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Trotters has always been a reader favorite — it’s kind of a stalwart brand for offering comfortable but pretty pumps. This one only has two reviews so far, but they’re both very positive. It comes in narrow, medium, and wide sizes 5-12 in a bunch of neutral colors, and it’s $109.95 at Nordstrom. Trotters ‘Louise’ Block Heel Pump (L-all) Check out our Guide to Comfortable Heels for other reader favorite brands!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
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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?
anne-on says
Anyone else snowbound today? My kiddo is dying to go play outside but its just way too snowy/windy at the moment so we’re all resentfully stuck inside (trying) to work/play peacefully(ish).
GCA says
Ditto. Well, kiddo’s dad has taken him outside to play with the hordes of big kids on the playground; it’ll last for approximately three minutes and then they’ll come in for hot chocolate. Meanwhile, I’m in the basement about to hop on a conference call.
Betty says
This is day 2 of some snow delay/cancellation for us. My kids always want to play outside in the snow during the first storm of the year, but by this point, they seem perfectly content to play inside.
I decided to work from home when the forecast called for 12+ inches. However, my company waited until 8:50 (we all have to be at work by 9) to say that everyone should work from home. Way to plan ahead company!
Pogo says
Yep! This is day2 of snow days for some of the schools in my area too. I was skeptical this morning when it wasn’t snowing very badly, but it’s over 6″ now already. Going into the office would have been awful. The other day this week when we got 3-4″ I didn’t leave the office until 6:30 and my car was encrusted in a layer of snow + ice. That was fun (not).
Pigpen's Mama says
Mostly a vent…
Our 2.5 year old regularly wants nothing to do with her daddy. This has been going on for a while, and I keep telling him and myself that it’s a phase, but it’s pretty much always been this way.
She often doesn’t want him hugging her, picking her up, playing with her, putting her to bed, etc if I’m around. As far as I know if I’m not there, things are okay. She’ll play with him sometimes, but there is a lot of “No, Daddy!” and reaching for me. Usually when this happens, I tell her that if she wants to be carried, daddy has to do it (or eat, or whatever) — sometimes I’ll grab her if it’s situationally necessary, like in a parking lot or if she’s throwing a temper tantrum in a public space.
He’s not around nearly as often as I am and rarely is alone with her. I’ve tried to have certain things be his domain — taking her to the park on the weekends, bedtime — but between winter, late nights working, and travel, it’s been hard to keep up with that.
I’m guessing this is something we just have to wait out — but I’m sick of it — it’s annoying for me too, hurtful to him, and, one of the most frustrating things, is that he seems to blame me for her preference (maybe there are grounds for that?).
BAH!
Anon says
1) It is totally a phase.
2) He needs to put in the effort. He doesn’t get to work late nights and then expect her to bond to him. If he wants a relationship, then he needs to make it a priority to spend time with her. If he can’t/won’t do that, then he needs to accept that this phase will last even longer.
TK says
We go through periods of this too, but whenever Little TK gets some quality alone time with Mr. TK, the behavior dissipates, at least for a while.
I appreciate that it’s hard when you’re the one actually around most of the time, and when there are precious few hours to be together as a family. But try taking off for a few hours, alone, on a weekend and let Pigpen and Daddy have some time together – or send them off on a play date, alone. Little TK and his Dad have been going to the $2 kids matinee movie in town, and that has been a big hit.
avocado says
+1 on daddy-daughter movie dates. I encourage lots of these as a way for daddy and the kid to bond without having to talk to one another the whole time (he tends to pontificate, which she doesn’t like) and as a way for me to get out of watching all of the kid movies that she loves but I can’t stand.
Anonymous says
When he’s around, leave! Or get them to leave the house together and you stay home. Time without you will fix this.
Anonymous says
Both of my kids have gone through this — Best ways to fix it:
– Lean into the mommy love when it’s just the two of you. I vaguely recall reading that it’s developmentally appropriate for a small child to singularly devote themselves to one caregiver at a time. The need to have a single bond is rooted in evolutionary biology (can’t find a quick link, but I remember sending my husband an article so he could appreciate the preference as “science!”).
– Definitely agree that solo time with your husband is the best bet. My 2 year basically ignored my husband, until my husband started regularly taking him to a local kids’ indoor playground every weekend (it stressed me out, so I opted out). My son is a thrill seeker to the max, so this was really special time with daddy. 2 year old still wants me at 2AM, but asks for daddy at bedtime.
– Time. The only way out is through.
