This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Loft is having a lovely sale if anyone is in the mood to be tempted — even new arrivals like this tunic blouse are 50% off. I love the colors, the fact that it comes in regular and petite sizes, and the fact that it’s machine washable. It’s $59.50 full price, but with the code NOEXCUSES you can get 50% off. Nice! Fleur Split Neck Tunic (L-all)Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- 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 – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
Click here to see our top posts!
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?
Betty says
This is a new one for me: My three year old had a tantrum in her sleep last night. I woke up to hearing her yell, “It’s not fair!” So I went into her room and heard her complaining that her older brother ate her dumpling and then watched her throw a tantrum in her sleep. So I think that about sums up life with a three year old: tantrums over completely made up events that disrupt sleep.
Anon says
This happens to my five year old pretty regularly. I talk in my sleep so I’m not surprised that she inherited the sleep talking through nightmares thing.
hoola hoopa says
This is hilarious. Totally sums up the 3-year old life.
RR says
OMG, that is such a three-year-old moment.
Momata says
My 3yo woke up at 1:30 am screaming hysterically “I. WANT. A. SIP. PY. CUP.” over and over again. They feel things so deeply, they must still be processing in their sleep!
CPA Lady says
Are any of yall going and taking your kids to a women’s march tomorrow?
lsw says
Going but leaving my 6mo at home with my husband (in Pittsburgh). The 18 hour round trip by bus is already going to be bad enough for my sleep! So I’ll be pumping on the run tomorrow.
EBMom says
Thought really hard about it, but the travel was a bit much and I was concerned for the toddler’s safety. We’re going to a local one tomorrow.
EBMom says
Oops, just reread OP’s comment and she asked about any march, not just the one in DC. So, yes, we are going!
Anon says
I’m taking my 5 year old to my local Canadian city march (if it doesn’t get snowed out). Pretty excited as I haven’t marched about anything since high school! DH is coming too so grandparents are watching younger siblings.
Sarabeth says
Going with my three year-old (to DC, which is not far from us). Meeting a bunch of friends, so I’ll have help child-wrangling. Taking our toddler carrier, because I know her little legs will get tired.
It’s historic. When she’s older, I want her to look back and know she was there.
Keleeah says
My husband and I are taking our three children ages 6, 4 and 8 months to D.C. Will probably only be able to attend the AM rally, have lunch at one of the museums and see if we can meet up with the actual march.
Anonymous says
I’m proud of you all. My husband is not as angry/disappointed about this turn of history as I am, and any division of 6month, 2 and 4 year old between us seemed too daunting for me to go to DC as sole adult in that environment, so we’re planning to stay home. I’m having second thoughts about it right now, but I am running on fumes, sleepwise, fighting a cold, and I know it’s smarter not to stand outside all day. But part of me really wants to be there. I hope the turnout is great.
Anonymous says
You can always put the march on tv and throw a solidarity march in your living room. I’m the Anon Canadian who might get snowed out above and that’s my back up plan.
Or, if you decide last minute to go, throw the 6 month old in a baby carrier and leave the older two with DH.
Anon in NOVA says
I feel you. I live close to DC (obviously from my name) and just can’t bring myself to go. My job has had us on “high alert” for inauguration, I have a cold, it’s going to be cold outside, it’s going to be crowded…. I just can’t. I know, that’s horrible, but it is what it is.
I’m focusing more on local and state-level politics and activism this year, though.
maple legal says
Our march got snowed out and we held it on facebook. It was so cool to see
anne-on says
Any ideas on family friendly trips within 2-5 hours driving distance of southern CT? We’re trying to figure out a 3-4 day trip for our family in Mid-March. I was thinking Boston, but not sure I want to be schlepping a kiddo around outside in a stroller that much. Would prefer a non-ski centric trip as we already tend to get enough snow for my taste. I also have a fair bit of work travel coming up so would love to avoid flying.
anon says
Lancaster PA? Or Philadelphia?
