ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
Ours are given some freedom too. Don't understand how we expect them to get on the public bus to another school 11 miles away at 11 otherwise. But some kids must have to do that without ever having been allowed into the town centre before (where the bus stop is). I'm more worried about policing their Instagram accounts than letting them walk to the shops! 

It's amazing that, even in her mildly demented state, my mom can still say things to me that are the incarnation of my deepest fears. Not on purpose and not to be mean...but just out of concern.
 
My job is to not let the niggling doubt and dread of those words follow me around all day and week.....and in days to come.
 
 
But sometimes.....I really wonder just what the hell is going on with things.
 

 
 
EDIT: Psychic playlist - "In the Mood" is one of her favorite songs.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
Totally agreed.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
should be on a poster

 aflanigan wrote: 
We went to a music festival this weekend and let our 9-year-old wade thru the crowd of many thousands, selling his paracord bracelets, then when they were sold out, told him he could go out of the festival grounds to a playground across the street. He's small for his age and one guy (that I know of) showed some concern, but my biggest worry was that they'd bust him for selling without a permit But I do know how things like this look to people these days. My sister's youngest is going into 7th grade and he rarely gets any unsupervised time. School's out, she will be home soon or they'll at least be in contact by phone, often, until someone does get there. It's weird. Kids need to be able to function, talk to adults, other kids, find their way home. A friend of the 12-yr-old's wanted to play but our kids were at the library. We suggested she ride her bike down there and join them, but she said she didn't know how to get there.

1. What? It's, um, two blocks that way, and 4 blocks that way. By the police department. Nope. No idea.
2. What? The commercial zone is about 3 blocks square. Even if you just flew in from Mars, it would take about 3 minutes to find the library by bicycle.

Parents are now getting arrested for letting their kids go to the park alone

 meower wrote: 

 Alexandra wrote: 

 Alexandra wrote: 

Every once in awhile, I am able to have a real and "normal" conversation with Mom. It's almost like something divine reaches into her brain and lets it transcend her dementia and be normal for a small moment.

After a family meeting by phone, I then called her to see how she was doing at her facility. She was very relaxed and laid back...probably watching tv.

We talked, and I found myself pouring out my heart about how sad Mother's Day can be for me (never having had the kids I wanted with all my heart), and she listened and wasn't confused and was very empathetic. I told her why I never wanted to just adopt a child on my own (I wanted a family, not just a baby), and she understood that completely. And then I told her that I was so grateful I still had HER when so many people I know these days have lost their moms already. I thanked her for living so long. I told her about this quote my friend had on Facebook:

You can use almost any measure when you're speaking of success. You can measure it in a fancy home, expensive car or dress. But the measure of your real success is one you cannot spend – It's the way your child describes you when talking to a friend. – Martín Baxbaum

And I told her she should feel successful, because I always tell people, "First of all, my mom HAD me at a very late age, and still did a great job being active in my life and caring for me....and as an adult, she supported every single thing I wanted to do, as long as it made me happy. Even moving far away from her, as sad as it was, because she knew I needed to live some adventures. She was really hearing me and taking it in.....and sounded very pleased. She thanked me for the compliment.
It certainly took the edge off a lot of heartbreak I've been experiencing over the big changes in her life. A wise friend of mine told me to focus only on my personal relationship with her, and making it the best I possibly could, while I can. That's what matters most.
I was so grateful for that conversation.
 

 Antigone wrote: 
Really.  Every bath needs another tap.

I want the Bathe and Brew ...

Oh, wait, never mind. They're talking about coffee.

 Red_Dragon wrote: 
so much for rise and dine...

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
except the cats would eat the stuff before the alarm went off

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
I was like...YEAH, ALRIGHT...And then I clicked on it and I was like...Well crap.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
I had that guy as a roommate for a while. 

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
that would go on Jrzy's side of the bed

 buzz wrote: 
I got you this instead. Wake & Bake!