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I like this inexpensive cube storage with fun colors for a children’s play area or bedroom. I can see my son parking all of his toy cars and trains inside, and older kids putting their little figurines in it. One of the reviewers turned the 5-cube version into a dollhouse. I think that’s a great project to tackle while indoors nowadays that uses the imagination and is technology-free. This storage is made from particle board, so it probably won’t be around forever, but for the price it seems great for kids’ toys. It’s $26.92 at Amazon. 5-Cube Open Shelf
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Sales of note for 12.5.23…
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Holiday sale up to 50% off; 5x the points on beauty for a limited time
- Ann Taylor – 40% off your purchase & extra 15% off sweaters
- Banana Republic – Up to 40% off select styles; up to 40% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything & extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – Extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off your purchase with code
- Lands’ End – Up to 70% off everything; free shipping (readers love the cashmere)
- Loft – 50% off your purchase with code (ends 12/5)
- Summersalt – Up to 60% off select styles & free scarf with orders $125+ (this reader-favorite sweater blazer is down to $75)
- Talbots – 40% off your regular-price purchase; extra 50% off all markdowns
- Zappos – 34,000+ women’s sale items! Check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kid shoe brands on sale.
Kid/Family Sales
- Crate&kids – Free shipping sitewide; up to 50% off toy + gift event; free monogramming for a limited time only (order by 12/15)
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off your purchase with code
- Pottery Barn Kids – Up to 50% off toys, furniture & gifts
- Graco – Holiday savings up to 35% off; sign up for texts for 20% off full-price item
- Walmart – Up to 25% off top baby gifts; big savings on Delta, Graco, VTech, Fisher-Price & more
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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?
Ifiknew says
Best toys to encourage pretend play for my almost 3 year old?
Anon says
In our house it’s the Little People, Timber Tots and FP doctor’s kit that get the most imaginary play.
Anonymous says
Dress up clothes. In my house, my child doesn’t play pretend with figures very much. She wants to play pretend with herself and be different people/roles. But some kids take a different approach. A kitchen and baby stuff are big in our house, too. She’ll play restaurant or house a lot.
mascot says
+1. Dress up clothes were a big hit for both solo and group play for my son for about 5 years.
Pogo says
We have the Melissa & Doug pots & pans for pretend cooking, the cleaning set for dusting/sweeping/mopping, and also a small Miele toy vacuum. Dress up is surprisingly not a big thing for our guy yet, though we have a doctor, pirate and firefighter outfit. Dolls are a source of pretend play – putting them to bed, singing to them, and in our case, putting it under your shirt to pretend to be pregnant like mommy.
However I feel like some of this is all kid-dependent, our LO pretend plays with everything, especially figures, vehicles, stuffed toys, blocks, etc. This morning the lion figurine at the zoo was eating a wooden block, for example. Yesterday, there was a make believe engine that needed fixing inside of our recliner, the method of fixing involving the aforementioned M&D broom set. My niece and nephew never really played like this when they were his age, but my niece would make up her own dances and songs. Now that she’s older she dresses her dolls and builds lego sets with figures, but still doesn’t necessarily make them talk to each other or act out scenes. So I wouldn’t feel like you need specific toys – your LO just might play differently!
Anon says
Agreed, VERY kid dependent. We have tons of dress up attire, for example, that never gets worn. This might sound terrible & maybe not what you are looking for, but I see the spring board for a lot of my kid’s best creative play is from their favorite TV shows. When my son was younger it was Thomas the Train, which we watched the show for & I think inspired by that he would then act out tons of scenarios with his Thomas trains and tracks . He wouldn’t act out exact scenarios from the show – he would get creative, but it would definitely involve logistics and situations that without the show his 3 year old brain would not have known existed otherwise. More recently, my kids love the show the Lion Guard, so we got them plush figurines of the characters and they can act out scenarios based on that for dozens of minutes.
Pogo says
Haha yes to the Thomas scenarios too! Though LO’s favorite scenario is from a book “A crack in the track” where there is a crack in the track and all the trains are stuck behind Thomas and then a crane comes to repair. This problem gets acted out every day, though sometimes it’s the fire engine who comes to the rescue, the digger, the robot, you name it. Since LO is basically godzilla to his tracks there’s always a track to repair.
Anon says
That book is so terrible (why would they unload for a toad in the road?!?) but my boys loved it, too.
Pogo says
That toad in the road caused a fuss in the bus!
