u/Rubybear712

This is my daughter's second year in Primary at a highly recommended Montessori school in the area and it's her second week of school. She has recently shown a big interest in reading and even though most of the reading works are reserved for the kindergarteners, I suggested she should ask her teacher for a lesson. Last week, my daughter told me she asked for a lesson (it's for the reading drawers work) and the teacher was open to the idea but was too busy to give a lesson because she had new students in class that she needed to focus on but would get to her next week. So, it's now Wednesday, and she said her teacher still hasn't given her a lesson. I don't want to be pushy towards the teacher since I know back to school can be overwhelming, but I'm a bit frustrated that she seems to be ignoring my daughter even though she wants to be challenged and requested a lesson. My daughter is a little shy to begin with so I am very proud of her for speaking up and asking for a lesson but I'm afraid she'll just stop asking because she is being rejected. Any thoughts or advice?

My 7 month old cannot eat any solids (purées or blw food) without very intense gagging. He is very interested in eating but once something is in his mouth he gags for about 30 seconds, his eyes water, then stuff comes out of his nose (either formula, the food or boogers) and he starts crying. It’s not enjoyable for him or I and it has me spiraling. I’m not sure how to get past this or if I just need to keep doing what I’m doing? I don’t want this to traumatize him but it seems like he just has a really sensitive gag reflex and I don’t know how to introduce solids without him freaking out. Any advice or experience with this?

Background:
My mom (74) has been an alcoholic my entire life with two DUIs. She also has severe insomnia, depression and was diagnosed with mild cognitive decline in 2024 but has since gotten a lot worse. She was recently scammed and was convinced by a total stranger to give him all her credit card and bank info and also recently thought she was messaging with a celebrity who convinced her to send him apple gift cards. She also has many health issues including back and neck pain with recent surgeries, foot issues with recent surgery, among many other things. She has a loving husband (my stepdad) who is in decent health and we have a good relationship. I’m an only child.

A couple of days ago, she told me she broke her rib from a fall and ended up in the hospital. The doctor also found nodules on her lung, thyroid and has fatty liver disease which all need to be followed up on. I was a bit upset that I had to find this out through her and not my stepdad but that’s beside the point. The point is, things are starting to escalate with her health and safety and I feel like I don’t have control over the situation and what to do. When I called my stepdad to get info, he said she fell because she was drunk. He found an empty bottle of whiskey in her purse that she likely drank that morning (he doesn’t allow alcohol in the house) and I’m scared of what could come next. He did not make a follow up appointment with her doctor even though she was asked to follow up within five days. I made one for her next week and plan to take her. I’m very worried this injury will turn into pneumonia or won’t heal because she’s very frail and never exercises or leaves the house.

I feel like I’m entering a whole new era of caregiving/aging parent world and feel lost. It probably makes sense to take the keys and/or give my stepdad complete control over her finances but he seems really passive about the whole thing and also very checked out of the situation. He said I need to be the one to talk to her because she won’t listen to him anymore. She lies to him about her spending and alcohol use.

What should I tell/ask her doctor next week? What conversations do I need to have with my stepdad? I assume he’s her power of attorney but should I talk to him about making me be it instead? I want to get ahead of everything instead of being reactionary but that might be too late.

I’m sorry if this post is all over the place but I’m feeling very overwhelmed and lost.