<p>Heron - Skype...</p>
<p>Skype</a> official website – free download and free calls and internet calls</p>
<p>It's very cool! If your kids' computers have cameras, they can see each other online.</p>
<p>You can check this out first for some background.</p>
<p>It's around $25 for a camera with speakers.</p>
<p>My H is not behaving rationally, I know that. On top of everything else that is happening in our life, my H had a heart attack at the end of March. It's been very hard for the entire family but mostly for him. He's on a lot of medicine and his life has changed forever. It also is hard for me because I am so worried for him all the time. I am trying not to create stress in his life because the doctors think that stress is what caused the heart attack. </p>
<p>But it's a fine line because I need to be there for my D also. She is upset about the move and her dad's health but her dad is having trouble seeing that. </p>
<p>Before anyone says anything, I know we all need counseling. It's hard right now because no one is living in the same city. I've had advice that I need to lay off my H for the time being and let him try to absorb this situation (new job, new city, D going away to college, it is a lot of stresses). I am angry that after the heart attack that the doctors did not recommend counseling. I hear that it is common for people to be depressed after a heart attack. It would be so much easier for my H to seek counseling if the doctors had perscribed it when he had the heart attack.</p>
<p>My H is trying to come to terms with his anger towards his D. It's very irrational and things came to a head during our family vacation. His mother intervened and I think that is why my H is trying to reconcile his relationship towards his D.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to hear about your husband's health, deb. It sounds like you have so much on your plate. I think if I were in your position I might consider a few counseling sessions for myself, just to help me cope. Maybe once you get settled in your new home, you might consider it.<br>
My husband had a heart attack a few years ago, so I know it's hard. They feel very vulnerable after a serious event like that. I don't know the particulars of your situation, but I would say that my husband's life was changed, in a good way, as he is more careful now about getting the exercise he needs and avoiding too much stress. He takes better care of himself. It may take a year, though, before your husband feels really strong and confident again. But chances are, he will.
Best of luck to you and your family.</p>
<p>Deb. Your husband needs counseling. ASAP. For his family, for his health, for himself. Not speaking with his daughter for six weeks means that he has too few tools in his toolbox to use when he gets stuck. It's not a question of immaturity, it's a question of development as a human being. Someone who is carrying that much frustration that he can sustain not speaking to his daughter for that long is a candidate for any early stress-related death.</p>
<p>In fact, counseling may not be enough. He may need an intervention. PM if you want a suggestion for a program to help someone jumpstart that process.</p>
<p>I wanted to add an update. I talked to my H last night and he really wants to work on his relationship with his D. He is coming home this weekend and he will help take her to school. Things seem to be looking up.</p>
<p>best of luck deb !!!</p>
<p>LifeIsShort--A friend's daughter went to the "close to home" college because of a boyfriend still in high school, and she came home every weekend. The mother learned to keep her mouth shut, and also realized her daughter had great anxiety about leaving home period. The D. ended up getting some counseling. Finally after a year it became clear to her D. that college was a lot more fun than hanging out with the boyfriend in her hometown and that chapter of her life closed without too much heartbreak. </p>
<p>My older D. was a RA and she says that a lot of freshmen girls come to school still in relationships with their hs boyfriends, but most come back after winter break without them. My younger D. will be a freshman this year, and she and her boyfriend expect to "stay together" all 4 years despite the 1,000 mile distance. I think time will take care of this, too.</p>
<p>Your son should go, and it might help if he knew that he is welcome to come home as often as practical (and affordable).</p>
<p>Good news, deb!</p>
<p>Thank you KC and everyone! I will let things play out between them. Last year, my s had a bad experience with another gf. She was very popular at her school (homecoming queen, cheerleader, etc). My s went to a private, all boys high school, so she was very different than the other girls he dated. Eventually, she dropped him like a rock. We think she was between bfs and used him. But s was withdrawn, somewwhat angry and despondent for several months after that and we hope that doesn't happen with his current gf, especially when he is a freshman in college at the other end of the state.</p>