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Sales of note for 9.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off wear-to-work styles; extra 30% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything; extra 60% off clearance
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Extra 40% off sale styles
- Talbots – BOGO 50% everything, includes markdowns
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- Zappos – 26,000+ 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 – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Extra 30% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 40% off everything
- Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs
quarantine says
My husband tested positive for Covid on July 23rd has been quarantining over the garage since then. 10 days will be tomorrow (recommended by local health agency). We have escaped getting it. I’m so done with it. He hasn’t had many symptoms and feel like everything has fallen on me for obvious reasons. It just highlights how this pandemic has been detrimental to mothers emotionally, physically, and career wise too. Just needed to vent :)
Boston Legal Eagle says
Absolutely. Funny how women always seem the get the short end of the stick? (not funny, it’s by design in this society..) But on the quarantine point, at this stage of the pandemic, and with my kids now both vaccinated, I don’t think we would isolate anyone if anyone tested positive. It’s just too hard for one parent to do it all, and if we get, then we all get it and would hopefully have parents take turns watching the kids (i.e. pressing “yes, still watching” on the remote). Granted none of us have health complications.
Anonymous says
Right. Quarantining in the garage was an extremely conservative choice that most people would not make.
Aunt Jamesina says
She said “over the garage”, which I took to mean some sort of living quarters. I read it the same way you did at first and did a double take!
Anonymous says
Counterpoint: After both being down with high fevers, nausea, and pounding headaches at the same time for 48 hours after being vaccinated on the same day, my husband and I agree that there is no way we could handle actually having COVID at the same time, especially not with sick kids to care for. I’d try to at least delay transmission within the household by having the positive spouse isolate.
Pogo says
Yeah we had it at the same time and it was rough. I’d stagger if anything.
AIMS says
I don’t think you can “game this” but everyone should do what is best for them, obviously. We didn’t isolate when I had it, and kids didn’t get it somehow. I know plenty of others in NYC apartments for whom isolation isn’t a reasonable possibility who had the same experience. Meanwhile, the one friend who did send her husband and kid 1 off to isolate when she and kid 2 had it, only had to go thru it all again when the kid 2 got it a week later. I’m not sure I have a point – there is no “best” here – but this disease is so weird that all conventional wisdom is basically hard to apply imo.
Anon says
Same. I know anecdotes of all shapes and sizes. With that information in mind, we made the choice based on logistics and preserving sanity. We did not isolate.
And one more anecdote: DH was pretty darn sick, came down with symptoms within 3 days of my first positive. However, DH never tested positive (and we tested him a ton, mostly because it was so puzzling and we had free/easy access to tests – PCRs and rapids, multiple for days). Doctor still prescribed him Paxlovid and has recorded him as a positive case in the patient portal, but we never had a positive test. So, I think it’s a craps shoot what happens because the tests can only show so much. They’re the best we’ve got, but no doubt people are out there “testing negative” but have it.
HSAL says
We intentionally spaced our vaccinations to avoid that risk. When we got it in February we didn’t bother isolating and all got it in quick succession and it was fine. But last month some friends got it, tried to isolate, and ended up stretching into a 3 week ordeal and everyone got it anyway. If we had an baby or someone immunocompromised we’d try to isolate, but now that everyone is vaxxed I’d rather risk being sick at the same time than extending it.
Anonymous says
For the primary series we didn’t have a choice–the county told us when to show up, and both of our numbers came up on the same day. We definitely got boosted on different weekends.
Anon says
We all got it at the exact same time. 2 yo was fine after like one day of grouchiness. He kept coughing but behaved normally. Husband and I were tired and achey for probably 2 days, then less symptoms as the days went on and totally fine a week out.
Other than those 2 days where we were all curled up watching peppa nonstop, I’m glad we all got it together vs being out for a month if we staggered infections.
Anon says
We didn’t isolate either. Our kids didn’t get it, and our symptoms were only that of a cold (no fever). If you aren’t high risk, I think the costs outweigh the benefits in many circumstances.
