Answers I liked

[mic0]

They are spot on about houses being less social. The year I lived in a house was great! We also got away with having pets (rommates had bunnies/rodents, then I got a rat), which was doubly great.

[The Moo]

Sounds like it, Portia. Did somebody do a devotional last week on the joys of motherhood with a crying baby in the audience or something?

[Amity]

To be fair, I think a good share of those questions are coming from one extremely stressed-out new mother.

[Katya]

To be fair, I think a good share of those questions are coming from one extremely stressed-out new mother.

Yeah, that's my impression, too.

[Katya]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/77664/

Alice in Wonderland reference FTW!

[pillowy]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/77729/

I agree. Maven's been doing a great job. There have been so many pregnancy/new mom questions lately!

[Portia]

Sounds like it, Portia. Did somebody do a devotional last week on the joys of motherhood with a crying baby in the audience or something?

They don't do devotionals spring term. I don't think it's just one person (this was before the stressed mother with a newborn). In any case, I definitely think Mormon women are having fewer children and having them later. I'm just interested whether any of them will decide to be childfree by choice.

[Katya]

Sounds like it, Portia. Did somebody do a devotional last week on the joys of motherhood with a crying baby in the audience or something?

They don't do devotionals spring term.

. . . They've been doing them this term.

[Tally M.]

Sounds like it, Portia. Did somebody do a devotional last week on the joys of motherhood with a crying baby in the audience or something?

They don't do devotionals spring term.

. . . They've been doing them this term.

Yep, they've definitely been doing them. Just in the DeJong

[Portia]

I stand corrected. However, there were two questions on the same day which made me think that having biological children is clearly not for everyone, and that undue pressure could be very harmful. I don't think it should be assumed that you should get pregnant just because you're a woman. And the saga of Stressed Mom Who Submitted 20 Questions in a Week should testify that for some mothers, it does indeed suck, and it's not all kicks and giggles.

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/archives/2014/may/19/

[Katya]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/77583/

Yessssss!

[Whistler]

haha, nice

[Portia]

Bookmarked for later reading.

[Portia]

http://theboard.byu.edu/questions/77765/

I might have to read The Bell Jar (although it could be pretty triggering) and report back.

[Violet]

I enjoyed it. Enough so that I've re-read it multiple times. It's pretty triggering for discussion of depression.

I had never heard the reference the questioner gave, but it surprised me too.

[Portia]

I listened to the entire This American Life episode (it was a good one!) including the ASMR segment, linked in this question.

I found the whispering to be fairly stressful. Tapping and clicking can make me very anxious, too. The hum of electronics and refrigerators makes me go a little Ginsberg-y. I would like them to scan the brains of ASMRers, control group, and people like me.

The only weird sensory thing I get is strong jamais vu and Bloody Mary sensation. It used to happen more when I was younger, though.

[Violet]

Portia, find someone with access to a MRI machine and funding to pay for this study. I totally get ASMR. The first time I listened to the This American Life episode in question, I made a weird bewildered shout that freaked out my roommates. Finding out it has a name was bizarre, but great. There's a Russian woman who does hair tutorials on youtube that can get me almost every time. I also love the sound of my air conditioner and heater. It's soothing.

Conversely, hearing people breathe quickly can make me panic. I start breathing really shallowly and quickly and get about 3/4ths of the way to a panic attack. Refrigerators and televisions aren't as bad, but when there are two ticking clocks in a room, I can't handle it. I have to leave.

[Whistler]

wow, I had no idea ASMR was a thing. I don't think I've ever experienced it before though.

Portia, what is the bloody mary sensation?

[mic0]

I'm catching up on a few days' worth of blogs, and just read this great answer from Owlet on sign languages. Really interesting question, great answer, and interesting comment! All around good to read.

[Whistler]

yeah, that was really interesting about how blessings are signed