(Reflection, Math, Fitness) Learning to Be What He Needs, Between Shifts and Bottles

Semester I Didn’t Plan For

I’m standing in the living room of my apartment, contemplating all of this.

How did I get here? I’m eighteen years old. I’m supposed to be halfway through my freshman year at State. Instead, yesterday I was in the baby aisle at the department store where I work part-time—staring at rows of Pampers and trying to remember if Mitchell prefers the Cruisers or the Swaddlers. My manager walked by and gave me this look, but I just grabbed both sizes and headed to the formula section.

Mitchell is this guy I met at the park a few months back. Special needs, and as of two months ago, basically my responsibility.

I know how that sounds. Like, who does that? Who meets some random guy at the park and ends up taking care of him full-time?

But it wasn’t random. Not really.

I’d see him there almost every day, sitting on the same bench, watching the ducks. Always alone. Sometimes he’d be crying, and nobody would stop. People would just walk past like he wasn’t there. One day I sat down next to him, asked if he was okay. He didn’t really answer, just looked at me with these scared eyes.

Turns out he’d been bouncing between group homes and temporary placements. Nobody permanent. Nobody who really gave a damn.

So I don’t know. I just… offered. Told him he could stay with me for a while. Figure things out.

That was eight weeks ago.

Mitchell’s regressing. That’s the best way I can describe it. He’s sliding backward into toddlerhood, and I’m not totally sure why. Could be stress from all the instability in his life. Could be just how his brain works. Either way, the guy who used to at least try to use the bathroom now wears Pampers full-time. The guy who used to eat chicken nuggets and fries now mostly wants Gerber purees and formula from a bottle.

It’s weird. I’m not gonna lie and pretend it’s not.

But it’s also just… what it is.

Tonight’s a typical night. I got off my shift at the department store around six, picked up Mitchell from the day program, and now we’re posted up in the living room. He’s on the floor with his blanket—this ratty blue thing he carries everywhere—and I’m on the couch with the remote, clicking through cable.

“What do we wanna watch, buddy?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer, just makes this humming sound and rocks a little. He does that when he’s content.

I scroll past the news. Past some crime drama. Past a horror movie that’s definitely too intense. I pause on a nature documentary, but there’s a lion taking down a gazelle and I click away. Mitchell doesn’t need to see that. He had nightmares for a week after we watched Jurassic Park.

I land on a cartoon. Something bright and colorful with talking animals. Mitchell looks up at the screen and smiles.

“Yeah? This one?”

He claps his hands once. That’s a yes.

I leave it there and grab my controller. I’ve been trying to get through this new RPG for weeks, but I only play when Mitchell’s settled. Can’t really focus on boss battles when someone needs a diaper change or a bottle.

About twenty minutes in, I hear it.

A fart. Loud and unapologetic.

I glance over. Mitchell’s still staring at the TV, totally unbothered, but there’s that smell starting to creep across the room.

“Dude,” I say, pausing my game. “Did you just—”

Another one. He giggles this time.

“Alright, alright. Let’s check you out.”

I get up and kneel next to him, doing the quick sniff test near his waistband. Yeah. Definitely needs a change. He doesn’t even seem to notice or care. Just keeps watching the cartoon, sucking on the two fingers he’s been putting in his mouth lately.

“Come on, Mitch. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

He whines a little but lets me lead him to his room. I’ve gotten pretty fast at diaper changes now. Two months ago, I was fumbling through it like an idiot, gagging at the smell, unsure where the tabs went. Now it’s just routine. Wipes, powder, new Pamper, done.

“There you go, buddy. All fresh.”

He pats my face with his hand—his way of saying thanks, I think—and waddles back to the living room.

Later, after I’ve given him his nighttime bottle—eight ounces of formula, warmed up just right—I’m scrolling through my video game library. Mitchell’s in his pajamas now, lying on the couch with his head on my lap, half-asleep.

I’m looking at my games. Stuff I used to play all the time. Those Rockstar games. All rated M. All full of violence and gore and language.

And I’m thinking… I can’t really play these when he’s around, can I?

I mean, he doesn’t always understand what’s happening on screen, but he sees it. He hears it. And lately, he’s been imitating things more. Last week he repeated a curse word I said when I stubbed my toe. Took me three days to get him to stop saying it.

I scroll past the mature games and land on something softer. A puzzle platformer. Bright colors, goofy characters, no blood.

It feels weird. Like I’m censoring myself. But also… it feels right?

I think about the cable channels, too. How I’ve started avoiding certain things automatically. True crime shows. Adult comedies. Even the news, sometimes, because it’s just too heavy.