AwayEmily says
Agree with AIMS that it’s such a crapshoot. I do think for reasons of sanity it’s good to talk through the game plan ahead of time (whether it’s “everyone get it” or “isolate” or somewhere in between). We ended up creating different game plans depending on which person tested positive, since we had two kids too young to be unvaccinated. Then when we did see the positive test in June (on my 4yo) we didn’t have to spend time/effort trying to figure out what to do in the middle of an already stressful situation.
Anonymous says
I actually came here this morning to vent that my husband had a procedure done six weeks ago and has essentially opted out of all child care and house work since then. I know this stage won’t last forever but I’m so over it. I also know I need to have a conversation with him about it but I can’t bring myself to frame it in a positive manner. This isn’t how he used to be (I think he’s depressed) and not how I want to live my life.
Anon says
Six weeks is a long time to opt out. I’m sorry.
EDAnon says
That is a super long time.
Anon says
It’s so hard. DH has “opted” out of all physical demands since a bad accident this past fall. He’s slowly being able to do more, but it’s a fine line (doing too much will set him back weeks in recovery). He at least expresses a desire to do more but I’m more of a talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words person. Even though rationally I know that he isn’t physically up to the task (and is actively in treatment, physical therapy, etc. to get better), it is so infuriating to watch him sit and what looks like relaxing when I am losing my mind busy. Particularly because I am a “push through the pain” type of patient and he is a “it hurts so I won’t do it” type of patient, either way for better or worse. Child care is really him nominally supervising our half-feral child from the couch while she decides whether to follow instructions or not. And all the bribes. Meanwhile we eat all the takeout, delivery and freezer foods, I try to balance working my big job, keeping my kid from becoming all the way feral, providing some sense of normalcy and keeping the house from becoming a disaster zone (weekly housekeepers do the heavy lifting, but still there’s plenty of daily things to keep track of), and count down the days until school starts in the fall. He is making progress (he’s able to walk to the end of the driveway and back now and sit upright for an hour or so) but it is so slow and we have another year or two ahead of us.
Boston Legal Eagle says
If you really have another year or two of this, I strongly encourage you to look into a live in nanny or au pair, or similar, to be the hands on childcare person. I think you are the Biglaw of counsel poster? If so, you can’t do your job and all the childcare/housework yourself. Doesn’t mean that injured spouse needs to, but you need help. For everyone’s sanity!
EDAnon says
That is really hard! It sounds like you’re calling in a lot of support which is awesome. Can you get more? Family or a babysitter to watch the kid regularly so you can exercise or sleep or whatever? Are there things you can make your husband’s that are low impact ( I am the family “buyer” and inventory control person lol) but that is something I do on my phone while sitting down. Could he order groceries, make sure you have toilet paper, etc.? Schedule things like kid doctor appointments? Schedule you a solo vacation while the kids stay with grandparents? 😁
Also, my husband and I have agreed that if one of us is out, we need to butt out and give the other parent free reign – no commenting on screen time, no consoling a crying kid, etc. Obviously, there are limits to that but for the most part, if one parent is off, they need to give the other parent space to manage unless assistance is requested. It would drive me nuts if my husband couldn’t help but was backseat driving.
EDAnon says
My husband tested positive last weekly and luckily hasn’t gotten very sick. We live north so have left windows open, but he hasn’t isolated. I haven’t gotten it. We think he got it from the kids even though they never tested positive. The timing of their “cold” + symptoms and his positive test + symptoms would make it very unlikely they had two different things.
1yo Lunch ideas says
I need to pack a lunch for my toddler in daycare, and they will not heat the lunch or spoon feed the kids; they also suggest I provide “variety” lol. I think it would be easier if my kids ate sandwiches but i think that’s a little advanced for this stage. Has anyone found an easy solution for protein/healthy lunch ideas for kids this small that are good at room temp?
AwayEmily says
I would assume that your kid will eat anything (including traditionally “hot” foods) at room temperature unless proven otherwise. Kids seem far less picky about temperature than adults.
