For the second time in a month a teenager in our community has committed suicide. Of course, this has all parents on high alert because of the cluster effect.
So I was talking to my girls last night about suicide and bullying (which was a rumored cause in the first instance, but I don't know about the second) and all of the changes we could make if bullying or any other circumstance in their lives got so bad that they thought the only option was to take their own life.
And then SS and TT said, "oh yeah, something happened that we forgot to tell you about..."
Apparently, friend R was rubbing friend K's shoulders at recess. Two Mean Girls surreptitiously filmed this with their camera phone and promptly uploaded it to Facebook with a title that said something like "Lesbian Love."
These kids are in 6th fucking grade. They aren't even old enough to be on FB! I am stunned and angry. I asked if R and K had told their parents, and they had. Our school district has been running a huge anti-bullying initiative, but obviously all those lectures about about bullying and proper use of social media aren't getting through.
I feel like we we need to do something--but I don't know what. I'm afraid it's going to be a long haul through middle school and high school.
5/24/13
5/19/13
Better Week
Finally got the car repaired by a second mechanic. The problem was indeed the minor one that I had diagnosed via Google, rather than the $1400 problem that the first mechanic claimed. Woot! (But the original mechanic will never get our business again.)
Then the a/c in the house started acting funny. The repairman told me it was the least expensive part that I could replace, although if I had let it go it probably have taken out the motor which would have been much more expensive. That repair as $115, and I was doing a happy dance that it wasn't far more.
Yesterday the twins had a Girl Scout thing, so DH and I had a date day (PS was invited but turned us down). DH got free tickets to a "Taste Of..." event, and even though I declared it a cheat day, I really didn't eat very much bad food. I did, however, have the most delicious peach bellini ever. Yum! A very pleasant surprise in a land of unimpressive wine margaritas. And it was really nice to get some alone time with DH.
We didn't stay too long at the festival, so we did a bit of shopping on the way home, since I was still searching for a gift for TT. We almost immediately found a Fossil Watch that seems perfect for her. It's not quite the more keep-forever piece I had been hoping for, but it is so much more her style than anything I had been looking at, and it is her first "grown up" watch or jewelry.
We were all back home by late afternoon, so that evening TT and I went shopping for dress clothes. It was not easy, although we did get her a cute summer outfit that is a bit nicer than her usual superhero T and soccer shorts. We were having no luck finding non-dress dressy clothing. But finally, in our fourth store she found a dress that she thought she might be able to live with, and with a bit of bribery, I talked her into it. Yay!
The dress came with a cute purple skinny belt. TT said, "I am NOT wearing a belt with a dress. What's the point of that? A belt is supposed to keep your pants up!" Indeed. Getting her into a dress was step one--I think it will be a while before we get to accessorizing. But her fashionista twin was happy to take the belt (and is now demanding her own shopping trip). Maybe we'll do out mani/pedi date today.
Then the a/c in the house started acting funny. The repairman told me it was the least expensive part that I could replace, although if I had let it go it probably have taken out the motor which would have been much more expensive. That repair as $115, and I was doing a happy dance that it wasn't far more.
Yesterday the twins had a Girl Scout thing, so DH and I had a date day (PS was invited but turned us down). DH got free tickets to a "Taste Of..." event, and even though I declared it a cheat day, I really didn't eat very much bad food. I did, however, have the most delicious peach bellini ever. Yum! A very pleasant surprise in a land of unimpressive wine margaritas. And it was really nice to get some alone time with DH.
We didn't stay too long at the festival, so we did a bit of shopping on the way home, since I was still searching for a gift for TT. We almost immediately found a Fossil Watch that seems perfect for her. It's not quite the more keep-forever piece I had been hoping for, but it is so much more her style than anything I had been looking at, and it is her first "grown up" watch or jewelry.
We were all back home by late afternoon, so that evening TT and I went shopping for dress clothes. It was not easy, although we did get her a cute summer outfit that is a bit nicer than her usual superhero T and soccer shorts. We were having no luck finding non-dress dressy clothing. But finally, in our fourth store she found a dress that she thought she might be able to live with, and with a bit of bribery, I talked her into it. Yay!
The dress came with a cute purple skinny belt. TT said, "I am NOT wearing a belt with a dress. What's the point of that? A belt is supposed to keep your pants up!" Indeed. Getting her into a dress was step one--I think it will be a while before we get to accessorizing. But her fashionista twin was happy to take the belt (and is now demanding her own shopping trip). Maybe we'll do out mani/pedi date today.
