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Dear UrbanBaby community,

Thank you so much for being a valued member of the UrbanBaby community. We wanted to inform you that we are shutting down the site on July 6th. We are grateful for your participation and support that has helped make UrbanBaby such an important resource to parents for many years.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email us at urbanbaby-support@cbsinteractive.com.

Thanks so much,

UrbanBaby Support

[ - ] Any chance we can get something on the site telling us how many users are logged on at any given time? TIA! 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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Site Feedback 07.23.08, 11:37 AM Flag
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are you the reporter who has been trolling asking questions about "describing a typical UB user" come one...be a little more subtle. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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op: omg, that's funny, no, just a `typical ub user', i guess. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:54 AM Flag
[ - ] Is it true that Saint Ann's really has about 5 spots for K adn 10 at most of 1st grade? Is it true the school is full of $ and celeb kids and that you have to have a child prodigy for a shot at a spot if you are not $ or famous ? 49 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 07.23.08, 11:36 AM Flag
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not really, no [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:38 AM Flag
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Thank you. What do you base this on though? Are you a parent there? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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Yes, have 3 kids there or through there, as well as other family with kids there [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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Thank you. We are in Manhattan and I love what I read about the school on its website. I just hear such harsh stuff on here ya know [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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don't listen to most of the things you read on UB [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:43 AM Flag
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any advice for the admissions process if you are just average Joe and Jane with not interesting careers but a neat kid? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:45 AM Flag
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just try and be honest. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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lol. not sure what we'd even lie about [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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I just mean promote your "neat kid" but don't try and make him sound so amazing (they see through that) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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Oh. I see. Thanks. Also fwiw, I am not the one posting snarky stuff. Seems that my original post has set off a firestorm [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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I figured (you sound normal). Yes, there are $ parents and celebs (not more $ than other privates, possibly a few more celebs) but many average joe parents too [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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That's good to know. I wonder if they think it is strange when people apply for 1st grade and didn't for Kindergarten. I hope not. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:55 AM Flag
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no, a number of people do that - there are usually more new spots for 1st than K [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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Oh that's good to know. I hope dc gets in. I hope a lot of the parents are as decent as you are. We think it is a perfect place for dc b/c they are not hitting them with testing all the time but still have high standards [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:01 PM Flag
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Thanks [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:08 PM Flag
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Honestly, I think your career does matter. If you are a writer/editor a much better shot than an "ordinary" job. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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depends - what is your/dh's career? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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That was from a np, not op. I'm just saying that I know alot of kids who are offspring of "literary" parents who are there, and don't really know any whose parents have "ordinary" jobs, except for the kids of teachers there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:00 PM Flag
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I am a sahm (former lawyer) and dh works for a big corporation... neither of us is literary [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:00 PM Flag
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I'm not saying there aren't people there who aren't, but the parents I know are very successful in interesting careers. I suspect your dh working for a big corp. falls into that -- successful at least. The kids whose parents are relatively successful writers (not famous outside the field) all got in. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:04 PM Flag
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perhaps, but I know a number of plain "average" parents there too - the thing is, their kids are really great [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:05 PM Flag
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Still, I wonder what your definition is of "average". Real Estate broker? Owner of small business? I think the more "intellectual" the parents, the better your shot, unless your dc, as you say, is really a standout kid. But if dc is a nice, very smart kid, I still think you have a better shot if your job is "interesting". Don't you agree? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:09 PM Flag
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I think it really depends on the individual family. Most parents who want to send their dcs to SA are pretty intellectual - one of the most highly-educated schools in terms of parents in NYC [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:11 PM Flag
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I know a kid there whose parents have pretty ordinary jobs. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 01:50 PM Flag
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HIJACK: How much is Saint Ann's with the afterschool program? Around $30K/year? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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I can tell you they had 3 boys spots this past admissions seasons. Can't comment on the other rumors. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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Wow. That is it? Did they let people know in advance? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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no [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:43 AM Flag