In terms of specific suggestions, check out yummy toddler food — lots of great ideas. At that age we had success with things baked in mini muffin tins and then frozen (egg/cheese/veggie muffins, banana muffins, etc).
anon says
We did a lunch box with an ice pack. Sun butters, string cheese, yogurt pouches, rolled up deli turkey…. those were among our go-tos.
FP says
What about getting a thermos container? We have a little jar one from Target that keeps food warm. It works best if you fill it with boiling water in the AM and let it heat up before dumping the water and putting hot food in. Will they open the container for your kid? You can send cut up chicken/fish, noodles and veggies, egg bites, mini tacos, etc.
Anonymous says
Another tip for keeping food hot is to make sure the thermos is filled all the way to the top.
Anon says
We do deconstructed sandwiches/wraps that’s in appropriately sized pieces, grilled chicken with fruit and veggies, cold quesadillas with fruit and veggies. But my 1 year old isn’t picky about food temp/food in general so we might have it easy in that regard.
anonamama says
The small lunchables with just meat/cheese/crackers; apple sauce, yogurt pouches, string cheese, really any pouch. Sometimes they can take an item out of the fridge ahead of time to get it to room temp – like leftover pasta noodles and sauce in a takeaway coffee cup (did this often).
anonM says
I did bentgo boxes with an ice pack. On an ideal week, I’d prep several on the weekend with the items that stay well in the fridge. One section was usually plain greek yogurt plus a little bit of jam. A veggie section (baby carrots, mini cucumbers, or frozen peas usually), a fruit section, and then in the main section usually cheese, deli meat (cut up in quarters depending on age), and crackers (add the day of/night before). My kids also love hummus (check school rules re nuts). Naan bread minis work nicely/fit well.
Anon says
I just started using the Bentgo too and I find it easy to fill the compartments. I was worried about it but having the compartment as a guide has helped. So this is my formula in descending compartment size:
* main – half sandwich, pasta, zucchini fritters, cheese/crackers, whatever.
* fruit (berries this time of year)
* veggie (usually cherry tomatoes or thin carrot sticks). If the main has veggies, this could be a string cheese
* crunchy (probably goldfish crackers)
* dessert in the little round one (bunny grahams or a few m&ms).
anonM says
Oh, just remembered another thing we did a lot (especially if your school allows nuts)- banana bread or banana pancakes. Would make it for breakfast one weekend morning, and used a recipe that was pretty hearty (I remember a fair amount of nuts and greek yogurt with little added sugar). Kiddo loved it even cold in the lunchbox. The pancake version freezes well.
Anonymous says
The website Yummy Toddler Food has lots of cold lunch ideas
Anonymous says
Not OP but in this same situation (I somehow forgot what I used to pack my now kindergartener) and this site looks great! Thanks!
AIMS says
We used an OmieBox Bento Box and it was great. You can put in a variety of things, including hot food in the thermos. It’s a fantastic lunch box for this stage, I would put in hot meatballs or pasta in one part and then a frozen yogurt pouch that would stay cold thru the morning and it all stayed good thru lunch. The only downside is it’s a little heavy with the thermos but your 1 year old probably isn’t carrying their stuff anyway.
Anon says
We send a pb&j on Ezekiel bread (cut up into small pieces), fruit, dr praeger’s sweet potato littles (cut up and eaten cold, they used to warm it up though in the younger classrooms), and cheese or yogurt. I think sandwiches are fine for 1 year olds, just cut it up. You can always add variety with different jam, nut butters, banana, etc.
Anon says
My kid is a little younger, at just under a year. But she’s a big fan of canned beans, especially kidney beans (go figure??). It’s a super easy protein option for daycare lunches. Sometimes I pour a little olive oil & vinegar on top, but plain is good too.
Anonymous says
Any thoughts on how Disneyland will be next April? We’re considering a trip with kid who will be 3.5 then. I’ve never been to the -Land, but hear it’s more manageable than the -World. Is staying on property worth it?
Anonymous says
IMO Disneyland is far superior to Disney World for many reasons. Check one of the on-line crowd calendars to predict the least busy dates. Definitely go on a weekday and avoid spring break, which for many CA schools is the week before Easter. The off-property hotels are much more convenient at Disneyland than they are at Disney World, but last time I was there the price differential between on-property and off-property hotels was not as great as it tends to be at Disney World.
