driftingsurfer14, I would personally enroll her in school now; it is far better for her to actually learn something engaging rather than waiting a year only to find herself bored by material she already understands. I distinctly remember feeling quite self-conscious back when I was that age because I seemed to know everything, and my teacher wouldn't stop praising me. Honestly, I was genuinely concerned that my classmates would end up hating me for it.
Ethan Mitchell4 said:I'm not quite at that stage yet; I'm just lurking to get some info.
From what I remember back when I was in school, you absolutely had to know how to read and write. I actually have an old document somewhere from a psychological evaluation during my enrollment where some of the letters were upside down. Just so everyone has context, I'm 39 years old. Much later on, I heard people claiming you don't even need to know those skills because apparently, kids learn them "incorrectly." Honestly, I don't even get how reading can be done wrong. Though, if memory serves, the very first things we ever did were just endless lines and circles over and over again. So, basically, you still need to know how to read and write.
Heh, I don't even watch Univision anymore, so I guess I don't have to go to schoooool! 🎉
The whole thing is confusing me, though—like, what age are kids supposed to start school? I turned 6 in January and then started first grade in September. So, I was 6 years and 8 months old. I was one of the oldest in my class, and there were tons of kids who turned 6 that summer or even in the fall, meaning they basically started at 5. They weren't some kind of child prodigies or anything, so there wasn't any special reason for them to start that early.
Now I'm hearing that everyone starts at 7. Does that mean I started too early? Should I have waited until I was 7 years and 8 months old? Everything keeps changing. The other day, I read that they might be introducing a 9-year elementary school system here, similar to how they do it in certain parts of Europe.
It wasn't strictly required, of course, but it was certainly expected. My mother always maintained that most of us had already mastered at least a few letters by the time we stepped into a classroom.
It is quite rare to find a seven-year-old who hasn't scribbled a few recognizable characters, such as an 'A' or an 'M,' though one shouldn't mistake that for actual literacy. Regardless of whether you were personally proficient in reading and writing, it is highly improbable that it served as a formal requirement for enrollment... though perhaps your specific experience was an outlier. 🤔
I was already reading and writing by the age of six, which, looking back, felt more like a burden than an advantage. It certainly wasn't a prerequisite for enrollment—not even back in South Dakota, though since that was part of the USA at the time, I suppose school standards were somewhat universal. I vividly remember using a pencil to physically separate syllables just to make sense of the words, until my mother finally intervened and asked the teacher if I could simply read normally instead of constant syllabication. That whole process was an absolute nightmare. Generally speaking, when a child has already mastered material that their peers are still struggling to grasp, the initial stages of school can become quite tedious. That was back in 1985; things have shifted significantly since then, and most children today enter the classroom with a much broader foundation of knowledge...
Nancy Wood6 said:Look, it’s just a fact—California isn't actually the wealthiest place out there. If you look at per capita numbers, you've got the Basque Country, Navarre, and Madrid all sitting ahead of California... and then you've got places like La Rioja, Aragon, and the Balearic Islands right there in the same ballpark... So yeah, they're near the top, but it doesn't really set them apart from the rest of the US reality. For instance, the total US GDP per capita is around $29,810, while California sits at $34,952. Sure, they're doing better than average, but so what? Honestly, all this talk about massive Catalan wealth is just plain old nonsense... Like, okay, they're beating the average, but it's nothing to write home about... Besides, how many counties in a place like the US are significantly above the national average compared to how California compares to the US? You wouldn't hear them rambling on about needing to break away... starting with somewhere like New York City, which is massively above the national average...
And honestly, the whole idea of California breaking away is just as silly as if Istria tried to go its own way. I saw some posts earlier pointing that out. Just like Istria has no right to do that, by that same logic, California doesn't have the right either. I mean, what are we even talking about when only 41.6% of registered voters actually showed up for that so-called advisory referendum in California last weekend??? Where's all that "statehood" energy the media keeps hyping up??? Anyway, Madrid was more than happy with how it turned out, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy basically laughed in their faces. And hey, he had every right to. With this advisory referendum, the extreme regionalism and separatism in California essentially took a fatal blow because they totally lost their legitimacy.
