Mom Support Group
- Raven Ambrose
- Jul 26
- 11 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
What do you do when you have a difficult child?
Do you have any stories about unruly children? These could be about your own kids or those of others.
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I want to share my story, our experiences at the different place, and how we ended up where we are now. It's a tough task because it means thinking about my own journey and also the experiences of everyone who's been with me along the way.
As I get ready to share, I think it's important to dive into the details of what we've been through together, pointing out the moments that have shaped us and the lessons we've learned. Every story is a mix of emotions, challenges, and wins that together show our resilience and hope. I want to highlight the importance of our time here, the connections we've made, and the support we've given each other during tough times.
Changing how someone thinks takes making a lot of mistakes to figure out what's right. This journey of growth and change is rarely straightforward; it's often full of setbacks and slip-ups that teach us valuable lessons. Each mistake shows us something new about ourselves and the world, helping us get closer to understanding and acceptance. It's through trial and error that we begin to untangle our thoughts and beliefs, opening up to new perspectives.
Plus, every situation is totally unique. What works for one person might not work for another, and this variety of experiences is what makes our support group so important. We all bring our own backgrounds, struggles, and insights, which makes the conversation richer and helps us develop a deeper sense of empathy. As I get ready to share my story, I realize how important it is to honor these individual stories while also weaving them into our shared experience.
In the end, my goal is to create a space where being vulnerable is okay, and where our collective wisdom can shine. By sharing our journeys, we not only empower ourselves but also inspire others who might be facing similar challenges. It's this spirit of collaboration and understanding that I want to bring to the support group as we keep moving forward together on this complex path.
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Roller Coaster Ride
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Our journey has been a wild ride, full of surprises that have really tested how tough and committed we are. We're juggling the challenges of managing two different households, each with its own ideas on how to raise kids. This often leads to clashes, making it tough to create a stable and loving environment for our kids. Going through every major event since he left the facility and everything that’s shaped him would take ages, but I’m happy to share how this journey has changed me.
I might bring up some things that are new to you, but don’t worry, I’ll explain them when the time is right. Let me take you back to the moment that kicked off my transformation: it started when my mom unfairly sent me to jail. That was a huge wake-up call. It made me face some tough truths about myself and my past. I realized, with a heavy heart, that I was starting to act just like my mom—something I had always hated. I've never hated her; I have just hated that she isn't the mom I've always needed, and isn't . This realization fired up my determination not to repeat her mistakes or continue a cycle of dysfunction.
I want to have a relationship with my kids that’s full of the connection and understanding I always wanted with my own parents but never really had. I’m aiming to break the mold and create a loving, trusting, and open environment. But I have to say, this change didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a slow process with lots of challenges and a steep learning curve. Every change means adjusting and figuring out the right path forward, often feeling like I’m in uncharted waters.
To give you an idea, imagine working at a company for 20 years and then suddenly facing a buyout. You’re used to the old ways, and switching to new ones can be overwhelming and confusing. Adapting to these changes takes time, and you learn what works and what doesn’t, often by trial and error. Similarly, my journey has been about making adjustments as I try to redefine my role as a parent and a person.
In recent years, there have been many events that have really changed my perspective. Each of these moments has been a push for me to reflect and grow, making me rethink my values, beliefs, and how I interact with my kids. These experiences have not only shaped my understanding of parenting but also strengthened my commitment to breaking away from old patterns. It’s an ongoing journey, full of ups and downs, but each step brings me closer to the relationship I dream of with my kids—a relationship built on mutual respect, love, and understanding.
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Altered Perspective
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Becoming a hospice nurse totally changed how I see life and death in ways I never expected. In jobs where you deal with death a lot, people go through big changes that shape how they see the world and feel about things. These changes can be good or bad, depending on your personal journey and how strong you are. For me, it’s been mostly positive. I’ve realized life is not just short but also super delicate, and our bodies are pretty fragile. The idea that death is far off fades as we get older and see losses around us. I used to think people couldn’t change, but I was wrong. Change is possible, and I’ve seen it in others and myself. The key is wanting to grow and having the motivation to do it. You can’t really fix someone else; change has to start from within.
