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This fleece jacket from L.L.Bean is absolutely adorable!
This supersoft and cozy fleece jacket features cute bear ears, front warmer pockets, and a reflective back triangle for dark winter days. It comes in both infant and toddler sizes in several colors so that you can pick the perfect jacket for your little one!
L.L.Bean’s Hi-Pile Fleece Jacket is $59 and comes in 6–12 months to 4T. It’s available in blue pine (toddlers only), bright navy, dark barley, natural (pictured), and rich berry.
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?
Pogo says
Considering we made it all through the holiday and this week with no close contacts, I’m going to take this snow day as a victory. I got the 4yo out “clearing the driveway” by 7:45 and have BusyToddler’s list of indoor activities ready.
Cb says
Excellent! I’m alone in my house for the first time since the 17th of December, when we left for our Christmas holiday. And I’ve got loads of writing to do, but am using my breaks to go through and clear out toys to make space for Christmas stuff (the hand-me-down Octopod is GREAT but it is also huge)
AnonATL says
I need to start culling the toy collection. We somehow ended up with 3 xylophone toys in the past year.
Cb says
When can I get rid of the play kitchen? The footprint on that thing.
Anon says
4 yo boy? If he’s not playing with it, then now lol. Especially if he has access to/helps with real food prep in the real kitchen, a play one isn’t necessary. My kids seem to prefer the pretend food over the actual kitchen set up, anyway
Anonymous says
Disagree, my 7 year old boy still loves it!
Anonymous says
I’d keep it for a few years. Interest waxes and wanes, and up until even age 9 or 10 visiting kids will be interested in it if they don’t have one at home. If you really don’t want it in the house, you could turn it into a mud kitchen.
Anonymous says
My son never used his.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Now. I refused to buy one because of the footprint you mentioned, plus DS has one at school.
anon says
DD went to preschool for the first time yesterday since Dec 14. She was sick in December, and then sick again earlier this week. We’re back one single day and we get an email that the teacher tested positive last night. Sigh. At least we have a healthy 7 inches of snow outside and can play today. I think the odds of her having it are relatively low so we’re not freaking out but … like… ONE DAY. Gonna be a long few weeks.
EDAnon says
Our center closed for the first time since the pandemic started. Too few staff given the number of positives. We haven’t heard if any of the positives impact our kids yet.
So Anon says
We have a snow day here too, and I’m pretty thankful for it just as a way to keep everyone home for an extra day. My son’s classroom (5th grade) had three positive cases this week out of a class of 18-20, and their teacher tested positive before break. It definitely feels like its just a matter of time….
Anon says
Almost two years into this thing and the CDC’s guidelines finally explicitly prioritize school over activities/sports but is fasting now part of the Covid prevention regimen? because during those days when you are supposed to mask at all times, you are also supposed to “avoid eating around other at home or at work until 10 days after your last close contact with someone with Covid 19” – so does this assume everyone has their own private space to eat? And for all the schools out there that don’t require masks this seems even riskier? I am very pro vaccine and very pro keeping kids in school, but I am also pro keeping kids safe. And what about all of the immunocompromised students and teachers? This seems to make school much less safe for them?
Anonymous says
What do you want though. Asymptomatic kids staying home for 10 days? Kids exposed but never sick out for two weeks? Keeping schools open as a priority means accepting that there is risk associated with that.
Anonymous says
At my kids’ schools, kids are 2 to a table and all face the same direction and can just eat (no talking; goal is to have mask off as little as possible). All fall it worked — no Delta surge COVID. Now, I’m imagining we’ll all just get it (no matter what we do outside of being Unibomber-type hermits or doing medical-grade masking/gowning/face-shields) and then there will be a steep decline in cases.
anon says
My kids were 4 or more to a table and sitting facing each other and we still had no cases in the school until the week before Christmas.
anon says
The new guidelines are a mess and completely impractical, IMO. I also am pro- keeping kids in school, FWIW. The five-day isolation period seems way too short, especially since mask usage among kids is still pretty imperfect. And in places where governors have forbidden mask mandates, I don’t know where this leaves the schools in implementing the CDC policies.
Anonymous says
My husband is a high school teacher in NYC. When his school reopened in fall 2020, his idiot principal was trying to decree that students could not pull down their masks long enough to take a drink of water, let alone eat, for the entire school day. I’m pretty sure they actually eliminated lunch for a while there. It’s all nuts and at least a bit arbitrary. At my son’s school, they space kids out 6′ apart for lunch when they are eating inside, and 3′ apart with masks the rest of the time, which helps to eliminate “close contacts” as currently defined. And they invested in a lot of air purifiers. Of course, the whole idea that 6′ is enough doesn’t seem entirely justified at this point either.
Schools that are not requiring masks are not adhering to CDC guidelines at all, so I don’t think you can blame the CDC for them not keeping kids safe.
anon says
Our schools have decided to open all windows in all classrooms to improve ventilation. My kids are supposed to be prepared to work in a classroom that will be about 40 degrees. I just bought them fingerless gloves off of Amazon. Fun times.
Lunch is outside for students in all weather. Teachers eat in their cars.
Anonymous says
Re: windows, here in the Boston area windows were open all winter long last year. 40 degrees is nothing. It was 9 degrees one day and my then 1st grader reported the windows were still cracked!
anon says
We’re past cracked. Windows will reportedly be wide open. I’m hoping that the ~30 degrees outside will balance with some inside heat to get them to 40+ degrees. Hopefully we don’t have a cold snap.
Anonymous says
I would love to have these measures taken in our school. But I grew up in Los Angeles where there was no A/C in schools and the heat was inadequate at best, and lunch was outdoors year round, so none of this seems terribly burdensome to me. That’s just how it was all the time. It was uncomfortable, but at least there was ventilation. These hermetically sealed East Coast single-building schools have always been disgusting germ factories.
