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I’m not a fan of spa facials myself, but I’m really interested in this $80 “Babyfacial” (AHA/BHA mask) from Drunk Elephant. (It’s $25 for the smaller size.) It has tons of great reviews and is one of Allure‘s “Best of Beauty” winners for 2017. (Sephora has a whole section for them.) The mask is meant for all skin types and is supposed to be used once a week. Ladies, what do you do for facials? Do you do any AHAs or other things like that? Do tell! T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!Sales of note for 4.18.24
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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?
anon says
Help! My three-year-old started at a new preschool last week and hates it. She held it together for most of the week but on Friday they did a lesson on halloween and the skeletons really freaked her out. She was totally unlike herself all weekend, not eating, not playing, just sad. I tried to talk to her and said that I know its hard to go to a new school and that we have to try to make friends and play and that if she really tries and still doesn’t like it, we can make a change. I am planning on going over there for snack time with cupcakes, so that we can have a party. The teachers are warm, but the permanent teacher was out for the last half of the week due to illness. Another complicating factor is that this is a language immersion school and kiddo doesn’t speak the language. I am confident that moving schools was a good decision on paper, but I am not so sure that it was a good idea in real life. She was so so happy at her old school. For anyone that has been through this, what worked? Will it just take time? Should I stay there for half a day until she adjusts?
Anonymous says
It will definitely take time – especially with the language immersion part. Do you have any music you can play at home in the target language? Might help her feel more comfortable. What is the target language? If spanish, maybe a bit of Dora the Explorer might make her feel more comfortable.
anon says
I would also talk to the teacher and your daughter about the Halloween fear factor – that is a problem for my son in any school, and I can imagine it might be extra scary if you can’t understand exactly what is being said. (My son is in kindergarten and burst into tears inexplicably at dinner 2 weeks ago. When I asked why, he whispered in my ear–saying it out loud was too scary–“in music we sang a song about ghosts and goblins!”)
anon says
My son had a rough transition to Spanish immersion around that age. I think it was a month or two before he settled in (and I remember constantly questioning our decision in those months). We are now on year 2 and he is excelling and LOVES it there. So I would give it time, but keep the lines of communication open with her and her teachers.
POSITA says
One of the things that has helped my newly 4 yo adapt to a new school is weekend play dates with kids from school. Those one-on-one interactions have really made her more comfortable and helped her to make friends. In the past, we’ve also had the teachers babysit at our house. That seems to also help.
Mrs. Jones says
It will take time. I wouldn’t go to school with her.
Anne says
Can anyone recommend a winter hat my picky 14 month old will actually wear? All kinds of summer hats were a firm no, as was the zutano fleece hat. I’m not going to even try the cute gap knit hats b/c I can’t imagine she’ll tolerate them. (And yes we have a coat with a hood but I’d love to have a hat for the colder days too.)
AwayEmily says
What if she got to pick one out? Maybe go to Target, set out a bunch, and let her choose?
anne-on says
Maybe the turtle fur ones? They are very very soft and come in oodles of colors. Other than that, we had very good luck letting my kiddo pick a design from this lady (at the Pike place market in Seattle if you happen to be local). He wore the bear and then the alien for AGES and loved them.
https://seattlehats.com/
bluefield says
Does she have a favorite animal? Maybe you can get that kind of hat. Otherwise, let her be cold and maybe she’ll eventually relent and wear a hat.
jlg says
maybe try a headband/earwarmer under the hood? that keeps out a lot of the wind and helps the hood stay snug, but maybe will bother her less than a hat? also agree with trying to get her to pick one out herself so she feels more in control/invested (even if you hate it). good luck.
AIMS says
The hats that work best for my daughter are the kind that button under the chin. Boden always has cute ones and I bought a really nice one from Jacadi on sale one year. Both have a fleecy lining that’s not itchy and the button strap keeps it in place.
Anon in NYC says
Same. Although fair warning that my kid still screamed when I put them on her – but at least they stayed on!