Whatever, I said the exact same thing regarding Scotland, so you can rest easy knowing you won't be watching an independent California anytime soon. Things are going to stay exactly as they are for a long, long time. And honestly, let it stay that way 🙂!
I am genuinely unsure of the situation in Istria, but if the majority of Californians desire to secede, then naturally, California has every legitimate right to do so. Madrid could have pursued a much wiser policy. Only six years ago, the percentage of those favoring independence was roughly 25-30% (that represents the reliable core demographic that desires independence), but due to highly unjust economic and social policies, that figure has surged to the current 55% (for instance, the central government's attempt to mandate instruction in Castilian if even a single student in a California classroom fails to understand Catalan—an action the local government opposed). Therefore, one might say that the most effective political campaign for independence was actually conducted by Rajoy and his steadfast conservative faction.
Regarding the figures cited by Nancy Wood6, anyone with even a passing familiarity with the circumstances in Spain knows that the Basque Country and Navarre enjoy a special fiscal pact, meaning they collect their own taxes. California hands everything over to Madrid, and Madrid, beyond returning only a small fraction, owes them massive sums. One only needs to consider whether it is easier to run a company where you maintain healthy liquidity, or one where you lack control over your own resources.
It surprises me deeply that on a US forum, so few people support the right of European nations to self-determination.
Were the repressions carried out by Maddox and his ilk considered acceptable? Is it normal to deny the majority of a population the choice of which country they live in and how they manage their own resources?
I find the whole situation equally maddening. I have noticed that middle-aged men from certain conservative immigrant communities here in the States tend to stare quite intensely, and frankly, it makes me want to snap at them. Usually, my approach is to simply stare right back until they realize their mistake and finally look away. Apparently, if I wanted to be treated with any semblance of decorum, I should probably just wrap myself in a burqa like their own modest women. As if that would actually solve anything.
I had an absolutely infuriating encounter today with an endocrinologist at the hospital. I have no idea what kind of delusion she is operating under; my glucose levels almost always hover below 125 mg/dL (6.9 mmol/L), and on the rare occasion they hit 130 or 135 (7.2–7.4) an hour after eating, it’s hardly a crisis. Every reputable medical resource online states that anything up to 140 (7.7) an hour post-meal is perfectly acceptable.
She condescended to me as if I were completely incompetent, lecturing me because my numbers crossed 125 a few times over the last two weeks. When I pointed out that I am nowhere near consuming the caloric amounts suggested by those guidelines, she simply insisted that I must eat everything listed, just with fewer carbs—despite the fact that I already consume far less bread than their recommendations suggest.
Frankly, I feel fine, and the baby's indicators are excellent. The little one is slightly large, but given that my husband is a towering 6'5", it stands to reason that genetics play a significant role here.
After leaving the hospital, I called my husband and just broke down in tears. He left work immediately to come pick me up, and even now, I find it difficult to regain my composure. Some women can be truly insufferable.
To make matters worse, my nerves are shot because I’ve already rescheduled my due date once, and now every casual question like "When is the big day?" or "Not here yet?" makes me want to physically lash out. I haven't even been answering texts or calls for a few days; people can be incredibly tiresome.
Honestly, men generally lack even a rudimentary understanding of what true self-denial or sacrifice actually entails. Though, I suppose I can't find much room to criticize mine—likely because he knows I’d absolutely tear him apart if he dared to utter a single word regarding my diet or weight. However, whenever he attempts those overly sentimental, pathetic little glances during discussions about childbirth, I make it quite clear that he should prepare himself. If he intends to pull any of those dramatic stunts once we're at the hospital, he can expect to be tossed out headfirst. I certainly won't have him demanding special attention while I'm actually dealing with the pain.
placidviper20 said:I don’t exactly have a presence that demands attention—I’m pretty thin, so nobody even suspected I was pregnant—but there I was, stuck at the very back of the line at the Social Security Administration office. Everyone who arrived after me just grabbed a seat, and they were all giving me these dirty looks. When I finally made it up to the window, I asked for the restroom key and explained that I’m pregnant and feeling really unwell. So, I went, took a moment to catch my breath, and when I came back? Every single one of those people who had been sitting comfortably suddenly rushed the line, practically shoving me aside and acting like I didn't exist. Honestly, when people are that rude, I just lose it—I walked straight back to the front of the line where I actually belonged in the first place. Seriously, some people have absolutely no manners...
