displace
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Posts posted by displace
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I am embarrassed to say I watch too much TV/Netflix/hulu. I don't mind looking at things on the Internet I feel help to teach me new things (like this website), but I need to reduce drastically my and DS's TV amounts.
Did you have the same problem and what was the best solution for you? Did you go cold turkey and cancel Netflix or cable? Did you gradually reduce your time doing those things with a timer, or perhaps substitute these entertainment items with another activity you enjoy?
What about children and changing their viewing habits? Did you gradually reduce time, cut it out overnight, use it for a reward? I'm considering going cold turkey for a month or so (we're moving and will have a drastic lifestyle change for a bit anyway), then only reintroducing as a reward/limit (for DS) and similar concept for myself (setting a timer or only using at night after everything during the day is already accomplished).
Thanks for your helpful and supportive ideas with this. TV has always been my vice, so I'm trying to change lifelong habits and prevent them from developing in DS. :blush:
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DS is starting K. He's a young K, FWIW. He has been in daycare/preschool his whole life. I will be spending time at home with him for the first time and homeschooling for K. The daycare is nice there and over the last year they have done a full preschool program. However, DS seems *very* resistant to writing, IMO. I'm not sure if it's because he was pressed too soon and wasn't ready or if it's his personality. He even doesn't like coloring/shading in objects because he doesn't feel he's very good at them.
I don't work much with him yet as we haven't started K, but the few times I have asked him to do things involving writing/coloring he usually gets frustrated, refuses to try, or has a meltdown. Over time (last few months), I've stopped asking him at home to do these things to not press the issue, but I do want to start K on time (in next 1-2 weeks). In general he does get very frustrated and quits soon for any activity he thinks he's not good at (sports, games, etc). I've bought the Mindset book, hoping to get ideas for this aspect, but haven't received it yet.
A few things I've done is focus on curriculums that are manipulative, and I'm planning on offering him different ways to do worksheets. For instance, we'll do Math U See, and I have markers for filling in squares, probably will get number stamps, etc. I have HWT and the big blocks for shaping letters. I have a dry erase board and hope he'll like practicing writing with that.
I must admit I'm a little anxious because of his frustration level. I'm not really sure I want to unschool but I wonder if I should. I'm hoping removing a lot of the fine motor writing aspect out of it will be helpful, at least for a few months. I'm considering delaying any letter practicing for a bit. Then, in a few months focusing more on writing. I was thinking of doing fine motor other activities daily to help (wikki stix, playdoh, cutting paper, mazes, painting free form, etc) in the meantime.
I have AAR pre-level as well d/t a concern the frustration may stem from not understanding completely and advancing too quickly.
Any advice or experiences you can share? Will I just have to wait and see how it goes? He really loves Ziggy the Zebra and I'm considering getting more puppets he can play with in school.
Thanks for your help and sorry this is long. :o
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I'll add those to the paper quilled (not quilted) snow flakes I've made before and saved, and I've been experimenting with mini-thangles to make a series of quilted ornaments out of reds and whites. My middle daughter will make a fabulous, incredibly complicated origami project in silver paper for the top that she's been experimenting with. My oldest daughter is coming up with some sort of paper designed ornaments and I'll come up with something for my youngest to do to add to the felt cardinals she made last time it was my turn and the other ornament projects we've made over the years.
I have to thank you for mentioning quilling! I've never heard of it before, started googling it, and now I'm in love with it! I've ordered a beginner's kit and can't wait to start! I'm so excited to have a new craft and I'm going to be making snowflakes for the tree too, maybe monogrammed names, and I have a lot of other projects in my mind because of this. I've looked at youtube videos, on-line tutorials, pictures, and in general anything about quilling since I first saw your post. Thanks again! :hurray:
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These are great resources! I think I may incorporate finances into a regular activity at home. :D
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The finance thread had me thinking about finances with regard to discussions. DS is young (starting K), and I do discuss broad concepts (moving to a less expensive place so I can spend more time with him and not have to work so much), spending less money on items when possible (price shopping on internet), not buying things we don't need often, etc.
I'm considering doing an allowance or something a little more structured, or starting a savings account or something. Any guidance on good books you've read or methods you use to teach fiscal responsibility? Something we will obviously grow into as he is so young.