Cate says
My kids loove to pretend play their favorite shows, this is a good point! Right now it’s The Descendants (don’t recommend!) and Rescue Riders.
Anon at 9:55 says
We also love the Rescue Riders now.
Jeffiner says
Yes, my daughter’s imaginary play took off when she started watching TV. She’s also on a Lion Guard kick right now, and has created her own Guard with her horse toys. We drew the line last night when she wanted us all to act out the crocodile fight for supremacy in the back yard.
Cb says
My son (same age at Pogo’s) doesn’t do dress up play but he does lots of pretend play with vehicles, trains, his stupid noisy farm. He has a set of Daniel Tiger characters and he uses those to act out scenes. I’ve found drawing scenes for him (farm fields, city, hospital, police station etc) on cardboard lets him act out things. The play kitchen (with some real tea tins, spice jars, etc) added in is a hit. He likes to pretend cafe since we can’t go to a real one. He also is very good at taking care of baby – he has a sling and sippy cup for him, and tucks him in.
I think a lot of this stuff doesn’t require purchases, just the rearrangement of toys.
Anon says
In our house at that age, it was Little People and Duplos (often together). Also a vote for the Learning Resources plastic play food. Super high quality plastic and held up to a ton of abuse. They played restaurant/ chef/ waiter almost daily, loved “taking our order” and making it up and then serving to us.
Pogo says
“EAT IT MOMMY! Eat it with your mouf!” – typical service you receive at our ‘restaurant’
Anonymous says
Toy kitchen, hands down.
Anonymous says
Dress up clothes and play kitchen. All 3 of mine play with those items ALL the time still. Dolls are good too.
Anonanonanon says
My son started getting imaginext toys around that time. He is almost 10 and still plays with the “guys” (action figures) from them. He got hours of independent play out of those toys, best money I ever spent.
Pogo says
ooo great tip on these!
Anonymous says
This is such an interesting thread – makes you realize how kids are all very different!! My older boy has never once played with people or animal shaped figures but has hugely elaborate make believe worlds for his cars, where the cars have elaborate family trees and personalities. Same with stuffed animals (but not dolls or little play farm animals or anything). Play kitchen stuff has also been a never ending source of play.
Younger boy is not yet 2 but already will walk little figures around, read to his doll, etc.
Both love hats but don’t do a lot with our other costumes.
Anon says
Do you have a favorite child? If so, why? I know very controversial and I have a 3 year old and 1 year old and my 3 year old is so more cuddly and attached and with her incredible language skills now, is the favorite for both my husband and I. I feel awful about that because the baby is perfect but just not the same. Certainly hoping it will change.
Anon right now says
I think that is normal, but also good for you to be aware of your feelings so that you can do your best to give love and attention equally and not favor the favorite child (which can change and isn’t necessarily always the same child). It is human nature to prefer some people over others for lots of reasons.
We only have one child for many reasons, but (confession time), one reason I am secretly glad to only have one is that I don’t have to worry about favoring a sibling. I am 90% certain that any added sibling would be the favorite child, and that would be hard. I don’t know for sure, but my child never slept for 4 years, still wakes up entirely too early, has a personality type that I generally avoid in social settings, has an energy cycle completely opposed to mine, and is just difficult in so many ways. I love my child and am working on myself to overcome my own issues, but I strongly suspect it would be hard for me to not favor any sibling (surely they would have a different personality, energy level, etc), so I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that challenge.
Anon says
I was expecting you to say the opposite here – I feel like you are a very self-aware parent of an only. I’m always talking to parents of onlys who say they don’t want another because they couldn’t hit the jackpot again. Which… I disagree with. I have three kids who were all good sleepers! Who I love dearly! But are challenging in other ways obviously. Parenting is a mixed bag!
Your kid is clearly lucky though. I have one kid who’s exactly like me and one who’s much more outgoing and charismatic. You’d think the one exactly like me would be the one I’d favor but from pure personality for me it’s fun to hang out with a kid who’s different. It all ebbs and flows though. Interesting to think about!
Anonymous says
Eh, as someone who feels this way (that I’m glad I only have one because I know my first would by my favorite) I don’t think it indicates a lack of self-awareness to have a strong feeling that your first is likely to be your favorite. There’s so much more to feeling connected with your kid than just having a good sleeper. In addition to being a ridiculously easy child by all the usual metrics like sleep and tantrums, my only child and I just click personality-wise in a way that I know from observing friends and family is relatively rare. Of course I don’t *know* that if I had a second, my first would be my favorite, but the person you’re replying to also doesn’t know with certainty that a second child would be her favorite – none of us can rank our kids until we have them. And I think even parents of only children know what ages they enjoy parenting. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I’ve enjoyed every age more than the last, so it’s hard for me to grasp how my second could be a favorite when my first is always going to be older and more interesting and fun (at least until the preteen/teen years).
