Today we have an inquiry from Cribsheeter Katy. Seems her son is part of the slow food movement, and it’s eating in to their precious family time. Read on and let her know of any suggestions you have to help her son speed things up at mealtime.

Hi May and Kay

I’m wondering if anyone has had any luck helping slow eaters move a little faster…? I realize this is not the worst problem one could have…but our son (4 ½) will literally sit at his plate for over an hour. And he DOES eventually eat…just EXCRUCIATINGLY slowly. I think the problem is that he is really easily distracted, and the eating area in our tiny house is right in the living room! So it’s not so much of an EATING problem as a DAWDLING problem, I guess. It’s not a terrible thing, but it does cut into family time that we might otherwise have to take a post-dinner walk or whatever together. Is it appropriate to set a time limit? When we ask him to move a little faster, he’ll eat one bite quickly and then it’s back to his usual glacial pace. I’m just wondering how others would handle this.

Thanks!

Katy

* My son wants to learn Spanish.

It all started with some vintage Sesame Street Treasury books I bought at a garage sale. There are a few pages of Spanish vocabulary in each book that Ben has recently become obsessed with.
blue = azul and red = rojo and dog= perro and cat = gato.
Counting uno to diez became a quick favorite.
I had a few years of Spanish in high school and college and am by no means fluent. Some basic vocabulary somehow made its way into my long term memory and can speak un poco only if it is s-l-o-w-ly and in the present tense.

But now he’s asking me what everything is in Spanish and I’m having a really hard time.

“Mama, what’s Spanish for granola bar?”
“No sé” (I don’t know)
Drinking a smoothie - “Mama, what’s Spanish for mmmmmm?”
“Well, I think mmmmm is universal, but how about delicioso!?”
“Mama, what’s Spanish for elbow?”
“Uh, no sé.”
“Mama, what’s Spanish for the inside of your nose?”
“Well, nose is nariz. But nostril? No sé!”
“No, I mean, what’s Spanish for a boogie?”

Ay yi yi! Major eye roll. He’s all boy.

This may just be a passing fancy but right now he seems to be really interested in learning the language and I’m all for it.

Strike while the iron is caliente!

So instead of me running to google translator so I can answer his many preguntas - I shall go to you.

Cribsheeters do you have any recommendations for Spanish classes for preschoolers or any good books or DVD’s?

(btw: according to google translator Spanish for “a boogie” is mocos…in case you were wondering.)

Today we have A. in Mpls, who is in the early stages of TTC asking Cribsheeters for advice

Hi Cribsheet,

I do have a question that maybe some of your readers can weigh in on.

My husband and I have been trying to conceive our first child since August 2008. I was on birth control for 8 years prior and understood that it may take a while to become pregnant. Well, this is the month that I finally lost it when I got my period. It seems to be taking FOREVER! It is frustrating and I know we are not alone. I am 27, he is 30, so I don’t think our age is a factor quite yet…

Are there any tips you could give about boosting our chances, both naturally (with diet, exercises etc.) and with hormones like Chomid?
We would prefer to stay as natural as possible, using meds as a last resort.

What worked for everyone else?

Thank you,
A.
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Today we have an e-mail from our Cribsheet mailbox. Anne from Minneapolis has a question for you.

Hello,

I am wondering if you have any advice/resources for child care and cloth diapers. I am expecting my first baby in the fall and I plan (hope) to use cloth diapers. I have called around to several childcare centers and providers in my neighborhood to inquire if any of them will consider cloth diapers and so far it’s been out of the question (unless there is an allergy of some sort). I am wondering how other parents handle this situation. I am assuming that if the child is in day care they use disposables during that time and then cloth at home. Have you heard of any feedback or advice on this topic?

Thanks!

Anne

We recently enrolled Ben in a preschool program that begins in September. The classes are from 9:15-11:45 am on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Wednesdays are no problem as Peter is home. Fridays are a problem as we are both at work. I start work at 7 am and Peter starts at 9 am.
So here are our options:

1) Peter shifts his hours to drop Ben off by 9:15 and starts work later. I take my lunch hour to pick Ben up @ 11:45 and drop him off at daycare.
2) I work from home on Friday mornings and do drop off and pick up.
3) The preschool has also offered to ask another class parent to drive Ben from preschool to daycare. (about 1 mile away)

Option 1 is an awful lot of gas and time used up with essentially two round trips downtown and back.
Option 2 Need to get that approved first.
Option 3 How do I trust someone else to drive my child?

There isn’t an option of all day preschool that some programs offer. We loved the place and decided we’d figure out a plan by the time September came.
(okay, obviously I like option 2 the best )

I know I have several months to figure out a plan but am wondering what do other working parents do?