My daughter started Kindergarten on Wednesday and I wanted to get your honest opinion on the school we selected. It’s a Charter/Prep School and very focused on “rigorous academics.”
Every day we are sent home a behavior chart (1-5) and we have to sign and send it back to school. Apparently they are up in the classroom as well. 3 means “ready to learn” and 5 is something like “exceptional/leader”. She has been coming home with 3s asking why she isn’t getting 5s. She’s only in kindergarten! It’s my mommy gut that’s already thinking it’s not the right fit, but she says she really loves it.
Does my child need a tutor or an educational therapist?
My son’s reading assessment has him reading at kindergarten level. Given his anxiety and that he has been in a Waldorf environment in the past, reading/spelling has not been the focus and he’s struggling. I think we have found a new therapist but I was wondering if you could recommend a tutor or do you think an educational therapist that can work with him each week on reading and his feelings around it.
I thought I enrolled my child in a progressive school that practiced conscious discipline. Was I wrong?
I recently enrolled my son in preschool for the first time and today was his second day . He was very sad because he said one of the teachers did not give him a sticker. I asked the teacher and she mentioned that he did not want to participate in one of the language class activities so at the end the kids that participated got stickers and since he did not participate he did not get one. Now I am having doubts about this school and about the teachers being trained in conscious discipline. What do you recommend I do?
Is it ok if my child is the youngest in a class?
I signed my daughter up for an after school class called “Introduction to Theater” at an arts studio.
Do you think it would be ok to have her be the youngest in the class? Just concerned how she will be treated by the “older” kids and if they could expose her to things that kids their age are into (like tv shows or toys or whatever else that may not be age appropriate for her). Or would it be good for her to be around older kids, since she is already more mature for her age and being around older kids would help advance her more in theater?
My daughter had an epic tantrum over a gift for someone else. What is happening?
My daughter had an epic tantrum this morning. She went downstairs to make her cousin a birthday card and she remembered that we are giving her a gift that she has never had before. So my daughter came up the stairs crying and screaming how she needs to have the same gift as her cousin but in a crazy aggressive way. I tried to explain to her that when we want things that we don’t have, we can figure it out. She was still screaming and crying saying, “I hate my cousin, I neeeeeed the gift for myself”.
My son has big reactions when making mistakes. How can I guide him?
Recently there were a couple of situations when my son made a mistake but his reaction was exaggerated and made me worry about the way he deals with these situations. I would love tips please on what to monitor, how to help him develop the thick skin we need to face the world after making mistakes. I know how I struggled with this… Thanks!
My 7yo says "That's not fair!" a lot. How do I interpret this?
My daughter is 7 years old, and I am trying to understand how to handle "that's not fair!!". This statement comes up at least once per day and it can be about me, her friends, anybody. Mostly her friends though... I try to acknowledge the disappointment, and that her friends' parents handle things differently from our family and that our family has its own rules.
My little one said something inappropriate as a joke. I am mortified! How do I stop this?
The other day, a new friend's mom brought him home. When she was taking him out of the car he said “te quiero dar un beso en las tetas” I was mortified (even though the mom was a good sport and knew he was doing it to get a laugh and he was laughing hysterically).
I can’t wrap my mind around him saying something like and I’m petrified he will continue to say inappropriate things. I don’t want moms to not want him around because he’s a bad influence. I also don’t want him saying things like that. Ever.
My 4yo loses control when he doesn't get his way. Is this normal? How do I manage this?
My 4yo son gets set off when he doesn’t have control, or rather, when he has something in his head (ie I want to play the game this way, or I want to be first in line), and then it doesn’t work out that way. He reacts before he thinks, and that sometimes results in a tantrum, throwing something, or hitting.
How can we help him slow down, process what’s going on, then react? How can we get him to express his thoughts in words, more calmly?
We are switching from crib to bed and it's not going well. Help!
