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06.13.08, 10:54 AM NY Schools
74 replies
I promised my 5-yr old ds a night out tonight...just the two of us...we're going to relieve some stress. I'll pick him up from his daycare at about 6:00 pm, but still no ideas on what to do. Can't go see Kung Fu Panda without my dd because she'll be totally pissed. I know he won't want to do anything at home. Any ideas? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
NY Schools 06.13.08, 10:54 AM Flag
 

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are you in NYC? if so, take him to a huge toy store like FAO or the Times Square Toys R Us and wander around playing with the toys. Then ice cream sundaes for dinner. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 10:55 AM Flag
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just go out for pizza and ice cream. depending on where you are, find a park/playground and go hang out until the sun goes down. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 10:57 AM Flag
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I couldn't reply directly to your message. But, yes, I'm in NYC and on a budget. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 10:58 AM Flag
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well then my idea may work for you... wandering around a huge toy store is free! plus, the toys r us has a ferris wheel in the middle - that's kind of fun. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 10:59 AM Flag
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Your idea sounds good, I'm just wondering how many times he'll ask me to buy something that he thinks is "too cool". [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:01 AM Flag
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that's cool, I never knew that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 01:39 PM Flag
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Picnic at a park. If you have a little cash, the half circle on the Circle Line. Also like the toy store idea. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:02 AM Flag
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My 5 yo would be delighted with ice cream and a visit to a great NYC playground that she's never been to before [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:01 AM Flag
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A 5-year-old should be in bed by 7PM. And what kind of "stress" does he need to "relieve"? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:02 AM Flag
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I don't know any dc that are in bed by 7:00 at 5yo [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 01:40 PM Flag
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Carousel Ride at Bryant Park and then have a picnic on the lawn. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:10 AM Flag
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what kind of stress does a 5yo have to relieve? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:14 AM Flag
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Thanks for all of the ideas. As far as my ds being stressed, he is totally ready for kindergarten and has been for almost a year. He's the oldest one at his daycare now and doesn't even want to go to his daycare any more even though he receives separate lessons with challenging work. Just about every morning we struggle with this. Some mornings he really gets himself all worked up. Almost everyday he wants to know when will he finally be going to kindergarten. Sometimes I have to tell him stories about how wonderful kindergarten will be in order to get him to go to sleep. He sees my dd being invited to parties and playdates with classmates and even comes with us to her class events, he knows all of the children in her class. But, he's sad because this whole kindergarten admissions process has been going on for so long. My ds is beginning to wonder if he'll ever go to kindergarten himself. I would love to get my dc in bed by 7:00 pm, but that's only realistic for stay-at-home moms that don't rely on afterschool. On any given weekday my dd is just getting home from afterschool at about 6:30 pm. By the time my dc get their baths, have dinner, tell us about their day and we read books, it's already 8:30/9:00 pm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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This is a reply to "A 5yo should be in bed by 7pm," but I couldn't reply below (I wish UB would fix that!). Sleep is not an exact science. My 5yo ds generally goes to sleep between 8 and 8:30, sometimes 9 or so on weekend nights. He is well-rested and well adjusted. There is a RANGE of sleep kids need at particular ages, not the same number of hours for each one. (np) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:17 AM Flag
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Pediatrician here. Actually, no... there is NOT a "range of sleep". Kids that age need a minimum of 11 hours, regardless of how hectic the parents' schedules are. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:22 AM Flag
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Right, my ds goes to sleep at 8 or so and gets up at 7:15, later on the weekends. The range starts at 11, but there is a range, since some kids need more, right? So, actually, yes. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:24 AM Flag
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Yes. I'm sorry if I was unclear. There is a range, but there is a minimum, and for that age the minimum is 11 hours. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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np: you weren't unclear, you were wrong (as pediatricians often are). You said: "Actually, no... there is NOT a range of sleep." How was that "unclear"? It was incorrect. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:39 PM Flag
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np: And peds wonder why we question them when they make flippant blanket statements. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:03 PM Flag
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That is simply NOT true. There is abslutely no absolute in the amount of sleep every 5 year old on the planet needs. You are wrong. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 01:32 PM Flag
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And let's face it - only a SAHM would put a 5 yo to bed at 7 (not that I blame them after a long day) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:19 AM Flag
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No. Only a WOHM would selfishly rob a child of his sleep so she could spend "quality time" with him. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:25 AM Flag
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Yeah, ok, then we're agreed. No WOHMs put their 5 yos to sleep at 7, esp. on a non-school night. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:26 AM Flag