It’s like I’ve put parental controls on my own life without even realizing it.

Mitchell stirs on my lap, and I look down at him. His mouth is open a little, drool pooling on my jeans. He’s clutching his blanket in one fist.

He looks so small. Even though he’s a grown man—bigger than me, actually—he looks small.

And I guess that’s the thing. In certain ways, he is big. He’s tall, he’s got a deep voice when he talks, he’s got facial hair I have to help him shave. But in the ways that matter right now, he needs someone to take care of him. To make sure he’s safe. To make sure what he’s watching and hearing isn’t going to scare him or confuse him.

He needs me to be the adult.

Which is hilarious, because I’m eighteen and I barely know what I’m doing.

My phone buzzes. It’s my buddy from high school.

Bro, party Friday. You coming?

I stare at the message for a long time.

Friday I work until five. Then I’ve got to pick up Mitchell, make him dinner, give him his bath, get him to bed. By the time all that’s done, it’ll be like nine-thirty, and I’ll be exhausted.

Can’t. Got stuff.

Bro you always got stuff now. You good?

Yeah. Just busy.

I don’t tell him what I’m busy with. Most of my friends don’t really get it. They know I’m “helping someone out,” but they don’t know the details. Don’t know that I’m changing diapers and warming bottles and putting on cartoons at eight PM on a Saturday night.

It’s easier not to explain.

Mitchell farts again in his sleep, and I can’t help but laugh.

“Dude, seriously?”

He doesn’t wake up. Just shifts a little and keeps snoring.

I grab the remote and turn the volume down on the TV. Some animated movie is playing now—something about a lost puppy finding its way home. It’s sweet. Simple. Safe.

I think about my semester. The classes I’m missing. The campus life I’m not experiencing. The freedom I was supposed to have.

And yeah, some days it sucks. Some days I’m resentful and tired and wondering why I chose this.

But then Mitchell does something like smile at a cartoon, or squeeze my hand when we’re walking, or fall asleep on my lap like he is now, trusting me completely.

And I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like a sacrifice anymore.

It just feels like what I’m supposed to be doing.

I stay up another hour after he’s fully asleep, playing my puzzle game with the sound low, scrolling through my phone, thinking about nothing and everything.

Eventually, I carry him to his bed—he’s heavy, but I manage—and tuck him in with his blanket. I check his diaper one more time. Still dry. Good.

“Night, Mitch,” I whisper.

He doesn’t respond, just breathes slow and steady.

I close his door halfway and head to my own room. Tomorrow I’ve got a morning shift, then I’ll pick him up from day program, then we’ll do it all over again.

Cartoons. Diapers. Bottles. Video games on mute.

It’s not the life I planned.

But it’s the life I chose.

And honestly? I think we’re gonna be alright.

END

Essay Template: Establishing Parental Controls and Appropriate Media for Mitchell

Instructions to the Reader

This essay template is designed to help you thoughtfully consider and articulate what parental controls and media guidelines would be most appropriate for Mitchell’s care. As you work through this template, think carefully about Mitchell’s developmental needs, his regression into toddlerhood, and how media consumption affects his behavior, emotions, and overall well-being.

Your essay should be 1,500-2,000 words and address the following components:

Essay Structure

I. Introduction (200-250 words)

Prompt: Begin by introducing Mitchell’s situation and why establishing parental controls is necessary for his care.

Consider addressing:

• Mitchell’s current developmental state and regression

• The role of media in his daily life

• Why thoughtful content curation matters for his well-being

• Your thesis statement about what approach to parental controls you believe is most appropriate

Write your introduction here:

[Your response]

II. Television and Streaming Controls (300-400 words)

Prompt: Discuss what television and streaming parental controls should be implemented for Mitchell.

Consider addressing:

• What content ratings are appropriate (TV-Y, TV-G, TV-PG, etc.)

• Specific genres or themes that should be blocked or allowed

• Time limits on screen time

• Whether Mitchell should have independent access to the remote or if supervision is always needed

• How to handle commercials and advertisements

• Streaming platform settings (Netflix Kids, Disney+, etc.)

Questions to answer:

1. What rating systems should guide television choices?

2. Should Mitchell have any unsupervised TV time?

3. What themes or content types are absolutely off-limits?

4. How much daily screen time is appropriate?

Write your response here:

[Your response]

III. Video Game and Interactive Media Controls (300-400 words)

Prompt: Explain what video game parental controls are necessary and why.

Consider addressing:

• ESRB ratings appropriate for Mitchell (E for Everyone, E10+, etc.)