5/18/13
Girls and Nongirls
How did I end up with 3 girls, but only 1 who is actually girly? I'm glad that my girls all have their own identities, but the anti-girls make shopping hard. When's the last time you had to find a dressy outfit for a tween with no pink, no ruffles, and no sparkles? It's damn near impossible.
TT and SS have 6th grade graduation this year. (For the record, I don't equate this with a "real" graduation, but I do consider it a big turning point in my girls' lives.) Anyway, we are looking for nice outfits for their graduation and a couple of weddings that we will attend this summer.
TT is refusing to even consider a dress (she did say she would wear a suit, snort), and I'm having no luck finding anything appropriate that's not a dress and that meets the no-sparkle-ruffle-pink rule. Grumble. It doesn't make it any easier that they are stuck in tween wasteland, between kids' and juniors' sizes.
I also want to give each of them each a moderate piece of jewelery--just as a symbol of transitioning from a kid to a teen. I gave PS an amethyst necklace. I will start SS a silver charm bracelet. I'm clueless as to what to do for TT. I'm thinking maybe a plain silver locket engraved with her initials--but I'm still not sure it's her style.
SS was easy. She's my girly-girl. We ordered a sparkly zebra-print dress with hot pink accents. Of course, SS comes with her own girlie issues. Earlier this week, on a busy morning, a caught only a flash of SS as I dropped her off for school. And in that flash I saw nothing but an excess of green eye shadow, bright pink lipgloss, and hot pink hair feathers. As she leapt from the car, I shouted "Are you wearing makeup?" She either didn't hear me or chose to ignore me. The teacher manning the carpool lane, however, was cracking up.
I don't really care if SS starts wearing makeup--she'll be in middle school next year, and I was wearing makeup at her age. But I do expect it to be tastefully applied and for my little girl to still look like a little girl. And apparently she caught some flack from the other girls at school about her eyebrow-high green eyeshadow.
So that night we went through her makeup, and I told her what was ok for school (pastel eyeshadows only, a bit of pink blush, the tiniest touch of mascara) and gave her a makeup lesson. She said "but you can't tell I'm wearing anything!" And I said, "that's the point. Makeup is only supposed to enhance your natural beauty, not make you look like someone else." And so I pulled in her non-makeup wearing identical twin and stood them side-by-side in front of the mirror. Then she could see the difference and was ok with the minimal makeup. (That twin thing is handy sometimes.)
And then there's PS, who also hates dresses, and who learned that there is to be a robotics banquet. So, we presumed that she will need a dress or other appropriately dressy outfit. She's in to a Victorian-Gothic style found only in the pages of her favorite Manga, and her dream dress would involve black lace and a corset. Ummm, no. But I did find a black lace party dress on sale at Macy's for $17 that looks adorable on her and she actually approved.
And then we learned that the "banquet" won't be dressy. I'm disappointed. I was so looking forward to PS in a dress, and the puzzled looks she would receive from the robo boys, who are used to seeing her in converse and protective eye wear. It will be like Hermione at the Yule Ball.Oh well, we're keeping the dress--it was a steal. With three girls it will surely come in useful at some point. Maybe.
TT and SS have 6th grade graduation this year. (For the record, I don't equate this with a "real" graduation, but I do consider it a big turning point in my girls' lives.) Anyway, we are looking for nice outfits for their graduation and a couple of weddings that we will attend this summer.
TT is refusing to even consider a dress (she did say she would wear a suit, snort), and I'm having no luck finding anything appropriate that's not a dress and that meets the no-sparkle-ruffle-pink rule. Grumble. It doesn't make it any easier that they are stuck in tween wasteland, between kids' and juniors' sizes.
I also want to give each of them each a moderate piece of jewelery--just as a symbol of transitioning from a kid to a teen. I gave PS an amethyst necklace. I will start SS a silver charm bracelet. I'm clueless as to what to do for TT. I'm thinking maybe a plain silver locket engraved with her initials--but I'm still not sure it's her style.
SS was easy. She's my girly-girl. We ordered a sparkly zebra-print dress with hot pink accents. Of course, SS comes with her own girlie issues. Earlier this week, on a busy morning, a caught only a flash of SS as I dropped her off for school. And in that flash I saw nothing but an excess of green eye shadow, bright pink lipgloss, and hot pink hair feathers. As she leapt from the car, I shouted "Are you wearing makeup?" She either didn't hear me or chose to ignore me. The teacher manning the carpool lane, however, was cracking up.
