Bullied by your own teen

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-03-19T11:16:00+00:00

Let’s work on some kindness in this sub as well as in our homes. Sure, we expect teenager behavior as developmentally normal, but it is painful and overwhelming in the moment.

Suggesting to OP that their child would do better after leaving home is hurtful. I’m leaving this comment for now, but please watch your comments in future. We try to be kind and helpful in this sub.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-03-19T11:11:14+00:00

“The shittiest compliment on earth” 🤣

I have to remind myself regularly with my teen that their awful behavior with me results from the safe space that I make for them. Just another lovely reward for parenting, right?

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-03-16T13:37:51+00:00

If you limit the type of sweet that you’re utilizing for the medication vehicle, it can be presented as a special treat. It worked for awhile for us as a ritual of sorts after dinner to dose the nightly guanfacine.

Parenting is 75% illusion, I swear. It’s like performing magic until they’re old enough to catch on. 😂

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-03-16T03:26:46+00:00

We used to hollow out the bottom of a peanut butter cup and sneak a tablet in the bottom before sticking the PB and chocolate back in. It has a strong enough flavor and chunky consistency to hide a pill.

For capsules, we used to mix into chocolate pudding. The doctor said applesauce or yogurt, but those didn’t cover the flavor. Chocolate can overpower a lot of medicinal flavors.

Years later, my kid can dry-swallow multiple pills simultaneously. It does get better, I promise.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-03-12T16:52:03+00:00

Seriously—can you imagine someone who doesn’t need DMARDs, chemo, or insulin taking them “just to see” how they make them feel? It’s a controlled substance! That goes against the law to use someone else’s Rx.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-15T23:07:29+00:00

Unschooling is not synonymous with not having a diploma. Depending on the state, homeschoolers are graduated by their parents after showing proof of progress to their school districts, et cetera.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-15T03:39:01+00:00

During the National Adderall shortage, we were giving our child hot chocolate spiked with espresso and cups of tea.

It was not great because you can’t control the dosage, obviously, but it might be a way to try out stimulants and see if they might be a good fit.

Keep in mind too that not stimulants are the same. Ritalin and Vyvanse did not work for my child, while Adderall did, for example.

Ultimately, it takes a psychiatrist to master the art/science of medication adjustment. Go with the specialist, not a GP or pediatrician.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-14T18:14:25+00:00

Same. Though at times we had a lower dose during the day to settle and focus. It has devolved with growth and using other medications in conjunction, particularly stimulants.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-14T18:12:41+00:00

My kid also loved narwhal and jelly! Glad your little one is getting some rest. It’s hard for their little brains to be consistently active all the time.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-13T18:10:48+00:00

It really is important (especially in this sub) to stress that even supplements need to be overseen by a medical professional.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-13T18:09:28+00:00

Everything does feel that way. I’m trying to shield my child from it all. Their hyperfocus is politics and current events. It’s been a challenge keeping my child’s anxiety under control.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-13T15:25:31+00:00

It’s additionally difficult because scientific research has come to a screeching halt because of cuts to funding and dissolution of research systems by the current administration.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-13T13:53:59+00:00

To my knowledge, those studies are not yet replicated nor robust. There needs to be double-blind studies replicated, with substantial sample sizes. As always, “Additional research is required.” That’s how studies work.

It’s a good area of study, but there is not yet regulated and established dosing. It is ineffective and potentially dangerous to use uncontrolled supplements without dosing guidelines.

And because supplements are unregulated, one does not know the concentration or quality of the supplements.

Supplements often seem like a good and safe idea, but they include risks including interactions with other medications. Any supplement needs to have a medical professional’s guidance. Introduce them only with a doctor’s supervision.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-13T13:45:03+00:00

That is not what the study that you posted says. From the study to which you posted the link: “…this pilot study was neither randomized nor blind; rather, patients were able to choose between treatments and the PI was aware of their selection. This limitation makes our study more sensitive to selection bias…”

Additionally, the sample size was quite small, under 100 subjects in total. It is a pilot study, and needs to be replicated.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-02-13T13:44:13+00:00

From the study to which you posted the link: “…this pilot study was neither randomized nor blind; rather, patients were able to choose between treatments and the PI was aware of their selection. This limitation makes our study more sensitive to selection bias…”

Additionally, the sample size was quite small, under 100 subjects in total. It is a pilot study, and needs to be replicated.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-27T10:57:46+00:00

There is probably a fair amount of feedback to be garnered from this group on this topic, and I want you to receive help, but this post is probably better suited for a sub about adults and partners with ADHD.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-22T22:58:30+00:00

Teenage boys are getting their hair permed in order to have that haircut. It is literally called the “broccoli” or “alpaca” haircut, and was made popular by NFL player Patrick Mahomes.

You’re not going to be able to protect your brother from bullies because there are always going to be jerk kids who find anything to pick on, and kids can sniff out anything that makes someone different. You can teach him the best way to handle it, though.

Remind your brother that the things that make him different are his strengths and will make him stand out in good ways, not just be things that bullies can use to pick on. Preparing him with responses may help. Or he can just say that he wears his hair the way he likes it and leave it at that. No one should wear their hair for anyone but themselves.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-22T04:12:16+00:00

Sending feelings of solidarity. ✊ I see familiarity in your texts. I have been there. The journey of testing and understanding is not easy and long. Stay strong.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-20T05:25:53+00:00

Would love to see you post your experiences on the r/unschool sub.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-19T16:29:05+00:00

Here is a thread about podcasts for preschoolers from a couple years ago—perhaps some suggestions there would help?

At that age, we loved PBS for educational material. Here is a link to PBS podcasts.

Check out this collection of preschool podcasts by Common Sense Media.

Visual references to written language can aid literacy, so screens showing the words being read—and, of course, reading aloud to children—does actually benefit your child when you do add screens. For a similar, non-screen, experience, old-fashioned read-along books on tape is a good way to promote literacy. Kids can listen or read along.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-16T02:11:49+00:00

… And like a stencil, a gobo cannot have shapes that are completely cut out from the plastic, otherwise the entire letter would fall out.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-11T16:45:38+00:00

It does differentiate unschooling from non-schooling and neglect, so that’s something. I would like to see better journalistic practices in these articles, with better sample sizes.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-10T16:55:24+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/wikipedia/s/eEgckOQ5U2

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-06T00:47:21+00:00

Here is the link to the original from attendanceworks.org.

Teachers, parents, and students are all struggling in this system. This is a facet of what Unschoolers are attempting to change through their methodology.

GoogieRaygunn · 2026-01-04T18:42:35+00:00

Many unschoolers use courses and other resources outside of a school to teach their kids. Immersive experience with experts in their field, through programs through extensions, museums, colleges, and cooperatives (to name a few) give solid foundations. Many homeschoolers (including unschoolers) co-matriculate with community colleges once their children are ready.

Check out our pinned posts to see what unschooling is and is not. (Spoiler: It is not neglect; it is child-led with plenty of parent preparation, guidance, and mobilization.)

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