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that really stinks. They have a high application fee too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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to be fair, they don't know at the beginning of admissions season how many sibs, legs [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:47 AM Flag
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Why wouldn't they know how many sibs, that's just silly. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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because sibs submit applications at the same time; not everyone sends their sibs to the school of older sib; also, st. ann's is pretty picky about sibs and relies on their s-b test [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:51 AM Flag
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well maybe they should reform that and do what everyone else does so they are not SCREWING people [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:57 AM Flag
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really? Don't most school get some idea of this in advance? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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That's what I heard too. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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DITTO [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:45 AM Flag
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LOOK OUT! That school is a free-for-all. Weak math and science too! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:47 AM Flag
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actually, I think math is pretty good when you get to 3rd grade [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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Happy St Ann's parent here - you don't know what you're talking about [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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of you are the mom with 3 kids there, of course you'll say it is great. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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no, I have 1 dc there, 4th grade after transfering from out of the country [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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oh. so what did you tell the school when asked why you wanted your child there then? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:05 PM Flag
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We transfered when dc was in 2nd grade, and wrote about how we loved their philosophy and that it worked very well with the type of school dc had been in before. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:07 PM Flag
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I see. What exactly IS the philosphy? I can't get a handle on it [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:08 PM Flag
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are you op? basically it is about allowing children to grow and develop their own interests with guidance but not a lot of structure - therefor it isn't for everyone. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:10 PM Flag
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Not OP. Thanks for the answer though [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:57 PM Flag
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when we applied this past year, Diana said that she expected about 25 spots for K, after sibs and legs. ended up being less than 10. dc is very artistic, high SB score and not sporty at all, but was rejected. would have been a great place for dc. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 01:28 PM Flag
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just wondering where dc is heading now? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 01:29 PM Flag
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another private that was one of our top choices, but for different reasons. the school is much more conveniently located for us than St. Ann's. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 01:33 PM Flag
[ - ] no flames please. i realize this is not inappropriate for the age but my 2yo dd (almost 2.5yo) does not sit for group activities or instruction. what can i do to help her start learning to sit still at certain times. e.g. reading a story to a group, she'll get up and stand right in front of the book and then no one else can see. 15 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:36 AM Flag
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practice at home? but seriously, its nto age-inappropraite so why not jsut wait it out? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:38 AM Flag
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should i be worried about bad habits? or should i just ignore? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:47 AM Flag
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this doens't sound bad to me. is she going to preschool in the fall? they will deal with it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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probably going to some group thing in the fall. that's a good point. maybe i'll just avoid it as much as i can this summer and let a professional deal with it later on. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:50 AM Flag
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i think kids who are read to a lot at home have a better attention span for this. so keep reading to her at home. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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op: the dumb part is that we have the problem at home as well. this is my third dc. we used to read with one kid on each side of me or dh so if a kid wandered off or leaned too far it didn't really matter. but now when she doesn't sit, it creates a whole problem with the other kids and reading time is now fight time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:49 AM Flag
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can you find a awy to have quiet focused time alone with her.....take her out for ice cream date, and read a book? Also, perhpas read to her first and get her in bed, then read to the older kids. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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she's ok one-on-one. it's not a problem with her focus. she can sit quietly to be read a book or she can look at books on her own for long periods. but when she's with other kids, she is so disruptive. and i admit i'm reading my own post and laughing at myself b/c she's two. that's practically the definition of disruptive. but i'm wondering if there are any tricks or ideas on how to get her moving in the right direction. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 12:02 PM Flag
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Nope. My child loves books and could read them at home for hours, but was not big into sitting in group settings. He's gotten much better, but even story times at the library didn't work for him because he wanted to be able to hold and touch the book himself. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:51 AM Flag
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why do you have to? just wait till she's 3. so silly at this age [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:53 AM Flag
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i feel like i should/could be doing some things to point her in the right direction. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:55 AM Flag
