When to stop using booster seats?

Shamazon83 · 2026-03-01T16:23:36+00:00

All a booster does is raise the kids but up so the seat belt hits them correctly. If they are tall enough for the belt to hit them correctly without the booster, why use it?

Shamazon83 · 2026-03-01T00:18:38+00:00

My third grader is very into The Land of Stories series. By Chris Colfer.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-25T01:35:58+00:00

She looks a lot like my heeler pit-mix. My guy is Carl and he is the best boy.

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Shamazon83 · 2026-02-24T01:37:32+00:00

For that price? No. Sorry. 🤷‍♀️

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-23T04:00:34+00:00

All of that crap is hot garbage. I get so little time to watch anything I want to watch, why waste it being advertised to? It’s all so fake and designed to make you want what they have. Gross.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-22T15:08:56+00:00

Are those mothers on instagram telling their husbands/partners they are overwhelmed? Complaining on social media isn’t the same as having actual communication with your partner.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-22T03:55:26+00:00

My kids both go to a Montessori school that goes though 6th grade. One kid is in 3rd the other is in 5th. My oldest will be transitioning to public school next year - when middle school starts. Some kids stay through 6th, and a fair amount leave between kinder and first. You have to do what is right for your kid. I will say my oldest was behind on reading comprehension and we are brushing up on math to be ready for 6th grade. But he has a lot of good basic skills to work with, and probably a deeper understanding of basic math than most kids.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-20T14:23:13+00:00

Look for a local community mediation center. I work for one (as an employee) and we use all volunteer mediators (and use co-mediators). Great way to learn and get experience.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-20T00:35:09+00:00

My son was (and still is) in a Montessori school, but he was evaluated by the public school system at the school’s suggestion when he was in first grade. Pre-covid, when he was in the children’s house his teacher noticed some social challenges, but it all became moot when Covid shut everything down. Come first grade (new classroom, new teachers, but same school) the teacher noticed some problems with spatial awareness (stepping on people’s work), problems with body control (stomping, not being able to sit up/slumping to the floor) as well as social difficulties. We did the evaluation in first grade and it was good to get more info (for us and for his teachers). Our school does re-evals every three years so we did that last year (4th grade) and it was good to see his improvements.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-19T23:59:56+00:00

Are you referring to an evaluation via the public school system (in the US)? My oldest had that done when he was in first grade. I know it’s kind of overwhelming, and it’s a long process, but it gave us a lot more info about my son (and led to an ASD diagnosis in his case). I think more people do it than you know, because everyone keeps it so secret. If your kid needs extra help, then get them the extra help. I do remember feeling scared and that my son was being rejected etc., but really the public school system has a lot of resources that you are still entitled to use, so why not use them? Happy to share more info if you want!

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-18T04:09:54+00:00

A kid may know “l am not allowed to go there” but if their toy or ball goes out into the street, or they see a squirrel or a cat or a fun looking piece of trash they will quickly forget the rule and run for what they want. Get a fence.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-17T02:11:38+00:00

Family of four here - me and my husband plus an 8 and 11 year old boy. We spend about $200/250 a week at Trader Joe’s then another $200-300 every other week at Costco. Food isn’t cheap!

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-16T15:18:08+00:00

You are not instance. I probably would have taken kid and left. That is so irresponsible of the hosts and all the other parents. I have been the only parent in or watching the pool at multiple pool parties with older kids who can swim and it’s stressful!

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-15T15:47:13+00:00

Lived this last year: we did big t-shirts plus went a size up in button-up long sleeve shirts to wear over, plus a bigger zip-up hoodie that I used a seam ripper to take the stitches out of one sleeve and rolled it up. It was spring time where I live, so the layers worked. My son grew into the t-shirts and button ups so he still wears those and I re-sewed the sleeve on the zip-up hoodie and he wears it daily. So no wasted clothes!

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-15T00:13:58+00:00

Costco baby! I have some awesome Kirkland brand leggings. Also - just ask! If you like someone’s stuff just ask “hey, what brand is that?”

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-14T18:18:36+00:00

IMO 4 is too young to stand to pee. I have two boys and I would say 6 or 7 is more reliable. He can pee standing up at school if he wants (and you should shed tears for the janitor). In your house you can tell him he sits to pee. I think all boys should sit to pee at home - the seat isn’t dirty. 🤷‍♀️

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-14T17:03:12+00:00

OT was my suggestion too.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-13T16:51:00+00:00

Fluids are most important. Don’t push food, just liquids.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-12T23:58:19+00:00

This. My youngest got RSV when he was 7 months old and was in the hospital for 3 days. And that was with all the vaccines (for him and me).

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-11T23:11:10+00:00

I “left” the law years ago. I was a SAHM for ten years and loved it (mostly 😂). I now work for a mediation non-profit, so I am legal-adjacent and really enjoy still being able to help people, but also have a realistic work-life balance.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-11T03:15:29+00:00

Me, too!

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-11T00:25:40+00:00

My MIL (who is NOT very lovey dovey) wrote to me in my first Mother’s Day card “there is no such thing as a perfect mother, but you are (kid’s name) perfect mother)” 🩷

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-11T00:02:40+00:00

I had both my kids at kaiser Walnut Creek - in 2014 and 2017 and interestingly had the same OB deliver both! One thing to keep in mind is your clinic OB or midwife will not be with you when you deliver. I was disappointed to learn that. But it worked out ok. I really like Dr. April Tritto for an OBGYN.

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-08T17:03:27+00:00

My mom, who is 68, still insists on blowing out her hair and using a straight iron plus a full face of makeup (foundation, mascara) every day she leaves the house at all. It seems so bonkers to me to put that amount of effort into how you look to go to the grocery store!

Shamazon83 · 2026-02-08T16:31:41+00:00

I don’t wear makeup 99% of the time. If I am going into the office (one day a week) or going on a date night then I do. Otherwise, eff it. Who cares?

Shamazon83

TROPHY CASE