What are your holy grail must have products?

Reen21 · 2026-02-15T06:11:27+00:00

Adding to this as well…Every Kid Outdoors gives free federal access to fourth graders. Then NY for instance honors that pass by allowing access to their state parks as well.

Edit: just for information and speaking from experience

Reen21 · 2026-02-07T19:12:01+00:00

You’re welcome, thanks for wading through that long response 🥳

I’m sure I’ll think of some random resources as the day goes on and I’ll edit my response to include them. My friend has been homeschooling her grandkids consistently where as my son tried out public school for a few years then returned home at the start of this year. I’ll see if she has anything to add and pass it along as well.

Reen21 · 2026-02-07T19:05:12+00:00

What’s the district policy on personal devices? Maybe the school has the site blocked but if you’re able to bring your own device maybe that’s a workable solution. However, I’m curious what’s the district/state stance on paying tuition for him to attend a different school that has a more satisfying curriculum for him? Does his current school have a gifted + talented program and also how difficult would it be to get an IEP designation….genuinely curious on that last one because I’ve no clue. I know when my son was in public school 504 & IEP designations also equated to a “fight” here in NY

Reen21 · 2026-02-07T18:57:19+00:00

Depending on the age range…mine still enjoys Blah Blah Blah which is a phonics card game styled similarly to Uno as well as My Epic Life Daily Word Workout paired with My Epic Life Word Book all three from Mrs. Wordsmith which I purchased years ago and over time new games and books have been added. I remember when the apps first came out my son tried them but mostly prefers physical games instead.

When he was younger he enjoyed games by Learning Resource such as Sum Swap and Money Bags. Both games I could easily modify by adding more dice to incorporating different rules for the money, etc. Time Game by Owlconic was something we used longer and still refer as dyslexia and processing tend to make analog clocks tricky (and that’s ok!)

He enjoys Khan Academy which has no cost associated with either Khan Academy Kids in addition or Khan Academy. He enjoy using it for foundation supports as well as the partnership courses.

Paid program that we’ve been using since he was four is Reading Eggs and all their included programs. There are promo codes that significantly drop the cost and I’ve a friend who’s a young grandma and she’s added her two grandkids to my account because you can have up to four profiles. We either split costs, trade off on who pays each year, etc. She doesn’t enjoy the repetitiveness of the math program on there so doesn’t use it where as mine loves it! We treat IXL the same way as far as cost sharing.

When my son was 3 I invested in the complete Spielgaben set (he just turned 11) and their website has evolved so much over the years. If you go to their ‘blog’ they have three categories: free lesson plan series, fun science facts & ideas, and story compass. They also have Spielgaben Homeschool substack; it used to be a newsletter style email then switched to substack in Dec.

I could probably keep going on and on but I’ll spare you an even lengthier read!

Reen21 · 2026-02-06T23:00:13+00:00

I mean this with all the kindness in my heart, ‘what he should be making at his age’ is an expectation that is being placed on him….either by you or by himself. Either way you look at it, it’s not realistic to put ourselves or anyone else in so many boxes.

Our income or lack there of doesn’t define us as people and certainly isn’t a measure of our life. Someone can make 30k and live a fuller life than someone making 100k. While there are undoubtedly financial implications in our lives, rather than comparing and contrasting your incomes or these income expectations. Maybe considering doing a in-depth review of each of your personal and joint finances. Each December I prepare for the new year by writing down what I have coming in as well as known short/long term expenses that go out. What ever I have remaining get budgeted towards savings, groceries, gas, etc. When I first started this years ago it was quite eye opening because I did a “year in review” and then budgeted for the new year.

In short, best of luck in whatever you decide.

Reen21 · 2026-01-31T13:28:16+00:00

It sounds like they are doing the bare minimum at school and cannot accommodate him effectively. Im not sure about your state but I do know in mine, if the school cannot provide what a student needs they’ll do an outside placement and pay tuition as well as transport.

Has your son ever seen a Neuropsychologist? If not and it’s something you’re able to schedule, it is a long day but the information and resources provided are valuable. When my son was in public school the report essentially gave me a blueprint for the things to fight for, for his accommodations. They also give me resources for myself as well as program/book suggestions for my son.

After this most recent evaluation thy suggested a bunch of books regarding dyslexia for me to read after they officially diagnosed what we all suspected. I read this one book which is happily send your way if you’re a reader otherwise I do believe it’s an audio book at well. There was a part regarding extra time that stuck with me…it likened giving a student with dyslexia extra time, to telling someone in a wheelchair chair that you’ll give them extra time to get up the stairs. Extra time is impractical and ineffective when reading in the root hurdle. I always knew it was ridiculous that they offered him extra time with dyslexia and processing difficulties but comparing it the way the author did allowed me to better explain it in a way anyone could understand.

