I guess the good part is, sometimes those folks can learn and break that cycle. If no one ever taught me about nutrition, or cared if I did my homework, where would I be?

I think it is, unfortunately, a pretty common thread. How are you doing now—assuming you’re an adult? The one thing I don’t get to do is keep track of my clients once cases close. I’m always left hoping they get out into the world and make a better path for themselves.

Her work is extremely important, so I hope she can continue. Social work has to be one of the toughest jobs out there...if you’re doing it to actually support families. So many caseworkers I deal with have power issues, want to be in control, are awash in white privilege and can’t see it, have their own mental health…

I feel defeated at the end of many days, but keep going back. At some point I know I need an exit strategy. Glad you found yours, fellow traveler!

Thank you, that’s very kind. Wasn’t fishing for compliments, so this is a pleasant surprise. I appreciate it.

I agree 100%. We revictimize them routinely. I hate it.

Depends on the child. I don’t have exact figures, but it can actually be quite lucrative. If the child has extensive mental health or medical needs (any kind of “special” need), the price really jumps. Get six special needs kids in your home...and that becomes your source of income. The vast majority of homes are…

Agree 100%.

Attorney here, working with families involved with child welfare. I represent parents and children, and all my clients are indigent. This is so incredibly spot-on. After six years of seeing addiction, domestic violence, neglect, all varieties of abuse, mental illness, and myriad other problems, it’s clear to me the…

GOOD.

BASTARDPEOPLE! And their ass faces.

As a Cancer, let me say:

I’m more concerned about being shot by some asshole living out a macho soldier fantasy, armed to the teeth while buying bread and milk. Or some dude who doesn’t like how I didn’t smile at him. ISIS isn’t coming to get me, but white separatists just might be.

Fun fact: John Proctor is one of my ancestors. When I discovered this, I was very excited about it. I still need to visit Salem. Good to know I can get a soda or some cough drops while I visit the site of his execution.

Cuticle picker here. Usually don’t bite. I just pick the shit out of the skin around my fingernails. I really want to stop. It’s an unconscious habit. I’ll be somewhere, anywhere, work, home, at the movies, and realize I’m picking away without realizing it. I’m going to try the fidget toy suggestion. My scabby fingers…

Your comments have been immensely helpful to me. When I looked up my skin picking behavior online to try and get a name for it, I found “dermatillomania.” I pick and pull on my cuticles and skin around my nails. Nowhere else, just my fingernails. But it leaves me with unsightly fingers! As a ladyperson, I like to get…

Wait. If I refuse to carry a gun (I have no firearms and don’t plan to have any), then I’m a coward? The “Home of the Brave” only applies when everyone is so pants-shitting scared they can’t go for a gallon of milk without being armed to the teeth?

Here’s what convinced me that Avery didn’t commit the murder: the recorded phone calls between him and Jodi.

That whispery, breathy, baby voice made me want to punch the TV. Well, that and his face.

I wish I could take credit for this, but alas, I cannot. Someone on FB referred to these window-lickers as “Vanilla ISIS.”