Instead of thinking "I can't," I’ve learned to ask "why not." This mindset shift has been huge for me. I realized I needed to change myself before expecting others to change. This wasn’t just about my growth but also about my relationships. It wasn’t just me who needed to change; my husband, his dad, his stepmom, and my kids did too. We’re all learning to see things more positively. I’m teaching them to understand our role in the consequences we face and how to move forward constructively. I want my kids to know life isn’t always fair, no matter how old they are, and I don’t want them expecting fairness all the time. What does fairness even mean? My idea of fairness might be different from theirs, and if I could, I’d remove that word from their vocab. I’m showing them more love and compassion, trying to listen more, respond kindly, and judge less. The more I do this, the more it becomes part of who I am.
When my son has emotional breakdowns, I try to stay calm (most of the time, since I’m human too). Even when we both get upset, I see these as learning moments. Parents can get overwhelmed too, but what matters is how we bounce back. My son has learned to apologize after he calms down and thinks about what happened. Working on yourself is a daily thing. If we get lazy, we can make excuses and fall back. As parents, if we don’t try to stay kind and understanding, things can slide backward. Our kids watch us closely; they learn how to treat others by watching how we treat them. This isn’t just about one person; it’s a team effort involving all parents and caregivers. By creating an environment of love, patience, and resilience, we can make a nurturing space where both we and our kids can grow and transform.
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Things Are Always Changing
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One reason I enjoy blogs is the convenience of revisiting and adding more content when new events happen or fresh ideas come to mind. The ability to return to a previously written post and enhance it with additional thoughts or experiences is incredibly valuable. It allows for a dynamic form of expression that evolves over time, reflecting not only personal growth but also the changing landscape of life itself. Just now, my eldest son, who has a delightful sense of humor, showed me three amusing video bloopers that had us both in stitches. As we watched the clips, the laughter came pouring out, and I found myself laughing so hard that I was in tears. These moments—filled with joy, spontaneity, and connection—are what truly matter in life. They serve as reminders of the simple pleasures that can brighten our days and strengthen our bonds with loved ones. The laughter we shared not only lightened our spirits but also created a cherished memory that I can later revisit in my blog, adding layers of context and emotion to the narrative. This blend of humor and heartfelt connection exemplifies why I value the blogging process so much; it is a canvas for capturing life’s fleeting yet precious moments.
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All Living Beings Deserve Life
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If there's one thing that really gets under my skin, it's when people kill innocent animals just for fun. The idea of taking the life of a defenseless creature just for the thrill or to hang a trophy on the wall makes me really angry and disappointed. I can't stand it when folks hunt just for sport; it drives me nuts to see such a lack of respect for life. The fact that someone could enjoy the suffering and death of another living being is not only disturbing but also says a lot about our values as a society. Hunting for sport often goes against the respect and care we should have for the natural world. It's just not okay to put personal enjoyment over the well-being of innocent animals that deserve to live peacefully in their homes. These actions don't just affect the individual animal; they mess up ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and can even lead to species becoming endangered. Plus, the excuses sport hunters give—like saying they're helping with conservation or wildlife management—don't really make up for the moral issues of what they're doing. There are so many ways to enjoy nature without resorting to violence or killing. Things like wildlife photography, birdwatching, or simply soaking in the beauty of untouched nature can help us connect more deeply with the environment and promote a more ethical approach to conservation. In today's world, where we're more aware of animal rights and environmental issues than ever, it's important to push for practices that respect and protect all life forms. Sport hunting should be called out and criticized, as it shows a troubling attitude towards nature and the creatures living in it. We need to work on building a sense of empathy and responsibility towards all living beings, recognizing that every creature is part of the complex web of life that keeps our planet going.
I'm hanging out at my sister's place, which is just a couple of hours from my home. It's been a great little getaway from the usual grind, and we're making the most of it by camping out in our cozy camper parked nearby. The vibe here is super chill, with nature all around us, creating the perfect setting for some quality family time. One of the coolest things about this visit has been spotting a stunning Orbweaver, or Garden Spider, that spun an amazing web in my sister's outdoor shower. The web was a real work of art, glistening in the morning sun and showing off the spider's incredible skills.
