Petrichor
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Posts posted by Petrichor
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8 minutes ago, Seasider too said:
FWIW, you can make a much stronger concentration of oxyclean solution than just the scoop you throw in with a load of wash - trying to remember if that's even on the label in small print?
yes to this! I put about a scoop, sometimes a bit more, sometimes with a tiny bit of laundry detergent too, into a pail about the size of a bathroom garbage-can.
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soak in oxyclean for a few hours, then scrub with a brush. I use a small firm brush that was sold as a dish cleaning brush. I sometimes find myself rinsing and dipping back into the oxyclean a few times while I brush.
protip: a bucket of oxyclean is usually good for more than one soak. Sometimes I'll leave the bucket in the laundry sink for a few days to be able to soak whites more than once in it. (My DS has a full-length white outfit he has to wear daily for hifz school)
and sun really does help get stains out of whites. Lay your whites out to dry in the sun for a few hours, it will quickly get rid of any shadow-type stains. Sun will dull other colors though if you leave it out long enough.
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Writing With Ease
Writing Road to Reading (handwriting/phonics/spelling portion)
Vocabulary From Classical Roots (I've only used one book so far, so I don't know if the cost was really worth the value. it tends to take me more than a year of using something to see if it was worth it. But it does get done, so there's that.)
^gentle lessons packed with value for the amount of effort. Easy for me to pick up and teach, and easy to do orally for my reluctant (possibly dysgraphic) writer (with excellent handwriting thanks to WRTR)
Singapore math gets done regularly too, but sometimes it's like pulling teeth.
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Park and museum maps are great for teaching map reading skills.
Look into orienteering, it's a load of fun + compass and map reading.
I have road atlases and AAA road maps I've collected over the years from used book sales. It was a lot of fun using those to explain how different maps look, and in showing what our area is like. BUT, from the experience of trying to teach road maps, I've found that orienteering, museum, or park maps are much more practical/understandable from a non-driver (i.e. kid) perspective.
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Mine used to respond with a blank look and say he doesn't go to school. Over time I learned to just go with it. Sometimes (especially at 5yo) it doesn't really matter what he tells the stranger who is asking what grade he is in.
If you're concerned, then when he says "I don't go to school" you can let the questioner know he's homeschooled. (if it's an adult. if it's a kid, I'll just leave it)
I just asked my 9yo what school he goes to. He said "home." And that is probably exactly what he would tell someone if they asked him what school he goes to. home. one word. ? If anyone asks him that, they're going to be sure I just keep him locked up at home all day.
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My kiddo was/is like that. Getting outside for some hard exercise helps immensely. I tended to let him just bike, and he'd come home sweaty. Digging is his thing and helps tire him out too. He moves a bit less now that he is a bit older (or did I just get used to it?)
As long as it's not impacting his life/schoolwork I wouldn't worry. Regardless of whether he actually has ADD/ADHD or not (and even though you say he's absorbing things) reading up on interventions, tips, behavioral treatments, etc. for ADHD kids (and adults) might help you (and him, in the long run).
And allowing fidgets or chew toys, trampoline jumping, a spinning chair or yoga ball to sit on can help, depending on his needs and what works for him.
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I'll eat a whole bowl's worth of homemade cream cheese frosting. Cupcake or no cupcake.
But those big blobs of frosting on store bought cupcakes just do not appeal to me. I don't like to throw away food either (though one might claim frosting isn't really food) so that would keep me from buying a pretty cupcake with a big blob of frosting on it.
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2 hours ago, Tanaqui said:
A great many studies show that narrower lanes, in general, are actually safer. There are fewer crashes. Of course, understanding that requires looking at data, not anecdotes and gut feelings.
I was thinking the same thing. I'm surprised so many people think they are obviously more dangerous. But I suppose, the feeling of them being dangerous is precisely what gets people to eventually slow down...
We have a local road that is crazy wide, almost always empty, and goes suddenly from 45 to 25. I end up slamming the breaks almost every time. I rarely drive that way. Point being, the width makes going slow seem counter-intuitive.
There are some other roads a couple of towns over that are super narrow. Made me so nervous driving on them in my crossover the first dozen or so times. 35 feels like 60 on those roads.
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1 hour ago, CaliforniaDreamin said:
And I literally made my poll last about 5 minutes and cannot seem to open it back up. My poll is already closed. First poll fail, lol! The vote is split three ways between the three voters who made it in before the five minute time limit. I am laughing so hard I am crying. Ok, if I can get it together I will try to make another. I guess once a poll closes you can't edit it to reopen.
I hadn't actually looked at the voter count and was wondering why a poll was so evenly split 3-ways
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If there isn't a lot of traffic in the area (like, if nobody has been by in an hour or so), I'd probably log off, and leave it there. Close the screen and put your bag on top of it.
Our library is not tiny. You have to actually leave the library to get to the bathroom. I'd probably take a string bag with me, and put the computer in that when I need the restroom. I'd leave the charger and everything else behind in the study room or on the study table.
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I wonder if you'd be able to find a cleaning service that has flexible cancellations. Or maybe a super silent cleaning service?
If you can't work it out, I don't think cancelling the cleaning service, is too much to ask. Especially if it's only for a year or less. It's hard to sleep in the daytime. Even harder when there's noise.
Could you hire one of her (or your) kids to clean your house?
No chance of the son wearing earplugs or using a white noise machine, is there? (and if they refuse, I wouldn't hold it against them.
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9 minutes ago, Home'scool said:
So, does it sound like petty bitching on my part, or a normal compromise that gets made when you live with someone?
you can't end a JAWM with that sentence, lol!
I get that you meant "be gentle" though ?
