LPT: The best way to get a teenager/preteen to tell you about their day is to ask if anyone got in trouble.

As a lifelong reader of advice columns, former teacher of adolescents, and parent of a 12yo, this is the most failproof conversation starter I know. Parents get so frustrated because they want to know what the lives of their children are like, but “How was school/your day?” gets you nowhere.

This question gets you some tea and also you’ll know what’s going on in their school.

ETA: This is not the only question you should ever ask your child. Do not wait until they are a teenager to ever speak to them. Do not become the new gossip girl of the neighborhood. I hope this eases some concerns in the comments. I like both pancakes and waffles.

#Social

https://t.me/you_pfff

YSK: if you’re seeing flashing lights, floating spots or missing vision in an eye, go see an optometrist!

Why YSK: These are symptoms of a retinal detachment, which can happen to anyone randomly at any time. You are more at risk if you are nearsighted or have had trauma to the eyes or head. If you have these symptoms, see an optometrist so they can dilate your eyes with eyedrops to give a diagnosis. If they determine that you have a retinal detachment, you need immediate surgery to save as much vision as possible, and possibly prevent blindness.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/retinal-detachment/symptoms-causes/syc-20351344

Also I am an optometrist trained to practice in the US and Canada.

Edit: ophthalmologists in Canada and the US tend to specialize in surgery. Optometrists will be your primary care eye doctors who will determine if your referral to them is necessary. In other countries, it might be different. If it’s NOT a retina problem, it’s no big deal, they will tell you. I guarantee it’s a waste of everyone’s time if you go straight to an ophthalmologist (unless you have access to an eye hospital) because
1) they don’t want to do a routine dilation that 90% of the time shows it’s nothing serious retina related
2) they are busy doing surgeries

Also it’s very likely it’s not even eye related, but a dilated eye exam will confirm that. Not sure what is so controversial about me sending a PSA on preventative eye care.

#Health_&_Sciences

https://t.me/you_pfff

Mayo Clinic

Retinal detachment - Symptoms and causes

Eye floaters and reduced vision are signs of possible retinal detachment. Find out about causes and treatment for this eye emergency.

YSK that A.I. is already making it possible for people to search for you with a single picture of your face.

Why YSK: any illusion of privacy you have on the internet should be gone. If you post nudes of yourself with your face visible, within this decade employers will be able to find out immediately. They will easily be able to combine this with background check software (which is also about to get a lot better) to find next to everything you say or do on the internet. The best time to start protecting your privacy was yesterday, the second best time is today. Any illusion you may of had about "Nobody will find this, it's in an obscure area of the internet and there's no connection to me" should be gone. Anonymity is dead.

#Technology

https://t.me/you_pfff

LPT: Adults makes friends the same way kids do. Instead of being forced into a class of your peers for hours a day you have to voluntarily seek out a hobby/club that meets regularly. This is because all relationships are a function of proximity, time, and shared experiences.

I see tons of posts on my local sub from young adults who are stressed about finding friends and creating a real support network post-college. While that's likely a symptom of greater societal issues like mental health, car-dependence, the pandemic, changing cultural norms etc. It's important to remember that all human relationships need a few crucial elements to form and it won't just happen naturally as an adult without consistent and planned effort.

#Social

https://t.me/you_pfff

YSK: Canceling recurring payments for Microsoft Office's monthly subscription results in free month promotions because they want you to forget you're subscribed.

Why YSK: It will potentially save you a decent amount of money. This also is very typical for other technology subscription platforms (Example: See Adobe). I subscribed for a single month and canceled the recurring payment but then they offered me 2 free months to re-enable it. I canceled it again and then they offered me another free month to re-enable it. I then canceled it for a third and final time and my membership now doesn't expire until June.

#Technology

https://t.me/you_pfff

YSK: You have to invest the money you put in your Roth IRA.

Why YSK:
Many people have taken the important step of opening a Roth IRA to save for retirement. This is great, but I’ve found from helping a few friends with their finances that often people don’t realize you have to actually invest the money in the account - it does not automatically get invested. Log into the account and click “buy,” and you will be able to select from hundreds of mutual funds/ETFs. I recommend a 60/40 split between VTSAX and VTIAX.

Happy investing!

#Finance

https://t.me/you_pfff

LPT: If an autistic person tells you they don't know how to do something, understand that as "I perceive multiple ways this could be done, and don't know which of these methods others expect me to use," instead of "I am too unintelligent to conceive of a way that this may be done."

#Productivity

https://t.me/you_pfff

YSK: the word "apart" is the opposite of the phrase "a part"

Why YSK: when you use the word "apart" to mean the opposite, your meaning is unclear.

the word "apart" means "separate from". When we use the phrase "a part", we are citing inclusion, belonging. when you say you want to be "apart" something, you mean you don't want any part of it!

Edited for clarity.

#Education

https://t.me/you_pfff

YSK: YOU CAN ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO USE A NARROW SPECULUM

Why YSK: people who possess vaginas may experience discomfort or pain during a pelvic exam for a variety of reasons. Knowing this is an option might improve your experience

Here is the source that proves the existence of such a tool:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/24238-speculum

Edit I'm really disappointed in the transphobia my choice of language brought out. Come on, guys.

#Health_&_Sciences

https://t.me/you_pfff

Cleveland Clinic

Speculum: Design, Purpose, Types, Exams & What To Expect

A speculum makes it easier for your provider to see inside hollow parts of your body, like your vagina. Your provider will use a vaginal speculum during pelvic exams.

LPT: Use a large bowl for your pet's water, if something happens to you, this is what will allow him to survive while waiting for someone to show up

#Miscellaneous

https://t.me/you_pfff