A Fourth of Pixie Dust! A Fourth of Fun! A Fourth of Attitude! NEW! 4/6 pg. 26

[eandesmom]

Oh Jackie I am so sorry you all are going through this. We had a very scary patch with Eric last winter and spring and were in much the same boat with therapy etc and then had a brutal winter this year with Evan in a very different way. Nothing more terrifying than feeling like you are losing your child or don't know/understand or how to reach them. While as a parent I didn't feel like therapy did what I'd hoped, for Eric it was a place to vent...that wasn't to me...and while it may not have been at all about what I (and school) perceived as his issues he loved having that neutral party to vent to and if complaining about his brother to a therapist helped the other stuff well then, I guess it was money well spent.

This age is HARD. So very very hard. Puberty, girls, mean mean middle school kids, tough school loads, you name it and then you add social media and all that rot? Ugh. I'd hate to be in middle be more school too and am worried for Eric next year. There is always light and Connor is blessed to have you and Charles helping him through this and I am very glad to hear the Connorisms are coming back. His core is too strong not to get through it, but I can only imagine how scary it has been.

If it's any consolation I swear all of Evan's friends are going through this too, several of the mom's and I commiserate on a regular basis and I have to believe that this too shall pass.

Termites? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Specialist work almost done? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh Jackie. I'm so sorry you hit a rough patch and sincerely hope that it is getting better (as it sounds).
Mental illness is such a tough issue, I've dealt with small bits and pieces in my own family. Connor is so lucky to have such a wonderful and caring mother who is obviously doing everything possible to help him. I am so glad to hear you say his sense of humour is coming back. My thoughts are with you guys, hoping for a bright, happy spring and smooth sailing ahead.

Thanks! We are hoping for a bright, happy spring as well.

Hi Jackie! I'm sorry you've been going through so much lately, and I'm sorry things have been so rough for Connor. I'm happy to hear he is feeling a litle better and seems to be heading back toward his "regular" self. I know it must be hard to see because he is usually so much fun!

Also sorry about the termiites - Nice to see you back!

Thanks! It has been hard because he was so not himself. It broke my heart.

Oh Jackie- having a 7th grade boy myself< I can so relate! Big hugs and I am happy things are turning around!

Yuck on the termites! So much fun to spend a bundle and have nothing tangible to show for it, especially if it cancels a vacation!

Good luck!

Thanks! Seventh grade is just the pits. Luckily we only have seven more weeks of it left and then the summer will be here.

Good to see you back on the boards Jackie!

As fas as Connor - my nephew LJ is the same age - 7th grade - and I can attest to the fact that it can really put a damper on some kid's spirits. Especially the kids like LJ who don't fit into the "rough and tumble" boy stereotype. I am happy to hear that Connor is feeling better and I hope its just a bump in the road.

You put it perfectly! It is hard to see Connor's spirit dampened, although there were a lot of things contributing to it -- not just school. I think school just made it all worse.

Ugh to the termites. What an unexpected house guest. That stinks.

Those termites are horrible! We haven't even opened the walls yet to see how much damage they did -- I am scared of that moment.

Yeah to almost be done school. I admire you for working, raising a family, and finishing your degree.

Thanks! I told Charles that if I had to do it over again, I would not.

Is it wrong if I say that I don't feel sorry for you for having a cold spring soccer season since its always like that up here.

LOL! We had snow flurries at the first region tournament game last Monday. So wrong down here in GA.

We are going to HHI this weekend and making a special overnight stop in Charleston on the way home. Kaminiski's is on the list and I will make sure to have a slice of cheesecake for you.

Yes, please! A great big slice!

Oh - and what seemed like an eternity ago I told you that Nick applied to Georgia Tech - he ended up wait listed. I doubt very much that his wait list will come through, but I am proud of him for not getting "denied". He really had extremely stiff competition for admission there. His college future is still undecided. He was accepted everywhere else he applied and now is down to the last three schools for consideration, all of which offered him scholarship money. Tell Connor to start taking his SATs as soon as possible and add as many science EC's as he can. Those kids have high SAT scores.

That stinks about GA Tech, but I can't wait to see where Nick decides to go!

So glad to have you back on the DIS Jackie!!

Very sorry to hear about everything. Poor Connor. He seems so happy & witty and to hear he went through this rough patch is very sad. I am glad to hear he is back to cracking the jokes once in a while.

