Random Questions, Parenting Edition

Ok one more and then I swear I’m done.

Balance bikes? Do we like them? Does brand matter? Will they grow out of them in .5 seconds?

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They’re great. Lighter is better esp if you have a shrimp or low tone kid. Most kids who take to them (I’d say like 50-75%?) seem to do so between 18 months and 2.5.

(To be clear. My baby’s nickname is literally shrimp :joy: throwing no shade here on tiny kids)

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My kid is definitely a little shrimpy

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I think they are a little hit or miss. Cuckoo is not taking to it. BB LOVED it. They definitely come in different sizes! The one cuckoo has didn’t fit her until right around 2 I think.

If you are in doubt about getting one of the four wheel scoot things, it might be worthwhile and Mo might be more likely to be able to use it right away, if we are talking about Christas presents. Cuckoo is well past 2 and she has a trike that she likes to push with her feet.

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We picked up one of these on marketplace for Latte when she was right around MO’s age and she adored it for a very long time.

https://a.co/d/39t8koZ

B1 just didn’t see a point. I think it’s gave been hard for him. B2 would have loved one, but the communal one was not available and most brands are too big

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Banana bike! The seat goes really low, it’s very light, and it grows well with kids.

We had a scooter with a transitional seat but Pipsqueak couldn’t figure out the scooter with or without the seat until we got the banana bike and then everything clicked.

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That was our first one, too!

Early chapter books recommendations? Pipsqueak is tearing through all the magic treehouse books (we are reading, she is listening). I like that they are accessible to a young audience and cover interesting topics. I dislike the unconscious sexism/misogyny where the younger sister is always belittled for being outrageous when she’s actually the brave and intuitive one and the older brother is portrayed as careful and wise because he stops to take notes but he doesn’t trust a thing his sister ever says.

So, I’m looking for other books! A highly formulaic series would be extra great. I think it helps that these are all 10 chapters and each chapter always follows the same basic formula.

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I don’t know how formulaic it is but I like Mia Mayhem. I actually did a big project on early chapter books but I’m tired… Jojo Makoons is another new series but might be easier than MT.

You can also walk through the chapter book section of your library looking for clumps of small books and see what looks good!

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Ohhh man seconding chapter book requests!

We like Alvin Ho, but he talks a lot about how girls are gross and embarrassing, which i don’t like. Flip side is he’s very open about crying feeling good “I love crying. When you cry, you feel better afterwards.” And that has actually helped Meowlet a lot when he’s holding it in.

I would love non-shitty male protagonists!!

Thinking MAYBE Warrior Cats. But there’s … death in there.

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Maybe Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol? Unicorn rescue society? Big foot and little foot?

Heroes in training, zapato power, bad guys.

I’m trying to read a spreadsheet on my phone. If none of the suggestions are good so far I can make more when I have more awakeness.

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@meowkins I like this system of making rules for your Logical Person.
@sunflower Thanks, I’ll have to check that podcast out!

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Maybe also Zoey and sassafras, anna hibiscus? If she likes girly books remind me to circle back, I have a whole sub list called “pinks.”

I also really love hamster princess but that’s much longer, maybe more of like a third grade read or a read aloud for a younger kid.

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Thanks! We got some at the library but they are a little too advanced with the dialogue for her to follow. She’s 4, so definitely on the younger end of listening to chapter books!

She’s not particularly girly, but I’m all for exposure to different types of things to see what sticks!

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This looks very promising! I’ll try to get one from the library and see how it goes.

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Zoe and sassafras
The questioneers

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We love Dragon Masters at our house!

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Not quite normal chapter books but we have loved Catsronauts. They are graphic novels and adorable.

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Catstronauts is SO cute

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