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Category: parenting

Do You Have Parental Burnout?

Do You Have Parental Burnout?

6/24/2011 I seriously thought this was quiz that was created with ME in mind. See what you think and what it all means here:  DO YOU HAVE PARENTAL BURNOUT?Here’s a help-wanted ad you won’t see in your local paper: Seeking woman with energy, willing to work twenty-four hours a day. Must be patient, loving, wise, dependable, and organized. Must be able to cook, sew, shop, clean, and quickly learn new methods necessary for keeping a household happy and cared for….

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Would You Lie for Your Child?

Would You Lie for Your Child?

6/24/2011 This is a great question. What do you think? Would you? Cindy Anthony’s Testimony: Would You Lie for Your Child? June 24, 2011 10:11 am by Jenna Hatfield, BlogHer Original Post Yesterday, Casey Anthony’s mom, Cindy, dropped a bombshell on the Caylee Anthony murder trial. She said — under oath — that she was the one who searched for chloroform on the family computer. The prosecution has always used this as their form a smoking gun to prove intent on…

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One Step Forward, One Smashed Pipe

One Step Forward, One Smashed Pipe

6/23/2011 Within the last week, I’ve spoken to the new probation officer assigned to my daughter’s case, for which she’s appearing next week. I had a great conversation with the woman, and she clearly is convinced that my daughter is nothing less than a saint—two jobs, enrolling in school, “thinking of” volunteering for Habitat for Humanity…Why wouldn’t she? I talked her up for an hour, explaining that she had a tough time for a while, that she is now being…

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Again and Again and Again…

Again and Again and Again…

6/2/2011 Our story always gets better! So I was having some company the other day and naturally decided to do some housecleaning. The worst room in the house? My 17-year-old’s, of course. She was at work, so I did the usual stuff—picked up the dirty clothes and put them in the hamper, threw away the abundant trash, made the bed…then I needed to vacuum, so I picked up the random junk off the floor, including a nice small box by…

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From Juvenile Court to Attorney General’s Office—Big Step in One’s Life

From Juvenile Court to Attorney General’s Office—Big Step in One’s Life

6/2/2011 I think my daughter is a schlimazel—you know, the one who doesn’t do the stuff all the time, the one who it gets done TO. I think it was explained as the schlemiel spills the soup and the schlimazel is the one it’s spilled on. For her, she’s done relatively well overall. No accidents, no tickets, no arrests, not too many bad moods, and not even staying out late. So, we blindly carry on, trying to forget about the…

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Relapse or Just Plain STUPID?

Relapse or Just Plain STUPID?

5/10/2011 I’ll cut right to the chase. I came home, smelled something funny in my house, and saw my daughter opening windows and lighting incense. I couldn’t believe it–my daughter had been smoking pot in my house. At first, I thought I was imagining things, but when I saw the leaves in the toilet and a butt on the bathroom sink, it was too late. I was beyond…words. She tried to lie, but it was a futile. I caught her….

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Boundaries—They Go Both Ways

Boundaries—They Go Both Ways

5/3/2011 My formerly troubled teen and I have been working so hard on our relationship, which is based on trust and mutual respect—like adults would have. I work like a madwoman to not get angry over the small stuff because it gets me nowhere with her and does very little for me. We recently (I’m talking in the last few days) moved from a rented townhouse to our own home. I worked very hard to make this happen and handled…

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Reality Show Is a Conversation Starter

Reality Show Is a Conversation Starter

4/14/2011 I admit it, I’m a fan of reality TV, and I’m a regular viewer of Teen Mom. It’s not that I relate to that program, it’s that there but for the grace of God goes my family. I have two teenage daughters and my “troubled teen” began being sexually active around the age of 15 (that’s what she has told me, though kids lie and she has done quite a bit of lying). I’m glad that Teen Mom depicts…

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Best Sunday Ever—A Mother’s Reward for…Mothering

Best Sunday Ever—A Mother’s Reward for…Mothering

4/11/2011 Better than feeling like the prettiest girl at the ball is feeling like the best mom in the world! I had a splendid day with my daughter yesterday—one of our Sunday “dates.” I honestly thought it was going to be a bust because she overslept for work and ended up being an hour late. I figured she’s call me and tell me that she was going to need a nap after work, which automatically derails any plans we might…

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Signs Your Teenager Is on Drugs & What to Do about It

Signs Your Teenager Is on Drugs & What to Do about It

I can honestly say, I’ve been there, done that. Been through the drug ordeal with my daughter. Her drug of choice? Ecstasy. Lovely, huh? I was the last to know, too, because I was too trusting and extremely naïve. I never thought I would be someone who’d be so clueless—I’m smart, a former middle school teacher, and aware of the world. I just wasn’t aware of what was going on under my nose. It’s a hard pill to swallow to…

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