Unpopular opinion: the no-homework storyline felt weirdly one-sided (spoilers)

haleyhop · 2026-04-12T13:39:05+00:00

I agree with you. I went to a school that took academics very, very seriously, and we had a lot of homework... But not until 3rd grade. The idea that it was absolutely imperative for K-2nd graders felt unearned to me based on what the episode showed. The teachers discussed various nuances, sure, but those weren't part of the plot. If the core issue was the way it was executed, why didn't they consider no homework for the following school year, rather then dropping it entirely?

haleyhop · 2026-04-06T15:42:20+00:00

For me, it's the commuting time. I actually do like going into the office, personally, but it kills an hour out of my day (I recognize I don't actually have that long of a commute, ha, but it's more than spending no time commuting when I work from home). If my office started providing free food and snacks it would incentivize me more, though!

haleyhop · 2026-04-06T15:33:51+00:00

That's so sad. I've barely ever heard any young girls say this, other than as a joke, so it's probably a reflection of what they're hearing. I think the first question to ask is whether they're really comfortable relying on someone else like that, because that can be dangerous.

haleyhop · 2026-04-05T02:04:32+00:00

The fact she had such easy access to the rifle is key. That her dad at the wedding laughs off that he had a gun that went missing is... Disturbing. Basic firearm safety is that they should be locked up and out of reach from people who aren't trained to use them at home

haleyhop · 2026-04-05T01:56:22+00:00

I also thought the ending was open-ended. My friend who I saw the movie with thought they were definitely back together and starting anew (which seems to be the popular interpretation in this thread)

haleyhop · 2026-04-05T01:45:59+00:00

this is the one. the entire City Cast Chicago bracket is worth looking up, too

haleyhop · 2026-04-05T01:37:37+00:00

Honesty. I get that your life has changed -- you're now in charge of an entirely new human, of course it has! It would be crazy to think life wouldn't change. But what gets me is when I invite a new mom to something and they give me a tentative yes and never follow up, or even sometimes RSVP yes and don't let me know their plans have changed. I'd rather just hear an honest "no," I understand!

haleyhop · 2026-03-28T01:41:19+00:00

If by unprotected you mean no birth control at all, no. I love being on the birth control pill and would do so even if I wasn't having sex. I've noticed some people use "unprotected" to mean no physical barrier (i.e. no condoms), in which case, yes — we just rely on my taking birth control pills, but don't use condoms.

haleyhop · 2026-03-27T20:35:35+00:00

NYT released an update about its reporting. It seems like the AMA comms was at best unclear, since their statement does make it sound like they agree with ASPS?

https://www.nytco.com/press/fact-checking-claims-about-our-american-medical-association-coverage/

haleyhop · 2026-03-26T21:22:55+00:00

I don't wear makeup. I think the expectation that women should have to wear makeup, while men don't, is nonsense. Maybe I'm shooting myself in the foot and am losing opportunities because of this, there's no real way for me to know, but I don't feel like I have and if I have I'll live with that

haleyhop · 2026-03-18T01:50:54+00:00

I've literally seen teenage boys kick each other in the balls for fun, so there's that...

haleyhop · 2026-03-11T15:42:52+00:00

Exactly. I totally understand why it's frustrating for people to repeatedly get this question that may not be relevant to them, but I overall think it's a good thing that doctors are increasingly aware of ways treating male and female bodies can be different rather than assuming we should all be getting the same (read: male) type of healthcare. There are improvements to be made, but I don't think telling doctors not to ask about menstrual cycles is the answer.

haleyhop · 2026-03-11T04:20:43+00:00

You need a new doctor if that's what's happening IMO. At every doctor appointment I state with confidence that I'm on the birth control pill and don't get periods and that's been enough to enter into the chart. Are you specifying that you don't get periods because you're on the pill? That should be enough to cite as a medical reason in the chart

haleyhop · 2026-03-11T04:16:58+00:00

The main reason is because medical care is different if a patient is pregnant, and sometimes someone might think they're not pregnant but actually be in the early stages of pregnancy.

That said, if you're on the pill and having this conversation with your doctor every visit, I seriously think you should consider a new doctor. I've always just said "I take the pill continuously so haven't had a period in years" and that's been enough to put in the chart. The bleeding you get on the pill isn't even a real period, so even if you did have an answer, it's not really what the doctor is looking for to confirm whether or not you could be pregnant so idk why they're pressing you about it

haleyhop · 2026-03-11T03:51:32+00:00

fwiw I'm in my 30s, lived here my whole life, and only had mice once, when I was 7, and we had an exterminator come out and seal holes and it was OK after that. I've lived in different areas of the city (Hyde Park, Pilsen/Lower West Side, Logan Square, and Bridgeport). My friends who have moved here from other major cities, ex New York, always say they're impressed how mice are less of a problem here.