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she's 2 not 4 [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:55 AM Flag
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true. thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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My 2.7yo only started to sit for stories etc after a few weeks in class. It took him time to get used to it. Your dc will get there. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:54 AM Flag
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are these activities where you can sit with her? have her sit on your lap [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:57 AM Flag
[ - ] why does 18 month old call me mimi? 2 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:32 AM Flag
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because he/she is 18 mos. who knows what goes on in their little heads. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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mine calls me "that" [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:45 AM Flag
[ - ] anyone understand cycles? I know I should, but I'm in my late thirties and I still don't understand it. on day 13 of 27-day cycle and having weird feeling in lower ab--like bloating and fullness, sharpish pains. is that what ovulation feels like? I don't remember ever feeling this other than pms. 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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TTC 07.23.08, 11:31 AM Flag
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i started getting ovulation pains when i was 30yo. not sure if it had to do with age or last l&d or what. also, i highly recommend 'taking charge of your fertility'. it's really excellent in reviewing and explaining stuff like that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:33 AM Flag
[ - ] best gym, obstetrition in queens is? 0 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:30 AM Flag
[ - ] other then the parks, playgroups, what are some nice, cool, places to take kids that are free, or very cheap? 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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library, bookstore, any museum where you can pay what you like, the staten island ferry [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:32 AM Flag
[ - ] anyone read the new tori spelling book? how is it? 4 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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you couldn't pay me... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:43 AM Flag
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Actually, I'm easy that way. I would read it for $1000. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:53 AM Flag
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I still wouldn't waste my time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:58 AM Flag
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ugh gag. another useless celeb hogging resources in yet another profession, taking jobs from real talents. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:55 AM Flag
[ - ] DH and I going through a `for worse' period. Hate that. 3 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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yes, but it is really good that you are characterizing it that way. so many women on here are so quick to say they want a divorce or an affair b/c they are "just not happy" anymore. good for you for being ready to ride out the storm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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i agree. sorry for you, but do your best in a bad situation and come through to the other side! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:30 AM Flag
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op: omg, I love you. you just made my day. thank you! ((((hugs)))) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:31 AM Flag
[ - ] got preg twice by iui, one ended in m/c, are my chances good on getting preg on first try this time? 12 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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you asked before, yes? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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what's the diff between iui and ivf? sorry about the mc. good luck. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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iui - turkey baster with dh sperm. ivf egg and sperm mixed out of both bodies and put back in mom [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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so who's a candidate for which method? and can you pre-determine gender in either method? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:30 AM Flag
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you can test the embryos and only put in those of whatever sex you desire, or you can do sperm spinning and only use the sperm that contains the sex you want. The first doesn't guarantee that the embryos will take and you could end up wiht nothing, and the second is not 100% for gender either. You are a cadidate for either baesd on your specific fertility problems - determines by tests and doctors. If you have lots of money and can find a clinic - you can do it for sex selection not fertiltiy [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:40 AM Flag
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Not exactly (to the very last sentence). If you read up on this you'll see that the associations of REs do not conduct sex selection unless you are a candidate for ivf to begin with, as it is not considered ethically. There are statements online that have been ratified by these groups, a google search will turn them up... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:45 AM Flag
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like I said, if you have LOTS of money and can find a clinic (think tom cruise).... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:47 AM Flag
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right, but point being, it's not considered ethical by the mainstream in the field (so to suggest otherwise is false). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:51 AM Flag
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I'm not sure what the issue is for you - I answered her question. I did not address ethics. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:55 AM Flag
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PS - sperm spinning is very unreliable. The only group that does it had a grant but had to stop accepting new patients...again, google it. I've read a lot about this. The sperm spinning is not widely accepted and those selling the service are viewed by some as charlatans. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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Testing for gender in IVF involves piercing the embryo with a needle and taking a genetic sample, which increases chance of birth defects. Doctors typically only like to do genetic testing if there is cause to believe there may be some type of degenerative disease that might be passed on (cystic fibrosis, brittle bone, etc.) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.26.08, 10:54 AM Flag
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did you also do clomid or gonal-F shots? or just the iui? if so, why iui instead of plain sex? i'm asking b.c i'm thinking of it. i had the shots + iui for my first db but i wonder if iui would be enough b/c i had unexplained infertility. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:48 AM Flag