I hope it continues!

UGH-termites!! Sorry to hear about that & no summer trip. I am going through withdrawals as this will be the first Spring in 8 years that we do not go to Disney. Lots of "other" things came up but we are booked for Food & Wine in Oct. so I have something to look forward to.

I am going through withdrawals, too! July seems a long way away, and our next trip is even further out.

I have been seeing your posts on FB & your adventure with Chelsea to find a prom dress. You did great with that one!!

She still loves her dress! Thank goodness!

Well, since I was once a cheerleader...

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
that's the DIStown battle cry!
Gooooo, Jackie!!!



Okay, okay, I admit I was never a cheerleader.
I was a volleyball, softball, and basketball player,
and not great at any of them.


Although I do have a favorite cheer:

Ra ra ree,
kick 'em in the knee!
Ra ra rass,
kick 'em in the other knee!

Yeah, I am twelve.

I was thrilled to get your 'finished product' picture and message while I was in Disney World! I know that took loads and loads of time and smarts. We are all proud of you!

Your cheering is awesome! I think you missed your calling as a cheerleader! I will definitely be celebrating at the beginning of May when I am completely finished.

I saw tons of teenagers with groups while I was on spring break, and I can certainly say I am glad I do not have to be one in this day and time. So many of them I could tell were doing and saying things just to impress the group. It's tough to be a kid these days, but I know Connor-man will come through with flying colors.

It is very tough to be a kid these days, and I think Connor just got overwhelmed with everything that happened in our lives plus having to be a middle schooler. I pray that he continue to gets better.

Hope you enjoy your much deserved down time this week. So sorry about those little wood-eaters invading your house. That is definitely a bummer when they also eat up your vacation money.

Yes, I was crushed when we had to pay Terminix for termite treatment instead of paying for our beach cottage (this year was a Tybee year), but I am trying to stay positive. There will be other trips.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Glad to hear Connor is doing better. It is a tough age to be, I know I did it.

Termites. YIKES!!!! So sorry to hear that.

Seventh grade and termites -- it was almost too much to bear!

Hey Jackie! Good to see you!
It is tough being in 7th grade (my least favorite for myself!) and you are smart to help Connor along - often times people will just say, "oh, it's his age", but you know your child and when they are changing.

Oh, it was definitely not just his age -- my child was a completely different person. It was a very rough winter.

Sorry about the termite fiasco! I hope you never have that kind of issue again!

Same here! Termites are horrible!

But a hearty CONGRATULATIONS! on getting your specialist work done! That does take a lot of time and effort - and with kids and a job...OY!

Thank you! It has been a lot of work -- May 11 is graduation and it can't come soon enough!

Anxious to hear more about the rest of your July trip! Happy Belated Easter and enjoy your spring break!

I was looking through pictures this morning to remind myself what even happened on that trip. Lol.

So sorry to hear of Connor's woes. 7th grade is hard and both my kids had struggles during those middle school years.

As they both made it to High school things got so much better. So glad you listened to your heart and got some help.

Connor will come out on the other side of this and will make you proud.

Hang in there - it gets tough and seems way more than we bargained for but in the end that same heartache turns to joy.

Thank you, Pat! It is a hard struggle, but I know we will get through it despite the times when it doesn't feel like it.

Sorry about those pesky termites. Especially sorry that they ran off with the vacation buget.

Good to have you back.

Yes, it is one thing for those termites to eat my struts, but an entirely worse thing for them to eat up my vacation budget.

I'm sorry to hear that things have been so stressful by you lately!!! That's wonderful that Connor is starting to feel better though! Sending lots of good thoughts your way!!

Thanks, Stringbean!!! I love your new avatar picture!

Well, I am a cheer coach, so I will cheer MeMom's cheer! :cheer2 :cheer2

LOL! Nicely done, Michelle!

Glad that Connor is breaking through his hard times. Since we are both teachers of children in this age, we know how hard middle school can be. It's very different though when it's your child you have to watch going through these problems. Patience and prayers! You will get through it!

Thank you! It is so hard when it is your own child, and there doesn't seem to be a magic cure.

I thought all this time it was your specialist work that had you bogged down.... Big hugs to welcome you back! After recently living through middle school with my girls and Baylor, and looking back and those years for myself, I agree with the others, the hardest years of all!!!

