<p>We’ve done the midnight movie thing once in a great while. I believe one time it was a school night (maybe the last Harry Potter movie?) The kids still went to school the next day. We made sure there were no tests or major projects due the next day. My kids sometimes tried to go to school when they were far too sick to be there because it was a “can’t miss” day so I trusted their judgment on whether they could do the midnight movie without an impact to their grades, etc.</p>
<p>Creekland, so glad noone was hurt, hope the fix is cheap n quik
Would love to give you S14s car this morning. Son lost driving privileges for a week for not being a family team player last nite
…trying to decide who’s getting punished more, him or his parents!</p>
<p>We usually keep the midnight movies to summer but wouldn’t forbid it-he knows his schedule best
I am so sorry about the accident. Ds drives a beater car also but it would be a tough adjustment to go back to giving him rides. (Especially on these cold mornings when I would have to scrape the frost)</p>
<p>Creekland - I am so sorry to hear about your son’s accident. After you get over the initial scare and assessment that everyone is indeed alright, moving on to dealing with the repairs and logistics is such a blasted headache. When funds are spoken for (even if that ‘spoken for’ is savings) you can’t spend it twice. There is an impact and adjustments have to be made. I hope the estimate comes in on the very low end.</p>
<p>29happymom - That about describes the car we have for our kids to drive in hs/home on college breaks. It’s an old Volvo with high mileage. Not flashy, but reliable and safe.</p>
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<p>I agree there!</p>
<p>We actually had to adjust to driving him around again this past summer when middle son went to college. Youngest has had his Driver’s License put on hold for 6 months due to getting epilepsy as a teen and having to get that under control. He only got his permit back (from on hold) in Oct. Just Wednesday I was contemplating having him sign up for his test as he was driving very well. Last night’s accident changes that even though it was just a stupid mistake. Adding him to “real” insurance (from permit insurance) will be a bear now. He’ll probably need to add in the Driver’s Ed driving class at school (already had the book class).</p>
<p>So, I’m going from thinking we could retire soon (again) from being taxi drivers to wondering if that will ever happen - AND potentially needing a new taxi if the old one gets sent to the graveyard. I am glad we kept the old car for him to learn on. Originally, we were never supposed to have our taxi driving job back as he was eligible for his license back before middle son left - IF the epilepsy hadn’t come on. (Juvenile onset - first seizure was last April - in France - on a school trip. That was “fun.”)</p>
<p>I think my hair is becoming far more gray than expected…</p>
<p>I DO remember you posting about this in the cafe’ Creekland. It took a while to get a Dx because he had to exhibit symptoms at the Dr., not just when you were with him. And they are so subtle…almost staring into space, so they can be missed easily. Oh, that does complicate things. Sending ((((hugs)))) and my vice of the season, a Venti Caramel Brûlée Latte. I have to ration ahead for the calories, but soooo worth it. :)</p>
<p>Creekland, sorry to hear about the accident - glad to hear everyone is OK. This just brought out the worst fear I have right now with my 16 year old son wanting to start driving. So far, I only let him drive when I or Dad is in the car. I am going to try to keep doing this for as long as possible. I gues I might just will be a texi driver (or rider) for the rest of my life!</p>
<p>So glad no one was hurt, Creekland. That’s always first. But soon after comes the expense and the inconvenience of having to reinstate the taxi service!! Hope the estimate is on the low end of the scale.</p>
<p>And I agree with you about seeing movies a few weeks after the opening. I prefer a bit of space and breathing room! But my kids are all about the energy and anticipation of midnight premiers. This time we compromised … no movie last night at midnight, but a sleepover and a showing tonight. (Those mom-taxi services at midnight are really expensive) :)</p>
<p>Eeek Creekland. Chiming in on the “glad no one was hurt” but sorry for all the hassle you guys may have to go through with the car.</p>
<p>One nice thing about a small town is that you can see movies on opening night, and it’s busy, but not a nut-house. (You don’t need to – and can’t – buy tix in advance or anything.) Midnight on a school night – I’d probably veto for S2, but I would have let S1 if he felt he could handle it and still be on-task in school the next day.</p>
<p>Mr. Rogers offers this advice when talking to our children about the senseless tragedies in the world:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”</p>
