Comments on: Teenage Spirit Update

By: carol

carol — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 22:59:21 +0000

The often main difference between a toddler and a teenager is hight…sigh.

Carol: Yep, that just about sums it up!
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By: frogpondsrock

frogpondsrock — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:33:35 +0000

I would like to read your post about teen depression..I dont have a lot of words at the moment as my brain is frozen.hopefully I will be better soon ..

Kim: Ewww yes, how’d the dentist go?
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By: Momo Fali

Momo Fali — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:55:13 +0000

I’m dreading the teen years. Not so much with my son, but definitely with my daughter. She’s nine and already has an attitude.

I think posting about depression is always helpful. It affects so many people.

Momo Fali: Hmmm, I think daughters would be a whole different kettle of fish. Still, it’s hard for boys when there’s still that thing where they should be seen to be tough, real men and all that shit. And if you’re a slightly sensitive soul like my two? It’s hard…
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By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:43:54 +0000

I would love to see research around the topic of teenaged depression because one of the foster kids I work with exhibits signs of it from time to time. Sometimes I get scared enough by his behavior that I contemplate recommending that he go back on antidepressants and then I get freaked out by the increased (supposedly) risk of suicide among teens on antidepressants. I don’t know what the right answer is so right now I’m just upping the love coefficient and hugging him tightly whenever he’ll let me.

Denise: I don’t know how much help I would be to you as my stuff is mostly Australian based, but hey, anything is helpful, right? Even knowing you aren’t the only one can be good.
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By: Cassandra Rae

Cassandra Rae — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:26:11 +0000

This is my first time visiting your blog (found ya through Sarcastic Mom) and I don’t know the history of what your son is going through, but it sounds like you are handling it beautifully. You gave him space to fall apart and you took action to get him the support he needs.

It seems like when our kids are young it’s more about getting physical help - like hiring a babysitter so you can take a break. And when they are teens it’s more about getting emotional help - having people to lean on, talk to, receive uplifting support from…for both parent and teen. The emotional stuff does tend to be harder to deal with. I guess it really reinforces the whole idea of “it takes a village!”

Hang in there :~)

Cassandra: The “it takes a village” thing is very apt. And yes, emotional stuff is very difficult, because we never REALLY know how someone else feels, just how they SAY they feel. Still, we’re soldering on!
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By: TEX

TEX — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:23:01 +0000

Poor bloke - I can identify - I am crying all the time and I’m 42 - geez I hope he gets over it by the time he gets to my age!!

It is hard being a sensitive man - the world can be cruel.

Tex: Ahhh but sensitive men are sexy Ummm, not that I find my son sexy, but you know what I mean. I hope
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By: Red

Red — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:43:06 +0000

Useful, yes.
You’re a good parent. Damn good parent.

Red: I only do what most of us do. Try.

By: jeanie

jeanie — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:32:07 +0000

heck yes that would be a great post - oh, and a girlfriend of mine once said “the definition of hell is toddlers and teenagers in the same household.”

Jeanie: I can’t imaging what it would be like to throw a couple of toddlers into the mix! Hell on earth, maybe?

By: tiff

tiff — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:25:32 +0000

I would take toddlerhood over teenage angst any day, Suze Any. Day.

Tiff: I’m right with you on that one. Teenage angst sucks for everyone.
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By: Del

Del — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:25:55 +0000

Wow, you and spawn have an awesome support network through the school.
I wish that Spawn was the norm in teenage boys, unlike those I deal with!
I have survived toddler-dom, moving into the school-mum and hoping that it remains kind of user friendly. It would be great to have a go-to list of useful info (and then hope that Murhy’s Law kicks in and because I have info, I won’t need it).

Del: The school are awesome - and a public school too *shock*. Actually, I’m not shocked, others may be though.
He’s rather cool in so many ways. So much better than the crap spouting idiots you see around shopping centres. But I AM biased. Indeed.
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