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Happy almost weekend, ladies! We did a major (MAJOR) roundup of our top workwear picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yesterday, but I wanted to mention this old favorite, available in the sale in two pretty prints and under $100. It’s washable. It’s nursing/pumping friendly (and a print is always great for hiding stains!). It’s super stretchy so it’s friendly if you’re losing/gaining weight — and it’s now marked to $84 (it’ll be $128 after the sale). Karen Kane Print Jersey Cascade Faux Wrap Dress Psst: If you’re shopping the sale for your family, do check out kids’ shoes — I always stock up, particularly given Nordstrom’s excellent policies of free shipping/free returns/fairly open return policy — and the men’s section this year is pretty great too. (L-all)Sales of note for 4.14.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – Mid-Season Sale: extra 40% off; extra 20% off sale styles; 40% off new spring styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 40% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50-60% off select styles; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – 40% off dresses; 30% off your purchase
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Cyber Spring: 50% off everything & free shipping
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time; 30% off select shoes
- Talbots – BOGO 50% off everything, includes markdowns (ends 4/14)
- Zappos – 29,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Buy 3+ get 30% off forever favorites
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 30% off your purchase
- Old Navy – Up to 70% off clearance; sales on shorts and polos
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event; BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture;
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Onlyworkingmomintulsa says
Anyone ever feel really sad when a daycare worker you love leaves? One of my son’s teachers had her last day yesterday and two other great teachers have left in the past three months. I realize turnover is pretty common in this industry and the teachers are so underpaid, so I want to them to move on to bigger and better things, but I just get so sad. Perhaps I just get too attached to the teachers. It definitely affects me more than my kids!
Anonymous says
Of course! This is totally normal – the workers are who you have chosen to care for your child and it’s natural to feel sad that when someone you thought was good for your child will not longer be in their life.
Ann says
It’s so normal. There are so many emotions about childcare. My babies (both under age 2) go to a non-profit daycare that they have thrived in. And I know the difference, my daughter went from not napping to napping 3 hours per day once we moved her from Bright Horizons to their current place. She also gets sick far less often than before because the new daycare has an extra teacher in each room rather than using floaters for when the teachers go on breaks. The problem for us is the place is not near our home but on my husband’s commute for a job that he started less than a year ago that he doesn’t like. He has already told me he won’t stay there long term and I’m dreading having to move them.
Em says
We drive our son to a daycare that adds an extra 45 minutes to my commute and 20 minutes to my husband’s because it is fantastic and they had a miraculous opening when we had to pull him from the center that is right by our house and my work but ended up being horrible. We will move him to a Montessori close to our house in a year, so I figure it is temporary and a small price to pay for knowing he is someplace safe with people who care about him.
Faye says
Related to the above comment – both of my kids are in a daycare now, but both of my favorite teachers are leaving. Another mom and I quickly joked about a nanny share, but after thinking it over last night, I’m actually thinking about it.
What do I need to consider about a nanny share?
Our families get along well, have similar values, and each have two kids that are the same age. We live in the burbs, so our houses are big enough and close enough to host all four kids, but then how does transportation work? Does the nanny need a car big enough to hold 4 kids? The oldest two will be in preschool for a few hours a day, and that’s a quick walk from both houses.
Neither family has been a household employer before, and I know we’d both want to pay above board, so we’d have to figure all that out. I assume there are resources online somewhere to walk us through it? How difficult is it, in practice?
All four parents have decently flexible jobs, so between the four of us we could likely cover any nanny sick days or vacations. I don’t know how you handle sick kids though, esp if it’s your house that is hosting.
I don’t know. It seems like a lot of hassle in a way, but in another way, it will make our lives so much easier. Anyone have any wisdom?
Betty says
Be prepared to be very open about your needs, concerns, logistics and any feedback with the other family and encourage them to do likewise.
Be prepared to hire together and make a list ahead of time on what is important to both families.
Will the share always be at the same house or would you be up for going back and forth (1 week at family 1’s house, next week at family 2’s house)? We had a young, boisterous dog so had the share at the other family’s house, which meant that I lost the convenience of not having to get my kid out of the door, but also didn’t have to stress over having other kids at the house. Also, think about what level of child-proofing the other family has (or you have) and whether everyone will be ok with it.
