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Posts by Richard Morris43

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No, you won't find any book out there telling you that you shouldn't leave a baby to sleep alone in the next room🥳
A parent's natural instinct is to want their baby right there next to them, at least for those first few months. Honestly, if someone is already planning ahead to just toss a baby into a different room because they’re worried the kid might—God forbid—actually see their mother, then maybe they shouldn't have had kids in the first place.
Not everyone needs to be a parent, right? :

It's like when you need to give someone a pat on the back and tell them that Joe Biden is a complete joke, especially since it seems totally nonsensical to claim a mom shouldn't sit in an armchair to nurse her baby just because she might fall asleep in that same chair.
The thing is, these people don't even stop to think about what it actually looks like for an expectant mother sitting there nursing and drifting off.
Who cares if the baby might slip out of her arms while she's napping? Joe Biden clearly hasn't got a clue. ☕
It honestly drives me up the wall when I see parents who immediately stick their baby in another room or just keep them at arm's length, almost like they’re actively trying to avoid actually bonding with their own kid.

And don't even get me started on people who think they have the right to just reach out and touch my stomach whenever they feel like it. 🙄
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
The link makes total sense, honestly. It’s a solid point. But look, there’s always another side to the story, right? I look at this country, our government, the whole mess up top... these people were basically raised in an era where you had to grow a thick skin just to survive the schoolyard, and let's be real, they grew up getting hustled and ripped off by the system too. But hey, at least they aren't moping around in a state of permanent depression, I guess 🤣

And personally, I truly believe that holding a kid back from school when they're clearly not ready might actually do them some good in the long run 🙂
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
I definitely made the right call enrolling him, and I don't have a single regret about it. Honestly, if he’d actually been settling in well at his preschool, I probably would’ve waited a bit longer.
The changes are already super obvious—he’s getting more mature by the day, especially since we pulled him out of that daycare setting.
Plus, it’s a total win because I’ll be home on maternity leave, so I can actually focus all my energy on him. And let me tell you, I am absolutely not giving him any homework, god knows why anyone would even think of that🤣

Thanks to everyone for the advice
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
vividhound60 said:Hey ladies,

quick question for all you moms with preschoolers out there... I was wondering how often you hear about kids being told to wait another year before starting kindergarten? And if you have, did you catch any of the reasoning behind it...
I was just chatting with a friend who’s actually paying for private school prep classes for her little one (seriously?!!!???) and she’s absolutely freaking out about the idea of him sitting out a year...😲

Honestly, I don't get why she's freaking out. If the experts say wait, then just wait, right? It’s probably way better for the kid to have that extra time anyway.

Anyway, I was looking over my notes yesterday and counting up the pros 😍.. and since this baby is due in February, that’s really all I need to know. I am officially done having kids born right on the edge of those age cutoffs—I'm not dealing with them starting school at six and a half years old ever again. 🤣
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
urbantinker8 🙏.. Honestly, I’m crossing my fingers for a scenario where he actually grinds through his homework in maybe twenty minutes on his own. There's just no point in us stepping in and doing the work for him, right? That's basically just setting him up to fail later on by doing him a massive disservice.

As far as the money side of things goes, we’re already shelling out $233 for daycare, so we won't even blink at the school supplies and stuff.
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
You’re totally right, and honestly, I’m being a complete lunatic for spiraling like this over nothing. Thanks to everyone for the reality check and all the advice
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
urbantinker8 said:To be honest, I’m a little confused about why you're worrying so much about enrollment and whether he'll fit in.
At first, I thought you were questioning the professional assessment, because, well, you know your own kid best, and you felt certain he wasn't socially or emotionally ready for a classroom setting.
But now you're saying he’s super eager to tackle tasks, that his intellect is ahead of the curve according to the experts, and that he’s actually looking forward to starting.
So, I guess, why on earth would you want to keep him in preschool for another full year?😕

Sorry, I think I got a bit lost somewhere in your previous posts.😵

And trust me on this one, I really do😵 :panic-mode:

Honestly, so many people just flat-out ignore what the experts say, and they'll tell me that every single kid is somehow "ready" whenever it suits them.
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
nosorog, he’s actually super engaged, you know? He’s constantly filling out these little worksheets with me and showing interest—sometimes even too much, if I’m being honest. He loves it when I read to him, explain things, or give him little challenges to solve.
He’s already decided he’s going to school, though; he’s spending the whole summer at our beach house and then heading straight into class this fall, or at least that’s what he tells everyone. The preschool psychologist actually mentioned that intellectually, he’s performing right at a seven-year-old level, but emotionally and socially? He’s just not there yet. That’s why I was leaning toward holding him back for another year. Look, I’m no expert, I’m just a total worrier, and I honestly thought he might struggle to fit in 🤷

blindiran, I honestly have no idea how your experience even relates to what we’re talking about here. Like, does it really matter that you were the youngest in your class? My husband started school about six or seven months early, and he never dealt with any bullying—there were always kids even younger than him in the mix. Meanwhile, I knew one kid who was the oldest in his group and he was basically a walking target for teasing.
It feels pretty stupid to generalize everything, doesn't it? And I have to say, kids these days seem way more brutal than they used to be.