AnonMom says
Agree!!! Anything without a closure is NEVER going to work. Here’s two other options, all of which I’ve owned including the Boden one:
http://www.patagonia.com/product/baby-reversible-synchilla-fleece-hat/60568.html?dwvar_60568_color=STRB&cgid=kids-babies-toddlers-hats-gloves#start=1
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=1081374&pcid=44500&vid=1&pid=863785002
Anne says
Thanks! So helpful
RNSF says
I went the bonnet route since 12 months old now at 15. After trying to take it off a few times, my daughter gave up.
Anonymous says
I find outerwear is a function of timing — wait till she’s squinting and then I offer sunglasses. Wait until we’re outside and it’s cold and windy and then I offer “extras” like hats or scarf on top of jacket.
Good luck!
anne-on says
I got a sample sized one and I’m curious to try it. Currently I do a ‘strong’ 10% AHA (Paula’s choice) once a week, which does really seem to help keep larger hormonal breakouts at bay. I also use a BHA and differin daily, so I have a pretty high tolerance for acids. I can see this being A LOT for someone who has never used any acids before and only uses the marula oil to combat any dryness.
avocado says
I may try this because it gets rinsed off. I have been afraid to try leave-on exfoliating serums that have to be applied at night because I already use Retin-A (hooray for gray hair, wrinkles, and acne all at the same time).
anne-on says
BHAs and AHAs can definitely be rinsed off as well if you find them irritating. BHAs take a bit longer, but after about 25 minutes you can rinse off and then do the rest of your steps. My skin is used to heavy acids, but I did rinse off the Paula’s choice after about 15 minutes for the first few months. There is increased evidence that ‘short contact therapy’ works really well for prescriptions (Retin-A) if you find it irritating.
HSAL says
I was the anon last week stressing about not having any pregnancy symptoms at 5 weeks. I clearly jinxed myself, as I dry-heaved brushing my teeth this morning and feel like a wreck. Yay? Thanks to everyone who told me it was normal, though.
Rainbow Hair says
Hahaha yay!/not yay! I’ve been there.
Edna Mazur says
Congrats on the symptoms! Hoping they may they be only strong enough to occasionally ease your mind.
12345 says
I have this, but I can never find time to use it. I did it once, I think, and didn’t notice a difference. I like their glycolic serum, which you don’t have to rinse off.
Kids Bath Mat says
Any suggestions for a fun in-tub kids bath mat?
Ikea used to have a super cute crocodile shaped one that my kids loved but they don’t have it any more.
CCLA says
We use a blue whale one from Skip Hop. They make a ton of other items in the same blue whale shape, too. I think I grabbed it at BRU but likely available at Target, Amazon, etc. Stays in place well, no complaints. Also like the Puj circle stickers to fill in the remaining gaps.
anon says
So the husband and I are having problems that I think are pretty clearly based in our childhoods — he’s overly critical and I’m overly sensitive to criticism. This seems to stem clearly from our abusive parents — our opposite-sex parents both had explosive tempers that dominated family interactions, and his mother now constantly nitpicks and makes passive-aggressive digs because she currently gets away with them in a way she wouldn’t with screaming/crying tantrums. (My father is dead).
But logically understanding the root of the problems has not made the problems magically go away. So what should we look for in a therapist? (Before you say Gottman, there are none in our area). Do we need a trauma-informed therapist for this?
AwayEmily says
I’m sorry, this sounds tough. My husband and I have a similar dynamic, although it’s much more my problem than his (I’m super, super sensitive to anything that could even vaguely be perceived as critical — thanks, super angry dad!). I don’t have a therapist-specific suggestion but I do think that the fact you both recognize that this is going on is a HUGE and important step. We’ve also slowly gotten better at apologizing after we calm down, which I think helps the other person feel much more heard (ie, when I overreact then once I calm down I’ll say “hey, I realize I overreacted there and I’m very sorry about it; that wasn’t fair to you.”).
Anonymous says
That sounds really challenging. If you’re comfortable posting your location, even if only the state, then you could ask for recommendations. You might be more responses in the main group though.
