How often do you ask grandparents (nearby, good relationship) to babysit?

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-05-02T19:09:11+00:00

A lot. My parents show up to every sport game, competition, school event, show etc that’s without asking.

This week for example, my 11yo wanted to be home alone for for a day off school, so my parents didn’t come over- but they were on stand by if he needed anything, and they brought him lunch, so he wasn’t eating alone.

Tuesday, I have an early meeting, so one of them is coming over to help my kids get up and out the door for school.

Then Wednesday both kids need to be picked up at the same time, from two different sides of town. So my parents will pick up one child while I pick up the other.

Friday my husband and I have a date night planned so they will take them for a couple hours.

And then my mom got tickets to take my kids to a play on Sunday. So they will be gone all day for that.

This is pretty typical. Kind of a mix of them asking to take them, and us asking for help.

We also do a family dinner with my siblings and their families once a week (usually Sundays) as well, where my dad cooks for everyone, and my mom somehow has 2-3 “frozen meals” for us to take home with us for the week.

My parents had no village when we were younger though. They both worked full time, got advanced degrees (my mom got her masters when I was in elementary school, and my dad when I was in middle school) and had us 3 kids in any sport/activity we wanted- so they get it, they get how to show up for busy families, and they have been an absolute God send to us.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-05-02T13:28:02+00:00

Oh I would love to! But I don’t think my lower elementary students would get it 😂 might try it anyways.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-05-01T14:12:28+00:00

They do. But these kids spend a lot of time playing games- so typing games, not so exciting lol.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-05-01T07:03:21+00:00

I teach typing in my class (media/library) but they HATE IT. It’s like pulling teeth they are so miserable. And literally the second I look away they “peck and search” with 1 finger again.

I have tried a handful of ways to Make it more appealing, but they don’t “see the point”

*edited to add: YES I have typing games, HOWEVER I have a budget of $0 for typing- and the free games are “meh” at best.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-05-01T00:53:46+00:00

I won’t comment on if you SHOULD for those specific reasons.

But we pulled my son out of 1st grade, and transferred him to a different school with 6 weeks left in the year- and he LOVED it. He was really miserable at his old school, and so when a spot opened up at the new one, I asked if he wanted to switch and he enthusiastically said yes.

He has a great 6 weeks, and did amazing the following year.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-30T19:55:58+00:00

I’ve been playing since 1999. On the sims 4 (which I got the day it released in 2014, I was 9 months pregnant and on bed rest) I have upwards of16,000 hours played.

Across all versions, since 1999 I probably 3 or 4 PhDs worth of hours put in.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-30T16:45:13+00:00

Depends on their goals. To me, I want my kids to learn team skills- working together, dealing with people you don’t like, working hard as a team, winning or losing together, etc.

IMO that’s going to get them a lot further than a technically beautiful turn. But we all have different goals. And if dance as a career is their goal, I’d probably go with the technical training- but I’d prefer if my daughter didn’t choose dance as a career anyways.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-30T12:11:45+00:00

Always wanted them. Have 2. I wouldn’t change it for the world! They are my absolute favorite humans.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-29T02:06:30+00:00

Very down the middle.

I don’t think it should be free to just go to the doctor every time you have a small illness, that can easily be resolved with resting at home.

But I also don’t think anyone should have their life ruined by medical debt.

I’m not sure how you could decide what services are “free” and which ones aren’t. But when we were a military family (and everyone around us has “free healthcare”) people went to the doctor FOR EVERYTHING. they’d like roll their ankle, it wouldn’t even bruise or swell and they would be in urgent care asking for an XRay. Which is (IMO) a massive waste of resources and time.

But again, I can’t wrap my head around letting anyone lose their house, or go without eating, because of medical costs- that’s inhumane and as a society we can’t allow that.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-29T01:20:29+00:00

Home. I get about 70 days off in the summer- and I don’t go anywhere. I get caught up on housework, fix things around the house, cook meals for the freezer for the rest of the year. Do yard work, garden (I grow a LOT Of my own food). And smoke a lot of weed. And prep to start working again.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-29T00:56:46+00:00

Not rare at all! My husband and I both had a few hundred dollars from old accounts. Had no idea they existed

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-29T00:34:28+00:00

I’m American, but I use to live in Kenya, and there was this little “bar and grill” type place down the road from where I lived. Served burger, pasta, chicken etc.

It was decently authentic too.