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I guess my reply was too long because all of it didn't post. 7:00 pm bedtime is only realistic for stay-at-home moms. On any given weekday my dd is just getting home from afterschool at about 6:30 pm. By the time my dc get their baths, have dinner, tell us about their day and we read books, it's already 8:30/9:00 pm. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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You are dangerously overscheduling your child. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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np: you are dangerously judgmental and ignorant [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:30 AM Flag
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I think my 12 years of education and 25 years of clinical practice in the field of pediatrics gives me license to judge on this particular topic. Thanks for your input, however. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:32 AM Flag
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Here is a reality check for you. Working parents put their kids in afterschool because there's no one to pick them up after school. They mostly play, do a light enrichment course, and older kids do their homework. So your professional commentary is extremely unhelpful to those parents. My ds, who only goes to afterschool one day a week, has begged me to put him in for two more days, because he thinks it's fun. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:36 AM Flag
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Here's a reality check for YOU. Working parents make the conscious choice to WORK. They also need to be responsible parents and create a stable home life that will provide their children with the amount of sleep they need, even if that means cutting back at work and economizing on the family budget. And just because a kid thinks something is "fun" doesn't mean it's good for him. Lots of kids think it's "fun" to play with matches and stick paper clips into electrical outlets, but thankfully most parents don't indulge every little whim and want. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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you are very narrow minded. I make the choice to pay for rent and food, and it would be really irresponsible for me to do otherwise I think. And the response that, Oh, it's different for you, you HAVE to work, doesn't cut it now that you have explained that my kid is screwed because of his lifestyle. How can you be educated and so...uneducated? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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And from a WOHM, no less! Hate women who can't support each other. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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No. It's not different for you. Your child needs just as much sleep as the next child, regardless of whether his parent(s) are able to provide a stable home life. It's sad when children lose out because of poor choices and planning by their parents, but such is life. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:45 AM Flag
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My ds gets enough sleep, but I guess reading comprehension is not your strong point. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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So, in your world, poor people shouldn't have kids. People who, say, are widowed, should give away their kids? People who get laid off shouldn't.... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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excuse me? If you were my kid's ped I would definitely switch doctors. Your "guidelines" are way too stringent. Since you know oh so much about children you should know by now that they are human beings and strict rules just don't apply. Some kids are like this, others like that. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:59 AM Flag
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creepy! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:18 PM Flag
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are you kidding responder? putting a child in day care so you can work to provide a life for that child is not over scheduling them. the mom is doing her best, and appreciates reading and spending a little time ogether before bed time. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:48 PM Flag
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wrong. I am WOH and both my kids go to bed 7-715p everynight. They need the sleep. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:03 PM Flag
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maybe it's better that they not be over-exposed to you ! you seem a bit uptight... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:45 PM Flag
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To the detriment of the kid's health. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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Yo, it's total hours of sleep, not bedtime that matters, dimwit. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:28 AM Flag
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Right. So all these kids aren't waking up until 9AM? I don't think so [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:29 AM Flag
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np: right, unless he's driving me insane, which does happen on occasion. ;) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:27 AM Flag
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How would you schedule your dc if you and your dc got in at about 6:30 pm on weeknights because you need to work in order to pay your bills and so your dc have to stay in daycare & afterschool until 6:00pm. If you have some sort of working schedule please share. I've been trying to get my dc into bed earlier, but there seems to be no real solution for WOHMs who have no choice but to work. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:31 AM Flag
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Put your DC straight to bed at 7PM. Your child should not have to pay in lack of sleep for your failure to properly maintain a home life. Most WOHMs DO have a choice: they can ECONOMIZE, and stay at home, or work part-time. They just CHOOSE not to. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:35 AM Flag
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Wow... I love my ped after reading your posts. I remember asking why my dc was sleeping for what I thought was too short a time and his response was, "Those guidelines are averages... your dc just isn't average I guess"... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:39 PM Flag
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So, walk in the door at 6:30, inhale the take-out food you ordered on the way home (because there is no time to cook anything), forget about the bath/shower, no books, just eat, brush teeth and go straight to bed. Sounds like a great schedule to me. Oh, and DC is bouncing out of bed at 6am, after 11 hrs of sleep. DCs can go to bed regularly at 8/8:30 and still get 11 hrs every night. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:02 PM Flag
