Comments on: Tripping the Light Not So Fantastic http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/ and rockin' tha house Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:45:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Lee Anne http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9249 Lee Anne Wed, 07 May 2008 00:25:20 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9249 Wow...I am so sorry you are going through this right now Michelle. Big hugs sent your way and you willbe in my thoughts and prayers. I don't have any words of wisdom but your words hit home. My little brother sounds a lot like your Sky. if it helps, he finally get did get his act together, went to college at almost age 30 and now has a fantastic job. But it took his whole teenage and 20s to get his act together. I hope the same isn't true for Sky. He sounds like he is on the verge of wanting to change, just doesn't know how. Wow…I am so sorry you are going through this right now Michelle. Big hugs sent your way and you willbe in my thoughts and prayers. I don’t have any words of wisdom but your words hit home. My little brother sounds a lot like your Sky. if it helps, he finally get did get his act together, went to college at almost age 30 and now has a fantastic job. But it took his whole teenage and 20s to get his act together. I hope the same isn’t true for Sky. He sounds like he is on the verge of wanting to change, just doesn’t know how.

]]> By: mary http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9223 mary Mon, 05 May 2008 23:03:33 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9223 Oh, hugs to you! Maybe some "scaffolding" might help - if he gets a pt job and pays "rent" to you, then eventually moves out. When he's smarter about drugs. God keep you both safe! Oh, hugs to you! Maybe some “scaffolding” might help - if he gets a pt job and pays “rent” to you, then eventually moves out. When he’s smarter about drugs. God keep you both safe!

]]> By: chuck http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9199 chuck Sun, 04 May 2008 21:08:45 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9199 Holy crap! Jesus, I wish I had something more insightful to say than that, but as a parent of a teen, that is all I could think of. Holy crap! Jesus, I wish I had something more insightful to say than that, but as a parent of a teen, that is all I could think of.

]]> By: Ken Albin http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9195 Ken Albin Sun, 04 May 2008 19:07:03 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9195 Oh geez, Michelle! I am so sorry you are facing this. It is difficult to suggest anything constructive at this point. How does Sky feel about what he has done? Does he have any feelings of remorse? If he wants to change then private counseling therapy might be a possible route. I wish there was a magic pill that would increase maturity and the desire for longterm planning. Since there isn't, it's up to Sky to change. Keep up your spirits and know that you are doing all you can for him. Take care. Oh geez, Michelle! I am so sorry you are facing this. It is difficult to suggest anything constructive at this point. How does Sky feel about what he has done? Does he have any feelings of remorse? If he wants to change then private counseling therapy might be a possible route. I wish there was a magic pill that would increase maturity and the desire for longterm planning. Since there isn’t, it’s up to Sky to change. Keep up your spirits and know that you are doing all you can for him. Take care.

]]> By: ms_teacher http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9193 ms_teacher Sun, 04 May 2008 18:39:46 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9193 This is where I think our school system has failed so many of our kids, with its emphasis on core academic subjects at the expense of everything else. It used to me that high school was a place where kids could take different electives, on top of required courses, so that they could try to see where their interests were to help prepare them for the adult world. Now the goal is COLLEGE for everyone, if you like it or not. So many of our kids are floundering because we have set them up for failure. It's okay if Sky doesn't want to do college now and he's not a failure for not choosing it. My own son, as you know, is struggling with a lot of things and is "self medicating." I'm on the verge of telling him to get his GED and then get a part-time job. I feel that once the pressure of the cookie cutter school system is out of the way, he might actually flourish because right now, he feels pressure to do something he totally and completely hates. What does Sky really enjoy doing? Perhaps by talking to him about what he's passionate about and steering him in that direction, he will realize he doesn't need something on the outside to make him feel good. I would definitely talk to him about treatment and perhaps this was scary enough for him that he'll commit to it. However, as we both know, he can only choose recovery if that's something he wants. big hugs to you and don't beat yourself up to badly. All we can do is talk to our kids about our life experiences and make suggestions to them and listen to what they have to say. Unfortunately they will choose paths that we would rather they not go down. This is where I think our school system has failed so many of our kids, with its emphasis on core academic subjects at the expense of everything else. It used to me that high school was a place where kids could take different electives, on top of required courses, so that they could try to see where their interests were to help prepare them for the adult world. Now the goal is COLLEGE for everyone, if you like it or not.