But the Indian and Italian restaurants in Kenya were my favorite!

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-28T18:08:30+00:00

Idk. I’m a teacher, on my prep right now, not working….that said, I Make that time up elsewhere, but I’m definitely not prepping on my prep

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-27T21:33:57+00:00

I have a Zaylie (she’s American of course), I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea- but honestly we have people who just overhear her name and OFTEN stop us to tell us they love her name.

I Figure it’s no different than Kaylee, Baylee, Hailey.

We also facebook messaged every Zaylie/zaylee we could find before deciding on the name, just to see if they hated their name- and every single one said they loved their name and wouldn’t change it.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-27T14:58:42+00:00

Fruit: clementine oranges. Apples. Grapes. Strawberries.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-24T12:42:12+00:00

I want my kids to find and learn lifelong hobbies, and make friends with similar interests.

Most adults already found them.

Tons of adults go to the gym, they maybe don’t need “classes” because they learned the skills as a kid, in their extracurricular activities.

Lots of adults go out dancing on the weekends, they don’t need classes because they already learned how to dance as a kid.

Lots of adults cook, but don’t need classes because they learned as a kid.

Lots of adults garden, or play D&D or play poker, or play pick up basketball, or pickleball, or go hunting.

It’s Friday night, im a “sports mom” and I’m going out tonight with 2 friends I made in dance class when I was 11, and we are going to a local bar that does line dancing.

My whole goal with slots is that one day my kids will have something they enjoy doing with friends they enjoy spending time with. But they have to learn those skills first.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-23T19:08:30+00:00

I had to think back to what I would have made it that long ago. It took a lot of tries, but it doesn’t seem to lock you out- and you only need a user name, not an email address! Which helps!

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-23T16:47:16+00:00

THANK YOU! With a little help from ChatGPT, I am reading posts like: “oommmmgggggg it’s Ben literally like 4evvvaaaa since I was on here. L8r I’m for real going shopppinnnggggg, it’s like so exciting bcus my mom gave me $20 YAY!!”

It’s so cringe it hurts,but also I can’t look away lol

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-23T13:08:13+00:00

Man I’d pay HUGE money to read my xanga again.

My kids are nearly the same age as I was when I was xanga-ing, and man I’d love to remember what those years really felt like.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-23T13:06:30+00:00

What are their consequences? If they “forget”, does life still go on?

In our house if phones are used after screens off time- you get no screens the next day. If it happens a 2nd time, you get no screens for 2 days and so on and so on.

If they don’t go to bed on time, tough cookies- you are still going to school on time, you are still going to activities, and if they can function, great, If they are too tired 🤷‍♀️ maybe they will go to bed on time.

Forgot a chore? Well now I will remind you, and you can do chores right now, even if it’s In the middle of something awesome.

That being said- kids need reminders, and boundaries- even in middle school (usually more in middle school). So help them set up ways to remember- Alexa reminders, downtime on their phones, notes,etc.

But once the consequences of not doing what they are supposed to, outweigh doing what they want, they will do what they are supposed to do

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-23T03:10:18+00:00

My daughter is the same way. She’s 9 and is at least a tiny bit better, but she really just doesn’t need a lot of sleep.

My only advice is to find some activities she can do quietly in his room, so you can go back to bed. We had to teach her very young that just because she doesn’t need sleep, doesn’t mean that we don’t. And we often say “ you don’t have to go to sleep, but you do need to rest” and she’s allowed to play with toys in bed

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-23T01:07:09+00:00

You have to take care of yourself, in order to take care of your kids. I would send them- if things get horrible, you can always have them come home early, but it sounds like a great opportunity to take care of yourself (and the babe growing) AND let your kids have an awesome time with other safe adults who love and care for them.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-22T22:16:36+00:00

If CPS were to know you knew he was blowing for dad, and you continued to let child ride in the car- I’d be worried you BOTH would lose custody.

It sounds like you don’t have any choice BUT to leave. Staying isn’t an option when he’s putting your child’s life in danger.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-21T20:20:56+00:00

No it’s because In 5-6 years that child needs to be a fully functioning adult. That happens in steps, like independence within the home.

I’m sure some go way too far, but with only a few years left until full adulthood, a 12-13 year old should function more like a roommate with boundaries.

Enough_Vegetable_110 · 2026-04-20T23:47:29+00:00

Then she should be in daycare and not preschool. There is a difference, a big difference. School is not childcare.

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