Thursday Randoms

[beerlover]

Sept 12, 2024 20:47:53 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

Sept 12, 2024 18:17:32 GMT -5 beerlover said:

I got into a Harris event for tomorrow in Central PA. Seems to be a smaller group thing and not a rally. I can’t decide whether to actually go or not. I have a little bit of anxiety about driving places that I don’t know, plus not knowing the parking situation and whatnot is stressful, plus I’ll be going alone so that feels lame lol. I also don’t like that the start time seems vague and I have no idea when I’ll be done. But, H is able to get DS if I end up getting home past school hours. I also didn’t take off work yet and would have to rearrange a couple of meetings. But I think I might regret not going. Decisions! Someone give me a push in either direction, lol.

Oh my gosh, GO! Don’t let small anxieties keep you from witnessing history. I’m sure the parking situation will be no big deal, as it sounds like it’s in a suburban area anyway. 

Yeah, it's not in the city. It does say parking is "extremely limited" which is what gave me pause but I guess I'll just be super early like I usually am anyway.

[Susie]

Sept 12, 2024 19:01:54 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Susie , I'm so sorry. I have been following along and it seems like it's escalating. How disconcerting and unsettling. I hope they catch the person(s) soon.

They just notified everyone that there were two more threats tonight, both threatening gun violence at the high school tomorrow, one specifically at 5:30 at the football team (same time, same specific target as Wed night which lead to the lockdown), the other more generalized.  This is madness.  I am blown that we're now at 5 telephoned threats over the course of three evenings, and at least from what they're sharing publicly, we have zero information on who/where the calls are coming from.  So we're just stuck in limbo, everyone afraid to send their kids to school, school days on lockout procedure, no after school activities, and no after school care for elementary families.  Our community is shook.

DD told me that of 21 kids in her class, only 14 were in school.  I've heard numbers in the 300-500 range of middle school students calling out today.  I'm not exactly sure how big our middle school is, but quick back of the napkin math tells me about 900.  So, like 1/3 to 1/2 of middle schoolers are out.  I'm guessing high school numbers are higher.  How long do we go on like this?  What happens next week if they can't find where the calls are coming from?  I am so exhausted with worry and chaos.

[underwaterrhymes]

Susie I hope they get that figured out soon. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I’m so sorry.

[gretchenindisguise]

Sept 12, 2024 21:09:42 GMT -5 Susie said:

Sept 12, 2024 19:01:54 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Susie , I'm so sorry. I have been following along and it seems like it's escalating. How disconcerting and unsettling. I hope they catch the person(s) soon.

They just notified everyone that there were two more threats tonight, both threatening gun violence at the high school tomorrow, one specifically at 5:30 at the football team (same time, same specific target as Wed night which lead to the lockdown), the other more generalized.  This is madness.  I am blown that we're now at 5 telephoned threats over the course of three evenings, and at least from what they're sharing publicly, we have zero information on who/where the calls are coming from.  So we're just stuck in limbo, everyone afraid to send their kids to school, school days on lockout procedure, no after school activities, and no after school care for elementary families.  Our community is shook.

DD told me that of 21 kids in her class, only 14 were in school.  I've heard numbers in the 300-500 range of middle school students calling out today.  I'm not exactly sure how big our middle school is, but quick back of the napkin math tells me about 900.  So, like 1/3 to 1/2 of middle schoolers are out.  I'm guessing high school numbers are higher.  How long do we go on like this?  What happens next week if they can't find where the calls are coming from?  I am so exhausted with worry and chaos.

I wouldn't send my middle schooler or high schooler either.

I would be torn on sending my elementary kid, but they are both anxious and if they had caught any wind of it, they would not be able to go.

My 15 yo had a school shooting nightmare the other night. It absolutely sucked. Usually her nightmares are on things I can walk her through and convince her won't happen. It's still a low base rate but I can't say it won't happen.

[shopgirl07]

Sept 12, 2024 21:00:54 GMT -5 beerlover said:

TR , underwaterrhymes , shopgirl07 , eb777888 , I just requested off work. I'm doing it. I will report back <3

 Can’t wait to hear about it!

[wanderingback]

Sept 12, 2024 15:19:51 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

@@

We enrolled our kids in a secular, private, online school this year and it’s been really transformative for them. They are really gaining so much independence and confidence. Today was their first expo day and they had to present and they and all of their peers kicked butt! There was so much support and love in the comments for each other and it made me so proud. (They’re in two separate cohorts and it was the same for both.) Just really cool.