I don't really care if SS starts wearing makeup--she'll be in middle school next year, and I was wearing makeup at her age. But I do expect it to be tastefully applied and for my little girl to still look like a little girl. And apparently she caught some flack from the other girls at school about her eyebrow-high green eyeshadow.
So that night we went through her makeup, and I told her what was ok for school (pastel eyeshadows only, a bit of pink blush, the tiniest touch of mascara) and gave her a makeup lesson. She said "but you can't tell I'm wearing anything!" And I said, "that's the point. Makeup is only supposed to enhance your natural beauty, not make you look like someone else." And so I pulled in her non-makeup wearing identical twin and stood them side-by-side in front of the mirror. Then she could see the difference and was ok with the minimal makeup. (That twin thing is handy sometimes.)
And then there's PS, who also hates dresses, and who learned that there is to be a robotics banquet. So, we presumed that she will need a dress or other appropriately dressy outfit. She's in to a Victorian-Gothic style found only in the pages of her favorite Manga, and her dream dress would involve black lace and a corset. Ummm, no. But I did find a black lace party dress on sale at Macy's for $17 that looks adorable on her and she actually approved.
And then we learned that the "banquet" won't be dressy. I'm disappointed. I was so looking forward to PS in a dress, and the puzzled looks she would receive from the robo boys, who are used to seeing her in converse and protective eye wear. It will be like Hermione at the Yule Ball.Oh well, we're keeping the dress--it was a steal. With three girls it will surely come in useful at some point. Maybe.
5/12/13
Happy Mother's Day
I hope all my fellow MILP's are treated well by your loved ones and rugrats.
DH and the girlies borrowed from his Father's Day gift last year and gave me a date with each of the girls. I get Fro Yo and mani/pedi's with SS, lunch and bowling with TT, and dinner and the theater with PS. Perfect.
They are also going to put in some rose bushes this afternoon. We were planning on buying patio furniture, too, but that is delayed until after we see the bill for DH's car repair.
The week from hell definitely got better by the weekend. I finally got around to cleaning out my closet, which was something of a disaster. And in the process, I started trying on clothes that hadn't fit in a while. Three pair of pants that I haven't worn in years fit now! Woo hoo! A couple of other thing are a bit tight, but should be perfect in another 5 pounds (and let me just say that there is a big difference in an Ann Taylor size 10 from a few years ago vs. a recent size 10. My size wasn't changing, but my butt was definitely getting bigger.)
This South Beach thing seemed specious--especially the initial zero-carb phase, but it really does seem to be working. I am not starving like I've been on every other diet I have ever tried--and I'm much happier now that I have added back fruit and whole-grain carbs. I've also been tracking my foods, even though it's not required, because I was worried about what a high-protein diet would do to my cholesterol. My cholesterol numbers are fine as long as I stick to egg whites instead of whole eggs, and I find that I'm nearly always under my calorie allotment without even trying. Right now I'm on track to be at my goal weight before the two family weddings this summer. Yay!
DH and the girlies borrowed from his Father's Day gift last year and gave me a date with each of the girls. I get Fro Yo and mani/pedi's with SS, lunch and bowling with TT, and dinner and the theater with PS. Perfect.
They are also going to put in some rose bushes this afternoon. We were planning on buying patio furniture, too, but that is delayed until after we see the bill for DH's car repair.
The week from hell definitely got better by the weekend. I finally got around to cleaning out my closet, which was something of a disaster. And in the process, I started trying on clothes that hadn't fit in a while. Three pair of pants that I haven't worn in years fit now! Woo hoo! A couple of other thing are a bit tight, but should be perfect in another 5 pounds (and let me just say that there is a big difference in an Ann Taylor size 10 from a few years ago vs. a recent size 10. My size wasn't changing, but my butt was definitely getting bigger.)
This South Beach thing seemed specious--especially the initial zero-carb phase, but it really does seem to be working. I am not starving like I've been on every other diet I have ever tried--and I'm much happier now that I have added back fruit and whole-grain carbs. I've also been tracking my foods, even though it's not required, because I was worried about what a high-protein diet would do to my cholesterol. My cholesterol numbers are fine as long as I stick to egg whites instead of whole eggs, and I find that I'm nearly always under my calorie allotment without even trying. Right now I'm on track to be at my goal weight before the two family weddings this summer. Yay!
5/9/13
Week From Hell
Monday:
TT is sick. I go into the office late and leave early so she's not home by herself all day and because I am starting to feel crappy. The day gets worse as it goes along.