Realist says
The CDC has lost all credibility since the moment they said “masks off!” last summer knowing full and well that variants were a thing and that the pedi vaccines were not on track to be approved before school started in Fall 2021. Just an utter failure of leadership and following the science.
EP-er says
Another endless WWYD COVID question — 8th Grade Washington DC Trip? Family background: all vaccinated, adults boosted, 8th grader will be boosted prior to trip. Our 8th graders take a bus trip from the midwest to Washington DC. It has been cancelled the past two years. We signed up my 8th grader a year ago and took out the full refund travel insurance. The trip was supposed to happen in Nov, but was postponed by the school until President’s Weekend. There hasn’t been much communication lately, but it looks like the school will NOT be postponing again. On the one hand, unchecked community spread. (but maybe this wave will be past us in 6 weeks?) On the other, why did we get vaccinated if we can’t resume somewhat normal life? My father (who doesn’t live with us) is our weak link, but I think we could just not see him for two weeks and it would be okay. I know this board skews younger (I feel so hard for you guys with day care closures and no vaccines yet) & COVID Cautious (which I definitely am — we spend our risk dollars on school and one/week masked indoor activity for the kids; husband and I work from home; wear masks when we go to anywhere indoor, which is rare; no restaurants.) Our vax rate for the middle school is around 80% last I checked. It is just…another risk decision I have to make and like you all, after two years I am tired. Thoughts from the hive?
NYCer says
Do you have to decide now? I would wait until closer to the trip and reassess.
Anonymous says
I’m in your boat exactly. I think that I’d at least try — living non-hermit exposes you and that is higher on the road but not zero at home. I would try to urge testing everyone before the trip (b/c they may be miserable if sick on the bus; that is a long ride), but I’m all for trying and having things fail vs not trying at all. We have gone on many group camping trips (different, but with car rides with non-household members and being close even if outside) and half of my FB friends seem to have gone skiing in CO over break (from the East Coast), so I’m not going to be the one to say no.
I also wouldn’t be surprised if it cancels / postpones or only half the people show up (1/4 sick and 1/4 not wanting to risk anything).
Mary Moo Cow says
How does your 8th grader feel about it? If they feel anxious about it or ambivalent, I wouldn’t force them to do it. But if they are excited, I would say yes and say a prayer/check the boxes for risk management and let them go. The 8th grade Washington trip was a rite of passage in my community — away from parents! with friends for 3 days! money management! — and our middle schoolers have lost so many opportunities social and emotional or social and emotional experiences. (Caveat that I have elementary kids, so haven’t had to make this decision personally.)
anon says
This is where I’d lean, too. I have a sixth grader, so not quite there yet, but these older kids have had so many rites of passage taken away from them in the past couple of years. It’s not risk-free, but you’ve mitigated risk the best you can.
Spirograph says
Same! As a midwesterner who went to DC in middle school on a similar trip and was loooved it (and subsequently majored in poli sci), this would be a no-brainer for me. If it makes you feel any better, the DC area case rate is skyrocketing right now despite very high vaccination rates. All the locals will have superimmunity by Presidents’ Day, and President’s Day is not traditionally high tourist density by DC standards.
Your 8th grader should be eligible for a booster now, right? I’d get him/her boosted, and definitely go.
EP-er says
This is a really good point — 8th grader totally wants to go! He loves learning about the government and it is such a great opportunity…. I appreciate the input so far that this isn’t a crazy idea. :) Yes, will be boosted. And good to know that it isn’t such a busy time there.
Anon says
With these facts, I say go for it.
Anon says
I’ve been extremely Covid cautious (I have an unvaxxed 4 year old) but there would be no doubt in my mind to let a triple vaxxed teenager who wants to go on this trip go.
NYCer says
With this additional information, I would say let him go!
EP-er says
We don’t have to decide yet, thankfully, but it will be here before we know it. The 45 day point for the school to postpone has just passed, so I think it is a go from their standpoint. And I doubt that the travel company will cancel — they are hurting so much after the past two years!
Good point re: testing. Everyone is required to have a negative PCR test 3 days prior. And we have been embracing the outdoors: camping (everyone in their own tent) and skiing (but not a plane ride away!) I’m not 100% sure what happens if you get sick on the trip… I need to find out more details on that.
So Anon says
I would wait as long as possible to make a definitive decision on this. If the trip were tomorrow, I would not go because DC is a COVID hotbed right now. Finding care if you were to get sick – from COVID or anything else – would be challenging in the current environment.
anon says
As he’ll be traveling in a big group, I’d worry less about rates in DC and more about the rates in your area as any close contacts will likely be other people on the trip.
If there’s one positive kid or adult on the bus, there will likely be many other positive cases three days later. What’s their plan for that scenario? Will they be wearing masks on the bus? Are all the kids and adults required to be vaccinated and boosted?
Anonymous says
If it’s only a long weekend trip, they’ll all be home before they start getting sick. :)
EP-er says
Fair point — Masks will be required on the bus. Compliance is good on the daily bus, but I don’t know what that will look like on a 10 hour trip. No requirement to be vaccinated, but we do have high vaccination rates at the middle school (80%+). I will check to see if we can get the status of the adult chaperones. I think that this is my concern — what happens when someone get sick on the trip? How will they quarantine & get back home? these details have been vague so far.
anon says
Cloth masks on a multi hour bus trip are basically worthless. Unlike an airplane with hospital grade filters and air turnover, there just isn’t enough airflow.