Wait how old are your kids?! For some reason I thought you had young kids?! But maybe you are talking about kindergarten lol?

[wanderingback]

Sept 12, 2024 18:17:32 GMT -5 beerlover said:

I got into a Harris event for tomorrow in Central PA. Seems to be a smaller group thing and not a rally. I can’t decide whether to actually go or not. I have a little bit of anxiety about driving places that I don’t know, plus not knowing the parking situation and whatnot is stressful, plus I’ll be going alone so that feels lame lol. I also don’t like that the start time seems vague and I have no idea when I’ll be done. But, H is able to get DS if I end up getting home past school hours. I also didn’t take off work yet and would have to rearrange a couple of meetings. But I think I might regret not going. Decisions! Someone give me a push in either direction, lol.

You should definitely go.

And I mean this in a helpful way but have you been in therapy to explore what can help you with such anxiety? Strategies for anxiety should def be implemented if the anxiety is interfering with your ability to do things you want to do or "normal" things. And it is totally fine to go to events alone, I do it all the time.
I hope you can overcome the anxiety and go!

[cmeon]

www.tpr.org/2022-11-28/federal-authorities-investigate-a-case-about-false-threats-of-school-shootings

www.npr.org/2023/04/14/1168389685/what-could-make-a-hoax-call-reporting-a-school-shooting-worse-social-media

www.npr.org/2023/04/14/1168389685/what-could-make-a-hoax-call-reporting-a-school-shooting-worse-social-media

I obviously don't have any inside information about today's bomb/shooting threats, but I'm always surprised by how many people don't know about this guy (including law enforcement). He's one asshole, sitting somewhere in Ethiopia, with a VOIP line and a list of US school phone numbers. He makes hundreds of threats to US schools a week. It's insane! And there's not much we can do about it.

"Luckily", my district is very familiar with this guy- he has a few scripts and a distinct accent- he's very identifiable- so his calls are much less disruptive to our schools than they used to be. Obviously, he's not responsible for all school threats or hoaxes, but he is so incredibly prolific that he's able to cause an enormous amount of chaos in all the areas who aren't familiar. So read and share!

[mysteriouswife]

Sept 12, 2024 11:02:28 GMT -5 rubytue said:

My friend and I do crafty fridays on the fridays I have off, which this Friday is one. We were chatting about some organizing that needs to be done in there. And then, it became “ok, I’m on my way”. Ummm, I thought we were talking about what we were going to do tomorrow. But dude, if you want to come over and clean and organize while I work, I’m down for it. 🤣🤣🤣. They use my craft room a lot, too. Sometimes even when I’m not around.

m

Send your friend to Nashville. My craft room/office needs a massive overhaul.

[sonrisa]

Sept 12, 2024 15:04:51 GMT -5 meanie said:

I just type a word vomit and then realize that even *I* don't want to read all that!

OMG. Yes. I'll see it pop up after I post and realize I'm boring or annoying myself so why should I subject anyone else to that? lol.

[underwaterrhymes]

Sept 12, 2024 22:01:38 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Sept 12, 2024 15:19:51 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

@@

We enrolled our kids in a secular, private, online school this year and it’s been really transformative for them. They are really gaining so much independence and confidence. Today was their first expo day and they had to present and they and all of their peers kicked butt! There was so much support and love in the comments for each other and it made me so proud. (They’re in two separate cohorts and it was the same for both.) Just really cool.

Wait how old are your kids?! For some reason I thought you had young kids?! But maybe you are talking about kindergarten lol?

They’re 9 and 11! Young, but not super little anymore.

[mommyatty]

Sept 12, 2024 22:05:51 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

And I mean this in a helpful way but have you been in therapy to explore what can help you with such anxiety? Strategies for anxiety should def be implemented if the anxiety is interfering with your ability to do things you want to do or "normal" things. And it is totally fine to go to events alone, I do it all the time.
I hope you can overcome the anxiety and go!

I needed to hear this today. I think I have weird social anxiety where I’m fine while socializing but before and after I am a complete ball of nerves. I’m sitting in a hotel room 1500 miles away from home battling anxiety attacks. I had to do a conference today plus one next week and the week after. I’m feeling super-judged and scared and I don’t freaking even know why. Sigh. I need therapy. I know I do. But I’m frozen and can’t fathom finding a therapist that I like and time to do therapy. 

