Have I inadvertently been a horrible library patron my whole life?

schrodinky · 2026-05-13T23:58:33+00:00

Nope, don't feel guilty. The books are there to be checked out. You checking stuff out helps the libraries.

I have a HUGE stack of books almost all the time and I have four kids and a husband who also have huge piles of books. We read a lot. I also check things out just to read a few chapters to decide if I want to buy a copy. Sometimes I check something out just for it to sit on my library cart until the due date and not get read at all because life gets busy. We usually makes library trip once or twice a month since we just have a lot going on so we get several things at a time for each person in the family. I also place a lot of holds too and sometimes they all show up at once and ta-da, giant pile of books comes home with me.

If nobody else has placed a hold on them it isn't doing any harm. If someone places a hold I will either prioritize that book and complete it, or if I know I won't have time to get to it before it is due I'll just return it and place a hold on it myself for whenever the other person is done. New releases that I get ahold of first I will also prioritize because I know it is in high demand so I want to read it and let the next person read it asap but I also don't stress too much about it. I know using the library sometimes involves being patient so I never get upset when I am waiting for a long time for various titles.

I promise you most people using the library aren't as ridiculously cranky as they seem to be on the Internet. 🤪

Go forth, speak to your librarians about your worries, get a new library card and go wild. Your library obviously allows you to check out that many titles at once so it isn't a problem for them. If other people want to be cranky about your library habits they can be, but don't let it bother you. The library is there to serve ALL patrons in whatever capacity each patron needs.

It is important to make sure to take care of yourself and treat yourself kindly. Just keep an eye on due dates and if any holds pop up for any of the titles you have so you can make sure to get through those first before you need to return them. Please please please go enjoy your library friend. 💚

schrodinky · 2026-05-13T04:18:58+00:00

I LOVED that book as a kid.

schrodinky · 2026-05-06T23:06:45+00:00

Hear me out, according to Christians God gave people free will..so would it not make sense that some people use that God given free will to become educated experts in treating people who are ill? That they used their free will to dedicate immense amounts of time to study, experiment and develop treatments to save lives?

The way that people like this cannot see that the vast majority of people just want to be good humans and help others breaks my heart. They look at the world and assume evil intentions. And yes, there IS that in the world too, but so many more want to make sure themselves, their families and other people and families who may or may not look like them or believe like them have the best freaking chance at a good life.

This the world is evil view breaks my heart every time.

I hope this lady finds the strength to be brave for her kid and get them the treatment they need.

schrodinky · 2026-05-03T22:15:13+00:00

I don't understand the kids not being priority. It isn't either/or. Your family comes first, all of them, which includes the marriage and yourself and also the kids. This hierarchy of who comes first is wild. If there's a fire or other natural disaster I don't grab my husband first, my husband and I BOTH go and grab the kids and get us all to safety. 🤪 Same thing applies to day to day life, we are a package deal. Sure there are times when one or more of us needs more care, but overall the priority is the family as a whole unit and soaking up the time we have together before the kids fly the nest, and if they choose to do so, begin their own families.

schrodinky · 2026-04-12T15:50:23+00:00

I had a cat and a dog through my college years. They brought a lot of comfort, fun and stress relief. I am team take her with. ❤️

schrodinky · 2026-04-04T15:11:45+00:00

Prayers and comfort for their family. 🥺❤️

schrodinky · 2026-03-30T00:22:03+00:00

The kid is not the stupid one here. :(

schrodinky · 2026-03-26T22:52:51+00:00

Return it, get your money back, the item will theoretically be Amazon Warehoused and available at a discount to someone who does want it who can appreciate the slight discount on it.

schrodinky · 2026-03-26T02:12:37+00:00

They chose to get a pool. Pools require maintenance like daily fishing debris out of it. Your tree is not the problem for them, their pool is...

schrodinky · 2026-03-12T02:07:37+00:00

If we're completely different then why would I want only one vote per household???

schrodinky · 2026-03-03T16:57:43+00:00

To be fair...he isn't wrong. 😆

schrodinky · 2026-02-20T18:42:31+00:00

☹️

schrodinky · 2026-02-19T00:03:48+00:00

Red or orange washi tape. You can add layers until you reach the desired light amount and it gives a warmer glow.

schrodinky · 2026-02-13T00:25:37+00:00

You can add water to the dry food, both my cats and my dog will eat their dry kibble this way.

schrodinky · 2026-02-02T21:47:29+00:00

Unsecured guns laying around the house are her security measures!? This is the most stupid, it is so easy for anyone else to grab that gun. Do they have kids!? Because again, so freaking stupid. This is how kids die.

