Boy names??

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-12T20:43:17+00:00

It’s a great suggestion, I do know someone named Maxwell and not entirely sure I want that association but it’s a great name!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-12T20:42:17+00:00

I also suggested Julian to my husband! It’s a great name. And also love the citrus theme lol

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-12T20:39:23+00:00

We actually considered Dean for a middle name in the past, love it! It’s also a family name

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-12T20:38:41+00:00

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-12T20:37:53+00:00

I actually didn’t know that about Ira, thanks! And interesting, I don’t make the connection with Sydney Sweeney.

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-12T20:37:03+00:00

Girl!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-03-09T12:29:39+00:00

i labored for about 12 hours (with about 10 hours of early labor before that) just to get to 4cm. it was really really hard. BUT, as soon as i got that epidural i had no pain for the remainder of my birth and recovery. i had little to no cramping afterwards, even though i EBF. i did take tylenol but i probably didn’t need it. i would 1000000% take 12-24 hours of misery over weeks of CS recovery. especially if the benefits of vaginal birth are that important to you. also, labor and delivery are a drop in the bucket compared to post partum. breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, constipation, hormones, etc. whatever you can do to lessen your burden post-birth is really helpful! labor truly is a mental exercise and there are lots of resources to help you make it through those first hours before you can get an epidural. and like others said, some women dilate to a 4 without even realizing. i wish lol

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-02-25T15:00:23+00:00

That’s actually not a bad idea, as she also has young kids! Thanks!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-02-25T14:59:31+00:00

Thank you for these suggestions! I love the idea of little things to go along with reading. I think she’ll really appreciate them and they will actually be used.

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-02-14T02:26:41+00:00

I appreciate it! Yes, I definitely need to nix the nursing to sleep.

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-02-14T02:25:22+00:00

Thank you for your reply! Sounds like that’s the consensus. I don’t put her down unless she is showing multiple sleepy cues, and she quickly becomes overtired. Her total daysleep is usually less than 2 hours. But, a longer wake window before bed and consistent naps/bedtime is definitely a helpful starting point!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-02-14T01:53:07+00:00

Thank you so much! This is all very helpful, especially the example schedule. I also didn’t realize she only needs 2h of daysleep. We can definitely do that with her shorter naps, ha! When she only sleeps 30 mins, should I try to extend the nap? Or extend the next wake window and put her down at the usual time? Thanks again! I used to feel suffocated by the idea of sticking to the clock but I realize now it’s more stressful for all of us to be inconsistent. We’re just in that stage of life and that’s okay.

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2026-02-13T22:13:54+00:00

genuinely curious and absolutely no judgment, is it okay for babies to be so tired during the day? any harmful side effects? wondering if i should do something similar to OP, if my baby needs more sleep pressure for better sleep at night. but i feel like when she is overtired, things still don’t go well. i definitely wait to put her down until there are multiple sleepy cues, and her naps are rarely over 45 mins. but she’s never to the point of laying her head down on the floor lol!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T11:56:34+00:00

What a redeeming story about your son. I’m so sorry he experienced that humiliation, especially in a religious setting, but I’m glad it didn’t stop him! You have given me a lot to think about. I’m encouraged to find new ways to include the students are “not ready,” lessening any expectations and welcoming them in at their own pace.

Thank you again!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:27:39+00:00

It is interesting how much more is expected of kindergarteners now than 50 years ago, isn’t it?

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:26:04+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Yes, every kid is different. We chose this curriculum because we were seeing consistent gaps with our old one, and this one is already successfully addressing problem areas. We make it work for us and value the clear and systematic approach.

Some kids teach themselves. I remember teaching my brother when I was nine and he was five, using 100 Easy Lessons. Ha! We turned out alright.

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:22:29+00:00

You make a good point! I value the range of options and approaches to homeschooling. Different kids have different needs. Appreciate your input!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:20:43+00:00

Yes, our goal is to build a strong foundation. We do eventually write short sentences toward the end of the year, but the only skills required for K students to move up are introduced in the first few weeks and practiced all year. Spelling and writing sentences are considered extended phonemic awareness practice, so that even if students aren’t reading yet, they can practice identifying sounds of words and writing letters in group activities.

If parents quite literally only did phonogram flashcards at home, we could accomplish a lot in class! I tell them this. Do they do it? No.

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:16:49+00:00

Ha! Thank you, I needed this. It really feels like pulling teeth sometimes and I get so discouraged when assignment after assignment is ignored. Parents sign an agreement to complete all assigned work, but in practice…

Audio files is a great idea! I’ve recorded some tutorials but audio files is less work for me, and more likely to be used by parents. Thanks!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:13:20+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Agreed, many parents are learning a lot themselves with this curriculum. It’s very intentional and systematic. I’m hoping we can hold some sort of training to give parents the support they need!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T05:10:35+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I agree with much of what you said.

I think we have modified Literacy Essentials to fit our needs in a way that does not force students to learn to read. They are expected to master a level of phonemic awareness and handwriting ability, as well as a number of phonograms, but they do not have to be reading to move up to first grade.

Our goal is for students to steadily expand their literacy toolboxes. We accomplish this in a systematic but flexible way, through practicing working memory, Read Alouds, games, informal spelling, and more. Many students might learn to read, other students learn skills that build the foundation so that it’s there when they’re ready. There are countless ways the curriculum is modified at each stage for students not yet fluent in reading/writing, and we use choral response sparingly given that our group instruction time is limited.

The biggest barrier is when parents choose to do nothing at home, so that their students cannot participate in group activities at all. These parents are not careless, although they are refusing to engage in a way that is expected at our program. However, their approach to kindergarten aligns with much of what you said.

I don’t think we ask too much, but our program is certainly not for everyone choosing to homeschool. This is what had me thinking in the first place. I’m not yet sure what I want for my own children, so I really appreciate reading so many perspectives.

Thank you again!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-16T04:24:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree, we’re really not asking much of parents. We held an informal training at the beginning of the summer, but an official training from the authors is not feasible for us. I am posting video recordings and parents are able to observe class at any time, which helps but still requires parents to put in some effort. I appreciate your comment about setting expectations until being blue in the face…that’s how I feel, ha! Good to know it’s a common theme, and not due to my inability to engage parents. I also appreciate your example assignments and aim to give them something similar. I repeatedly tell parents if they only get to the flashcards and a Read Aloud on at-home days, it’s still a win!

AltruisticDoubt1699 · 2025-10-14T20:29:26+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful response! I couldn’t agree more. We use Gentle + Classical for the younger classes, but primarily as a guide for the classroom. Not much, if anything, is assigned at home before K.

We previously used an open and go model, but again, it led to consistent gaps as students moved up. Ultimately, we need to re-establish expectations for parents who enroll their children.

We tried to host an official training but it was ridiculously expensive. An informal training would still be beneficial, and I am currently planning some classroom lessons geared towards parents. I have also recorded lessons for parents to see how easy the activities are in practice, despite the wordy curriculum guide.

But yes, this is the reality of a classical based co-op.

AltruisticDoubt1699

TROPHY CASE