So many of our kids are floundering because we have set them up for failure. It’s okay if Sky doesn’t want to do college now and he’s not a failure for not choosing it. My own son, as you know, is struggling with a lot of things and is “self medicating.” I’m on the verge of telling him to get his GED and then get a part-time job. I feel that once the pressure of the cookie cutter school system is out of the way, he might actually flourish because right now, he feels pressure to do something he totally and completely hates.

What does Sky really enjoy doing? Perhaps by talking to him about what he’s passionate about and steering him in that direction, he will realize he doesn’t need something on the outside to make him feel good. I would definitely talk to him about treatment and perhaps this was scary enough for him that he’ll commit to it. However, as we both know, he can only choose recovery if that’s something he wants.

big hugs to you and don’t beat yourself up to badly. All we can do is talk to our kids about our life experiences and make suggestions to them and listen to what they have to say. Unfortunately they will choose paths that we would rather they not go down.

]]> By: JanePoe (aka Deborah) http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9192 JanePoe (aka Deborah) Sun, 04 May 2008 17:29:42 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9192 Oh babe, I'm SO sorry to hear this ... you know I know what you're going through & yes, it is hell. Drugs are everywhere, but Portland is not a good choice (big drug culture, esp. heroin). I would suggest treatment again, but I also know from Ben's experience that it's likely to not work well unless he truly wants it. However, maybe it layers in some good information that will kick in at some point. Hard to say. Get help for youself though -- you need the support. Sending you peace, love and deep felt prayers. xx, JP/deb Oh babe, I’m SO sorry to hear this … you know I know what you’re going through & yes, it is hell. Drugs are everywhere, but Portland is not a good choice (big drug culture, esp. heroin). I would suggest treatment again, but I also know from Ben’s experience that it’s likely to not work well unless he truly wants it. However, maybe it layers in some good information that will kick in at some point. Hard to say. Get help for youself though — you need the support. Sending you peace, love and deep felt prayers. xx, JP/deb

]]> By: Pacian http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9188 Pacian Sun, 04 May 2008 09:36:42 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9188 *internet hugs* :-( *internet hugs*

:-(

]]> By: Wende http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9185 Wende Sun, 04 May 2008 05:02:41 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9185 Oh Michelle!! I don't have any words of wisdom. But you're in my thoughts and prayers. Both of you. Oh Michelle!! I don’t have any words of wisdom. But you’re in my thoughts and prayers. Both of you.

]]> By: Margaret http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9181 Margaret Sun, 04 May 2008 02:28:52 +0000 http://singingthesky.com/writing/2008/05/03/tripping-the-light-not-so-fantastic/#comment-9181 Oh, Michelle--this is incredibly stressful. Ketamine, isn't that another name for PCP? That's a really bad trip. I don't think going away anywhere is a good option for him right now. Portland especially, which is a wonderful place, but has a darker side too. Sky needs a place where he feels challenged (like college) but shouldn't be all alone in a brand new place. Our older daughter has a very tough time making friends; it's been heartbreaking. What programs or places are around you that could help him channel that intelligence? This parenting gig--what did we sign on for?? Oh, Michelle–this is incredibly stressful. Ketamine, isn’t that another name for PCP? That’s a really bad trip. I don’t think going away anywhere is a good option for him right now. Portland especially, which is a wonderful place, but has a darker side too. Sky needs a place where he feels challenged (like college) but shouldn’t be all alone in a brand new place. Our older daughter has a very tough time making friends; it’s been heartbreaking. What programs or places are around you that could help him channel that intelligence? This parenting gig–what did we sign on for??

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