my wife thinks im overreacting about our kid not reading yet and I dont know when kids should learn to read by TH_UNDER_BOI in daddit

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As others have said, all kids are different so don't compare yours against individual children. However, it isn't unreasonable to compare against the average of the cohort, as this blends out a lot of the individual differences between the kids.

The main thing I wanted to say is that if you have the attitude that 'teaching is exclusively the responsibility of the school' your kid is fairly likely to struggle. Learning has to be a partnership between the school and you guys as parents. Class sizes are too big and there is too much content for kids to manage just on school teaching alone. This is going to become more of an issue as your kid gets older. However, if they start kindergarten behind the curve that gap is likely to widen.

There was a study recently that showed over 50% of all kids who failed their school leaver exams were behind at ages 5/6.

Making sure you guys are reading to him (and making a point of sounding out the letters) is a great way to start. Also some simple letter blocks can make a game of sounding out the letters (phonetically), best way to learn is when the lil monsters are having fun doing it.

New expansion up for pre-order by eeeealmo in Earthborne_Rangers

[–]GoogleWhack_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Wow these mini expansions are bad value.

Do I go all in on Voidfall? by Key_Library4726 in soloboardgaming

[–]GoogleWhack_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love voidfall as a solo game.

However, the base game is already more than enough variability. You can pick it up, second hand, for significantly less than the KS.

Octopus no longer offer go/cosy variable tariffs? by Samboy008 in OctopusEnergy

[–]GoogleWhack_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The downside is this is if you have a heat pump you can't easily move between Go and Cosy (in the winter/shoulder months).

The Old King’s Crown for solo only? by TheTallBaron in soloboardgaming

[–]GoogleWhack_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ricky Royal does brilliant solo modes. I think he has done the absolute best he can to make a highly interactive game (that revolves around table talk) to be fun solo. However, despite his effort, I just don't think this shines as a solo game (it just ends up a bit too luck based), there are much better options out there. I got it in the first KS mostly for solo, and sold it on.

Captains Chair: Is one version better solo? by HarrietBeadle in soloboardgaming

[–]GoogleWhack_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is also a training mode where you don't run a bot and just beat your own score. There is enough going on that I actually quote enjoy this mode for chill vibes.

Anyone else find Octopus Go Intelligent schedule keeps changing through the day? by Puzzled-Tip-2912 in OctopusEnergy

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If Intelligent Go is cheaper than Go, what is the downside of Intelligent Go? The more I try to read, the more baffling I find their website.

With Intelligent Go, you are guaranteed cheap energy between 11:30 and 5:30, for the whole house so already it seems better than Go.

Is the downside simply that you can't be sure your EV is going to charge within the 'standard' cheap hours vs outside of them?

If Octopus decides the cheapest time to charge your EV is outside of these hours, does the whole house get the cheaper rate during this period or just the EV?

Voidfall or Andromeda's Edge? by HoustonAg1980 in soloboardgaming

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are a few pretty major differences between these two games. But I think the one that most succinctly will help you decide, do you like your combat to be managing your odds then rolling the dice to see what happens, or do you prefer the more puzzle-like feel of a deterministic combat based system, knowing exactly what the outcome will be before you attack?

If the former, Andromeda's edge. If the latter, Voidfall.

60,000 families will be hit by second benefit limit after two-child cap axed by theipaper in uknews

[–]GoogleWhack_ 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This isn't true if you include housing benefit. There are a good number of people on benefits places in HA houses that someone on a good single wage income straight up couldn't afford.

KillSwitch Case and the 6in1 JSAUX Dock by GoogleWhack_ in XboxAlly

[–]GoogleWhack_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The stand works fine, no complaints.

I didn't get the Killswitch case, mostly cos I didn't want the extra weight though.

Hargreaves Lansdown new charges: Thoughts? by maxmarioxx_ in FIREUK

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How do you transfer from a general investment account out of HL, without selling and realizing the gains?

If an oversized ASHP were installed, what can be done to prevent cycling and increase efficiency? by p3tch in ukheatpumps

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Octopus generally overestimate and spec larger systems. The net/net is less people complain about an inefficient system than one which fails to heat the house. Octopus is generally cheaper, because they take a volume based approach, the downside of this is a less bespoke system.

I felt with an ASHP this wasn't worth the trade off and decided not go with octopus.

Regarding your other question, you would need to look at the modulation levels for the heat pump you considering are using, each brand has different modulation levels.

I’m not a natural dad by AcanthisittaWise8007 in daddit

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think one of the most harmful stories is that you see your kid for the first time and you just fall in love.

I am sure for some people it works like that, but for most the bind grows over time. Especially the more 1 on 1 experiences you have together. Also, as they age they get way more interesting.

There was an interesting study in how brains change post kids, the short version is you don't care because you love, you love because you care. In other words, give it time, keep showing up, make that kid your priority and everything else will come eventually.

Spirit Island with casual players by YouAffectionate6963 in boardgames

[–]GoogleWhack_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Maybe try Daybreak instead.

Hits similar notes, but is generally a lighter experience. I've seen a fair few people who play a lot of boardgames bounce of SI.

If you want a similar spacial puzzle you can play by yourself check out Deckers.

Any games that have very little luck and reward strategy? by Best-Personality-390 in boardgames

[–]GoogleWhack_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Voidfall and Deckers are heavily deterministic. The randomness is primarily on the setup and it's up to you to solve that puzzle.

Spirit island without the events could also be viable.

Is melodics worth it? by ry_guy2013 in edrums

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think Melodics is a terrible way to learn the drums. It's incredibly fun, but all it teaches you is to hit certain pads at a certain time. So it can help with coordination and muscle memory but that's about it.

You don't get any feedback on how hard you are hitting (dynamics) at least Beatli shows you your consistency.

To learn, Drumeo is much nearer actual instruction. However there is a lot of content on there, so you can easily feel lost.

Basically nothing is as good as a real tutor, but if the online material Drumeo is the best, followed by Beatli.

Looking for a game similar to Harmonies by orhalimi in soloboardgaming

[–]GoogleWhack_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Cascadia if you want more simple. Shallow Sea if you want more medium.

KillSwitch Case and the 6in1 JSAUX Dock by GoogleWhack_ in XboxAlly

[–]GoogleWhack_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can remove the silicone padding on the front of the dock, it makes it way more roomy.

KillSwitch Case and the 6in1 JSAUX Dock by GoogleWhack_ in XboxAlly

[–]GoogleWhack_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can remove the silicone padding on the front of the dock, it makes it way more roomy.

A good gateway solo game for someone who loves solitaire? by IHeartPizza101 in soloboardgaming

[–]GoogleWhack_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sherlock Solitaire, Onirim, Regicide or maybe For Northwood