Anon says
For Bay Area schools, it’s usually the first or second week of April (not tied to Easter). Last week is probably a safe-ish bet.
Anonymous says
Busy and expensive but worth it, same as always! Worth spending some time on the world of Disney specific travel blogs.
FVNC says
We went to Disneyland last March, and are tentatively planning to return Apr 2023 with then-9 and 6 yr olds. Our youngest was not quite 5 when we went this past March. Not sure exactly what you mean by “how it will be” — when we went in March ’22, it was hot and crowded, with some masking in indoor venues (I assume there will be hardly any by next spring). We stayed in Newport Beach since we only went to Disney for 3 days and were in SoCal for a week, so can’t speak to staying on the property. I will say, I went into it with a bad attitude but it was a really fun trip and the kids had soooooooo much fun. We did the Genie+ pass each day for rides, but otherwise did none of the pre-planning that seems to required for -World.
Boston Legal Eagle says
We’re going in a few weeks with our almost 4 year old and 6 year old. We’re very familiar with that area and SoCal in general, but Disneyland is in general much much easier than World. We got a Disney travel agent who recommended staying off site, but still nearby as the price differential between that and the two hotels (Disney Hotel and Grand Californian) was significant. And the offsite hotels are still walkable to the parks. And bonus, one of the nearby Marriotts has its own water park, which I think is what my kids are currently most excited about! Genie+ is key too. We’re doing the 3-day park hopper as we want to take our time, but you can also do fewer days. As for crowds, I’m sure it will be crowded no matter what, but April’s weather should be better than our August weather (although still preferable to FL August!)
CCLA says
We went a couple of months ago with our 3.5 and 5.5 yo. They both had a blast, 3.5 is a fun age to take. I would say the Grand Californian is worth it if you plan to have your kid go back and nap midday (our 3.5 yo did) and you don’t mind spending money purely for location. The hotel itself is fine – rooms are pretty basic, but really we were hardly in the room and you’re primarily paying for location there. It was so quick to walk back and forth to the parks, I really appreciated that. We also didn’t bring a stroller so ymmv, if you are bringing one anyway maybe the extra walking distance wouldn’t be a big deal – b/c as others have noted, there really are a ton of walkable options that aren’t on property, so it’s not like you’re signing up for a long drive if you don’t stay on property. I would measure (with shoes!) before going, ours was a little over 40 inches which opened up a lot of options. Plenty to do if not, but good to know ahead of time.
Anon says
If your kids like pools, there is a Courtyard that is within walking distance with a nice pool. The Disneyland hotel also has a nice pool.
Anon says
I would try to stay somewhere that is walking distance to the park because the shuttle is a pain and if it’s not running, the walk to the parking lot is quite long. If you do stay in an onsite park, be prepared with snacks/breakfast, as the markup was quite significant (and limited). I stayed at the Courtyard pre-COVID, but I thought it was more reasonable and also you can walk to non-park restaurants (fast food, etc.).
Emma says
I’m trying to make room in the nursery closet (due in late September) and it currently stores all my office clothes and few nicer wedding guest/formal dresses. I moved from biglaw to in-house in the healthcare sector during COVID. I am likely on a mostly permanent WFH/maybe go into the office twice a week schedule once I get back from mat leave, and the office is business casual, although I might need to attend slightly more formal events a few times a year in the future. I had also put on a bit of weight during the pandemic and am now 7 months pregnant so obviously not the best time to try stuff on, I’m not sure any of my tailored pieces will fit post-baby. Do I donate it all? Keep a few classic suits and sheaths in case they eventually fit post-partum? I’m trying to be realistic, but some of this stuff was good quality and I would prefer not to need to repurchase later on. I can move stuff around in my closet to hang a few pieces and fit a large storage box somewhere.
anon says
Keep the clothes that you like. I assumed I’d need a whole new wardrobe but all of my old clothes fit post partum.