Anonymous says
oh! I have a 4 year old that never sleeps, too. We just this past month turned a corner. For the first time in her entire life she has slept for a full night for 7 days in a row. I am knocking on wood as I type.
Anon says
As mom to a 2.5YO who does not sleep, and still has more energy than me and my husband put together, solidarity (and thanks for the hope).
Anon says
My 4.5-year-old had never slept completely through the night more than one night in a row his whole life. A couple months ago we did a sticker chart with a prize and he slept through for three straight weeks (!) and still going!! My 2.5-year-old still wakes nightly, though.
Anonymous says
Just as your child’s favorite parent changes over time, which child is your “favorite” at the moment will also change as their personalities evolve and they go through all the developmental stages.
Anonymous says
This sounds more like a favorite age vs favorite kid esp with the reference to language skills. I loved the 2-6 month ages, 18mth- 3 years and 5-8 so far. The other ages were more of a struggle.
I have things I like and dislike about all three but I don’t think I have a favorite. DH’s favorite used to be our oldest but I think that was age related as he seems just as attached to the younger kids now that they are older.
avocado says
+1. I only have one child, but I have enjoyed parenting her much more at certain stages than at others.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Right now, my younger one is easier in a lot of ways. I’m sure a lot of this has to do with the fact that I had more experience parenting the second time around, his personality is calmer and he has always had a strong preference for me. He is 18 months though, in the thick of toddler-dom, so definitely still has his moments. My older one is still young too but I can already see a lot of my own personality in him – sensitive and quick to get upset, anxious, empathetic, although he’s also very active and has lots of energy. My younger one reminds me more of my husband, who is a nice contrast to me personality wise, and is also less active even now. I hope that my older one doesn’t feel less loved because he definitely is, it’s just difficult as he prefers my husband, then my husband ends up taking care of him more and I end up taking care of the younger one more, so it’s a vicious cycle. I think we all really benefit from one on one time and I hope to have more of that with my older one in the future. It’s just extremely difficult now in quarantine life, especially when the older one has to only do activities that the younger one can also sort of partake in.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s kind of nice to see the different personalities because it reminds me of how little I control in how they turn out – I just have to keep trying to meet each where he is.
Anonymous says
I think it’s important to try not to think of her as your favorite. That thought will eventually come across. It’s fine to enjoy parenting a 3 year old more.
Anon says
I agree. Don’t focus so much on a comparison. See the good in each child and respect them for being who they are, without having to pick apart who you like more. Part of being an adult is recognizing your own foibles and trying not to burden others with attitudes that will only cause damage.
Spirograph says
My kids are so different that having a favorite is like choosing whether you like the beach better than pie — it just doesn’t make sense to compare them. I love each of them in their own way, but often one is much more enjoyable to spend time with than the others.
Anonymous says
Exactly this. I have 3. My oldest is so much like my husband in terms of personality. This means she and DH are constantly butting heads and I like her the best. Over time, I’ve realized this is because I know how to deal with with- and am used to accommodating- DH’s quirks, which she has. DH is just annoyed by them and she is annoyed by DH.
My middle is a $hitshow and always has been. High energy, sort of like Tigger. Also brilliant- she’s only 5 but we know she’s the smartest person in our family. She has a razor sharp wit. We don’t get along all the time- mostly because we have similar “fighting” styles, and her screaming and my screaming is additive. I let DH discipline her and this works well for everyone. But she’s absolutely hysterical, brilliant, and I love that she’s mine.
My youngest is the sweetest, most friendly child by far. She can always tell when someone needs a hug, always says please and thank-you and is generally the nicest person I’ve ever met. I’m going to be really sad when she moves out of the house one day in a way that I won’t be for the other two: oldest will go off and do great things and I’ll be so excited for her. Middle will fight me the entirety of her teenage years and will be ready to leave (and I’ll be ready for her to go). But I will want to sit on the couch and watch movies and snuggle with my youngest forever :). And my youngest is only 3.
