I can't wrap my mind around this. At all. I absolutely, positively can't stand not brushing my teeth in the morning. I wake up, walk to bathroom, pee, and brush my teeth. If I am awake in the morning and I haven't brushed my teeth, something is wrong. I was taught to brush twice a day, morning and night, and it's stuck with me. That's what I've taught our kids. And, yes, I still remind/do it for them (for the younger ones). I have no idea what DH was taught as a kid. What I know is that he has had...a lot....of cavities/teeth issues in his life. I, OTOH, have never had a cavity and would like to keep that streak up. Yes, I know genetics plays a role. All that being said, I basically never floss. It's a sensory thing that I can't stand. I try to encourage our kids to, but as I basically don't I feel like a hypocrite. Every time I go to the dentist they tell me I need to floss more/regularly. But then it's immediately followed with "you have the healthiest teeth I've seen in someone your age in a long time." So clearly, my mouth/teeth are doing okay without flossing. Why would I mess that delicate balance up?

DS9 is just starting to read beginning chapter books on his own. Though we've never had him tested, I highly suspect he has dyslexia, so learning to read has been a difficult journey. He still very much struggles with fluency, but also wants to read things on his own. Finding beginning chapter books that he is willing to read is proving to be a challenge. The only series he has enjoyed is Ranger in Time. He flat out doesn't want to read anything else. When he doesn't have a Ranger in Time book, he will read a Magic Treehouse if he must be reading. So please suggest books or series he may enjoy, Bonus points if it has a boy protagonist and/or a dog protagonist.

Definitely praying over here.

If you have DR, definitely focus on improving that, as that automatically strengthens your core. I've been working on improving mine basically since our toddler was born. At one point, between earlier kiddos, I had a four-finger gap! I haven't used an official system; I've been doing this on my own. Among the most helpful things for me have been working on squatting unsupported (still not there yet, either), bridges, one leg bridges, double leg lifts, and crab-walking. For working on posture/alignment, I recommend Katy Bowman. Following just some of her ideas has helped me immensely. My sciatica acts up less often and my bunions are so improved I'd even say I don't have any. Really, what has worked for me is just choosing something easy to do and adding it to my daily routine. Rather than "I must do a whole core exercise workout" mentality, it's better for me to say "what one or 2 exercises can I do now in this random five minutes of time or just add on to the exercise I already do?" I hope you find something that works for you!

I can't answer any of that because they don't open to kids until March! Why is being a grown-up so hard? I'd definitely prefer the work of the daycare. But the better benefits at the medical office are enticing.

Yes, Job B comes with benefits, although I think they won't be quite as good as at Job A. Having benefits at this time isn't strictly necessary, but may be in the near future.

I have been offered one position and expect another offer shortly. I don't know which one to accept, so clearly I am turning to the internet. Background: Pre-kids I taught in a variety of public and private schools. I also spent a year as an assistant manager at a retail store. Returning to the out-of-the-home is not something I look forward to doing, but it's most likely the best scenario for our family at this time. I have long said that I don't really want to return to full-time teaching. (I love teaching...I just don't want to deal with all of the other stuff it comes with.) Job Offer A: A receptionist for a medical office system. It would be only 3 days a week, but still comes with benefits. It would sometimes involve some commuting as they have 4 locations, one of which is about 30 minutes away and I'd be scheduled where needed. OTOH, if we move (under discussion), it'd be to a place we now use as a rental which is less than 2 blocks away from the main location. This is a new position; that is, they are adding this part-time position because they are really busy. Pay rate is not quite as good as what I expect from the other position. Job Offer B: A Head Teacher in a new daycare. I would be working either 4 or 5 days a week. At first, it is only opening to 6 mo to 3 yo with plans to expand over the summer). It is 10ish minutes away. I expect the hourly rate to be higeher than the other offer. Clearly, neither of these is a dream job for me. They are more of "I need to get a job. What is available that I most likely won't hate?"

Congratulations! I hope you have the world's most boring pregnancy. FWIW, our youngest was born when I was in my (very late) 30s. I love how much more relaxed and confident I am as a parent this time around compared to with our oldest. Heck...even compared to when DS6 was born.

OMG! The My Father's Dragon is the first official chapter book RA that I do for ours once they turn four. The chapters are super short, which is great if you have a young one with short attention span. I can't recommend the trilogy enough.

Five Children and It The Boxcar Children Stuart Little The Chocolate Touch The One and Only Ivan Tiger Rising The Indian in the Cupboard Frindle Dory Fantasmagory

My Father's Dragon Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlotte's Web Mary Poppins Peter Pan Gooseberry Park Dominic Because of Winn-Dixie Crispin Freddy the Detective ETA: Yours are probably a little young for Crispin, but DS9 just added it and it's been a while since I read that one, so who knows...

Huh....we have the opposite problem around here. The food we feed in the evening lasts much longer than it should. Like, at Christmas, I figured we'd need more by Jan. 10. Except somehow that food lasted until yesterday. And there is no way to skip feeding our cat. He just wouldn't let you forget.

I've been Group B + twice, I think. Is it bad that I can't remember for sure? I've never used the abx. (Note: this decision was made after much discussion with my midwife. I am not encouraging others to follow suit.) First, my understanding is that whether you or + or not can change. So, it's possible to test + at 37 or 38 weeks and no longer be + at time of labor/delivery. So, if you have time/think you have time before delivery, you might want to try some natural-ish things and ask to be retested. For the life of me the only thing I can remember my midwife suggesting was using Hibiclens. I also ate raw garlic because that's how I roll. Really, being + isn't that big of a deal. If you want the abx, use them. If they don't have time to give them to you (short labor, arrive late at hospital, etc...), they will just want to monitor baby after birth. I hope labor and delivery is completely boring!