NewMomAnon says
Before you go to couple’s counseling, I would look for an individual therapist for yourself. Having grown up with an explosive parent who belittled my hurt feelings when she would “criticize” me, it’s really hard to know whether I am actually being “overly” sensitive to criticism, or whether the criticizer is out of line. A couple years of therapy have helped me come to a place where I can say with confidence whether someone has crossed the line, or whether I need to take a deep breath and move on. Because I don’t have to tolerate bullying, manipulative “criticism,” and you don’t either.
Frozen Peach says
My husband and I are dealing with this EXACT problem right now. I went to my first Al-Anon meeting in a really long time over the weekend, and I’m here to say that they will likely be able to help you!
Here’s a taste of what I learned that was helpful to me:
“Are my actions being driven by fear or faith?” (helpful to me when I start second guessing my own feelings/wants/needs/reactions to criticism)
“It takes a lot of energy to be resentful”
“There is a beautiful person in me who has no need to build an identity around suffering, my own, or someone else’s.” (Making someone so miserable they criticize you constantly is a type of someone else’s suffering).
And hugs. This is really, really hard, and kudos to you both for recognizing the role your childhoods play in the dynamic. It’s so hard to be like, okay, we both had tons of family dysfunction that is contaminating our present relationship, but WHAT NOW?
CPA Lady says
My husband and I have a similar dynamic. I have book recommendations for y’all.
How to Be an Adult by David Richo
How to Be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo
The Relationship Cure by Gottman
^ these books are all amazing in different ways, address both the root problems and the current behaviors you’re struggling with. They are all short too, which is helpful.
I’ve been to therapy off and on for years and think it’s definitely useful. But these books are a really quick way to get started, and have offered profound insights to me, and (esp with the Gottman one) language I can use to talk about conflict with my husband.
anon says
Thanks, everyone. I am already in individual therapy, which so far hasn’t seemed to be able to get at this issue. Probably because I am not usually over sensitive. But actually living with another human being (which I hadn’t done for a long time) seems to bring the issue out in both of us.
TBK says
Rant alert: Last December, my son spiked a 106 temp at 2:00am. I rushed him to the emergency room. I have been fighting ever since to get our insurance to cover the $800 bill! First they submitted it with him as the primary. His DOB is in 2014. Do you THINK he’s the primary? So it was denied. Then they said he wasn’t covered. We did switch the kids to my husband’s insurance for 2017 because it was the better deal, but according to my HR, the insurer instead dropped BOTH my kids from my policy for 2016, which led to other claims for dr appts etc. being messed up. Today they told me it was denied because it…wait for it… was submitted too late. Oh wait, you mean because YOU dropped my kid and my employer and I had to spend months getting him reinstated, now you’re telling me my claim is late? Seriously. They’re submitting it for processing again. Not betting any money this will be resolved before 2018.
12345 says
Ugh, that’s awful! I think they like to make it so stressful that you will just give up and pay the bill.
Anonanonanon says
raaaaaaaaage!! I hate insurance nightmares!
I have never had an ER visit not turn into an insurance nightmare. It’s especially frustrating because, these days, the ER doesn’t even really provide care (at least in my experience). They just stabilize you enough to not be there and tell you to call your doctor in the morning. (For example, any time I’ve gone for a fever in myself or my son, they just give additional fever reducing meds and an IV of liquids until the fever goes down, then tell us to call our doc in the morning)
I’m switching my son to my HMO, which offers 24/7 urgent care at a variety of locations and a 24/7 advice line. Tired of having to pay hundreds to go to the ER when my asthmatic kid has issues, only to be told to go to the doctor the next day.
NewMomAnon says
My family had a number of claims denied at one point because they determined that my brother (who was 8 at the time) was the primary and my mother was dead (she was not). Trying to prove that someone is not dead is remarkably difficult…
POSITA says
When my daughter was born they submitted all of her bills into the system twice, once as “Baby girl [Last name]” and then again as “[Her name].” I kept telling them that I’d only had one baby. They told me that I had to prove that I hadn’t had twins. Totally ridiculous.