This morning, over breakfast, my sister, brother-in-law, and I got into a chat about moving the spider. They needed to install a new shower head, which meant the spider and its web had to be relocated to get the job done smoothly. I was really impressed by the spider's handiwork and wanted to find a way to keep its home intact while also helping out with the shower project. But just as we were figuring out what to do, my nephew dropped the bombshell that my son had killed the spider.
I rushed downstairs to see what was up and, sure enough, found the poor spider squished on the ground, its beautiful web destroyed. It was a total bummer. Things got tense as everyone started blaming my oldest son for the whole mess. When I asked him about it, he denied everything, which wasn't shocking since he's got a knack for dodging responsibility. He claimed it was an accident, saying a ball accidentally hit the spider while he was in the shower. The other kids backed him up on this story. But I soon figured out he had actually taken a basketball into the shower and aimed it at the spider on purpose.
I was pretty upset about losing such an innocent little creature that was just minding its own business. When I shared my feelings, my son ran off to my husband, accusing me of being "overdramatic" about the whole thing. That hit a nerve, especially since he's known for being dramatic himself, like just two days ago when he got all worked up because his 8-year-old sister was chewing an apple too loudly. It seemed pretty minor compared to the death of a living creature.
I couldn't help but think that if my son could get so upset over something as small as noisy apple chewing, then my feelings about the spider's death were totally valid. In that moment, I decided I’d embrace being "overdramatic" if it meant standing up for innocent creatures. The Orbweaver hadn’t done anything wrong; it was just living its life and contributing to the ecosystem. Losing it, especially because of someone who should understand the value of life, really hit me hard. I think it's important to teach our kids empathy and respect for all living things, and this whole incident has made me want to talk more about the importance of life, no matter how small. Hopefully, we can all learn to appreciate nature's beauty and the importance of living in harmony with it.
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Hard Choices
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I just can't wrap my head around how teens spend their money. It often leaves me scratching my head, trying to figure out why they make the financial choices they do. In a world where understanding money is more important than ever, it seems like a lot of teenagers are spending without really thinking about the consequences. The way they choose to spend often seems totally illogical.
Seriously, how can a kid decide to get surgery to change their body when they can't even make smart choices about simpler things in life? It makes me worry about their ability to think about long-term effects versus short-term wants. Changing your body is a huge decision and needs a level of maturity and understanding that many teens just don't have. This highlights a bigger issue: the gap between the impulsive nature of being young and the big decisions they sometimes feel pressured to make. It seems like they're not ready to handle such life-changing choices.
Can someone explain why my son blows his whole paycheck at Dunkin Donuts? This question keeps popping up at home, and it still baffles me. He's supposed to be saving for a car, which is a big deal that would give him freedom and mobility. At 16, he should be excited about driving, but he won't even start by getting a permit. His lack of motivation to save for something that could really improve his life makes his spending habits even more confusing.
My sister lives in a place where food deliveries are super expensive because it's far from the city, and living near the beach only makes it worse. Yet, my son doesn’t seem to get how his spending affects things. Just yesterday, he spent OVER 50 DOLLARS on 50 munchkins, a breakfast sandwich, and an iced coffee. 🤯 The extravagance of such a breakfast is mind-blowing, especially when he could’ve had a great meal with all the breakfast food and coffee we have at home. This morning, he did it again, dropping over 30 dollars on another sandwich and coffee. It's like he doesn’t understand the value of money or the need to budget.
My sister and I have plenty of breakfast food and coffee at home, so I keep asking myself: WHY?!?! Why choose overpriced takeout when there are perfectly good options at home? Is it about convenience, wanting to fit in, or just enjoying eating out? Whatever it is, it seems like the lessons about saving, budgeting, and making smart financial choices are getting lost in the appeal of instant gratification. As parents, we try to teach these values to our kids, but it feels like an uphill battle when faced with such confusing spending habits.
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Lists
Books
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Songs
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Movies/Shows/Documentaries
Super Nanny
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