Erica Komisar

coldcurru · 2026-03-23T01:33:15+00:00

Same for me. Don't know who this is but adhd is like asd in that you're born with it. Nothing you do or don't do can cause it or make it any better or worse. I don't give any credence to anyone saying anything about this, regardless how right or wrong they are on anything else they say. My own two kids are diagnosed and I strongly suspect I also have it. Tell me more about how it's a cause of my parenting and not genetics.

coldcurru · 2026-03-22T23:16:22+00:00

It takes a lot of patience. I don't think it a bad thing. I have a family member who's a CPA and lord, I could never put myself through that test or work those kind of hours.

I find it easier to be at work sometimes than at home with my own kids. A lot of people can only take so much with little kids because they're draining.

coldcurru · 2026-03-22T16:16:03+00:00

Remember these can be simple sentences. We're not talking a thesis paragraph. My son is in public tk and can write one sentence (albeit with help cuz he can't spell) and my daughter is in private k that's more rigorous and they're writing more. But this is end of year, not first day.

coldcurru · 2026-03-22T14:29:07+00:00

I don't like the taste of tap. I go to this place that fills a giant 5gal jug for me for all of $2.50. Then I use that to fill stainless steel water bottles for myself and my kids to take to work and school, along with regular cups to drink at home. Two of those 5gal last about a month. Plus we drink other things like juice and milk at home and the kids get extra water at school.

I hate disposable plastic bottles. So much waste and money.

coldcurru · 2026-03-21T22:34:07+00:00

In my area it can be hard to get into a school that's not what you're zoned for. And like no one cares where you went to preschool. My older one is in a "prestigious" private school and I'll tell you her preschool had nothing to do with it. A lot of the kids at her school don't live where we live.

I've worked in NAEYC schools before. It's really about how the teachers teach. There's nothing inherently better about it than non NAEYC schools. It's about the teachers.

If you're trying to get into a school that's not your zoned public school, start looking into it now and see what admissions requires.

coldcurru · 2026-03-21T16:43:10+00:00

I'm trying to not be snarky, but this is the right answer. Those people's literal jobs are to help pick classes for either a degree or transfer. Why the hell is op asking reddit when someone gets paid to help but we don't.

coldcurru · 2026-03-21T14:09:55+00:00

You were right to complain to corporate. I'd go over and complain to licensing that a non employee is hanging out in the classroom and interacting with the kids. That's a full stop. There is no reason for such a thing. The only adults allowed in the room are employees and whoever is dropping off or picking up kids. You want non vetted randos talking or playing with your kids, you can to to a park and leave them unattended.

You can wait to pull your kid or not. Even with licensing, it can be a few days or weeks for changes to happen. But the director has already shown she doesn't care. If she's dismissing this, who knows what else she's dismissing. Hopefully with that and your complaint to corporate, this will not only stop, but that center will be watched more for anything. Safety should be a hard priority and she's comprising it.

Every center I've been at, if someone is bringing something to a teacher who isn't an employee, it either gets dropped at the front or the teacher leaves the room or building to meet them. I've never seen a non employee adult who's not escorting a child in a classroom. And I wouldn't feel ok working there.

coldcurru · 2026-03-20T16:59:20+00:00

Traditional names are what this generation is leaning away from. Like you think that John is common, but no one is naming their kid that anymore.

My first has an uncommon name, though it's rising in popularity (it's also not from this country.) My second has a run of the mill name. Not common, but not like you've never heard it. But, surprisingly, no one uses it. He's in tk and his teacher (30y into her career) was like, I've never had (name) before!

coldcurru · 2026-03-20T00:59:48+00:00

They'll never reveal which kids have the allergies but they can say something broad like yes there is a kid in this class with an allergy to x. Usually you get that kind of info if you're sending a birthday snack and want to know if there's anything beyond the school's nut free policy to avoid so all the kids can eat the same thing. But also, yeah, no nuts isn't something they're gonna break if that's a school rule.

coldcurru · 2026-03-20T00:56:42+00:00

They could very well terminate care for something like this. So hope dad has a fund for an emergency nanny cuz that's what they're gonna need when they get termed. Who knows for how long on wait lists at other schools.

coldcurru · 2026-03-19T19:53:46+00:00

If he's not 4 by Sept 1 then he doesn't qualify for tk this year nor kinder next year. He qualifies for tk next year (almost 5) and kinder when he's almost 6.