TBK says
Try *having* twins. Yes, I had two well-baby visits on the same day. Yes, there were two of the same set of vaccines. Yes, they were for babies with the same birth date. No, that was not an error.
SC says
LOL. It’s like they’ve never heard of twins.
POSITA says
Not to get political on on Monday, but I really think this is the next front in health care legislation. Forget the ACA and the cost of pharmaceuticals, let’s take on healthcare billing. It’s ridiculous. I’ve spent YEARS trying to get bills resolved. All of those people are drawing salaries and providing zero benefit to patients. There has to be a better way.
anon says
My firm does some litigation against insurance companies related to contracts and billing. We represent doctors whose patients have assigned claims to their doctors. (I don’t actually do this work, other people in my firm do.) Unfortunately, the only systematic effect our success seems to be having is that the insurance companies are making their contracts more strict and providing fewer benefits in their policies.
Marilla says
Bernie Sanders was here in Toronto over the weekend. I read an item in one of our papers (possibly the Star?) which made me laugh – he visited a fairly major hospital and as part of his tour saw the billing department. He was shocked that the billing department was only one person and noted it as an example of how single payer health can actually save money.
(See also, new article in the NEJM flagging that Canadian health care costs used to move on par with the USA – until we completed introducing public healthcare in 1971, at which point costs started declining relative to the USA.)
Anonymous says
The Canadian system is far from perfect but not having to face an ER bill is a relief and something under appreciated by most Canadians who have never known anything different.
Until I started reading on C-Moms, I had no idea how challenging it was for people to have to deal with billing issues for things like emergency c-section, NICU care and cancer care. Enormously stressful situations with a whole financial aspect layered on top. I think many Canadians take it for granted, that whatever the pitfalls of our system, we don’t have to think about getting billed for going to an ER or having to deal with financial hassles why fighting cancer and that’s worth a lot. We definitely take it for granted that you can fight cancer for years without having to deal with bills.
Many people here do carry secondary insurance for extras like chiropractic, physical therapy (public waitlists for PT can be long), and private hospital rooms, and prescriptions. Dealing with private insurance companies on those ‘extras’ can be a hassle as well.
It’s very hard emotional labor to deal with financial stuff on top of illness and the burden often falls to women. Maybe that’s part of the reason that billing hassles don’t get the attention they deserve.
Turtle says
I spent three years fighting a $485 charge and I won. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so satisfied….! It all came down to something being incorrectly coded/filed out of the gate, like OP is describing. Completely the fault of the insurance company, which I maintained from the start. I just think of all the people who aren’t as neurotic as me and just write checks because they think a bill is due and the 10 representatives they speak to tell them just that. It’s straight up theft.
Bonnie says
Insurance claims are the worst. I had to fight for a year with a hospital because they accidentally coded something as a procedure instead of a follow up. It finally ended when I screamed at the billing office supervisor that it was not my problem, I was not going to make any more calls and that it was her problem to fix. I wouldn’t necessarily encourage that approach.
Edna Mazur says
Preach. My last two births I’ve had something coded wrong or submitted incorrectly that I had to get straightened out. Thank goodness it all resolved rather quickly. With my first, our savings were in a better place and I just kind of blindly paid. I’m cringing about what I should have looked closer at…
bluefield says
For the birth of my first, everyone was in-network except the pediatrician who checked my daughter before we were discharged. I had to pay $400 for someone to basically say, Yep no jaundice, so I could go home and stop costing my insurance money. If it was any time except for right after giving birth, I would have fought that bill (you’re telling me there were no in-network peds in the hospital that day? And if I had known I would have refused treatment on her behalf) but I just couldn’t deal with at that time.
Sfg says
I have this. I use it 1x/week, on Sunday nights, cause that’s when I seem to be less rushed. It makes my skin really smooth. I use Paula’s Choice 2% BHA and retinol (from The Ordinary) other nights and I think this mask has helped even further with exfoliation. When I run out I will be trying the version from The Ordinary tho bc it’s much cheaper.