Anon says
so i am very covid cautious (do not gather indoors with anyone, haven’t eaten indoors in a restaurant since early March 2020 and have maybe only eaten outdoors like 3 times), but given that your kid will be vaccinated and boosted and you guys are vaccinated and boosted i would send kiddo, assuming all other kiddos at home are also vaccinated? i would also want to know, what is the plan if someone gets sick on the trip. do they have quarantine plans? have they thought of where/how they would get the student or staff member tested? costs associated with that if they would be a struggle for your family, how do they plan to get kiddo home? etc. this for example is why i do not think i am personally comfortable traveling internationally any time soon, especially since I don’t want to have to access healthcare abroad, but DC has plenty of healthcare. i grew up in the DC area and while this was years ago we had a set of family friends who visited us every President’s Day and we always had a snow day from school, so i would also hope that all the museums etc. are open in DC. also this is assuming no one in your immediate household is high risk
anon says
I would not come to DC right now for sure, but I think we’ve reached our peak and will start to go down, so by President’s Day weekend it should be okay for a boosted kit.
Anonymous says
It’s not just about how willing you are to risk your kid’s getting sick. It’s about how well prepared the trip leaders and chaperones are to handle any issues that arise during the trip. With our school, no way would I trust them to have any sort of contingency plan in place.
We are in a similar situation with an upcoming non-school group ski trip. I really don’t want my kid to miss out, but under current conditions I am not OK with the risk of the bus trip or of staying in the lodge with the other kids, all of whom attend schools with no mask requirements. The deadline to pull out and get a refund was this week. We decided that we’ll just keep the reservation in case things improve drastically (or we all catch omicron and develop immunity) before the trip happens. If hospital capacity is still an issue or caseloads are still sky-high we’ll keep her home and eat the cost. If things improve but not enough that we’re comfortable with the bus trip and the shared lodging and meals, we’ll drive her up to meet the group outdoors for the day.
So if you are comfortable risking the funds and you really want him to go, I’d just wait and see how things develop and make a decision in the few days before the trip. If you have a lot of reservations, I’d voice them. It’s likely that a lot of parents are on the fence but the school isn’t hearing from all of them. If enough people speak up, the school may reconsider and reschedule or cancel the trip. I just rescheduled an event at work and a bunch of people who had been acting as if they’d still attend expressed relief.
EP-er says
Thank you for this — you’re right, it is such an evolving situation there is no need to pull the plug just yet. I appreciate you sharing your risk analysis. I do think that in general, our school has handled their COVID response well, and everyone masks with no issues. Not a lot of money on the line, since we bought the full trip insurance. Looking more closely at the documentation sent out, if a minor gets sick the program will pay to quarantine & arrange for a parent to fly out. I am definitely going to push for another parent meeting to discuss these concerns!
Does this exist? says
So, here is what I’m looking for…a package of cards for a particular recipient that includes one card for each holiday for the year (using holiday liberally here). More specifically this would be for my dad for his two grandchildren. My mom handled all the cards, and she passed away unexpectedly last month. Not saying that he has to keep it up, but he has expressed some anxiety about stuff like this now that my mom is gone. It would be helpful if he could just buy a package of granddaughter and grandson cards at one time that hit the fun holidays…Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays. Then he could order them all at the beginning of the year, sign them in advance, and just give them to my sister and me to distribute as appropriate. Especially during this first year when he is still in shock and grieving so much. I’d have no problem buying them for him, but he isn’t close by, so having him sign them is the hard part.
Aunt Jamesina says
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom! My condolences.
I searched “greeting card set” on Amazon and came up with a bunch of options!
anon says
So very sorry for your loss, and for your dad’s.
Not exactly your question, but unfortunately having had a lot of grief experiences in my family — Highly recommend a grief group for him. If he’s Christian, GriefShare is I think national and has virtual options now. My mom, who is not particularly religious but didn’t mind the religious aspects in moderation, really got a lot from it. And, at least her local group had a fair amount of widowers. Also, while you are trying to think through the upcoming year for your father, I would really think about holidays. Depending on your current arrangement, for example, maybe you tell your dad now that you’ll bring all the food for Thanksgiving or whatever it is. He can buy the zoo membership each year for the holidays. Whatever it is. Because if they get too overwhelmed (and, in my experience, to be honest — this is more for men), they might just skip out on these important traditions and that’s a hard place. Also in my experience, men tended to want to change things asap — repainting, cleaning out closests, etc. Could be my skewed sample size here, I’m no expert, but I’ve heard the same thing from others. So you may want to think sooner rather than later about what is important to you to save. Also, for you, if you’re in your 20-30s, try the Dinner Party grief group. Hugs. You’re dealing with some really really raw grief right now, so please try to give yourself grace.
Anonymous says
I just want to say its really lovely that your dad wants to keep up these type of things now that your mom has passed. My grandfather was similar when my grandmother passed and it ended up being a really fun bonding experience for me (as a granddaughter) and my aunts/uncles (as his kids). I loved that he acknowledged all of the emotional labor she had done over the years and wanted to do it himself to honor her. I taught him how to bake her best cake that was always a hit, and now he brings the cake to holidays/parties.
IHeartBacon says
“I taught him how to bake her best cake that was always a hit, and now he brings the cake to holidays/parties.”
This is so beautiful.
test run says
This made me tear up – so cute!
Anonymous says
What if you reversed the tradition and had your kids send the cards to him? My daughter absolutely loves picking out cards to send to her grandparents and cousins for minor holidays.
Anonymous says
What do we do with a 2.5 year old while we’re isolating at home with asymptomatic Covid? I can already tell staying inside our small apartment is going to get really old. I guess we can go to parks in off hours and make sure we don’t get close to any other kids. Any other suggestions?
Anonymous says
Screen time.
All the stickers.
Washable markers.
Allie says
Having family facetime babysit? Dance parties w/balloons (two songs-ish). Parades (march around your apartment chanting). Might be old enough to try cosmic kids yoga. Painters tape jumping games on the floor.
Anonymous says
Go for drives
anon says
Bubble baths with glow sticks.
