Prayer for us would be great. Lots of screaming going on, from our emotionally disturbed twelve year old. Puberty is looming. But, because she is a big sister, the younger two are copying with lots of screaming and yelling and poor behavior. Not because they are unhappy, but because having their sister do this scares them.
Praying, Mumsee. That’s hard. Sixth Arrow gets scared like that, too, when Fifth Arrow loses his ability to cope in overwhelming situations, and then they feed off each other, one’s strong emotions intensifying the other’s.
Thanks for praying. Her screaming is not like it was three years ago. She very rarely does it at all, but with the strange summer we had, she is more on edge. But she tends to be quietly laughing during her entire tantrum. So I know she is just seeking reassurance. I have been trying to push her a bit lately, so she can build her tolerance of doing things she does not personally choose. It is good to have people who actually understand what I am talking about.
Jo, we did that several times over the past two days, for several hours. Today, I was holding her and she kept asking me to let her go. I told her I would as soon as she said, “mom, come hold me.” Over and over she said, “mom, don’t hold me” so we sat for an hour. Finally, she said the words and I let go. She came back a few minutes later, wrapped her arms around me and sat and rocked for another hour. These children need lots of reassurance, which is why I have no other life.
On a related note, prayer needed here as it appears husband will have to go get a job soon. Not unexpected and we have been preparing for it. He will probably work out of the country again, as that is his area of work. Prayer that the rest of us will do well and that he will be able to accomplish what he needs to do in a timely fashion. Thanks.
Jo, yes, and right, and yes but that is okay. We have done this for years so know it is doable, just tough. We believe we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, but we still have to pay for it. We do a lot of things with these children, more than a lot of children do. But it seems to be working as we continue to see them make better and better choices. So, we may have to take some time to pay for what we do while husband is still employable.
What happened to Scotland? Weren’t you all going to stay in a castle?
Prayer for B, my disabled friend’s roommate/friend, who is hospitalized with numerous issues. I took her to visit him yesterday and aside from whatever physical issues there are (heart, diabetes as starters, we also had to wear the gauze robes and gloves to enter the room), he’s become delusional, thinking staff is bugging his room, trying to kill him, that it’s not a “real” hospital but is all a guise to get information about him, etc. He’s had a former diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia so it seems the medication he’s been on is not controlling that. Kind of hard to sit and listen for more than hour as my friend tried so hard to reason with him to no avail.
Hmm, Mumsee, I can’t think of what he’ll be working on, but then I’m a little out of the loop right now. However, if he is anywhere in the neighbourhood, you know he will be welcome in the family homestead.
Close enough. We aren’t by any means in the heart of that great metropolis, but we are well acquainted with it. Any other members, or even the whole of the family would be welcome too. You’ve met two of us, so you know we don’t bite 😉
Husband has already emailed your dad, seeking his thoughts. And that would be what we are praying for: wisdom. To do this or not. It will be very difficult, but a man needs to provide for his family and that is the field in which he works best. God can close the door, of course, but we would like to be open to whichever.
Donna, you and Michelle were supposed to work out the arrangements. We waited and waited, now it is too late.
I did check out a castle while in Edinburgh, and while it would be big enough, my husband said it wasn’t a good castle and certainly cold. Nice views of the city and the army has a barracks, but it’s at the top of High St and I doubt you could bring your animals. Lots of visitors, though, and they pay to tour. You’d have to work it out with the Queen.
I actually wondered about your plan while I was there . . .
one thing I remember about Edinburgh was that it was very cold. But it was a lot of fun, very interesting, and I loved being in a country where I could listen and understand and read and understand. For the most part.
Wandering Views 
Prayer for us would be great. Lots of screaming going on, from our emotionally disturbed twelve year old. Puberty is looming. But, because she is a big sister, the younger two are copying with lots of screaming and yelling and poor behavior. Not because they are unhappy, but because having their sister do this scares them.
LikeLike
Praying, Mumsee. That’s hard. Sixth Arrow gets scared like that, too, when Fifth Arrow loses his ability to cope in overwhelming situations, and then they feed off each other, one’s strong emotions intensifying the other’s.
