Sleeping too much

I think you're far from the only one @Former-Member. I think my kids got it from WH .... and I strongly suspect this e.d. Is his way of trying to keep a handle on something that is flooding emotionally inside him at the moment .....

Even when we do get to diagnosis, I think part of the treatment plan for him will always involve exercise .... just nowhere near what he is doing now .... same way he probably needs a general eating / sleeping routine etc, which is what I am hearing many of the forumites learning in therapy .... it's all about environmental regulation supporting self-regulation ....

What WH has going on appears to be that, but to an extreme that has stunned even those who work with e.d.'s .... that's what tells me there's something out of control going on inside .... more doesn't always equal better .... and he's got no regulator on what is helping him to dull the pain or fear, whichever it is .... same as it was for the workaholism, which in hindsight was probably masking this same pain or fear, as was eating himself to oblivion ....

Can you try scheduling yourself a daily walk, of at least 10mins, but up to 30mins if you feel up for it, and see whether it moderates your roller coaster ? It seems to me that tension results in adrenaline, and that in turn needs to go somewhere ..... walking might help regulate that for you and either prevent or reduce build-ups .... particularly when you have a full weekend of commitments, emotional ones especially.

I do the reach for the STARS and you might land on the MOON

@Appleblossom

Yeah .... that's the way I learned it .... 😊 .... but when I went looking for a quote image I got this version and others instead ....

How you doin' girlfriend ?

Thanks @Faith-and-Hope

Just had a singing session with my son.

I am glad that he is getting back into the swing of things .. has busked 2 days running and done a load of dishes.

That's sounding positive ❣

Dont know whether I've told you .... my five play piano .... nowhere near your level .... but I feel the connection with you, Tawney, Decadian .... have piano playing in my house every day .... 😊💜

Part of my S2 getting his feet back under himself was deciding to take his piano far more seriously. I did piano lessons from 6yo and it was a hateful slog through theory, scales, dull boring and sooo dry basic tunes, repeated in a brain numbing regimen for three years, before we landed in an outback town with no piano teacher - thank God .... I knew piano didn't have to sound like this.

When we inherited the family piano, I asked a teacher to come to our house and teach the kids to play whatever they wanted to learn, beginning with very simple pieces, but ones they knew the sound of .... themes from movies like Titanic, Disney stuff, Fur Elise .... she did as I asked, finding the simplest versions of things to begin with, and the kids loved it .... thrived on it .... and learned the technicals and theory according to the pieces they wanted to learn to play, which became increasingly more difficult.

I haven't got my head into the right place to go back and take up piano again, but I can't tell you what a joy it is to have them come and sit to play, without being chased to it at all.

S2 has decided he wants to study piano seriously, and has embarked on scales and theory with his teacher, practicing pieces for piano exams. His playing comes clearly through my bedroom door. I think of you when it does ... 😊

Hi @Former-Member .... 😊💜

That figures @Faith-and-Hope

I know a lot of people with enough money hire teachers to come to their houses. I did it in the first year .. but the agency was taking 50% ... and I had to travel from place to place

I also know how cunning a parent might have to be to get their children to practise .. hmmm

How old is S2 ... what are some of his pieces ?

I have ambivalence about the whole music scene ... I love music piano and teaching ... I do not have ambivalence about everything ... but I think you can guess from my back story ... why ...

@Appleblossom

We have had two teachers now ... both working for themselves, so no agency fees involved ....

Sure beat trying to get five kids to piano lessons, for different lengths of time, and not necessarily all fitting into the same after-school afternoon .... it was easier for the teacher that way too, and the child not in the lesson could get in with other homework while waiting. I would have always been at piano lessons otherwise I think ....lol ....

S2 is 21yo .... I know his pieces by sound, but haven't asked for their names .... just enjoy hearing him play .... he's practicing 2-3 hours a day.

Piano is a form of O.T. for D2, so that took out trying to fit in that sort of therapy as well, while operating like a single mum. She's playing two-handed, and has been reading music from the outset ... plays duets with her teacher too ... 😊

Music has wonderful OT aspects.

Your son playing 2-3 hours pd is significant .. ask him what his pieces are ... WAPA is supposed to be good ...

I dont play or practise much atm due to neck and carpal tunnel flare ups ... just enough to keep me musically grounded.

Also have stopped teaching ..

Due to piano power games with mother .. it is good to have a bit of a break ... go back to it later

My issue is that I am a bit confused ... about the singing .. I was going for early music .. but that is a different kind of sound more mellow less operatic . .. I dont actually know what I sound like ...

I guess I should tape myself ..

That would be one way to work it out @Appleblossom.

Have you considered auditioning for community theatre musicals ? That would give you the chance to explore the medium perhaps ?