“Washing” dishes in the sink with lots of bubbles.
Blanket forts.
AIMS says
Go on treasure hunt walks. We look for things of x color, or shape, etc. Yes to screen time. Feel good!
anon says
Michaels sells sensory bins that I find overpriced for day-to-day (like $20) but for this situation I’d totally do it! They even have curbside pickup. A lot of libraries also have curbside, so at least our library lets you call and tell the children’s librarian a few of the kids’ current interests, and then they pick out a bunch of books. It might take a day or two but it would break up the monotony!
Also, I’d try to do some themed days to make it easy on yourself. They don’t need to be complicated but I find it helps give some direction. Ex: a lot of zoos have great online things now. My kids are currently into otters. Watched several zoo’s “live cam” and educational videos. Read otter books from the library. Pretended to be otters and “fed” the stuffed animal otter they have. Paint a river for the otter. Etc.
Anonymous says
A play-doh kit (with a cheap plastic table cloth for the dining room table) has been a life saver. My 2 year old was in isolation over the holidays and we used it multiple times everyday. I bought a small $12 kit from Target that included the tools and it all collapses down into a canister nicely so it’s fairly painless to clean up.
anon says
Do you have snow like so many of us on the east coast? We just painted snow (we’re quarantined as a close contact, but not actually sick). Put snow in a baking dish of some kind… add water to cupcake pan and put a different food coloring in each cupcake hole, paint snow with colored water. Boom. Entertained my kid for an oddly long time this morning.
Anonymous says
3 year old has been entertained for very long periods of time washing toys- like all his ponies, playmobil people, and alllllll the plastic cars. Either outfit kiddo at the bathroom sink with a Tupperware of soapy water or set up on the floor with a towel.
Anon says
So many sticker books (the Usborne “First Sticker Books” were a hit with my oldest at that age).
Do you have Magnetiles yet? If not, now’s the time to invest in some. They stick to baking sheets, which my kids always find fascinating.
Popsicle or glow stick baths.
Toy or car wash – set up different buckets/bowls with baby shampoo and a vegetable scrubber/dish brush/towels and let kiddo go to town.
Can anyone drop off a helium balloon? My young kids are always enthralled by balloons.
Also, no shame in letting screen time limits fall by the wayside. You can always get back on track.
Anon says
Honeymoon ideas when we have a daughter and there’s a pandemic happening?
My partner and I are getting married in March when our daughter will be 8 months old. The wedding is already in a different southwest state from where we live due to my family. My in laws live in our city and are generously offering to watch our daughter for a honeymoon. We’re just so torn. Do we do Hawaii for 5 days, even though the 12+ hour flight back sounds miserable? Do around the same time in the Caribbean and deal with international travel? Wait a little bit and just take an extended weekend somewhere in the US (Savannah, Charleston etc)?
Anonymous says
US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico are not technically international, if that helps.
anon says
Puerto Rico is a great option. It’s beautiful and unique, but also pretty easy travel wise.
Anonymous says
Omg go to Hawaiii. Book it now.
Anonymous says
Native Hawaiians have asked tourists to not visit until Covid is more under control. Of course, anyone is free ignore them but that is exactly what a person would be doing … ignoring the explicit desires of an indigenous population and continuing the centuries long themes of violent white colonization.
anon says
To the extent covid is seasonal, the low point last year was in May/June, though April wasn’t that bad too. I’d consider booking something for that time period and focusing on a location where you can do all outdoor dining and stay distanced to minimize the chance you get sick while on your honeymoon–that would be awful.
Anon says
I really hope you’re right about May/June being the low point! My mom and I have a USVI yacht trip in May and I will be so devastated if it gets canceled, but I also don’t want to encourage my 70 year old mom to travel in the middle of a surge.
Anon says
I would not go international with community spread this high, because I’d be worried about testing positive and not being able to get home to your kid for weeks. DH and I went to Canada in October but numbers were much lower then and in hindsight I feel like it was probably too risky (from the logistical standpoint, not from a health perspective since we’re triple vaccinated). Hawaii, PR, USVI are all good options.
anon says
Worth noting that PR at least has testing and quarantine requirements even for domestic arriving passengers. Not for departing, I don’t believe, so you wouldn’t get stuck there probably, but something to take a look at and be aware of.
Anon says
Yes, Hawaii has entry requirements too, or at least did over the summer when I went. But I think that’s much less risky. You just risk a trip cancellation and you can always reschedule the trip – just book a refundable hotel. Not being able to get home is much scarier, at least for me. My parents aren’t retired and really couldn’t stay any longer than a week in my city, and my preschooler would have been hysterical if we came home weeks after the promised date. To be fair, an 8 month old doesn’t have the same awareness of the calendar as a 4 year old, so if the in-laws can easily extend their stay by several weeks in the event they get stuck it may not be as much of an issue for OP.
Pogo says
We did Moab recently for our 10 year anniversary, and it was really nice – might be easy to do from a southwest state? We did not want to do international because like you we had family watching our children and did not want to get stuck abroad if we tested positive or borders closed.
We did both Arches and Canyonlands, mountain biked, hiked, drove off road in jeep trails. I went to the spa at our hotel for half a day. We went in November, so similar weather to March, and honestly it was lovely – warm enough in the sun that we could wear shorts or t-shirts, and we didn’t get exhausted from the heat like you would in the summer months so could do a lot more exploring. It was even warm enough in the sun to use the heated pool and hot tub, and just relax with a beer by the pool.
AwayEmily says
wow I have never had any interest in visiting this area but your description is making me reconsider!
Pogo says
It was literally breathtaking. Just driving into the parks I kept saying “Wow. Wow.” and staring with my mouth open at the beauty. We packed picnics and would just sit and enjoy the view and the quiet. We also did a night tour and saw the milky way and shooting stars – that’s the only part I would have preferred to do in a warmer time of the year, since it was probably 35 at night. We bundled.
