It's been quiet here lately, so I thought I'd break the ice...
I took an online job working from home.
I am passing up on a better choice and a relocation package to Olathe.
Two boys (12 & 14): one is on board with the move, and one isn't.
There is a fine line between being held hostage by your kids and doing what's in their best interests.
In the last 18 months:
Lost their Mother on 2/26/23
They moved in with Auntie when I relocated on 4/23
They moved back in with me on 6/23
Lost whom we thought would be my next partner, giving them a "mom" and a brother. 7/23 (got drunk behind the wheel, and sideswiped a guard rail with my car and kid in the rig, ended it that weekend)
Their sister moved out also in 7/23
landlord sold the house, new zip code change, Nampa to Caldwell, 10/23
Dad decides to back OTR because he can't afford life; they move to Portland with their older sister on 1/24
They hate Portland, come back on 3/24
I, Dad, got a DUI ( on 1/11 and lost the CDL job I had on 4/10 when I gave notice (sentencing was supposed to be in May). Instant destitution sets in, and they go back to Portland (Mariah is stable); we relocate to Mullan on 5/24.
They arrived at my house here on 8/24 and are so happy to be home on 8/24
DUI sentencing 8/24, loss of license 8/7/24, loss of roommate who is taking me to work on 8/24. Back to no job
Remote job pops up (it's maths; I think this will be an okay choice for me) 8/27
A relocation package and a job that takes me back to my preferred and tenured career on a car lot arrives 8/30
At what point do I step back and go: "Man, they just need stability and substance; they are in a public school with a 6:1 student-teacher ratio, 1/2 mile from the house; no CRT curriculum, none of the studies will convince them it's okay to lob off their peckers, become a furry or identify as a toaster- this is probably Nirvana."
Nirvana:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/o6LASLhkjEHPPHFn8(town we actually live in)
Other neighboring towns celebration two weeks later:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3uVhHK8ScPkFvWqBAMore of my town, the fireworks were a 5 figure privately funded show, here in town:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TNS3jd9Ju9cp68vu5I guess that point was today, and I have elected to stay.