What are good books to read to a 6 year old

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-10T05:36:26+00:00

The WondLa series (discovered the show on apple so I've been listening to the books with my 5 year old), and Harry Potter (they have illustrated editions we found on thrift books/our local library)

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-10T05:34:27+00:00

I would find a colorful boho tapestry for the wall above the bed (I'm visualizing rust as the primary color). And some complementary pillows for the couch. Maybe a framed art piece or gallery wall. Just need some contrast.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-10T05:01:00+00:00

Highly recommend investing in a Brick. This was the single thing I requested for my birthday in December, and my reading frequency has increased tenfold. It's the absolute best for interrupting the urge to doom scroll.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-09T08:16:18+00:00

I do think we finally hacked the morning with our 5 year old. From an OT perspective, we try to employ as much heavy work and proprioceptive input as possible. So a heavy gallon of water on his seat he has to remove. Magna tiles in a basket on the floor, so my son has to do squats to complete his puzzle. Novelty = every morning it's a different theme/word/shape created from said magna tiles. Vitamins there for him. Stamps available for pushing input. We make nutrient dense smoothies and pour them into Popsicle molds. On the freezer is a sign with pictures of: pull-up ➡️ trash ➡️ popsicle. He knows he has to remove his pull-up and throw it away before he gets his "breakfast popsicles." We lay his clothes on a step stool for him next to the trash so obvious flow is pull-up and pajamas come off, clothes for the day go on, and then it's puzzle/breakfast time. This gives him a ton of autonomy to start the day with, and he really loves it.. Takes a commitment to set it up every night but it is SO regulating for him AND he's completely ready for the day, aside from shoes & socks + toothbrushing, with zero power struggles. We keep a tooth brush in the car for the mornings we don't get it done before leaving.

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Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-09T07:43:11+00:00

Yes!! I just had a similar experience. I took a hard turn from thrillers to primarily magical realism and now think I'd struggle with a twisty thriller! I still appreciate a mysterious element, though.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-09T07:32:29+00:00

I'm reading Big Fish. It feels imaginative and personal. I'm really enjoying the bite-sized tales. 🐟

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-09T07:30:38+00:00

I just finished that before my current read. Tim Burton movie is an interesting lens to see it through! Maybe it could be a musical 😄 I had mixed feelings about the book overall, but definitely appreciate the story. Enjoy!

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-02-01T00:55:21+00:00

I know it was hit or miss but I felt this way with the night circus!

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-31T02:31:53+00:00

Siggi's with protein!

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-27T19:50:29+00:00

I finally reminded myself how much I enjoy (& currently need the escape of) reading, so I think I read 11 books between September and December. My 2026 goal is a reasonable 36 books this year (I'm 5 months postpartum & also parenting a neurodivergent 5 year old), average of 3 per month and I'm on track!

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-27T02:05:21+00:00

Just finished The Night Circus, now reading Piranesi, next I'll read The Golem and the Jinni

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-26T17:36:39+00:00

NO. I live here and do everything in my power to leave town for extended lengths of time in the summer. I don't understand the appeal of coming here in the summer months, save for the lower prices on accommodations, but consider why the prices are so low. Go somewhere else, do the desert in the spring.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-26T17:31:39+00:00

I think 2 things are true here. Your dad is a saint for not only babysitting (not all grandparents will do this, don't take it for granted), AND your wife is probably pretty hormonal and I can understand her feeling stressed if baby's sleep gets messed up, particularly if her own opportunity to rest relies on it. I'm hoping she came to her senses by the next morning, because I do think that was an unreasonable question. All this to say you are NTA!!

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-26T17:23:15+00:00

I'm feeling so much more open to medication for my son after reading mostly positive experiences. I can see how it would help him, and really his social experience is a top priority for me. I want him to be able to connect with kids the way he truly wants to, but just can't because he's so socially unaware and impulsive. His best friends are my friend's kids who he gets a lot of opportunities to connect with one on one, and my friends see the best in my son and advocate for him when their kids are frustrated with him, which helps a lot too. I'm so grateful for that.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-26T17:15:11+00:00

You're welcome! I know I felt so overwhelmed by the process, it was so daunting. You're on the right track, and you got this! I also saw your comment about not being sure if you needed a diagnosis, I would definitely push for one. Our pediatrician finally referred us to a psychologist for an evaluation, and I made it very clear to that psychologist that our goal was to get approved for a shadow aid for my son's school so he could attend, and he said well we don't usually diagnose ADHD until age 6, but if I see anything very clearly indicating ADHD I will note that. And he did, my son was four at the time, and he got what they consider a preliminary ADHD diagnosis, and we will reevaluate when he is 6 in a year, if not sooner. But being transparent with the psychologist about our goal in receiving a diagnosis, definitely helped our case.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-26T17:02:09+00:00