It could be super fun w/ kids too (just less quiet contemplation lol)! We for sure want to go back.
Anonymous says
Pogo, where did you stay (if you liked the hotel)? Where did you fly to? I’m considering Moab for our April break (Passover week)
Pogo says
We stayed at the Hilton Hoodoo – I wanted walkable to downtown but also the nice outdoor bar/pool area, spa in the building, and on-site dining (though the restaurant, like most Hiltons was overpriced and mediocre, it was nice to have the option). We also had millions of Hilton points :)
Pogo says
Oh and we flew through SLC to CNY, but we are Delta people. If you don’t mind United, you can go to Grand Junction and drive. I wouldn’t drive from SLC, the quick flight to CNY was super easy and then you’re right there in town.
SC says
Given the fact that it’s your honeymoon and that your in-laws presumably cannot (or may choose not to) watch your daughter any time, I would actually play it “safe” and plan a trip that has the least likelihood of being canceled. So I’d probably plan a full week somewhere romantic and relaxing within a 5 hours’ drive of your house. After wedding stress, I would not want the additional stress of international (or restricted domestic) travel during a pandemic, with Covid testing requirements, etc. And, as another consideration, I’d want to make sure I could return home relatively quickly if my in-laws got sick, especially if they’re traveling to your wedding.
Anonymous says
I’m confused about logistics. If you are in the southwest, how is it taking you 12+ hours to get home? Are you including the time difference in that calculation? or is there some kind of stopover to get the kid?
Anon says
They probably have to have a layover. Honolulu to Phoenix is a non-stop 6 hour flight, but if you have to have a layover (either because you’re flying from a non-Oahu Hawaiian island or you’re flying to a less major airport than Phoenix) there are plenty of itineraries in the 11-12 hour range.
At the pool says
Here’s a TMI question for you guys – several months ago I noticed the majority of my stools were floating. I attributed it to a new vitamin I had just started taking, but then realized the same thing was going on with one of my three kids (no vitamin). Neither of us had any other digestive issues, and there’s nothing that only the two of us eat. Then suddenly in the past week we both have all sinkers again. Any clue? I did some light googling and came up empty. I’m not concerned (and I’ll mention it to my doc at my next visit in a couple months), just so strange.
anon says
No idea and I wouldn’t worry if there are no other symptoms/issues.
Anonymous says
Do you eat a lot of fat or meat? Or dairy? This was an episode on house.
octagon says
Anyone here have experience with speech therapy? My kid has been going to a SLP for about 8 months to help him say the R sound (he’s 6.5 and says W for R). He’s made some, but not very much, progress. The SLP says it can take a year or more. Anatomical issues have been ruled out. I don’t know how patient to be (and we are paying out of pocket, so cost is a factor but not the deciding one). Does it seem reasonable to take a year or is this the time to get a second opinion? The SLP came highly recommended.
anon says
A friend and I were just talking about our experiences in speech therapy as kids because we struggled with the R sound and apparently we each had the same experience by coincidence. We both went through our standard school speech therapist and the problem persisted until sometime in middle school when it went away. As adults, we each speak without any impairment. Neither of us can say what cured it. We were each pretty annoyed at having to do speech and took a lackluster approach to the homework that was assigned. So, no, 8 months doesn’t seem like a long time. If it were my kid, I would get speech services in school and if that’s not an option, might space out the therapy sessions and try to work on home exercises since they are more likely to make a difference than time with the therapist.
EP-er says
Both of my kids were in speech therapy, but when they were younger. (Super later talkers, so not the same thing.) My son had some substitutions lingering into later elementary school, but since they weren’t impacting his learning, the school wouldn’t provide services. And they have resolved now, on their own. Is his learning impacted by the substitution? I like this chart, because it breaks things down by boy/girl: https://clarityupstate.org/speech/milestones/
R is a sound that might take until closer to 8 to sound properly.
My brother did speech therapy for a few years in elementary school because of this same issue. His speech therapist got frustrated and said “Just tell people he is from Boston!” Things have certainly changed in 45 years! And again, he grew out of it.
Anon says
Short answer, the practice does help, and mostly it will be practice and time, and a year seems very reasonable to me TBH. My daughter started speech therapy at 2.5 for delayed speech. She’s now 4.5 and once she started talking (around 3) it became clear she has a lot of pronunciation errors (substitutions, dropping syllables, etc.). She got me the other day when she was asking for cake but it sounded to me like tape (K is one of hers she often substitutes a T or an H sound), and we’ve been working on K sounds for well over a year. We are seeing very slow but steady progress (it helps when I look back in terms of 6 months ago, we were here or there, because day to day I don’t notice much improvement). As far as I can tell, it just takes time for it to finally “click” in their busy little brains, but the practice with the SLP helps train the brain more quickly. We were hoping she would be out of the special education services by kindergarten, but that is not the case. This year she is in the preschool program and also sees the SLP once a week from the elementary school she will go to. We will definitely be continuing her IEP into kindergarten and she will continue seeing the SLP absent something absurdly miraculous.
wish someone told me this says
Also, if you’re working right now, take good notes on assignments/calls. Grief, expecially from an unexpected loss, really clouds memory.
anon says
threading fail- this was for the poster who lost her mom recently. sorry.
Anon says
We have a four month old – it’s our third – and my interest in gardening is just so nonexistent. It’s really bumming out DH whose love language is definitely touch. My OB even commented on general lack of estrogen/dryness/probable pain at my six-week appointment – it was bad! I can’t even read the open door parts in romance novels right now – I skip them! Just no interest in gardening at all!