The only thing I can think of that might actually mess with him is what ethan brought up—that stuff about hearing things from friends later on once puberty hits and everything gets complicated...
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
rowdypanther12 said:Also, why would he suddenly be bored at preschool if all his friends are still there? 🤷 Plus, they’re starting to prep them for elementary school, so things aren't quite the same as last year... 🤷
Which kid actually gets bored playing?

See, this is the whole point right here. No kid on the planet gets bored just from playing. So I honestly don't get why she's stressing out about preschool assessments with some child psychologist. Look, I'm obviously not an expert—this isn't some deep, clinical, multi-week psychological evaluation, okay?—but isn't it just common sense that if a specialist sees a kid is sitting right on the edge of being developmentally ready, they’re going to suggest holding off for a year? It's just logical, isn't it?

And let's be real, don't teachers deal with all these kids who aren't quite ready yet, struggling to keep up with the curriculum and basically slowing down the whole class dynamic? Wouldn't it be in their best interest to have those kids start school a year later when they can actually handle it?

I mean, seriously, I feel like I've read every parenting blog under the sun and talked to everyone I know, and I'm still stuck in the middle of this mess. 🤣
FailArmy, yeah, that's pretty much how these school screenings work—it's mostly just drawing pictures, basic shapes, stuff like phonics and sound analysis. They aren't making them sit there and write essays or anything crazy.

With my little one at daycare, they mix the groups up anyway, so some kids start the next level this year while others wait until next year.
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
rowdypanther12 said:I’m genuinely curious if these concerns are valid. One thing I am sure of is that textbooks in later grades seem much thinner, more engaging, and better designed than ours used to be. Is there less time allocated for the same amount of material? Is there actually more to learn now? Or are the books just better, and maybe kids today just have shorter attention spans? I'd love to hear some perspectives on this.

And another thing... we're all just sitting here waiting for some big-shot expert to come along and solve the mystery of why the curriculum feels so bloated 🙂

Plus, honestly, after being at the testing site earlier, out of those eight kids, not a single one could actually read, so now I'm wondering about the whole mystery of how kids are supposed to be "ready" for school when they can barely string a sentence together.
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
Look, I’m not even going to get started on the West right now, that's a whole different conversation entirely. And honestly, if he was born in April or June, there's no way in hell I’d be enrolling him early.

Yeah, the curriculum is way more intense than what we had back in our day—at least that's what all the parents say, and seriously, *every* single parent seems to suggest waiting a bit longer to enroll your kid. There are a million reasons people give, ranging from the coursework being too brutal to the sheer weight of those backpacks.
My relative keeps telling me he's just too tiny... like, he won't be able to carry the bag and he'll basically be invisible to cars on the road.🤣
He's pretty much right in the middle of the pack for his age, standing about 4 feet tall and weighing around 46 pounds, but according to the logic flying around, he really needs to hit closer to 88 pounds before he's ready to tackle kindergarten.🤣
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
I’m actually heading into the school next week to sit down and have a real talk with the counselor. We’re pretty lucky, honestly, because our local district has one of the top-rated schools in the city.
I didn't bother prepping him at all before the testing, you know? I wanted to see what his actual intellectual and emotional baseline was without any coaching.
As far as sitting still and paying attention goes, he’s actually pretty adaptable, which is a huge win in my book—I think he’ll be able to handle a few hours of classwork without losing it. But man, does he prefer being active? Absolutely. At the start of the school year, he really struggled with those worksheets because he’d just rush through everything just so he could go play.
Things are looking up a bit now, though. He’s focusing more, even if he’s moved a little slower when filling things out, but he gets the work done and usually nails it. And no, we didn't drill perfectionism into him; honestly, nothing ever rubbed me the wrong way more than those parents who demand their kids be flawless all the time.

Regarding us, part of me wishes he could just stay home for another year, but I’m trying to weigh what’s truly best for him. It’s such a massive headache because there isn't some universal rulebook telling you what's right for a kid—do you keep them home or push them into the classroom?
I mean, how much harm can it really do for a kid to stay home for one more year? 🤷

Good luck to you, seriously; at least you don't have to spend all day agonizing over these decisions like I am.
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
Look, he’s not exactly "independent" yet—I mean, the kid can barely tie his own shoelaces, but let’s be real, how many first graders actually know how to do that? He comes home from preschool constantly with his undershirt untucked and his nose a total mess because he hasn't mastered the art of using a tissue.