jlg says
Philly (maybe even via train — you don’t need a car if you stay in Center City). Come see the flower show if you like plants and can work with those dates in March. March is a pretty good time to see the historical stuff before the summer tourist rush. Tons of museums and kid-friendly non-chain places to eat. If you don’t want to use the stroller, the bus/subway will get you to almost everything (and is way easier to navigate than Boston IMO). If you come later in March (after 3/23) there is the Phlash bus (separate from regular transit, designed for tourists) that runs to the major attractions. I’m biased, though — I live here with a 4 yo and before I got to the roly-poly stage of pregnancy we hit a museum nearly every weekend, and he’s obsessed with trains and busses.
I would hesitate to do Lancaster in March — more to see in warmer weather in terms of farms (though that’s probably a good time to do Strasburg & the PA Railroad museum).
If Ithaca isn’t too far or too snowy that time of year we have been several times and loved it both with and without kids. Lots of parks, good (if small) kids museum, art museum & bird lab at Cornell, plenty of local restaurants (many of which use awesome local produce).
Good luck and enjoy!
Anon says
Boston in March is hard. It’ll be really cold and hard to navigate streets with still piled up snow. So much of the family find stuff in Boston is outside, too.
When i lived in southern CT, we typically did ski area or flight to somewhere warmer in March.
Anon in NOVA says
I’m hesitant to check out the sale, I’m worried I’ll go crazy :)
I’ve been TTC a second for 3 months so haven’t purchased many clothes during that time (OK maybe Boden dress or 4…), and didn’t purchase any the few months beforehand because I knew I’d be TTC. I know my self-restraint will end soon!
EBMom says
So I’m taking my 2yo to a local march tomorrow. It is an hour drive. There is one in my city, but we’re going to a larger one. DH will be with us. I’m trying to think if I need to do anything other than snacks with us. Any thoughts on whether I should bring more than snacks? Should I make a sign or something? I’ve never marched before, it just hasn’t been a way that I like to be active, so I’m sort of confused about how the whole process will work. I think we will just show up, walk around, maybe sign up for email lists if there are any groups that I like that are there, and then drive home and have lunch on the way home. Naps are hit or miss right now, so I’m not really worried about a schedule. Any thoughts from the hive?
Anonymous says
Signs are great but don’t feel obligated. Would your LO find facepaint fun? You could put a rainbow heart on each of your cheeks. Snacks and extra diapers and wipes are about all you need.
EBMom says
Thanks! I don’t have face paint at home but maybe I will pick some up
NewMomAnon says
I would probably use an Ergo or other carrier for a 2 year old, rather than a stroller. And I’d wear really comfortable shoes, plan your parking and walking route to/from your car, and bring some extra clothes if it might be rainy/cold.
EBMom says
Thanks, these are the kind of tips I was looking for.
Anon says
Warm socks and shoes if you are going to be standing around on cold/wet ground. Hand and foot warmers are great, too. Signs can be awkward to carry around but fun to make, don’t feel obligated
Anon says
Also there are some really great kids books about protests, especially during the Civil rights era – might be fun to get some to read with your kiddo in next few weeks
EBMom says
Thanks, I love the idea of picking up some books
Daycare Snipes says
Do you have any clever (I’m also ok with a little mean) responses to the “Oh I would *never* put my kid in daycare. Something something primary caregiver something something” type comments?
The most recent one was like…
Me: Oh, Coworker, you have kids? How old?
Coworker: Six and eight.
Me: So cute! Were they at the daycare here [on site]?
Coworker: Oh, no, when we decided to have kids we decided we’d NEVER put them in daycare. My wife quit her job and stayed home with them for eight years all together. It’s just really important to us that WE be the ones to raise our kids.
Me: [nothing, because my kid is in the daycare, which is why i f-ing asked]
Anonymous says
What about:
“That’s an interesting choice. I didn’t realize any families at our company chose an outdated family structure and were unaware of the socialization benefits of daycare. I guess everyone has to parent and raise their children with the values that they are comfortable with….”
