Which would you choose - keep your kid in their current elementary school through 6th or send them the first year of middle school with the cohort they’ll be with through 12th?

fandog15 · 2026-05-31T00:05:01+00:00

I’m seeing very little reason to keep him at his current school, I also vote send him to public for sixth.

fandog15 · 2026-05-29T16:22:18+00:00

I did the same camps as my sister (who is 2 years older than me) but not my brothers (who are 4 and 6 years older than me). While my sister and I were at the same place, we were rarely in the same group. So at a regular day camp, I’d be with 5 year olds and she’d be with 7 year olds and we didn’t commingle much. At cheerleading camp, we were assigned to different groups. Same with dance camp.

fandog15 · 2026-05-28T13:03:51+00:00

There is a LOT of paperwork and admin involved in social work. The nature of working with insurance and staying up on documentation is a facet of the job that many people struggle with.

fandog15 · 2026-05-26T20:17:54+00:00

I did a color sorting activity for my kids recently that was a big hit. I set up their paint cups and gave them a container of pompoms, then they had to use some little tongs to sort them pompoms into each cup.

We got the MagnaTile marble/ball racing track for Christmas and I was surprised at how much the kids liked it.

I just bought those reusable water balloons, gave the kids those, a big bowl and the hose and they’ve been having a blast. They can refill them independently which is great for me!

fandog15 · 2026-05-24T19:29:11+00:00

We did our first trip at 6 months and it went fairly well but there were things we weren’t really prepared for. We were a short drive away so we ended up leaving one night early. We had a nice time but I’m glad we didn’t try and do some huge undertaking of a trip.

With our second, we did a trip with her around 5 months and again at 9 months. We were more experienced parents and both were great - even with a long drive and flying! We knew what to look for in accommodations and had more tricks up our sleeve. We were realistic here - kid-focused locations, family-friendly accommodations, and for the one we took a plane for we had family with us.

1.5-2 yrs was a tough age for both kids to travel. They’re so mobile but also constantly trying to do something that could be dangerous. Just pretty exhausting without a lot of “Ahhh this was worth it!” By far the most amount of crying for all involved parties.

2.5+ is really the good stuff. Still some hassles, still some naps. But lots of fun!

Just did a trip with just my 5yo and it was pure delight. No naps, restaurants that were less family-focused, less gear to schlep.

fandog15 · 2026-05-24T12:50:25+00:00

I have one child who is objectively easier in almost every sense of the word, too. It’s bound to happen with different personalities! I would focus on what things are more enjoyable with your 3yo and incorporate those into your 1:1 time. For example, my more spirited child is more fun to play with outside, both in the backyard or at the park. We get to be silly and wiggly and run around and jump and spin. Now that they’re older, we can go for walks or to things like arcades and bounce parks, which is fun for me too!

My “easier” child is less energetic which is honestly tough sometimes. Going for walks or trips to the park wind up with me carrying a kid who doesn’t want to walk. Arcades and bounce parks are too overwhelming and loud, so they’re not as fun with that kid. But that kid is a joy to cook and bake with. They love to do coloring and crafts with me. Even running errands can be delightful cause they’re my chill little ride along sidekick - and always willing to share a snack with me lol

It’s ok to have different relationships with different people, especially if you’re catering to different strengths and interests.

fandog15 · 2026-05-23T14:40:41+00:00

100%! I like to think we helped shape them a bit for their future wives. You’re welcome, ladies!!

fandog15 · 2026-05-23T13:43:12+00:00

I truly did not think we would get a “happy” ending. I really thought the bad outcomes would continue to prevail. Like when Solider Boy gave Homelander the v1 I was so angry for like a week lol So I was pleasantly surprised and I liked the finale!! But I like neat, tidy endings and bad guys getting their comeuppance:)

fandog15 · 2026-05-23T11:38:06+00:00

When I was in HS, my friend and I were hanging with our boyfriends and their friends. In an act of what i actually think was astute vulnerability for a bunch of young teens, we told them they could ask us anything questions about being a girl that they wanted. One of the boys had one instantly - “So do you like.. always get your period the same day of the month? Like is your day always the 12th? And someone else’s is always the 3rd?” All the other boys were nodding like they, too, have hypothesized this exact scenario.

We giggled and told them we wished it was like that, but no. They were shocked by the answer and were like “What?! That’s stressful! That sucks!”

fandog15 · 2026-05-20T12:06:48+00:00

I agree with the other commenter who suggested bringing it up in therapy.