DH's car starts smoking on the way home. He can't identify the source, it stops, he makes it home ok.
Tuesday:
I'm sick, so DH takes my car and drops the girls off at school. In the afternoon PS misses the bus for a robotics meeting, so I head out to pick her up. But DH's car is dead. The key fob doesn't even work. She has to bum a ride home. But she doesn't know how to give directions to our house and leads her good Samaritan in circles around the neighborhood. Oh boy.
DH gets home, charges the battery and all seems well. I think this must have something to do with the smoking incident. He thinks there was just a loose battery cable and it is a coincidence.
Wednesday:
PS isn't feeling well, but has major tests that the school has warned them not to miss absent exceptional circumstances.
DH's car is dead again. We decide to drop it off at the shop and carpool. We are standing in the backyard while the car is charging and hear a pop and a hiss. When we go running to the driveway we see steam coming from under the car. It stops and the car seems drivable, so I follow him to the shop, less than a mile away.
DH's drops me off at work and heads to the office in our only working car.
The shop calls three times and can't figure out the problem.We tell them to keep trying. I start googling, and figure out what appears to be a remarkably inexpensive solution that exactly matches our symptoms. We call the shop and they say, no, it's this related problem that will cost $1,400. I have no faith in the shop at this point. We ask them to implement our solution for now. If it doesn't work, we will seek a second opinion.
PS calls after finishing her test asking us to pick her up. DH leaves to get her. He isn't feeling well either. I bum a ride home from a co-worker who lives in the 'burbs near me.
We go get DH's car after I get home. All seems well.
PS starts vomiting overnight.
Thursday:
DH is flying to Chicago for a job interview.* His flight is at 7:55, which is seriously problematic if his car isn't fixed and I have to drop him off and get back home in time to get all the kids to school. He wakes me at 4:45 to tell me his car won't start and I will need to drop him off (a cab ride from the 'burbs to the airport would probably be $100+--not a luxury we can afford if we are staring down a $1400 car repair).
He is feeling miserable and starts puking. Pulls it together and decides to go forward with the trip. (Apologies to anyone he might have infected along the way. Yes, we do generally try to keep our infectious diseases to ourselves.)
I drop him off at 6:30, head back home, grab the girls, drop them off (minus PS) by 8:00, back home to shower, and make it to work by 9:30, feeling like I've already put in a full day.
Leave work at 4:45 because SS has volleyball practice at 6:00 and traffic is miserable because it rained today. SS jumps in the car as I roll by, and she makes it to vb with 4 minutes to spare.
Pick her up again at 7:00 and run through a drive-through for dinner.
DH texts to say that the interview went well and he didn't puke on anybody. He's on his way back now, and I have to pick him up at 11:00 (which is past my bedtime, yes, I'm old). Thank god the kids are old enough to leave alone now.
I'm scared to see what Friday will bring.
*This is for a telecommuting position, so sadly, we will not have the opportunity to live in Chicago. However, the opportunity to work from home is huge. DH's commute is 30 miles and 1-1.5 hours each way in city traffic. He would effectively regain at least 2 hours of his life back every single day. And we would have someone nearby for the kids, which has been a major concern with us both working so far away and especially since we no longer have a nanny. Also, one of is is having to leave work early at least once or twice a week to get the kids to a meeting or practice--this will be a major help with that.
I do worry about him becoming socially isolated, though. Right now he has his work buddies that he goes to the gym and to lunch with. Living with 4 women, he needs some guy time. And we gave up our office last summer so that TT could have her own room. We're not sure where he will work if this all goes through.
And he really loves his current job. The only negative is the horrific commute. It's hard to leave a job you love, but we've been talking for a long time about one of us needing to be closer to the kids, and he has the most flexibility for this. The only law I could practice out here is family law and petty crimes, and I have no interest in either.
So, fingers crossed that the job goes through and works out well for him. And that this week doesn't get any worse.
TT is sick. I go into the office late and leave early so she's not home by herself all day and because I am starting to feel crappy. The day gets worse as it goes along.
DH's car starts smoking on the way home. He can't identify the source, it stops, he makes it home ok.
Tuesday:
I'm sick, so DH takes my car and drops the girls off at school. In the afternoon PS misses the bus for a robotics meeting, so I head out to pick her up. But DH's car is dead. The key fob doesn't even work. She has to bum a ride home. But she doesn't know how to give directions to our house and leads her good Samaritan in circles around the neighborhood. Oh boy.