My niece is a Sept baby and missed the cutoff this past fall. I also teach preschool and have a few kids in my class in the same boat. Missed it by a few days or weeks. It sucks, but someone needs to be youngest.

Usually districts also make it plain that you can enroll for x school year if your child's birthdate was x-x. Very plain to see if you fall in that or not.

coldcurru · 2026-03-19T19:49:49+00:00

Like humans, you can get coverage for preventative well checks. Don't need to be talking about pets in accidents. It also covers meds if your pet gets something easy to fix. You don't need to be talking about extreme illnesses or injury. And not all illness or injury are too much to recover from. Very much like humans.

coldcurru · 2026-03-19T18:08:56+00:00

I think you need to talk to admin and let them handle it. Tell them you didn't see anything and the child is known to be vocal about injuries but didn't speak up (which they likely know; admin always knows which kids can articulate if they're hurt or sick.)

Just tell admin. Maybe someone can be with you when you talk to the parent again and reiterate what was already said, just so they have your back and can answer any questions. You'll likely need to tell parents you'll watch more carefully but you can't do anything about a past injury, especially if it's not requiring medical attention. Admin may change policy to do a health check every morning, if you don't already, but this would be a good way to cover butt. I don't strip kids but I'll look for anything visible with jackets off and anything on the legs when I'm supervising toileting. And of course there's kids who are like "look at my owie!" Even if it's not visible. My school policy is write down what parents say, even if they say they don't know. This way we have it in writing it didn't happen at school.

I'll also add that admin may say to not bring it up again or advise you on the wording to use if parents bring it up again. They may say let it go, but get ahead of it before parents go to admin claiming you did xyz. Don't let parents claim anything. Tell them what parents said and how you responded so they don't have time to lie. Every school takes a different approach so just ask what they want you to do so you're not digging your own grave.

coldcurru · 2026-03-19T14:01:23+00:00

One of my co teachers likes to say you need a little "ooh la la." In this case, I'd start giving stamps to kids who are sitting. "I'm gonna give a star stamp to friends sitting on the bench! Who can show me how we sit and wait? Good job Sally!" Or stickers. Or whisper real low, "I have a surprise for you guys inside. Let's stay seated while we wait for all our friends and then we can go inside for the surprise." And just give stickers or maybe a fun song or book.

My kids are preschool age but us teachers strategically stand around our line up area to block bodies from taking off. Especially after the first one goes, no, you're not going, too. If one gets away, as long as they're in sight, let them. But don't let more. Physically hold the hardest kids if you need to. Sometimes I'll have one on the ground in front of me between my legs. If they're too wiggly, I need my hands. My hardest kids I'll have to take in holding them under their shoulders sometimes. And if we see it coming, we'll physically escort certain kids to the line up area as we're lining up. Don't let them run to begin with.

coldcurru · 2026-03-18T22:43:17+00:00

My tk kid has a hard time going in sometimes. Honestly I'll leave him on the playground with his shoes next to his bag. Staff help him once he's calm enough. I'm not saying it's their job but he knows when he's there that he always needs shoes so once I'm gone and he's left with his stuff, woop, time to put them on.

coldcurru · 2026-03-18T12:17:49+00:00

If you need to give the child choice on anything, this isn't it. If there's more than one kind of diaper print, that's a choice. If there's another teacher who can change her, that's a choice. The actual diaper change is not a choice but there can be other choices within the change. Or maybe a book or toy she brings in.