Anonymous says
+1. Don’t get rid of anything you like until at least a year postpartum.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
As someone who didn’t get “back” in her clothes until my kids were around 18 months, I’d say keep them and re-evaluate when baby is closer to 2.
I have a healthy envy of those of you who get back in pre-pregnancy clothes at 9 weeks!
Anonymous says
I’m at 35 weeks, but I’m fully expecting to be back in my pre-pregnancy clothes quickly. But specifically in my case because I lost about 25 lbs in the six months before getting pregnant, so my clothes are all sized for a bigger me anyway. Most of my ‘maternity’ clothes are my pre weight loss clothes. I’m still not back up to the weight I was with just a month or so to go. I know I will probably end up a different shape, but my old clothes were all chosen for comfort over a great fit, so they will work for a while at least.
Anon says
I weighed less than ever before (post-puberty) a few months postpartum, but it was because I had pregnancy induced-hyperactive thyroid disease. Just a reminder that skinny isn’t always healthy. It really stung to be congratulated and told I looked great when my body was extremely sick. And then I got put on anti-thyroid medicine and gained 30 pounds and now I’m slightly fat and much healthier.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Ughh. There is no “easy” with this stuff. That sounds so hard.
On the flip side, I was asked how many months along I was basically my entire first year after both DS #1 and DS #2 were born.
Anon says
I would keep things you like and are excited about and get rid of things that feel dated or didn’t fit well before. It’s not just about the weight, but for a lot of people the rib cage and hipbones expand and don’t go back from pregnancy. So something like a shirt dress as more likely to fit after compared to a pencil skirt.
GCA says
+1 to this. I had exactly this experience – one year after my first pregnancy, I was roughly the same dress size (shoulders, waist) but my ribcage and hips had expanded. I kept things with a little bit of stretch or give like shirtdresses, stretchy pencil skirts, nice blazers, & pull-on pants, and donated the sheaths, fitted blouses and zippered pencil skirts.
Aunt Jamesina says
If you’re looking for storage space you might not have thought of, put a skirt on your crib and get an underbed storage bin for it. Also, unless you have a really small closet in the nursery, you can probably spare some space in there for your stuff. Baby won’t care!
Emma says
Thanks! That’s a good point – I’m kind of cleaning it out of principle because it’s the baby’s room now and not my spare yoga/storage room, but we also have other spaces for her stuff and it’s a decent sized closet. It might change later, but for now I can spare a bit of space in her closet for mom’s fancy outfits :)
Anon says
I waiting until a year postpartum to get rid of items, and I am so glad I did. I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, so most of my clothes fit (which I had not been expecting). However, as others have mentioned– my rib cage stayed larger. For me, this meant that a lot of my blazers/fitted tops did not fit. However, many of my sheath dresses, which were bigger on top since I’m pear-shaped, actually fit better than they did pre-pregnancy. If I had tossed clothes earlier, I would have assumed my blazers/tops would fit and my pants would not have, when the opposite turned out to be true.
Anon says
Vacuum it into space bags to store. Sort through it at least 3 months after you give birth, or better yet a year after.
Anonymous says
+1 to different body shape but same weight postpartum. My bra band size is a size larger after two kids due to an expanded rib cage. But it could have been so much more—I needed maternity bras that were 4-5 band sizes larger during pregnancy #2.
I used a Bellefit shaper (heard about it here, thanks Kat!) after both kids to take advantage of all the residual relaxin hormones. It definitely helped “shape” and “move” things back into place—highly recommended.
Cb says
I’ve reached the long awaited stage of parenting when I should never leave the house without a book.
We are at the beach and I spent an hour exploring the rock pools with my son which was incredible, but now he’s dragged his dad off to show off his finds (he had hypotheses about what pools would be warmer and cooler and why moss grew in different places) and I could be reading a novel…people in the super intense parenting phrase, it gets better.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Kindle app for my phone is a lifesaver!
Anonymous says
Cb I do so appreciate your posts. I hope this is true for parents of multiple kids. We had an easy only and now have very difficult twins and I see it getting easier day by day but it’s still very hard.
