Wednesday, 8-10-16

Big hugs. Hopefully, there will come a time that she will realize that you and Rob were doing the best you knew how to do and all you did was out of love and concern. We all have emotional baggage from childhood. Some wear it more plainly than others. I hope your daughter continues her journey and finds her peace. 

I left home at 16 and had a strange relationship with my parents.  We helped raised a legion of kids (group home parents) along the way.  We have 5 of our own.  Gave each one pretty much the same but they have various levels of independence.  We did the best we could with the knowledge we had at the time.  Your heart breaks when you see your kids struggle.  We have had to back away and show "tough love" to more than one child. You know , supportive of the individual but not the behavior. It was tough for us too! I don't know the details, but you are in our thoughts. 

Oh! How I hear you.  

We too have pondered and pondered just where we 'went wrong' and am not sure there is a definitive answer.

a friend of mine is a very highly esteemed family law lawyer and her husband a family doctor.   We have known them all though out the time our children were growing up together and as far as we saw/knew they were an ordinary family.  You know, the usual ups and downs, but sane, calm steady people.    First child has just been arrested for being a child molester.   We are all completely shocked and devastated.   And of course the questions come:   When , who, where etc etc.  No matter the answer people are hurt, betrayed, angry and coming to terms with the horror of it all.  The parents are in a state of unbelief.   

So, how much did parenting play a part in this?   Who knows, but what about an individual's ability to set aside all the good things that were learned and choose the other ugly path?  

Our child got mixed up in a cult and was /is hooked 100%.  We don't know who this child is anymore.   They are off in a la-la land and the path of destruction and pain they have strewn  in the family is wide, deep and dark.  

The best advice we have received is to " detach with love "    Easier to say then to do.   As  Mother I tend to go into rescue mode and over the years it has not helped one whit.    This child is now living in their car on the streets of a major city, but convinced that this " the plan set before me" .

this is really a rambling ramble but just wanted to let you know that you are not alone and that parenting is a very very hard job.   We do our best.  We try.  The children are their own people.  

Sending a virtual huge hug.   

(((Hugs))) Linda. Our oldest is only 18 but I think he will need our support for quite some time to come. It is so hard to see your kids struggle!

I haven't been on in a week and I'm missing this board, and all of you so much.  You're all such a inspiration to me while in maintenance.

138 today, a little over my comfort zone of about 137.5, but still within my "good" range.  I've had a great week for steps, so yay me on that point.  On Sunday, hubs and I hiked for more than 9 miles at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach.  That equalled 25,000, a personal record for one day.  Monday and yesterday I had more than 14,000 steps each day, and will have about the same today.  We started out the day with a 4.75 mile hike in the hills and I will probably walk the dogs later today, to get my final steps in. This hiking thing is so much more awesome than I ever thought it could be, and I hope to continue well into my golden years. 

I'll be alone this weekend, as my hubs is going to the desert to take his 91 year old father to the doctor on Monday, and will be looking for a new assisted living facility for him.  I love my time alone, but my eating is never as good when he's gone.  I guess I feel like I can eat more, because he won't be there so actually see me do it.  Dumb, but true.

Many projects on the burners, but I find myself being lazy during the day and spending way too much time on the computer, putzing around.  Trying to keep up with the Olympics is also taking up way too much of my time. LOL!

Take care today, stay away from all those carbs!

129.8. Down a smidge. Did 30 minutes of boot camp yesterday and took a 20 minute bike ride.

Worked today and did get a 35 minute treadmill walk in at lunch. Probably no more exercise for the day. Food choices have been pretty good. Starving right now waiting for DS #3 to get done with football practice!

Paula

Late check in today- slamming at work!  148.8- scale seems to insist on bouncing around the same few pounds but I much appreciated today's big downward bounce.  Hoping the scale will let me stay in the 140's but we'll see!

Lousy food choices yesterday, won't bore you with the story and excuses.  Much better today and got up early for a 3 mile run!

Thinking of all of you with family concerns, so hard.  Hope you all made the most out of this day we were given!!