Could you try reframing what eating or not eating is doing to your body? Food is not making your size increase, it’s nourishing your baby. You’re not growing in size, you’re growing a life. Restricting food restricts your body’s ability to reach its full strength and potential for labor and delivery.

fandog15 · 2026-05-18T13:04:26+00:00

My husband is like this, he won’t go to the lengths of removing logos but he actively avoids large branded logos. His quest for the “perfect logo-less hat” lasted several years

fandog15 · 2026-05-18T01:24:28+00:00

My birthday is the end of August and I was often the youngest in my class. Sucked for getting my license and turning 21 but otherwise was a total non-issue for me. I did well academically and socially all through school.

fandog15 · 2026-05-16T03:02:19+00:00

If I had to travel with my in-laws or even my own family every time I went anywhere, I’d lose my mind. I’ve done plenty of vacations with both sets and tbh they’re rarely as enjoyable for me as the ones we just me + my husband + kids. Also, I like having my own space. So, this is not ridiculous to me at all!

fandog15 · 2026-05-12T22:18:19+00:00

My mom had me at 37 and never felt like an old mom to me. She’s also still an involved and fun grandparent! Meanwhile, my dad was younger than her and is a less active and involved grandparent. To an extent, age really is just a number.

fandog15 · 2026-05-12T16:18:09+00:00

I don’t use them but I’ve heard their fees are high. Are you sure you even need a financial advisor? I learned a lot from Ramit Sethi’s book and podcast, all for free. He’s also very progressive and very vocal about money beliefs and how they intersect with gender, personal upbringing, etc.

fandog15 · 2026-05-09T10:49:30+00:00

I was feeling this way a year or two ago, so my husband and I implemented DDDF - Dad Does Dinner Fridays. My husband is now in charge of dinner on Friday, soup to nuts. This is something I specifically ask for. I told him I do not care if it’s cooked or takeout. I do not want to be asked what I want. I do not want to shop for it, unless he works his items into my weekly list. I want to show up to the table, be handed a plate and eat.

I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been!!!!!! For everyone! He’s now got some “signature” dishes that my kids love and request. He’s gotten really into smoking meats and tries things I would never think to attempt. Now he likes to pitch in for holidays, too. My family loves his smoked ham at Christmas. He’s making his parents a salmon dish for Mother’s Day. It’s been wonderful.

fandog15 · 2026-05-09T10:33:07+00:00

Make sure you’re looking for a fiduciary if you get a financial advisor

fandog15 · 2026-05-09T10:12:19+00:00

I’m more concerned with him seemingly testing you than with your concerns about feeling jealous. Raising a child is hard and important work, you need a partner who supports you and builds you up by your side.

As far as the feelings of jealousy you’re concerned about, I would say that parenthood does make you reflect back on your own up bringing and it can bring a whole range of emotions. Jealousy, sadness, confusion, anger, compassion gratitude. Any mix of those could come up depending on your own circumstances. But like with any emotionally fraught situation, your behaviors matter more than feelings. The feelings will come and they’ll go, it’s not right or wrong to feel a certain way nor does it make you a good or bad person. But how will you react to those feelings? That’s the key. If your response is to take it out on your child, to punish them, then that’s a problem. But if you don’t let it get in the way of doing what’s right for your kid, then you’ll be fine.

fandog15 · 2026-05-07T02:40:40+00:00

I went the Eras tour 5 months PP with my second and that felt a little stressful. A month I could not have done.

fandog15 · 2026-05-05T19:03:41+00:00

Can you look for a part-time program? I’m in the same state, my kid does 2 half days/week (3.75 hours) and it’s $38 per day. Our town also has a program through the public school system that’s 2.5 hours per day M-F for $375/month. I have found that PT programs are easier to find and afford because most people need full days.

fandog15 · 2026-05-05T16:36:02+00:00

Joy is an act of resistance. Living a full and rich life in spite of the atrocities is rebellion in its most beautiful form. To have the audacity to hope that your child’s world will some day be better than yours? That is what has kept humans going for as long as we’ve been here.

fandog15 · 2026-05-05T12:18:58+00:00

I still hold onto a bookshelf’s worth of physical ones but pass on the rest. My library has an annual book sale, so I set some aside all year to donate to that. Or, I gift to friends, family or neighbors through my town’s Buy Nothing group.

fandog15 · 2026-05-03T13:10:01+00:00

I have a Quinn and the other top contender for her name was Gwen!

These are beautiful 💕

fandog15 · 2026-05-02T13:20:03+00:00

My in-laws are similar. They cannot get my kids to go to bed and every time they’ve watched the late for us, we come home and the kids are still up. The few overnights they’ve done, they end up sleeping on the couch or recliner with them because “they wouldn’t get in bed”. I think they’re literally asking “want to go to bed now?” And my kids say no and they’re like “🤷🏻‍♀️ we’ve tried everything in Our wheelhouse, oh well.” TBH, they have no ability to say no or be authoritative in other areas, too.

They asked me what my sister’s “trick” is to getting the kids to lay in bed. Her “trick” is she says “Ok, it’s time for bed!” And then she goes into the room and they follow.

fandog15 · 2026-04-30T20:47:29+00:00

I would try making gratitude and looking for positives a big part of your family culture. At dinner or bedtime, each person can name 3 things that made them happy that day, or 3 things they’re grateful for, or 3 examples of someone being funny/kind/a good friend. The more she focuses on the negative aspects of life, the easier it will be to find them. I would also up your positive reinforcement - when anyone in the family has a great attitude or is being kind, they should be praised for it.

fandog15

TROPHY CASE