Cb says
I hope so! We got a tiny taste of twins with our friends’ 3 year old foster kids this week, and oh my goodness! They were a delight and but it was stressful keeping track of 2 when they ran in opposite directions.
NLD in NYC says
Needed this after DS learned how to climb out of his crib this weekend. Thanks, Cb!
Growing pains says
My three year old has had growing pains pretty consistently for a year. We did a basic blood test at the doctor which turned out fine. We’ve discussed it with a few pediatricians at the practice and none seem concerned. They only happen at night, aren’t in her joints, etc. so look like classic growing pains, but of course I’m still concerned since they’ve lasted a while and honestly it’s hard not to be.
So this question is two fold – anyone else deal with this? Any other tests you got done to give some peace of mind that nothing else is wrong?
And for those whose kids had bad growing pains, tips to help DD? She wakes up two or three times a week right now and it’s hard on everybody.
anon says
We went through it. Didn’t get blood work and chalked it up as growing pains (also consulted doc at the 4 year old appt and NP on a call or two). She’s approaching 4.5 and it’s subsided. I had bad growing pains as a kid, so figured it was just linked somehow. It’s hard on everyone, as you said. We started bringing her in to our bed on the bad nights – something we swore we’d never do, but it felt like the only way through at the time.
OP says
Thanks – yeah, she ends up in our bed a lot. We usually give her some tylenol and let her climb in and it ends up okay, but she’s pretty pitiful. These started at 2.5 and are going strong nearing 3.5 so really hoping they don’t last into 4!
Momofthree says
Is she having trouble getting back to sleep after waking up from the pains? My son had pains that woke him up and then he couldn’t get back to sleep. We ended up doing a sleep study b/c there were a variety of sleep issues besides waking up from the growing pains & he did have some sleep/breathing issues that we’re working through now. Definitely not necessary if it’s just pain waking her up, but he wasn’t able to go back to sleep afterwards, so we looked into it. He also has sensory issues that make him more susceptible to discomfort.
Otherwise, we’ve given tylenol if he’s complaining of pain or using an ice pack in a towel. He’s 6.5 now & growing pains seem to be less of an issue.
OP says
She actually goes to sleep pretty easily once the pain has subsided. I haven’t tried an ice pack, I may add that to our arsenal – honestly just doing SOMETHING makes her feel better usually so that could be a good alternative! Thanks!
Anonymous says
In a related but obviously not the same situation, a weighted blanket has helped out kid a lot with leg discomfort and restlessness.
OP says
Aaand one hot pink weighted blanket is on the way to my house!
Anon says
can you share the link once you get it/if you like it? i think my 4 year old would benefit from using one
OP says
Yes, will report back! I got a five pound one.
Anon says
just wanted to thank everyone for the DMV area recs. we went to Glen Echo Park for puppet show/ playground/carousel/aquarium, Clemyjontri Park, Frying Pan Farm, Udvar Hazy, Butlers Orchard, Germantown Splashpad, Cabin John Park, and South Mountain Creamery. I kept all the other suggestions for our next visit.
Anonymous says
Awesome! These are literally all my spots. I’m a SAHM haha.
Birthday gift for 10-year-old boy? says
Help me shop for my 10-year-old nephew? He’s a sweet kid, lives in the DC area, does usual kid stuff but no passionate hobbies. He likes to read, swim, D&D (this is a newish interest), etc. After school he usually roams the neighborhood with friends. Doesn’t do video games. We only see him once a year, so I don’t know him that well, and I don’t get much info from my sibling on what gifts he has liked in the past.
Anon says
Could you give him $10-20 in cash? He’s old enough that he would be able to buy something he wants. It also might make you the cool aunt who didn’t get him something too babyish/that he didn’t want.
Anonymous says
This.
Anonymous says
+2
GCA says
Kid-appropriate graphic novels or fantasy series? Boardgames that he can play with friends – something like Codenames, Exploding Kittens, or Catan? If there is a local library, bookstore or game shop near you, you could go and ask for recs.
