There was a joke back when the Evelyn Wood Speed Reading Course was popular. Comedians would say they took the course and afterward were able to read "War and Peace" in 30 minutes. "It's a great book. It's all about Russia."
This is going to be a very long childhood for that poor kid.
Raising kids costs money. This is not the last time people will be less than perfect in their interactions with her special snowflake. Will she bill them when they only drink half of the can of soda they opened? Have to leave a movie early because they become sick? Don't cover exactly half of the supplies needed for a joint science project?
What values exactly is she trying to teach her kid?
One of the biggest regrets in my life was that by being so good at academic subjects, I wasn't allowed to take ANY vocational-type classes in middle or high school. I might be book-smart, but I prefer hands-on work. So I would argue that tracking is an underlying problem that wouldn't be helped by having more vocational high schools (although I do agree there should be more vocational courses available at the high school level).
Unfortunately, "Robin Banks" was too kind to that kid and it may blow up in his face. We -- and more importantly, the police -- now have a physical description. I sincerely hope he gets to work his craft for the rest of his life without interference, but this could make it a lot harder for him to stay anonymous.
I know a woman who didn't realize she was pregnant with her FOURTH child until 5.5 months into the pregnancy. Not fat, but one of those absentminded professor types who is brilliant in one area and clueless in most others.
I threatened my kids that I would go as Picard that year, but it was too cold for the bare head. And, as you say, the exhaustion. Here's hoping we never have the opportunity again!
Once when I took my much-younger children to visit friends in a foreign country, we discovered that the doorbells there are often approximately 6' high. They could run all the way there, but then they had to sit and wait for an adult to come to actually ring the bell. Just a thought.
Perhaps the oldest plot device in the world: strangers brought together to go on a journey. It has a classic pedigree, with a modern twist. What's not to love?
Fresh air. Vitamin D. Exercise. Change of routine. Sense of community.
It's good for the baby, too.
Raising kids costs money. This is not the last time people will be less than perfect in their interactions with her special snowflake. Will she bill them when they only drink half of the can of soda they opened? Have to leave a movie early because they become sick? Don't cover exactly half of the supplies needed for a joint science project?
What values exactly is she trying to teach her kid?