[ - ] Any tips on conceiving a girl? I hear Shettles is caca. TIA. 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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Shettles worked for me. Girls are harder to get than boys. But DO NOT listen to people here. If you want to do this, decide on the method you want, get the original source. The people on this board that give advice are usually wrong. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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op: did you do this after already having a boy? or she was your first? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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np - We did for our first, because dh has a degenerative heart condition that is very difficult and would almost certainly be passed to a boy but not a girl. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:31 AM Flag
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op: wow, i'm sorry to hear that. best of luck to you and congrats on your girl. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:34 AM Flag
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Thanks. We are very happy, considering going for #2 (though scared of getting a boy). [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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OR we were succesful three times with both two boys and a girl [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:42 AM Flag
[ - ] Is Anderson full of private shut-outs? 15 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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NY Schools 07.23.08, 11:21 AM Flag
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no. there are a lot of families that don't apply to private, for $$ and other reasons. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:25 AM Flag
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no, many going public and thrilled to have A families [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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we're at anderson and never even applied to private school -- only selective publics. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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same here [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:40 AM Flag
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and here. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.24.08, 06:33 AM Flag
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there are probably more Anderson/Hunter shutouts in private than the other way around... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:30 AM Flag
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depends on which private, but there is really not a huge overlap...more than half of the kids at H/A did not apply to privates and vice versa [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.24.08, 06:43 AM Flag
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Of course no one knows any stats for sure but at Hunter - all Manhattan kids with many private school sibs - I'll bet that a lot more than half the kids applied to private schools. As for private schools, ITA that it depends on which private. What you say probably applies to the SS schools & maybe downtown schools (since A & H are both uptown). But I'll bet many of the coed school kids applied to A and H. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.24.08, 07:00 AM Flag
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I know several H and A families and they all have other kids in public school, but that may just be my crowd. Still, when you consider that half of the kids at H/A were too young to get for privates to begin with, and there are inevitably quite a few who just can't afford it, the overlap is not so big. I do think that it's getting bigger now that private school admissions are so tight that even families that don't want public at all are cautioned to apply as a back up. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.24.08, 07:08 AM Flag
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yes [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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Funny, out of 5 responses you are the only one who said ye, [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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we were accepted to 3 privates. dc going to anderson in the fall. I know of others accepted to privates at both H/A. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 03:12 PM Flag
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not necessarily - many choose h/a for $$ reasons - (this covers people who can't afford private and even those who can but still perfer not to spend the $$ in that way) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 03:24 PM Flag
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No, but there might be a few [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.24.08, 06:35 AM Flag
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We will be going in the fall, and could never afford privates so we didn't even try. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.24.08, 06:35 AM Flag
[ - ] Where do you donate children's toys (in good condition) and clothing in Brooklyn? HousingWorks only wants big items like bicycles, etc.... 6 Replies [ Reply | Watch | More
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New York City 07.23.08, 11:11 AM Flag
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although i'll be flamed for posting this, we give our old stuff to Birthright [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:15 AM Flag
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I put a lot of stuff on the fence out front. It always goes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:16 AM Flag
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I always try to find someone I know to give it to. Most of the clothes you donate don't end up being clothes, they are recycled into rags. You don't know anyone with a child a year or two younger than you who woould want them? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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very few places takes used toys, maybe salvation army? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:31 AM Flag
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you could offer it up on freecycle or craigs list. i always try to give clothes and toys, etc. somewhere that i know they will get used and not to charities that these days are so picky about condition that they junk a lot of stuff that i'm sure someone could use. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:40 AM Flag
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Boys clothing in size 6T? I'll take it. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:43 AM Flag
[ - ] the last few months my PMS has been more pronounced than ever before. boobs hurt, bloating, eating like crazy etc. I keep thinking I'm pg (not trying). Is this a sign of something? I used to get this every once in a while and that's all. 1 Reply [ Reply | Watch | More
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Toddler 07.23.08, 11:09 AM Flag
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I never had PMS until recently - I'm just chalkin git up to getting older. I never knew it was coming and now get bloating, cramps and a headache. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 07.23.08, 11:10 AM Flag
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