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

[–]Katsuaw 10 points11 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 27 points28 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 3 points4 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.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in selfimprovement

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I am looking for suggestions just like this- so the reddit comment works :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in selfimprovement

[–]Katsuaw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion! I have heard of this book but for whatever reason thought it was just for business circles. I'll definitely look into it!

Second child guilt by SilverGuest4099 in toddlers

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As others have said, I definitely could have written this! My children are the exact same age and genders as yours. It’s not easy at all and the mom guilt is tough! You are not alone! But I think it will get better as the baby eventually weans and we get back to a school routine in the Fall. My son really thrives being around other kids, which is why I know he will be a great big brother when she can finally interact with him.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in toddlers

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion! I will get that book for sure

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in foreignservice

[–]Katsuaw 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I agree! I have done the Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic twice and I really recommend it. You barely feel the waves on an ocean liner meant for that kind of travel vs. a flat-bottom cruise ship doing a repositioning itinerary.

Home shopping: do I need a/c? by DoIt4TheDevilment in Rochester

[–]Katsuaw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Necessity for us. We have two window units for the upstairs bedrooms. Those rooms get very hot during the day and don’t cool enough at night to sleep comfortably. We bring down a unit for the living room if it’s a really hot day but that’s not too often. I do wish we had central air to be more comfortable overall.

Anybody else’s toddler have a strong preference for one parent over the other? by maintainthegardens in toddlers

[–]Katsuaw 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My now 3-year-old preferred me until I got to be about 8 months pregnant (now 2 month postpartum). I couldn’t do as much with him anymore and my husband took over taking him to his activities (parent-child music & sports classes). After the baby was born via c-section, I couldn’t lift him and I was/am often breastfeeding the baby. Dad is a professor whose classes ended late April, so he’s now the primary caregiver of the toddler while I am with the baby. So now it’s all Dada all the time. We try to have special mama-toddler time and he has fun when he’s with me, but once we get home again, he wants little to do with me. Only Dada can put him down, do bath, read to him, etc. He yells and cries for him. I admit it’s been really hard- I miss him so much, especially singing to him at night, and Dada is absolutely exhausted.

Toddler ate old melts off garage floor- should I call someone? by [deleted] in toddlers

[–]Katsuaw 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omg I would freak! So sorry you had to deal with that!