School-Aged Children

Present for boy 6 years old

ryry1977 — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:06:56 GMT

My friends boy is turning 6....what are they into?! I am looking to spend about $40-50.

also on SAHM

How to improve school?

new+tothis — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:39:46 GMT

My neighborhood school.... well, it just isn't good. I'm not sure exactly why. It doesn't have a good reputation and their test scores are very low compared to the state average. I think it might be correlated to SES because I know they have a large percentage of the students on free or reduced lunch. They generally rate poorly on school review scales. I have 2 years before DS starts school and I would really like to do some things to help improve the school. I have no idea what though. Any ideas? I am planning on calling them sometime soon to see if there is a PTO but I don't think there is.

Summer reading programs

Littlejen22 — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:45:34 GMT

So far I know about Barnes and Noble, TD Bank and our library. Any others?

Anyone not sending their

Littlejen22 — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:07:23 GMT

Child to CCD? I had this conversation with someone today and did not really feel like defending my position so I did not fully get into it. What do you say when asked why?

Public or Private?

bmerr — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:05:18 GMT

This is my first time lurking on this board since DS is only 6 months old. For some odd reason, the public vs private school question just popped into my mind. My husband and I had never talked about private school, we both just assumed that public is what we would do.. like we almost forgot that private schools exist.

Does anyone have experience with both? If so, which one did you stick with in the long run? How long did your child attend? What about pre-k? Any advice on the subject?

I know it's WAYYYYYYY too early to be thinking of schools, but I was just curious.

:) thanks!

What activities have your kids tried

Littlejen22 — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 18:10:15 GMT

What activities have your kids tried and how old where they? Feel free to add any info like if you made them or if they requested it or if you plan on waiting until they are older for something.

My DS is 6 and DD is 4. DS is only recently becoming interested in doing things and DD would do everything. I am feeling like at 6 going into first grade I want to expose DS to more.

DS has done art at 5 and 6
Roller skating at 6

DD did dance at 3 and will do it again in the fall
Roller skating at 4
Art for a few weeks at 4
Soccer at 3

ETA DS started swim lessons at 2.5 and DD at 3.5

DS wants to try basketball but the kids are start Chibese school in Sept and it is on the same day so I am trying to find another option.

Backpack brand suggestion

LKswifey — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:40:52 GMT

My son starts preschool in the fall so I've been researching back packs and lunch boxes, etc. I know I'm early in shopping, but I need to figure out what I want so I can start watching for sales. We are on a limited budget, but I don't want to buy something cheap from walmart that I have to replace in a few months.

I want to get one that is small enough for him now (he is very skinny and would look odd with a regular backpack). I would also like one that could potentially last him through maybe 1st grade, or until he outgrows it. His lunch box needs to fit in the backpack too, at least for his first year anyway.

Do any of you have suggestions on the main brands? I'm sort of leaning towards the LLBean line, the junior bag and the smaller lunch box they have. I've also looked at pottery barn, lands end and also jansport has a mini backpack. Any pros/cons that you have come across with these brands/bags? Are there any brands I'm missing that are the same quality? Any input would be appreciated!

How much communication do you expect from school in K?

Mama-Bear — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:51:48 GMT

DS1 is in summer school right now and will be starting K in the fall (they have summer school for all of the grades, and offer it to kids starting in the fall so they can get familiar with the staff and building). He's been going since 5/28 and will get out 6/28. I've gotten no communication from the school on how he's adjusting, his behavior, what they do, nothing. He gives me some info, when I ask how his day was, but that's about it. Am I expecting too much or would you be wanting more info from the teachers if he had an exceptionally well or difficult day as well as what the class is learning. The way the info packet made it seem was that he was going to be bringing papers home each day, the first day he brought home the bus schedule, other than that he's brought home 2 pics that he's colored.

The sex talk....

mrs_sexy — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:43:17 GMT

My 7 yr old b/g twins know that egg meets sperm and a baby is made. They recently asked about how they join together. I said the man puts his penis in the woman's vagina. They said that was gross and it was the end of the conversation.