Unless you are ok with the kids and nanny always staying within walking distance (and doing preschool pickups in the rain), the easiest thing will be for the nanny to have a car that can fit everyone.
We found the easiest way to pay a nanny was to go through a service. I cannot recommend Breedlove/my home pay more highly. Their customer service is amazing, and they will do all the filing, payroll taxes, etc. for you (at a price). I would think that they could help with a nanny share.
Re: sick kids, our rule was that if a kid needed one-on-one care (vomiting, high fever), a parent should be caring for that child, otherwise it was fair game and understood that they were basically siblings sharing germs.
NOVA Anon says
All good tips from Betty. I’ll add each family uses Intuit in our scenario and it works out well. Other things to consider:
Amount of time – do both families need childcare for the same number of hours per week?
Staying late – my husband and I have run into situations where we both get held up at work. The nanny is usually at our house, so it’s not an issue, but if the nanny can’t stay late for some reason, one of the other parents will stay with our son (or they have hosted in this situation if we know in advance) until we’re able to make it home. If they’ll be late, we send the nanny home. We are so super fortunate to have met another family who is kind enough to help us out in these situations, as we have no family in the area. Make sure you have a plan with the other family for this.
I’ll end by saying I love our nanny share situation and would not change a single thing about it – all the benefits of a nanny, but with the added bonuses that my kiddo has a best buddy and presumably is learning to share (and building his immunity…).
PEN says
There is a park slope parents guide to nanny sharing that is free on the inter webs—I suggest reading through it
Ally McBeal says
I think a nanny share for two kids is perfect. A nanny share with four kids is going to be really hard.
Anon MN says
Yeah, we considered it after having our second, but 3-4 kids seemed too hard for coordination (naps/activites/travel/etc). Plus I know myself well enought to know that I am too much of a control freak to have that many out of control variables.
pockets says
I did a nanny share for a year. This is the thing: there are things you are going to be particular about, and there are things the other family is going to be particular about, and they will not be the same things. And you might not even realize you’re particular about these things because you’ve never had to think about it before (example: I am very laid back and didn’t think I’d have “things” but it turns out punctuality is my thing, both on the part of the nanny and on the part of the other family (picking their child up on time). I never thought about it because obviously everyone wants their nanny to be on time and who doesn’t rush home to see their kid? But it definitely was not the other family’s thing, and it caused a lot of strife). And the other family’s things are going to become your tthings because they’re going to complain to you about them. It’s a headache. But it saves money and the kids will be happy.
Anonymous says
This exactly. Our thing was that the nanny needed to respect that we were the parents and defer to our instructions if they were different from her instinct. The other family was content to let the nanny use her best judgement and was extremely non-confrontational even if they disagreed. It set up a very destructive good cop/bad cop dynamic that almost sank our friendship along with the nanny share.
It’s a huge headache, and for me, it’s not worth it. I will never do another nanny share.
Anonymous says
I had a full time nanny for years and years, and I’ve been home full time with my kids for about a year now. I hang out with lots of nannies. In my neighborhood (a popular spot for nannies but also lots of families looking for nannies), there’s no way you’d find someone good to watch four kids unless you’re willing to pay lots of money, so don’t go into this thinking you’ll pay even close to half the going rate for a single family nanny. Good nannies hate nanny shares because it means they have twice the number of bosses with twice the number of familial quirks and twice the number of nights the parents get caught at work. Also, asking for someone to have a car that holds 4 kids safely is unreasonable/unrealistic.
Awkward conversation... says
Good morning ladies – I’m almost certainly overthinking this, but could use some help. A close colleague of mine recently suffered a miscarriage. She had already “announced” and was very excited about the pregnancy.
I’m currently pregnant and but haven’t told my colleagues yet. Could you help me word the way I tell this colleague? I want to be respectful of her feelings without making it overly awkward.
Waiting isn’t really an option at this point (can’t fit into regular clothes).
Anonymous says
I had this exact same thing happen, except I was on the other side (I had the MC). We in fact would have been due the same day. I think the best course of action is likely to simply tell her – in private (in her office with the door closed), preferably towards the end of the day, and don’t make a long convo of it. Don’t apologize. Just tell her you wanted to make sure she knew, since you were starting to tell everyone else. Let her reaction guide the rest of the convo, or whether it simply needs to end there.