So who is my favorite? Right now it’s my oldest, but only because my youngest is still a 3 year old and because I’m pretty sure my 5 year old is attempting to cook lunch right now but didn’t offer to make me anything :)
Spirograph says
We might have the same kids… there is something to this birth order thing
Awww says
Love this comment! I have three but you are a little further down the road than me! My oldest is exactly me. My middle is weirdly brilliant and has amazing comedic timing and should maybe be on SNL someday or possibly a politician because he can get his way very easily and is so so smart? and my youngest is everyone’s favorite :)
Cate says
well said!
Anon says
I don’t have a consistent favorite, but on any given day I do prefer one over the other. I have identical twins, though, so they’re always in the same developmental stage, it just varies who is more defiant on Tuesday and more snuggly on Wednesday, or vice versa.
Fave kids books says
What are your favorite books for 2-3 year olds? Need to refresh our bookshelves. Recent favorites include Strega Nona, Where the Wild Things Are, and an old children’s version of Wizard of Oz with great pictures.
Anonymous says
Frog and Toad, Frances the badger
Pogo says
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site, Little Blue Truck, Gossie the Gosling (series), and anything Karen Katz. Counting and letter books are big, too, since we’re “learning” that right now (and by learning I mean Khan Academy is teaching him). Or anything with favorite characters – Thomas, Daniel Tiger, Curious George, etc.
Anonymous says
A surprise favorite for my son at that age was a book a librarian friend gave us for a birthday present – our animal friends at maple hill farm. I *highly* recommend! It’s a super interesting format, not really narrative, so it was really fun to read because we could focus on the sections my son was really into at the time. I just love that book.
Cb says
Oh I’ve got so many recs for this, I randomly started a book instagram because we are reading loads,
We’re loving The Lion in the Library, How to Hide a Lion, Bear’s House of Books, The Case of the Missing Cake (an ABC book), There Are No Bears in this Bakery, Five More Minutes, In a Minute Mama Bear, Why are there so many books about bears, Daddy Longlegs. And loads of gardening books as we’ve been working in the garden a lot.
Anon says
“The Farmer’s Away Baa Neigh” was a super favorite at that age. It’s only animal noises and the more you make a fool of yourself, the better. I’ve never read it without all of us collapsing in giggles, esp the mouse squeak at the end.
They also loved Dragons Love Tacos. I feel like I need to be high to enjoy it, but the kids think it’s the best story ever and have to reference it every single time we have salsa, which is like twice a week.
Cate says
Have you tried the new book by the Dragons Love Tacos guy? Secret Pizza Party? My DS loves it.
octagon says
Dragons Love Tacos grew on me, but it had the delightful effect where kiddo uses “pantload” in strange constructions: “Mom, I want a pantload of milk!”
Spirograph says
Home for a Bunny, The Little Red Caboose, Nobody Likes a Goblin, Good Night Little Monsters, Big Bear and Little Bear, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel (that’s a long one), Little Engine That Could, Steam Train Dream Train. Shel Silverstein poems and stories, anything Dr. Seuss, but my 3y.o. especially likes If I Ran the Zoo and Sneetches and other Stories – “Too Many Daves’ is a perennial hit because of Oliver Boliver Butt. *sigh*
Anon says
Du Iz Tak and Creepy Carrots are favorites around here that I actually don’t mind. Creepy Carrots *might* be more 3 years+ than 2.
octagon says
The Llama Llama books are great.
10 Hungry Rabbits.
The Little Red Hen.
Beyond that, we tended to read entire catalogs of certain authors:
Anything by Jon Agee, especially Lion Lessons and The Wall in the Middle of This Book.
Anything by Nicholas Oldland, especially Walk on the Wild Side.
Anything by Mordicai Gerstein, especially the Night World and Carolinda Clatter.
Anything by Robert Munsch.
sg says
We just got a bunch of Mo Willems from thriftbooks, also really into Don’t Push the Button, Pete the Cat, and Fancy Nancy
Audrey III says
The Day the Crayons Quit is THE favorite at the moment; Sophia Valdez Future Prez, Ada Twist Scientist, and Rosie Revere Engineer are also big hits (we read the first two every single day for the first six weeks of quarantine before she decided to move on) – I like these ones so much, and I believe there are several others in the series. My older one liked Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse and The Pout Pout Fish at this age.
