I am a single parent with two teenagers. I love my kids more than anything, and have gladly lived my life around them. I also admit to saying some pretty awful thngs to each of them a few times (never mind the amazingly awful things they have said to me). As we talked about later when the tears and anger subsided, when a person is very upset, the ability to 'think before you speak' (one of our rules) often fails. Example--My daughter really did hate me at the moment she said it after being grounded during school vacation. A few minutes later, however, she did not, and was very sorry. So I forgave her, because I love her. It really isn't up to us to forgive Baldwin, that is between him and his daughter. It is up to us to remember that unpleasant words fly between family, friends and co-workers all the time (and any parent who denies EVER saying something they later regretted to a child is in denial). The thing is that few us 'matter' enough to have our private conversations leaked to press.

I was in tears as I read your story. How awful for your entire family, and wonderful that thru your loving perseverence and the far-reach of the internet you have been able to receive some help.

I too have a story. At 17 my son was on his way to becoming a violent emotional train-wreck. He had been growing somewhat depressed thru-out his teen years, but I had thought(and been advised by family) to let it go, it was a phase. As time went on he retreated to his room, sleeping most of the day, listening to music at night. He said he had another person living inside him, and it was that 'ghost of himself' who would appear. His face, his voice, his stance would change and he became increasingly more angry, destroying his and others' property, punching holes in walls and doors. When his violence grew to hitting his younger brothers and pushing me up against the wall with his hands around my neck, I knew I had to do something.

He was brought to our local psych hospital, where he was diagnosed as bipolar. Treatment was started, but it has been a long road. Many, many meds have been prescribed, doses altered, combinations tried. Different therapists, one who said to let him do what he wanted and deal with it when he was calm (!!).

Finally, we found a wonderful man who patiently searched and waited until my son was ready to listen and who taught him how to conquer that voice and work to control himself. A med manager who wasn't using him as practice for every new med that come in his door, but instead prescibing only well- tested, appropriate drugs-Abilfy among them.

My son is not yet, or may he ever, be where he would like to be. However when I look in his eyes I see the boy I raised, struggling at times but not living in hell.

I am so sorry that the system let you down. Both our families were fortunate, but it should not have been so hard. The mental health 'industry' is not always at it's best, nor does not always function in the best interest of the patient. With this many horror stories out there, it's time something is done to monitor these practices.

Good luck to you.

palacemuse wrote

"Dear Trent Reznor,

It's not supposed to be "easy.""

I'm guessing there is a clever, sarcastic point here.

I only wish I knew what it was.

When you do something well, and often, it becomes 'easier', less a tortured process. Reznor would typically spend years producing, remixing then scraping material, cursed by a need for perfection and a fondness for video games and drugs. As he has grown older, it appears he has mastered several demons, and learned how to enjoy making music again, at a self-satisfying speed. The music has gratefully changed- I loved 'Pretty Hate Machine' but the evolution of 'The Fragile ' was necessary. Obviously some fans don't like the new stuff, but some of us do. If making music has become less painful and complicated, which is what I think he meant, then good for him.

==Yep. Gotta love it when teenagers act like teenagers. Or at least when reviewers don't fact check and act like grown women are teenagers acting like teenagers.==

I think she's talking about the characters.

you're not a jerk. You are, and recognizing it doesn't make it better .

Articles such as yours that put an inflammatory position out there for no reason other than to get a rise out of people, trot out your storied past, and oh right, mention how much effort these wonderful athletes put in every day serve little purpose. You could have praised them all without bringing your condescending attitude to the table--but you honestly seem just as proud of that as any athletic ability.

I played tennis in high school and college. Chronic wrist injuries kept me from continuing further, however I follow the sport enthusiastically and yes I tell my daughters "I played tennis", because I did, and no ego-driven semantics-obsessed jounanlist is going to tell me otherwise.

Being a gymnast, and being an Olympic gymnast are decidedly different. However, participating in a sport in any form, gives a person a fondness and appreciation for it that is indeed special, something you cannot take away, whether it is for controversy or humor.

After you Google her, go to YouTube--you can watch the videos of her, that she apparently posted herself, under the named ChalkedUp--the title of her book.

Self-promoting just a tad, here and there.

He'd be better off without you. Seriously.

As was stated-Cary, you do go on...and on.

Many of us Northerners think so too.