Yes, definitely the hardest years of all!!! I wish it had just been schoolwork bogging me down.

So happy that he is feeling better and keeping my fingers crossed that he has made it back to the land of happy.

My fingers are crossed, too. We still have days that aren't as great as others, but we are getting there.

Now those stinkin' termites! Did you find a reliable pest control company to take care of the problem? What a mess! So not fair...

We had Terminix treat for them, and then my dad will be doing the repair work. We think we are going to have to open up the exterior kitchen and dining room wall and the wall that separates the kitchen from the dining room. It will not be fun since those are the walls with all the cabinets and appliances. We won't even talk about how we just painted all of that a little over a year ago. I feel sick when I think about it.

What are you thinking about a timeline for another Disney vacation?

Thanksgiving of 2014. I want a trip with Christmas decorations and everything, and the way I want to do it, 2014 makes the most sense. I don't know how we will last that long, though. Chelsea came out this morning from her room and said it made her sad to see the forecast for Disney on The Weather Channel. I would love to do a long weekend trip before then.

Oh Jackie I am so sorry you all are going through this. We had a very scary patch with Eric last winter and spring and were in much the same boat with therapy etc and then had a brutal winter this year with Evan in a very different way. Nothing more terrifying than feeling like you are losing your child or don't know/understand or how to reach them. While as a parent I didn't feel like therapy did what I'd hoped, for Eric it was a place to vent...that wasn't to me...and while it may not have been at all about what I (and school) perceived as his issues he loved having that neutral party to vent to and if complaining about his brother to a therapist helped the other stuff well then, I guess it was money well spent.

It helps to know I am not alone with this. It was so scary for us -- a lot of details I didn't go into here -- I may message you all the grim stories and compare notes with you -- there is nothing quite as scary as feeling like your child is slipping away. During all of this I kept saying to Charles, "I just want my sweet boy back." The therapy does seem to be helping Connor, but I feel the same way you do...

This age is HARD. So very very hard. Puberty, girls, mean mean middle school kids, tough school loads, you name it and then you add social media and all that rot? Ugh. I'd hate to be in middle be more school too and am worried for Eric next year. There is always light and Connor is blessed to have you and Charles helping him through this and I am very glad to hear the Connorisms are coming back. His core is too strong not to get through it, but I can only imagine how scary it has been.

It is so hard -- I don't know how more kids aren't crumpling under it all.

If it's any consolation I swear all of Evan's friends are going through this too, several of the mom's and I commiserate on a regular basis and I have to believe that this too shall pass.

Surely it does pass -- in some ways Chelsea seemed to have an easier time of it -- not sure why -- or maybe not easier, just different, and I understood it better since we are both females. Do you know how many times I said, "I would gladly trade this for the toddler years. Telling them no about sticking their fingers in light sockets was way easier!" Why is it that you only ever hear the parenting laments about the early years? Is it because we are too shaken up to reveal the teenage angst and frustrations? I know I was so not prepared for any of this -- I need a What to Expect in the Teenage Years book.

Termites? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, Charles and I were convinced we were cursed.

Specialist work almost done? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so ready to be done with that.

 

[eandesmom]

It helps to know I am not alone with this. It was so scary for us -- a lot of details I didn't go into here -- I may message you all the grim stories and compare notes with you -- there is nothing quite as scary as feeling like your child is slipping away. During all of this I kept saying to Charles, "I just want my sweet boy back." The therapy does seem to be helping Connor, but I feel the same way you do...

You are NOT alone and message away if you want to chat any specifics. I know one thing that scares me to death is just how dark that other side of sweet can be. Eric is all black and white. No grey whatsoever.

It is so hard -- I don't know how more kids aren't crumpling under it all.

I think more do than we realize, it is such a divisive horrible time and honestly in so many ways, it feels like nothing has changed and we haven't evolved at all. I guess it's something everyone has to go through but oh, watching your child is SO much worse than going through it yourself.

Surely it does pass -- in some ways Chelsea seemed to have an easier time of it -- not sure why -- or maybe not easier, just different, and I understood it better since we are both females. Do you know how many times I said, "I would gladly trade this for the toddler years. Telling them no about sticking their fingers in light sockets was way easier!" Why is it that you only ever hear the parenting laments about the early years? Is it because we are too shaken up to reveal the teenage angst and frustrations? I know I was so not prepared for any of this -- I need a What to Expect in the Teenage Years book.