• Types of games that should be avoided (violence, mature themes, online multiplayer)

• Whether Mitchell should play games independently or only with supervision

• Time limits on gaming

• In-game purchase restrictions

• Online interaction capabilities

Questions to answer:

1. What is the maximum ESRB rating Mitchell should be exposed to?

2. Should Mitchell have access to online multiplayer games?

3. How do you balance entertainment with potential overstimulation?

4. Should gaming be used as a reward system?

Write your response here:

[Your response]

IV. Internet and Device Access Controls (250-350 words)

Prompt: Describe what internet and device parental controls should be in place.

Consider addressing:

• Whether Mitchell should have independent internet access

• Safe search settings

• Website blocking/whitelisting

• Social media access (if any)

• YouTube restrictions (YouTube Kids vs. regular YouTube)

• Device time limits

• Location tracking for safety

Questions to answer:

1. Should Mitchell have his own device, or only supervised access?

2. What websites or platforms are safe for Mitchell?

3. How do you protect Mitchell from inappropriate content while allowing appropriate independence?

Write your response here:

[Your response]

V. Book and Reading Material Guidelines (200-300 words)

Prompt: Discuss what types of books and reading materials are appropriate for Mitchell.

Consider addressing:

• Reading level vs. interest level considerations

• Themes that are beneficial vs. potentially upsetting

• Picture books vs. chapter books

• Educational vs. entertainment reading

• How to handle Mitchell’s potential interest in age-inappropriate content

Questions to answer:

1. What reading level is most appropriate for Mitchell currently?

2. Should books always be pre-screened before Mitchell reads them?

3. How do you balance Mitchell’s chronological age with his developmental needs?

Write your response here:

[Your response]

VI. Music and Audio Content Controls (150-200 words)

Prompt: Explain what controls should be placed on music and audio content.

Consider addressing:

• Explicit content filters

• Appropriate genres and artists

• Podcasts and audiobooks

• Radio vs. streaming services

Write your response here:

[Your response]

VII. Implementation and Consistency (200-250 words)

Prompt: Describe how these parental controls should be implemented and maintained consistently.

Consider addressing:

• Who is responsible for monitoring and enforcing these controls

• How to explain boundaries to Mitchell in an age-appropriate way

• What to do when Mitchell resists or doesn’t understand the restrictions

• How to adjust controls as Mitchell’s needs change

• The importance of consistency across all caregivers

Write your response here:

[Your response]

VIII. Conclusion (150-200 words)

Prompt: Summarize your approach to parental controls for Mitchell and reflect on the broader purpose of these guidelines.

Consider addressing:

• The ultimate goal: Mitchell’s safety, development, and happiness

• How these controls support rather than restrict Mitchell

• The balance between protection and appropriate stimulation

• Your commitment to adjusting guidelines as needed

Write your conclusion here:

[Your response]

Appendix A: Recommended Books for Mitchell

Instructions: Review this list of 20 recommended books. In your essay, reference which categories or specific titles you believe are most appropriate and explain why.

Picture Books (Ages 2-5 developmental level)

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

2. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

3. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.

4. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

5. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Early Readers (Ages 4-7 developmental level)

6. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

7. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

8. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

9. Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

10. Pete the Cat series by Eric Litwin

Gentle Chapter Books (Ages 6-8 developmental level)

11. Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

12. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

13. Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne

14. Paddington Bear by Michael Bond

15. Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik

Educational and Social-Emotional Learning

16. The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

17. My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

18. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister

19. Llama Llama series by Anna Dewdney

20. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood books (various titles)

Appendix B: Recommended Television Shows for Mitchell

Instructions: Review this list of 20 recommended shows. In your essay, discuss which types of programming you believe are most beneficial and why.

Educational Programming (Preschool Level)

1. Sesame Street

2. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood

3. Blue’s Clues & You

4. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

5. Bubble Guppies

Gentle Entertainment (Early Elementary Level)

6. Bluey

7. Puffin Rock

8. Tumble Leaf

9. Sarah & Duck

10. Octonauts

Nature and Science

11. Wild Kratts

12. Dinosaur Train

13. The Magic School Bus (original or reboot)

14. Sid the Science Kid

15. Ask the StoryBots

Calming/Bedtime Programming

16. Little Bear

17. Caillou

18. Kipper

19. Pocoyo

20. Guess How Much I Love You

Appendix C: Recommended Movies for Mitchell

Instructions: Review this list of 20 recommended movies. In your essay, explain your criteria for appropriate film content and which of these align with Mitchell’s needs.