DLC says
How about a gift from Labyrinth Games and Puzzles in DC- it’s a locally owned game store on Capitol Hill and they have the best staff who gives really good suggestions for things. Or a gift certificate, though depending on where they live it might bot be as convenient to get there.
Anon says
If he’s a strong reader, a nice edition of the first Lord of the Rings book (fits very well into the D&D theme, and can grow with him) and a kid-friendly book – Hunger Games is popular. If he doesn’t have his own, there’s a D&D starter guide, plus a set of dice if he’s playing in person. Also, an ice cream gift card, or Starbucks if there is one locally.
Anon says
We’re finally finishing a room that is going to be a combination playroom and home office for my husband (hooray!). I’m attempting to design it now but I cannot figure out how to childproof the desk. Does anyone have any clever ideas? I was thinking some kind of appliance garage we can lock, or I guess my husband could leave the docking station set up on the desk and move his laptop, computer, and keyboard into a cabinet. We will obviously be telling them that they are not allowed to touch the desk.
EDAnon says
If you have bigger monitors, I would explore attaching them to the wall versus putting away. Out kids are 3 and 5 and play in our offices, which are also used for other things. We have never had any safety issues, but it is a know your kid thing. Mine are way more likely to use the computer than knock it over.
CCLA says
Depending on how old, consider a sit/stand desk (I think there might be some you can lock into standing position, as in the kids can’t press the button to bring it back down?). When mine were very little, my desk was in my bedroom where they’d sometimes play, and I just pressed the button and the whole setup moved up out of reach.
Anonymous says
For this reason I have been working on a laptop only since March 2020. I do not have a place to put screens where they won’t be broken.
Anonymous says
How about a computer armoire or a secretary desk?
anonM says
+1 to secretary desk/rolltop desk! You might be able to find a good deal on a vintage one too!
Anonymous says
I use this bronzer. I appreciate that it comes in a shade appropriate for cool skin tones, as most bronzers are too orange for me.
Anonymous says
I’m looking for family photo clothes for my 5 y/o boy. Cat and Jack and Carters are failing me. Where else do you shop for chinos and dress shirts for boys?
anonamama says
Polo/Ralph Lauren, Janie & Jack, J.Crew Crewcuts; all three have an outlet option, as well. I find some true gems secondhand, consignment and ThredUp, often new with tags as 5 y/o and dress clothes do not often go hand in hand! ThredUp has a return policy and good promos if you have some lead time for this.
Anonymous says
J Crew Factory
OP says
Thanks all!
GCA says
Children’s Place school uniform section. We got some school-uniform chinos and a button-down oxford for kiddo to wear to a special occasion family dinner + family photos.
anonM says
+1.
Anon says
Same here… buy on Amazon
Anonymous says
What backpacks did you/will you be buying for your 9/10 year old (girl if it matters). Her pottery barn kids one needs replacing.
Anon says
My 9 yo got a Lands’ End backpack last year that she’ll be using again this year. She likes the loops on the front for attaching masses of key chains and poppers.
Mary Moo Cow says
We just bought a plain yellow Jansport from Target and she plans to make it her own with some iron on patches.
Boston Legal Eagle says
LLBean! They have many different sizes for different ages.
Anon says
+1!
Anon says
For my eight year old (and more of a splurge but quality is great) got her a State Bags backpack and she’s obsessed.
NYCer says
+1. State backpacks are all the rage around here. Def not cheap though!
Anonymous says
Thanks! I’ll have her look at one of these. She’s got friends that are trendy and will want what they want but she doesn’t know what they have yet :)
Anonymous says
For those of you with kids that like to, well, complain (?)- how do you tease out just another complaint from a medical issue warranting attention? My oldest could be bleeding from her arm and maybe (only maybe) mention yeah well geez it has been bothering me for a while now.
My younger kid complains about everything. The heat. the cold. the air is too breezy. my sheets are too scratchy. sheets are too soft. It’s too bright out. my mosquito bite that has been properly medicated is CAUSING AGONY. Oddly enough, when she is straight up injured she has a pretty high pain tolerance (very bad about the idea of getting a shot or blood draw, quite good at actually having one). She’s 6.5 so right in the middle of teeth losing and every time one is wiggly THE WORLD ENDS for several weeks.