Anonymous says
He needs to spend more alone time with her.
She prefers you because you are known and familiar and she understands your routines.
Start by switching off bedtime. You put her to bed one night, he does the next night etc. Give her an explanation of where you are so it is clear that he will put her to bed and you will not be available to her. E.g. Daddy will give you a bath and put you to bed. Mommy has to go to the store.
It will take a lot of effort of his part. He will have to hold and comfort her/distract her when she is upset. But learning to soothe your upset child is an important part of parenting.
EB0220 says
I posted about this a while ago with my 2 year old. My husband works Mon-Thu night plus most of the day Sat, and I drop my younger one off at daycare since she’s at my office daycare. She got much better about daddy over the holiday, when he was home more. But she really turned the corner just last weekend. I left overnight for a race, and wow. Now she is all about daddy. So I think the more he can do alone with her the better. She will always default to you when you’re both around since you know the system, so you really have to be out of sight.
Pigpen's Mama says
Thanks for all the comments.
I’m all for them spending some one and one time together –I’ve tried to encourage it, but there’s nothing regularly scheduled. Out of the house is better for interacting with her, home is just less interesting/more likely to rely on TV — maybe the library and donuts or something until the weather gets better.
Anonymous says
Just tell him to take her along for errands on Saturday mornings. My kid loves going to the hardware store or grocery store or sports store with his Dad. So many things to look at.
FVNC says
+1. My husband does the weekly grocery shopping and almost always takes our daughter, who loves to ride in those awful giant carts with the steering wheels. It’s become one of regular their daddy-daughter times.
EBMom says
My husband and child did a swim class. They both enjoyed it and I had almost 2 hours to myself in the house on Saturday mornings. It was glorious. Highly recommend.
Betty says
My daughter is in the midst of this phase as well. I remember my son going through it too, but those are hazy memories that involved a yelling toddler and newborn. Anyway, solo time works wonders, but I have also had to put my foot down while we are all home. I am not the only adult capable of getting water, turning on Mickey or wiping a child. In the moment, it feels easier to just do it, but nothing changes that way. I tell my daughter that either Daddy can get your water/wipe/turn on the light for you, you can do it yourself (if physically able) or she can wait for me to finish X task (and then I take the max amount of reasonable time). It does seem to be helping in that she either turns to my husband more lately or just does the thing herself. Oh, and I got my husband on board with this approach before going through with it, knowing that there would be more tantrums initially.
Mrs. Jones says
It’s a phase. My son went through it too. Good luck!
Banker says
I know block heels are coming back….but low ones on pumps like these always remind me of shoes my grandma wore. No thank you.
avocado says
I may have had these same shoes in the ninth grade.
AEK says
Ugly yes, but similar ones saved my butt during pregnancy. Kept my pants from dragging on the ground with flats.
anon says
Yeah, these aren’t soaring for me – they have sort of an aging pilgrim vibe
Pogo says
LOL at this comment
Kindergarten boy says
You guys are killing me. I thought these were gorgeous ferragamo vara knockoffs!
ATX ANON says
I need shopping help! I have two boys, both wearing size 3T – 4T (based on waist size). The problem I am having is that I can’t find shorts that aren’t super long on them. (I am in Texas and yes, we are wearing shorts at this time of year.) All the shorts I can find looks reasonable online but then are super long (over the knee) on my kiddos. That just looks silly to me. Does anyone have any ideas of where to find short shorts for boys (at or above the knee — really like a 2-3 inch inseam)? I have bought some at Mini Boden in years past but that style is not being offered right now. I know girls shorts often have shorter inseam but I just can’t picture my stocky guys in girls shorts.
M says
You might try old navy – thier shorts have worked well for my chubby guy
ATX ANON says
Old Navy has been long when I have bought in the past but they are so cheap I might just try them anyway!
M says
If it makes a difference, I’m talking about the knit/pull-on shorts – the waistband is softer/stretchier too so that helps. :)
JTX says
I am also in Texas and am having the same problem. I have a tall, skinny 3.5-year-old, so I find it perplexing that shorts in 3T are too long for him. In previous years, I’ve purchased shorts at Zara that worked well, but they don’t seem to have shorts in stock yet. I recently bought some shorts at Gap and had to return most of them. Some came to his knees, which was acceptable (530049, 633597, 452545), but some were WAY too long (320314, 383669). Why is this a thing?!
ATX ANON says
Thanks for the info! I will look into those that were knee length.
mascot says
Target and Lands End shorts generally worked well for us as long as they were flat front chino style. Anything that was cargo or board short style ran long.