Classic Animated Films (G-rated)

1. Winnie the Pooh (2011)

2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977)

3. Paddington (2014)

4. Paddington 2 (2017)

5. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Disney/Pixar (Gentle selections)

6. Finding Nemo (2003)

7. Toy Story (1995)

8. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

9. WALL-E (2008)

10. Moana (2016) - Note: Some intense scenes

Educational and Nature

11. March of the Penguins (2005)

12. Disneynature: Earth (2007)

13. The Peanuts Movie (2015)

14. A Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)

15. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Musical and Gentle Stories

16. Mary Poppins (1964)

17. The Sound of Music (1965) - Note: Some war themes

18. Charlotte’s Web (2006)

19. Curious George (2006)

20. The Tigger Movie (2000)

Final Reflection Questions

After completing your essay, reflect on these questions:

1. How do your recommended parental controls balance safety with appropriate stimulation?

2. What challenges might arise in implementing these controls consistently?

3. How would you handle situations where Mitchell wants to access content outside these guidelines?

4. How might these controls need to evolve as Mitchell’s condition changes?

5. What role does the caregiver’s own media consumption play in modeling appropriate behavior?

Submission Guidelines

• Length: 1,500-2,000 words (excluding appendices)

• Format: Double-spaced, 12-point font

• Citations: Reference specific books, shows, or movies from the appendices when relevant

• Tone: Thoughtful, compassionate, and practical

• Focus: Mitchell’s developmental needs, safety, and well-being

Remember: The goal of this essay is not to restrict Mitchell unnecessarily, but to create a media environment that supports his development, protects his emotional well-being, and provides appropriate entertainment and education for his current needs.

Math Word Problems: Shopping for Mitchell

Instructions: Solve each problem below. Show all your work, including equations, steps, and final answers. Round monetary amounts to the nearest cent when necessary.

Problem 1

You need to buy Pampers for Mitchell. Size 6 diapers come in packs of 92 for $42.99, or you can buy a bulk box of 184 for $76.98. If you need 552 diapers for the month, how much money will you save by buying bulk boxes instead of regular packs?

Show your work:

Problem 2

Mitchell drinks 6 bottles of formula per day. Each bottle requires 8 ounces of prepared formula. If the formula powder makes 128 ounces per container and costs $28.50 per container, how much will you spend on formula for a 30-day month?

Show your work:

Problem 3

You’re buying Gerber baby food jars. Stage 2 jars cost $1.25 each, and Stage 3 jars cost $1.75 each. If you buy three times as many Stage 2 jars as Stage 3 jars, and your total bill is $87.50, how many of each type did you purchase?

Show your work:

Problem 4

Bottles are on sale: buy 2, get 1 free. Each bottle regularly costs $8.99. If you need 18 bottles total, how much will you pay, and how much will you save compared to regular price?

Show your work:

Problem 5

A mega block set contains 150 pieces and costs $34.99. A chunky building set contains 80 pieces and costs $19.99. You have a budget of $200 for building toys. If you want to maximize the total number of pieces while staying within budget, and you must buy at least one of each type, what combination should you buy and how many total pieces will Mitchell have?

Show your work:

Problem 6

You find a coupon for $5 off any purchase of $30 or more on baby food. Gerber containers cost $3.50 each. What is the minimum number of containers you need to buy to use the coupon, and what will your final cost be for that purchase?

Show your work:

Problem 7

Mitchell goes through 8 diapers per day. Pampers come in boxes of 112 for $47.99. If you want to stock up for 12 weeks, how many boxes do you need to buy, and what will be your total cost?

Show your work:

Problem 8

Formula powder comes in two sizes: 22.5 oz for $28.99 or 36 oz for $42.99. Which size gives you the better price per ounce, and how much would you save per ounce by choosing the better deal?

Show your work:

Problem 9

You’re buying supplies with a budget of $350. You spend 2/5 of your budget on diapers, $78.50 on formula, and the rest on Gerber food and bottles equally. How much do you spend on bottles?

Show your work:

Problem 10

A store offers a subscription service: pay $25/month and get 20% off all baby supplies. Without the subscription, you typically spend $180/month on supplies. After how many months will the subscription pay for itself?

Show your work:

Problem 11

You need to buy 240 ounces of prepared formula for the week. Powder formula yields 4 ounces of prepared formula per scoop, and each container has 54 scoops. If containers cost $31.99 each, how much will you spend on formula for 4 weeks?

Show your work:

Problem 12

Large building blocks cost $2.50 each, and small chunky blocks cost $0.75 each. You want to buy 200 blocks total, with twice as many small blocks as large blocks. What will be your total cost?

Show your work:

Problem 13

Diapers are sold in three sizes: Small box (68 count) for $28.99, Medium box (112 count) for $44.99, and Large box (186 count) for $68.99. If Mitchell uses 9 diapers per day, which box size gives you the best price per diaper, and how much would you spend for a 60-day supply using that size?