<p>I will hug and hug and hug my children tonight.</p>
<p>Here’s hugs to everyone affected by today’s tragedy in CT or elsewhere <<<>>>, and I’ll freely admit that a shiver runs through all of us at school every single time something like this happens.</p>
<p>It does keep our “problems” in perspective, but not the way I’d like for it to happen.</p>
<p>PortlandiaParent: I saw that quote today too and love it. Because, when it comes down to it, there really are many more helpers than not.</p>
<p>Oh that’s very good. Thank you, PortlandiaParent.</p>
<p>Thanks for that quote, PortlandiaParent. A helpful perspective.</p>
<p>And I’m very glad your son is okay, Creekland.</p>
<p>Things can happen so quick! It is scary. Our community has been praying for a young man (graduated from my DS’s high school last year) that had fallen off a 100 foot cliff last weekend. Most never survive the initial impact. This young man was still breathing when rescuers arrived 4 or 5 hours after the fall. I prayed that there was a reason that he survived that fall. Now it seems the reason he survived was to be able to donate his organs a week later. He is currently on life support while there is no activity in his brain while they wait for all the drugs that had been given to him to get out of his system. So sad for his family. And so sad for all the children in CT and their families. Sometimes things just don’t make sense.</p>
<p>I’m glad your DS was unscathed, Creekland! And hope the vehicle can be repaired for minimal cost - and quickly!</p>
<p>Congrats to those still getting the great PSAT scores. Great opportunities for those kids!</p>
<p>Today is S’s birthday – 17 on the 17th! </p>
<p>I asked him if he wanted to bring cupcakes to school. He grunted no, but I detected a little smile there.</p>
<p>^^ Enjoy the day!</p>
<p>Only 3 days until my middle son (college freshman) comes home… we’re all looking forward to it. We’ve even saved the Christmas decorating and cookie making to do when he and S14 are both here. That’s just me getting nostalgic…</p>
<p>Oh beadymom, What a tragedy for that family. Objectively we know his organs will save and improve the lives of many, but that does so little to soothe the gut wrenching loss his family is going through.</p>
<p>I have had to keep the TV off as local news here is national news. I did see Presidents Obama’s address in CT last night and thought it was very moving. I lost it all over again when he spoke the children’s names individually. These were babies. Mine children are all older now and I love and adore the young men then have grown into, but it’s no secret I love little ones. I’m the weird lady at the grocery store that will gawk at your baby or toddler and ask how old they are. I’m the one who plays peek-a-boo in the check out line with kids I’ve never met. I miss having little ones. I have no idea how you go on from something like that. I am a person of strong personal faith, but speaking honestly I don’t know if that could get me through.</p>
<p>As the rest of the nation, I pray for peace for families who lost their children, the families who lost loved ones fighting to save the students, and a community that will struggle to heal.</p>
<p>Happy birthday to Class of 2015’s son!</p>
<p>I think if I asked my son if he wants to bring cupcakes on his 17th birthday he’d say yes :)</p>
<p>Too much tragedy to bear sometimes. I ache for all the families who have lost a child or loved one.</p>
<p>Oh, Classof2015 I’m sorry. In my down-mood post I forgot to wish your son happy birthday. We have to celebrate the happy things!! 
I know all of mine would have accepted the cupcakes. Not a proud bone in their bodies when it comes to sweets, lol!</p>
<p>Creekland, my S2 comes home tomorrow so I can share your excitement. He’s a second year and we only have him home for three weeks this year due to an earlier Jan start date and a late exam. Last year we had a full month. Truth be told he did get bored. He’ll be working full time at the internship he’s had for 3 summers. He’s going to be rushing in February so in the event he pledges the $ will come in handy. The bank of mom & dad covers TR&B, he’s responsible for books, spending $, and fraternity dues if he chooses greek life. His school has second sem rush, which I like. As an e’school student he just wasn’t sure about the time commitment last year, and he’s a little reserved so the idea of ‘selling’ himself during rush was a bit intimidating. As a second year student he’s much more confident, will choose more wisely, has three exceptionally good semesters under him, so we feel confident if he chooses greek life he’ll make the right choice for him. His father and I were both greek (drastically different systems, mine low key, his dad in the south), so we weren’t opposed but were very glad he waited.</p>