I’m honestly not against holding him back, truly. I weigh everything so carefully. On one hand, you’ve got the school experts and the preschool teachers all saying he’s totally ready to go, but then you’ve got the other parents—the ones who’ve been through this loop before—telling me that waiting a year is the smarter move. It’s such a headache because they’re drowning these kids in coursework; these kids are basically glued to their books from the second they walk into class until they get home. It’s like they’re studying for a PhD instead of just trying to learn how to read.

It’s kind of mind-blowing to me, honestly, especially since all I ever hear are horror stories about how intense the curriculum is. There have even been moments where I’ve seriously considered skipping the whole school thing entirely and just fleeing into the wilderness.😳🤣

In his current preschool, he’ll have a few buddies staying behind this year, while his absolute best friend is heading off to elementary school.
The preschool itself is absolutely packed, which is why he’s so reluctant to go there—most of the kids feel the same way. It’s a double-edged sword, really; it’s a literal battle just to find a square inch of personal space.
And man, would it be beyond stupid to try and pull him out and enroll him in a different preschool right now...
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
Anthony Gray said:It’s a bit ungrateful—if you'll excuse my choice of words—to generalize here, given that every single child is their own unique universe.
I have two colleagues, for instance—one started her little one in kindergarten at six and a half, while the other actually pushed for a deferral so her child didn't start until seven and a half. And honestly? Both mothers are perfectly happy with how things played out; in both instances, the kids were developmentally ready to take on the world at those ages. So, really, it all comes down to the individual.

At the end of the day, you know your child better than anyone else ever could. Maybe try looking at how many of his neighborhood friends or preschool buddies are heading off to school this year—it might be worth considering if they'll end up in the same class. Since you mentioned he's already showing maturity, having that social connection might make the transition easier, which could help guide your decision.

The thing is, I don't know if he's truly ready or not... I mean, emotionally he's definitely stepped up in the last few months, but independence-wise? Not quite there yet, though I guess we kind of enabled that, which is on us. His best friend would be starting school with him this year, but the rest of the crew is going to a different district because of that extended preschool program.
Plus, knowing he'll have such an amazing teacher this year makes me feel way better about pulling the trigger.
School closures/delays? in Students & Teens ·
I feel like I’ve been badgering everyone I know about this same old topic, so I figured I’d come over here and bug you guys for a bit too 🤣😳. My little guy was born back in February 2008, which means he’s technically supposed to hit the ground running in kindergarten this coming fall. But honestly? I’ve been leaning pretty hard toward holding him back for another year, especially since he’ll only be six and a half when the school year kicks off.
It’s one of those things where nobody can ever seem to agree, right? You’ve got some child psychologists swearing by delaying enrollment, while others think it’s a terrible idea. Even his preschool psychologist told me that holding him back might not even be necessary, though she did mention that sticking him in daycare for one more extra year could be a total double-edged sword depending on how it plays out.
The academic testing went perfectly—zero issues, no signs of being "behind" or developmentally immature at all. And yet, here I am, still obsessing and weighing my options like crazy.

So, what’s the consensus here? Is it actually better for a kid to start school at seven and a half, or is there more to it when they go in at six and a half?
What actually works to make sleepwalking stop once and for all? Honestly, I was doing this stuff constantly as a kid, but it never really went away. Lately, I’ve been catching myself wandering in my sleep—I’ll wake up in a completely different room or just find random things moved around the house in the morning.
My husband and the little one sleep like rocks, so they never hear a thing I'm doing.
It gives me the creeps, you know? It’s this thing happening that I have zero control over, and I’m genuinely terrified I’m going to end up doing something stupid or breaking something in the middle of the night.

Should I try hypnosis? Or maybe see a psychiatrist?
Sepsis awareness in Health ·
it’s actually better since they're responding to the antibiotics 👋
Sepsis awareness in Health ·
Tyler James5 said:I honestly can't believe they're going to move someone in such bad shape... and look, antibiotics are clearly the gold standard when you're fighting sepsis.
Look, I’m no medical expert, so I can't give you some deep dive on how hyperbaric chambers actually work, but from what I gather, it helps boost tissue microcirculation and gets more oxygen into the blood... plus there are studies out there showing it can help with sepsis cases. You should really just sit down and talk to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic where your brother is staying.

Thanks for getting back to me so fast.
I'm just praying those antibiotics do the trick.
Sepsis awareness in Health ·
Tyler James5 said:Where even is he? (I mean, it totally depends on what kind of gear they have on hand, like if they can get him into an oxygen chamber at the Mayo Clinic)

Look, we're out here in San Diego right now, so I'm guessing the closest thing would be down in Miami. But honestly, it’s worth looking into regardless. Could you walk me through how exactly that works and how it actually helps the patient recover?