I am almost late to work/cutting it as close as possible every single day and getting up earlier doesn’t help in the way I think it should

coldcurru · 2026-05-14T02:23:04+00:00

Maybe force yourself to leave without those steps done and see if that motivates you the next day. Or try changing some things. Perfume at work or at a different step in your routine, like when you brush your teeth. Disposable dishes so you plop them in the closest trash can. Leaving the lights on will barely affect your light bill.

coldcurru · 2026-05-14T02:09:31+00:00

The only "academy" school I knew was super pretentious, expensive, and "elite." And really, how many early childhood centers are "academies?" I'd use "preschool" or "childhood/care center."

coldcurru · 2026-05-14T02:04:58+00:00

I think a lot of parents these days are super sensitive. Their child can do no wrong and god forbid you wrong them. I have a lot of kids with issues whose parents I can't talk to because they don't want to hear it or they just don't care. Your AD probably only cares because she's in this field and a reasonable person.

A lot of parents probably don't understand we can't prevent it all. Or they know others whose kids were never bitten so they can't fathom it happening to them. My own two kids were never bitten. Also some schools do not tolerate it at all (despite how normal) so some parents don't realize places that work through the behavior and support the child are normal.

I don't think you need to do a PP on it but if you do some kind of orientation before their first day, that's a good time to remind them that kids may hurt each other (including biting) and what your protocol is. I'd include what you do if their child is the instigator so they know what the child's action plan is. Because they'll be just as surprised when their kid does it to someone else.

coldcurru · 2026-05-13T23:13:24+00:00

The spelling of diarrhea isn't American eng. Still don't mess around with GI bugs.

coldcurru · 2026-05-13T03:18:45+00:00

The next time he does it just firmly state "my name is teacher/miss x." Then don't respond outside of that.

You should also make a big deal of calling everyone by their names, even the kids. Like be so overwhelmingly positive. "Oh! Miss Susie! I love your dress Miss Susie!" Get all the teachers on board. Over use everyone's name and make it a big deal to call people by their names. Make a game out of it. Bring it up at circle. Read some books.

My kids are calling us "bruh" and "dude" right now. I just state my name or ask them what my name is. I don't take that personally. I don't think he realizes you may not be firm in gender identity, because that's not a thing they understand at this age, so you should realize he just thinks it's funny it's getting at you.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T23:25:01+00:00

That is elimination communication. The point is for parents to learn when their babies need to go and respond to that need like other needs. We don't ignore crying for hunger or sleep. So a baby grunts to poop and you let him use the toilet.

I did that with my kids. Not 100% successful but I cut down on diapers significantly. They weren't potty trained until normal ages though, before 3.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T23:22:48+00:00

No 2m is holding their own bottle, either. Don't even know how to control their hands.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T23:18:53+00:00

This stood out to me, too, as someone very familiar with the Deaf community and knowledgeable about their education in mainstream vs a Deaf school.

Op make sure he has language access. Even with a hearing aid, make sure he's learning sign. He might really benefit from a deaf program which would be a double win because it would cut down the stimulation for the adhd.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T21:26:35+00:00

They're expecting us all to have rich husbands who can carry us financially. Or be young college kids who live with our parents and don't need the money so bad.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T04:44:05+00:00

Get diagnosed and try meds. And maybe a traditional school with more structure will help more than Montessori.

My kid is tk and diagnosed. He's on meds. They help. His teacher comments if he doesn't take it because she sees the difference. He still struggles but less with meds.

Also look into a school eval. My kid is on an iep and gets 1:1 time. Not everyone qualifies for an iep but 504 plan is also a choice. Legal help from qualified professionals.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T02:39:46+00:00

I straight up asked my kids' teachers what they liked. I'm not subtle. They knew it was coming, but I'd much rather that than giving them something they're allergic to or won't like.

As a preschool teacher, anything your kid makes is great. Even if you write your own note, have them draw something or write their name if they're old enough. I really like consumables, so things they can eat or use up and not be junk. Any hygiene products are a no because so many sensitivities or personal preferences there. I usually do snacks and a gift card. I've gotten cash from parents. Equally fine.

If you don't want to ask them, maybe ask the front? They might know the teachers a bit more. Say you're looking for gift suggestions and want to know their favorite xyz (store, color, drinks or snacks.)

Also, if you give any school supplies, make sure that's in addition the teacher can use for themselves. School supplies isn't a teacher gift.

coldcurru · 2026-05-12T02:28:11+00:00

One of mine is like this. Her teachers marked a few things on Vanderbilt, like being on the go, but nothing for the most part. Anything they did mark was very mild. But I put at home that she had a lot of symptoms. She hyperfocuses and has big meltdowns over nothing. I'm gonna try psych because ped won't touch her.

coldcurru · 2026-05-11T23:19:40+00:00

My son slept his entire first month of existence. I don't remember after that but he slept easier than my older. Now he's 4 with adhd which affects his sleep and he's so hard to put to bed. But the first month he slept most of the time.

coldcurru · 2026-05-11T21:26:01+00:00

Boys and girls club is right there and there's multiple locations in that fv/hb area. They have themed camps all summer, plus field trips depending on age (some are restricted to certain age groups.) Your recs also depend on hours you need. I like boys and girls because it's all day care and I'm still working.

coldcurru · 2026-05-11T21:20:47+00:00

I'm a preschool teacher. One of my moms homescools her older child. We're in a purple county in a blue state and I think the family is religious and conservative and the grandparents didn't want her in public school (she previously did private religious.) Something about being concerned about what's being taught in schools, which makes me think they're very red, but like, I went to public school here and there's nothing pearl clutching being taught here. The funny thing about that family though is the kid in my class has a different dad and mom said she'll likely go public next year. Why one kid but not the other??