OP, I can't think of any stories of the type you are asking for. However, I am hoping to be one. We are struggling here, too, although we haven't separated. I will say that for me, I do hope to improve things and end up with healthy, happy marriage with DH. It's going to take a lot of reflection, change, time, and effort for both of us. Anyway, just wanted to commiserate with you. I wish the best for you as you navigate this difficult path.

I'm not sure about the all-male gathering thing, but robins do head south-ish for the winter. My understanding is that they generally head just south enough to be comfy for the winter. IOW, the birds are smart enough not to stay where I live in winter. The kids and I have a competition each year to see who observes the first robin in the spring. In our area, that's usually mid-March. Your robin sighting only counts for the contest if you see it and someone else is there to vouch that you, in fact, did. Off to get sucked into reading about reading on the internet...

Oh, I hope you are joking. I mean, not about spending time in the real world, because that is good. But about this place being a nightmare. FWIW, I very much like reading your posts here. I may not always agree, but you are a poster whose posts I enjoy reading. As for the OP, I can't think of any inner circle I belong to right now. Which is just fine with me.

The bolded has been mentioned. And the reason the word "school" was included was because...wait for it...it was a Chinese (language) school. That is a very different thing than regular elementary school (or middle or HS). The phrase has 2 parts, in this case: "Chinese School" and "classmate." Yes, there are few occasions where we in the US would use "school" and "classmate" next to each other. But, this situation, with a "language school" and "classmate" both being used is one. It's still boggling to me that people who didn't parse it that way immediately have a hard time with it still after multiple explanations.

Well...isn't it obvious then that the function of "school" is to go with "language?" I mean, if one thinks "school classmate" is redundant, then "school" must go with "language" (in this case, Chinese). Try substituting "sport" for "language." If someone said "little fencing school classmate" would people be having the same issues understanding? Randomly, the word schoolmate is...odd to me. I don't think I've ever heard it used IRL. I don't know, I just can't wrap my mind around it being difficult to read the phrase kindly, even without a hyphen that would have prevented all of this confusion.

Except the entire phrase was (apparently, I haven't read that whole thread) "little Chinese school classmate." And it only sounds bizarre if you parse it unkindly. A. School Classmate isn't technically redundant, because students can attend the same school but be in different classes. B. In the phrase used, I am surprised people didn't parse it as "little Chinese-school classmate." With only a moment's thought, giving a poster the benefit of doubt, that's the kindest reading (after reading it the other way and wondering "how else could this have been meant?") C. When I hear a phrase like "Chinese school" (that is, Language School), I hear it as school designed to learn said language. I am very surprised that isn't the default for others. So, yes, one should pause and give the benefit of doubt and go with the kindest reading (see B above). But, in this case, that's obviously reading it as in C above. If it becomes obvious a poster meant something unkind/racist/insert other possibilities here, it should be addressed kindly, so as to give them something to reflect on and hopefully change their mind/actions in the future.

A made-up conversation involving many people follows... Bob: Tom, have you tried XXX Tom; No, but it sounds interesting. John: Oh, I tried it once and didn't like it at all. It was too much work/too sour/too exhausting/reason of your choice. Sam: I think it sounds interesting to and plan to try it on my next vacation! I don't think the fictitious John or Sam is rude. You, per your posts here, do. All they did was answer a question that wasn't directly addressed to them It is actually mind-blowing to me that anyone could find that rude. Another scenario: Julie: Sara, do you remember when XXX happened? Was it YYY or ZZZ? Beth: It was ZZZ. Sarah: Oh I am glad she knew, because I didn't remember. Again, for me, Beth was not rude. It is astonishing to me that anyone would think it is! (And now I am really leaving this thread.)

I don't understand. You seem to say, in the OP, that people can only answer questions (that is, respond) if they are directly addressed. In fact, it seems you think that anyone else answering a question addressed to someone else is rude. But...they are just responding. Which, in the post I quoted, you go against your OP and say they can respond. You know, sometimes I want to have my cake and eat it too. Also, perhaps the non-addressed responder thinks they have information the addressed person does not. Or perhaps they are aware that they have a 3rd viewpoint to toss out for consideration. In my experience, I call that conversation. I think online conversations are especially prone to it, perhaps due to the fact that they don't occur linearly. I am going to bow out now for a variety of reasons. First, because I think the OP is meant address something specific that's happened here in another thread of which I am unaware. I have another reason, but I don't think I am allowed to say it here.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Oh, no. Toss those, without question. Also, any that are just left randomly on the floor, the bathroom counter, the couch, etc...

I edited your post to make it more true. FTR, We have 5 kids, and a large house by most standards, given that it used to be a barn. Even with a huge house (with plenty of attic space/other buildings for storage), I am ruthless. If we aren't currently using/displaying/playing with artwork, it's gone. I just...don't have the bandwidth to even know it's in storage. Sorry, kids.

I keep...basically nothing. I justify it because my mom kept everything. And I mean everything, including any newspaper article that mentioned us. It was a lot. And whenever she gives it to me, I smile and say "thank you!" I glance at it when she leaves and then happily toss it. Therefore, I obviously think my children will be just like me, and not want their stuff. Which, of course, means they will be the opposite and want everything, but oh well. Sorry, kids. You can keep your kids' stuff!