EB0220 says
Random question – my husband and are both huge readers. We both read almost exclusively on our phones via the Kindle app. It’s awesome to have your book with you all the time. I seriously read while waiting for the elevator, between sets at the gym, etc. But I hate that the kids can’t tell the difference between mommy and daddy reading vs mommy and daddy looking at Facebook, etc. I want them to love reading too! What to do?
SC says
I have the same concerns! I’ve had ideas to (1) read two books at a time–one on my phone so I can read in the elevator, under the covers, etc., and one physical book that I read when Kiddo is around, and (2) use my old Kindle when Kiddo is around and tell him it’s for reading, and use the app on my phone when I’m out and about, since the Kindle and the app will sync.
The first idea will probably drive home the idea of “reading” more to a younger child.
To be fair, I haven’t implemented either consistently. Also, Kiddo doesn’t like me reading a physical book any more than he likes me reading Facebook. If I’m not paying attention to him, he doesn’t want me to do it.
Anonymous says
What about having a few hard copies of your favorite books that you re-read? So you can switch out to reading the hard copy when at home but read the Kindle copy when on the go.
I actually still subscribe to our local newspaper mostly because I want the kids to see me reading a physical thing.
AIMS says
You could talk to them about what you’re reading. Or you could get a kindle reader that would sync with your phone to use at home?
All that aside, I still think that it’s maybe a good idea to try to be more engaged at home, if that’s an issue. All the stuff you describe is great for convenience but is really more about when you’re out and about. If you’re with your kids, I think it’s fine to say “okay, I’m going to read my book on the phone now while you guys play” but I don’t see it as so much more meritorious to be reading a novel (vs checking the news or FB) when you’re doing something where you could be interacting with your family instead. Mr. AIMS and I aren’t on FB or any of that stuff and we mostly read on our phones – whether novels or newspapers – and it still feels like a distraction to look up and see your partner (or parent) looking at a phone vs. interacting and being available that way. And I love reading, both my parents read EVERYTHING when I was growing up, and I appreciate all that good modeling, but my dad was definitely a bit too engaged in his reading and this was when it was actual books and periodicals. I remember on vacations I would always look for bookstores near the toy stores and parks that I wanted to visit because that’s how I would get him to let me go in for long periods of time – if he was preoccupied with his own books.
EB0220 says
Yep, I hear you and agree. I definitely try not to read too much when the kids are awake. It’s mostly when they’re watching something on TV or if they’re playing on their own together. But I know it’s something to be aware of.
ElisaR says
I respectfully disagree – I think it’s great for kids to see parents reading real books. I suppose if the children are very young I could see the argument for not doing anything but engaging with the kids…. but I think reality is that kids learn that parents can be engaged and intrigued by a good book and life isn’t all about them.
I struggle with the same question the original poster wrote about – I tried to address it on vacation this summer by bringing an actual book. My reality is such that I can’t read these days due to time constraints. I think the suggestion to read 2 books at the same time (one an actual book, one on kindle) is a pretty good one.
GCA says
I think the Overdrive app is the best thing ever, but we go to the library every few weeks and get books for kid and books for ourselves. Since we’re going to the library anyway, we might as well borrow a book or two for ourselves as well, and the due date forces me to read it in a timely fashion!
Anonymous says
I have this thought too! No suggestions, but I’m glad I’m not alone worrying about this.
Anon says
What about getting a paperwhite? If you don’t want to carry it around, you could at least use it at home and you can clearly make the distinction.
EB0220 says
Thanks! I had thought of this – maybe I’ll put one on the Christmas list.
12345 says
I have started reading more physical books for this exact reason. My policy is physical for light paperbacks that I can toss in a purse and electronic for heavy hardcover books.
avocado says
I wouldn’t worry about not modeling reading in front of the kids. I don’t think my daughter ever saw me read anything other than a magazine to myself until she was about 4, even though I was in school until she was 2.5 years old. When she was tiny, it would have been impossible to sit down and read a book with her in the room. We spent a lot of time reading to her and with her, and that was enough to foster a love of reading.
Since we all got Kindles I have tried not to buy any physical books except for classics and those infernal graphic novels that my kid loves. Otherwise I’d constantly be carting loads of books to the Goodwill or we would have to buy a bigger house.