I would agree, Kendall seemed to have had it easier as well. Or hid it better. Yet in some ways I worry most about her as she approaches college decisions, I am not sure she can/will assert what she wants whereas the boys, with all their different dramas, do not seem to have that issue. All 4 have been so different it's been impossible for us to figure out what helps, and what doesn't. It's funny. I hear lamenting when I see other parents at functions or the occasional mom only breakfast/lunch but I have to wonder, is it the age of the social parent brag that has us all too scared to air our issues? And so we all keep it in, which isn't healthy either? It's interesting. I am part of a message board that well, doesn't exist anymore, but started up when I was pregnant with Evan and it's all mom's that had babies due in the same month. We now have a private FB group and I swear it's the one totally neutral place I can go whine, vent, cry and ask for help. My child can't see it, his friends parent's don't know about it and I can feel like I'm not alone in my terror and not being judged for having it.

Kind of like the DIS really. We all need those places.

 

[MeMom]

Yes, I was crushed when we had to pay Terminix for termite treatment instead of paying for our beach cottage (this year was a Tybee year), but I am trying to stay positive. There will be other trips.

Well, it ain't Tybee, but a mini-trip to Nashville on July 6th to see a bunch of DIS friends could be a nice alternative. Anita and Marc will be here - and maybe Dawn and Erica and some others. We can eat at Rainforest and go to the Disney Store. We can go to Rocky Mountain Fudge and pretend it is Main Street Confectionery. Opryland Hotel can sub in as Grand Floridian, and there's a waterpark right by that that your kids might enjoy. Have you ever been to the Grand Old Opry? Nashville does some pretty cool music/fireworks on the 4th, too, if you wanted to stay for a few days

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

So sorry to hear what you have been going through. We have had a rough year with Jeremy and issues at school. It is not fun and horrible to watch your child go through it. I can empathize with you and hope that things are getting better.

Hope the termite trouble is over and done with. I hate it when something goes wrong at home. We are having basement and water issues right now. Tom thinks it is an easy fix and I am not so sure.

Hope you get a Thanksgiving 2014 trip! We have been twice at Thanksgiving and it truly is a magical time.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Jackie, sorry to hear of your problems. I've had 4 sons go through 7th grade & those years are harsh. One son was discovering he was gay & another seemed so emotional, always crying & hating us!

All is normal now & both of those sons are well & happy. Conner seems to have a great foundation, he'll do fine when times passes.

Ugh on the termites our oldest had them. The bugs ate a good deal of the framing in his walls. He had a local company fumigate the house, termites came back, local company no longer around. He went to Terminex, no more problems!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Well, it ain't Tybee, but a mini-trip to Nashville on July 6th to see a bunch of DIS friends could be a nice alternative. Anita and Marc will be here - and maybe Dawn and Erica and some others. We can eat at Rainforest and go to the Disney Store. We can go to Rocky Mountain Fudge and pretend it is Main Street Confectionery. Opryland Hotel can sub in as Grand Floridian, and there's a waterpark right by that that your kids might enjoy. Have you ever been to the Grand Old Opry? Nashville does some pretty cool music/fireworks on the 4th, too, if you wanted to stay for a few days

I'm in total agreement with Caren on this. Baylor is planning on coming to Nashville too. Should be fun! You will be done with your school work and it's only a 3 hour drive....

 

[Charleston Princess]

You are NOT alone and message away if you want to chat any specifics. I know one thing that scares me to death is just how dark that other side of sweet can be. Eric is all black and white. No grey whatsoever.

Thanks for letting me vent to you, Cynthia! There is no gray for Connor, either. Not a bit.

I think more do than we realize, it is such a divisive horrible time and honestly in so many ways, it feels like nothing has changed and we haven't evolved at all. I guess it's something everyone has to go through but oh, watching your child is SO much worse than going through it yourself.

That's so true -- I would trade with Connor in a heartbeat, so that he didn't have to go through it!

I would agree, Kendall seemed to have had it easier as well. Or hid it better. Yet in some ways I worry most about her as she approaches college decisions, I am not sure she can/will assert what she wants whereas the boys, with all their different dramas, do not seem to have that issue. All 4 have been so different it's been impossible for us to figure out what helps, and what doesn't.

That's just it -- what worked/works with Chelsea is so different than what works with Connor.

