@zuuls_mom I get it. I’m definitely the only one from Montana here...you might be my closest Bumpie! 😂 I do get down to CO once a year though as my bestie lives in Denver and I have relatives in Durango.
Me! Brooklyn, NY and work in the city. Hi neighbor!
Oh, and talk about tiger moms @wishiwaspreggo...just come to one of the local playgrounds by me and prep your eye-roll. My son is 4, just started pre-K and is only interested in playing, which I think is totally age and developmentally appropriate. I cringe when I hear parents talking about educational "drills" and workbooks that their kids do! My kid has zero interest in holding a pencil, let alone sitting in front of a BORING workbook or even writing his name. I have to walk away to avoid feeling judged for not "tiger momming" my kid.
@gabadoo And @wishiwaspreggo I’ve been lurking on your convo. Just to put this out there, studies show that kids before the age of 7 should be actively playing to learn vs. working in workbooks, etc. Look to Finland for the positive views on playing as learning and see their outcomes to growth, success, math, and reading scores vs. our own where we encourage seat time and workbooks as early as age 3.
I also live in a highly academic town where everyone and their dog has an opinion about how I am raising my son and how I encourage him to build confidence and independence on his own instead of bulldozing challenges in his path.
@MaggieG183, thank you for validating what I instinctively have been thinking as far as what constitutes "learning". I also have read that about Finland and other Scandinavian countries and have tried to mostly let my older one express his own interests (and follow his lead). Sometimes it's hard when you're around others who are so opinionated...truthfully, I think my kid is a great human being and that's AWESOME in my book! Not if he can add/subtract by age 3. Also, I don't have too much time to dwell on what others' think...not with a third baby on the way, at least!
Congratulations expecting mommies! I am expecting my first baby after a long TTC journey.... I am from far away from all of you 😉 I am from South Africa!
@gabadoo and @MaggieG183 - Yes, that's exactly the philosophy I follow, too. My son is 3.5 and I haven't started him in preschool yet and people are scandalized. I think he's too immature and just not ready yet. We do a LOT of educational things with him. We have memberships to museums and the zoo, and we take him to parks and on hikes frequently. I talk to him and play with him constantly. I try to get him out and socializing with other kids as often as time allows (and pending availability of families at the park). He goes to the library a few times a month. I read to him. He's doing great and knows his alphabet (upper and lower case), shapes, numbers, and can count to 50. All from just chattering at him and reading books. Kids are sponges and pick up stuff without having to sit them at a table with worksheets. I am working hard to find a school system that adopts my philosophy. I want him to have plenty of recess and active learning opportunities. Kids need to get that stink out of them if they're expected to focus.
Re: Where is everyone from? Any Bump neighbors?
Baby 1 - November 2009
*loss* - March 2010
Baby 2 - January 2011
Baby 3 - June 2015
Baby 4 - April 2017
Baby 5 - May 2019
Oh, and talk about tiger moms @wishiwaspreggo...just come to one of the local playgrounds by me and prep your eye-roll. My son is 4, just started pre-K and is only interested in playing, which I think is totally age and developmentally appropriate. I cringe when I hear parents talking about educational "drills" and workbooks that their kids do! My kid has zero interest in holding a pencil, let alone sitting in front of a BORING workbook or even writing his name. I have to walk away to avoid feeling judged for not "tiger momming" my kid.
Baby 1 - November 2009
*loss* - March 2010
Baby 2 - January 2011
Baby 3 - June 2015
Baby 4 - April 2017
Baby 5 - May 2019
I also live in a highly academic town where everyone and their dog has an opinion about how I am raising my son and how I encourage him to build confidence and independence on his own instead of bulldozing challenges in his path.
Baltimore,MD here ladies!