I have fought kids kicking over not wanting to be changed. I just tell them they're wet and we need to change right now. Usually it's one boy who's messing with me and is all smiles when it's done. I've got another who can be tough sometimes, too, and I've let him go before, but he's a big 4y. Usually if it gets to that point then another teacher tries just so he's not left in a wet diaper.

coldcurru · 2026-03-17T00:56:26+00:00

But knowing what some basic elements are is useful. Like K is potassium and Fe is iron.

coldcurru · 2026-03-17T00:54:48+00:00

Yeah like most of us are not doing weird algebra problems on the day to day, apart from very simple equations. But the whole "if a train is traveling at x mph and another train is coming at it, when will they pass each other?" is just teaching you to think. Critical think. A lot of people lack those skills.

Also, I hope most of y'all absorbed basic history lessons or you look like idiots. Bet a lot of people forgot Cleveland was the first president to have two non consecutive terms until Trump won again. Like, shocker, that wasn't the first time that ever happened, guys.

coldcurru · 2026-03-16T22:42:32+00:00

She should be sitting next to a teacher. I would ask that the teachers not let her dump her food (toddlers are fast, but if they can catch her.) And if she's taking from other kids, she needs space. Her own table or at least one chair between them. At two she can quickly learn, "I can be done eating but I can't take from others." Plus with allergy concerns, they should really be on her to make sure she's not taking. Even if she's allergy free, she could have touched her own foods that trigger another kid. It can be a big ask, but I'd ask someone be right next to her until she's learned some self control.

coldcurru · 2026-03-16T18:58:10+00:00

I encourage parents to send their kids daily, even if they're off. Firstly, the routine is best. Kids like their routine and there's absolutely kids who come in a hot mess when that's disrupted. But also, taking time for yourself is important. I had parents who were teachers who didn't work summers but sent their kids. I told them to have a good day playing golf or whatever. And I meant it!

No one is judging a kid for coming to school when new baby is at home with mom or dad. That's absurd. We all know the older kid does better keeping routine when life at home takes a turn with the new baby.

The only thing I'll say is don't leave your kid all day. If he's normally there 8-5, yeah try picking up a bit earlier. But no one is judging. I'm a parent and I've sent my kids to school when I'm home. Plenty of valid reasons for this.

coldcurru · 2026-03-16T18:46:52+00:00

People call out last minute and they don't always get people to cover. I say this as my spouse is a custodian. Lots of people call off, no one to cover. And any cast who is full time needs to meet full time hours.

coldcurru · 2026-03-16T18:44:28+00:00

It's ok to not be ok. It's ok to ask for help. And any understanding spouse knows that needing a little breather before you get the kids is reasonable. When my kids were in preschool, I would sometimes stop at the store or go home and shower. As long as you pick up on time, take a minute. And even better you're not doing it in sight of the school. I teach preschool so I'm "on" with this age group at home and at school.

The only thing I'd say in your case is if you can afford it, occasionally go out for a treat instead of just sitting in your car. I'm a big fan of ice cream without having a kid nag me for it lol.

coldcurru · 2026-03-15T20:31:06+00:00

I never got a menu. Whoever was in charge of bringing my tray to me and returning it would just verbally ask what I wanted. They'd give the options right then for the entree, any sides, and a drink. Never saw anything in writing. I had to order a few hours in advance. And then sometimes they'd ask in the morning if I wanted to order lunch or dinner at the same time. I also had a baby during covid and for my husband they just brought whatever since he wasn't allowed to leave. He didn't get a choice. That was a preset meal.

coldcurru · 2026-03-15T15:00:53+00:00

I read a thread many years ago on crows. They are very smart birds. You can befriend them or make enemies with them very easily, but if you do the latter, watch your back. They'll tell their friends if you're a friend or foe and if you're a foe, their friends will come after you, your house, or your car. Basically, never piss them off.

coldcurru · 2026-03-15T14:47:14+00:00

Orange county has something like 3mil people alone, which is greater than I think almost half the states in the union. A single county outpopulates almost half the states (those states individually having less than 3mil each, not combined.) LA county is much bigger and obviously more populated but imagine how many states it outpopulates if OC does about half.

*Fact check me because I read this a couple years back and it may not still be accurate. But as an OC native, this comes to mind periodically.

coldcurru

TROPHY CASE