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So... oldest does seem to be pulling his finger out a bit after the family talk.
Daughter in floods of tears as she wants to drop IT A level as she feels its all too much
Fifteen year old finds life so very hard again and is tired of living
Youngest getting a bit cheeky, but still reasonably sweet (well, it is his birthday coming up)
Me.
Work - may as well call it another volunteering position, involving calming down my very dear friends who own it. Shouldn't have been there today, but ended up sorting out yet another crisis as one of the engineers picked up his tools and walked off site this morning. They're so close to bankruptcy, its so upsetting.
Essay, abandoned to sort out above and swapping drivers for vans... Sorted though, which helps the husband with his blood pressure. Both the wife and I are fearful he'll keel over - hence the calming down (I always had to calm my Dad down, I sometimes feel it is my role). I do have notes and have read all I should have read though. Emailed tutor yesterday though, as the children have taken so much energy this last week or so, with their various issues, never mind their illnesses!
Fifteen year old's review tomorrow afternoon - so that's all afternoon gone.
Scouts - did Beavers again this evening, or it wouild have been cancelled. Daughter is a young leader, so she came along. Tomorrow we're in the library before Scouts, so it will be such a long evening.
A birthday on Saturday, he's having friends over for a sleepover, so part of Sunday gone too. Daughter's birthday on Tuesday.
I'm not typing the essay tonight. Head is pounding, and I just need to go to bed. I've not heard from the tutor, so feeling anxious that she won't agree to an extension. Not had time for tea yet. Posting on here is far more calming!!
To say things are hard going isn't true, as it all seems to be slotting into place ok.
Daft things like my friend's son couldn't find the insurance for the van (using mobile phone!!! Only has a hands free kit in the van...) and they were all panicing as they thought he'd lose his licence - I went down there after taking fifteen year old to youth club and found the document - they would have if they'd gone through the file properly. Then my friend who lives 14 miles away texted to say she felt very, very unwell, so dived over there before picking up son from youth club. Inconvenient, but again, it all worked out ok.
I don't even seem to have time to phone my friends, as by the time I have a minute its about 2am!
More than anything, at the moment, I'd like to have a meal cooked for me and Kim and Aggie to sort out my house. At least a friend called the other day (a builder, who asks me to type out the odd quote for him) and fixed the hand rail going up the stairs - the younger two swing off it to leap down the last few stairs, and the brakcet has broken. So great having him fix that - straight away, and without asking as he noticed. I've struggled with the stairs without it!
And, its raining.
Must find ruddy insurance document to get washer fixed. Oldest has finished for half term now, so he's going to get the washing in the car so I can use my friends machine. Not speaking to the washing machine doesn't seem to have the desired effect of making it work. Clearly it doesn't mind being ignored.
Otherwise, things are ok. Not quite looking forward to next week mind. Roll on March 
Phew and mega phew is all I can say. it sounds as if you are managing a multi national corporation, and that is what it must feel like sometimes!!
I "imagine" you will get the extension ok, but you then need to plan out a time for the essay and stick to it, no matter what crises others have. Obviously your children are the exception. So there are the two birthdays and then is that IT? Can we say hooray the Scooby Doo time is behind you for another winter? Hope so!
The washing machine thing is just the straw that broke the camel's back, get them phoned up today, you really need that as a priority.
Interesting what you say about your role as a person to calm others down. I'm sure you're right......Hope today is a better day, though I know you have a long evening. As for Kim and Aggie, yes they might clean your house but who would want all that swabbing? 
Hi Sparklinglime
Wow that is a lot going on, well done for getting through the days .Hope things slow down soon for you
Hope she sticks to the IT A level if she can as that this a great industry to get into if she can.
Just sent some virtual support across hope you get it .
Thank you very much.
With regards to the IT, I'm hoping the head of year and IT teacher will do all they can to help her here, and not just say "ok".
In theory, after the birthdays, that is it!!
With regards to swabbing, it might buck the children up ... Probably not though.
Calming people down has been my role as long as I can remember. My Dad had an awful, awful temper, and my foster sisters would always be making me keep him in a good mood. This carried on until he died when I was 29 - keeping him in a good mood made life easier for my Mum.
Son's review this afternoon. I don't see how they can help his mood swings, however desperate he becomes, but we shall see.
Thanks again for reading. I just needed to write it all down to see what was going on!
