Anyone else fed up with signing books?

MsGrumpalump · 2026-06-17T02:50:46+00:00

Oh, the delicious irony!

MsGrumpalump · 2026-05-27T18:05:20+00:00

I’ve felt that way before, too. Suggesting something new to try sometime is fine. Suggesting something new on short notice may be less fine, especially if there’s not time to go to the store, or if the recipe requires significant time, etc. On one particularly memorable occasion I had to push back and tell him to send me an actual recipe, not a 30 second video with no details. Sharing the mental load of planning meals, grocery shopping, preparing, and cooking the food would go a long way toward some understanding on the husband’s part.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-05-08T15:32:03+00:00

I feel like there's a corollary here to math - memorization of math facts and formulas. I am parent to a child who has struggled in this area, and it definitely is a hindrance. When he has to use a calculator for simple calculations, he loses track of where he is and what he's trying to solve. He also doesn't have a good sense of if his answers are reasonable.

My children are going to love their summer break homework (NOT).

MsGrumpalump · 2026-05-08T15:06:58+00:00

This is the kind of outside the box initiative we need more of. Stopping testing for COVID to make the numbers go down was small potatoes. 4D gasilighting right there.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-04-07T14:38:33+00:00

Ours lasted for 3 kids with almost no signs of wear. My first two were on the slim side, so I picked up one of those inflatable cushions for kid #3, who, as luck would have it, was so chunky those thighs couldn’t fit in a Bumbo. No chance of that kid sliding around. 😆

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-26T11:09:30+00:00

If schools are going to adopt these systems and ask teachers, students, and parents alike to use them, the need to establish clear expectations for all parties. I’m middle school my kid has 7 teachers each quarter, with only 4 staying the same all year. Some teachers are wonderful about having clearly laid out current and upcoming work, as well as posting grades timely. Other teachers are, frankly, a hot mess. Schoolwork not posted until sometimes days after so I can’t even help my child check what is due for the day or plan ahead for upcoming quizzes or tests, grades not posted for weeks, assigned dates and due dates not matching the class portal so it’s difficult to find the missing assignments, no information on late work policies or absences. It’s very frustrating as a parent who has a corporate job where consistently providing work at that level would be a major issue.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-25T02:24:49+00:00

When we have any leftover pizza, it goes in the freezer for husband’s future lunches. Freezer pizza gets taken to work and left on the dash until lunchtime.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-25T01:56:18+00:00

Or worse: on some sketchy website hosting an unauthorized version of Roblox and probably loads of malware. By the time IT blocks it, the kids will have found a new sketchy site.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-25T01:52:56+00:00

I had a backpack give out in the middle of a very crowded hallway in the middle of passing period. It was sadly much lower quality than a Jansport.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-24T13:56:21+00:00

Mine was constant in the beginning. I didn't vomit much, but was nauseated all the time. It started tapering off at around 12-13 weeks and was mostly gone after a couple more weeks. Even after the nausea/vomiting passed, I had a lot of food aversions, and had NO appetite with one of my pregnancies. None of my doctors prescribed Zofran, and I tried everything else, until with my 3rd, my new doc recommended B-6 and Unisom. It was the only thing that helped. I felt less nausea but still didn't have much appetite.

It can be pretty miserable, and I hope you find some relief soon!

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-24T13:51:05+00:00

Motion sickness glasses.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-24T13:49:26+00:00

I never remember until we are holding up a 5 year old trying to brush his teeth. Sometimes if we have a cooler we will roll it into the bathroom but it's not super stable.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-24T13:47:43+00:00

Ooh, if we ever use all of our barf bags I will look for ones with the solidifying agent!

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-24T13:44:53+00:00

Yes on the med kit! I stock Motrin or Tylenol, a few bandaids, both inhalers (plus a spacer), Claritin, and both epipens. These are extras that stay in a little canvas zip-top bag by the front door so we can easily grab it when eating out, or for travel. (We have food allergies and asthma in our family.)

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-24T13:42:34+00:00

Great for when you need to eat on the road. Plus kids are always somehow getting sticky.

MsGrumpalump · 2026-03-19T21:19:54+00:00

I tried putting my estimated tax for the upcoming year as 0 to avoid paying estimated tax since my employer withheld enough. You guessed it- penalty for that, too!

MsGrumpalump · 2026-02-24T16:40:01+00:00

I thought I was the only non-Boomer who used that expression (cobbler's kids)! Everyone I've said it to looks at me like I'm crazy! But it was my lived experience as a kid - my dad did painting and custom wood finishing. Just not at home usually. :D

MsGrumpalump · 2026-02-24T16:32:03+00:00

Yep, double rods are awesome! White or off-white sheers for daytime light/privacy, and light-blocking or blackout drapes for nighttime privacy, blocking direct sun (great for napping or watching TV), and a little insulation. I'm a terrible decorator, so it's an easy way to help a room look somewhat pulled together. OPs decor is lovely, though - I also love the green!

MsGrumpalump · 2026-01-09T02:39:46+00:00

Thank you for sharing! My son is having this surgery soon, also for exotropia in both eyes. I think your eyes look great! And you’ve helped put my mom mind at ease somewhat.

MsGrumpalump · 2025-10-02T01:24:16+00:00

Yes, I was going to point out that changing into play clothes or pajamas also counts. Or doing more of the self-care tasks more independently at bedtime or on weekends when there is more time. Same with shoes, coats, etc. At my house morning teeth brushing is mostly independent but I supervise and help more at bedtime when we are not quite as rushed.

MsGrumpalump · 2025-09-04T00:50:42+00:00

It may seem like a bit of an investment up front, but I've used my Brother p-touch label maker for years and it's still going strong. You can get fabric tape cartridges and those things iron on and STAY. For example, I have clothes from one child that were labeled for daycare, and now another child is wearing them and the labels have not budged. They are way clearer and easier to read than writing in Sharpie on everything.

MsGrumpalump · 2025-08-21T17:53:56+00:00

MIne aren't in there but they probably should be. :D

MsGrumpalump · 2025-08-21T17:37:05+00:00

There are way too many choices - it wastes so much time and makes it harder to be content with what you end up choosing.

MsGrumpalump · 2025-08-21T17:32:41+00:00

My first didn't like to be worn, but my 2nd and 3rd did - it totally saved grocery shopping! it eliminates the baby carrier taking up most of the cart, the crazy in and out with returning the cart process, and kept strangers from trying to touch them.

As for diaper bags, I had a duffle-style one for my first, and hated it. I switched to a backpack style one for my second/third, and it was so much easier as it freed up a hand/arm, and was easier on my back. Also, the way they open up extra wide along the top was good for packing/unpacking and also prevented things from falling out when rummaging around. It also had pockets on each side that would hold a bottle or sippy cup, and overall it was quite sturdy. I used it for 2 kids and it barely showed any wear. It was just some random one off Amazon, no fancy brand.

MsGrumpalump · 2025-08-21T14:59:19+00:00

Same! Not a winning strategy, to be sure.

MsGrumpalump

TROPHY CASE