Matthew Garcia2 said:Some of those music programs have specialized preschool tracks, though you still end up needing an audition right after that stage anyway.
The whole audition process usually works like this: they sing a song of their choice, then they have to match the pitch the instructor plays, and finally, they clap out a rhythm the instructor taps out for them.
mellowskipper said:I suppose I’d start by looking for a music school that’s practically in your backyard. If you enroll him—assuming he's at an age where that makes sense, of course—having it close enough so he can just head out there on his own would be ideal. It’s more about that long-term independence, I guess.
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We’re living over in Savannah, so I don't even know which one would be the most convenient for us; I'll have to do some digging... for now, though, he definitely won't be able to make the trip by himself.
Hey fellow parents, I've been noticing my son is getting really obsessed with the keyboard lately, so it got me thinking—where’s actually the best place to go to figure out if he’s got a genuine knack for it or if his musical ear is actually worth pursuing? I mean, is there a specific music academy, a certain instructor, or some kind of specialist I should be looking for to see if this is just a phase or a real talent?
urbanharbor15 said:I used to smoke too—back when I was still living with my parents, our favorite thing to do was sit out on the balcony, sipping coffee and lighting one up after another. My smoking habit lasted about eight years, but I quit just twenty days after my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer, and honestly, it’s been four years now since I last touched one, and I don't even miss it. But what I really mean by this is that if my mom hadn't gotten sick, I probably would've kept smoking like a complete idiot. It feels like in America, or generally throughout much of the world, it's just such a massive part of the lifestyle, isn't it? It's incredibly hard to quit when everyone around you is doing it. Now that I'm living on a different continent, things are totally different; here, smokers are looked at like second-class citizens. You can go an entire week walking down the street without seeing more than a handful of people having a cigarette, and besides, cigarettes are insanely expensive here—under these circumstances, staying smoke-free is so much easier.
I'm wishing nothing but the best for you and your mom, and I hope you get so many more wonderful years together!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart... if only I could just take her with me to the ends of the earth...
Robin Diaz4 said:Right after my dad got his diagnosis, he quit smoking immediately, and honestly, I found myself getting angry at him just for ever having picked up a cigarette in the first place. He wouldn't even touch that disgusting beet juice—it was just revolting. I was getting mad over the stupidest little things, but if I’m being real, I was actually just lashing out because of the whole situation; it was all too obvious that I was going to lose him.
That anger you're feeling? It’s completely normal. A few more cigarettes aren't going to save or destroy your mom. Quitting smoking adds a massive amount of extra stress to an already impossible situation, so if she wants to keep smoking, let her. People have already told you this, but please, look after yourself too. I know how incredibly hard this is, and I don't want you to end up like me, where the stress eventually makes you sick as well. You are going through one of the most stressful periods a person can endure, but instead of letting that anger take over, try to just cherish every single moment you still have with her. With my dad, we used to make him laugh by bringing up those silly childhood stories we had conveniently "forgotten" back then, and looking back, those are some of my most beautiful memories...
I mean, I realize quitting won't actually cure her, but at least maybe she could breathe a little easier... though, I don't know, I guess I've already let go of that thought. We spoke on the phone today; she's heading to the Jordanovac clinic tomorrow for chemo, and she tells me, "Honey, buy me a cute little hat, the guys have no idea how to pick one out." All her hair is gone... I've been crying all day, waiting until the kids aren't home so they won't see me break down. I'll keep crying until tomorrow so I don't have to cry in front of her, because I'm just terrified of who's going to call me "sweetheart" once she's gone...
Donna Reyes11 said:On Wednesday, I took my mom to the hospital, and after she got some IV fluids and medication, she perked up just a little bit, though it was incredibly brief... She had breakfast at the hospital on Thursday, and then she fell asleep... forever. Her heart finally stopped beating on Saturday morning. Surprisingly, I’m feeling quite calm. Honestly, I’m actually grateful for the pandemic because it gave us the chance to be together almost constantly for two months... In normal circumstances, you could never afford to spend that much time with her—just having coffee every day, sharing breakfast, watching "Married at First Sight" over lunch and dinner... all that time we spent mostly just being home together... the kid wasn't going to school, so he was home with Grandma doing homework and playing chess... I did my crying a week ago; I said my goodbyes, told her everything I ever wanted to say, heard everything I needed to hear, and in the end, I gave her permission to find peace, to let go, and to leave us. In the end, there wasn't even any pain; her body simply couldn't hold on anymore. Safe travels, dear Mom. Reach out to us every now and then so I know you're looking out for us!