[mrsukyankee]

Sept 13, 2024 2:15:49 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Sept 12, 2024 22:05:51 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

And I mean this in a helpful way but have you been in therapy to explore what can help you with such anxiety? Strategies for anxiety should def be implemented if the anxiety is interfering with your ability to do things you want to do or "normal" things. And it is totally fine to go to events alone, I do it all the time.
I hope you can overcome the anxiety and go!

I needed to hear this today. I think I have weird social anxiety where I’m fine while socializing but before and after I am a complete ball of nerves. I’m sitting in a hotel room 1500 miles away from home battling anxiety attacks. I had to do a conference today plus one next week and the week after. I’m feeling super-judged and scared and I don’t freaking even know why. Sigh. I need therapy. I know I do. But I’m frozen and can’t fathom finding a therapist that I like and time to do therapy. 

I'm happy to suggest self help books while you get out of the freeze mode. Here's what I do tell my clients - you aren't going to get rid of anxiety. It's normal and it's part of how our brain works. AND we can still do things well while having anxiety. I had social anxiety which included doing presentations. I have done CBT/ACT work in therapy and on my own. I still get anxious before presenting and it's okay. Anxiety is not a bad thing - you can use it for good versus evil. I use the added adrenaline to push me. And if it's too much, I do jumping jack or stretching beforehand. I do breathing exercises. Etc. I remind myself that what my limbic system is saying is not reality because I can't mind read what people are thinking (thank goodness!) and that most people really just don't care about anything for more than a second (I can't remember any person being a bad presenter at this point, even if I thought it in the moment - that can be freeing - and even if I didn't like how they presented, I still didn't care all that much about it and figured they were anxious, like me).

My book suggestions: The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris and Overcoming Anxiety by Helen Kennerley

[beerlover]

Sept 12, 2024 22:05:51 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Sept 12, 2024 18:17:32 GMT -5 beerlover said:

I got into a Harris event for tomorrow in Central PA. Seems to be a smaller group thing and not a rally. I can’t decide whether to actually go or not. I have a little bit of anxiety about driving places that I don’t know, plus not knowing the parking situation and whatnot is stressful, plus I’ll be going alone so that feels lame lol. I also don’t like that the start time seems vague and I have no idea when I’ll be done. But, H is able to get DS if I end up getting home past school hours. I also didn’t take off work yet and would have to rearrange a couple of meetings. But I think I might regret not going. Decisions! Someone give me a push in either direction, lol.

You should definitely go.

And I mean this in a helpful way but have you been in therapy to explore what can help you with such anxiety? Strategies for anxiety should def be implemented if the anxiety is interfering with your ability to do things you want to do or "normal" things. And it is totally fine to go to events alone, I do it all the time.
I hope you can overcome the anxiety and go!

Yep, I am totally in therapy. Unfortunately my session was Wednesday before this all came up, haha.

Thus far I have not actually let anxiety keep me from driving places, but it does make me think twice about whether I want to go. I always end up going though!

[archiethedragon]

Sept 12, 2024 21:05:50 GMT -5 beerlover said:

Sept 12, 2024 20:47:53 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

Oh my gosh, GO! Don’t let small anxieties keep you from witnessing history. I’m sure the parking situation will be no big deal, as it sounds like it’s in a suburban area anyway. 

Yeah, it's not in the city. It does say parking is "extremely limited" which is what gave me pause but I guess I'll just be super early like I usually am anyway.

Park somewhere close by and then Uber. from there to the event

[wanderingback]

Sept 13, 2024 1:20:00 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Sept 12, 2024 22:01:38 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Wait how old are your kids?! For some reason I thought you had young kids?! But maybe you are talking about kindergarten lol?

They’re 9 and 11! Young, but not super little anymore.

Oh wow, I didn’t know they were that "old."
Do they do school alone during the day or is someone home with them? Do you plan to keep them there through high school? That sounds so cool!

[wanderingback]

Sept 13, 2024 2:15:49 GMT -5 mommyatty said:

Sept 12, 2024 22:05:51 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

And I mean this in a helpful way but have you been in therapy to explore what can help you with such anxiety? Strategies for anxiety should def be implemented if the anxiety is interfering with your ability to do things you want to do or "normal" things. And it is totally fine to go to events alone, I do it all the time.
I hope you can overcome the anxiety and go!