Katy says
My mom and sister both knocked it out of the park this Christmas / Easter….a few not mentioned above: “Grumpy Monkey” is so great – we talk about this book even when we aren’t reading it. “You’re Called What?”, “Smelly Louie” and “Spaghetti for a Yeti” are huge hits that I hadn’t heard of. A couple i remember from when I was small: Harry’s sweater / Harry the Dirty Dog. A salmon for Simon (maybe a tiny bit advanced). Also all the Harry McClary books. I have pitched the Alfie series here before too (Shirley Hughes). We also love Oliver Jeffers (Stuck, Lost and Found in particular) and all Robert Munsch. I am sad to say “Cars and Trucks are Things that go” / “Busy Town” are also getting a ton of mileage at our house right now. And always and forever – Goodnight Gorilla (which we started reading at like 3 months)
A little bit longer but “Owl Babies” is adorable – we were playing mommy and baby owls today. I could convince the wee one to do anything with me (like say go upstairs to dressed) if I flapped my wings. (win)
Anonymous says
If you’re going to buy this, consider buying it another day to support the May Day Strike.
angry says
+100000000000000000
TheElms says
Book recommendations for an 11 month old? Kiddo seems to like simple illustrations (Gossie series for example) or photos of things best (Lovevery books with photos of people, First 100 words box set for example).
anon says
Ooof. I have a 12 month old right now and reading with her is basically impossible. I tend to do it while giving her a bottle (haven’t weaned off yet and this is one reason!) because it’s the only time she’ll sit still and not wiggle and grab.
She thinks “Your babies first word will be dada” is funny and she likes all things with pictures of baby faces (i think we have a book called “baby faces”?) At this age I kind of like to just read what’s most enjoyable for me? She’s my third so maybe I’m jaded but you have years of children’s books ahead of you and right now you still get to choose :)
In that regard, I like Pout Pout Fish, Giraffes Can’t Dance, The Wonderful Things You Will be, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes… nice rhymes? I’m a little over The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear Brown Bear but she does seem to like those.
Anonymous says
Memories are foggy but some of the first books my son liked were Sandra Boynton’s, particularly Moo Baa Fa La La.
Anon says
Anything and everything Sandra Boynton.
Anon says
At that age, DD liked any of the llama llama board books (Wakey-wake; Nighty-night; Zippity-Zoom, etc.); Hand, Hand, Fingers Thumb; Very Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon; Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed; Click, Clack, Moo – Cows that Type
Anonanonanon says
I don’t know if I should curse you all or give you a hug, but I learned about wimmelbooks here a few months ago and my 2-year-old is OBSESSED with them. I’m so tired of discussing each picture I could scream, but it has also been very interesting to see what she focuses on and likes to pick out and talk about, and how that changes over time.
Anon says
Someone sent my 2 yo one and she couldn’t be less interested in it. A lot of my friends love them though so I guess my kid is the weirdo.
Anon says
My kids had very little interest at 2.5, but at just-turned-3 they’re obsessed, so she might change!
Pogo says
I think Cb once said she hides them at bedtime. At that point in the day I do not want to answer the question “What dat momma? What he doin?” 500 times. Or what cracks me up is LO points the same thing out in each page every single time like it’s brand new. “Yes, he dropped his apple. Yes, there is a bird on top of the car.”
lsw says
Silly question of the day – if your kid is obsessed with something (in my case, 3.5 year old and dinosaurs) do you lean into it or try to diversify his interest? I don’t want every book I buy him to be about dinosaurs, for example, but also I know he will spend hours looking at a new dinosaur book.
anon says
Leaned in. These obsessions are fun I think and often surprisingly lasting!
Lyssa says
Agree on lean in. My son is 7, and has been obsessed with weather since he was 2 or 3. It’s awesome (and we’ve both learned a lot!)
lsw says
I love the weather obsession. That’s great.
Anon says
Lean in for sure.
I think to try to lean out would be futile.
Also, the more they lean in the more they actually learn the real details & facts, which is fun.
-Signed, also a dinosaur-obsessed kid & now we all know a surprising amount of facts about dinosaurs
Anonymous says
Lean in! You want kids learning to be a mile deep not a mile long. It’s great if they have a passion.
GCA says
Lean in, and take the opportunity to learn new things. One space-obsessed kid, one who is all about the ‘saurs. I mean, we also provide a good amount of other general knowledge (sharks! food in other cultures! animals!) and while the obsessions have remained, they’ve certainly picked up the other books.
lsw says
Ok, good!! I appreciate the gut check. And yes, I know more about dinosaurs than I ever thought possible. My son is in speech therapy for a speech delay but when he was two he could say “mommy is a pachycephalasaurus” even if he couldn’t talk in full sentences most of the time!