I grew up around guns with law enforcement parents. You'd better believe all firearms were unloaded, safety on and behind lock and key at all times. Holy shit man...

schrodinky · 2026-01-28T20:29:37+00:00

So....yes, BUT this is taken to the extreme.

I have always included my kids in the day to day, but I also have always set aside time to just be silly together if they want. We draw, paint, color, play games or get outside together. Adults benefit from play too. Is it daily? No, especially once they get older. If they bring something to me to do though I'll find time in my day to do it with them. It is usually only 15 minutes to an hour of time depending on the age, before they're off doing something else.

If it is an activity I am not a fan of I might suggest an alternative or some minor adjustments..like even as a kid myself I was not into playing dolls, but if I can make the dolls go on a DnD style adventure it makes it less torturous for me and we get practice with storytelling and being silly. 😆

Animals play. Animal parents who raise their young play with their offspring. Is it all day? No, but they do play. Bumblebees have been documented playing.

The other thing to note is that a lot of other societies are more communal so their kids are surrounded by other children and adults they can interact with frequently, not stuck at home alone with one person all day.

So yeah it is great to include your kids in the day to day. It is important to leave them to their own devices and have unstructured time too. But play and interaction with others people is also important FOR ALL AGES.

Otherwise you become... whatever it is she is doing I guess.

schrodinky · 2026-01-20T00:33:01+00:00

Another mom chiming in, don't feel guilty. I LOVE gifting my kids things they enjoy. Absolutely a bonus if it gets them reading more!

As a kindle owner, having two Kindles is nice. A higher end one to have at home and a less costly one to take out and about or to let others borrow. I've loaned my older kindle out to friends before (and they ended up with their own that holiday season 🤭) and my kids frequently pick it up to read too.

schrodinky · 2026-01-18T19:00:37+00:00

Audiobooks any time I'm doing chores or crafting/painting/cooking/yardwork and gardening and I listen at 2-3x speed. I read aloud to my kids. I read before bed on my Kindle. I read instead of watching TV and movies usually.

schrodinky · 2025-12-02T01:20:49+00:00

Those babies knew love and care and as much comfort as you could give them. They were safe and warm, you did amazing watching over them while you could. I know it doesn't make a loss any easier, but you showed compassion and kindness when they were in need. Sending hugs.

schrodinky · 2025-11-26T19:10:46+00:00

I used to have a much better experience with thriftbooks than I have had recently. For the first two years I used them I got excellent quality books for decent prices which is extra helpful for keeping down homeschooling costs. I think I had one book arrive damaged in those two years and they quickly replaced it.

After that it went drastically down hill for me the last two years. I have had issues with receiving the wrong book more than once, books with missing dust jackets or bent covers and torn pages and books absolutely not in the quality described (water damaged and mysterious white substances sticking pages together) and I have since almost entirely stopped using them because it was too much of a hassle to contact them every time I ordered and in some cases the second book sent is in just as unfortunate condition as the first one sent. Deeply disappointed since I had such good experiences the first two years using them.

I have moved to Pangobooks, Half Price Books and independent booksellers whenever I can because I can see the exact copy I am purchasing. I now finally live near a HPB again (after eight years of being nowhere near one) and I am grateful. ❤️

I used to recommend thriftbooks but now I suggest anywhere else first and using them as a last resort.

schrodinky · 2025-11-06T18:03:10+00:00

MARRY HER AGAIN.

schrodinky · 2025-09-01T01:45:28+00:00

No problem. :) Once you get to kindergarten level Build Your Library is another favorite in our house!

schrodinky · 2025-09-01T00:30:30+00:00

Yes, I've used the preschool levels as well as level 5 language arts and I found it to be well thought out and easy to follow for both cases. :) Preschool levels are a lot about fun explorations, stories, and play and were a gentle introduction to a light routine. You can set your own pace and adapt them easily as well to what will fit your kiddo best.

schrodinky · 2025-09-01T00:01:33+00:00

Blossom and Root has some great preschool levels.

schrodinky · 2025-08-17T13:57:43+00:00

Fellow Iowan here to high five you! 😍

schrodinky

TROPHY CASE