<p>I was a lot like the OP's D in high school. I was very "average", had few interests(of course no vidieo games then!) and cared so much about my friends liking me that I would not express any opinions of my own.
Something happened to me when I went away to college- I started to develop my own personality which I wasn't able to do living at home with my family ( Who were always very supportive by the way-)
I have had a very happy life- marriage of 25 years, two great kids in colleges they love, had a chance to see some wonderful places in the world- and have many interests (acting, art, reading) I haven't set the world on fire with a prestigious career, but I have had some interesting jobs and was able to be a SAHM for quite a while. I'm still "average" but I am very happy!
Many people are just late bloomers- sometimes we expect too much from kids!
I do think that Linda would benifit from talking to a therapist to deal with her feelings- that's always helpful!</p>
<p>Linda,
Thank you for the info regarding therapy dog work. I'm glad you've been able to do that every week. But why do you feel that 30% is such a small number that you need to stress how small it is? To me, 30% seems like a lot--many volunteers would be happy to even help one single individual. You do good work. Have you been a volunteer for long?</p>
<p>Linda,</p>
<p>May I suggest you cultivate a "glass half full" outlook instead of a "glass half empty" one? :)</p>
<p>If you really have trouble with the concept, therapy may help.</p>
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If you really have trouble with the concept, therapy may help.
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<p>Mommusic, it will be so greatly appreciated if you could elaborate a little more on how could therapy help here? </p>
<p>Like OP, I had so many nice people on CC told me that I need therapy (the mean ones said I am beyond therapy). I have seen some actings of therapy on TV but I just could not comprehend what a therapy could help in real life.</p>
<p>I can't diagnose you from a distance, nor am I familiar with the field. From what I understand....a therapist can help you sort through your feelings and understand why you think the way you do, and change your outlook if that is what you want. Your problems may stem from loss of a spouse, excess worry over your daughter, the future, money....</p>
<p>Or they may advise you to seek medical help (anti-depressants?) or other treatment. It's up to you to change if you want to.</p>
<p>Let me add that, contrary to commercials for "happy pills" on TV, no one is happy all the time and people have a right to be worried, moody, sad, or whatever.</p>
<p>But when your state of mind colors your outlook towards your child so you are disappointed that a perfectly wonderful, intelligent (but not "brilliant") girl is "merely average" I would respectfully suggest at least attempting to alter your outlook by whatever means necessary. Can you see this?</p>