Anon says
Ugh this was the worst week so far. Toddler was melting down left and right. It feels like she’s crying literally 99% of the time. She’s 2 and I know tantrums are normal, but she’s never behaved like this before, so I feel like the stress of the situation and the lack of routine must be affecting her. Then just now she and I were picking up her room before her nap and we accidentally bumped heads really hard – I was in searing pain and I imagine she was too. When I tried to get her in her sleepsack to go to bed she had possibly the most violent tantrum she’s ever had and I asked my husband (who was muted on a work call but in her room because he wanted to be playing with her) if he could help, and he responded by screaming at me “I’ve NEVER asked you to deal with a tantrum while you were on a work call.” You have not, but she’s also never had this kind of meltdown while I was on a work call and also I take my work calls in private. If you hadn’t been in the room I couldn’t have asked you for help (and I think him being in the room and not helping me was exacerbating the situation because she saw him as a possible ally in her battle with me and was acting out in part to get his attention). Blergh. I know this makes me sound like a terrible mother, but my parents are coming in two weeks and I am so looking forward to spending less time with my child…
Anonymous says
Why would you be a terrible mother for not enjoying spending time with a tantruming 2 year old? Some parts of parenthood are not fun at all; no one enjoys dealing with tantrums. Sending hugs!
Anon says
Yep. I love my children, but the days they have non-stop tantrums are the worst.
Anonymous says
I meant more that I’m looking forward to spending less time with her in general, not just during tantrums. But I hear you. Thanks.
Anon says
I’m sorry! So tough! Even when toddlers aren’t having a melt down they are exhausting. I know I’m looking forward to my child going back to daycare. Being cooped up at home is a pressure pot for everyone.
Anonymous says
Literally no part of this makes you sound like a terrible mother.
Camp cancelled, ugh says
Crying big, ugly tears right now. 5yo’s summer camp officially cancelled for the entire summer per the email I just got. This was a day camp I was thrilled about, and it always fills up on the day registration opens in January. He was so excited, and he asks about it all the time, and now I’m going to have to tell him that it’s not going to happen. Grandparents are local so they can help — and I realized that we are blessed in that regard — but he desperately misses playing with kids his age, and I can’t provide that right now and I’m not sure I’ll be able to. This sucks. I hate everything.
I’m on maternity leave and supposed to go back on July 1st. No word on daycare reopening for the baby. How can I go back to my consulting job with a bored 5yo boy and a 4 month old baby? (Don’t answer that.)
Thanks for reading my vent. Ugh.
Anonymous says
I’m sorry, that sounds so hard :(
Anonymous says
Ughhhhh I am so, so sorry. What state is the camp in? I’m in MA and am fearing the worst but nobody has called it yet.
Camp cancelled, ugh says
Fingers crossed for you! I’m in Metro Detroit. There are a couple similar camps that haven’t made the same call. I have to believe they’re going to but currently checking out those just in case they preserve part of the summer.
Anon says
Very disappointing.
SF says
Best nursing bras for larger chests/smaller ribcages (32DD not pregnant)? I’m six months pregnant with my second, and most of bras from my first pregnancy/nursing aren’t cutting it. I know they might change in size again but figured I should buy something transitional. Thanks!
Anonymous says
I’m a similar size (30D) and loved panache brand nursing bras.
Anonymous says
I have really liked Freya so far (32 F UK/32 G US at 39 weeks, 32 DDD pre-pregnancy). I really liked Natori bras before pregnancy basically sized me out of their nursing bras, but I believe they go up to 32 DDD in their nursing styles. Panache, Freya, and Cake seem to most reliably have the small band/large cup sizes.
Anonymous says
I loved my Anita underwires
Anonymous says
+1
Anonymous says
This may not be helpful, but I just got a Lively “No-Wire Maternity Bra” and I didn’t like it — it has boning on the sides that bows out uncomfortably. I still like the cheap nursing bras I got on Amazon the best that seem to be Kindred Bravely knock-offs, but I didn’t like the fit of the real Kindred Bravely.
Bra rec says
I liked Cake nursing bras (nursing size 32G, pre-pregnancy size 30E) but my size at 6 months pregnant was quite different than my size when my milk supply stabilized at ~8 weeks postpartum.
I had a lot of success with Cosabella busty bralettes (never say never line maybe? I know they use the term “busty bralettes). The plunge styles have been really flexible for me as I changed sizes (even a little out of their recommended ranges) I find them easy to nurse in (just pull to the side), and while they’re lacy, I find them very comfortable (enough to sleep in when my sleep nursing bra is in the laundry).