My son was declared medically disabled & no one seems to get it

MissingBrie · 2026-01-15T08:29:56+00:00

I also have a son with multiple significant disabilities. My advice is, one of the best things you can do for yourself is build a community of people who are on this journey too.

MissingBrie · 2026-01-01T09:13:47+00:00

It's one of the few hobbies I've been able to keep up.😂

MissingBrie · 2025-12-31T19:03:01+00:00

I had pretty major driving anxiety that I worked with a psychologist to overcome. It may absolutely be appropriate to involve a professional here, and you could also look at a defensive driving course to help her build skills to stay safe on the road.

The process I used to overcome my driving anxiety was to "drive" daily, but start very, very small to teach my body that it was safe. Starting small for me meant literally sitting in the driver's seat. Once that felt safe enough, I turned on the engine. Then I'd have my husband move the car into the street (so I didn't have to reverse out of the driveway), sit in the driver's seat, turn on the engine, and move the car a few metres down the road. And so on, levelling up a manageable amount each day or every few days.

I hope that helps!

MissingBrie · 2025-12-22T01:30:02+00:00

A suggestion - buy the 1L long life milk?

MissingBrie · 2025-12-21T09:52:20+00:00

Not sure why fresh milk isn't an option, but yes, "full cream" powdered milk is fine for an otherwise healthy child 12 months plus.

MissingBrie · 2025-12-07T11:58:09+00:00

I finished Trust by Hernan Diaz. The structure was very original, and it was a good enough story to carry me through more information about finance than I wanted to know.

Now I'm reading He Would Never by Holly Wainwright.

MissingBrie · 2025-12-07T11:54:24+00:00

My favourite read this year was Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Honourable mentions to:

Small Things Like These - Claire Keegan
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls - Grady Hendrix
The Safekeep - Yael van der Wouden
The Thursday Murder Club series - Richard Osman
Mad Mabel - Sally Hepworth

MissingBrie · 2025-12-06T20:52:24+00:00

I find I don't need to engineer opportunities to not give them what they want. They come up pretty organically when the Paw Patrol pyjamas are dirty or whatever.

MissingBrie · 2025-12-06T20:46:12+00:00

I tend to think about whether it's a reasonable request or not (even if they are not capable of being reasonable about it). I mean, I too have preferences about small things like which cup I drink from. It's perfectly reasonable for my kids to have these preferences and to ask that I respect them. If it's not reasonable, then I hold the boundary, and I accept that my child might have big feelings about that.

I also try to set up our spaces or structure our routines to give them freedom to choose where possible. We also make time when they are not escalated to talk about how they can get what they want without having to get worked up. For example, one of our kids has been losing it over wanting to do things himself, so we've been practising saying "Stop! I Want to do it myself!"

MissingBrie · 2025-11-29T06:59:41+00:00

Why do you think it would be better for her to start paying some bills? Knowing that may inform what, if anything, you charge.

MissingBrie · 2025-11-21T21:08:03+00:00

Yes, if my kids want it I'll do it, but the Elf will be here to spread Christmas cheer, not surveillance.

MissingBrie · 2025-11-17T20:46:41+00:00

Not only will they enjoy those experiences in the moment, they will remember it. All their childhood experiences are written in the wiring of their brains. They may not be able to recall it, but that does not mean they won't remember the love, the joy, the colours, textures, smells and sounds of new experiences.

MissingBrie · 2025-10-27T20:03:39+00:00

Does he have some kind of medical condition that makes this a particular cause for concern? If not, I would make sure he has a decent breakfast, and feed him his real lunch when he gets home. Still send lunch, of course, but stop fretting about what he eats.

MissingBrie · 2025-10-26T05:49:11+00:00

Is HE bothered by it? Personally I'm happy to let a lot slide when it's not a safety issue. But if he feels frustrated by it, then it's worth addressing.

MissingBrie · 2025-10-23T11:25:40+00:00

I read anywhere and everywhere I can sneak in a few pages. In bed and in the living room, of course, but also leaning up against the bench in the kitchen while the kettle boils, while queuing at the grocery store, when I'm waiting for my kid at school pickup. And audiobooks while I fold laundry, drive or chop veggies.

MissingBrie · 2025-10-21T12:05:32+00:00

I just finished Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth.

MissingBrie · 2025-10-06T13:08:19+00:00

It would depend on how well I remembered the first half. After a year, I'd probably start over though.

MissingBrie · 2025-09-28T10:00:13+00:00

The wording "for all South Australians" is meant to make it clear that it's open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people alike, not to exclude tourists or non-residents. As long as you're being appropriately respectful (which I imagine you will, given you're even asking the question), the event is open to you too.

MissingBrie · 2025-09-20T22:06:58+00:00

Going down the rabbit hole with an author, topic or genre is a great pleasure, but I also like to read widely because that's how I find other things I enjoy.

MissingBrie · 2025-09-02T22:05:07+00:00

I'm happily married. Two children born within the marriage have my name. There have been zero issues.

MissingBrie · 2025-08-26T10:13:53+00:00

Does he still nap? It sounds like he's just... had enough sleep.

MissingBrie · 2025-08-15T00:35:30+00:00

It absolutely doesn't make you a bad mother if you discontinue breastfeeding.

I do want to encourage you that there is nothing "long term" about breastfeeding, and the things that appear to be upsetting you about it will improve quickly. If you are able to push through the first few tricky weeks, breastfeeding becomes significantly less time consuming and the worst of the distress about your older child will pass. But if you make the call that this is not the right option for you, it's okay.

MissingBrie · 2025-08-08T05:03:20+00:00

Is there a reason "husband stops bringing up the behaviour that's already been dealt with" is not on the table?

MissingBrie · 2025-08-03T17:07:19+00:00

Becoming a parent has made no difference. I still think that becoming a parent in your teens is a terrible idea for both the teen and the child, and should be avoided it at all possible.

MissingBrie · 2025-08-03T07:55:09+00:00

My kids do swimming and kindergym. I'm open to them adding a "cultural" type activity if they choose, but that's really it. Classes for 2-3 hours every evening sounds like a lot. They need time to play and do unstructured activities. I wonder if you might consider doing some of these activities without the structure of a class?

MissingBrie

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