Sometimes when I'm sitting in class... You know, I'm not thinking about class, 'cause that would never happen. I think about kissing you. And it's like everything stops. It's like, it's like freeze frame. Willow kissage.

Oz ,'First Date'


Spike's Bitches 49: As usual, I'm here to help you, and I... are you naked under there?

Spike-centric discussion. Lusty, lewd (only occasionally crude), risqué (and frisqué), bawdy (Oh, lawdy!), flirty ('cuz we're purty), raunchy talk inside. Caveat lector.


Steph L. - Dec 21, 2020 11:35:54 am PST #7503 of 8179
the hardest to learn / was the least complicated

My migraines are almost always right before a big change in the weather - I am a human barometer

#TeamBarometer


Cashmere - Dec 21, 2020 11:43:12 am PST #7504 of 8179
Now tagless for your comfort.

But it's been so much worse than we imagined.

My kids are failing. I feel like a failure.

Oliver just flat out quit working on their assignments and is so far behind we don’t know what to do.

There is zero self-motivation. We took cell phones and non-school computers away for periods of time but it seemed to make things worse.

I finally started bringing Oliver into work with me so they can a)get away from the house and b) not have as many distractions.

We are still looking at summer school. My kids need more structure than I can give them at home with both parents working.

We are sending Oliver back to part time, blended learning next semester. Maybe face to face with teachers will actually be what they need.

Owen is more withdrawn. I know he’s struggling with gender identity but doesn’t want to discuss it with us and I think he just can’t wait to be out on his own—the only problem is he is balking on college and not sure what to do.


Topic!Cindy - Dec 21, 2020 11:52:48 am PST #7505 of 8179
What is even happening?

Cashmere, I feel so sorry for the kids. C is a college junior, was always a top student, isn't sure he's going to pass all his classes this semester, and could lose his scholarship. He found himself in a situation very like Oliver's. If it helps to tell them that, please feel free. Much love to them, to Owen, and to you.

More people than not are going through this. Structure is C's big problem, too. He is someone who needs it to thrive, and adapts to it well, but isn't good (yet?) at establishing it for himself.

I'm 53, and I'm not good at it, either.


DavidS - Dec 21, 2020 12:04:27 pm PST #7506 of 8179
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."

Matilda has managed to keep up with the school work, but I know she finds it much less rewarding/challenging and the retention is much lower. Emmett has reported the same with his online college classes. He's focusing on finishing his BA and I feel like he has not really gotten the full benefit of that education.

Matilda has been so depressed though for much of this pandemic. Her large, lateral extended network of friendships is - by far - the most important thing in her life and well being. And it's been completely amputated.

She doesn't talk about it but I know she's been really hurt that some of her closest friends formed social/pandemic bubbles that didn't include her. She's literally only seen two of her friends with any regularity since March. And it doesn't help that we've only been infrequently able to see Emmett, the other big emotional support in her life.

She's also turned into a complete, immobile lump. She hasn't done anything physical except (occasionally) walking outside of the house for more than six months, and she wants to just sink into her bed for 14 hours a day if I don't physically drag her out.


Cashmere - Dec 21, 2020 12:36:43 pm PST #7507 of 8179
Now tagless for your comfort.

Part of me wishes we could use the Vulcan pedagogical model of sticking our spawn in a learning pod, but humans kids are made for personal interaction and hands on learning. It's evolutionary and this whole shit show COULD have been avoided.

We could have locked down early, keep the bars and restaurants closed and kept the schools open. But nobody in this country does anything for anyone else (present company excluded) and I'm so tired.

Ugh.


Glamcookie - Dec 21, 2020 12:41:39 pm PST #7508 of 8179
I know my own heart and understand my fellow man. But I am made unlike anyone I have ever met. I dare to say I am like no one in the whole world. - Anne Lister

Hugs to my fellow parents. This year is so shitty in so many ways, but I hate what it is doing to my kids the most. FUCK THAT ORANGE FUCKER SO MUCH.


Trudy Booth - Dec 21, 2020 5:39:07 pm PST #7509 of 8179
Greece's financial crisis threatens to take down all of Western civilization - a civilization they themselves founded. A rather tragic irony - which is something they also invented. - Jon Stewart

A friend of mine who has been diagnosed with autism jokes that she's one of the few "out" people on the spectrum at her gov't agency. She estimates about 10-15% of the workforce is on the spectrum. For much of the work that agency does, this is ideal and will lead to personal and mission success.
I was discretely informed by a colleague that one of the attorneys I work with frequently is on the spectrum. Since our HR are sticklers about privacy I’m pretty sure the attorney themself put the word out. I adjusted some of the ways I communicate with them and working together went from frustrating to very gratifying. I believe the greater ease is mutually appreciated.


Shir - Dec 21, 2020 10:10:12 pm PST #7510 of 8179
"And that's why God Almighty gave us fire insurance and the public defender".

Much love and ~ma to all Buffista parents and sprogs.

Also, hi, #TeamBarometer! My roommate is amused when I'm telling her when the rain is about the start.


brenda m - Dec 22, 2020 10:59:31 am PST #7511 of 8179
If you're going through hell/keep on going/don't slow down/keep your fear from showing/you might be gone/'fore the devil even knows you're there

Y'all with kids, I don't even know what to say except that I see how brutally hard it is, emotionally, logistically, financially. I see how you're struggling and how hard you're working and I love you for it and I wish it was better.


meara - Dec 22, 2020 11:18:49 am PST #7512 of 8179

What Brenda said. I’m barely keeping myself together, forget trying to help kids too (either small and needing supervision or teenagers being teenagery)