We have a piggy bank for DS, but he thinks the money only goes into it and not out. I'm considering allowing him access to it for toys or whatever he wants to help learn. I also have a toy register so we can start to learn the value of coins/bills, etc. Maybe that will be enough for now but I do want to think ahead too.
Thanks for your thoughts and ideas. :)
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I recently watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead on Netflix and now I am very curious about juicing and juice "fasting". I generally disregard and ignore fad diets but I was so impressed by the men doing this that I ordered a juicer (to make healthy juices for a supplement to our diets). I am considering doing a 10-day fast too for myself, as a jump start to healthier eating. I usually make smoothies from whole fruits but juicing seems like I could "hide" more veges in it for the kids and myself, nutrition-wise.
Any thoughts or experiences with juicing in general or juice fasting? Thanks for your thoughts. :)
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I dislike abcmouse. Many, many things bother me. There doesn't seem to be progression, as you can just pick and choose whatever little icon you'd like. You can do games, or lessons, or skip what you don't want. Plus, for a pre-reader it's hard to figure out IMO. It also makes my brain do this: :willy_nilly: .
We did a free trial of reading eggs and it was much more logical, progressed well, and seemed to be fun too. I have a love/hate relationship with computers and learning at a young age d/t the "guess again syndrome". We are going to be severely limiting screen time soon.
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We will be moving soon in about two months (long distance) and we hope to buy a home when we move. I was thinking of flying down ahead of time in three weeks to house hunt so that if we found a home we could close soon and have a place to move into when we get there.
At some point me and the L.O. will likely move down before DH as our house will be up for sale and keeping it clean with them around I think will be difficult. I was thinking maybe a week or two before DH comes along.
Then I thought, why not me and the L.O. go down for the house hunt and stay with family (one way travel)? But, that would mean 4-5 weeks without DH, and I don't know if I can do it! And even one night away from DH makes L.O. heartbroken.
I realize a lot of families live apart and do just fine, but I'm scared of this and worry it's too much time away from DH, not just for me, but especially for L.O.
Have you made a long distance move quickly before and have any recommendations regarding this? Or do you have time away from DH because of necessity? Frankly I'm thinking of just renting instead of buying when we move so we don't have to be apart as a family. But it may be worth it to not be around during the chaos of packing and selling a home as well.
Any opinions or thoughts? Are there just too many variables to even try to think this out logically?
Thanks for any advice, and sorry so long. :confused1: -
My dream hobby is knitting (meaning I like to do it but don't have much time to finish projects and therefore I have a lot of yarn). We'll be moving soon to an area where I will probably never need anything knitted ever again. I'm considering getting rid of all my supplies, just knitting hats for hospitalized babies, or maybe lap blankets/placemats, etc? If it helps, I now prefer loom knitting d/t ease and speed.
Any other suggestions?
I may just continue with baby hats but am seriously considering switching hobbies to something more useful, like sewing or painting (I need wall decorations).
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Sorry for her loss. It may be too late for this post to be useful for you, but I liked jewelry on http://www.october15th.com It helps to have a "date" to remember/acknowledge as well. As for aspirin, it was recommended to me by a prior high risk OB when they found a uterine artery blood flow problem during my last pregnancy. They thought it "may" be helpful, and likely not harmful, so I took it. It was a successful pregnancy.
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Carcassonne -- it looked strategic and logic (and not too expensive). I almost got ticket to ride...
And one game for DS before I reached my spending allowance. All these other games are on my "wish list" on Amazon, so I can have an easy reference when people ask what I want for holidays and when it's time to spend on us again. :) Very helpful! I do appreciate it and can't wait for it to come.
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I have an Oster, this one (sorry I can't link nicely) http://www.amazon.com/Oster-CKSTBRTW20-2-Pound-Expressbake-Breadmaker/dp/B003GXM0EM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373924757&sr=8-1&keywords=oster+bread
We've had it about 5 years and I use it lightly, about once a month or so. I bake in it usually but also use it for making dough, if I'm making Naan, for instance.
I really like it. I'm not a professional baker so I may be missing something, but it works well for us. I've only had I think 1 or 2 loaves not turn out (not rise or too dense) and I'm pretty sure I messed up those times with the settings or ingredients.