It's funny. I hear lamenting when I see other parents at functions or the occasional mom only breakfast/lunch but I have to wonder, is it the age of the social parent brag that has us all too scared to air our issues? And so we all keep it in, which isn't healthy either? It's interesting. I am part of a message board that well, doesn't exist anymore, but started up when I was pregnant with Evan and it's all mom's that had babies due in the same month. We now have a private FB group and I swear it's the one totally neutral place I can go whine, vent, cry and ask for help. My child can't see it, his friends parent's don't know about it and I can feel like I'm not alone in my terror and not being judged for having it.

I do think the age of social parent bragging has left us with the feeling that everyone is having an easier time of it than we are -- I saw a quote once -- either on Facebook or Pinterest -- that said, "Don't judge your life by someone else's highlight reel." I try to remember that -- I can't assume from someone's FB statuses that they aren't touched by drama and crisis. It's so nice that you have a group to vent to -- I have great friends, but with the exception of a couple of them, they either don't have kids or their kids aren't as old as mine -- so their frame of reference is a bit different.

Kind of like the DIS really. We all need those places.

So true!!!

Well, it ain't Tybee, but a mini-trip to Nashville on July 6th to see a bunch of DIS friends could be a nice alternative. Anita and Marc will be here - and maybe Dawn and Erica and some others. We can eat at Rainforest and go to the Disney Store. We can go to Rocky Mountain Fudge and pretend it is Main Street Confectionery. Opryland Hotel can sub in as Grand Floridian, and there's a waterpark right by that that your kids might enjoy. Have you ever been to the Grand Old Opry? Nashville does some pretty cool music/fireworks on the 4th, too, if you wanted to stay for a few days

Now, that sounds like a lot of fun! I mentioned it to Chelsea the other day while we were running errands and she said, "I want to go!" We will have to see what our summer finances look like as we get closer -- unfortunately, my new raise doesn't kick in until the fall, so we may still be operating under austerity measures. This year of furloughs (and termite damage) has killed us.

So sorry to hear what you have been going through. We have had a rough year with Jeremy and issues at school. It is not fun and horrible to watch your child go through it. I can empathize with you and hope that things are getting better.

Thank you, Erika! I hope things get better with Jeremy, too!

Hope the termite trouble is over and done with. I hate it when something goes wrong at home. We are having basement and water issues right now. Tom thinks it is an easy fix and I am not so sure.

Ugh, that's not fun! Home repair issues are the worst!

Hope you get a Thanksgiving 2014 trip! We have been twice at Thanksgiving and it truly is a magical time.

Were all the Christmas decorations up like the Osborne lights, the Christmas trees, and the gingerbread houses? That's what I want to see again!

Jackie, sorry to hear of your problems. I've had 4 sons go through 7th grade & those years are harsh. One son was discovering he was gay & another seemed so emotional, always crying & hating us!

All is normal now & both of those sons are well & happy. Conner seems to have a great foundation, he'll do fine when times passes.

Seventh grade is such a difficult time -- it's reassuring to hear that your sons made it through -- gives me hope that Connor will, too.

Ugh on the termites our oldest had them. The bugs ate a good deal of the framing in his walls. He had a local company fumigate the house, termites came back, local company no longer around. He went to Terminex, no more problems!

Terminix seems to have eradicated them -- now to see what the damage is...

I'm in total agreement with Caren on this. Baylor is planning on coming to Nashville too. Should be fun! You will be done with your school work and it's only a 3 hour drive....

I think it could be just the fun trip we need! I know I would love some Caren and Anita time!!!

 

[TarzansKat]

I haven't been keeping up to date on a lot of reports, but I just saw your most recent post and wanted to offer some

I had no idea you were going through all that, especially with Connor. Poor kiddo. It's a rough developmental stage and coupled with the loss, it can be very hard.

Nemo had a VERY hard time when my mother passed. I have to say, honestly, I don't think he was able to fully process or deal with his grief until the past year, and it'll be three years this month. In his case, it was that he was so young, and didn't always have the words to explain his sadness or fear. Now that he is older (8) it is easier for him to express himself and for us to reassure him.

I'm happy to offer support whenever I can, and am glad Connor is doing better.

 

[pooh'smate]

Oh Jackie, sending prayers for you and your family. Poor Connor, seventh grade was very hard for me, I remember it as the hardest year in school I ever had.