I needed to hear this today. I think I have weird social anxiety where I’m fine while socializing but before and after I am a complete ball of nerves. I’m sitting in a hotel room 1500 miles away from home battling anxiety attacks. I had to do a conference today plus one next week and the week after. I’m feeling super-judged and scared and I don’t freaking even know why. Sigh. I need therapy. I know I do. But I’m frozen and can’t fathom finding a therapist that I like and time to do therapy. 

Hugs <3

[underwaterrhymes]

Sept 13, 2024 7:39:57 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Sept 13, 2024 1:20:00 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

They’re 9 and 11! Young, but not super little anymore.

Oh wow, I didn’t know they were that "old."
Do they do school alone during the day or is someone home with them? Do you plan to keep them there through high school? That sounds so cool!

I work remotely four days a week, so I’m here with them if they need anything, but they’re pretty good about getting their own snacks, knowing when they have synchronous learning, and doing their asynchronous learning on their own. H works remotely on the days I go into the office and then heads in to the library when I get home.

We are only three weeks in, but I’ve seen a significant transformation in my older son in particular, who was bullied at school. He’s got anxiety and social pragmatic communication disorder, but he has jumped right in and formed strong connections with his peers and has even really taken a leadership role, which was unexpected. He is already writing a book with one kid, playing video games with another couple of kids and asked to put his pronouns in his Zoom link because he noticed one of his peers had theirs in theirs. My younger son has had a more challenging time adapting to this style of learning. It requires more thoughtful responses to the work than just completing worksheets, but he’s settling in and really is starting to love it too. The schedules are flexible, also and kids attend from all over the world.

The school does run through 12th grade. There are no grades given until high school. Up until then, they build portfolios, do volunteer work, and the projects they have are so cool. When they get to HS, they earn more traditional grades and they do internships and can earn college credit through ASU.

If you’d like to learn more, I’m happy to PM you a link to the school. It’s really an amazing school and I wish something like this was available when I was young.

ETA - During my older child’s expo presentation, one child shared that they have ADHD in their presentation, and a bunch of the kids in the chat were like “me too, me too.” It’s such a supportive and loving community of kids. These are 6th and 7th graders, so really wonderful to see how much they all care for each other.

[wanderingback]

Sept 13, 2024 7:52:59 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Sept 13, 2024 7:39:57 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Oh wow, I didn’t know they were that "old."
Do they do school alone during the day or is someone home with them? Do you plan to keep them there through high school? That sounds so cool!

I work remotely four days a week, so I’m here with them if they need anything, but they’re pretty good about getting their own snacks, knowing when they have synchronous learning, and doing their asynchronous learning on their own. H works remotely on the days I go into the office and then heads in to the library when I get home.

We are only three weeks in, but I’ve seen a significant transformation in my older son in particular, who was bullied at school. He’s got anxiety and social pragmatic communication disorder, but he has jumped right in and formed strong connections with his peers and has even really taken a leadership role, which was unexpected. He is already writing a book with one kid, playing video games with another couple of kids and asked to put his pronouns in his Zoom link because he noticed one of his peers had theirs in theirs. My younger son has had a more challenging time adapting to this style of learning. It requires more thoughtful responses to the work than just completing worksheets, but he’s settling in and really is starting to love it too. The schedules are flexible, also and kids attend from all over the world.

The school does run through 12th grade. There are no grades given until high school. Up until then, they build portfolios, do volunteer work, and the projects they have are so cool. When they get to HS, they earn more traditional grades and they do internships and can earn college credit through ASU.

If you’d like to learn more, I’m happy to PM you a link to the school. It’s really an amazing school and I wish something like this was available when I was young.

ETA - During my older child’s expo presentation, one child shared that they have ADHD in their presentation, and a bunch of the kids in the chat were like “me too, me too.” It’s such a supportive and loving community of kids. These are 6th and 7th graders, so really wonderful to see how much they all care for each other.

That is so lovely! So glad your kids are doing so well. The school system here can be great but it seems like such a crapshoot with so many options and no guarantees. I’ve been thinking/exploring all options even though have several years to go. Yes would love to have the info

[underwaterrhymes]

wanderingback - just sent you a PM!