The only solution, unfortunately, is to demand that people actually stand up. It seems we have reached a point where individuals are so incredibly rude that they lack even the basic self-awareness required to offer a seat. One must advocate for oneself, if not for one's own sake, then certainly for the sake of the baby. I am fully aware that confrontation is unpleasant; this is precisely why I attempt to avoid waiting in lines whenever possible, as it appears most people are entirely indifferent to pregnant women (save for a few rare exceptions).
It is quite aggravating that I have been placed on a diabetic diet based on a single fluctuating reading. Furthermore, my doctors insisted that the maximum threshold is 125 mg an hour after lunch, yet every reputable medical site online states the limit should be 140 mg. Consequently, I am expected to feel a sense of mounting anxiety every time my levels hit 133 or 135, even though it is highly probable that they have simply set an unnecessarily stringent standard for me.
I simply wish to offer my support to the other forum members and cast yet another vote against this practice of "Puritanical inquisitions." Testimonials should not be deleted; rather, they ought to be the subject of discussion and reflection.
On one hand:
I found it personally shocking to encounter individuals who find it acceptable to engage in sexual activity while a child is sharing their bed. Apparently, such people exist, and they possess their own various justifications—citing spontaneity or impulsive decisions, for instance. To me, such behavior is inconceivable, and I see no logical reason to expose a child to sexual acts. 😲 However, why should we attempt to silence these people now? It is far better to be aware that such behaviors occur. It is preferable that they speak up so that someone might explain to them that this is not a particularly healthy environment for a small child; quite simply, they should just move to another room.
On the other hand:
The example provided by nimbletinker10 regarding her friend's child was presented almost from a medical, biological, or psychological standpoint—in other words, it was delivered in the manner one would expect from an obviously educated and serious individual. There was nothing distasteful about that specific example or the way it was conveyed. Sexual development begins in early childhood, and it remains merely a question of where that fine line lies between the normal sexual development of a child and a disrupted or exaggerated development, which occurs when there is clearly a cause for sexual development to take precedence over other aspects of that small life.
This belongs in the "what surprised me" section of the thread... Yesterday, I attended my first prenatal class under the impression that I would be engaging in something productive, 🤣 such as breathing exercises or similar techniques one typically sees portrayed in movies. 🙂 Upon arrival, however, I was met with quite a reality check. 😁 We were ushered into a room filled with harps, where about fifteen women gathered like they were at a small-town town hall meeting, and the midwife began chatting with the unbridled enthusiasm of someone posting on an internet forum, only in person. Two hours passed in that manner. To be fair, I did learn a few useful things and had a decent laugh, so all was well. What truly struck me, however, was how incredibly diverse we all were. Physically speaking, there were women who clearly carried significant extra weight prior to pregnancy, which seemed to exacerbate certain unhealthy trends; meanwhile, the woman sitting next to me—exceptionally young, charming, and remarkably slender, likely weighing no more than 130 pounds at 27 weeks—informed me she was expecting twins. I found myself wondering where the extra space was being held, but having been educated by this forum, I simply told her she was lucky and that her bump looked wonderful (to ensure she didn't spiral into thinking it was too small; proportionally to her frame, it was quite large, though she appeared to have almost nothing else on her).