 

[wiigirl]

Joining in.

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Were all the Christmas decorations up like the Osborne lights, the Christmas trees, and the gingerbread houses? That's what I want to see again!

Yes, everything is up except for the treek at MK. It doesn't go up until after the parade. The Candlelight processional doesn't start until the Friday after Thanksgiving. The first year we went the crowds were manageable. Last year, not so much. But, I think it had to with that was preview week for the new Fantasyland and a lot of people were there for that. It is such a magical time and really puts you in the holiday spirit. Hope you get to go!

 

[nowellsl]

I can't assume from someone's FB statuses that they aren't touched by drama and crisis.

I had to laugh at this, I remember the day I came to realize that not everything people post on Facebook gives an accurate picture of the real situation It is true on the DIS at times as well I have learned to just take things at face value. I don't know anyone who has perfect kids 100% of the time. I think it's great you're getting help for him, a lot of parents ignore the signs and chalk it up to hormones and teen angst. I hope things continue to improve for Connor

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Oh Jackie, it wasn't seventh grade but eighth that just about did me in with my youngest. Now two years later and while not quite as she was, so much better. Lots of therapy and tears, her's and mine, and we're getting there.

 

[jillyb]

Jackie...so sorry to hear about Connor. Glad that things are getting better with him. Alison has been through some tough times this year too.

Boo on the termites

 

[micandminforever]

I just return from a trip(not Disney) and catching up. I am sorry your family are going through this. My thought and prayers are with you.

It is great that Connor is getting better and the end of school is near.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh Jackie,

I am truly, truly sorry. I've always loved Connor... I guess I feel like I know him through your Trip Reports... all the stories about him and his reactions to Chelsea and his wry sense of humor... He's such an awesome kid.... smart and funny and totally only his own person... I'm sure David would think he was too cool...

It is so much harder to be a kid today (I hate sounding like one of those people who are on about how much easier things used to be... but in some ways I think they were...) The boys, the girls... it's all tough in different ways... 7th grade I think can be particularly hellish... the hormones, the jockeying for social position, the pressure to conform... honestly I think it's all very Lord of the Flies... combine that with any kind of predisposition towards anxiety or depression and it's a pretty potent cocktail for some problems...

I'm so glad that you have seen some positive changes in him recently... he is resilient and smart and combined with a supportive and loving family...he's going to be just fine Jackie... which isn't to say that it's going to always be a straight, even road... it might be bumpy... but it will be ok... he's going to be ok and so are you...

I don't know what diagnosis if any Connor received (mood disorder?) but both of my kids have had anxiety issues and I've had them and some depression issues as well... I'm not necessarily always comfortable talking about this stuff... but as Cynthia alluded... I think that this is much more common than any of us realize when we're experiencing it and feeling stressed and isolated...

I've had more experience and been forced to do more research and deal with these things than I would have preferred... so if you ever need to run something by someone or talk ... not too much surprises me... so please feel free to pm or email me...

Sending you all good thoughts, wishes and prayers...

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm so glad to see you back on the boards Jackie! I'm sorry to hear about how things have been going with your family... especially with Connor.

I'm glad things have taken a turn for the best & hope to see more of you around the boards.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I haven't been keeping up to date on a lot of reports, but I just saw your most recent post and wanted to offer some

I had no idea you were going through all that, especially with Connor. Poor kiddo. It's a rough developmental stage and coupled with the loss, it can be very hard.

Thank you, Kat! All hugs are appreciated! It is a rough developmental stage even at the best of times and coupled with all the other stuff -- poor kid had/has no strategies to deal with any of it.

Nemo had a VERY hard time when my mother passed. I have to say, honestly, I don't think he was able to fully process or deal with his grief until the past year, and it'll be three years this month. In his case, it was that he was so young, and didn't always have the words to explain his sadness or fear. Now that he is older (8) it is easier for him to express himself and for us to reassure him.

I'm happy to offer support whenever I can, and am glad Connor is doing better.

Poor Nemo! It is hard to process that loss when we are adults, much less as children.

Oh Jackie, sending prayers for you and your family. Poor Connor, seventh grade was very hard for me, I remember it as the hardest year in school I ever had.

Same here. I still remember how miserable I was during the seventh grade. Thank you for your prayers!

Joining in.

Welcome!!! Glad to have you here!

