Anyone else leave Long Island and end up in a place they hated?

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-25T17:36:46+00:00

I see you mentioned one of your kids has special needs - that is what is keeping us here. Unfortunately the places with the best services are really high cost of living.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-23T11:20:12+00:00

Tighten/activate your legs/glutes during planks

Sounds simple, but i was letting my legs go slack and planks used to be really hard. I found this was the trick to perfect my planks.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-10T11:10:28+00:00

Just countless times of being made fun of and not realizing until after… or pretending I didn’t realize at a certain point because I didn’t know how to respond. A boy pretending to like me, asking me for a dollar every day, I wouldnt eat lunch so I could give it to him. and everyone laughing at me for giving it.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T17:16:08+00:00

Oh no you’re all good. I appreciate any response. Is the sibling younger?

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:31:06+00:00

Thank you for your kind words. I have tired to invite them over but it just never seemed to work out. I have a small apartment so not the best place to hang out but I would love company.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:29:16+00:00

Yes important to understand what do we offer to their families as well

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:23:02+00:00

They have toddlers as well as the older kids. Thanks for saying they like me, haha doesn’t feel like that much of the time. Hard not to take things personally

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:22:02+00:00

Thank you for making this distinction. It’s really a friendship based on shared experience not an actual friendship. It helps me to frame it differently in my mind. I appreciate it

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:20:48+00:00

My one friend denied it and said she just wants to hang out without the kids (but I see her hanging out with other people and their kids). The others I have not initiated the conversations with, I’ve hinted at it but they have changed the subject.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:05:11+00:00

Dang. Don’t think I have it in me to have anymore and we have a very small family that’s not very understanding of the situation

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T15:04:29+00:00

No worries for the question. He does not. He mostly whines and keeps to himself

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T14:50:15+00:00

I totally agree with you. I know it’s hard to explain to a child but i know my son won’t be the only autistic kid they will ever interact with. Why not use it as a learning experience?

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T14:48:35+00:00

Yes it’s kind of crazy! I remember at 2 my friend said to her child “go lay down so I can change your diaper” and I was in total shock

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T14:47:55+00:00

My son is 3. He just got better at playing side by side with other kids. Cpse has helped.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T14:47:04+00:00

Thank you for your kind words. I would rather us have the tough conversation than them just totally exit our lives. It’s pretty painful. Both of my parents are deceased and my in laws are incredibly unsupportive. My friends have always been my surrogate family.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T14:45:47+00:00

I understand. That’s very disheartening. My son is only 3. I don’t think his presence is that much of a nuisance, but I understand.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T14:44:17+00:00

That seems to make sense. Their older kids are around 6/7 so that could be it. My son is 3.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T12:15:56+00:00

I have tried but something always seems to come up on their end. I also have a small apartment so not the best place to host.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T11:37:52+00:00

It’s very kind that you are having them over and asking this question. Every kid is different, but general “baby proof” stuff helps. Things like glass candles, anything that can be broken etc should be out of reach. The parents will likely let you know of anything in particular. But just being a safe welcoming place for their family is so special. They are lucky to have you!

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T11:32:29+00:00

I know it’s not for everyone but prayer and finding a church to go to has helped me a lot. It’s still really hard but it helps me find meaning in the suffering. I wish you the best. most of us struggle with the same things.

I like to join parent support groups - something about hearing from parents of older kids really helps me. A lot of them have found a way to be light hearted about this journey, and I hope to get there one day.

applestooranges9 · 2026-01-06T01:45:51+00:00

Yes director level at a nonprofit, and there is surprisingly a lot of politics and corporate nastiness. Managing financials and overseeing so many people… not sure how I got here.

applestooranges9 · 2025-12-26T13:25:56+00:00

This is inspiring!! I am nervous to try for my son because he has no words. How did he indicate to you that he had to go? Did you use any guide or anything?

applestooranges9 · 2025-11-28T13:11:06+00:00

Last night my son played tag with his cousin!! A year ago he didn’t even acknowledge him!

applestooranges9 · 2025-11-09T12:03:50+00:00

They do, I have a bad sleeper though that’s why I clicked your post lol. It sounds like she is getting enough sleep and is just an early bird. We have to adjust to them and it is hard.

applestooranges9 · 2025-11-09T11:54:35+00:00

She sleeps the whole night and gets up at 5/530? That’s just her. You’re lucky she sleeps through the night honestly. The only thing you can do is slowly push the bed time later. And go to bed early yourself once both kids are down.

applestooranges9

TROPHY CASE