I was skimming a bit, but are you able to afford to move out? Maybe your sister saw the arrangement as "just until she gets on her feet again."
To better address your question: is there not a time in the day that the cleaning service could come while her DS is awake or at work?
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I have a lot of spiral bound books, and for the most part I've been able to recognize what they are just by looking at the size/shape of the book, or putting different colored card stock covers on the books (you can see the cover a bit from the spine)
It helps that I keep most of my books, especially the flimsy spiral bound ones, in magazine holders. The white cardboard ones from ikea, and I write the subject on the visible edge
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Maybe try the babysitting classes. Does your town offer in-person babysitting classes?
Ours has a babysitting class at the community center for ages 11+ or so, and they teach first aid and CPR.
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A solid color shower curtain may be a better idea. Even if it's blue or maroon.
Personally, seeing a shower curtain with a valance makes me more likely to fall in love with the bathroom, even though I've never bought such a shower curtain for myself ?
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Sorry ((hugs))
I've had those kinds of days too. When my mood improves, I chalk it up to maybe he had a bad day, and, if applicable, maybe I was extra sensitive and took things a bit too personally (not saying that was the case in your case, just giving my experience, lol)
Oh and once I've calmed down, I nearly always text him a lecture including details of what I actually do, and how his job is easier because he at least gets that hour of quiet time during his commute, and also isn't responsible for cleaning the office while his coworkers actively dump junk all over the place, AND changing his coworker's diapers 24/7 on demand, AND dealing with their little impulsive mood swings, AND driving them to and making sure they bring all of the equipment for swim class, etc.
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Other allergy medications (Claritin and Zyrtec) put me to sleep, and don't seem to work that well for me for longer than a few hours.
Nasacort works for me completely.
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yes, and in my circle, it feels like it is expected. Even for kids closer to 2 who show an interest in holding the baby.
Baby is propped up with pillows, adult's hands are half an inch or less below the baby. Assuming the child cares, is not too impulsive/hyper, and the kid wanting to hold the baby doesn't gross me out hygiene-wise.
My own DS was older (7ish) when DD was born, and he was carrying her around the house at a couple weeks old. He was carrying her up and down stairs at about a month old.
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1 hour ago, wintermom said:
When I was camping in Norway, we used to always make blueberry soup and add the oatmeal to it for breakfast. IKEA sometimes sells it in North America, but camping stores may have it.
For a quick sugar fix, you can add juice crystals to water, just make sure they aren't sugar free.
YES! juice packets to add to water are great, especially with kids, Gives you the extra kick when you start to feel like giving up. Koolaid has packets that contain sugar. Maybe gatorade makes something similar? I thought I saw it somewhere, but didn't stop to read the ingredients.
Dates or lara bars. We took cliff bars, but got tired of them after about a day ? All the different flavors start to taste the same, lol. My suggestion is to vary the types/brands of bars.
We actually brought already assembled pb&j for our first and second day's lunch, and had ramen type noodles and instant mashed potatoes for dinner. We brought packets of shelf stable pre-made rice and shelf stable thai curry type stuff, and ended up not eating any of it. We ended up eating mostly cliff bars because we didn't want to cook for breakfast and lunch lol.
I saw plastic packets of soup the last time I was in the store too, so that might be an option for you.
I wrote out calorie counts and actually weighed (to be able to figure out the calorie count) trail mix into smaller baggies. And we brought an extra day's calorie-wise worth of food, just in case something happened and we got stranded out there or needed more food one day.
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Are those portable wifi hotspots still a thing?
Have you compared the cost of your tracphone with a phone with a regular call/text/data plan? We don't pay all that much for our phones on Tmobile, and have unlimited data.
Getting some sort of device with a data plan might be a good idea if you find yourself continuing with online classes. That's assuming you get cell service at the campground you go to.
On our last camping trip, we thought we would need an internet connection for a work obligation, and we were able to call the campground to ask where the nearest place with free or good wifi was.
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32 minutes ago, kristin0713 said:
To be honest, in your situation i wouldn't do those online classes. How old are your kids? Is there any way to switch them to self-paced online classes so they won't be locked into specific days? Your schedule of camping Sunday-Tuesday just sounds LOVELY. What awesome family time and memories for the kids. I wouldn't sacrifice that if at all possible!
I agree, assuming OPs kids are in elementary.
Unless it's a foreign language class, or a high school level class that you don't feel comfortable teaching, maybe.
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Oooh! just checked our library website and saw that they have a program that allows 10 yr olds to volunteer.
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1 hour ago, Jean in Newcastle said:
Why are you turning this into a competition? No one else is doing that.
Meh, I was also feeling kind of guilty that my DS doesn't do any organized volunteer work. I haven't found anything in our area that we would both be interested in and available to do. We're allergic to animals and the local food bank doesn't allow kids under 16.
I do have DS pick up garbage on the ground when we see it, or move big sticks or rocks off of the trail/sidewalk that could trip someone.
DH and I are regular volunteers in our masjid, homeschool, and occasionally in our wider community. We're always available if a friend needs help moving a couch or needs babysitting, and I can only hope that my work makes DS see that it is normal and expected to work for the community to help make it a better place for everyone.
When he's old enough to do it (probably at least age 14 from what I've seen), I'll probably be expecting him to volunteer to tutor, work in the library, etc.
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27 minutes ago, Farrar said:
Maria Montessori for real thought you should send them all to go work on farms somewhere else and not let them back until they'd grown up a bit.
Could you imagine if rather than there being "montessori" preschools all over the place, there were montessori jr. high farms?
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My master spreadsheet is COMPLETE! ...
in General Education Discussion Board
Posted
Wow! I love the concept!