LikeLike
Prayed and praying, Mumsee.
LikeLike
Thanks for praying. Her screaming is not like it was three years ago. She very rarely does it at all, but with the strange summer we had, she is more on edge. But she tends to be quietly laughing during her entire tantrum. So I know she is just seeking reassurance. I have been trying to push her a bit lately, so she can build her tolerance of doing things she does not personally choose. It is good to have people who actually understand what I am talking about.
LikeLike
I remember you sharing about just wrapping your arms firmly around them when they are upset and I am sure that your calm voice does the same thing.
LikeLike
Jo, we did that several times over the past two days, for several hours. Today, I was holding her and she kept asking me to let her go. I told her I would as soon as she said, “mom, come hold me.” Over and over she said, “mom, don’t hold me” so we sat for an hour. Finally, she said the words and I let go. She came back a few minutes later, wrapped her arms around me and sat and rocked for another hour. These children need lots of reassurance, which is why I have no other life.
On a related note, prayer needed here as it appears husband will have to go get a job soon. Not unexpected and we have been preparing for it. He will probably work out of the country again, as that is his area of work. Prayer that the rest of us will do well and that he will be able to accomplish what he needs to do in a timely fashion. Thanks.
LikeLike
Mumsee, that is the most beautiful picture of love. Of giving a child exactly what they need and what our Father gives us. praying for you.
LikeLike
wait, did you say work out of the country?? as in not in the US?? oh, that will be so had for all of you.
LikeLike
Jo, yes, and right, and yes but that is okay. We have done this for years so know it is doable, just tough. We believe we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, but we still have to pay for it. We do a lot of things with these children, more than a lot of children do. But it seems to be working as we continue to see them make better and better choices. So, we may have to take some time to pay for what we do while husband is still employable.
LikeLike
It won’t be bad if “out of the country” is Canada.
LikeLike
Canada it is, but over on the other end. Better than the other choice: Australia. Of course, then he could say hi to Jo and Kyle A.
LikeLike
What happened to Scotland? Weren’t you all going to stay in a castle?
Prayer for B, my disabled friend’s roommate/friend, who is hospitalized with numerous issues. I took her to visit him yesterday and aside from whatever physical issues there are (heart, diabetes as starters, we also had to wear the gauze robes and gloves to enter the room), he’s become delusional, thinking staff is bugging his room, trying to kill him, that it’s not a “real” hospital but is all a guise to get information about him, etc. He’s had a former diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia so it seems the medication he’s been on is not controlling that. Kind of hard to sit and listen for more than hour as my friend tried so hard to reason with him to no avail.
LikeLike
Hmm, Mumsee, I can’t think of what he’ll be working on, but then I’m a little out of the loop right now. However, if he is anywhere in the neighbourhood, you know he will be welcome in the family homestead.
LikeLike
Toronto.
LikeLike
Close enough. We aren’t by any means in the heart of that great metropolis, but we are well acquainted with it. Any other members, or even the whole of the family would be welcome too. You’ve met two of us, so you know we don’t bite 😉
LikeLike
Husband has already emailed your dad, seeking his thoughts. And that would be what we are praying for: wisdom. To do this or not. It will be very difficult, but a man needs to provide for his family and that is the field in which he works best. God can close the door, of course, but we would like to be open to whichever.
Donna, you and Michelle were supposed to work out the arrangements. We waited and waited, now it is too late.
LikeLike
I did check out a castle while in Edinburgh, and while it would be big enough, my husband said it wasn’t a good castle and certainly cold. Nice views of the city and the army has a barracks, but it’s at the top of High St and I doubt you could bring your animals. Lots of visitors, though, and they pay to tour. You’d have to work it out with the Queen.
I actually wondered about your plan while I was there . . .
LikeLike
one thing I remember about Edinburgh was that it was very cold. But it was a lot of fun, very interesting, and I loved being in a country where I could listen and understand and read and understand. For the most part.
LikeLike