My deepest condolences. I'm sitting here crying just reading this, because when I look at all of you, I see how much this illness makes us all the same, even though we are all so different... I truly believe that our loved ones reach back out to us. I remember when my grandmother passed away, I received a text message saying everything would be okay, that it just had to be this way... It felt as if she were the one telling me, or someone else entirely... it was sent by a friend who knew my grandma was in the hospital... the timing of that message was exactly when my grandma passed, except back then I didn't know yet; the hospital called me in the morning. I kept that text for a long time, but one summer, my phone went absolutely haywire, turning on and off randomly, and that message was wiped out forever... and that was the very same day my purse was stolen. To this day, I believe my grandma was trying to tell me to stay safe... so please, your mothers are watching over you, and they will definitely find a way to let you know.
urbanharbor15 said:If my own experience can offer you any solace—it’s been a little over two years since I lost my mother to the exact same cancer, and she was a lifelong smoker. During her illness, I found myself being incredibly bitter; I’d get so angry at her, and even though I tried my hardest not to show it, I was just boiling inside. Now that she’s gone, that anger has faded into nothingness. I don't have any more "why" questions left; I'm slowly starting to find peace, and occasionally, these wonderful memories of her surface (she had such an incredible sense of humor). I think you're in the thick of it right now because every single day you're confronted by the damage those cigarettes caused and how much her health has crumbled, and subconsciously, you're bracing for the loss—which is terrifying, and that's exactly why the anger is there. It’s completely normal to feel this way. And one more thing that is absolutely vital—please, don't forget to look after yourself, both physically and mentally. Being a caregiver is exhausting work, and I really suggest you find even just a tiny sliver of time every day for something that has absolutely nothing to do with cancer, sickness, or hospitals. That was what saved me when I felt like you do; I started running, eating better, and I’d put on some music while walking the dog just to break out of that heavy atmosphere.
Thank you! Honestly, I used to think it was just my mom, but no—she was an addict. A total addict! There are so many people in America and all over the world dealing with this, yet nicotine addiction is always pushed to the sidelines while drugs and alcohol get all the attention. I honestly cannot wrap my head around why we don't do more regarding prevention, treatment, and psychological support for people struggling with tobacco. The current approach seems to be just telling people to quit on their own at home, which is incredibly difficult. I mean, I can barely force myself to work out alone at home—it's so much easier when you have a trainer cheering you on, isn't it? So how on earth are you supposed to tackle something this massive by yourself? Unfortunately, I don't live with her, so it feels even harder since I'm in a different city while my brothers are there with her... I just hope I can eventually reach a point where I can accept that this is simply how things have to be...
urbanharbor15 said:I totally get where you're coming from; I had those exact same questions and felt that same surge of anger toward my own mom. At this stage, trying to force her to quit smoking would be pointless—it wouldn't help her physically, and honestly, the mental toll would just break her. You have to accept that everyone has their flaws, and you really need to try to make sure this resentment doesn't end up poisoning your relationship with her. Let her know how much you're struggling, but try not to point fingers. Just focus on spending as much quality time together as possible. It's a hard truth, but one day you'll give anything just to hear her voice for a second, and she won't be there anymore... Hang in there. ❤️
Thanks, I know all of that deep down... I'm the one who needs to change, I suppose. I have to find a way to preserve my memories of her without all this bitterness and without drowning in these endless "why" questions that I'll never actually get an answer to...
