u/NetworkHot8469

My 2.5 year keeps saying ’I dont know how to read. Teach me how to read. ’When I say we have to stop reading/dont have time to read.

I have taught reading to 4 year olds but Ive always been against early teaching of reading as there are so many other skills to learn first , and from reading in Proust and the Squid about how the brain has to make complex new connections (whereas maths is natural) as reading is so new to humans. Am I wrong? Should I start teaching phonics now or wait?

I’m collecting a small amount of emergency food , enough to fill one large plastic container. Im worried the plastic wont be mouse proof though and we keep getting oppurtunistic wood mice entering our old house.

interesting article.

My toddler (2.5 years old) is extremely sociable and can easily find a slightly younger or older boy to boss around, lead around the playground, tell to sit down etc. Girls however will not be bossed around.

I have a theory that Dads often set less boundaries (the case in this family) with girls and ‘spoil’ them more, leading to bossier girls.

I’m just curious about this and it seems to be a cliché but is there any truth in it?

Our microwave is well and truly disgusting now and needs replacing. All the new ones seem mostly digital. Are there any with easy tactile buttons?

My partially sighted husband can’t use the very digital oven our ex landlord bought very easily.

Reputable brands available in the UK preferred.

(And generally easy to use).

Thanks in advance

I have the chance to stay at home with my toddler (2) and baby. I‘ve taught children but only from Kindergarten age so don’t know much about these early years.

How can I best prepare my toddler for life, not just school(even if I have to learn new things myself)?
Can I help my toddler have a brain that is better at spatial awareness and problem solving (I helped a child prepare for secondary school a few years ago and hate the new maths 11 plus questions and hope they will bring back algebra) than my own?

An example of something I am trying to teach is names and properties of plants and trees but I often have to look them up myself.

Links to ressources would be great and recommendations for books would be even better as I‘d like to use my phone less.

BLW is really messy -when you add a toddler who likes grated cheese and tired parents then it’a a lot of clearing up and even after clearing up I still find bits of cheese and squashed pea.

Are there any tips to make it easier?

Returned a robot hoover mop as I couldnt work it out and floor too full of stuff. Thinking of getting a hoover mop combination though. Can they handle food everywhere?

Any other tips .

I have a bunion severe enough to qualify for surgery but I cant have it a the moment for various reasons and also would like to try to avoid it as the consultant did say not everyone found an improvement. Although genetic, I am sure it has come on early due to poor shoe choices and lots of running and walking.

Has anyone succesfully improved bunions with barefoot walking? Which brands have wide toe boxes and easy returns(UK)?

Thanks in advance

There are always seem to be various versions of popular books read aloud, usually with the book pages shown, on youtube . I use them to play audiobooks to my children. They can’t all be official channels so I wonder what the legality of this is?

I‘d like to narrate some books myself to keep doing some audio narration/ share books with others while I‘m at home with children but Im worried about breaching copyright laws!

I like the idea of the Rapanui raincoat but :

1. it is short and I want to be able to sit down if needed without getting a wet bottom!

2. the women’s one comes in white (not practical and grey(object to this colour) . The men’s red is sold out in my size(and not sure how it would fit)

Anything similar out there but longer and brighter colours?

Ive found the Skubb draw dividers and the Len 25x37x22cm boxes really useful.
We dont have money to buy new quality furniture, and have two young chidlren, so really need this Ikea style divider stuff until we can afford fitted wardrobes but I dont like the idea of storing clothes in polyester storage. Or should this be low of the list of priorities?

My husband lost his job and the market is slow here- also the first time looking for a job since he lost his sight. He is getting interest in his CV from America(New York and Colorado). What is it like living there when partially sighted?

- access to things without driving- safe crossings and public transport etc?
-shopping?

-general support (legal frameworks followed by companies- eg. In UK work had to install software and train him)?
-how safe do you feel?
-other things I haven't thought of that may be different between the UK and the US eg in some parts Turkey there a potholes and obstacles everywhere, you cant assume there wont be a hole in the pavement (although the light was much better and he was actually okay getting around)
He struggles walking around even in London now , bumping into people, as we moved to a small town after his sight loss. I dont drive (but could learn) and wouldn't go with him initially.

On my second baby with a short break when I was pregnant and neck is really aching from night time feeds. Does anything exist to make this okay for my neck? I have to lean back when feeding as fast letdown.

I want to give the Ikea highchair to my youngest daughter for weaning but as there is a small age difference my toddler is still using it.

I am wondering whether to get her another Ikea one or if there is a good solution that is a bit comfier? Ideally not plastic.

I also dont want to just put in a chair she can easily escape from in case we have the oven on etc and I am breastfeeding/busy with baby.

Im looking for something for a pool that is waist height for adults so my daughter can float without me holding her constantly(with me next to her of courae).

Are zoggs water wings any good?
thanks in advance

I’ve tried Pact, Rave, Exhale, Bluebird , Monmouth coffee in London and some local ones from the South West. I’m hoping to discover some smaller regional coffee makers. Bonus if they are cheaper than here in the South, and extra bonus if they do 1kg bags.

I found some lovely Norfolk hot chocolate I would never have found without this sub.