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Thank you so much for the great amount and variety of games listed! I think I'm going to order one or two tonight so we can start playing soon. I'm so excited!
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DH and I are thinking of having a game night for us, after kids are asleep. Any good board games for adults that you like and only need 2 people? I haven't played board games in a while, so I don't have much to guide suggestions on. I liked Catan before but this was probably a decade ago and I don't know if you can play with only two people.. I've played Apples to Apples with friends and liked it ok but I believe it needs 4+ people.
In general I don't like trivia games. DH wants to play a game we have "Axis and Allies" but war games are not exactly my favorite, though strategy would be good for us both. DH suggested Monopoly, but I've played that a lot in my youth.
Thanks for any suggestions! :lurk5:
ETA -- Optimal game time would be about an hour, but if it takes longer, that's okay too.
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I do get gas too, but only go there every 1-2 months or so. I wonder if Sam's has freeze dried fruit? I like those for snacks too.
I don't love Walmart but do appreciate their convenience and prices sometimes. And quality is sometimes iffy for me with no-name Walmart brand. I agree Kirkland products are fine.
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Hello! I'm curious of those of you who have been to both, which you prefer and why? I don't have a BJ's close so that's out. I try to buy staples in bulk but also get processed things too. Big money savers for me at Costco include cheese, deli meat, hot dogs, frozen fish, meat, milk, peanut butter, butter, nuts, boxed juices, ravioli, and sometimes snacks. I also get some fruit while there but not much because of relative cost and quantity. I hear Sam's club has popcorn kernels, which I do go through a bit of from the regular grocery store. I also like Costco's little workbooks and easy readers at the tables, though I don't buy a lot of new books often. One thing I've noticed about Costco is they don't have a lot of "healthier" options (low fat, etc). I haven't been to Sam's so I'm curious what they have.
ETA -- I heard Sam's club is also cheaper for a membership...
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Thank you all for the insightful replies. It has given me a lot to consider. I used to commute 55 miles each way for three years and vowed to never do that again. I think if it's infrequent it would be fine to live in the farther city. I agree that 70 miles would be too far for spontaneous or likely frequent routine visits. Health issues with my parents are not currently a concern, and it would be too far for regular care if we needed to provide daily support. For us, having family nearby and support by them would include spending holidays together, occasional date nights out for DH and I (once a month or two?), and rare help with illness/doctor visits. The children are still too young for most routine activities (oldest is starting K), so I don't know how often that may come into play in the future (weekly sports, seasonal recitals, etc). Family is quite limited to my parents and my nuclear family, plus my brother (who lives with my parents). All other family is spread through other areas in non-commute areas from each other.
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Our family will be relocating soon to be closer to my parents. It will be better financially and also support wise as we usually see them only twice per year for a week or so and we are fairly isolated here.
I'm struggling on how close to move to my parents. They live in a city in the middle of nowhere (in our minds). We know we won't be living in their county, much less city, d/t many factors. The closest I would consider moving is about 30 miles away. However, there are other areas that have more appeal to us, up to 70 miles away.
30 miles is quite possible for a weekly or biweekly visit IMO, even with young children, or for "family emergencies".
70 miles seems possible for biweekly visits but much more a burden, especially with young children who fuss after 10 min in the car. And practically that will cut visits down by a couple hours because of traveling. My parent's opinion is that it is no big deal to live up to 70 miles away, considering how rarely we see each other now. They also feel we should live in a city we'll be happiest. They assure us they will visit often also. Past experience makes me take the "we'll see" approach as I have always needed to take the initiative on visiting them, no matter how close or far away we have lived from each other.
I'm concerned if we move 70 miles away our visits will be pretty uncommon (once a month or so), where my ideal would be every two weeks average.
Do you have to travel 70 miles or so regularly with your family and young children? Is this a burden on you or not a big deal? I'm going to negate the cost difference d/t savings from airplane travel and our fuel-efficient vehicle.
TIA!
Reducing screen time for family and self
in The Chat Board
Posted
Eek! 3 weeks to wean. I guess I should expect that but I was hoping more like a week of whining/complaining. Good idea about the computer, thanks.
I think cold turkey for a month or so is just the thing for both of us. We really need to get more exercise too so this sounds like a good time. :001_smile: