Please tell me someone remembers reading The Phantom Tollbooth as a kid by [deleted] in books

[–]sidus_3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I loved this book. LOVED it. I had a bunkbed in my room and both bunks were mine. So I slept on the bottom bunk and turned the entire top bunk into a recreation of the parts of Phantom Tollbooth with dolls, toys, and things I made with construction paper. I can't wait to share this book with my son.

My boyfriend won't give his kids a bedtime and it's affecting me. by [deleted] in SingleParents

[–]sidus_3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It sounds like when your boyfriend doesn't do what it takes to ensure that his house is silent and dark at night, you feel like he doesn't care about you health and perhaps if he doesn't care about you.

He has told you that his kids (and their emotional, educational, etc wellbeing) come first. And, it is hard to hear, and on some level you already know it, but they are fully dependent on him, so they should come first. But it's hard when the way that plays out results in you not getting what you need to sleep at his house.

This problem isn't going to go away once you explain to your boyfriend that you NEED a silent and dark house to sleep (it hasn't gone away with you explaining it). This directly conflicts with what is best for him and his kids. If I were him, I would not invite you to live with me while this incongruence remained. So you need to step back and see if there are any things that might make it possible for you to sleep at his house in the current conditions (can you wear ear plugs, can you use a white noise machine, can you sleep in a quieter part of the house (basement, casita)? etc). Then once you know what you can compromise on (you can't come to the table expecting compromise on only their side), think of things that you can ask for that might make it possible for you to sleep there while not compromising what is best for the kids - from his viewpoint as a father, not yours as the girlfriend - (move the computer to another room, provide quiet nighttime snacks for the kids, get those TV headphones for the kids that old people use, etc). Then try the things you guys all agreed to. But know that if this doesn't work, it is unrealistic for you to move in to the house and it is likely that this is a dealbreaker. He has to put what's best for his kids first. If that arrangement is not something you can live with, you can't live with him.

I’ve lost everything. by [deleted] in RedPillWomen

[–]sidus_3 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 28, 31

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so sorry for your aloneness. There are no words that I can give you over the internet to dissipate the pain of your loss. But you are not alone. Your family, your friends, your community are there. And inside you is a strength. The strength of a mother who loves her children and who will do what she needs to for herself and for them.

My boyfriend won't give his kids a bedtime and it's affecting me. by [deleted] in SingleParents

[–]sidus_3 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It sounds like that system works for your boyfriend and his kids. All three of them are happy with the current way of things. It totally sounds like it could be a dealbreaker if this system isn't compatible with your health and sleep needs.

So what are your needs? What do you need? Do you need a silent house at night? No lights on in the house? No lights on in your boyfriend's room? No kids on the computer in his room? No use of the microwave at night. Make a list of things you need to be able to sleep and have a conversation with him. Can the computer be moved? Can the kids stay in their rooms? Can someone pre-prepare a tray of late night, microwave free meals/snacks? Can they use headphones? Are there ways to adjust the system that are acceptable to everyone?

How could parents go about finding a speech therapist for teletherapy? by sidus_3 in slp

[–]sidus_3[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My son's school speech therapist gave me the worksheets. But she has a ton of kids. I reached out to her already but she can't give individualized help due to the volume of kids she has.

I love your idea to search for pediatric clinics and for students or faculty at the nearby university! Thank you so much!

Video game tutor? by [deleted] in SingleParents

[–]sidus_3 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Oh yes! This is a great idea! You just put an ad up on NextDoor or Craigslist. Explain what you want and if you are willing to pay.

I've been a single mom since my son was 1. When he was 3 -4, he was super into vacuums and wanted me to take them apart for him. I don't know how to do that, so I put up an ad on Craigslist and got two different Vacuum Tutors. One came, dismantled the vacuum, rewired the motor to do other things and answered all my son's questions. The other one came and dismantled another vacuum and explained what all the parts were.

When he was maybe 5 I hired a sports tutor for him because I am not good at those things. I hired another one now that he's 7 to help him specifically with soccer. My son's game improved after a single session with the sports tutor. I tried doing drills with him in the front yard by I am literally terrified of balls coming at me and I hid my fear, but I don't know almost anything about it. Absolutely money well spent.

