u/Separate-Werewolf262

I just went to an "open house" event for my kiddo's K5 program, and the daily class schedule has me heated. So, could you please share what a typical day was like for your kid when they were in kindergarten? Did they have a lot of time for free play? Did they have homework? How long was their rest period? Bonus points if they were in an all-day program. Thanks!

I'm a child care teacher. Currently, I teach in the infant classroom, but I also spend time with the other kids in the center (it's a VERY small center, and if I don't have any babies for the day, I'm a float). I love every single kid as if they were my own. Every day, I give them all hugs (NEVER kisses anywhere) and periodically tell them I love them. Is that too weird? I don't want to traumatize them, and if they say they don't want a hug I respect it and don't give them one (but they're usually the ones coming to me for the hugs lol).

My oldest is going to be 9 in October, so I know pretty soon I'm going to have to have the puberty talk with him. At what age do you plan on having "the talk" with your kid(s)? I don't want to do it too young (preserve his innocence), but I certainly don't want to wait till he's like "why am I growing hair on my chest?"

Along the same line, when will you/did you tell your kid(s) that Santa et al isn't real? I was planning on including that with the puberty talk

My oldest son will be 9 in October. He recently has decided he doesn't want to brush his teeth or take a shower. He will go in the bathroom and just not do anything. Sometimes, he will get his body wet in the shower so he technically "took a shower", but never actually uses soap to get clean.

It's to the point where I have to do it for him, and he will fight me on it because he wants to "be left alone and do it himself" (which I've tried many times and he's never done). I can't (and shouldn't have to) keep doing it for him.

I've tried talking to him about what happens when he doesn't take care of himself. I tried having his doctor and dentist talk to him, tried letting him pick out soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tried timers, and nothing seems to be working.

How can I show him that keeping clean is something he needs to take seriously?

So I'm looking for a one-time opportunity for my kids to volunteer for something simple. I obviously will volunteer with them. They're 8 & 5, so it can't be something super physical or super complicated. I'm hoping to use this as a teaching moment about being kind to others and that while the summer is fun, it can also be for helping others.

My schedule is quite limited; I work full time during the week, and they are with their dad every other weekend. I also can't drive, so that might limit some options.

Any suggestions?

I've recently realized that I need to take my ex to court to refine some things in our custody agreement. He has a new job (which means new off days) and he's technically homeless, but is sleeping on my mom's couch (I live in my own space above her). I'm okay with my boys (8&5) being with him on days he has custody, but he's been giving mixed statements on spending time with them outside of his arranged days, so I need to legally clarify.

The only attorney I've ever used for anything legal was my divorce attorney. Would I need an attorney for something like this? I'd honestly prefer to have one because I want to do things correctly the first time.

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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It's about to be summer, and both my boys (8&5) want to dye their hair a fun color over the summer. I'm looking for suggestions on what to use for them. I get mine professionally done (purple!) every 3-4mon or so, but I'm not going to go that route for them, mainly because I can't afford it and I don't know how to do it myself.

I've heard success stories with Kool-Aid, but I've only found instructions for dipping hair to dye it with it. They'll probably be doing water activities throughout the summer (local wading pool, splash pads, sprinkler, squirt guns, lake swimming, etc) so hopefully something that can hold up through that as well. I'm okay with having to re-do it a few times, but I don't want to have to do it every day.

They both have medium to medium/dark brown hair, so I know color won't show up well to begin with, unless I lighten it first (which I'm not against, but I don't know how to do without harsh chemicals). I'm so lost and almost out of time (school ends Friday!) 😅