But my real question is about something like when she tells me her head or leg hurts at night before bed. Yes, it’s a stalling tactic. But could it be something more? She started asking for tylenol but it got to be too frequent so i told her i’d give her a vitamin at bedtime. Figured if it was placebo then worst case she’d get some vitamins. But when should I go and get her seen? I’ve asked “does it hurt bad enough to go see the doctor” and at night sometimes she’ll say yes but in the morning she takes it back.
Thoughts?
Anonymous says
I have a similar kiddo, and honestly you’ll just know. I know that is an annoying answer. But their demeanor will be different when it is a real. They’ll actually seem/look sick. Or they won’t fall asleep and keep complaining about it. Or their whole tone will just be different when they’re talking about it – not the same type of whining. Just trust yourself and if the same thing keeps coming up, mention it at the next dr’s appointment. Unless your gut tells you to ask sooner.
Mary Moo Cow says
My youngest is similar, and my oldest complains of tummy aches frequently. Our pediatrician gave us this guideline for tummy ache complaints: is she complaining when it is time to eat broccoli or ice cream, is she complaining when you suggest a family walk or when she’s scootering with friends, is she complaining and stopping the activity or complaining and completing the activity even if you are watching her? She said “functional” stomach aches are common and not to worry unless it is prolonged and truly is causing pain. I err on the side of believing it is a stalling tactic until she wakes me up at night with it or has complained about it constantly or I can tell is really, truly suffering. If you have a well visit coming up soon, you could mention it then, but if not, you could put in a call to the nurse’s line or leave a message with the doctor and see if they want you to come in.
Anonymous says
I’m the OP and my oldest has functional stomach pain. It’s BAD. When she says her stomach hurts it’s like a normal person’s 8/10 on a pain scale.
Anon says
Is it physical or behavioral? Does she like the attention she gets from complaining? Do the vitamins work as well as ibuprofen at fixing the problem?
Anonymous says
It is certainly psychological. But my question is knowing when to engage vs ignore the behavior.
Anonymous says
Mine is like your younger one–complains about every tiny little thing, but ignores or even conceals real issues. It’s maddening.
Momofthree says
I feel like a broken record, since I also posted above, but we have a kid with sensory issues and he also complains frequently about pains or mosquito bites and also has a resistance to actually getting treatment for things that should be treated (he has in the past refused Tylenol even when he’s got a high-ish fever). Also really does not like loose teeth. Your kid may be more sensitive to bodily sensations and it may feel like a big deal to them at the time. It may be useful to talk to the pediatrician & get a referral to an OT for evaluation (if you feel like it’s affecting quality of life).
On the other hand, another of my children was complaining intermittently that their feet hurt while they were walking, the pediatrician said it was no big deal (after doing an x-ray to rule out a broken bone) and then the podiatrist diagnosed them with flat feet and that it probably did hurt when they were walking so we’ve since started insoles.
In response to your specific question, I would probably wait until her yearly check-up to ask (if it’s coming soon) or send your doctor an email asking if you should schedule an appointment sooner (listing the symptoms).
Anonymous says
Whyyyy are the sensory kids resistant to treating actual problems? So frustrating.
Anonymous says
Came over here to post asking for help for team member. Her twins are 6 months and she has a 2.5 year old as well. What are you best tips for hiring a FT nanny these days? She is using an agency, with very mixed results (they send her people who only want PT, or she’s outside the areas in which they’ll work, etc) but other than that and telling every single person she knows, are there other sources? Been many years since I’ve been in this boat so hoping you wise folks in the thick of it have some advice to offer, which I will pass along. Thank you!
Anon says
Care.com
Anonymous says
I would start by talking to the agency. It may be that there is something about her job posting that is unattractive and the agency is having trouble finding candidates. For example, in my case to find a nanny with a car we had to up our pay. If the agency is unhelpful I would switch agencies. Not sure where you’re located, but if in the Chicago area I strongly recommend Chicago Nannies Inc.