I agree with the posts above- sometimes simple is best- just a message of what an awesome person they are and a gift card to a place you know they love or could use ️

Hi! So my 4th grader asks for play dates every single day, I’ve explained we don’t do same day play dates due to homework, dinner, bedtime, etc. and since it puts so much pressure on the moms and last minute figuring out of all the things. Am I being a jerk? Do your kids have multiple play dates throughout the week? Should I be scheduling more and trying to make it happen? With my work schedule, homework, and managing multiple kids it seems overwhelming but my oldest thinks I’m ruining her life… would love to know if everyone else is easy going and maybe I am just overwhelmed by figuring it all out?

If you want an option just for tracking, I use AirTags when my kids go out or at big events (theme parks, kid-friendly festivals, large group events like Halloween, riding their bike to a friends, etc.) There are watch bands that hold air tags so I throw those on their wrist for my oldest and for my younger kids, I buy the dog tag air tag holder but hook it to their shoes. If you want an option that just allows you to see where they are (no calling or screens) it helps! https://a.co/d/8byyrJj

When I’m on it, which isn’t consistent, but I’m trying :), I set out a veggie tray before dinner- normally cucumber, celery, carrots and peppers with ranch and put it on the table. At first no one in my house was interested, but it’s starting to catch on that if you are hungry, eat the veggies! My kids are 5, 7 and 9 and all normally will snack on a few and then I add the remaining veggies to their plates for actual dinner. I’ve also started hiding the go-to snacks (chips, granola bars, etc) higher in the pantry so they can’t see them

My kids have been obsessed with Minecraft recently and it’s only caused frustrations and requests to spend more money whenever they play. After my daughter spent $50 without me realizing it for “extra worlds” I had to cut it off. I recently bought Bluey for Nintendo Switch instead and they all seem to enjoy (ages 5, 7 & 9) and can play together. I’m still trying to find something more educational and fun, open to all ideas here but Minecraft has been rough in our household (not so much for stranger interactions since we have that shut off, but more for just always wanting more worlds = more $$ to spend and constantly feeling like they need more to play).

We recently used the Bambino app and paid hourly for the entire weekend because we were in a bind! I talked to a friend that is a nanny and she said she normally charges hourly while the kids are awake, and a flat fee of $75-$100 for overnight. But I love the idea of $250 a day flat rate mentioned in the response below!

We are trying to reduce seed oils in our household. Any tips on your favorite brands or foods?

Yes! During the school year we do screen free evenings every school night. It’s been tough some days but setting that initial overall boundary stops the continual asking. We let the kids pick out movies/show/video game on the weekends and they know it’s something to look forward to!

Love all the tips above. To add here, I recommend getting up extra early. I struggle with this but when we have adequate time in the morning it makes the start to the day and send off so much better. Inevitable, someone will forget their snack, or need their hair redone, or get something on their shirt right before you walk out the door. Building in some extra time in the morning for you and them has really helped us!

I have a friend that told me it’s typically an hourly rate until kids go to bed, plus $75 for overnight, and then again hourly from when the kids wake up. Is this low, high? I’d love to go on a night away with the husband but not sure how to handle the offer.

If high school, I typically go with age, then an additional dollar for more than 1 child. So, if $16 and I have 3 kids, I add two additional dollars= $18 per hour for three kids. I’m honestly so happy to have good babysitters I always add a little extra in the Venmo and just round up. Date nights are so freaking expensive with this mindset, but I do it’s just cause I want them to come back 🫣

If it’s someone where this is their livelihood- such as a nanny or someone older, then typically they negotiate rates from $20-$25+.

I love the SuperGoop Foam, kids enjoy rubbing foam all over and find it fun. Kinda pricey so I sign up for their emails and try to stock up when it’s on sale!

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My child is being tested for dyslexia, I’m at a loss for how I help. She refuses to do any work at home with me, won’t try to read, try to do sight words, or anything, but I have her with a tutor 2x per week. She told me she tries to hide to everyone that she can’t read (1st grade). Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Star Friends and Unicorn School for 1st-5th Grade

Wings of Fire Series- I read these to my kids each night and we all loved it. I would skip over some of the more violent parts and edit as I went, but it is truly an awesome series!

Check out the book Siblings Without Rivalry. It was helpful with me managing 3 kids all very close in age. Also, not sure if this is helpful, but I always tried to include and not separate them when caring for the baby so she didn’t feel left out, if she wanted to join in bath, putting to sleep or whatever, I would say we had to take care of “our baby”. Hopefully that hasn’t put too much responsibility on my oldest 🫣They are now 4, 7 and 9 and really have a great bond.

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A friend of mine is a preschool teacher and she gave me the tip that "potty talk" stays in the bathroom. When my kids get into saying bad words, I tell them they have to go to the bathroom if they want to use those words. Kinda ridiculous, but they somehow think its funny and run to the bathroom and yell things, and then I tell them they can come out with it's out of their system.