Thread: Baby Tech Talk

Originally Posted by AdironRider

I suppose you could leave your kid with just anyone else for less, but if she's damn good she should get paid damn well. She's only grooming your kid during their most impressionable years, no big deal.

I don't disagree, but based on the market where I am $22/hour is just way out of the range. We used a nanny who had 15 years experience as a post-partum doula, certifications in everything you'd want (CPR, first aid, etc.), had developed her own curriculum, etc. - plus was incredibly cool and flexible - and she charged $14/hour, which was top of the pay scale that we encountered. I'm just surprised that anyone can afford, or would pay, $22/hour is all.

Originally Posted by jfost

^ you have to ask yourself if you are as trained up and qualified as the daycare to provide early childhood education. Since most of us waste time on here, and care primarily about skiing, we are not good candidates to raise kids at home.

Well, there's an argument to be made that "early childhood education" (i.e. younger than 3 years or so) is more about providing a nurturing, secure environment with lots of experiences than any kind of formal "education." You're setting your kid up to be confident and inquisitive, so that they're ready when they get to pre-school, not trying to give them any specific instruction. I think any decent parent or nanny who's willing to spend the time and pay attention to their kid can do that. (But letting the kid watch TV while you post on TGR doesn't count.) Some kids do fine in a day care setting, while some thrive better if they get more individual attention. Just depends on the kid.

Originally Posted by Pegleg

...Well, there's an argument to be made that "early childhood education" (i.e. younger than 3 years or so) is more about providing a nurturing, secure environment with lots of experiences than any kind of formal "education." You're setting your kid up to be confident and inquisitive, so that they're ready when they get to pre-school, not trying to give them any specific instruction. I think any decent parent or nanny who's willing to spend the time and pay attention to their kid can do that. (But letting the kid watch TV while you post on TGR doesn't count.) Some kids do fine in a day care setting, while some thrive better if they get more individual attention. Just depends on the kid.

agreed, esp. the last sentence...

great points pegleg!

Originally Posted by Pegleg

Well, there's an argument to be made that "early childhood education" (i.e. younger than 3 years or so) is more about providing a nurturing, secure environment with lots of experiences than any kind of formal "education." You're setting your kid up to be confident and inquisitive, so that they're ready when they get to pre-school, not trying to give them any specific instruction. I think any decent parent or nanny who's willing to spend the time and pay attention to their kid can do that. (But letting the kid watch TV while you post on TGR doesn't count.) Some kids do fine in a day care setting, while some thrive better if they get more individual attention. Just depends on the kid.

Honestly, they're all just choices we make and justify. Nobody can argue against the statement that good caregivers are good for kids and bad ones aren't. That said, I do think that early childhood education is very real and does require skills and knowledge; that doesn't mean it has to be formal "school education" that is best provided in a classroom environment. But there are development steps and ways to help kids reach those steps. A decent parent with time to educate themselves can obviously serve this role wonderfully, but I do think it's a mistake to downplay the developmental education that children can receive. Because I don't think a kid who just gets well cared for and played with (either at a mediocre day care or with a parent who has no early childhood education knowledge) will be as prepared for "real" school (and life) as a child who was cared for by someone who understands early childhood education, be it a parent or a care provider.

I'm not saying that you disagree with that, but as someone who was raised by a SAHM who went on to train in early childhood education and as someone who has a brother who has spent 20 years in the field, I think it does them a disservice to say it's simply about providing a "nurturing, secure environment with lots of experiences"; it's all that, sure, that's the floor, but it's a lot more.

i think ya'll might be defining "early childhood" differently, i.e. the age range.

anybody here read the teacher tom blogs? that guy's great.

Kiddo is 20 months old, and we're starting to think a portable DVD player might be a good idea for plane and car trips. Anyone have any suggestions?

For the car, it would have to be something that is mountable. She's rear facing at the moment but will be front facing sometime in the winter.

Ipad 234.... if you have Netflix, you can download enough movies to keep her entertained, and e reader books are fantastic (with Audio! and super cool touch screen "fun" stuff - ie, touch the pig, it oinks) and all sort of fun games (educational or not)... plus, you can use it for your own stuff... but beware, you'll get tired of her always wanting it and will need 2 of them ... in the car you should be able to find a "universal" mount for it...