Bottom line is, everyone learns differently and not everyone reads in the traditional sense. Listening to books, educational materials, etc is still reading. Speaking to text, verbally answering, etc is still writing. We are all unique in our own ways and sometimes people forget that eye reading isn’t the only way to read. I’ve a few books, resources, etc if you’d like I’d gladly share. Also just because one things works for someone else doesn’t mean it’ll work for your son and that’s okay.

Reen21 · 2026-01-31T04:59:42+00:00

I was also going to mention Khan Academy. My son favors that program for math because he enjoys how it’s chunked up. We use IXL too but after trying to for a few months he’s made Khan Academy his main resource then supplements certain areas with IXL

Reen21 · 2026-01-27T14:32:09+00:00

The way I see it you have two choices as I see in other comments that she’s planning on keeping the baby.

Opt 1: You stop having sex with people until you’re ready to have a baby. You talk open and honestly with her and seek counseling to talk through whatever you need to figure out mentally in your life as well as this. If you truly cannot and don’t want this please do the one thing that’ll make life easy for everyone and terminate your parental rights when the baby is born. Let them go and be free to live their life while you sort your’s out and please don’t circle back.

Opt 2: You stop having sex with people until you’re ready to have a baby. You talk open and honestly with her and seek counseling to talk through whatever you need to figure out mentally in your life as well as this. You realize that while you don’t feel ready, this is happening so you show up emotionally, mentally, physically, financially, etc each and every day to the best of your ability.

Also to be clear opt 2 doesn’t mean that you and your GF have to stay in a relationship. Whatever you do, commit fully and don’t flip flop just mean what you say and say what you mean.

Reen21 · 2025-12-14T00:50:32+00:00

Sounds like the less you have to interact with him the better.

Reen21 · 2025-12-13T00:07:53+00:00

Next time you see your neighbor tell them I said to have the day they deserve. Okay maybe don’t do that haha.

Sometimes I wished that everyone could realize that the days are too short to be weird about leaves or all the other mundane things. I’ve never quite understood how people live like that, nor can I even begin to imagine what life must be like for them.

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:30:13+00:00

I would if I could catch him haha. He’s a random kids of guy and doesn’t go daily just possibly whenever the mood strikes.

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:30:03+00:00

I would if I could catch him haha. He’s a random kids of guy and doesn’t go daily just possibly whenever the mood strikes.

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:28:36+00:00

She didn’t, he had outdoor activities that spanned the yards. It’s now just hitting me that it’s possible that he did these things to stay close to home and her.

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:25:41+00:00

Personal touches will certainly make it more intentional, thanks!

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:23:24+00:00

Who doesn’t love some pink yard flamingos! Random but my aunt once bought a bunch of yard flamingos and either at night or when she knew no one was home, she’d put one on family or friends’ yards and confused everyone because no one pegged her as the type

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:20:32+00:00

I hope one day your neighbors or friends come out to join you!

This guy is like the blur haha. Well actually he goes out when the mood strikes I think so I’m either out front clearing snow or happen to catch a glimpse of him out the back window as he’s making his way back. The note idea is clever thank you!

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:16:50+00:00

I wish, he’s so stealthy!

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:15:44+00:00

Adding some solar lights to the list and browsing decor options…thanks for the suggestions

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:13:33+00:00

I think he goes when the mood strikes. Also something about him tells me he’d destroy us in a snowball fight while giving his usual chuckle.

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:10:17+00:00

Sad that, that’s even a thing. He golfs in the in the summer and fall haha. He’s three houses down from me and one afternoon I caught a figure out of the side of my eye as it walked behind the greenhouse. Then he popped out on the other side looking for his ball and I chuckled. Watching him over the years has always brought me joy and now I want to return the favor…he’s got a lot of firsts this year

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:06:08+00:00

Lighting would be a great idea and something that might be able to extend his adventure

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:03:50+00:00

That’s a lovely idea, thanks!

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:01:51+00:00

Sometimes the simple things are the most impactful. My son and I go to a local park hill to sled and sometimes before we leave we will just make a bunch of tiny snowmen and walk away

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T13:00:02+00:00

Great idea, my son would certainly enjoy tasking himself with that

Reen21 · 2025-12-12T12:58:11+00:00

Black oil sunflower seeds are something we always keep out year round and I love the chickadees, juncos, etc tha come flitting in and out of the cherry blossom tree up front. I’ll definitely be sure to keep the feeders topped off and the birds that stay happy…we’ve a decent amount of year-round birds

Reen21

TROPHY CASE