I guess looking for commiseration here? Usually I feel like I can power through and end up being into it, but I haven’t been able to post-this kid. I think (hope) when I wean it’ll be better, but I was hoping to continue bfeeding for six months. Also what if I weaned and it didn’t help? Or went to morning/evening and it didn’t help? Ugh, I’m quite discouraged.
anon says
This is…really normal. You have a four month old! Even if this wasn’t the case with your first two, it’s extremely, extremely common for parents of newborns (not just moms) be have low interest in s*x and it’s extremely, extremely common to have dryness and pain until weaning. Yes, it might go away when you stop bf’ing – only you can make the decision about whether resuming s*x or continuing to bf is more important to you. If bf’ing is more important, there are other ways to share intimacy beyond penetrative s*x.
Anon says
+1 I’m honestly shocked that it took until your third kid for you to not have interest in gardening at 4 months PP while BFing. I feel like everyone I know had no interest in gardening at this point.
Anon says
+1. I’ve only had one child so far, and BF until 14 months. We gardened for the first time just before 6 months PP, but my interest and physical receptivity didn’t really go back to normal until my period returned at 9 months PP.
anon says
I had no interest until after weaning (which also coincides with when babies stop needing as constant of touch/care. I wouldn’t wean early because of gardening, because it might be more of being “touched out” for you, rather than bf.
Mary Moo Cow says
You said your OB commented on it, but did he or she offer any help? What I got from reading your post was that you do want more than commiseration — you want to feel better! This is an issue I would bring up with my ob or pcp, because it sounds like their is a physical component. If it were or is wholly mental/emotional, maybe some counseling or visualization or mediation exercises would be a start to even just coming to peace with this is where you are right now and lessening your discouragement. Hugs.
OP says
I asked if there was anything I could do and she said that it was just hormones so would need to wait! If it was still an issue post-weaning, she’d recommend intervening potentially.
I actually did have this issue with my first two but not to this degree. I could MAKE myself get interested if I wanted to. Right now I am putting up a pillow barrier to avoid cuddling haha. DH is being nice about it, but I can tell he minds!
AIMS says
How are you feeling otherwise? I think not being interested at this point is normal but putting up pillow barriers to avoid touch may be a sign of something else? I mean it could just be that your husband is the poky sort and for him cuddling is just a matter of trying to get you to “garden” but if you’re at a point where you just don’t want to touch him for a hug, maybe consider if it’s another PP issue (which is also totally normal!)..
OP says
Hm good question – and why I love this board. I’m actually feeling great, which is probably why this is frustrating me. Baby is sleeping through the night! Other kids doing well! I have some anxiety around covid obviously just like everyone, but overall, things are pretty good! And I love and appreciate DH! Ugh!
Anonymous says
I think being “touched out” at 4 months PP is totally normal, especially if you are BFing but even if you aren’t. I had a clingy baby who wanted to be held all the time, and the last thing I wanted after I finally put the baby to bed was to have my husband trying to cuddle. I just wanted to be left alone for one minute! I have an only, but I’d imagine it would be even worse with older kids also wanting to touch you all the time in addition to the baby.
Anonymous says
He has no right to mind! You just delivered his third child four months ago! Good grief. Tell him to ask again in like another year.
Anon says
He’s allowed to have feelings and express them, too…it doesn’t seem like he’s pressuring her. OP, I’m in a similar situation but my third is 9 months. I remember being really touched out and wanting SPACE at 4 months pp. Maybe around 6 months that started to shift? I still don’t have any desire to garden (but it’s not like I’m repulsed by it, so I can still make the effort for his sake) but I do genuinely crave closeness and cuddles with him again.
(And yes he indulges LOTS of my wants/needs, like letting me sleep til 10am+ every weekend. Physical intimacy is a huge part of marriage and while there definitely should be no pressure on anyone to have sex ever, it’s not like husbands are animals for wanting it)
Anonymous says
When I raised this issue with my OB, she prescribed Estrace (?) estrogen cream to be inserted v*ginally. Said there was very little risk to BF or milk supply because the hormones would be localized. It did seems to help, so maybe worth asking about if this is something you care about changing.
Anonymous says
also good lube goes a long way.
Anonymous says
You have a 4 month old!!!
I was prescribed an estrogen cream around that time which was a little helpful.
But time is probably the answer. For me, getting uninterrupted sleep was a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge part of it too.
Anon says
Daycare is closed for two weeks due to Covid exposure AGAIN (last closure was just before Christmas). Next week I’m going to drive me and my kid to my parents house and while I’m there I’m going to take 3 days of vacation leave so I can rest and read a book or take a bath while my parents play with my kid. I’ve been trying to save my vacation leave for 2022 vacations, but at this point I have so much time accrued and I’m so exhausted I think it makes sense to burn a few days.
JTM says
With omicron running rampant, I want to get my 5yo some masks that are better than cloth masks. Any recommendations? I found some on Twitter but of course all the links were sold out. Can I just grab some child size surgical masks for her instead? I feel like that’s got to be better than the cloth masks she’s using now.
anon says
We’ve been using the kids’ surgical masks from Costco. They’re great.
anon says
Available:
-child-size KN95s and masks made from N95 material from Bona Fide masks
-Enro reusable masks
Not available, but worth exploring:
-Happy Masks
Anon says
This is the person taking a leave of absence. Missed a question. Someone asked if the intention was to return to my firm, and the answer is yes. All my stuff is still in my office. I’m still on the firm website. Like unpaid maternity leave without a new kid.
Today, DH is home sick and little one is home because daycare closed until next week. Very glad I’m not juggling work too.
EDAnon says
Thanks!
Anon says
Looking for ideas for a COVID/birthday care package. My friend is a single mom with twins about to turn 11. She’s sick now (rapid test said negative, but assuming COVID for the moment) and I plan to drop off a package with Birthday presents and some fun treats to make birthday isolation feel a little special. I’ve got their actual gifts, and plan to add some balloons, sparklers, etc.
