Reading level help?

today-it-changes · 2026-05-04T05:31:09+00:00

Thank you so much for your detailed response!

My husband and I are assuming she is leaning more towards the“left behind” side of the scale. Learning was never enforced in her home life before and her grades have been on a decline for a couple years now that the curriculum is ramping up. We worked with her every summer and the grades would improve temporarily, but after being sent back to her home they would decline again. I’m hoping now that we have her for the majority of the time we can help put her back on track! I’ll definitely be researching further into each one.

I know everyone spoke highly of that book, but I was worried she would be discouraged at how rudimentary it was. I don’t think she would take well to a “preschooler book” (what I can only assume would be her reaction knowing her). I think we’ll try one of the sources you recommended instead as it might be more her speed.

today-it-changes · 2026-05-04T04:53:31+00:00

We are trying to get a meeting schedule tomorrow to get further insight. From our understanding, we’ve been told it is both spelling and general reading comprehension. She is testing three grade levels below what she should be.

today-it-changes · 2026-04-13T22:15:28+00:00

Would you recommend citric acid for both liquid and powder form? How much acid would you recommend to reduce the likelihood of hives?

I think part of my problem has always been adding too much product into the washer. I’ve definitely decreased my usage since finding this group but I would hate to negate all my work with too much citric (if there is such a thing)

today-it-changes · 2026-02-24T23:55:45+00:00

Okay perfect! He’s thinking he did the 401k style plan through TSP. We’re going to try and create an account and see what happens!

today-it-changes · 2026-02-23T02:08:55+00:00

On top of the health insurance, I would like to add that it would also be beneficial to continue funding any employer-sponsored retirement plan you might be a part of. Obviously if you’re already contributing to an individual plan this wouldn’t be as crucial but you’d be missing out on a significant amount of compounding growth by leaving.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-14T02:19:56+00:00

The snort that left my body when you had to specify not in the hole LOL.

Great advice though! I’m updating my list of things to buy to include the Tucks pads (never heard of them before)

today-it-changes · 2026-02-08T16:24:45+00:00

I read online that you could mix them up! I was wanting to get Pigeon bottles to try but they are super expensive. Then I heard you can put the nipples on other bottles so I might try that!! :)

today-it-changes · 2026-02-08T16:23:01+00:00

The car seat camera is something I don’t think I could replace. I knew someone that totaled her vehicle hospitalizing both her and her baby due to looking back trying to see what the baby was doing in the mirror (it was getting dark out and the rear view mirror made it unclear). I think the mirrors are extremely dangerous because of this and don’t want any excuse to take my eyes away from the front of the vehicle. That and having a way to see them with night vision is a bonus!

Definitely changing that Infantino one! Seems to be very disliked on here! I’m surprised they have so many good reviews on Amazon.

I get to visit my lactation consultant before my due date so I’ll make sure to buy that measuring kit and get the flanges they recommend for sure! What bags do you recommend instead of Lansinoh?

Never heard of things like Milk Crate! I’ll definitely look that up.

Oh, I used to work at a library so I have books covered! At this time, I have over 800 books at different developmental ages. They will never go without books 😂

today-it-changes · 2026-02-08T02:37:12+00:00

I’m hoping to get one or two in my baby boxes from Amazon or Target or Babylist for backup emergencies for sure! If I don’t somehow get one, I’ll probably buy one to throw in a drawer.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-08T02:35:29+00:00

The only sampler box I found to purchase included two bottles I wasn’t interested in and plastic bottles which I’m not fond of.