I’m sure there’s a Michelle Obama ‘go high’ option here but honestly, i can’t think of anything and I probably would have spit out my coffee on him in shock. You’re a saint for dealing with this and not stabbing anyone.
Daycare Snipes says
Oh that’s good. I could see myself going with something like that… “huh, that’s funny. it was really important to ME to go back to work so my daughter could see her mother succeeding professionally. and she learns so much at the daycare that i could never teach her — it’s not like i’m an early childhood education specialist! but i guess every family is different.”
H says
Love this! And FWIW, I don’t see them as raising my child. DH and I are raising our child. Daycare workers are taking care of him during the day.
When I was pregnant my dad said something to me about going back to work. I gave him a really nasty look and that shut him up. Oh, and my mom worked, so WTF.
avocado says
How about “Interesting. We decided not to have my husband stay home with the kids because we feel it’s important for them to see that dads can work outside the home just like moms.”
Daycare Snipes says
Hah! Love that.
Anon 1:31 says
This is much better than what I suggested! Love it!
Anon as well for this says
HA I love it.
EB0220 says
That is just the best.
Vanessa says
I am saving this one for the future. You are not alone Daycare Snipes on getting these types of comments…
Anonymous says
Meh, nobody has ever said something so insulting in that vein to me, but when similar comments arise, I just say something moderately sarcastic like, their teachers take way better care of them than we do, so everyone wins! (This is probably mostly true, so it’s not too snarky, but hopefully makes the offender feel a little silly.)
anon says
I have no personal experience with this, but I would assume you aren’t going to make a convert out of him and say something like, how nice for you. I feel like if you engage you are just giving him what he wants, which is either to make you see the error of your ways (if he’s really dense) or to make you feel defensive or inferior. Either way, you can thwart him but showing him you don’t need anything from him.
Bri says
This is why I can no longer read the comments on this site. As a lawyer turned temporary SAHM (by choice!), I can’t handle the constant efforts to snark at those who choose to stay at home. I get that the person to whom you are responding was rude in what he/she said, but sheesh – the premeditated effort to respond with a hurtful comment (and the suggestions often repeated here) is just as bad. We’re all just trying to do the best we can in our particular circumstances – ceasing the spitefulness would go a long way to helping support all parents in their decisions.
Daycare Snipes says
Huh. I am glad you said something.
I don’t oppose staying at home at all — at the risk of outing myself, I stayed at home with kiddo for a *while* and then my husband did too. But clearly I also don’t think I’m ruining my kid by sending her to daycare.
I was insulted by something a colleague said to me about my parenting choices, and I was searching for a response. The reason I was searching for clever / maybe even a little bit mean is that I think he was insulting and hurtful in a completely blithe way — it wouldn’t occur to him that what he said made me feel like crap. So if I had a witty comeback for next time, maybe he/whomever would be pushed back on their heels a little — like “oh hey, maybe I shouldn’t talk like this.” I think that saying “that’s actually hurtful because blah blah blah” would not fly in my company/many corporate environments, while a snappy comeback that communicates the same thing would.
Sorry you feel snarked at personally.
NewMomAnon says
You know, I used to be really sarcastic, and then I realized that I could make a bigger impact by being honest. If you want to educate him, say something like, “Wow, that really hurt my feelings. Did you mean to be hurtful?” And then don’t shy away from having the hard conversation that’s going to follow in which he stumbles around being defensive, clueless, and possibly doubling down on hurting your feelings.
If you don’t have an open conversation with him about it, he’s probably going to say something similar again. And if you say something snarky, it might go way over his head.
Anonymama says
Huh, I’m a sahm and didn’t feel insulted because any of the responses. The first one was a little over the top, but in context it was clearly just trying to make a parallel insult to the one received. And I don’t think any of the choices were intended to dismiss sahm as a choice for some people, mostly just being defensive about being judged so much themselves
Anononymous says
“Wow. Your wife is so brave. If you died, she and the kids would be homeless!”
