My daughter keeps going back to the Mr. Lemoncello books between the Harry Potter books.

Not sure what style he likes, but Duluth Trading also runs big and seems to be cut for the body shape you’ve described.

I would check for strep. My kids often have a sick tummy with strep.

We like to go just south of Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Also if you park at La Jolla shores and walk north past the pier.

When our daughter was first grade-ish we foresaw similar problems and had already noticed that all the Sunday school kids also went to school at the church’s school. DD was having a really hard time make friends with them. We ended up finding a new church family specifically without a school and have been very happy with that decision.

Thanks, everyone. We’re readibg through these and coming up with a plan.

No testing has been done because everyone keeps saying her daughter is just manipulating her.

This is all extremely helpful. But what about the fact that she pretty much only acts up for mom? Basically she seems to hold it together for everyone else and then comes completely undone when mom is around.

Thanks! Yes, my dearest friend for decades. Practically a sister. So I have very close contact with her and her daughter. My friend keeps wondering what she’s doing wrong, but I am sure that there’s something much more going on than poor parenting. It’s literally been like this since she was born, certainly long before she started eating solid food. She was always so rigid and angry as a baby.

Thank you. This is definitely the kind of thing I’m looking for. 😊 Any chance you can tell me WHY you’d check for some of those? Obviously anxiety, but why constipation, celic, etc?

Please don’t quote. I may delete later. My friend has an almost five year old who has been the most intense child I have ever known, literally from day 1. Endless screaming as a baby, generally unhappy. As she’s gotten older she’s learned to control herself more, but still seems to have anxiety, some sensory issues (particularly during seasons when there is change going on - shoe and sock problems, etc.) and just has major major loss of self control - but almost only when with her mom. We’re talking middle of the night tantrums over a stuffy nose or blanket, fighting about things from the moment she gets up in the morning. When she’s away from mom she’s mostly ok, but then much worse than before when she’s back with mom. And like I said, the most high stung child I’ve known. Super flighty, easily startled, terrified of some people, but can sometimes be cheerful and verging in normal. Her ped gave a referral for an OT eval which friend was told she didn’t have sensory problems. This was six months ago or so. It’s only gotten worse. She hits and kicks mom, etc. My friend is seriously the most patient, consistent parent I have ever known and is really at her wits end. Husband is not so patient and basically won’t deal with the tantrums (I know, and that’s a whole ‘nother issue). Does anyone have any thoughts? I am SURE there is an underlying problem, but not really sure what it could be. Anxiety? Depression? (She often will go days telling mom that she just feels like crying and that she’s sad all the time.) Senaory? Something else? I’m going with them back to the ped this week and would like some insight before we go. Ped said in a nite back to friend that she’s not sure there’s anything a counselor/psychologist could do but that we could talk about it. What kind of referral should we be asking for? I’m happy to answer any questions if it would help. We’re really just grasping for straws at this point. Thanks!

I went in the ocean off the beach with friends last year and was surprised at how buoyant I was in the salt water. Floatation devices weren’t allowed in this area, and the waves were moving me all around, but I had no problem staying on top of the water and I’m not a super strong swimmer.

We’re not always lettuce fans, so our go to salad is chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, a little red onion, with olive oil and lemon juice for dressing.

Thanks for the replies! I think I’ll order a couple to try.

I actually came across this while I was looking at the other ones. Is it hard to clean?

After several years, all of our stainless steel water bottles are starting to have a lingering smell (mostly from the lids I think). I’m looking to replace them now. I’d like something that is easy to clean. Also, I prefer not to put my lips on metal, so a plastic or silicone spout or straw is best. im also considering trying an insulated tumbler with a straw. Thoughts? Thanks!

Our family bought a new (to us) pop up camper recently, and DH and I would like to plan a week-ish long camping trip for this summer. We're looking at either the Grand Tetons area or somewhere in Colorado. It's likely that some of our extended family will meet us wherever we camp to vacation with us. However, I'm kind of at a loss as to where we should camp. Here are some things we have to consider: 1. Many of the campsites in GT are first come first served, and specify that most sites are filled by noon. How do you do this if you're coming from 12+ hours away? How does this work if we want to have two or three sites together? 2. We would love to have hookups for the camper - water and electricity. I would really love some advice, especially if you have camped with a camper in these areas. I'm specifically looking for insight on camping with a camper where you can't reserve a site ahead of time AND would love recommendations on specific campgrounds. FWIW, we've been tent camping before, but nothing longer than a weekend. We are planning to take the camper out for a few shorter weekend trips this spring so that we're sure of the ins and outs of it. Thanks!

Do an image search on google for Jodi Mockabee Notebooking. This is the method we enjoy, and I definitely think it would work for older students. She describes their process on her blog and also has an official manual that she sells. It’s very simple and they turn out beautiful.

Last year my kids sold mulling spice packets. In each bag went a dried lemon, a cinnamon stick, a few cloves, and allspice balls. They were easy and quick to put together, and pretty inexpensive. We sold them 2/$1.

I was considering the refurbished one for DD, but didn’t see an option for the extended warranty. For that reason I ordered the $79.99 non refurbished paper white today.

I’ve never heard of this. Take photos to send to the warehouse and then go pick it up?

Not east coast, but what about San Diego or other SoCal locations. Awesome beach options, plus lots of history. Balboa park, Old Town, Cabrillo, etc. Plus all the missions of course.

What about buddy reading something if high interest to her? You read a page, she reads a page, etc.

Thanks for the replies. We don’t generally go for fashion type shoes. Most recently he’s worn through two pairs of pumas. I’ll look more carefully at the sole and toe next time. And i had switched him from white to black socks because of how dirty they looked, but maybe I need to reconsider!

My 8 year old has always been hard on shoes. I usually find him shoes at Nordstrom Rack but sometimes go for cheaper shoes. What have you found works best? Buy cheaper shoes more often or spend more and hope they last a little long? Of course I’m also looking for brand recommendations. FWIW, his feet get stinky and sweaty. He does have some keens but they seem to make his feet sweat more.