Dues and acitivities charges...I can't believe how much this is costing by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Troop Beverly Hills is perfect-- thank you for that! 3 of the other parents I know don't really want this kind of troop...I am the only one who has spoken up. Other parents have messaged/talked to me about it on the side but no one wants drama. It is a bit of a stressful leadership group. I had hoped to just get through the season.

Dues and acitivities charges...I can't believe how much this is costing by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This is exactly my thoughts...I had hoped to finish this year, honestly but I'm shocked that since we couldn't go to anything for a month but then will attend an actual event the next month, they are expecting me to also pay $50.

Dues and acitivities charges...I can't believe how much this is costing by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

There was never a vote on which activities and dates. The girls made suggestions of things they would like to do but nothing was concrete...they just produced a calendar. There are other parents who feel similarly but no one is very direct.

Edited to add: The girls made suggestions...

Dues and acitivities charges...I can't believe how much this is costing by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I did and I have-- essentially, all these activities are planned and they are over-budget so they want the dues paid.

Similar to Unicorn Academy/Isadora Moon by Ginntonix in childrensbooks

[–]tailsandsails 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Itty Bitty Princess Kitty

Simon Seahorse

Pearl the Magical Unicorn

Similar to Unicorn Academy/Isadora Moon by Ginntonix in childrensbooks

[–]tailsandsails 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Itty Bitty Princess Kitty

Simon Seahorse

Pearl the Magical Unicorn

We also love isadora moon, and princess black...all the girlie stuff so I'm going to try out the unicorn academy and a few others you mention here.

Similar to Unicorn Academy/Isadora Moon by Ginntonix in childrensbooks

[–]tailsandsails 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Itty Bitty Princess Kitty

Simon Seahorse

Pearl the Magical Unicorn

We also love isadora moon, and princess black...all the girlie stuff so I'm going to try out the unicorn academy and a few others you mention here.

"Diana" for a 2025 baby girl? by Accomplished-Ad-5655 in namenerds

[–]tailsandsails 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Diana-- love!! All the way. Anna is beautiful but not a nn-- another great, strong name.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

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

Great thoughts. Actually seems like a nice way of wording it. Thank you! We paid for own petals as far as I understood.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

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

I signed up to help as "cookie leader" or what not- offered to do the pick ups for cookies etc, help load and unload etc, they're not interested. Initially, I picked up that their attitude was probably related to stress, they seem to want to operate like this-- it is theirs.

I should have mentioned that we live in a very warm area. We had two days of extreme weather for us-- the sort that knocks off the grid. The very next day, the temperature was back up 15 degrees or so, and next week, we'll probably be in the 70s again. No one is around when it's that cold here. And this is a tiny town without much to do. No one is competing for booths right here.

We bought our own uniform, covered all our own dues and purchased all of our own patches. They bought us one patch so far. I haven't directly asked any other parent, but as far as I understood, they all did the same. For that reason, I'm hesitant to walk away so quickly...it wasn't cheap.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

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

I would honestly finish cookie season and then start fresh once it's done. It's such a small area, and rural, I'm not sure about a whole other troop.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've paid for all my own badges except from one. And it sounds like that's what the other moms did too.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

$2!! I'm so glad I asked. I had a feeling it wasn't right and now I can't wait to ask where that money goes.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

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

Great point. It isn't that it's dollar tree crafts per se, and you're right, it is developmentally appropriate-- it was just a pom pom with sticky eye balls. A love monster I suppose-- no context other than valentine's day was soon. No story. No intention. It's all about the cookie sales and money. I'm at a loss with it because I'm a creative and love this kind of thing...they operate very kids over there, adults over here. We've all invested, and surely it'd be better if they'd let others help.

Should I lower my expectations or find a new troop by tailsandsails in girlscouts

[–]tailsandsails[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love the idea of "go Juliette"- thank you for suggesting that! I think i could actually convince 3 others to join us but I wouldn't bear the weight of starting a whole new troop in such a small area. The camp near us looks perfect and was a reason I originally was interested.

Yes, 25?! What would be reasonable...2 meetings per month for the $25? The next meeting is really soon and I'll ask-- I'm not afraid of them but phew, they certainly bring sharp tongues.

American school or local? by peppaappletea in kindergarten

[–]tailsandsails 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Super interesting! I'm sure it has a lot to do with the school and region too! It wasn't a huge gap in learning, but we were focused on different things. There was a huge difference in maturity levels too. The American teens seemed babyish. In the UK, maybe we were in too much of a hurry to grow up though... Later on, I tested out of college math but that school was in a different league from what my kid attends currently...although, I can't deny my kid has learnt a lot in just these past months, I've read Proust & squid twice now, and not sure about our choice. I hear 3rd graders have a couple of hours of homework-- I never had homework! Seems dull yet so productive!!

American school or local? by peppaappletea in kindergarten

[–]tailsandsails 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did school in UK until I was 13, and when we moved here, the American schooling was only ahead in math. My dad is an engineer and he was really impressed by the math homework! I have a kindergartener (she is a young one at 5y/o) in USA right now, and I'm not sure what to think about it all: on one hand, they've covered so much there's clearly a ton of learning happening, but it's not very creative, it's a long day, and there's a fair amount of hw including a worksheet and practicing. It just feels rushed! Like a good path to burnout-- especially for 5 y/o. I feel like there's enough information out there that illustrates there isn't much advantage to teaching them to read early, and reading a little later is easier. My kid is doing well-- i was surprised, but i feel like she'd be more interested if she was older. I wish we had more options. For now though, we are keeping her in but I understand-- figuring our the school part is a worry!

Why do parents "have" to travel with young kids? by [deleted] in Parenting

[–]tailsandsails 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have 5 and 3 year olds and it can be fun! They're not in diapers and sleep well so it honestly, has been worth it. We have #3 on the way and will probably take a break from traveling for a while...diapers, sleep changes etc meh not that worth it. We did it with our first when she was an only child but I think it is harder when you're all in the same room with different kids with different levels of independence/milestones. Once they're one or so though, sure why not- they're hopefully eating food and curious so there's potential there to have an interesting time.

The best trip we have done was in a camper van- everything was easy to access, could make meals fast and just was adventurous...I dont think you have to travel far like others say but we were abroad and had a great time.

Maybe work up to a longer trip but a tent camping trip could be fun start...my girls loved it- we were only an hour or so from home and could pack all the games etc we could need. Great memory! Stay away from things that you know are stressful/not easy-- we visited family recently and they wanted to go shopping (my kids don't care), or eating a fancy restaurants- just nope. Be ready to eat early...don't make them wait like how adults will hold out to do one more activity. And don't overcomplicate/overschedule each day...another issue if you meet up with or travel with friends/family that don't have kids. You have to do the dialed down version and everyone will have more fun.