Summing it up


This isn’t our summer. We knew if before it even started.


Sure, we had a busy, fun-filled week with our visitor, and have plans—many plans—-coming up that whisper of escape and sun and splashing and laughter.

But, when one child is suffering, we are all suffering. Even if we smile and laugh and splash.

We now have a diagnosis after an exhausting, tear-filled Wednesday: social anxiety, with a side dish of separation anxiety. Not terribly uncommon among adolescents, though not so extreme for most.

The bad news is it won’t go away on its own.

The good news is we have a plan to move forward that includes lots of outside support from people not so emotionally attached as we are. In other words, people who can deal with this without crying (yeah, hi, I’m a crier).

I just know I’d give just about anything to have my smiling girl back.

Photobucket
Summer is calling.

Comments

  1. Tania - Chicky Chicky Baby says

    You are amazing and wonderful and all that good stuff. She is one lucky girl to have such loving and caring parents. I hope your journey is not too difficult.

    Love to you all.

  2. Tania - Chicky Chicky Baby says

    You are amazing and wonderful and all that good stuff. She is one lucky girl to have such loving and caring parents. I hope your journey is not too difficult.

    Love to you all.

  3. Julie B. says

    ((HUGS)) That's all. Just ((HUGS)). You all of you.

    Love you!

  4. Julie B. says

    ((HUGS)) That's all. Just ((HUGS)). You all of you.

    Love you!

  5. Mama Goose says

    Sending you all strength to get through this. You will all be stronger in the end.

  6. Mama Goose says

    Sending you all strength to get through this. You will all be stronger in the end.

  7. Boston Mamas says

    Sending huge, huge hugs my friend. Having just returned from day camp drop off — where I had to pry a sobbing Laurel's arms from around my neck — I totally get it.

    It *will* get better. Hang in there.

    -Christine

  8. Boston Mamas says

    Sending huge, huge hugs my friend. Having just returned from day camp drop off — where I had to pry a sobbing Laurel's arms from around my neck — I totally get it.

    It *will* get better. Hang in there.

    -Christine

  9. Maya is a lot younger and the manifestations are different but one of her main challenges was (is) also anxiety. There is SO MUCH they can do to help kids with anxiety issues these days, things that really do work.

    I hope a brighter future isn't too far around the corner for your bright shining girl.

    xox

  10. Maya is a lot younger and the manifestations are different but one of her main challenges was (is) also anxiety. There is SO MUCH they can do to help kids with anxiety issues these days, things that really do work.

    I hope a brighter future isn't too far around the corner for your bright shining girl.

    xox

  11. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. It's such a tough age. You're doing the right things. Lots of hugs!

  12. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. It's such a tough age. You're doing the right things. Lots of hugs!

  13. Issas Crazy World says

    Oh honey. Huge squishy hugs. You are amazing and she is too. i know you guys will figure out how to help her.

  14. Issas Crazy World says

    Oh honey. Huge squishy hugs. You are amazing and she is too. i know you guys will figure out how to help her.

  15. Oh Christina – I'm so sorry. I was hoping things would be better by now. I am glad you have a plan and are getting help. I hope this will all soon just be a memory.

    The pain when our children hurt…it's nearly unbearable.

  16. Oh Christina – I'm so sorry. I was hoping things would be better by now. I am glad you have a plan and are getting help. I hope this will all soon just be a memory.

    The pain when our children hurt…it's nearly unbearable.

  17. She does still smile. She did today when she ate one of my homemade marshmallows, that's for sure. She will continue to smile and laugh. There are just moments that will make her (and you) feel like those moments are far, far away.

    Many have commented how your eldest is much older and wiser than her years. Perhaps she has developed big girl worries ahead of schedule as well. Nonetheless, she is lucky to have parents who are brave and bold enough to get her any help she needs instead of just hoping she will grow out of it. This, too, shall pass, and you will all be better in the end.

  18. She does still smile. She did today when she ate one of my homemade marshmallows, that's for sure. She will continue to smile and laugh. There are just moments that will make her (and you) feel like those moments are far, far away.

    Many have commented how your eldest is much older and wiser than her years. Perhaps she has developed big girl worries ahead of schedule as well. Nonetheless, she is lucky to have parents who are brave and bold enough to get her any help she needs instead of just hoping she will grow out of it. This, too, shall pass, and you will all be better in the end.

  19. Suburb Sierra says

    I'm happy you now know – and sad she is still struggling. I agree with Mrs Q., she does have a soul wiser than her years. Time. Love. Optimism. Hang in there. Love you all lots!!

  20. Suburb Sierra says

    I'm happy you now know – and sad she is still struggling. I agree with Mrs Q., she does have a soul wiser than her years. Time. Love. Optimism. Hang in there. Love you all lots!!

  21. Oh my heart breaks for you and her. I'm sorry.

  22. Oh my heart breaks for you and her. I'm sorry.

  23. Also a bit of a side note…that picture of her is beautiful. Although not smiling (which is sad), you can almost feel her emotions through the picture.

  24. Also a bit of a side note…that picture of her is beautiful. Although not smiling (which is sad), you can almost feel her emotions through the picture.

  25. Chemomama says

    I am sorry that you guys are going through this. I know you'll get through it. Toughness is a family tradition, take it from Auntie Nancy. BIG HUGS…Love you all so much.

  26. Chemomama says

    I am sorry that you guys are going through this. I know you'll get through it. Toughness is a family tradition, take it from Auntie Nancy. BIG HUGS…Love you all so much.

  27. Loads and loads of good thoughts for you and your girl and all of you. You've got answers, so I'm sure the solutions are coming your way. I'm sure hoping they come real soon.

  28. Loads and loads of good thoughts for you and your girl and all of you. You've got answers, so I'm sure the solutions are coming your way. I'm sure hoping they come real soon.

  29. Christina,

    I'm so sorry to read about your family's struggles. As everyone has already said–you are an amazing mama, but having a child hurt is unbearable. You will all get through this difficult time and emerge stronger and closer.

    I'm keeping you close to my heart and wishing for only the best of things. Take care of your sweet girl–we'll all be here whenever you need us! 🙂

    Jessica xoxo

  30. Christina,

    I'm so sorry to read about your family's struggles. As everyone has already said–you are an amazing mama, but having a child hurt is unbearable. You will all get through this difficult time and emerge stronger and closer.

    I'm keeping you close to my heart and wishing for only the best of things. Take care of your sweet girl–we'll all be here whenever you need us! 🙂

    Jessica xoxo

  31. jerryberry says

    hugs and good karma are sent your way. and I'll wave my magic wand too. take strength in the support of lots of people.
    xoxoxoj

  32. jerryberry says

    hugs and good karma are sent your way. and I'll wave my magic wand too. take strength in the support of lots of people.
    xoxoxoj

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  1. […] of you may remember my summer two years ago (otherwise known as “The Lost Summer“) when our confident, friendly, outgoing daughter morphed into an anxious, angry, isolated […]

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