool to various activities and that helps.</p>
<p>I love reading this thread, but going through this the third time my stress levels are pretty nil. ACT is happening soon for the second time which will crystallize the college app list to some degree. Senior year schedule is set. College list is formed and visits planned. Thankfully only one reachy school on list for that I’m grateful. GPA ended up in tack for junior year (which is absolutely the most killer year.) The only thing I’m stressing about is whether or not 3 will be a senior scholar…he’s teetering on the edge and what the college costs will be fall 2013…ugh. Two AP classes next year for a total of 3 out of the 5 the school offers. I’m guessing rigorous box will be checked for this one as it was for the other two. But I don’t know how much the colleges look at that…all the info is on the transcript and the high school profile, college admins will make their own decisions me thinks. Essay topic is formulating (he’s planning on writing about being a scholar/athlete) and I know how very, very fast senior year goes…that I dread. My best advice is to let them enjoy their senior year and the process as it can never be repeated and keep the stress and fear here where the kids aren’t exposed. Lots of “lasts” for us next year with the “last” kid…will be bitter sweet for me. Next year at this time I will have one college graduate, one soon to be college senior and one soon to be college freshman…</p>
<p>I, too, have relatively low stress levels (most of the time). Technically, I guess this is my third time around although the first (foster son) just went to community college so that was NO stress at all. And now he has a great job at 26 making more money than me! </p>
<p>S’13 won’t finalize his list until after all of his summer programs. I have a feeling that the list may change depending on who he meets this summer. He’s going to a month long music festival that has professors from all over the county (and Canada). </p>
<p>I’m mostly worried about the essays. S’13 hates writing personal narratives. He loves writing fantasy stories, but I don’t think that will cut it for the essays. He wrote one essay for his English class unit on “college applications”. While he got a 90 on it - I thought it was terrible. It just didn’t sound like him at all. Girding my loins for battles over the essay later this summer.</p>
<p>Good morning, all
Since our D is signed up for the June ACT but decided not to take it and will instead take it in September, I know form here that I can recoup some money by simply changing the test date…but do I do that AFTER the June test is finished and she hasn’t taken it? I tried to change it now but cannot. If no one knows I think there is a phone number I can call.</p>
<p>Stress in our house had reduced, but D’s job has given her about 20 hours of work for the entire month of June. Ugh! What has been a good job for a bit of money during school, with one, maybe two short shifts on the weekend, has continued to be about the same this summer. So, D is trying to find a job WAY late. I’m toying with the idea that since 20% of this year of earnings is tagged for her portion to not even worry about it. But, if she can get a job with more pay for the summer that will help next year.</p>
<p>One added stressor, thought - anyone else whose kids simply cannot remember their chores?? Drives me absolutely over the edge…it’s not like they have a lot to do…</p>
<p>Good luck to those with upcoming tests, and those still finishing out their junior year!</p>
<p>I just read about six or seven pages of posts to try and catch up. Lots of stress going on around here! </p>
<p>I’m trying hard to take a step back and just try to chill a little bit. D isn’t going for Ivy type schools and I really want to believe that she will be where she should be - and that there are many places that could be. She’s done well this year academically, her test scores were good but not stellar. But, they are what they are. She’s asked for her LORs and has a challenging but not overwhelming schedule for next year. </p>
<p>I have at times put her under a tremendous stress and strain with my own worry about colleges. I feel as though I have robbed her a little bit of the enjoyment of her junior year of high school. I want to commit to not doing that her to during her senior year. Yes, things need to be done and I will need to make sure that she does them, but I also want her to pause, breathe in being “top dog” as a senior, enjoy her remaining time with her friends and make memories that will make her smile.</p>
<p>Our kids are smart, kind, good kids. They will all go to college, do well, make friends and be happy. I believe this. </p>
<p>This isn’t a lecture for any of you, but for me. </p>
<p>89wahoo, I immediately thought of Calvin clones from Calvin and Hobbes! I’m not sure it would actually simplify my life! Maybe the octopus arms!</p>
<p>anniezz, I think that part of the problem with our wonderful kids is that they take themselves for granted. “If I can do it then everyone else must be able to!” seems to be what they think. Congratulations on your D’s softball team going to the state championships!</p>
<p>megpmom, your S’s music festival sounds like lots of fun!</p>
<p>our2girls, chores certainly do seem to be way down on their list of priorities!</p>
<p>S’12 won’t have to take the Calculus exam as he has an A in the class so we will schedule his doctor’s appt for the immunization form fairly soon. Now I just need to know if he needs a physical for the varsity team! A lot of D’13’s stress will be reduced when the Chem SAT is over on Saturday - then she just has to study for finals!</p>
<p>Work: I have worked with my H since I was 19 just after we were married. There were many times when the kids spent their summers in our warehouse helping out or in an office doing summer HW packets. As they got older, it turned to camps. At times I have been frustrated feeling that I have missed out on so many “school events”, but this business has been good to us over the years. </p>
<p>Cooking: HA!!! We BBQ probably 3-4 times a week, pick up “family dinners” at a few restaurants and have FFYS a couple nights in between. FFYS = Fend For Your SELF. But then again, Jr will still ask me to make a protein shake after workouts just about every night…LOL</p>
<p>Clones: I sometimes feel like that “Staples” commercial where the cloned Mom(s) are looking for “IT Mom” and then one of them mentions that she quit. I wish I could quit too some days…LOL</p>
<p>Good luck to those still studying for the SAT/ACT this weekend. Remember Sunday is Rum Day ;)</p>