EB says
I’ll be 35 weeks tomorrow – this is my first kid – can someone tell me if this is normal? The darn thing is poking me and punching me and generally moving around all day long. I feel like it’s headbutting my bladder every 10 minutes or so. It’s uncomfortable most of the time, sometimes hurts, and it just generally driving me up the wall. I get BH contractions throughout the day as well. I feel like I cannot catch a break and cannot concentrate on anything at work. I’m mostly venting, but can someone please tell me if what’s going on is normal and if the next 5 weeks are going to be like this?
layered bob says
normal, but next 5 weeks will probably not be like this – as baby gets bigger and more smooshed s/he will calm down.
hoola hoopa says
haha, I was just going to say ‘normal, but sadly it will get worse as baby gets bigger and stronger.’
And yes, it’s so distracting.
Either way, hang in there!
Em says
I may have googled “can fetus punch out of my v*gina before birth.” Multiple times.
AEK says
Hang in there. On the other side, it is TERRIFYING when all of a sudden you stop feeling movement and kicking etc. It seems like something must be wrong. That’s normal, too, though.
Maybe your bundle would like a relaxing (lukewarm) bath or a massage tonight? Or, I found that doing stretches / gentle yoga/ balance ball stuff, or swimming (all of which I did regularly because of a transverse breech, not my normal routine at all!) seemed to help. It’s like going with the movement instead of fighting it.
Last advice: do your best not to tense up when it happens. Just breath through it almost like the contractions. Tensing up increases the pain I think.
Hugs. I hope it gets better!
Anonymous says
Try moving around a bit. They are most active when mom is still and can be lulled to sleep with motion. Try walking back and forth in your office/hall a bit when you’re proofreading something.
Anon in NOVA says
Remember to stay super hydrated! I thought this was BS (how can WATER make such a huge difference?!, I thought) and was having very strong and uncomfortable BH contractions. The nurse told me at least 10 glasses a day, minimum. I tried it just so I could prove it WASN’T the water, that something else was wrong! but of course, it worked. I guess that’s why they go to school :-P
jlg says
yes this. also warm beverages seem to help. i tend to have one SUPER uncomfortable day and then its as if he’s stretched me out enough to stop it from feeling so violent, and then the next week the same thing. i get it more around belly-button to ribcage level. it often makes me gasp out loud, which freaks out everyone around me. but if they’ve never been punched/kicked from the inside of their abdomen i don’t really feel too bad if they experience a few minutes of worry about whether i’m about to go into labor at the office.
Edna Mazur says
Also, it is great to be super hydrated for labor. I normally have great veins but the nurses missed something like five times when starting my IV. I went from contracting every minute or so to weaker ones every five. I’m convinced it stalled my labor. Keep hydrated at the end. I think I’ll be chugging water en route to the hospital this time!
Anon academic says
HA! Pregnancy is so fun. Soon baby will be too big to move much and you will worry that baby isn’t ok anymore. Good luck and eat lots of ice cream as consolation.
TBK says
Day one potty training twins. Zero success. Lots of peeing on the floor. Is this typical?
Vanessa says
I have no experience with twins but yes…it sounds very typical. How old?
TBK says
Three in March.
Anonymama says
Yes at least a couple days of pee everywhere, but just when it seems hopeless they catch on. Lots of praise and rewards for even sitting on the potty and trying.
Ifiknew says
Thanks for everyones responses yesterday on breast pumps, really appreciate it.
One more question. I work in a satellite office of a large finance firm. We only have 6 employees here and I’m the only female. HR has informed me that I will most likely have to pump in the bathroom because there aren’t any empty offices. There’s not a conference room or server room that would work either.. would you recommend pumping in the bathroom or in my car? The car is in a underground garage so I could make it work with a nursing cover perhaps. Anyone else in this situation?
Thanks again!
ChiLaw says
I assume you don’t have your own office to pump in? Have you looked up your state’s laws and FLSA? If one or both applies, your employer might be obligated to give you a (non-bathroom) place to pump.