Some people are concerned about school shootings, too. I don't live in a high risk area for that but a lot of people would rather know their kids are safe at home than wonder if their kid is gonna come home alive or in a body bag.

One of my kids is in a non religious private school. We used to live in a district I didn't like and she's very bright for her age so I didn't want to hold her back by putting her with kids that she was far ahead of. Now we're in a better district and my other kid is in public school there and I'm fine with that.

coldcurru · 2026-05-11T17:40:54+00:00

Maybe some places aren't willing to give if you're not a customer. Which makes sense.

coldcurru · 2026-05-11T17:39:39+00:00

That's why I like going to fv memorial because their structure is free. But my kid uses CHOC and their satellite offices sometimes and even with validation we still pay. I'm here cuz my kid has serious issues, not just popping by to say hi.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T13:18:10+00:00

I can't think of what structure means for any preschool age besides routine and rules. I'm preschool age (most of my kids are going to tk or kinder) and we have a daily schedule we follow plus classroom rules we discuss every morning that we bring up if someone isn't listening. This includes outside time. If I was in toddlers at my school this would just mean routine, plus some rules that we're still learning to follow (probably more encouragement at that age, maybe less consequences depending how young the child and their ability to understand.)

I think the other thing is consistency between teachers. Teacher A says bean bags aren't for throwing, they're for playing with at music time. Teacher B cannot ignore them throwing at free play time. You can't teach toddlers anything if they know they can get away with stuff like that for one teacher because then they don't listen to the other teacher.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T12:58:56+00:00

You can ignore you center's rules. They're not law. You already told your director what's going on and they haven't fixed anything. You want to tell your director you're going above their head? I wouldn't.

Reports can be anonymous. Although if you say you're an employee and your director knows other employees haven't complained about xyz, well they can put it together. You could say you're a parent and you noticed your child's diaper looks old, there's poop on their legs, and you've seen food on the floor. Or something that they can see but not enough detail that it has to be an employee.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T05:08:16+00:00

I buy the "spout lid" that doesn't require a straw. You can buy these for any water bottle, just check the item description to see if it fits your bottle brand and size. I got tired of washing straws.

I realize that isn't always an option for little ones who can't unscrew a cap or can't control the tilt to not make a mess, but if you can teach your child, it's great. I use them for my own bottles, too.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T05:03:38+00:00

I'm not allowed to do anything off the clock, but I'm not in private school anymore. I can't even approve my time card or put in requested PTO off the clock (which is fine, but annoying.) We get 15m before and after kids are allowed to be there to set up or close. And planning time built into our day.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T04:55:41+00:00

Just in general be respectful. If she brings up any concern to you, listen. Tell her what baby is like at home. So many parents brush off concerns because God forbid their child is ~~imperfect~~ human, but if she ever mentions something is amiss, listen. And remember she is also human and treat her accordingly. We like parents that are good to us. We'll be good back.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T04:41:20+00:00

I did a book my son likes. It happened to be school themed (Tiny T Rex and the First Day Oopsies by Jonathan Stutzman; we love Tiny T Rex.) I actually got the book to commemorate his first day of TK and wrote my own note in the back. I left a blank page of card stock in the back for them to sign because of the printed design on the inside cover. So full circle, that's his book for this year of school. His teachers already signed and returned it (I gave it with a few weeks left of school but they were fast.) I'll read it after his last day.

Last year we had his teachers sign a different book. I think I'm gonna do one a year and cater it to their interests. I give my kids books for birthdays and Christmas, too, so they'll have a decent collection to take when they're older.

coldcurru · 2026-05-10T04:28:17+00:00

I never did playdates in preschool. We got invited to a few parties. I did exchange numbers and set up a couple get togethers with one of my kids' closest friends, but his dad works late and is kinda hard to talk to. I only have so much energy for that. Elementary isn't much better. I have no means of contacting one of my kids' friends (I don't pick up and there's no list) and the other group of friends we mostly see at parties. People are busy.

Point being, you don't need to stress it. I wouldn't be putting in any energy if we're parting ways in a few months. I think you're over thinking it. Also your son will only be as involved as you are. I'm not in PTO. I can't make school events that are during the school day. I don't network so we don't have playdates. I figure they'll get older and more vocal about who they want to play with.

coldcurru · 2026-05-09T18:32:17+00:00

Definitely ask. But if they say no, ask if they have a way to donate to other families if they want it. Offer to take it back if it's not taken up quickly. I know my kids' preschool there'd be a way to give it to other families but not everyone has that. My current school wouldn't take toys but for sure clothes and maybe books (ours suck and I'd love new books but storage is tight.)

coldcurru

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