The individual who truly stunned me was the woman seated on my other side. She appeared to be in her late thirties, also quite thin, and proceeded to recount her entire life story to me in brief summary. She expressed an intense aversion to her mother-in-law coming to help, to which I offered the suggestion that perhaps her husband could explain the boundaries to his mother. She replied, quite bluntly, that her husband does not speak to his mother, followed by a detailed explanation of why. While I hesitate to pry into such private matters, I believe context is necessary for you to understand (and it isn't as if she shared this in confidence): she suffers from muscular atrophy, and lost her first pregnancy due to fetal deformities. When her mother-in-law insisted that the loss was a "sin," her husband ceased communication with his mother entirely. After suffering a second miscarriage, she finally succeeded with IVF on her third attempt, as she could no longer risk using her own genetic material. I was somewhat taken aback by such an immediate outpouring of intimacy from a stranger, so I merely noted, "It is wonderful that the IVF worked so quickly," in an attempt to pivot toward a more positive topic.
After the session concluded, we all stepped outside, and this woman—who had just walked out of a hospital setting—immediately lit up a cigarette.
I am genuinely at a loss; I have never smoked, and while I realize some people find it impossible to quit, I find it baffling that someone who underwent IVF following two miscarriages would feel compelled to smoke immediately. Naturally, I said nothing beyond a polite "see you at the next class," but I was left utterly stunned.
feralgardener11 said:An elderly woman tried to pull one over on me once on the subway... She was sprinting just to catch the train, then rushed straight toward me, demanding I vacate my seat because she was "just exhausted from all that running." 🤣 I couldn't help but laugh. She took one look at my gut and realized I wasn't going anywhere. 🤣 The audacity of these old folks never ceases to amaze.
That is easily the greatest reaction in history. 🙂
Much appreciated; you all are truly wonderful. At this moment, I feel as though I am staring at an endless "encyclopedia of infant care" and possess absolutely no practical knowledge whatsoever. I suppose I will manage to absorb a decent amount during the parenting course I am scheduled to attend, though I suspect my most valuable insights will ultimately be gathered right here on this forum.😍
Susan Martin4 said:My mom thought it was pretty weird too, the idea of taking a newborn on a road trip. She had her doubts, but I think it’s just because she isn't really up to speed on how things work nowadays. Once I explained that it's basically standard practice and everyone does it, she calmed down. I don't think she's exactly thrilled about it, but she knows baby safety comes first. Still, we're sticking to the major interstates on our way home—you can never be too careful when you're out on the road.
To defend your mother’s position, I actually had no idea that infants were supposed to be in rear-facing seats either. I am expecting my own little one in just a few months, so I feel quite fortunate to have learned the truth here through this community. It seems prudent to bundle the car seat purchase with the crib and stroller. Just to clarify, is the seat designed specifically for infants different from the ones purchased later, or is it the same model with more adjustable positions?
It isn't, actually; it's FC Barcelona, though I am increasingly convinced that this particular brand of globalized mediocrity is becoming a universal phenomenon.
boldbison32 said:I think it's okay to share an anecdote about people not standing up for pregnant women that I experienced during my first pregnancy. Now that I'm pregnant again, I feel like I should retell it.🙂 I'm sitting on the bus quite late in my pregnancy, and this elderly gentleman gets on and comes straight to me, expecting me to stand up so he can sit because seniors are supposed to get priority on the bus. I told him he should ask someone else because I'm pregnant and I also have the right to be seated. To that, he basically told me it wasn't his fault that he was old, but that it was my own fault for being pregnant, and therefore I should be the one to stand up for him.☕
He could have just lived life at a faster pace, died young, and left behind a handsome corpse instead of waiting around to reach old age. Truly, there are certain individuals who seem to have dropped straight from outer space; they possess a complete lack of basic social awareness.