You're always welcome, spakrling lime 
Hi Sparkling, wow and double wow. I needed deep breaths just to keep up with what you've been doing!! I know it is all extremely hard for you, but please, please, take time out for yourself once in a while. I hope your daughter is encouraged by the IT teacher. I do think they take much more notice of teachers than they do parents!! Thinking of you, but hoping that you'll take a minute or two to catch your breath!!
Will be off to the school shortly for fifteen year old's review. No idea if I need to ask for help from mental health team, as when he's in a good mood, he's ok. These black moods though, I certainly don't want to ignore them and find myself in a position where I regret dismissing them.
I feel I actually function better being busy. I used to work 70+ hours a week (six nights and a Sunday afternoon at Tesco at one point, plus a day or two with my friends).
My friend has taken a load of extra work back on this morning.
They should have been paid today... and haven't been. Not good...
Tutor has given me a few extra days to finish the essay, which was my biggest worry, so I can get on with that, hopefully, tomorrow and Sunday.
Good luck with the review
Thank you. They tend to make the right noises while you're there, then son sits there looking awkward... Then you leave and know that nothing will change.
I actually feel that the meeting was promising.
Stuck for a work experience place though, as he wanted to go to RAF Valley, and they've said no...
Oh that's a disappointment for him, bless. How about a vets. He likes animals doesn't he?
No, he doesn't. Daughter and youngest are the animal fans.
I've suggested the local gallery as he's a superb artist. Or the Library. We were discussing this in the review today, so the careers chappy is going to have to put his thinking cap on.
Hey sparklinglime, I love it that you feel you can come on here and just get it all out and even though you literally ask for no support in your topic heading...you get it.
Have you ever been in touch with Young Minds? they have a freefone helpline 0808 802 5544, for parents of children up to 25yrs. I was mentioning them in another post and just thought that you might find them some support, when you feel you are nearing the end of your tether! The line is open 9.30 - 4pm Mon-Fri.
Does your son's school have a work experience list? Where previous years students have been and the company/business have said they would happily do it again? This was a very useful resource at my daughters school.
Did the weekend birthday bash go well?
This site is such an important part of my life Anna, for that very reason. I do know I can drone on though.
The educational psychologist at the review was almost helpful. They did suggest a youth advocacy service, but don't believe that my son would speak to them. They are going to see if the school counsellor will consider seeing him, but as she's only there two days a week, they're not sure that he can be fitted in. I suggested that he speaks to the counsellor and strongly urges that a slot be found in few of his moods.
I've sort of thought up another idea for work experience (school are not helpful at all with this. Daughter has to find a place for two weeks as well). I've chatted with one of the youth club leaders, and I'm going to see if he can get into the local gallery. Worth a go, at least.
The birthday bash was all my youngest wanted, but he has said today that he never wants to do that again. I told him it was good that he tried it though so he knows... Daughter's birthday tomorrow!
Thank you Anna.
Drone away, we love having you on board sparkling.
I hope that your son takes up the offer of school counsellor, however do give Young Minds a ring, they are so helpful.
Good luck with the local gallery, it is such a relief when work experience is sorted, not only for you, but piece of mind for the children.
Happy Birthday to your daughter today, I hope everything has gone swimmingly! I bet you are now feeling thoroughly exhausted! Make sure you get some 'me' time at some point tomorrow 
Is everyone home this week?
AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
That's better.
Oh dear, not going well? xxx
Eldest....
xx
hugs xxxx
AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
Awful burning smell, look like after 5 years and 4 months the electric fire may have conked out. Fifteen year old's face is a picture.
At least it survived Christmas.
oh no, definitely not a good day extra big hugs xxx
Thank you.
Fifteen year old has been feeling sick say the twelve year old.
That doesn't sound like he's caught my cold, that sounds worse...
sounds a little like hatz`s little one was last night xxx
I haven't got time to have a bug. I managed to keep going with this cold. Throat still sore though...
Ignore working well here...
xxx
Oh no, no more bugs, sparkling. When I first read your post, I thought it said "I haven't got time to have a hug" and I was going to reply YES YOU HAVE
Hope today is a better day
Fifteen year old is better, so hopefully...
Eldest was in grovelling mode last night after we had a discussion about leaving the younger two alone.
Lovely and sunny here - so far.
Glad 15 year old is ok Sparkling. How did it go yesterday for your daughter? Really hope she enjoyed herself. What about the electric fire? Has it survived? xxx
She had a lovely time, thank you. I'm so glad.
Fire still in the middle of the living room! I've abandoned it for the essay...
xxx
Have heard from tutor I can have a few more days for essay.
Thank goodness. I can go to bed now and hand the computer back to the 19 year old!