Redux says
Here’s a thought: will staring at a phone be what reading looks like in your kids’ time?
This is not a books are dying! post, but rather an acknowledgment that reading looks very different these days than it did when we were kids. It might look odd to you or to other adults, but I imagine our kids, reading on a phone is still reading. By which I mean there may not be a reason to differentiate for them.– the difference is artificial.
mascot says
Eh, I don’t know. There is very much still an emphasis on kids learning to read on paper/books and kids learning to write on paper. My kid is a first grader in a pretty tech savvy school where older kids have textbooks on ipads. He brings home a bag of physical books for reading practice every week and checks out physicial books from a library. Sure, he takes computer class and knows how to ask Siri/Alexa for information, but he’s not interested in reading a book on his Kindle or on an ipad or whatever. As he gets older, I think that will change, but for right now, we try to model our own reading in a format that’s familar to him.
How about reading books to them if they can’t quite read themselves? Chapter books have been a good way for everyone to enjoy the story since we can pick more complicated plots, model good technique for reading aloud, and have discussions about what’s happening. It also fosters the love of a good story which is basically at the heart of loving to read.
rdresq says
Winter gear questions: What boots/shoes do you buy your toddler to get through the winter (in New England, where it snows, rains, and is generally cold)? This is the first winter my daughter will really be running around outside. Right now she has a pair of sneakers that seem like they won’t hold up to much moisture/cold. Am I really supposed to buy snow boots, rain boots, and some type of regular shoe that is more insulated? What do you all do to keep your kid’s feet warm and dry without spending hundreds of dollars?! I’m also open to hat/mitten recommendations if anyone has them! Thanks so much!
AIMS says
I recommended it above but reposting b/c I am such a big fan: love the Boden hat/mitten sets. I add a string to the mittens so they don’t get lost. They’re a little pricey but wear well, we don’t seem to lose them like other hats and you can usually get them on a 25% off promo.
For winter shoes, I’m still figuring this out but last winter we had a very good experience with Stonz – they had boots with liners that you could put on over other shoes for snow and had a separate liner for really cold weather. Not sure how it would be now that my daughter is more mobile but it’s a Canadian company and I assume they know their winters.
NewMomAnon says
For boots: Kamik, the “Snowbug” line. They are super easy to get on and off, and have kept kiddo’s feet dry for the last two winters.
I don’t know about rain boots and insulated shoes – I’m in the Midwest where we get rain, snow, cold, etc, and kiddo just has her snow boots and regular sneakers. Grandparents usually give her rain boots for Easter, but they’re more for fun than anything; her socks still get soaked. Instead of getting insulated shoes, I’ve invested in kids Smartwool socks; they stretch so they’ll last a little longer than shoes would.
anon says
+1 for Kamik snowbug – they are so much easier to get on than others I tried.
In NYC we have snow boots, sneakers, and rain boots. The rain boots we often get second hand from a neighborhood email list; you can find them pretty cheaply on 6pm or Amazon too. When my son was a toddler he didn’t have rain boots because he wasn’t out in the rain at daycare and was in the stroller on the commute, but now that he is on foot for the commute we use rain boots all the time. I don’t do insulated shoes other than snowboots – if it is really really cold we wear snowboots, rainboots for rain that isn’t very cold, and sneakers for everything else (except sandals in the summer), including chilly weather.
For coats, I usually try to get one really warm down coat, one lighter insulated jacket, and a raincoat (again, not when he was a toddler on the raincoat). My son has worn the same iPlay raincoat for 3 years, and it wasn’t very expensive – highly recommended. We also have snowpants (used from neighborhood listserv). For mittens and hats I use handmedowns and anything my son will wear – currently fleece from The Children’s Place, have used Gap/Old Navy fleece and H&M knit in the past. My son didn’t really play in the snow much until he was 3 or so, so we didn’t really use waterproof mittens.
Oh and I did have a Hanna Andersson 1 piece snowsuit when my son was 1.5 – 2 that was awesome. I found it in a thriftshop but they aren’t too pricey on ebay.
