There was an article in the paper, an opinion piece, by a doctor who specializes in treating adolescents. They said that they routinely ask any other family members to leave the office and ask kids how they're doing. Some are doing all right - they've found new interests or hobbies - but a lot of them are having problems (if you didn't already know that). They do try to help out the kids who are having problems, who are anxious, and so on, but there's a limit to what they can do. I hate that so many kids are having such an awful time of it. And their parents and their teachers. I'm hoping things get better.

And, to change the topic, it's National Puzzle Day. Celebrate responsibly.

flea, all kinds of love and support to you. I think you're doing great in an impossible situation.

it's much less effort to turn in work than to do the work and not turn it in and lie about it and hide it.

God, this. I don't understand how they don't get that. I'm glad things are turning around for your guy, Volans.

Sara is now "feeling like poop" and her whole body is achy. I feel fairly crappy myself, although how much of that is regular sinus badness is hard to tell. And it's supposed to snow over the weekend, so I'm envisioning many pots of tea, and probably brownies and cinnamon rolls for morale.

not turn it in and lie about it and hide it

Rationalization is not just a river in Egypt.

My whole job right now is to get my kids through this safely, and I can't even seem to do that.

Unless there is something big you haven't told us, flea, you are doing pretty well! Just a reminder, "safely" does not necessarily have to include "successfully graduated".

I don't understand how they don't get that.

I understand all too well, although I don't know if I could explain it in words.

I definitely understand not doing the work, or deciding you would rather turn in nothing and sleep rather than stay up all night trying to do something, but don’t understand at all doing the work but not turning it in! That said I am glad I am neither a teenager nor a parent, right now.

Managed to power through a bunch of work yesterday and now I have very little to do, which is weird (have a new project that is just getting going and not much going on yet). But feel like I can’t just turn the computer off and nap.

Doing the work and not turning it in is an alien thought process to me too, but I loved school and was competitive about grades with a bunch of my friends. Maybe in these teens' minds they're avoiding being judged for the quality of their work, while not getting it that they'll be judged more harshly for (seemingly) not doing it at all?

In other news, waking up to find that a cat had upchucked on the blanket I was under was not the ideal start to my morning. Fridays are supposed to be better than that!

I am not focused today, like AT ALL. I have asked Big Boss 2 questions in 2 days and she does not actually answer the question. She poses a different question that she would like to answer. When I follow up, she does not respond.

ION, I want to eat everything. Not really hungry, this is boredom/anxiety/frustration desire to eat. I would take a walk, but it is F'in cold.

My to do list just keeps getting longer and I just want to nap.

Napping sounds better than dealing with the to do list.

I'm sorry, Matt. Not a cool way to start the day.

I had countless discussions with the boys on the 'it's less effort to just do the danged thing' topic. Wasted breath no doubt. High school is not a great predictor of life success. I was The Worst in high school until I quit altogether. Then several months later took the GED and ended up 2nd in my class when I graduated with my BS in Accounting. Also, managed to start and keep a business open for 33 years now. Most people I went to HS with would not know my name, but those that did would have assumed at best I ended up living in a pot smoking hippie commune. Which of course could have been a most excellent option.