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take-out to save time on cooking? there's one way you could be economizing right there! how about cooking on the weekends (or after they're in bed) and freezing, so you can nuke a more cheaply and certainly more healthy meal every night? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 05:56 PM Flag
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which begs the issue of no time to do anything of substance, like a bath or reading with DC. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 06:03 PM Flag
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Better for your child to be tucked into his cot at the homeless shelter by 7 than awake until 9. What kind of mom are you? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:36 AM Flag
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Don't be a drama queen. If it's that bad, maybe you should find a more affordable place to live. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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which would involve 3 hrs of commuting time a day. when will people realize that people live near their jobs for a reason. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:04 PM Flag
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replying to response above: actually, in the real world, most wohms do NOT have a choice to stay home forever. In fact, poor moms are forced to work now through workfare, and the overwhelming number of people depend on 2 incomes. And, once again, if your ds goes to sleep at 8, gets up at 7, or on friday goes to sleep at 9 and gets up at 8, he's getting enough sleep. I'm very happy you're not my ped! (not OP) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:39 AM Flag
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My dd goes to sleep at 9 and up at 7:30 - waiting for the ACS knock at my door (and I ditto that I am so glad above poster isn't my ped!) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:41 AM Flag
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Hey, I'm a wohm and my six year old goes to bed at 7. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 01:03 PM Flag
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Why is a 59 yo pediatrician posting on this thread? Bizarre. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:34 AM Flag
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I have some down time right now. Why are YOU posting on this thread?? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:36 AM Flag
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Because I'm a mom of small children. That's who this board is for. Not for judgmental peds of older kids (or no kids) [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:42 AM Flag
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This board is for ANYONE. Click on the "about us" link. Educate yourself. Empower yourself. Learn. It's a good thing. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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Whoa, you really don't have kids? At least tell me you have older kids, please. Any parent can tell you, all the reading in the world, and that's for peds too, teaches you nothing about actually being a parent. I had very strong ideas about rights and wrongs of childrearing until I actually became a parent. Now, ha! We do the best we can. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:46 AM Flag
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Yes. 4 children. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:53 AM Flag
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4 maladjusted angry but well rested children... [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:41 PM Flag
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lol [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 01:12 PM Flag
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Well, not really. Lurking here without kids is like being an anorexic on chowhound. But in any case, I cannot believe that you can be so hollier-than-thou as a working mom. No ped practicing for 25 years straight in the city got to see their kids if they were in bed by 7 PM. So what are you saying, you never saw your kids growing up but at least they got 11 hours of sleep? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:48 AM Flag
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Exactly,I never saw my kids but they were asleep by 7! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:56 AM Flag
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Oh, ew. Ew ew ew. Np here and you're just nauseating. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:40 PM Flag
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Can't reply where I want. But wanted to join in. My kid is gifted. Gifted children require less sleep. HA! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 01:13 PM Flag
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Hey, OP, aside from all the sleep debate, have fun with your ds tonight! Just going to dinner and hanging out should be great. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:44 AM Flag
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Thanks. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 11:47 AM Flag
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D&B on 42nd and play all the arcade games [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:28 PM Flag
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Wow. I hope that ped does not have a dd. Because she will grow up thinking why bother going to school or college if I want to have kids later in life. Crazy!! [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:36 PM Flag
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Why don't we discuss exactly how many squares of toilet paper should be used to wipe our asses. There must be an appropriate "range" we should adhere to, or at least a minimum, right? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 12:38 PM Flag
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my 5 yo will only use 1. I always have to do a followup wipe. Which makes me wonder...when do they start wiping themselves well? [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:20 PM Flag
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If I put my 5 yr old to sleep at 7 ,she will be up at 11 wanting to play, and it she will not go back to sleep until 12. we aim for 9 she sleeps till 8. On days she took a long nap during the day, she sleeps around 10 -11 and wakes up at 8. SO average 10-11 hours of sleep. I quess I am ok. Little 1 year old get about the same about of sleep. [ Reply | More
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General Topics 06.13.08, 02:51 PM Flag
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