Anonymous says
In eastern Canada so winter is longer/colder but we do rain boots for fall/spring only. Proper snow boots for winter. Kamik and Sorels are my favorites, Carters sometimes has some too. Usually a lightweight primaloft hooded coat for quick trips in the car (Gap or Patagonia) but a full snowsuit for playing outside. North Face, Helly Hansen, LL Bean, Lands End and Carters have good options for snowsuits. Carters has great end of season sales as well if you are stocking up for next year. I’m a bit spendy with the kids winter gear because it’s much more pleasant if we are all warm and dry plus it sells fast second hand when kid has outgrown.
lsw says
I just bought boots from Thredup for my toddler. This will be his first winter outside too, and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something he might actually outgrow before the end of winter.
anon says
Love the Kamik snowbugs for toddlers. I’ve also bought the Lands End snow flurry style for preschoolers. The styling is similar to the snowbug, but the velcro area covers more.
Toddler winter coat says
My tall, skinny 2.5 year old girl needs a winter coat. Does anyone have any die-hard favorites for this age before I just dive blindly into the LL Bean catalogue?
EB0220 says
We’ve been really happy with the LLBean fleece jackets. They run pretty large, but they are so solid. We have one in size 2T that has been worn for 4 years straight and is still in great shape. My 3 year old wears size 5T-6 in clothes and I think she will be able to wear the 2T jacket this whole winter. My 5 year old, who is in size 7-8 is still wearing a size 4T that is 3 years old. We live in a fairly temperate climate. We do have all four seasons, but our winters are mild.
anon says
I like these jackets a lot, but they definitely are not for the deep freeze of December/January/February in the Midwest!
OP, in addition to LL Bean, I’ve had very good luck with Columbia jackets for my kids. The Children’s Place 3-in-1 parka also is surprisingly good for the price.
One tip for girls’ jackets: lots come in really pretty pastel colors. Avoid like the plague! They will get really grungy-looking, especially at daycare. I made that mistake once and even when I washed it often, it looked pretty terrible by March. The next year my girl ended up with black. ;)
Carine says
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with LL Bean! Their coats are great and last a really long time when you use the grow cuffs. I buy all my kids’ winter stuff from them and will also plug their guarantee – I’ve only used it once but they were wonderful. The zipper broke on my daughter’s coat in the beginning of the third winter, and I called to get it replaced even though she was pretty much due for the next size up. I figured they’d give me the exact size that was broken, she’d get a little more wear out of it and I could hand it down. But! The woman I spoke to kept pushing me on whether I needed a larger size so we could get at least another winter out of it, basically insisting that I get the next size up, which seemed extraordinarily generous! Of course, they gave up that one sale to keep me as a gushing customer for life, so I guess it works out :)
Carine says
And for specific recs – we’re in the mid-Atlantic and the Katahdin parka has been perfect to carry us through the season. My girl is also tall and thin and it fits great.
jlg says
we like the LE Squall parka, but the biggest feature other than waterproof (not resistant!) and warmth that i would look for is an inner drawstring, esp for a skinny kid, to keep the cold from just coming right in under the coat.
anon says
If I’m feeling like I’m coming down with a cold, but don’t actually have symptoms yet — I should not go visit my brand-new baby nephew, right? I know what the answer is, but dang, I really wanted to see my sister and meet the baby!
Anonymous says
If you have no symptoms, just wear a fresh shirt, wash your hands and avoid kissing baby (holding is probably fine). Skip if you are coughing/sneezing.
Anonymous says
If I were your sister, I would prefer you stay home and come later when you are healthy! You could send something to the house to let them know you’re thinking of them, but new baby immune systems are weak and your sister does not want a sick baby on top of all the other post-partum, new baby stuff. It would be a kindness to wait.
Blueberries says
I’m on team wait—something that is a little bug for a grownup can put someone brand new in the hospital.
Anon in NYC says
Yep. My friend’s newborn had to stay in the hospital for, like, 6 days because of a fever.
H says
I think I agree, especially if the baby is so new he/she hasn’t had shots yet.