We are on day 9 (feels like 900) of my sons sleep journey. We started with the book at bedtime and whenever he asked, which was often, removed his crib, set up his room and he was excited. For two nights it was perfect. He just went to sleep for naps and bedtime no issues. Then the novelty wore off for him and it sunk in.
We are going in 4-6 times a night and I am exhausted and dad is slammed with work, he needs to function; we both do. What do we do about this looooong ‘go to sleep’ time?
How do I know my child is ready for kindrgarten?
My 4yo son is great at school drop off with dad but not with me. What should I do different?
When my 4yo son goes to school with his father, he walks right into the school/classroom, but when he goes to school with me, it has taken up to 30 minutes (usually like 10/15 minutes) to get him inside the classroom. He has always been more attached to me. His main reason for not wanting to go inside the classroom is because he wants to be with me. He has used the word scared, but I don’t think he’s scared in the traditional sense of the word. Thanks!
My 4yo daughter's tantrums are overwhelming me. Help!
My daughter's tantrums have become more frequent and intense (she just turned 4), and seem to be triggered by the most insignificant things: someone moved a box, or something is not in the right order, or the ponytail is bothering her. She will drop to the floor, scream, kick, and say “mama a la basura”, “don’t like you anymore”, “I want you to die”…. This can be at home or middle of the street or in any public space.
I am honestly struggling with her.
My son wants to switch schools with only 2 years left. Is that smart?
My older son is going to High School next year. My younger son (in 6th grade) does not want to stay in the same school he currently is in. Do you think I am doing the right thing giving him the opportunity to look into another option or should I just keep him where he is for the next two years of middle school?
My child isn't handling boredom well. What is the healthy thing to do?
My daughter cannot handle boredom. Not only can she not handle it, she gets mean about it and lacks the creativity to entertain herself.
I thought the problem was our minimalist toy collection so I got her a doll house, a baby doll with accessories and a whole wardrobe for said doll. It wasn't it.
She has access to art supplies, a camera, a bike, our tiny garden... not to mention we go to the park every single day.
What should I do?
My daughter has her 504 plan, now what do I do?
My mom guilt is on full power. Help!
My question is more on the mom guilt. My son will ask me, “Mami, can you play with me?” and 9/10 times I can’t either because of the baby or cooking or just getting things in the house in order. He will ask mama and 6/10 she will play with him but not as much as before. So the last two times in school when they have asked him, “what are you doing this weekend?” and he has said, “ I am going to play by myself then go to my friend's birthday party” or “ I am going to play paw patrol by myself.” Before he would always say I am going to play with mami or mama. I don’t know if this is a sign that he is not getting enough attention or if it is my mom guilt that just feels bad.
Is it not enough attention, mom guilt or normal? Help!
Do I share my child's diagnosis with them or is it better to not tell them?
As my son goes through several tests (ADHD, Ados, and who knows what’s next) he’s asking why? As of now, the only thing I’ve said to him is “we’re doing this to see if we can help you feel more comfortable and see if maybe you can get that help in therapy…” Is that the direction I should take?
If he is diagnosed with XYZ, should I not mention it to him?
My daughter does not like her teacher and doesn't want to go to school. How do I get her through this?
My daughter is having issues with her teacher. She has the same teacher that her sister had last year, and to be honest I am not a big fan, but it's gotten to the point that she keeps saying she doesn't want to go to school, she wants to switch schools, she hates her teacher etc.....I listen to her and reflect her feelings of frustration but is there anything else I can do? She is also used to being liked and loved (teachers always love her because she is the perfect angel in class) and I think she is struggling because this teacher doesn't seem to feel that way. Thoughts?
My kids do not want to spend time with their visiting grandparents. How do I handle this?
I am not sure how to handle this situation. My parents are visiting from my country. They are here for two weeks and are thrilled to spend time with my kids. My kids are not so thrilled to spend time with them as during the pandemic, my kids got used to socializing with their friends on their iPads and phones. I set screen time limits in order for my kids to spend more time with their grandparents visiting but my kids are really not enjoying it. What do you recommend I do? It is sad for me to be in the middle of this situation….