DH gets home, charges the battery and all seems well. I think this must have something to do with the smoking incident. He thinks there was just a loose battery cable and it is a coincidence.
Wednesday:
PS isn't feeling well, but has major tests that the school has warned them not to miss absent exceptional circumstances.
DH's car is dead again. We decide to drop it off at the shop and carpool. We are standing in the backyard while the car is charging and hear a pop and a hiss. When we go running to the driveway we see steam coming from under the car. It stops and the car seems drivable, so I follow him to the shop, less than a mile away.
DH's drops me off at work and heads to the office in our only working car.
The shop calls three times and can't figure out the problem.We tell them to keep trying. I start googling, and figure out what appears to be a remarkably inexpensive solution that exactly matches our symptoms. We call the shop and they say, no, it's this related problem that will cost $1,400. I have no faith in the shop at this point. We ask them to implement our solution for now. If it doesn't work, we will seek a second opinion.
PS calls after finishing her test asking us to pick her up. DH leaves to get her. He isn't feeling well either. I bum a ride home from a co-worker who lives in the 'burbs near me.
We go get DH's car after I get home. All seems well.
PS starts vomiting overnight.
Thursday:
DH is flying to Chicago for a job interview.* His flight is at 7:55, which is seriously problematic if his car isn't fixed and I have to drop him off and get back home in time to get all the kids to school. He wakes me at 4:45 to tell me his car won't start and I will need to drop him off (a cab ride from the 'burbs to the airport would probably be $100+--not a luxury we can afford if we are staring down a $1400 car repair).
He is feeling miserable and starts puking. Pulls it together and decides to go forward with the trip. (Apologies to anyone he might have infected along the way. Yes, we do generally try to keep our infectious diseases to ourselves.)
I drop him off at 6:30, head back home, grab the girls, drop them off (minus PS) by 8:00, back home to shower, and make it to work by 9:30, feeling like I've already put in a full day.
Leave work at 4:45 because SS has volleyball practice at 6:00 and traffic is miserable because it rained today. SS jumps in the car as I roll by, and she makes it to vb with 4 minutes to spare.
Pick her up again at 7:00 and run through a drive-through for dinner.
DH texts to say that the interview went well and he didn't puke on anybody. He's on his way back now, and I have to pick him up at 11:00 (which is past my bedtime, yes, I'm old). Thank god the kids are old enough to leave alone now.
I'm scared to see what Friday will bring.
*This is for a telecommuting position, so sadly, we will not have the opportunity to live in Chicago. However, the opportunity to work from home is huge. DH's commute is 30 miles and 1-1.5 hours each way in city traffic. He would effectively regain at least 2 hours of his life back every single day. And we would have someone nearby for the kids, which has been a major concern with us both working so far away and especially since we no longer have a nanny. Also, one of is is having to leave work early at least once or twice a week to get the kids to a meeting or practice--this will be a major help with that.
I do worry about him becoming socially isolated, though. Right now he has his work buddies that he goes to the gym and to lunch with. Living with 4 women, he needs some guy time. And we gave up our office last summer so that TT could have her own room. We're not sure where he will work if this all goes through.
And he really loves his current job. The only negative is the horrific commute. It's hard to leave a job you love, but we've been talking for a long time about one of us needing to be closer to the kids, and he has the most flexibility for this. The only law I could practice out here is family law and petty crimes, and I have no interest in either.
So, fingers crossed that the job goes through and works out well for him. And that this week doesn't get any worse.
5/7/13
Sick Day
The girlies have been passing around a stomach bug since we got back from St. Louis, and it finally landed on me. I was feeling queasy and left work early yesterday after handing in my part of a brief that we were filing that day, and thank goodness I did because I was in sad shape by late afternoon.
I awoke this morning, unsure of how I felt, but hopped in the shower hoping to wash away the sickness and head in for a 9:00 am client meeting. By the time I got out of the shower I managed to convince myself that I didn't need to go into the office or spread my germs to our out-of-town client, so I texted Big Boss to share the happy news.
I snoozed throughout the morning and finally managed some hot tea and crackers, which perked me up a bit. I never take a sick day, and I'm feeling a bit guilty about being home now that I'm starting to feel better. I really need to get over this work guilt thing. Especially since I really don't have anything pressing to deal with.
I've spent my day watching a Who's the Boss marathon that's been saved on my DVR. That show is my comfort food. DH makes fun of me for watching it, but I don't care. I totally wanted to go live with Tony and Angela when I was a kid, and I love seeing all the retro reminders.