Anonymous says
why? Shots don’t confer immunity until the course is complete. Most vaccinations don’t begin until around 2-3 months and they have nothing to do with the common cold. Any immunity from pertussis or the flu will depend on whether or not mom had her shot.
Are you just using shots as an age marker?
Carine says
Just ask your sister. Is this her first baby or does she have other kids? Your maybe-cold is nothing compared to other kids bringing home daycare/school germs, and if you follow Anon @ 2:16’s advice, I’d be fine with it.
anon says
First baby, so I’m trying to be extra sensitive.
AIMS says
I would have preferred you stay away till you feel better. Certainly no holding and no hugging anyone. You can leave it to her. I was a nervous mess with the first few weeks of my daughter’s life and I really appreciated people who took that into account and didn’t force me to have to “police” their behavior (e.g., came in and immediately went to wash hands, etc.).
Anon says
i think that this is a good time to use modern technology like face time to get your baby fix until you feel better. i know how frustrating/disappointing that probably is, but better safe than sorry! congrats to your family
POSITA says
The Patagonia Nanopuff is great here in the mid Atlantic. It may not be warm enough for New England, but we love them. It wears great and fits safely under car seat straps. It’s plenty warm enough in 40 degree afternoons on the playground.
SC says
I just found out yesterday that my SIL is pregnant and due in May. DH and I are very excited for her, and I’d like to buy something around $20-30 for the “baby” for Christmas. This will be in addition to getting a more expensive shower gift in the spring. Does anyone have any suggestions? It’s a girl if that matters. (This should be for the baby, not the mom, because the adult siblings have decided not to exchange gifts and just give to the kids.)
AIMS says
I think any cute outfit would be good here. Everyone can ooh and ahh over it. I had some family members who were really excited about my pregnancy do that from time to time and it was sweet. Only caveats I’d give is don’t go for anything itchy – we got some taffeta dresses and that I wouldn’t put any child in something so uncomfortable, much less a newborn. But maybe more a know your audience sort of thing.
SC says
I may get a couple of onesies with prints related to our city or local sports teams.
Anonymous says
I think there’s a nice Lenox “baby on the way” ornament. It says like “due *month* 2018” that you can get engraved.
Carine says
+1 to an ornament. We received a really cute “pea in the pod” ornament the Christmas we were expecting our first and I love it.
SC says
That’s a cute idea. They celebrate Christmas, but I’m not sure I’ve seen them put up their own Christmas tree.
EB0220 says
Not sure if this is “for the baby” enough but my SIL gave me a travel changing pad and nursing cover for the Christmas I was pregnant with my first and I used the heck out of both of those items for many years.
Anonymous says
I’ll vote for anything she has registered for, if they have done that yet. Otherwise, a Christmas gift might be a nice time to do something sentimental like a kit to make a Christmas ornament handprint after baby is born. That is something I might not buy “for myself” but love it that someone got it for me.
SC says
I usually buy off the registry, but I doubt they will have registered by the time our family gets together for Christmas. It looks like this year the extended family gathering may be early or mid December, and she’s not due until mid-May. I’ll definitely buy a shower gift from the registry.
avocado says
Books! The Bob Dylan “Forever Young” picture book is one of my favorites to give.
Rainbow Hair says
My kid was NUTS about her tag blanket. Like just a blanket with tags sewn all around the edges. Now they make stuffed animals that are the same idea. My sister gifted it to us before my daughter was born and was like, “trust me, this is great” and I was like “ha yeah, sure.” But when she was a few months old until she was maybe 18 months she just loved to sit there and rub the tags between her fingers. It was the thing we were always sure to grab before we went on a walk or a drive.
SC says
Awww. We had a monkey with tags on it. I just passed it on to another SIL who is due in January.
Jennifer FP says
I can’t wait to try Babyfacial! I’m currently pregnant, so I’m waiting. But their Framboos is amazing. If you’re not a regular acid user, you’ll see results immediately. I use it every other night. I also really like Pixi GlowTonic as my every day, pre-treatment toner.