My mom is battling lung cancer, and it’s already been a year since the diagnosis... they told me she wouldn't even last that long, but she’s tough, just like all mothers are. Honestly, none of these medical findings mean anything to me anymore; I can see her fading away right in front of my eyes. She can't swallow, she's losing weight so fast—she's down to 43 kg, it’s absolutely devastating... and yet, she still smokes. I know quitting won't save her at this stage, but it feels like she's just throwing away those extra few days we could have had together, you know? Why? I can't wrap my head around it. I find myself getting angry, yelling at her, and then immediately breaking down in tears... Does she not love us? Doesn't she love herself? She tells me to just leave her alone, but how am I supposed to do that? I'm a fighter, and I only have one mother... I catch myself thinking about death because I know it's looming close, yet I try to ignore it because she’s my mom and it just doesn't feel like her time yet... damn those cigarettes!!! I dread every single phone call when I'm not by her side... I only have my people to keep me from losing my mind, but I feel like I'm wasting away day by day... I see so many others going through the exact same thing, trying to find solace in someone else's pain, but in the end, the ache we each carry is so uniquely sharp, so incredibly deep...
Hey everyone, my mom was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma. Based on her mutation profile, she doesn't qualify for any of those targeted therapies, so the doctors are pushing standard chemotherapy instead. My big fear is that she’s going to refuse it all because she lives in a different city, and honestly, even just making the trip out to Chicago is an exhausting ordeal for her. I know we aren't looking at a long road ahead here, but does anyone have any insight into how much time might actually be left if she chooses to skip the chemo? I'm asking based on the experiences of anyone who has dealt with a loved one deciding not to go through with treatment...
stormygardener28 said:It honestly drives me crazy that I end up staining every single shirt I own with food; I suppose it’s just because my stomach makes it impossible to lean in close enough to the table while I'm eating.
Hahaha, I am totally with you on that one, 🤦
I don't know about all you lovely ladies out there, but this is my second pregnancy and every single time—and I mean every single time—anything I pick up just seems to slip right through my fingers and hit the floor.🙂 Like, wtf? It's like I suddenly developed two left hands or something.😵😵 I've pretty much stopped bending over altogether; now, as soon as my husband gets home from work, I just tell him where the thing I dropped is and make him grab it for me.🙂
Hannah Lewis2 said:Clumsiness just drives me absolutely insane! I’m constantly dropping stuff—it’s like my hands have a mind of their own. Yesterday, half the groceries slid right out of the cabinet; thank God the olive oil bottles didn't shatter everywhere. And don't even get me started on how much effort it takes just to bend over and pick things up! 🙂 Honestly, at this rate, I’m just going to stop picking things up off the floor entirely and let my husband deal with the mess once he walks through the door... 😢
God, if I actually listened to myself, I'd realize my husband already thinks I'm breaking things on purpose just to give him a hard time.😂
Nancy Jones2 said:Honestly, Sveki drove me absolutely crazy regarding baby names during both of my pregnancies. 😠 First time around—we were discussing what to call the little guy, and I suggested John, only for her to chime in with, "Oh, I think Luke sounds so much prettier." Okay... and? 🤷 Then the second time, which is actually right now—we’re talking about names for the baby girl, I suggest Sarah, and she’s back at it again: "Wouldn't Petra have been better? I love that one." It's always the same thing; like, okay, and? WTF?!?!?! 😠
I honestly just lost my mind over this kind of thing.😠 Why on earth should anyone care what I decide to name my son? I really don't get where people get the nerve to think their opinion actually matters in a decision like this, or why they assume anyone would even value their input.😕
rustybison19 said:The way you're describing him makes it sound like he read some "macho man" garbage about pregnancy and now he's trying to sell all that nonsense back to you. I feel like I've heard those exact same tired lines somewhere before... Tell him to pick up a book written by someone with an actual brain.
My husband wants to "help" and clean up, but then it's always on me to go behind him and fix it. It drives me crazy when he sweeps the floor—he won't even pull the broom and rag from the corner toward himself to actually collect the dust; he just swishes it back and forth and ends up shoving everything into the corners, under the bed, or against the baseboards.
