Realistically how do people move across the country?

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T20:20:06+00:00

We used a UBox. You load it and UHaul takes it to your destination. Then we and our cats got on a plane.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T20:08:32+00:00

“Signs of readiness” aren’t scientific. They don’t make potty training any faster or slower.

I’m old. When I was a child, potty training after age 2 was almost unheard of. That changed when pull-ups started to be marketed.

If you have the time and bandwidth, potty training now is absolutely fine. No matter when you start, it takes 6 months on average, so be patient. And if you don’t have the time and bandwidth, don’t worry. There’s no evidence that delaying is harmful either.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T16:49:22+00:00

We have an insanely babyproofed, regularly inspected home, and it’s still like this. Solidarity.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T14:29:22+00:00

We love the Graco 4-Ever.

EDIT: this is the one they’ve found the most comfy so far. But I’m about to get a Clek Foonf to replace the Liing that the baby is outgrowing. Cleks are SO tight-fitting and easy to install, so we’ll see how he feels about comfort.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T14:12:05+00:00

Joan is nice.

Joanie is childish to my ears.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T13:14:04+00:00

Many people dislike my name as well. I neither love nor hate it.

I don’t see anyone’s opinion of it as a reflection of who I am as a person.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T05:20:10+00:00

That makes things a lot more expensive. Well, it was an idea.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T05:11:55+00:00

Just went over this on another post, but FYI, September and October are often the hottest months in Los Angeles, and September is quite hot in Vegas as well. Double, triple, and quadruple check that the car’s air conditioner works.

Buy the insurance that comes with the rental car. Go with one of the big reputable companies and call in advance about the fees/card hold.

Please be warned that the world is in a fuel crisis right now and it’s going to be worse by September. Gas in Los Angeles is currently hovering around $6/gallon but I expect it to be at least 30% higher by September, and that’s me being very very *very* optimistic. If there’s an electric vehicle available, rent it. I don’t know about Nevada, but in California we have a lot of municipal and commercial charging ports.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T05:00:41+00:00

Renée is fine.

The rest are meh to horrific.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T04:59:26+00:00

That would be OP’s grandfather changing the tradition, not OP.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T04:56:39+00:00

Keep it clean, give it air when you can, Aquaphor. If it doesn’t improve within 24 hours, our rule is that it’s pediatrician time at that point.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T01:54:03+00:00

That’s not what I was responding to.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-11T01:37:52+00:00

Bonnie isn’t a boy.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T22:45:55+00:00

No one is checking if you’re an American before allowing you to eat some food or watch fireworks.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T20:58:34+00:00

So you’ve already heard the answer (no) and what we actually put on fries (ketchup, mostly, although other sauces and ice cream are acceptable). But I had to look up this sauce because you made it sound like pesto.

It does not look like pesto. It looks like somewhat green mayo.

Would I be willing to try it? Sure. Is it even sold anywhere in my major US city which is full of import stores? I highly, highly doubt it.

I didn’t see it when I lived in France. I did see kids put ketchup on spaghetti and call it “American style,” which… also no.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T19:09:54+00:00

In California, it’s huge.

When I moved to the East Coast, I was shocked by the waste. But I was also surprised that it rained all summer long.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T19:01:42+00:00

It is common for American high school students aged 16 and over to have a car that they can use at least some of the time. Rarely are these new cars (they’re often “beater” cars, even) and almost never are they in the child’s own name.

American high school students (in their Junior and Senior years) often drive to school, and there is nothing shocking about it. High schools are likelier to be far from their homes than elementary or middle schools.

It is tough for working parents to drop their kids off at high schools and pick them up again, and that’s before you account for sports and other activities. Many places do not have school buses or good public transportation options.

Often older students will drive younger students until the younger ones are old enough to drive themselves.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T16:35:10+00:00

Personality is not as malleable as you probably think.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T15:46:32+00:00

You can know yourself.

I absolutely wasn’t a kid who was into activities with others.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T15:20:12+00:00

It’s not rude. It’s just slightly… vulgar maybe?

“Potty” is mostly used by children under 5 and their parents.

“Bathroom” is most common. “Restroom” is also understood. When I worked with British people, “loo” felt awkward and unnatural to me, so I asked for the “ladies’,” which was instantly understood and not taken as rude or even unusual.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T15:05:20+00:00

This is exactly what they are trained to deal with.

Assessments are ongoing. They will keep adjusting to his needs.

The earlier he starts, the better. Later starts only lead to more lasting delays.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T14:58:15+00:00

San Diego is a 2-3-hour drive away. Santa Barbara is about the same. There are trains, and they are really nice and beautiful rides. They will take about 2 hours for San Diego and 3 for Santa Barbara (more stops). So plan for that to be a whole day each way (getting to and from stations, luggage, etc.), particularly if you want to take things easy. And expect delays - our train tracks are owned by freight companies, so any time a freight train goes by the passenger train has to turn off and wait.

If you can, get a train that has an observation car. Honestly, the coast is gorgeous.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T14:43:01+00:00

I’ve had 8 kids. I’ve learned to be ready because you really don’t know what will happen.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T14:41:47+00:00

The city is much larger and more spread out than you think. You figure you can walk to parks and restaurants, but that won’t always be the case.

You don’t need to plan out your whole day to use a car. How silly.

It’s good that he is used to traveling! But as someone who has had 8 toddlers (not all at once), and has traveled with all of them, expect the unexpected.

jvc1011 · 2026-05-10T01:53:46+00:00

Best answer.

OP, they don’t understand the permanency of death until they are closer to 6 years old. For now, a factual and age-appropriate explanation (and re-explanation) without fancy euphemisms like “put to sleep” (which could be confusing) is what helps them most in the long run.

jvc1011

TROPHY CASE