The very last thing I wanted to do this morning was...

[SexyBexy]

get up at 6am and go for my W5R2. Emotionally drained due to issues with eldest daughter (17) at the moment. B U T I thought it would do me good even if I didn't do any running but just walked it instead. 4 legged companion came with me as usual. Laura's cheery voice prompted me to start so off we went and the 2 runs went just fine. Quite surprised myself to be honest. My daughter is quite sporty but I have suggested she come with me whenever she fancies. Doing this means I'm going out regularly Monday, Wednesday and Friday so she can pick and choose. I hope she does!

[pollyp1 Graduate]

Fingers crossed. I find exercise really clears my head, too.

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to pollyp1]

It really does clear the head. Thank you Polly. 17 is such an awkward age! Mind you 51 isn't much better right now either!

[pollyp1 Graduate in reply to SexyBexy]

Wait until you get to 56! I'm finally beginning to know who I am! Quite a ride...

[useitorloseit Graduate]

As the mother of a 17 yr old too, I feel your pain! Currently at uni visit number 9. Last one. Give me strength. ...

Glad your run went well - sometimes when you least expect it, a good one just comes along

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Oh my, we've done a few uni open days too but not as many as that! Wow good on you. I am sending strength! We're opting for an art foundation year but next June can't come quickly enough. We will need a lot of strength over the next few months.

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to SexyBexy]

Dodgy DT teacher is making our choices harder. Predicted grades are iffy. She leaves on maternity leave at Christmas so my son's got to get his act together with the help of the old teacher they're bringing back from retirement. Stress!

[Fat_stab Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

When I was a kid looking at uni options, all I got from my parents was a lift to B'ham station with cash for the tickets. No internet then !!

But due to poor results ended up some where completely else!!

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

And have you found yourself thinking about places to run? I did! Was certainly a weird 18 months or so.... (can't believe it hasn't quite been 4 weeks since it ended...)

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Well done, get out there for your 'me time'. Sounds just the thing for you.

Nice that you have invited your daughter along, hope she gives it a whirl.🏃🏼‍♀️

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Thank you Jacs. Being a parent is the hardest job I have ever done but also the most rewarding...... just need to remember that.

[Fat_stab Graduate]

The number fof times I really had to force myself to go out at lunchtime at work, but as I run past the security gates, I am already glad I forced myself to go...

Even if the run isn't brilliant, you feel better (most days) for it.

So well done for you Bexy

A

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to Fat_stab]

A It really isn't as bad as the imagination lets you believe and once you're out of the door or past the security gates it's usually so much better. Thank you

[orchards Graduate]

I find running is a fantastic stress buster. My sympathies re the daughter issues - I remember that time with ours all too well!

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to orchards]

It's good to know you're not alone in the unfathomable depths parenthood can be. And I'm hoping she straps her trainers on one morning as jogs along!

[SlowWorm2016 Graduate]

I've got a 17 year old as well. Fun, aren't they?! As for uni visits, we just let him get on with it himself, except for the Sheffield visit, because we are both Sheffield graduates and I wanted a trip down memory lane, plus Big Son lives in Leeds so I wanted to see him too.

I hope things settle down for you and that she will have a run in your company. She will know you're there for her, whatever happens

[SexyBexy Graduate in reply to SlowWorm2016]

I hope so SW'16. I think the whole transition between school and college is proving a hard one to navigate. It's a new phase, a new chance to so many things which can be overwhelming but not insurmountable.

[Razouski]

I sympathise with the daughter thing. My two daughters are now 20 (just) and 22, and they could be really draining when they were in their teens. They have both mellowed with age, or maybe I have !

[SexyBexy Graduate]

Yes, time will tell and I'm keeping calm even though things are quite hard for her. BUT we have help and things to look forward to which are all good.

[Irish-John Graduate]

Understand completely. I have four. Two still at home. Youngest daughter looks right through me unless she needs the car, youngest son communicates with grunts. Oldest boy and girl were exact same at that age (16/17) but now, just a scant few years later think Dad is a national treasure. As for uni, my helpful advice and support was/is making it clear they have a number of choices after age 18. Uni, military, job or penitentiary. As for running? It is the one and only darn thing I absolutely can do without any reliance on anything or anyone else, I love doing it and i only need my shoes and pants to do it so I never let anyone spoil that for me.