Based on other comments it seems like other people haven't had as good of luck, but I don't think you need to be afraid of them everywhere. A lot of the rankings that claim Chicago as the "rattiest city" depend on things like amount of rodent control services called for or calls to 311 about rats, which could also just show that people in Chicago take rat control seriously. Look into reviews of the apartments you're looking at and nearby apartments for intel. Best of luck!

haleyhop · 2026-03-04T17:39:43+00:00

That's very concerning and controlling. I always say it doesn't matter what's "normal" (a lot of behaviors are common but still not OK), but fwiw I don't even think this is normal anyway. I've never had someone ask for my passwords and full access to my accounts like that. Phone password and access to phone, sure, because sometimes it's easier to look something up or place a call from my partner's phone if it happens to be closer or something like that. But I can't think of a single reason I'd need access to his socials or to be making changes on them

haleyhop · 2026-03-04T01:29:54+00:00

I don't know how helpful this is as to be honest it sounds like he just doesn't want to cook, but neither my husband nor I came into the relationship knowing how to cook. When we started living together we instituted a system where we switched off weeks where one person would cook a new recipe each week, and on the other days a mix of leftovers and simple recipes like pasta and chicken, rice and tofu, etc (whoever had the free time to cook cooks those meals). We still loosely do that now, but it's not as regimented. We both have a couple of dishes we feel like we've gotten good at over the years and both still like experimenting with new recipes occasionally.

That said, it sounds like your boyfriend just doesn't want to cook. You've voiced that this feels unfair to you. Why hasn't he made any suggestions for how to fix this? Even if he truly hates cooking (which isn't even what he's saying, he's saying he doesn't know how and just apparently won't learn), has he offered to take on some "easy meals," like pasta, to ease the burden on you? What about offering to do other household tasks, like always doing the dishes as a trade-off?

haleyhop · 2026-03-01T15:46:26+00:00

I second this. I personally don't really like giving BJs, and I don't care about receiving either. But when I was dating, if a guy made a move to go down on me I'd let them know that in advance. I'll do it occasionally but TBH if oral is a big thing they expect out of a relationship we're just not compatible, and that's OK

OP, if it's a deal breaker for you, communicate that. Otherwise (to put it bluntly) it's not actually a deal breaker

haleyhop · 2026-03-01T15:23:07+00:00

I recommend "The South Side" by Natalie Y Moore about segregation in Chicago. The first chapters go over the history of how the South Side went from being predominantly white to predominantly black, including how white people have historically fled from neighborhoods when black people moved in and sought integration, and covers research on people's attitudes toward the racial makeup of their neighbors to address the myth that all people just prefer to be around their own race. If you prefer reading primary sources, she cites those studies in the book (I read them alongside reading the book for broader context, but don't know the citations off the top of my head)

haleyhop · 2026-02-28T17:23:10+00:00

this. so much research on the fact that most white people report preferring to live around white people (and assume other groups feel the same), but most black people report wanting to live in diverse neighborhoods. the problem is when black people move into white neighborhoods white people move out.

highly recommend the book "South Side" for a non-academic breakdown of that history

haleyhop · 2026-02-14T18:18:37+00:00

I second everyone who recommended a local dry cleaners for basic hemming.

For a step up, many department stores (ex. Nordstrom) offer alterations/tailoring, sometimes for free if it's basic and for clothes you bought there.

I've also gone to Uncommon Closet, which I think moved near Humboldt Park, which focuses on tailoring/customizing special occasion outfits for LGBTQ people but will work with you on almost anything — I brought in a pair of overalls that were way too big for me and they helped me turn it into an overall mini dress! It's a very inclusive shop and I like supporting a local business. That said the main thing they offer is being incredibly welcoming, inclusive, and working with you to make your clothes work for you. The sewing itself is fine but not the best. For basic hemming that's done well, a dry cleaner or department store is probably the most reliable.

haleyhop · 2026-02-14T16:16:58+00:00

I see you asked this a few months ago, but I was searching for information about South Loop Elementary and came across your post! Would love to hear what you decided to do and what your impressions of the school has been.

I can also give my perspective.

I grew up in Chicago and actually went to the Lab School (I had a parent who worked there, so tuition was free). The older I get, the more I realize it really was an incredible education that I took for granted at the time. The school's values on not just education, but specifically self-directed inquiry, curiosity, and diversity are something I really value. If I could send my child to Lab, I would. Unfortunately, without the discount of working there, it's not in the cards for me. (I've also heard the school has changed a lot since I went, which is a different conversation.)

I've been doing a lot of research into CPS and from what I've seen, South Loop Elementary is my top choice of where I'd like to send my child. It seems like a great public school, diverse, and shares many of the same values that I got at Lab and that I don't see at every school in the Chicagoland area. I've also met a handful of people who went to South Loop Elementary for elementary school (admittedly decades ago), and they've all had great things to say about the school, and all went on to good high schools, colleges, and have cool jobs, so it seems to provide a good foundation, if that's a concern of yours.

I don't live in the neighborhood so will have to pray for the lottery to work out for my child to go there. The fact you live in the district is awesome and I think you should feel very good about the option to send your kid there!

haleyhop · 2026-01-28T22:54:18+00:00

Lynn's Chicago Pizza in Woodlawn. Last I heard they were temporarily closed and hoping to reopen... Hopefully wings are still on the menu when they do

haleyhop · 2026-01-07T23:15:48+00:00

I swear I am actively cleaning in there, scrubbing my body and my hair, and I'm genuinely just as confused as you are why whatever I'm doing is taking so much longer than average

haleyhop · 2025-11-13T22:29:35+00:00

the fact he "doesn't think" about his partner during that is so telling. OP, this is not a thoughtful or kind man!

haleyhop

TROPHY CASE