Since COVID is raging our area, and we’re remote so we don’t get same day amazon or anything like that, I’m limiting myself to the grocery store for additional items. But it’ll be one of those big hyper market things. Any ideas on personal care items for sick momma or low pressure treats/activities for the kids?
Anonymous says
My friend sent me a care package of 3 pints of fancy ice cream plus wine last year during a difficult time and it was wonderful.
Realist says
For mom, bath soak, lip balm, face masks (the skincare kind, not the cover your mouth kind). For the kids (and for mom) some paper plates and a tablecloth to make cleanup easier, in birthday designs if available.
AIMS says
I would pick up grocery store cupcakes, some pillsbury cinnamon buns they can make for an easy but festive breakfast one day, some ready made soups and some good throat comfort teas, honey, and maybe some puzzles or something else for the kids. Other easy to heart & eat things too.
First Covid year (just writing that – ugh) for my bday a friend sent me a dinner delivery from a local restaurant. It was lovely. She just called me early and said “don’t make dinner tonight. I am sending you something and don’t want arguments”.
DLC says
Would they be into stuff for a “spa day”? Face masks and nail polish?
Or maybe fancy popcorn sprinkle or movie theatre candy so they can up their movie night?
notmyday says
Welp, DH just tested positive for COVID. He goes to work 5 days a week (stupid city job), rapid tested negative on Sunday, rapid tested faintly positive on 2 at home rapid tests yesterday and positive on same-day PCR today. He’s been isolating in the master bedroom/bathroom since getting the at-home results last night. As luck would have it, my 8-month old chose last night to have a total regression (she’s been sleeping through for months), I was up all night, and today she has a slight fever. I’m fine so far, but not looking forward to solo parent duty this weekend while my husband isolates, I take care of sick kiddo and just hope that I don’t get COVID myself. Also, I’m assuming our nanny isn’t going to want to come next week if we all have COVID, and I just don’t have that many sick days to burn. I know so many on this board are in similar or worse scenarios with daycare closures, etc., I just needed a place to vent after 2 years of being so cautious and staying out of trouble and thinking we would finally evade it after being triple vaxxed, boosted, etc. What makes matters worse is my husband’s symptoms don’t even seem particularly mild – it’s like a bad flu. :( Commiseration? Anyone else had a baby test positive and turn out okay? I know children are generally fine but she’s my baby and there’s only so much I can do to limit her exposure at this point, the damage has probably already been done.
anon says
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I’m the covid-positive person in my household, and I am hoping and praying that DH and the kids stay healthy. I also feel like the damage was done before I knew I was positive, but I’m still isolating and doing everything I can to protect them. I’m also bummed out that it finally caught me after two years of being so careful, but I’m trying not to dwell on it. I’m triple vaccinated. I did what I could, and I evaded it for almost two years. That’s probably a success story, honestly.
AwayEmily says
It is a success story!! The treatments for COVID (if something does go south) are SO much better now, and also you are much more protected because you kept yourself safe long enough for the vaccines to be developed. It sucks but it’s so much better to get COVID now than it was 12 or 18 months ago.
anon says
If you’re triple-vaccinated you’ve done what you can to protect yourself and your family, so give yourself credit for that.
AIMS says
From what I have read either omicron is less contagious before symptoms develop or symptoms develop earlier for the vaccinated but it’s good news either way.
A friend just went thru this with her husband and no one caught it from him in her family of two small unvaccinated children (though she did end up solo parenting for 10 days).
And everyone I know who has bad flu symptoms seems to still shake them faster than expected. So hopefully that is your experience too! I do think we’re all in for it sooner or later so just need to change how we look at it. If in April 2020, someone told me there would be a vaccine that basically made it super unlikely that this would be a big deal if I got it, I’d be thrilled. So that’s my goal now – to change my view. Because perpetual boosters every 4 months just seems untenable.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
This is spot on – my framing is now cautious optimism that it will likely be mild/manageable for most people who have had 2+ shots.
Related, for 2 days over the holidays I had a sore throat, fatigue, and hot flashes. I rapid tested negative, and went to bed early one night. My mom had similar symptoms. Both of us are triple vaxxed. I work for a big hospital and with a ton of ER Doctors who all agreed it was likely Omnicron and that most families had “something” they were passing around that was likely Omnicron. So chances are, many of us have already had it.
Anonymous says
This was exactly my experience with (I presume) omicron after 3 shots. I tested positive a week after symptoms developed, which was the soonest I could get a PCR during the holidays.
anon says
My toddler had it in November. It got pretty bad, but not from a respiratory perspective – his fever got so high that he got lethargic and was breathing strangely and we did have to take him to the ER. I am a FTM and he’d never been sick before so I didn’t really realize that I should be consistently giving him fever reducing medicine (I thought it was more like…give him a dose and see if the fever gets high again, then give him more). The ER told me that they were not seeing any children with severe respiratory issues unless they already had a health condition that made breathing issues more likely but they were seeing kids for dehydration and other ancillary issues, so my advice to you is to really stay on top of the your kiddo’s fever. Our ER recommended ibuprofen over tylenol. Once I was effectively treating his fever, he was back to near-normal REALLY fast and totally normal within a few days.
Anonymous says
For non-COVID illnesses, our pediatrician recommends alternating ibuprofen and Tylenol for fever control. For us it’s more effective than either medication alone. I’d ask your ped about this if the fever gets high.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
I did this with my older son around 1 year (not-COVID) when he had a high fever, recommended by the nursing line/ped. Worked like a charm, just make sure to keep a post-it note of what you gave when!
