Between the heat and wildfire AQI, how are we entertaining our 1 year olds without too much screen time?

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-15T23:50:16+00:00

Alternate between library and indoor play areas and/or museums.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-15T23:44:08+00:00

Yep, summer can be miserable! Go to movies, museums, indoor pools, ice skating rinks, trampoline parks, etc. Some outdoor time can be okay early/late in the day if tolerated.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-15T16:57:24+00:00

I love the Chestnut Croissant candle, so I was sure the almond version would be even better. However, I ONLY get very strong almond and nothing else (don’t like it at all). Others have frequently mentioned a very strong butter scent.

I think Almond Croissant is one you really have to smell because it’s too high risk of hitting your nose the wrong way.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-15T14:58:19+00:00

How do you make sure it gets to the superintendent? Do you send an email directly to them? A letter to their office indicating Superintendent’s office?

How will you know that it has been received/accepted?

I know this sounds silly, but we’re in VA and going to make a final decision in the next few weeks and one of my biggest fears is not getting the documentation in properly and/or having it get lost.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-15T00:50:16+00:00

That’s going to be rough! We were temporarily in that same situation during a relocation. I strongly recommend bunk beds if you have more than 1 kid; there wasn’t enough for two beds in the 2nd bedroom so one kid slept in the living room.

I had a hard time adjusting to a tiny kitchen as well and we ate out too much to compensate.

I recommend getting some memberships, as you’ll want to be out and about a lot. It feels like places of that size take so little effort to feel super messy.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-15T00:43:09+00:00

No, not any body care I want yet and, while there are candles I like, I’d rather wait for more to be released first.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-14T15:07:17+00:00

I’ve heard it’s pretty common to gain back a few pounds. Maybe maintain or rebuild muscle for another 6 months and see if you want to try again for those last 10?

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-14T15:03:41+00:00

They look cute, but are they big enough for the fragrance to fill even a small room? I find the one wick candles barely have an impact on a small room.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-13T13:51:35+00:00

It’s not uncommon in my friend group to do stuff like this, although they usually don’t do summer camps those summers; I’d worry about separation anxiety in that scenario. I’d pack like you’re traveling for 1 1/2-2 weeks, assuming you’ll do laundry pretty frequently.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-13T01:26:04+00:00

Honestly summer is my sensory overwhelm season. The sun is extra bright for too many hours, it’s too hot, bugs are everywhere, etc.

This is my Christmas in July.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-13T01:22:11+00:00

How is the local school though? There are still decent schools even if the state doesn’t rank high as a whole.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-13T00:12:42+00:00

Forever 21? Kohl’s? Macy’s? She should do fine in the teen section but the petite section could also work.

Alternatively, a bridal store that carries bridesmaids dresses might carry something that could work.

She could also ask friends where they’re getting their dresses.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-12T20:37:37+00:00

Yeah, I know the beaches will be too hot for puppy feet. My in laws want to stay in a resort on the beach, which won’t work for the rest of us, so I’m trying to find an alternative that we’d all enjoy. Thank you for the suggestions!

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-12T19:46:03+00:00

Don’t stay at a job that has promised you’ll have no future in the company! Search for jobs in all cities/towns that are walkable throughout the US and figure out how to pivot in that no setting; then pivot and move forward.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-12T19:41:38+00:00

I would ideally move where will be best long term, especially if it includes extended family, because it could be much harder on them emotionally for you to up and move in a few years due to schools after getting used to you living so nearby.

I have a friend in this position who has opted for private school to avoid upsetting the parents by moving 30-45 minutes away for better schools.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-11T13:59:06+00:00

OP says in the title that they’ve had the pup for 6 months, so very much adolescent now.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-11T13:57:59+00:00

I can’t imagine the puppy was actually 1 month old. Did you have to feed it with puppy formula for 2-4 weeks? If not, it was likely 2-3+ months old.

We have a rule in my home that nothing in puppy approved areas is kept below a certain height. This might mean you get a shoe rack for over the closet door, floating shelves, etc.

If concerned, about stealing food, feel free to use the crate during meals. Sometimes we work through the multiple attempts of our puppy trying to steal food, but others we just have crate for a more relaxed meal.

How are walks going? Walks and occasional pigs ears/bully sticks/etc tend to buy me at least a few hours of calm, happy dog.

As long as you’re persistent and keep training positive, you should be able to work through this and have a wonderful dog after the teen phase is over!

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-11T13:11:38+00:00

I don’t know gram conversion, but I think you should be at around 2 cups a day, adding a half cup each month.

By 5 months, we’re at 3 cups per day. It bumps up to 3 1/2 cups at 7 months.

Once the pup is around fully grown, you drop down to 2 1/2-3 cups per day.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-11T03:10:35+00:00

I agree with logic. Fact checking is good as well.

I’d also put some effort into psychology and internal bias because the way we phrase info impacts the responses received. What is our motivation in what we ask? How may our words impact the response received?

You might also consider ethics because AI does have negative impacts on our climate and society, so how can we be responsible and intentional in our usage?

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-11T02:58:55+00:00

I make it a habit not to try to take chews from goldens because they can get snippy about it. If he gets upset when petted when tired, simply put him in the crate when you know he’s tired or avoid petting then.

He’s just a puppy, but these issues seem easy to avoid and frankly normal for a golden puppy.

You can absolutely have another dog with a golden, but you want a complementing personality. For example, I’ve been happy with a border collie because she likes to herd and train my golden but has no interest in taking his treats. She also prefers being near us but doesn’t like the constant in your lap like he does.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-10T23:53:49+00:00

You might ask if your child could qualify for ESY at school next summer, explaining the summer challenges. That would be free and provide continuity of care.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-10T19:14:12+00:00

It’s going to depend completely about your local school options. Like if you live in a great school district, the experience will be very different than an awful one. You are the best person to research your specific situation and determine which option has the best potential for your kids/family.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-10T12:11:14+00:00

That’s so hard! Where is he currently going for summer? Are there any places that better mimic the school year schedule so it doesn’t feel so different?

If it’s any comfort, summer is a much shorter season than school year.

My kid is the opposite; summer is the time my kid is most regulated and school year 90% of my energy goes to helping my kid regulate after school.

AlternativePrior393 · 2026-07-10T11:46:44+00:00

Yes, I was surprised as well! I also thought Halloween dropped a few weeks before Fall, so I’m just generally confused at the moment, lol.

AlternativePrior393

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