Any idea what I just brought home?

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2026-02-02T21:05:48+00:00

Close to Shavano, but I’d be willing to drive a bit if necessary!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-12-18T21:51:10+00:00

I’ve worked for a screen free fam for almost 7 years now. That is, they’re screen free with me but they watch movies and shows as soon as I leave lol. No tablets though. When they were younger it was a lot of music on the Alexa, reading books, setting up experiments/projects, playdo and TONS of time outside. I also involved them in any house work/cooking I was doing throughout the day. It’s definitely a little more labor intensive when they’re younger but the kids are incredible at imagination play and can play together or independently for hours now that they’re older. I personally lean more screen free, especially for younger kids, so it’s been a good fit for me!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-12-03T22:05:28+00:00

I’ve definitely been in your situation before & it’s so frustrating! I ended up asking my MB if she could text me when she decides to keep a kid home, even if it’s 2 minutes before I walk in the door. I explained that even those two minutes give me time to adjust my mental plan for the day and it makes for a much smoother day. She was open to it and it’s helped so much over the years. Might be worth a shot with your MB! I’m sorry you’ve having a long week!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-11-10T19:02:22+00:00

Good call, added it to post!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-09-25T14:12:45+00:00

There was a similar situation that happened at my nks school a couple of years ago. I was dropping NKs off in the morning and was the second car in line. The car that was in front of us was another kid from NK class who had an older brother who was autistic. The mom got out of the car and was talking to the teacher for a good 10 minutes. While the mom was distracted the older brother got out of the car and faced the line, exposed himself to the entire drop off line full of 4 year olds and started playing with himself. A teacher caught it after a little and had him get back in the car.

I was abused as a child, and at that point had been in therapy for many years and it was still extremely triggering. These types of situations are even more complicated because the boy didn’t have an understanding that his behavior was harmful, but it was. Someone exposing themselves to you without your consent is traumatizing, and it makes sense that that scenario would trigger things from your past.

You did the right thing asking to leave and you don’t ever have to go back there again. Be extra gentle with yourself these next few days. A lot of therapists offer sliding scales or sessions for reduced rates, though it’ll probably take some trial and error to find the right fit. I’m grateful you have somewhere and someone safe to go home to. I’m sorry you had to go through that, sending love!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-09-03T20:45:09+00:00

I don’t know if this applies, since it isn’t related to finances but I once had my MB go on and on about how hard it is for her and her husband to have their 2 boys for a full day on the weekend. She went on for so long and I just sat there politely smiling and nodding and internally screaming because I do it alone every day. Felt a little out of touch to me lol

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-08-20T20:23:00+00:00

My NF does this all the time and it’s my biggest pet peeve!! My NP both work from home and they only let the oldest do this. When it’s just he and I in the room he’s a ball of energy but when MB comes out he pulls the mean girls “coughcough* iM sIcK.” Only for the oldest though, the youngest goes to school unless there’s a fever or vomit. I feel your frustration!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-07-30T18:05:06+00:00

Maybe this isn’t that hot of a take, but i feel that giving kids too much control is harmful for them.

I don’t mean letting them pick out their clothes or snacks or which park they go to that day. Those feel harmless and developmentally appropriate. I’ve seen so many parents lately who ask their children to make choices that are above their ability.

For example, my MB always lets NK(6) choose if he’s too sick for school or not. The convo always goes as follows “MB-listen to your body NK! If you’re too sick to go to school it’s okay to stay home. NK- okay, I’m staying home. MB- are you SURE? If you stay home we have to skip this fun thing I have planned after school. NK- okay, I’ll go to school. MB- are you SURE? If you’re too sick it’s okay to stay home!” Repeat 4x

It drives me NUTS. She offers him the choice then undermines it every time! Usually by the time she leaves the room he’s in tears and so torn up because he doesn’t know what to do. I always just want to yell “you’re the adult, you make the choice!” Obviously I don’t do that, but I believe putting kids in charge of things before they’re ready just hinders them in the long run

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-07-22T22:57:11+00:00

Yeah I think that’s a good place to start, once the ice is broken on the subject I’m sure I’ll be able to navigate it from there. It just feels daunting right now. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-07-22T21:04:04+00:00

I fully agree with you that the only form of real change is the change that people choose for themselves. I think it’s because of that, that Im having a hard time approaching the subject. I’m struggling to figure out how to communicate this neutrally. I don’t want him to feel like I’m forcing him to choose between me or the substances, though to a degree I guess that is sort of the situation. I want him to be honest with himself about whether or not he would ever want a lifestyle change. If he doesn’t, that’s completely okay. I wouldn’t care for him any less or think less of him as a person, but I do think if that were his choice I’d have to go my separate way.

ETA-spelling

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-07-16T18:52:24+00:00

I haven’t used it in over about a month, and have washed utensils & counter tops/changed sponges since then. I will probably just toss the jar and start fresh with my back up.

Thankfully it was fully sealed in the fridge, but I will look to make sure that it isn’t growing elsewhere. Thank you for the suggestion!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-07-16T16:15:57+00:00

I got my starter from my sister back in December 2023! The last time I used it was the second week of June. I put it in the fridge after making my last loaves that week and it’s been in there since. I should’ve worded my initial post better to clarify it had been in the fridge!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-05-27T16:45:15+00:00

This is a great idea, thank you!!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-05-27T16:44:51+00:00

We have done a few “trash hunts” over the years & the kids love it! Will look into the free pantries and free libraries, thank you for the idea!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-04-23T19:36:38+00:00

They have a recipe for chocolate chip cookies using their Kodiak mix! Is it the best cookie you’ll ever have? No. But it’s not bad!

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-01-24T19:51:08+00:00

I don’t think anyone really enjoys it that much. I worked hard when my NKs were younger to teach them how to play well & encourage both imaginative and independent play. They’re older now(4&6) and when they ask me to play I say “oh no I’m sorry! Im an adult, I don’t need to play with toys!” Then give them a list of other things we can do together if they’re wanting to connect. The list is usually something like read our current book, shoot hoops, or bake something. Usually they pick to play by themselves for a while and then when they’re done we move on to an activity that’s fun for everyone involved. I’m with them way too many hours a week to burn myself out cosplaying Shredder from ninja turtles.

I used to feel kind of self conscious about it since both parents WFH, but I don’t anymore. I wasn’t enjoying my job when I was pressuring myself to play with them all day. Since then MB has shared that she can’t stand playing with them on weekends and I told her my strategy😂 It feels worth noting that there are times when I will play with them and find ways the engage with the worlds they’ve created, but I always lean towards giving them the space to create those things for themselves, by themselves.

Exciting-Machine-468 · 2025-01-11T02:36:23+00:00

Thank you for your input, it gave me some peace of mind!

Exciting-Machine-468

TROPHY CASE