Going forward for more in depth discussion about how their bodies will be changing, puberty, etc, how should DH and I handle it? All 4 sit down together and go over things generally? I talk to DD and DH talks to DS? I want the kids to understand what both boys and girls are going through and to be able to ask questions to either DH or I.

Thoughts?

Monster High boy dolls - educate a newbie

yale — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:50:13 GMT

So when the Monster High dolls first came out, my nieces wanted them. So I got them each one for Christmas. Apparently those were the first they got and they've been collecting them ever since. I was not aware of this until we visited last week. Anyway...they don't have any boy dolls. My SIL told me the boys are really hard to find. Well, I'd like to try I think, but I don't want to pay obscene amounts of money. Is this even realistic? Anyone have secret tips on where to find these things? I found one site online that tracks In/Out of Stock dolls for Amazon/Target/Walmart. Any other ideas?

Since vaccines are often discussed here

Littlejen22 — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:40:25 GMT

http://newjersey.news12.com/news/healthdepartmentissuesmeaslesalertafterpatientgoesintobjswholesaleclubinwatchung1.5477693?firstfree=yes

End of year school work organization ?

tammy79 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:06:48 GMT

My first grader came home last friday with 3 grocery bags full of papers and work he did during the year, I'm trying to organize them, some I will recycle, but most I will keep, but there's just so much and it's so overwhelming. PLease share if you have a good way to organize your kiddos work.

Thank you

If you're anti-vaccine

Mama-Bear — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:26:05 GMT

*I promise this is not judgy. This link about a kid almost dying because of not getting vaccinated just popped up on my FB feed. I do believe that all parents have the right to choose what's best for their family, we feel that vaccines are best for our family but I know not everyone shares our beliefs. Just wanted to share it since many people don't talk about what happens when their kid gets sick with something that could've been prevented, and we just had a big debate about vaccines recently on this board.

Link

Head lice! HELP D:

marissa422 — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:45:26 GMT

I just recieved a call from the school nurse that DD has acquired nits but no live lice and its at the beginning stage so it was caught at a good time! She's sending all the info on how to treat it.
I'm freaking out because she uses my brushes as well as my one year old!!! Is there any way I can prevent us from getting it?! Also I've read good cleaning is obviously in order, I'm on bedrest so I'm so overwhelmed right now! Should I have my husband come home from work and start washing, vacuuming and disinfecting? I've never dealt with this before please give me any info you have! Thank you

New to this board and need advice...

tamararachel2 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:12:48 GMT

We have a rising kindergartener and for the most part, he is a very well behaved kid. He's also a good big brother. However, lately we've been experiencing him acting more like a "baby" in some matters...like throwing toddler-like tantrums, cying so loud that I swear the neighbors can hear and sometimes seriously crying for no reason. We've explained to DS1 that he's the big boy and his brother is the baby. We reward him when he's done extremely well on something and we try to emphasize him starting kindergarten in the fall so he's definitely a big boy. Nothing is getting through to him though. He's even gone back to peeing the bed and he cries when we make him put a pull-up on at night because he says he doesn't want to wear a diaper. I guess I'm just looking for other input to see what other parents are dealing with and if they've dealt with issues similar to this. TIA!

End of year gift for teacher

Littlejen22 — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:19:53 GMT

What if anything do you do for a public school teacher. DS is in Kindergarten. I assume the class parent will do a collection and then it will be from the entire class, I want to do something else. I will have DS write her a letter and I was thinking of maybe buying a book for her classroom. Any other thoughts?

MN Full Day Kindy beginning in 2014

jlw2505 — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:48:37 GMT

So happy that MN passed this today - full day kindy at no cost beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Totally bummed that I am missing it (older DD in kindy now and younger DD in the fall) but so thrilled for my friends/family with little ones. This is so important to give all kids the same chance at a great education - not just those that can afford to pay for full day. The free half day (a whole 2.5 hours in my district) is a joke.

Proud to be from MN the last few weeks with same sex marriage and now the education bill both getting signed!!!!

Do you expect your kindergartener to get himself ready in the morning?

hmd — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:44:45 GMT

Should I just dress him myself when he gives me a hard time?