Ifiknew says
I dont have my own office unfortunately. I thought the laws were only applicable if your employer had greater than 50 employees in a 50 or 100 mile radius? Are the FMLA laws different from FLSA? Thanks again!
ChiLaw says
“The [Fair Labor Standards] Act applies to enterprises with employees who engage in interstate commerce, produce goods for interstate commerce, or handle, sell, or work on goods or materials that have been moved in or produced for interstate commerce. For most firms, a test of not less than $500,000 in annual dollar volume of business applies (i.e., the Act does not cover enterprises with less than this amount of business).”
And then…
“Does the nursing mothers break time provision apply to small businesses?
ANSWER: All employers covered by the FLSA, regardless of the size of their business, are required to comply with this provision. However, employers with fewer than 50 employees are not subject to the FLSA break time requirement if the employer can demonstrate that compliance with the provision would impose an undue hardship. Whether compliance would be an undue hardship is determined by looking at the difficulty or expense of compliance for a specific employer in comparison to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer’s business.
For purpose of the undue hardship exemption, how will the Department determine whether an employer has fewer than 50 employees?
ANSWER: All employees who work for the covered employer, regardless of work site, are counted. Consistent with the FLSA definition of employee, “any individual employed by an employer” must be counted, including full-time employees, part-time employees, and any other individuals who meet the FLSA definition of employee found at 29 U.S.C. 203(e)(1). ”
Sources:
https://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/faqBTNM.htm#Q5
https://www.dol.gov/compliance/guide/minwage.htm
ChiLaw says
Ugh I guess my answer had too many links (two).
Basically, if your business is doing more than $500,000 in business annually, you’re covered. There’s an exemption from the place-to-pump rules if there are fewer than 50 employees AND compliance would be an undue hardship… but I think the “fewer than 50 employees” thing means fewer than 50 *total* in the company.
I was at the DOL dot GOV site to get that info.
Lurker says
It’s complicated:
(1) The exemption as a whole only applies to businesses that have less than $500,000 in annual dollar volume per year. It is not measured by profit but by the price paid by the purchaser for services sold to him.
(2) 29 USC 207(r), the exception states that “an employer that employs less than 50 employees shall not be subject to the requirements of this subsection, if such requirements would impose an undue hardship by causing the employer significant difficulty or expense when considered in relation to the size, financial resources, nature, or structure of the employer’s business.” Accordingly, it is not enough to just have less than 50 employees, you also have to show undue hardship. This is a high standard. Some secondary sources have also suggested that you have to apply for the exemption preemptively and be granted it, not just argue it should apply if a complaint is made. It seems that the exemption is more about providing the private space and less about providing the time.
It’s likely that the FLSA applies to your employer but if they have less than 50 employees they can try to claim undue hardship. No physical space could be an undue hardship. Can you even think up a suggestion for your location? If you can’t come up with one, then it is an undue hardship. If you can think of one, like make someone else with an office trade spaces with you during your pumping time, then it’s probably not a hardship.
You mention a parking garage. Are there other offices in the building where you could possibly use a space that another office has? What is the bathroom setup? If it is multiple single stall bathrooms could one be converted to pumping only so that other people aren’t going to the bathroom in there at all? I think the issue with bathrooms is germs so if the space stops functioning as a bathroom, would that work? Just trying to be creative.
What is the climate like where you live? The garage would work if it is not too hot or too cold.
ChiLaw says
Re: pumping in your car, I did it twice and wasn’t crazy about it. You have to run the car, so it uses up gas, and it can be an awkward space. I wouldn’t recommend relying on a battery pack regularly, because it makes the pump (at least mine) so much weaker.
If you’re in a building full of offices, I do wonder if there are other options — an unused office down the hall, that kind of thing.
Possibly a stretch, but is there a gym/workout area in your building? A changing stall might work. I’ve also seen individual shower rooms (like, a room with a door that locks, containing a shower and a sink and a non-shower area) used for pumping.
Ifiknew says
All really good advice. Thanks so much. Ill look into it and see if there are alterate arrangements with the suggestions above.