As if I can actually control him😍 I am genuinely fascinated by how men, with perfectly functional eyes, don't perceive the same amount of dust as we do? Like, for me, ten little crumbs on the floor is enough reason to grab the vacuum or a broom, but for him, it takes a thousand crumbs before he even considers touching them😲—and even then, he won't do it immediately because once I say that one disgusting word, I lose my mind... UGH😠
I’ve got this nagging feeling stuck in my head that over in the States—and I can't even remember which specific state, honestly—if a pregnant woman commits a crime, she might actually be able to use some kind of "hormonal instability" defense, much like how a mother dealing with postpartum depression might get a pass.😉
Edward Rodriguez4 said:🤷 Maybe if I snapped back at him once in a while, he’d actually give me some credit! 🙂 But man, it spikes my blood pressure for like five minutes, then I just move on... though yeah, obviously it's my fault for letting it happen. Sometimes when I read about these women online who have husbands that are all romantic and sensitive, I look at my typical American guy and I swear I could kill him with a heavy frying pan. But whatever! You just learn to live with it 😁 If I'm being totally real about it, sometimes I'm the one who snaps first for no reason, and sometimes it's him. My issue might just be that I go nagging him at the absolute worst times, so then he loses his cool... who knows. If you ask me, it's all just social frustration. He's out the door by 6 AM and doesn't get home until 7 or 8 PM. His shift technically ends at 4, but all that extra stuff he does doesn't get him paid... and then he walks in to find a pregnant wife dealing with a total hormonal meltdown... 😍
As long as you love each other, right? 😍 Oh please, everything we say is always at the "wrong time" for them; we women just talk constantly and pretend we're listening, and then afterward, we don't have a clue what was said, when, where, or why!!! Being socially agitated seems to be this universally accepted excuse everyone uses nowadays, because let's face it, being tolerant is hard work, whereas it's much easier to just be pissed off and claim "that's just how it is." 🤷 But don't let them get to you—you're doing fine (all pregnant women are). And seriously, regarding that "hormonal imbalance" thing, you should basically be legally protected as an emotionally unstable and unbalanced individual if necessary. 🤣
Edward Rodriguez4 said:Man, I just got chewed out myself a few minutes ago because apparently I "need to get away from him since he wants to sleep."😢
You strike me as a really lovely, sharp-witted woman, but honestly, your man could stand to be a little more considerate, don't you think?🤷 Why on earth are you just letting him talk to you like that? I get it, he’s tired, we all get tired, but that is absolutely no excuse to act like a complete jerk, right? Seriously, what is actually going through his head? Just because someone needs a nap doesn't give them a free pass to be disrespectful. Is this really how we're playing things now?
Ugh, I seriously lost my mind today. What is actually wrong with people lately? Are we just becoming an incredibly rude society or what? So, I’m sitting on the bus, and of course, at one stop, about fifty grandmas pile in, creating this massive crush, and I’m just sitting there fuming. Look, I’m not exactly shoving my belly out in their faces to demand a seat, but for crying out loud, I am six months pregnant! It isn't exactly a secret! I’m just sitting there, waiting for one of those poor souls to start something—not even one of the sweet ones, but some loud, entitled woman who decides to be downright obnoxious and snaps, "Are you really not going to get up for me????" I just stared at her, completely deadpan. NO!!! And she just stands there with her eyes wide like I’ve lost it, asking, "No?!?!?! Why not?" And I just calmly, almost lethargically, replied, "MAYBE BECAUSE I'M PREGNANT!!!!"
Honestly, my day started out with such a ridiculous moment right downtown. I ended up tripping and landing right on my butt, and this absolute gentleman was there to help me up. He even stood up for me on the subway, but since I was only going one stop, I just gave him a quick thanks... then he gets off at the same stop as me, and there I am, juggling two heavy grocery bags and sprinting for the bus, and he actually offers to carry them for me too.🙏 I made sure to tell him how much it warms my heart to see that there are still decent, kind people left in the world, and he just smiled and said, "Well, we still have a few old-school types left,"👍.
Then, of course, the bus pulls up absolutely packed with teenagers and college kids, and I scramble on, only to have everyone staring at me like I just dropped in from outer space. They can clearly see I'm pregnant and loaded down with bags, yet not a single soul even thinks about standing up to give me a seat.😠😲👎 My back is absolutely killing me today because, look, usually if I'm only traveling a couple of stops, I'm the type who might actually lose it if someone doesn't offer me a seat, but what happened on that bus today really set me off. It just made me think back to that gentleman and his genuine, old-fashioned manners.👍
And here we are, pretending we belong in the European Union when we clearly lack even the most basic sense of decency. Who would even want people like us among civilized society? We act like a bunch of uncultured peasants who just want hand-outs and entertainment, expecting money to fall from the sky without lifting a finger, all while having zero respect for actual culture or etiquette.😕