Yes, everything is up except for the treek at MK. It doesn't go up until after the parade. The Candlelight processional doesn't start until the Friday after Thanksgiving. The first year we went the crowds were manageable. Last year, not so much. But, I think it had to with that was preview week for the new Fantasyland and a lot of people were there for that. It is such a magical time and really puts you in the holiday spirit. Hope you get to go!

I am planning away -- we should be able to pull together a trip in a year and a half. We are missing our happy place already! I want to be able to see the CP and the gingerbread houses -- those are definitely on my list!

I had to laugh at this, I remember the day I came to realize that not everything people post on Facebook gives an accurate picture of the real situation It is true on the DIS at times as well I have learned to just take things at face value. I don't know anyone who has perfect kids 100% of the time. I think it's great you're getting help for him, a lot of parents ignore the signs and chalk it up to hormones and teen angst. I hope things continue to improve for Connor

Thank you! Sometimes it is hard to keep it all in perspective and remember that we all have our demons that we deal with!

Oh Jackie, it wasn't seventh grade but eighth that just about did me in with my youngest. Now two years later and while not quite as she was, so much better. Lots of therapy and tears, her's and mine, and we're getting there.

Therapy and tears -- totally get that! Watching your children go through something like this is so hard.

Jackie...so sorry to hear about Connor. Glad that things are getting better with him. Alison has been through some tough times this year too.

Boo on the termites

Alison has had a tough time! Here's hoping things get better for all of us!

I just return from a trip(not Disney) and catching up. I am sorry your family are going through this. My thought and prayers are with you.

It is great that Connor is getting better and the end of school is near.

We are holding on to our school year ending as quite a big light at the end of the tunnel! Where did you go on your trip?

Oh Jackie,

I am truly, truly sorry. I've always loved Connor... I guess I feel like I know him through your Trip Reports... all the stories about him and his reactions to Chelsea and his wry sense of humor... He's such an awesome kid.... smart and funny and totally only his own person... I'm sure David would think he was too cool...

It is so much harder to be a kid today (I hate sounding like one of those people who are on about how much easier things used to be... but in some ways I think they were...) The boys, the girls... it's all tough in different ways... 7th grade I think can be particularly hellish... the hormones, the jockeying for social position, the pressure to conform... honestly I think it's all very Lord of the Flies... combine that with any kind of predisposition towards anxiety or depression and it's a pretty potent cocktail for some problems...

I agree completely, and I think it is harder when, like Connor, a child is bright and smart and creative! Lord of the Flies -- such an apt description -- I always hated that book -- .

I'm so glad that you have seen some positive changes in him recently... he is resilient and smart and combined with a supportive and loving family...he's going to be just fine Jackie... which isn't to say that it's going to always be a straight, even road... it might be bumpy... but it will be ok... he's going to be ok and so are you...

Thank you! It has been a very bumpy road, but we are making improvements and while they aren't as massive as I would like, they are improvements and for that I am thankful. It gives me hope.

I don't know what diagnosis if any Connor received (mood disorder?) but both of my kids have had anxiety issues and I've had them and some depression issues as well... I'm not necessarily always comfortable talking about this stuff... but as Cynthia alluded... I think that this is much more common than any of us realize when we're experiencing it and feeling stressed and isolated...

Connor's new therapist actually called it depression this week which is something that neither his doctor or the other therapist actually voiced. There may be more to it than that, but we will see. It is hard to talk about it -- you don't want the judgement or the censure, but it is out there and the more we talk about it and educate others, I think the more "normal" it will become. Speaking of normal, one of the things Connor said was, "We aren't normal like other families." We had to have a long talk about the fact that there is no normal for anyone, and how we wouldn't really want to be normal -- being different and quirky and silly is who we are.

I've had more experience and been forced to do more research and deal with these things than I would have preferred... so if you ever need to run something by someone or talk ... not too much surprises me... so please feel free to pm or email me...

Sending you all good thoughts, wishes and prayers...

I did PM you -- lol. Knowing others are going through similar issues does help so much if even it is just that feeling of, "Someone knows what this feels like."

I'm so glad to see you back on the boards Jackie! I'm sorry to hear about how things have been going with your family... especially with Connor.

I'm glad things have taken a turn for the best & hope to see more of you around the boards.

Hi, Amy!!! Thank you! Your trip is right around the corner, isn't it?