Looking for a kindergarten program chesapeake!

monicanham — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:19:51 GMT

My son's bday falls 18 days after the cut off to go to kindergarten but my son is ready for kindergarden, any one else having this issue? Any school reccomendations? Need help! We are also a military family....

Bump Updates Coming

EmpireMomof3 — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:12:17 GMT

Mobile and Forum changes will be implemented June 25-July 1. Here are some highlights of the upcoming changes and you can feel free to visit theknot to see what it will look like (both standard and mobile) as they have already been updated:

· Receive notifications when members comment on a thread you originally posted, when you’ve been tagged in a thread, when you have earned a badge, when you receive a private message (and more!)

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· Earn new badges for your community actions (more info coming)

· Choose the best/most helpful response on a thread that you start

· There will be a 3-day waiting period before new members can post

What is changing with Private Messaging?

· More prominent spot on the main screen (no more searching for inbox), and you’ll receive notifications when you have a new message!

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· NOTE: “OLD” PRIVATE MESSAGES IN YOUR INBOX WILL BE GOING AWAY on or around 7/12, so please save any information you may need from them!

Teacher as tutor?

WBs_Bride — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 12:48:54 GMT

Is it a typical thing for a child's tutor to also be their teacher? My DD is in first grade and needs help with math. There are a pool of teachers from school, her current teacher being one of them, that offer tutoring services over the summer. Assuming that it would likely not be her, I emailed her teacher asking for recommendations of which teachers on the list would be a good fit for what DD needs, and she responded that she'd be happy to do it, but also mentioned 2 other teachers. I like her teacher and wouldn't mind it, though I think DD would probably be uneasy about it. I can see the pros and cons. I also don't want to snub her teacher! Any insight or experience here?

Shower vs. Tub for Kids?

NicoleWI — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 13:59:59 GMT

Hi,

I don't usually post on her but maybe those with older kids will have advice on this topic. The house we bought has a bath connecting two bedrooms ("jack and jill bath") with a stand-up shower, but no tub. Why they did this, I do not know. The large, deep (awkward for bathing kids!) whirlpool tub in the master is the only tub. I think we should replace the shower in the kids' bath with a regular tub and shower combo. DH thinks we don't need to b/c they "will be taking showers soon anyway" and can use the master tub until then. What say you, especially those with older kids? I am happy to admit it if I am wrong on this and save the money, but if I am right, I don't want to spend years still having all kinds of kid stuff in the master bath.

(kids' ages in tickers. I don't know why I can't update one of them but DD turned 4 in January). Thanks.

It's that time of year: Teacher gift ideas needed!!!

MesmrEwe — Sat, 25 May 2013 19:39:31 GMT

O.k. so DD had a pretty "eh" teacher this year, o.k. I wasn't impressed with some of the things that went on this year... ANYWAY, the teacher is also a nun who is going to be leaving before the last days of the school year to start her MS and to go to work at the Mother House's Infirmary. She's not what I'd call a teacher over the top took the time to get to know and work with DD, so not thinking the over the top type gift...

Any ideas on what to get her?? Thursday afternoon they're having a class play and Friday is the teacher's last day (and they'll be going on a boat trip that day)... I used to be licensed as a baker, so thought of doing a cake following proper kitchen procedure/state laws of course, but then there's that magical part of me that says "no way, don't want to do that level of work..."

Babysitting 10 year old boy this Summer- ideas?

bridein08 — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:57:25 GMT

It has been years since I've babysat, does anyone have ideas? I will be watching a ten year old for 50 hours a week and would love any suggestions for activities, books, etc. that he might like.

We have a neighborhood pool, a park (do ten year olds still like to swing and play at a playground?) and a neighborhood garden. We also have a pond that we may be able to fish in. I am hoping to locate a bike that he can use in the neighborhood for the summer.

Help!

"No dessert for a week"

Atothe3rdpower — Sat, 25 May 2013 01:45:43 GMT

Hello,

DH and I are discussing the appropriateness of this punishment for our 5 year old. He says its completely okay bc it'll make an impact. I say she'll forget why she's banned from dessert by day 2 and just focus on the no dessert part.

Would you mind sharing your thoughts?

TIA!!!!