Anonymous says
This is good advice. Tell her at the end of one day (maybe even on a Friday) and that you’ll be telling colleagues on the next work day. That gives her some time to process and prep herself. Agree with telling her in private in her office but I would also pop her an email before hand asking if she has time to chat at the time of the day “because you have some personal news to share that may be hard for her to hear”. That will give her a bit of a heads up before your convo
Bean74 says
I don’t think you’re overthinking it. You’re being a compassionate person. When family or friends told me about pregnancies after I miscarried I appreciated those who texted or emailed the news. It allowed me to process it and respond when I could. It was difficult to hear the news. I was so happy for my friends and family and yet upon learning of it, I broke down each time because they had what I so badly wanted for myself. And then I felt guilty for being so envious.(And yes, I did seek therapy for all of this.)
It also helped tremendously when the people telling me acknowledged that it may be hard for me to hear their happy news. Even just a simple, “I’m not sure how to tell you this” or “This may be hard for you to hear…” made it so much easier.
Awkward conversation... says
Thanks, this is helpful.
Anony says
You are so awesome for being sensitive about this. I’d tell her via email so that if she’s sad or emotional, she doesn’t have to have a reaction in front of you. When I was going through miscarriages/infertility, my reaction to hearing that anyone was pregnant was to burst into tears, and an email or text that hinted that someone wanted to tell me was enough to send me into a tailspin (yes, I also sought therapy for this). I much preferred to be able to process in my own time and space. But everyone’s different.
NYC recs? says
Ladies, I would greatly appreciate recs from those who live in NYC or have recently visited! DH is going to a conference at the Museum of Natural History. 3 yo and I are tagging along. We’ll be staying across the street from the museum.
I want to try to take it easy vs. stretching to see a lot. We’ll arrive on Saturday and have Saturday afternoon / evening and all day Sunday together as a family. Recs for fun places to visit (that won’t be too hot and crowded)? Restaurant recs?
While my husband is in his conference Monday / Tuesday I am planning to take it easy with 3 yo and do the Museum of Natural History and Central Park. Is it worth going over to the Children’s Museum as well? I made us a dinner reservation at the Lakeside Restaurant in Central Park – fun or too fancy for a 3 yo?
Also, an travel tips from Newark airport and in the city? We are not planning to bring a car seat.
Thanks!!!
mascot says
How much does your child weigh? If over 40lbs, something like a bubble bum inflatable booster might work for cabs.
NYC recs? says
thanks for the idea, but actually closer to 30 lbs
Anon in NYC says
Depending on how much you’re carrying, it’s pretty easy to take NJ transit from Newark airport into Penn Station and then you’ll have access to cabs/the subway from there. But I’m not sure how much you want to navigate that. You technically do not need a car seat in cabs, but Uber family has car seats. Other services that I’ve heard about (but have not used) include: Jupiter, KidCar, and Eastern Car Service. I’m not sure if any of these car seats are rear or forward facing.
I would bring an umbrella stroller. Central Park is a great idea. The museum of natural history will be crowded on a weekend. It’s still great, but just so you know. Personally, I wouldn’t go to the children’s museum. You only have 2 days, it’s crosstown, and I think it will also be crowded. Inside Central Park there is also the Central Park Zoo (which will be hot, but if you’re looking for something else to do). I would plan to stop at a few playgrounds too. Bring water shoes/changes of clothes. A lot of NYC playgrounds have water features, which will be nice on a hot day.
I don’t have specific restaurant recommendations for the UWS, but it’s a very child-friendly neighborhood, so I think you can easily stop in at most places!
Anon in NYC says
Central Park also has a carousel, which your kiddo may enjoy!
Also, if you want to venture from the UWS, I’d suggest Brooklyn Bridge Park as a nice stop. You can easily get there from the UWS subways (2/3, A/C). The waterfront is nice, it will have some good views of the NYC skyline and perhaps be a bit cooler because it’s right on the water. You can explore Dumbo/Brooklyn Heights, there’s some easy rock climbing (although maybe too difficult for a 3 year old), a carousel, and good kid-friendly food options (pizza, ice cream, etc.).
