tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364037875298989283.post2859332526744268287..comments2023-07-21T04:02:52.436-07:00Comments on All Aboard the Crazy Bus: A Lesson On Resiliency and A Parent's Nightmare- Part OneMcKeatingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07261016528723063602noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364037875298989283.post-82204254471507264512012-11-08T09:48:16.580-08:002012-11-08T09:48:16.580-08:00Wellthatwasdifferent-
Wow, I am so glad for your ...Wellthatwasdifferent-<br /><br />Wow, I am so glad for your comment here. It really got me thinking! Thank you. Our kids figuring out how much is too much (of anything) is inevitable, I agree. <br /><br />I guess because I come from an AA family I have built in concerns about my kids drinking before they are old enough to really understand the risks. <br /><br />My question would be why are they drinking? Any of us...why do we? Do we need a drink or a cigarette? Coping habits can be formed when dealing with stress or trauma without even realizing it, then add to that the addictive quick fixes and BAM! Say hello to hungry new dopamine receptors (hungry for more of the same). Any of us could be in a mess before we even realize it- especially true for young people who are still working on impulse control and have crazy hormones/brain chemistry anyway. The stress is real, the risks are real, the peer pressure is incredibly real, and alcohol and whatever else is very available= very high risk for substance abuse/dependence. <br /><br />So where is the balance? Enjoy a drink with dinner? I do, thank goodness it's not a major thing for me. Drink only when it's a happy occasion and our d. receptors are already being fed by happy endorphins? Sounds plausible? But honestly, I need to research it more. I am not sure where the lines are but I know for families with a strong genetic predisposition toward addiction that the lines are most definitely different. <br /><br />I just know that the happy/productive life we we all want to live becomes impossible when we're overly focused on our next drink, party or "fix" of any kind. That is not want I want for my kids or myself- or anyone I know for that matter. <br /><br />Thank you for giving me your perspective and experience. It sounds like you have really solid kids who are blessed with self-control! :) <br /><br />L- <br />McKeatingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07261016528723063602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364037875298989283.post-5668957361706219182012-11-08T07:58:41.921-08:002012-11-08T07:58:41.921-08:00Hello Brian and Jennifer,
Thank you for writing ...Hello Brian and Jennifer, <br /><br />Thank you for writing in but more than anything I am grateful for your friendship and encouragement. We need you guys to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we gear up for another Crazy Bus adventure! McKeatingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07261016528723063602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364037875298989283.post-81002157336914566372012-11-04T00:56:29.209-07:002012-11-04T00:56:29.209-07:00I am the parent of a 17 year old in Vienna, Austri...I am the parent of a 17 year old in Vienna, Austria and yes, the kids party. However, they also partied when I was 17 years old in Nashville, Tennessee! The difference is that the drinking age here is 16, which means that kids do not have to sneak around. They can go to a bar and have a couple of beers, just like an adult. None of them drive, because the public transportation is so good. Big plus.<br /><br />My son did have one night when he overdid it and his friends called me to come pick him up. But, the kid is 17, after all. We were not shocked at all--we were just happy that it happened in a relatively safe way--no driving, responsible friends who called us, etc. He was really embarrassed and hasn't done it again. So, I consider it to be a valuable (and inevitable) lesson learned.<br /><br />FS kids do have a reputation for behaving more maturely than there US-raised counterparts do when they get to college. I would not say that my son is incredibly mature, but I do know that when her goes to college, he is not going to go bananas just because he can easily access alcohol for the first time. My daughter is currently in college, and she tells me that stricter the parents are, the worse the kids behave once they get away! think it's much better to model mature behavior for them and give them a chance to practice acting like adults before they get thrown in the deep end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-364037875298989283.post-57948076744752816892012-11-03T19:52:20.427-07:002012-11-03T19:52:20.427-07:00Wow! I'm on the edge of my seat here! Because ...Wow! I'm on the edge of my seat here! Because we have family who live near an MK international boarding school, and their kids attend there, I've seen some of the kinds of stressors you mentioned in them and I can see how this could result in the image above. I'm also interested because we have considered working with one of those schools which would mean not only working with kids going through this, but having our kids in that same environment. I'm completely tracking with your mixed emotions here...can't wait to read part 2!Brian and Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05201373418074624115noreply@blogger.com