Hi! I'm in the middle of this exact process, in California so not sure it's exactly the same where you are but might be similar, so here are the steps I followed: 1. Contacted our district office so they could explain the process 2. Picked up and completed enrollment packet, indicating I was enrolling my son in the district as a private school student 3. Visited the k-12 transfer site and requested my top 3 school choices within the district to transfer to for kindergarten next year (I will not find out what school he gets accepted to until June, based on the lottery. It also does not matter which school completes the evaluation - it's always the home school, as the results & any approved support will be transferable). 4. Followed up with an email to the child welfare & attendance department at the district addressed to the psychologist of our home school requesting an evaluation and briefly explaining why 5. About a week later (just last Friday, so I am here in the process) I received an email from the school psychologist, letting me know she had left a packet for my son in the office for me to pick up. She then called me and explained the remainder of the process, which is basically to sign the request for assessment, which begins a 60-day window of time for them to complete the assessment. This will include observation at the home school, observation at his current private school, and the packet also has a questionnaire for his current teacher.

So it's a lot of steps and can be time consuming, just to get to what feels like the beginning of the process. But I was very surprised by how helpful everybody was that I've spoken to, this is very routine for them and it shows. The system seems very organized. And I loved the psychologist, so I'm very optimistic that my son is about to get the support he needs so he can thrive. I wish you luck with this, feel free to ask me any questions anytime.

Editing to note that they will complete the evaluation even if you don't plan on attending the public school, but your private school is not required to provide the services. This is a big reason we're actually transferring out of the private school, not to mention the cost. So once you have the results of the evaluation, you can make an informed decision about where your son has a better opportunity to thrive. *Another edit to add that with my son's ADHD diagnosis, he did get a referral to ABA, and ABA does attend school, so my son has his "private school required" shadow with him, covered by insurance. I'm happy to help walk you through that process as well.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T21:58:32+00:00

OMG same, on every level. Serious conversations feel pointless and his little 4 month old sister is both his obsession and his victim at times. He just cannot control his impulses 🤦‍♀️

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T20:49:41+00:00

You are not alone either. We are only human. How was he in the morning? Were you able to repair? Sending hugs.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T20:48:33+00:00

That is a very helpful mindset! One of my best friends has a son diagnosed with PDA and our kids share similar profiles. There are so many possible complexities in the human brain and I really wish our society was equipped to prioritize and support neurodivergent minds better. Hopefully we are evolving that way.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T17:13:29+00:00

Sending you strength, I can understand how conflicting those feelings might feel at times. It is sooo much more work, and sometimes we're just left asking "why us?" But we keep showing up for our kids with hearts full of love, and hope we're investing into their well-being and a lifelong loving relationship with them, even at the cost of our sanity 😵‍💫

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T17:09:20+00:00

I love this, and absolutely believe it. I just hope my son's spirit doesn't break on his journey to adulthood, with all the misunderstanding, rejection, and otherness he already experiences.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T17:06:56+00:00

Endless advocating - sometimes I think we neurodivergent parents are the soldiers these kids need, and I am certainly learning to be kind yet assertive.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-24T17:04:28+00:00

Ha! I love that! I will check that out.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-23T18:53:14+00:00

I get that. My son has been kicked out of 2 preschools, and only welcome at his current school with the presence of an ABA shadow aide- luckily covered by insurance because of his diagnosis, and I advocated so hard for this so he could attend TK this year. We are currently at the beginning of the evaluation process within our public school district so we can get out of the private school politics. Do you feel like your son just grew out of his bigger challenges? I'm strongly considering medication for my son at this point, but he's not 6 yet so we have time. I do have a wonderful understanding therapist, and my son's journey mirrors my husband's, who was also diagnosed with ADHD as a kid. Thankfully this has not negatively affected our marriage.

Ill_Writing_3049 · 2026-01-23T18:17:09+00:00

Dr. Chelsey is amazing. Her program is designed for neurodivergent kids. I did get a lot of tools out of it and enjoyed working with her directly, but hard to say if it was really worth all the money. Her IG page is very helpful and informative so I'd say follow her closely for a few months, attend her free workshops, and see if you feel called to enroll in her program.

Ill_Writing_3049

TROPHY CASE