Luth, I think it's that we, as parents, are more educated now and that our society is more open to Learning Disabilities. When I was growing up, you never heard of Ritalin, Adderal or any of the other meds out there. (I've talked to my own mom about this & my siblings and I were all probably ADD/ADHD.) Actually my nephew is ADD & his psychiatrist told my sis that she was ADHD, just by watching her behavior! I remember my sister having problems concentrating during school (K or 1st grade) because it was boring to her (she later skipped a grade). When our little bro's IQ was tested, it was just a few points from genius. But he's killed all his brain cells now with illegal drug use. Maybe if the resources available now had been available 30 years ago, things would have been different for him. (He did & still does fit into almost every category for ADHD.) I'm the parent of two tween girls. My oldest was diagnosed as being ADHD when she was 4 months into Kindergarten. She had severe behavior problems at school (climbing on the tables, under the tables, talking over the teacher, much more). After she began treatment for ADHD, there was an apparent difference. We (her doctor, her teacher & I) had a very good relationship though it all. She had dealt beautifully with her ADHD for several years & then WAM! Puberty! Actually her teachers last year didn't even know that she was ADHD until I mentioned it. (She's not currently on a 504 plan.) She's always had an extremely large vocabulary. By the time she was in 2nd grade she was reading on at least 5th grade level. She's now in 7th grade & is reading on 11-12 grade level. She's always been exposed to as much as I can expose her to. She's been taking music for the past 4-5 years. (She started on piano, but also taking clarinet & is 2nd chair on her Junior High band.) They both have picked up some foreign language too. (I took German a few years ago & they practiced with me. I've also had to purchase French tapes for them.) Now, my little one (age 10) is quietier than her big sis, but she's also got a HUGE vocabulary. Her school tests reading comp every 6 weeks & hers was 1026 on the Lexile table this past week. She's been reading above 9th grade for the past 2 years. Her teachers last year told me that she would have been in the Gifted/Talented program except that she's TOO quiet! She's taken violin since she was 5 & decided this summer that she wanted to learn flute too. Good luck with your soon-to-be little one.

This is an old thread but a goodie. coxfamily, I think you'll be very happy with your choice. When the last kid moved out of my parent's house back in the early 80's, my parents sold their 2400 square foot house, and bought a 3300 square foot house on 2 acres. Then they renovated and added a master suite that added an additional 800 square feet of space. My parents spent almost 30 very happy years in that house (it was a one story), hosting lots of get togethers and Sunday night dinners with all the kids and grandkids. Holidays too. My mother loved having land and not seeing her neighbors right in front of her. My DH and I just sold our 3 BR/ 2 BATH 1901 square feet condo and are building a 2870 square feet house. The majority of the space is on the main floor, but my studio and the guest bedroom/exercise room are upstairs. I'm already in my early 60's and just in case, we're building the house with an elevator. However being slightly claustrophobic, I have no intention of using that elevator to get to my studio, unless absolutely necessary. Why are we going bigger? Well DH wanted a room of his own and we wanted a larger entertaining space that is more indoor/outdoor space. And when kids come to visit, there's enough room to spread out without being on top of one another but not so much space that its unwieldy. We don't need lots of bedrooms or even large bedrooms, but we wanted more public space. Technically we have two bedrooms, the master and the guest bedroom, but my large studio will be a third bedroom when needed and if it's ever really needed DH's study can be a fourth bedroom.

Thanks for the well wishes ... I am in a state of shock I guess and reality hasn't hit me yet ... still no diagnosis or plan for recovery ... it will not be an easy journey. I assumed when she was asking for me to give them ride in the morning she was going to drop them off early in the morning ... but by the end of his conversation with her he agreed to let them come to the house ... mind you he has been heavily medicated .... SD22 lives with the BF but she comes here weekly for money for this bill, that bill, gas money, have daddy fix her car change her oil .... etc.... she does not have the same mother (as the other 3)... her mom has been MIA since she was 4. I recently found most of this out ... because she was demanding something and pushed him to his breaking point so he let it all out what hes been doing the last year since she moved out ... giving her extra money for her car insurance ... told him he is to write down how much he gives her and next christmas you will get an invoice .... I also told him this was a one shot deal .... they are not coming here with out you being here again there is no point they are not "visiting" with me unless I want them(boys only) here. Hopefully he is home by christmas if not we will have dinner and open presents at the hospital. I do not want SD here without dad around, the boys are different I was not pleased they were here but they did everything they were told with out complaining ... I think they knew I would have blown a gasket. Her excuse was more of my issue afraid they will fight .... teach your children not to fight give them real consequences if they do ... don't bit$% at them just start taking $hit away.... take everything away let them earn it not reward bad behavior. Parent them instead of trying to be their buddy. yes yabber good to see you ... how are the girls?

Oh gosh. When I read the title of this post I was wondering what comments were going to be made.....I didn't move out until I was 26! I started work right after high school graduation, worked a year there, then got a better paying job, bought a house when I moved out at 26, and retired after 30yrs. You know I'm always hesitant to let people in on the fact I left home so late. I think the suggestion to SAVE money should be right up there at the top. I didn't make much money at either job and the last one not for years, but I wished I'd put a little away. It would have helped so much. You get tired of eating lima beans and rice every night.