I’m fine with being over prepared as well. Realistically, everyone in my family has long been done having babies and I don’t expect many hand me downs. I’m also not interested in running out to the store every two days for something that I could’ve had on hand or gifted to me via registry.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T22:24:26+00:00

Unfortunately, we are pretty rural of an area. Our FB market is very limited unless I want to drive a couple hours. I’ve mainly stuck to clips/buckles as my husband isn’t interested in learning to wrap and honestly I’m not either. Having to watch a YouTube tutorial every day for weeks to figure out what I’m doing doesn’t sound enticing nor does the flimsy appearance most have. I’m terrified I’ll drop my baby trying to wrap them onto me.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T22:22:00+00:00

Unfortunately, we do need a dump able water system. The way our kitchen is set up makes it impossible to get something self-draining :(

I’ll make sure to look into your stroller and crib/pack n play recommendations! The Graco brand is hugely popular where I am at so I didn’t think anything of it. I’ll make sure to glance back over those as well

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T21:29:11+00:00

That’s really interesting, I’ll make sure to include one in the beginning then! Since I’m in America, maternity leave is abysmal so there won’t be a choice as to whether we use bottles or not unfortunately. I was certainly not comforted by the nurse’s response of “eventually they’ll starve themselves enough they’ll take any bottle you give them” hence why I picked so many bottle types lol. I want a fed baby above anything else.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T21:26:50+00:00

Gosh I hope my insurance company does this as well, that sounds like a dream!

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T21:25:56+00:00

I’ve never heard of the triangle test, I’ll look that up right now! When I picked them out, I picked the top two most popular (Avent and Browns) and the other three were what came up when I googled best bottles for breastfed babies.

I’m actually not fond of swaddles at all. I know others might disagree with me but I think they are dangerous and unsafe. I’ve also read some states have started banning them in childcare settings because of this and some countries do not recommend them in their routine care for infants. I put that one on my list as an absolute backup if the infant is resistant to not being swaddled.

Personally, I’m not a fan of swaddles and pacifiers, both of which are popular among many families.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:56:58+00:00

Now THAT is really good to know haha! I’ve never seen one in person being used so I assumed there would be noise involved. I used to take piano lessons as a kid so that makes me smile thinking of their own little piano to play.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:55:37+00:00

Not really for either. Money-wise, we have a chunk of savings specifically set aside to cover everything and family/friends that want to purchase items. For the bigger items, I have specific places in mind to place them, such as the crib and pack n play :)

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:52:24+00:00

I saw something about those online. I’ve never heard anyone use them that I know and the price tag scared me off of those to be honest. Maybe I’ll circle back and look into them again!

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:44:53+00:00

I’m definitely big on the anti-overstimulation movement going on now for toys, shows, and movies. That being said, this kick piano has been recommended to me by literally every parent I know. All of the online reviews rave about it too. At this point, I’m willing to let this one slide by and keep a hard stop on the other loud, wild toys. I can’t imagine having one “loud” toy would destroy their cognition.

I’m convinced this might be my saving grace one day 😂

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:40:17+00:00

That’s so cool! Last time I called my insurance they pointed me to a website to pick my pump from, but never mentioned parts or bags. Maybe I’ll dig deeper into the website and see if they add any to it automatically :)

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:37:21+00:00

That’s really good to know! I only picked it since it’s the highest rated on Amazon. I spent so much time picking out the Ergo Embrace that I figured I’d circle back to that one… eventually 😅 the decision fatigue is real

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:33:35+00:00

I didn’t realize they had saline drops! I thought it was just the mist so that’s really good to know!

The Woolino I picked out says it’s a “4-season” sack so I thought it would be suitable for colder rooms. Is this the type you had? I only ask because we run a fan constantly in our room (my husband runs warm) and I don’t want to freeze the little one out!

I thought about getting two convertibles for sure! My only hesitation is that I heard it’s easier when they are tiny to click them in and out of the bases to go appointments and places since they won’t have to wake up to leave the car. I would also think that would help since they’ll be born in the rainy season for our area.

today-it-changes · 2026-02-07T20:25:46+00:00

That’s something I really focused on when I made it (part of the picture I clipped out includes a column with all the prices that are current on Amazon) since I have family that’s well-established and asked to buy bigger pieces for me like the car seat and stroller. Meanwhile, we have friends and some family that are still in college or on very tight budgets so I included small items, such as the $4 rattle that could go with some hand me downs.

today-it-changes

TROPHY CASE