Adulting

Adulting is hard. My kids are now both on the adulting track and it's hard not to do everything for them still. I think we parents have as hard of a time adjusting as the kids do.

My kids are both going to college, one living on campus and one living at home. Both are going through a bit of anxiety and have a difficult time with change. Of course, me being their mother, I am going through the same emotions because I closely feel their emotions. They have no idea how much I feel their pain.

This summer has been a difficult adjustment for my youngest and is still that way right now. It's such a tough adjustment. I think he is looking forward to college, but is also nervous. He hasn't been able to get a job because of anxiety. It's freezing him in his tracks.

Yes, he has help.

Additionally, my husband and I have been encouraging him, understanding his limitations. We just want him to be able to get back to how well he was doing in school towards his Junior and Senior years of high school. He had such trials prior to that with his anxiety. 

My oldest is working, is excited for school, but it has been a rough summer for him as well. Adjustments to being back from an LDS service mission, a change in jobs, and troubles with his hip have all struck hard at his anxiety and Asperger's.

​When there is a new event, or when there is a change (especially life changes), those with Asperger's tend to have difficulty adjusting (even when it is high functioning). Well, in addition to those things listed above, my oldest found out that he couldn't room with his old roommate (who just returned from a mission) and would be starting over that way, and his best friend just got married. 

Fortunately, we all see a fantastic psychologist who is an expert in cognitive therapy. I highly recommend cognitive therapy. It changes your mindset, your actions, your thoughts.

Also, medication has been very helpful because part of these disorders are genetic and on both sides of the family. Those who think that it's bad to be on medications for mental health disorders are the ones who are insane. These medications have saved lives, our lives.

Little do people know, I have extremely bad anxiety. People don't typically know because of how I cope. Yoga, walking, being present on social media, being aggressive in business, and seeming outgoing in social situations. Little do people know how much practice has had to go into those situations, or how much time has to go into the exercise part of things. 

I hope that we can move through these adjustments and on to less stressful times and soon. We know this is all temporary. There are phases of challenge. We are working hard at it. Adjustments have been made in every area possible and we are working hard at moving through this so that we can get to the next step in this magnificent life. 

​I am very blessed.