Originally Posted by Danno

Kiddo is 20 months old, and we're starting to think a portable DVD player might be a good idea for plane and car trips. Anyone have any suggestions?

For the car, it would have to be something that is mountable. She's rear facing at the moment but will be front facing sometime in the winter.

Movies in the car = car sickness. Forget that game plan all together.

we don't do much screen time with our kids. we've been successful with audiobooks for our now 2.5 year old twins and 7 year old on long car rides. they listen to the big kid's books. archive.org has a ton of books read aloud in public domain.

Originally Posted by gaijin

Movies in the car = car sickness. Forget that game plan all together.

Depends on the kid....

My niece won't sit still to watch TV and couldn't give a crap if/what's on..... but in the car it's the only way to get her through long road trips. Since they live in N. New Mexico.. they do a ton of long car trips.

SLightly random and more of a downer than car DVD players, but does anyone have/know a kid with a shunt? Our guy has always had a giant head since he was born, and we have been to the neurosurgeon every 3 months or so to track it. had an mri a few months back showing some extra non-worrisome amout of fluid. unfortunately he didn't level off and he is like 3 cm over theadjusted giant head growth chart so they want to do a spinal tap to see if he has pressure in the ol'melon and if he does, they want to put in a shunt. freaking out since i am concerned about his future.

so wondering if anyone has any real world experience.

Originally Posted by crackboy

SLightly random and more of a downer than car DVD players, but does anyone have/know a kid with a shunt? Our guy has always had a giant head since he was born, and we have been to the neurosurgeon every 3 months or so to track it. had an mri a few months back showing some extra non-worrisome amout of fluid. unfortunately he didn't level off and he is like 3 cm over theadjusted giant head growth chart so they want to do a spinal tap to see if he has pressure in the ol'melon and if he does, they want to put in a shunt. freaking out since i am concerned about his future.

so wondering if anyone has any real world experience.

where are you?

If he needs it he needs it, but get 3rd opinion before putting it in - as IIRC it is a lifetime thing...

Isn't really a big deal if you do need it, but I always think it is best to avoid the slippery slope of medical intervention. Seen tons of idiopathic hydrocephalic kids with shunts and except for a lump and bump under their skin, they are normal. hydrocephalus is a contraindication for the cranial helmets we do so we rarely ever actually treat except for basic protective helmets for kids with Hydrocephalus + comorbidities.

Originally Posted by jfost

where are you?

If he needs it he needs it, but get 3rd opinion before putting it in - as IIRC it is a lifetime thing...

Isn't really a big deal if you do need it, but I always think it is best to avoid the slippery slope of medical intervention. Seen tons of idiopathic hydrocephalic kids with shunts and except for a lump and bump under their skin, they are normal. hydrocephalus is a contraindication for the cranial helmets we do so we rarely ever actually treat except for basic protective helmets for kids with Hydrocephalus + comorbidities.

am in Pittsburgh. yea, if he needs it he needs it, he doesn't have any other signs of hydrocephalous except for the giant noggin so i am telling myself he won't need it, but since they want to do the spinal tap soon with the plan that they will do the shunt if they have pressure, i want to make sure it is absolutely necessary.

Originally Posted by Steven S. Dallas

If you can't find a PFD in a small enough size for your infant, running a bungee cord between the legs provides an extra measure of security.

Attachment 118787

He's so pissed.

Did it work? I'm actually in the market for a PFD, as when I've gone out paddling with mine, he gets pissed that I wont let him jump in the water.

We used this one our our 8 month old. It's titties.

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Kids/P...fd-infants.jsp

About to join the crowd. first baby due in feb.

Originally Posted by Bird Blaster

About to join the crowd. first baby due in feb.

Go back to bed. Also, buy bourbon. Beer is for people with time on their hands.

Originally Posted by concretejungle

Go back to bed. Also, buy bourbon. Beer is for people with time on their hands.

This is excellent advice. I used to be a beer geek. Now, with a 4 yr old and a 6wk old, I don't drink any beer at home. If I sneak out for happy hour I indulge in a couple but that's about it. You will notice the free time you have in the evening pretty much vanishes unless you go to bed really late.

Originally Posted by concretejungle

Go back to bed. Also, buy bourbon. Beer is for people with time on their hands.