I'm also planning an end of the year party for SS and TT. This is their last year of elementary school, and I think that's worthy of a party--especially since many of the kids they've gone to school with for the past 7 years will be moving away or going to a different middle school. But, really, any excuse for a party. I LOVE party planning. So I've spent a big chunk of my day searching out party ideas. Whatever did we do before Pinterest?
I don't know when I've spent so much time lying around. I almost miss work. I'm definitely stir crazy, but since I'm concerned I'm still infectious I guess I'll keep my germs at home to myself.
I awoke this morning, unsure of how I felt, but hopped in the shower hoping to wash away the sickness and head in for a 9:00 am client meeting. By the time I got out of the shower I managed to convince myself that I didn't need to go into the office or spread my germs to our out-of-town client, so I texted Big Boss to share the happy news.
I snoozed throughout the morning and finally managed some hot tea and crackers, which perked me up a bit. I never take a sick day, and I'm feeling a bit guilty about being home now that I'm starting to feel better. I really need to get over this work guilt thing. Especially since I really don't have anything pressing to deal with.
I've spent my day watching a Who's the Boss marathon that's been saved on my DVR. That show is my comfort food. DH makes fun of me for watching it, but I don't care. I totally wanted to go live with Tony and Angela when I was a kid, and I love seeing all the retro reminders.
I'm also planning an end of the year party for SS and TT. This is their last year of elementary school, and I think that's worthy of a party--especially since many of the kids they've gone to school with for the past 7 years will be moving away or going to a different middle school. But, really, any excuse for a party. I LOVE party planning. So I've spent a big chunk of my day searching out party ideas. Whatever did we do before Pinterest?
I don't know when I've spent so much time lying around. I almost miss work. I'm definitely stir crazy, but since I'm concerned I'm still infectious I guess I'll keep my germs at home to myself.
5/4/13
Stupid Teenagers
I am sad, and cranky and irritated for PS. She was texting several of her friends yesterday, trying to find someone to go see a theater production at the high school with her this weekend. She was bummed that no one seemed to be available. And then one of them let it slip that they were all going to Six Flags. But no one invited her.
It wouldn't be a big deal if it were a one-off, but it happens a lot. PS invites her friends for things, and often they are able to go. But no one ever invites her. I don't think it's because she's "that annoying kid." For one thing, PS is very low key. But also because they don't always turn her down when she invites. She gets invited to parties where there are bigger groups, and she hangs out with them at school.
A couple of weeks ago we ran into a group of them at the library, where they had prearranged to meet (there aren't many options in our town). They seemed genuinely excited to see her, and then invited her along to walk to a nearby ice cream shop. So I don't think it's that they don't like PS--they just don't seem to ever think about PS unless she's standing in front of them. Sigh.
She also has her robotics group of friends, but they are all boys. It's about a 5-1 male/female ratio, and every one of the girls has a boyfriend (sadly, I think most of the girls are only doing it because of their boyfriends). The robo boys aren't into the artsier things that PS is. And she already spends a lot of time with them, and I'm not going to let her hang out with a group of all boys all the time (especially because one of them seems like he might be more than just a friend.) She needs girlfriends to hang out with.
I know her feelings were hurt by the Six Flags snub. I wish I could make it better. On he bright side, she actually hung out and chatted with DH and me last night, and that NEVER happens.
It wouldn't be a big deal if it were a one-off, but it happens a lot. PS invites her friends for things, and often they are able to go. But no one ever invites her. I don't think it's because she's "that annoying kid." For one thing, PS is very low key. But also because they don't always turn her down when she invites. She gets invited to parties where there are bigger groups, and she hangs out with them at school.
A couple of weeks ago we ran into a group of them at the library, where they had prearranged to meet (there aren't many options in our town). They seemed genuinely excited to see her, and then invited her along to walk to a nearby ice cream shop. So I don't think it's that they don't like PS--they just don't seem to ever think about PS unless she's standing in front of them. Sigh.
She also has her robotics group of friends, but they are all boys. It's about a 5-1 male/female ratio, and every one of the girls has a boyfriend (sadly, I think most of the girls are only doing it because of their boyfriends). The robo boys aren't into the artsier things that PS is. And she already spends a lot of time with them, and I'm not going to let her hang out with a group of all boys all the time (especially because one of them seems like he might be more than just a friend.) She needs girlfriends to hang out with.
I know her feelings were hurt by the Six Flags snub. I wish I could make it better. On he bright side, she actually hung out and chatted with DH and me last night, and that NEVER happens.
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