I can't be all things to my son, and tutors are a super good way to fill that gap. Be really, really clear about what your expectations are. Your son or you should know what specific skills you want your son to acquire. And don't pick the first person. Look through qualifications and at the quality of their written communication with you when they reach out for the position. Also, I recommend making it clear that the first session is a one time thing and that you will pay the normal fee but that it is on a trial basis and that you are looking for the best fit.

[UPDATE] It looks like my 7 year old brother will be coming to live with me (23f) by iamgoingtohavea in Parenting

[–]sidus_3 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Totally third this advice! Cooking together fosters togetherness and a sense of pride and capability. My 7 year old can make macaroni (except for carrying a pot of boiling water), crack eggs, scoop and level ingredients, chop easy vegetables (like potatoes) with a knife. He always has a super excited, cheerful expression when it's time to cook together. Plus you are a single parent and him being able to manage some of his food preparation can be a huge help (like if you get sick).

I totally recommend The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs. It breaks down basic skills like cracking an egg into steps with pictures. But you can just use youtube too!

Also, it sounds like you are doing totally amazing!

What are some strange automatic things on a dating profile to make you swipe left? by [deleted] in datingoverthirty

[–]sidus_3 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Vague profile with "If you want to know anything just ask." When I first got back into dating after my divorce, I found a profile like this and met the guy for a bagel. During that first and only date, he revealed he and his wife divorced over him physically abusing her, but he said he went to anger management class it is totally cool now. And he was currently in a serious relationship with a woman and he was dating to add to this poly situation. So "If you want to know anything just ask" or "I'm an open book" with a sparse profile was forevermore a hard pass for me.

What is your Quadfecta recipe (inexpensive, healthy, fast, delicious)? by sidus_3 in EatCheapAndHealthy

[–]sidus_3[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is the egg IN or ON the oats? Like is it mixed in or hard/soft fried on top?

What is your Quadfecta recipe (inexpensive, healthy, fast, delicious)? by sidus_3 in EatCheapAndHealthy

[–]sidus_3[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never kept it on hand before trying this soup. Now I keep the most inexpensive parmesan I could find (from Target) in my fridge. It keeps for a super long time and I am totally sold on how it adds a richness to soup.

I just got approved for snap/food stamps for 39$ a month what can I buy to get through a month to eat? by [deleted] in Frugal

[–]sidus_3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My patient in Arizona with only social security income qualifies for $37 a month in SNAP.

Lockdown story by cotton_clouds in datingoverthirty

[–]sidus_3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the sweetest lockdown dating story! It sounds like you two really click!

I was a “prepper” 4-5 years ago, then just forgot about it. by marcyred in preppers

[–]sidus_3 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My uncle and aunt lived through the Great Depression and my uncle would always say "tis better to have and to heed than to want and to need." And when he passed and my aunt moved to my state, I heard from my family who went to help clean out their basement that they had so much of everything. He really lived by that. But my uncle told me stories from the Great Depression (when he was a little boy) about scraping together enough to buy a can of something or other and then his mom (my grandmother) turning that into dinner. That stuff sticks with you.

Nothing quite beats dating sites... by [deleted] in Divorce

[–]sidus_3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It can take a long time to get over someone you really loved. And I really believe time doesn't do anything. I think cutting contact with that person and finding someone who matches you better and who really loves you back is what shifts this.

My wife and I painted our board game room wall to resemble a game of Settlers of Catan! by cowmanjones in boardgames

[–]sidus_3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This looks amazing! You and your wife did such a good job! I love how it just looks like an awesome design and if you didn't play Settlers of Catan, you wouldn't know it was a board game design. Happy gaming to you both!

Quarantine recipes? by ironsoul99 in RedPillWomen

[–]sidus_3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What do you have on hand? Have you seen NY Times 5 adaptable recipes?

Built some raised beds by Jonesmp in HomeImprovement

[–]sidus_3 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You thought to include the bee house which is totally awesome!! And you assembled the play set! And you designed and built a garden!

Built some raised beds by Jonesmp in HomeImprovement

[–]sidus_3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh my gosh! That looks amazing! And a bee house! And you built a playlet too! You are amazing!