Anonymous says
Not a baby but my 9 year old had it in August and he was really not very sick. He was EXHAUSTED and a little queasy only on the first day of symptoms, then had a low fever for a few days. He eventually developed a cough but it went away before Amazon delivered cough drops. His appetite was reduced for a solid week or so but he seemed perfectly happy after that first day. He is also overweight (obese by BMI) so at higher risk. He was definitely much sicker when he had strep throat and the flu in years past.
Also, a former coworker’s baby has it and from what I can tell based on Facebook posts is perfectly fine – he was sicker from some other random virus just before getting Covid from his teacher father.
Good luck to you! Covid is not a moral failing, it is just a virus, and most people are just doing the best they can to avoid it given differing circumstances.
Anonanonanon says
Just commiseration.
So many of us thought it was the beginning of the end in the Summer, or when our older kids could get vaccinated. Yet here we are, 2 years in in the darkest days of this thing, and employer understanding/sympathy almost non-existant. I’m sorry this is happening.
Anonymous says
My two year old has it (luckily just a cough), and my husband probably does too (though we both tested negative yesterday, he’s got bad cold symptoms today and is currently napping). I will likely have to take most of next week off from work, even though I’ve got some deadlines I need to meet, because I really can’t take care of my kid and a sick husband and do work at the same time.
Anon says
Hugs. I’m in an east coast city and know a LOT of families with COVID positive kids and babies over the last month. Most have fared very well. Our pediatrician said they have not had to send any kids to the hospital in this most recent wave. You’ve done why you can to protect your family and I wish all our kids could be vaccinated, but they can’t yet and that’s not on you, so just do your best and take it easy on yourself.
FVNC says
My Friday covid gripe: my 4 year old was invited to two daycare birthday parties this coming weekend. Indoors at large, public play places (like bounce house type places). Masks are required indoors in our state, and I totally understand the frustration of having a january birthday in a place where it’s cold and rainy all winter…but really? REALLY? And this is a daycare that serves hospital employees. So now I’m assuming I won’t have childcare the second half of the month, and have to disappoint my four year old that he can’t celebrate with his friends. There are SO many better options in our town for indoor parties! Aarrghhh!
Walnut says
As a parent of a kid that attends these sort of parties, are there really that many better options? I have a February kiddo that is getting stuck with a grandpa/grandma birthday party for another year because I really can’t come up with any other ideas that seem safe.
My other two fortunately have summer/fall birthdays, but I still limited them to inviting over 2-3 friends to play in the backyard.
FVNC says
Yep, there are other options in our town where my kids have attended parties (e.g., there’s a small movie theater than can be rented, there’s a small co-op play place that can be rented…hell, even a house would be fine since they’re all in school together). I think I’m just annoyed at the timing. My husband will be out of town, which means I’d have to take my daughter, too, and that really just makes this is a no-go. My April birthday boy had no 3rd bday party and his 4th bday party was a frigid night outside around our firepit with his bestie’s family from school. So I completely understand not wanting to celebrate a third pandemic bday. Along with everyone else, I’m just crabby. There’s no good answer.
Anonymous says
Yeah so stop blaming everyone else?
Anonymous says
Nah, these parents are blameworthy. Even if OP doesn’t have her kids attend the party, the rest of the class will catch COVID and bring it back to school. So irresponsible and selfish. No kid is deprived just because they don’t get a bouncy house birthday party or even any birthday party. It’s really about the parents not wanting to miss out themselves.
FVNC says
Thanks, Anonymous at 4:48. There are less-risky venues to host a party, and on the spectrum of high to low risk, I’m not sure I can think of a higher risk scenario in our city than these two places. I’m not adverse to parties; I love parties! We’ve gone to several indoors with smaller groups in non-public places!
I’d probably be less annoyed if we weren’t just coming off a 2.5 week closure for quarantine and snow days. Thankfully (sadly?) my kiddo just accepted that we wouldn’t be able to go because of “the bad germs” (invitations were sent home in their cubbies, so no hiding them from the kids).
Anon says
I think there are options for indoors that don’t involve a lot of mingling with the public – in my town there are art studios, a zoo, science museum, MyGym and ice/roller rinks, where you have the whole facility or at least a private room for your group. I would consider any of those a lot safer than a public play place.
anon says
Decline and don’t even mention the parties to the 4 yo. If the 4 yo asks, suggest you’ll speak to so-and-so’s mom about setting up a time for a birthday playdate (in a better location and at a better time).
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
+1 million. I don’t mention the birthday parties we don’t go to (most of them) to DS #1, who is also 4. They all have little parties in class where the parents send treats/goodies so I just skip anything indoors and/or if it’s not a good friend of DS (which I ascertain by asking him and the teacher).
Anonymous says
Honestly stop it you’re being ridiculous.
Anonymous says
Here in the Boston area we’ve been doing garage parties. Not sure if that’s much better. They are all mercifully short.
Friends rented out a roller rink for a private party which was pricy but super safe COVID wide. Like 20 masked people in a facility that can hold hundreds.
anon says
Genuinely curious what a better option would be for an indoor party in January.
Anonymous says
Lots of things mentioned above. Or, gasp, no party.
Anon says
Just RSVP no and don’t be a witch about it.
Anon says
Makes no sense. Send cupcakes and favors to daycare and that’s the party! That’s enough for little kids, this is for the parents and it’s really poor judgment.
Anon says
PSA Related to the above: Our pediatrician recommended the Johns Hopkins “Pocket Doc” app on your phone. It’s been amazing. You can search by symptom and it’ll tell you 1) how to treat 2) when to treat at home vs calling doctor vs going to ER 3) when you can return to childcare (pending your own school’s policies).
It’s been amazing at helping us know what to do. Like for fevers under 12 months, under 102 is low grade and you shouldn’t treat with meds, just with extra liquids. Above that, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen but not together.
We sometimes still call the doctor to verify, but it’s been great peace of mind while we wait for the callback.