Anon in NYC says
Sorry to be all over this thread, but another recommendation. Food halls are great for kids. They’re usually somewhat loud, seating is pretty casual, and there’s always a variety of options for all sorts of eaters. I can think of three off the top of my head in Manhattan: Gotham West Market in Hell’s Kitchen, there’s the Vanderbilt next to Grand Central, and Pennsy, which is new and right by/in Penn Station. None of those are particularly close to where you’ll be, but Gotham West is near the water and close to things like Chelsea Piers, if you’re interested in that.
NYC recs? says
thanks!
pockets says
I live near Brooklyn Bridge Park and I wouldn’t recommend it on a weekend. It’s hot, there are like zero trees in the part, and it’s full of tourists. I avoid that park at all costs on summer weekends and definitely wouldn’t take a 45 min train ride to get to it.
anon says
You could easily spend all of your time exploring various playgrounds and activities in central park. Riding the subway is an activity in itself for a 3 year old (even one who does it daily!) I agree the CP zoo is great – manageable size for a young child but still really nice. Everything will be crowded, just expect it. For an indoor change of pace, you might consider the Transit Museum in downtown Brooklyn. It is indoors and relatively small, and not usually packed. Re: travel – get a car service that has a car seat to transport you to/from the airport (Eastern Luxury is good), and then just use the subway or buses or walk. Bring a lightweight stroller – many subways do not have elevators, and you are required to fold strollers on buses. Keep in mind most museums are closed on Mondays too.
anon says
Also, if you want to poke around downtown, we recently discovered there is a great free shuttle bus around Lower Manhattan – the Downtown connector I think. There is a cool newish carousel right at the tip of Battery Park, the SeaGlass Carousel, and then a number of interesting parks/playgrounds extending up the west side of lower Manhattan. Rockefeller Park (I think) was particularly cool. And of course, you can ride the Staten Island ferry for free, which is a fun adventure and departs from Battery Park.
NYC recs? says
thanks! For the stroller, I was planning to take my City Mini. it folds in half but maybe not as small as an umbrella stroller? I can carry it up stairs okay.
Anon in NYC says
The City Mini is fine! No need to get something smaller.
anon says
Yeah, City Mini is fine. Every pound counts, but if you make your kid get out and walk up the stairs and just carry the stroller it works okay.
Anonymous says
Google ‘Mifold’ – it’s a new kind of compact foldable booster seat. I think from the FAQ it’s approved for use in the USA.
NYC recs? says
hmm.. looks like this is not yet available for purchase
Anonymous says
Might be worth calling as they said it will start shipping pre-orders in April
Anonymous says
Sticking to the UWS /Central Park should be more than enough for a three year old. If it’s unbearably hot, head toward the Hudson River park. The Central Park Zoo and carousel are great. You don’t have to pay to go to the Met so if you need AC you can go in and walk through the Egyptian Temple (and there’s a playground nearby). If he was a little older you could try Arms and Armor, but it’s far from the entrance. If you want to take the train around, keep it short and go to Levain’s Bakery: delicious huge cookies. So, so good.
EB0220 says
I am on a NY trip with my 4.5 and 2 year old now. They were very excited about the trains and subway. We went to central park zoo, which was hot but nice. We walked to the Alice in Wonderland sculpture by the boathouse and saw a few playgrounds with splash pads, which would be fun. I think you could spend three days in Central Park! For reference, we’ve used the bubble bum on the trip and have been happy (but my 4 year old is over 40 lbs).
hoola hoopa says
Does anyone have this dress? I’m seriously considering the solid version (which is 40% off right now), but I can’t decide if the gathers would hide my post-baby pouch or accentuate it. Seems like the off-seem gather could look like the waist just doesn’t fit.
HSAL says
I don’t have this dress, but I do have a couple dresses that have side-gathers and I think they work well with my 9 months pp pooch.
sfg says
Very late but I have four of these in other prints/colors (Amazon has quirky but often great prices). They have been GREAT for my post-baby body. I ordered this one as well.
SC says
Kiddo (15 months old) is starting daycare next month. (1) Holy batman, who knew nap mats could cost so much! (2) I am so, so happy that daycare is going to provide lunch and snacks everyday. Yay!