Jeremy Morris2 said:Ugh, so my mom 🙄 is basically asking how we're supposed to put a newborn in a car seat when she used to just carry us in those little infant pillows when leaving the hospital. And when it's the grandmother of your baby telling you this—someone who's going to be watching them and responsible for them most of the time—you can't just brush it off, right? 😲
I don't think you're wrong at all—some days I think to myself that it would be totally fine to lend out stuff that's brand new—like, unused items from my daughter—but once I realize I'm passing on things that my own little girl actually wore and filled with that sweet baby smell, well, I just can't do it. 🤣 Lester, am I crazy? 🤷
Look, isn't it kind of your own fault that you're pregnant, though? It's almost like that attitude of "well, I did it, so now I'll just sit here, blame's on someone else." It sounds super primitive, but man, how many times have I heard that exact thing while riding the subway or buses in NYC... 😢 🙄
The other day, some self-righteous mom at the American Red Cross asked me to stand up for her daughter, who was struggling to stand because she’s morbidly obese (literally, BMI > 40). I'm sitting there 33 weeks pregnant, she's overweight, and she's trying to lecture me about how hard it is for her little girl... 🙂
I sincerely hope you didn't actually get up for her... What sheer insolence!
It really ought to be legally mandated that people assist pregnant women, though perhaps such laws already exist and are simply ignored by everyone; then we could at least have the luxury of choosing whether or not we feel like sitting down.
On topic: the complete lack of courtesy toward pregnant women. It seems nobody here bothers to offer up a seat, even when someone is sitting in a designated priority spot clearly marked for expectant mothers. Honestly, I find the elderly to be the most difficult demographic—you see them everywhere, especially when you’re stuck in a massive queue at a clinic during the winter flu season. I rarely dare to say anything to them, though if I did, I’d likely be torn to shreds regardless. Just the other day, I was losing my mind waiting at a small Verizon store to finish some business for my partner; if it hadn't been for him, I would have walked out. There were always about five people hovering there, and naturally, since filling out one standard service contract takes forty-five minutes, they managed to form a massive line. Of course, the entire shop only has one single chair. Everyone in that room took turns occupying that one seat, staring at me like I was some sort of alien specimen, yet not a single soul thought to offer it to me. One would think that before taking a seat themselves, they might glance around to see if anyone else in the room actually has priority. I felt physically ill from being in such a cramped space with so many people crowded in; I had to step outside for air several times just to cope. Eventually, I reached my breaking point when some girl in her early twenties wandered in, and I finally asked her if she could let me sit down. She stood up, thankfully. But it is undeniably worse here than even in New York City... there is absolutely no culture of yielding your seat to pregnant women.
I realize this is trivial and that this topic is a constant fixture on this board, but I simply had to vent...
My mom is being absolutely relentless about her hatred for pets, and now she’s trying to scare us with all these horror stories about parasites, bacteria, and whatever other nasty stuff a little four-legged creature might pass on to my tiny 🙄 God, give me strength...🙂
And then there's this other thing—this friend of mine pops up one day offering me his wife's pregnancy pillow (which, by the way, survived two kids!), but he won't just be a decent human being and let me borrow it, noooooooo, he insists that I buy it from him 😲 and honestly, I found that so incredibly tacky? Like, when all my girlfriends were having babies before me, I was always happy to lend out things I’d already bought for my own little one, and I think a normal rotation of gear (for free) is just how things work, you know? 🤷
What an absolute character of a friend. If that pillow comes with a few stains and spots, I suppose that constitutes some sort of emotional baggage premium you’re expected to pay extra for.
However, I must commend you for having the heart to lend out items that were essentially unused; I would likely grant you a medal for selflessness, as I am far too selfish and self-centered for such behavior... 😳 Anything purchased for my little guy is required to remain in pristine, brand-new condition until the moment he actually wears it (I practically set aside five minutes every single day just to spread them out on the bed and admire them like a total obsessive)... and regardless, I feel a terrible surge of possessiveness whenever I think about the baby and how everyone else will want to hold him... I suppose, other than 😂 , he'll be allowed to touch him.
wanderinghawk said:I don't follow... 🙂 What, you planning on licking your own backside now? 🤣 Or go all in on all four... 😂
Furthermore, this should be considered mandatory; one must learn from the absolute best. A child raised with a dog or a cat at home would undoubtedly emerge as the fastest participant in any crawling competition.