Wise words. I've got a six month old and my scotch collection has since increased, short but sweet nightcaps.

Impossible to raise children w/o adult beverages. Can probably be done, but
... Have a 4 year old and 3 mo. old in my house.

Anyone have opinions on when to stop breastfeeding a kid? My wife's corks just keep pumping it out so the forced wean isnt really an issue now. Most stuff I read just says something nebulous like "whenever your ready" but if we don't come up with a plan, my wife may end up on the cover of Time. Are there any scientific studies that anyone knows of? I am tired of amateur blog posts from morons.

Originally Posted by commonlaw

... I am tired of amateur blog posts from morons.

then why oh why do you keep coming back to TGR?!?

We were lucky with the weaning, our #1 bit hard while feeding at 10.5months and the resulting reaction from the Mrs. lead to a instant cold-turkey stop. Therefore, the benchmark was set at 10.5 months for #2. A well-timed vegas weekend for a friends bday lead to the weaning of #2 at around 11months, we are now 5.5months into #3 with 10-11months as a general goal. But yes, every kid is different.

If nobody is having problems, keep going - it'll run its course. Maybe try dropping all but the nighttime feed and add back in if anyone freaks out? You are finding out that this is one of those things that there is no real answer for.

Originally Posted by commonlaw

Anyone have opinions on when to stop breastfeeding a kid? My wife's corks just keep pumping it out so the forced wean isnt really an issue now. Most stuff I read just says something nebulous like "whenever your ready" but if we don't come up with a plan, my wife may end up on the cover of Time. Are there any scientific studies that anyone knows of? I am tired of amateur blog posts from morons.

We went with the one-year rule of thumb. I think most of the studies peg six months as the minimum to achieve all of the objective benefits of breastfeeding (immunity and such), but it certainly doesn't hurt to keep going if everyone involved is happy with the arrangement. In our case, around a year baby started eating solid food reliably, mommy started wishing she could drink again, and that was that, but do whatever seems best for your family - there's no real right or wrong in this situation.

Originally Posted by commonlaw

Anyone have opinions on when to stop breastfeeding a kid? My wife's corks just keep pumping it out so the forced wean isnt really an issue now. Most stuff I read just says something nebulous like "whenever your ready" but if we don't come up with a plan, my wife may end up on the cover of Time. Are there any scientific studies that anyone knows of? I am tired of amateur blog posts from morons.

The time to stop is when YOUR wife wants to. It's been different with each of our kids. Son bit at 10mo. and that was that. First daughter went until 18 mo., although the last 7 mo. were just a comfort thing in the morning and nighttime. Second daughter is still at it at 16mo., but only first thing in morning and bedtime.

Our society puts weird constraints on moms/families regarding this kind of stuff, and I can't figure out why. After we had our second kid, I realized that the timelines and constraints were silly. Your family will work however it works for you and your kids.

All that being said, if she's still breast feeding at age 6, you're a weirdo!

Originally Posted by SorryBro

The time to stop is when YOUR wife wants to. It's been different with each of our kids. Son bit at 10mo. and that was that. First daughter went until 18 mo., although the last 7 mo. were just a comfort thing in the morning and nighttime. Second daughter is still at it at 16mo., but only first thing in morning and bedtime.

Our society puts weird constraints on moms/families regarding this kind of stuff, and I can't figure out why. After we had our second kid, I realized that the timelines and constraints were silly. Your family will work however it works for you and your kids.

All that being said, if she's still breast feeding at age 6, you're a weirdo!

agree with this. like someone said, i think there is/should be a minimum for certain health benefits but after that, whatever the wife (and baby) wants. with our 2nd we found that he as able to drink more w/ the bottle which i think helped him with his overnight sleeping but he's a big boy (and is still figuring out the sleeping so...)

Originally Posted by Pegleg

We went with the one-year rule of thumb. I think most of the studies peg six months as the minimum to achieve all of the objective benefits of breastfeeding (immunity and such), but it certainly doesn't hurt to keep going if everyone involved is happy with the arrangement. In our case, around a year baby started eating solid food reliably, mommy started wishing she could drink again, and that was that, but do whatever seems best for your family - there's no real right or wrong in this situation.

This sounds sensible. And IIRC, commonlaw lives in Washington, so maybe Mrs. commonlaw wants to smoke the reefer again, but legally this time!