Show your work:

Problem 14

You have a 15% off coupon for your entire purchase. You’re buying 4 boxes of diapers at $47.99 each, 3 containers of formula at $29.99 each, and 24 jars of Gerber food at $1.50 each. What is your final total after the discount?

Show your work:

Problem 15

Bottles need to be replaced every 6 months. If each bottle costs $7.99 and Mitchell uses 8 bottles per day (washing and rotating them), how much will you spend on bottles over a 2-year period?

Show your work:

Problem 16

A toy store has a deal: spend $100 and get $15 off, or spend $200 and get $40 off. You need to buy building sets that cost $32.50 each. What is the minimum number of sets you should buy to get the best discount per dollar spent, and what will your final cost be?

Show your work:

Problem 17

You’re comparing two formula brands. Brand A costs $34.99 for a container that makes 152 ounces. Brand B costs $28.99 for a container that makes 112 ounces. If Mitchell drinks 48 ounces per day, how much more or less would you spend per week using Brand A instead of Brand B?

Show your work:

Problem 18

Gerber food is sold in cases of 12 jars. Each case costs $18.60. If you get a bulk discount of $2.50 per case when you buy 6 or more cases, and Mitchell eats 5 jars per day, how much will you spend on food for 30 days if you buy in bulk?

Show your work:

Problem 19

You have $500 to spend on supplies. Diapers cost $0.42 per diaper, formula costs $0.38 per ounce (prepared), and Gerber food costs $1.40 per jar. Mitchell needs 8 diapers, 48 ounces of formula, and 5 jars of food per day. Can you afford a 30-day supply of everything, and if so, how much money will you have left over?

Show your work:

Problem 20

A warehouse store sells a bundle: 2 boxes of diapers (112 count each), 2 containers of formula (32 oz each), and 1 building block set (100 pieces) for $149.99. Buying these items separately would cost $47.99 per diaper box, $31.99 per formula container, and $28.99 for the block set. If you need to buy supplies for Mitchell and want 4 diaper boxes, 4 formula containers, and 2 block sets, how much money will you save by buying bundles instead of individual items?

Show your work:

Remember to show all steps in your calculations, including:

• Setting up equations

• Combining like terms

• Solving for variables

• Checking your answers

Good luck!

How to Crush a Four-Hour Gym Workout with Treadmill Cardio

Alright, here’s the deal. If you’re ready to spend four hours at the gym and want to focus heavy on treadmill cardio (because, let’s be real, running is king), I got you. This workout will keep you moving, build endurance, and still hit some strength training so you don’t lose your gains.

The Plan

• Warm-up (15-20 minutes): Easy jog or brisk walk on the treadmill to get the blood flowing.

• Treadmill Cardio Sessions (3 hours total, broken up): Mix steady-state runs, intervals, and incline walks to keep it interesting and challenge your heart and legs.

• Strength Training (30-40 minutes): Quick but solid full-body session to keep your muscles strong.

• Cool-down and Stretch (10-15 minutes): Walk it out and stretch to avoid soreness.

Sample Workout Template

Warm-up

• 15 minutes easy jog or brisk walk on treadmill

Treadmill Cardio Sessions

Break the 3 hours into 3 sessions of 1 hour each with short breaks in between.

Session 1:

• 10 min steady jog (moderate pace)

• 20 min intervals (1 min sprint, 2 min walk)

• 20 min incline walk (set incline between 5-10%)

• 10 min easy jog or walk

Session 2:

• 15 min steady run (slightly faster pace)

• 15 min hill sprints (30 sec sprint, 90 sec walk, incline 6-8%)

• 20 min steady jog

• 10 min walk to recover

Session 3:

• 20 min tempo run (comfortably hard pace)

• 20 min incline walk (vary incline 3-8%)

• 20 min easy jog or walk to finish strong

Strength Training (30-40 minutes)

Hit the basics with moderate weight, 3 sets of 10-12 reps each:

• Push-ups or Bench Press

• Pull-ups or Lat Pulldown

• Squats or Leg Press

• Dumbbell Shoulder Press

• Planks (3 sets, hold 45-60 seconds)

Cool-down

• 5-10 min slow walk on treadmill

• 5-10 min full-body stretching (focus on legs and hips)

Make It Your Own

This is just a template to get you started. If you want, swap out some treadmill time for other cardio machines or add more strength exercises. The key is to keep moving, push your limits, and listen to your body. Four hours is a long time, so pace yourself and stay hydrated.

Now get out there and crush it. You got this.