ATX ANON says
Thanks! I hadn’t thought of Lands End.
CHL says
Not sure what your “style” is but I also found athletic shorts (like nike, etc.) were shorter. For playshorts, something like that might work?
anon says
Most of my son’s shorts from Gymboree run on the shorter side.
JayJay says
I was going to recommend Gymboree and The Children’s Place
ATX ANON says
Thanks for the tip.
Anon says
I’m obsessed with Primary.
ATX ANON says
Are the clothes all unisex? I am not familiar with this brand.
Sarabeth says
They have boys and girls categories, but a lot of them are effectively unisex.
Anonymous says
My kid’s cotton shorts from Carter’s go up to his mid thigh. But is is admittedly a string bean.
Relatedly — it’s probably too late in the day, but I got some “slim” Gap pants on the advice of some folks here the other day. They were long enough but still too big in the waist. Grr. He’s upward of 99th percentile for height, but he’s still around 80 something for weight, so not abnormally skinny — why is this so hard? Next try is going to be the slim Children’s Place pants that were also recommended.
NewMomAnon says
Have you found the pants that have the button elastic tabs in the waist? My daughter keeps flipping from 80th percentile height/60th percentile weight to 60th percentile height/80th percentile weight, and those styles of pants are so helpful.
Right now she’s rocking a couple pairs from Old Navy.
JTX says
The Gap style pants that work best for my skinny kid are the joggers. We particularly love the super soft denim joggers (198532).
Anonymous says
Thanks, guys. He’s grown out of the toddler sizes (and also hates anything that is “jeans” — gosh, he’s more difficult than I thought!), so those Gap ones won’t work. Maybe I’ll see if I can get some Old Navy adjustable ones.
Anon says
Primary dot com works for us! I think they have multiple lengths.
Anon in NOVA says
Probably going to miss this comment, but I recommend H&M. I had the same problem, but I found that with their adjustable waist I could size down to make the shorts shorter but the waist would still work, I just didn’t have to tighten it much.
Hope this helps!
Betty says
We are going on a week-long vacation at the end of next week to a much warmer locale (as I look out on the blizzard). I’m working all week, and we are leaving Friday evening. I’m going to try and pack as much as I can this weekend, but I’m worried that I’m going to forget what I’ve packed or have left to pack. Any suggestions or links to packing lists? Kids are 3 and 6, and we are flying for the better part of a day both ways.
anon says
Are you going to a land of big box stores? (As a New Yorker this is novel and fun for me). If so, you can always go shopping when you are there, so focus on what you must have for the plane ride and first night. Obviously you try to bring everything; I’m saying this to assuage anxiety. Sorry if it isn’t helpful.
I personally tend to forget my son’s toothbrush and have a paranoia about forgetting bathing suits.
AEK says
I handle this by staging the packing rather than actually packing. I make a list of everything I need (by category: clothes & shoes, baby supplies, beach stuff, toiletries, medicines, etc.) In a spare room or corner of the bedroom, I make piles of things and begin to organize them into packing cubes or bags. But nothing goes in the suitcase until the night before, and we can check off the items as they go in. Clear travel bags are perfect for this.
If you don’t want to shop on your trip, don’t forget the things I tend to: sunscreen, toothbrushes, razors (I always forget when I’m headed to the beach), hats, chargers, sunglasses . . .
Pigpen's Mama says
This is what I do — usually I put everything in a laundry basket and then take out a few items as I’m a chronic over-packer. I also make liberal use of ziplock bags and pouches to keep like with like.
EB0220 says
Fortunately you’ll be going somewhere warm while it’s cold where you live, so there shouldn’t be much overlap in clothing. I travel often, usually by plane, with my kiddos. I have a running packing list in Google Keep (similar to Evernote). At the top, I note: days, night, activities, childcare arrangements and weather forecast. Then I adjust the packing list as needed. Each child has her own packing cube or two – typically one for clothes & blanket, one for underwear and socks. Then I just pack, marking each item off my list or reducing the # needed (I need 4 shirts, I packed 3, I mark that I still need 1). I have dedicated travel toiletries for the kids so I don’t need to worry about leaving those out. I usually put the open suitcase in the corner of my room or stack all of the packed stuff in the corner. I usually buy diapers and food and either Amazon Prime to destination or buy at a local store. Same for pack n play. Also, it’s good to start early as you mentioned because you will have time to do laundry if needed.