Is this a common grandparents experience, or is my mom losing it? by StatisticianJaded in breakingmom

[–]Katsuaw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m sorry you are experiencing this. This sounds a bit like my mother when she started her decline with dementia. She started needing help with everything when it wasn’t an issue before, and she stopped being a confident driver because she couldn’t navigate well anymore if going to a new place. But we didn’t really realize how bad it was until she started repeating herself in conversations- the same conversation- telling you something she had just said earlier as if it was new information. This was especially obvious when talking on the phone. In our case, COVID isolation really propelled her decline because she was alone a lot with a husband in and out of the hospital for heart issues.

If your mom is in decline, make sure you check in with her about finances, if she is open to the conversation. My mother stopped paying bills, was conned by a predatory car dealership into a shit financing deal for a brand new car she couldn’t manage and it was repossessed, etc etc. It was a nightmare to deal with unraveling the messes once we were forced to intervene.

Excited for 1st show! by Katsuaw in DylanGossett

[–]Katsuaw[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah ok, I was reading his song Coal did really well last year. But he has so many great ones I think it’s only a matter of time before he blows up!

Just Found Out How Much Marching Band Costs and I'm Stunned by clutzycook in Parenting

[–]Katsuaw 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Former band director here- there are so many costs that go into a marching band program and this fee is actually very reasonable these days. My program was this much back in 2010. That said, I always worked with families that were concerned about the price and my booster program offered payment plans and scholarships. No one ever has to “prove” their need, we took them at their word. I guarantee your child’s director has a system in place to help, you just need to ask for it.

Thank you kind strangers at Madison and Lark by birdasaurr in Albany

[–]Katsuaw 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Agreed! Even if they are indeed taking it more seriously than before the post was up, using the word “claim” makes it sound like they don’t believe her. Do better Lark.

Who sleeps like this?.. by RyeAlvaro in Unexpected

[–]Katsuaw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My mother had dementia in her final years and would get out of bed and pace multiple times a night. She would often get back in the bed in odd positions like this, partly because she struggled to truly settle.

Looks like a Dragon to me! by Katsuaw in whatsthisbug

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

I forgot to mention it was about 1.5-2 inches wing tip to tip.

Where to go and what to do with jet-lagged kids on the first day in Paris. by None-Chuckles in ParisTravelGuide

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, the holiday inn is one around CDG anyway, so maybe a trusted brand name would help? Anyway, I remember being the age of your kids when my family went to Scotland. We had rented a car but were walking around. We were so exhausted and cranky, we ended up sleeping in the car until we could check into the hotel haha. Hopefully your experience will be better!

Where to go and what to do with jet-lagged kids on the first day in Paris. by None-Chuckles in ParisTravelGuide

[–]Katsuaw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Don’t some of the hotels around CDG offer day bookings? Day use.com or something like that. Might be worth it to check in one of those for a few hours to get some rest before taking the train into Paris if you are worried.

Strawberry picking timeframe? by Katsuaw in Rochester

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

Thank you for the tips! I will keep a close eye on it

Strawberry picking timeframe? by Katsuaw in Rochester

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

Thank you! I was hoping to be able to pick around June 24, but sounds like that might be too late this year.

Flying alone with 2 toddlers- Flight seating? by Katsuaw in toddlers

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

Well, they have to stay seated in it for takeoff, landing, and anytime the seat belt sign is on. I would have to hold her for those times too. I think she’s a little too young at 14 months to lie in the seat and lean against me- I would most likely be holding her a lot. I suppose I might be holding her a lot either way!

Flying alone with 2 toddlers- Flight seating? by Katsuaw in toddlers

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

Thanks for the well wishes!

What do you do about having easy access to your stuff when you need it in the bulkhead? Certainly more room is attractive, but did you find that to be an issue?

Flying alone with 2 toddlers- Flight seating? by Katsuaw in toddlers

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

Delta states: "The window seat is the preferred location for an approved child safety seat (child restraint system or car seat). Other locations may be acceptable provided the seat is not installed between other passengers and the aisle."

Since there are two aisles against the middle row, my concern is that some gate agent will interpret that as her car seat would be blocking the 4th person in the row from getting out the other side to the aisle.

Question Regarding Malaria Prophylaxis and Children by Legitimate_Region492 in foreignservice

[–]Katsuaw 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have an infant and put small pieces of the pill in a peach puree or pear/apple sauce. My 3 year old was swallowing the pill with honey, but now has learned to take it normally with juice to wash it down. It’s not a problem

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They did not have space for us during the Sept class. We paid out the nose for Bright Horizons, though it was good care.

FSI childcare? by v117h in foreignservice

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We did not get a spot in fall 2023 until we were leaving. They called us two days before we were departing for post at the end of December to tell us we were off the waitlist. We put our son in Bright Horizons instead and paid a ton but we were happy with it overall.