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Here’s a totally impractical gift that I would have been thrilled to receive.
This baby cashmere gift set comes with a baby blanket, mittens, and beanie — all made from 100% cashmere (50% of which is recycled cashmere). Keep baby warm this winter with this soft and cozy set. And, perhaps it’s not as impractical as I first thought — like most cashmere, you can wash it for the inevitable messes.
This baby cashmere gift set is $200 at Banana Republic and comes in ecru or sable brown.
Sales of note for 8.30.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 20% off
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lands’ End – 40% off sitewide; 50% off backpacks, 40% off kids’ apparel
- Loft – Summer sale, 30% off new arrivals; up to 50% off much more
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- Zappos – 28,000+ 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 – 50% off everything
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 40% off everything
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off sitewide; extra 50% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 50-60% off; 50% off pants for the family
- Target – 20% off select clothing for all; up to 50% off home; up to 30% off select nursery furniture; up to 30% off kitchen & dining
Anonymous says
Cashmere is so itchy that I can’t imagine a baby wearing it.
Anon says
Also a pain to wash.
EDAnon says
I agree. It sounds fancy but I don’t think my babies would have liked it.
Anon says
I think only the cheap kind is itchy. This is banana republic though, so it very well may be the cheap kind.
Anonymous says
It’s all itchy to me.
Nora says
Would anyone recommend the nugget couch? Appropriate for a first birthday? Thanks!
Anon says
Yes! We’ve had ours for two years and its gotten a ton of use. As a kind of jungle gym, fort building thing when the kids were younger. And now often used to watch TV, pulled out for slumber parties in the living room, etc. It does take up a LOT of space, so something to consider if that’s an issue.
sg says
Yes, we have 2 nuggets (kids ages 6, 3, 1) and they get tons of physical play, especially in the winter. They take up space, so ours stay in a dedicated playroom but come to the living room for moving nights.
Anon says
As long as you have the space for it, yes.
Anonymous says
Yes! And I think 1 is a great age it really helped my 1.5yr old with steps. And rolling down/making a slide with it is still a huge hit with our 3.5 and 5.5 year old. Our niece sleeps on it for sleepovers. People actually like sitting on it, we use it to snuggle for books because it’s more the kids height vs our huge couch. I wish we had room for 2. Or bigger bedrooms so each kids room had 1. It’s also a very ethical company that pays a living wage and gives its employees good benefits.
Anne says
I have an 8 month old daughter and work full time at a flexible job. When I’m home with her I want to focus on her and enjoy that time, but I’m constantly running through my checklist for the day and moving on to the next thing I need to do. So instead of reading to her, she’s in the high chair with snacks while I wash bottles or something. I have an involved husband, biweekly cleaners, etc. but this is just day to day stuff that needs to get done for our house to be functional at a basic level. Any tips on how to manage this better? I feel like she’s already growing up too fast!
Anonymous says
That’s how life works! SAHMs of our parents’ generation did not spend all their time reading to their children. They were busy keeping house.
Cb says
What if you spent a period out of the house, wholly focused on her? And then come home for a good stint of work at naptime, etc. Can your husband do bottles at night (buy extra if need be)?
EDAnon says
While my kids are older, this is what we try to do. We have two and each take time (outside the house) to focus on them. Sometimes, it is still functional work (like going to Target or the grocery store), but doing it one on one (and without a timeline) makes it fun bonding time. I usually add something fun for them like a new food from the grocery or a candy (or both!).
Anonymous says
+1 get out of the house for library story time or a stroller walk and it’s much easier to not tackle a to do list out of the house. Or heck, grocery shopping is a huge adventure for babies!! By 10 months my DD could help take clothes out of the dryer and then she’d play while I folded them.
anonM says
It’s a hard balance! As LOs grow, I also started to dislike the “magically” cleaning house at night, because I’d prefer playing over cleaning with them while they’re awake, but didn’t like them never seeing the effort/helping. One thing that helped me relieve some guilt was reading Hunt Gather Parent. Wish I had read it when my first was a baby! Kids don’t need constant kid-centered activities, they just want to be near you and a part of the action. The sooner you have LOs start “helping” around the house, the better. Can she hold bottles and clean wash cloth and “help” you? I also think 8mo is a good time to start thinking about family priorities. If family dinner is one of them, maybe start trying that now and get in the routine of talking as a family and really enjoying that time. Maybe the rest of the evening is cleaning and errands, but those few minutes are a purposeful time of connection – no phones, etc. Dinner time is by no means always perfect, but now at 3 and 5 I can really tell the difference when I don’t sit down with the kids. They eat less and wander around with food way more (which is, of course, messy). And, I don’t feel bad cleaning up the kitchen while the play or “help” afterwards instead of playing together. We’ve also started Sunday night as Family Game Night. Maybe you can start now, and just have you and DH play boggle/scrabble or whatever while baby is near you. Outdoor time is also when I feel it is easiest to disconnect and not worry about the tasks that need to be done. It’s good for you and her! TLDR- enjoy and focus on her for things you prioritize and enjoy, and then just incorporate her as much as possible into family tasks.
Clementine says
Yes, to so much of this. I joke that it’s lazy Montessori – if I’m cooking dinner, I’ll give the baby a set of measuring spoons an a bowl and let them ‘cook’ with me at their high chair. I know I’ve joked on here before that all my baseboards/walls are cleaned by baby wipes by my toddler, but it’s true! I also narrate what I’m doing for my kids and they’ve all loved that.
And… if you want to look into the future, my 7 year old loves being independent and cooking (grilled cheese sandwiches, scrambled eggs, various toasts) and does a few things that actually help around the house and don’t add more work. It’s the long game.
I am also a better mom when I go outside with my kids. It’s so much easier for me to be fully present and not think about all the other things I have to do. Also, the outdoors is just… good for all of us!
Anon says
Um, isn’t this just how life works? The bottles aren’t going to wash themselves. There’s not really a way to life hack your way out of necessary day-to-day housework.
Anon says
My kid loves going to the grocery store and Costco on Saturday mornings with me.
And he also loves doing chores. When they are that young they can’t really help with chores but at like 1-2 my kid was pushing a swiffer around and “helping” wash dishes.
Can you and your partner split evenings or mornings? I have my 1 on 1 in the mornings before preschool and my husband does bedtime.
Anon says
Talk or tell stories or sing to her while you are working in the kitchen. Put on silly music for her (or good music to you as all music is stimulating). Let her “help” you by playing with things that you are doing (mini whisk in an empty metal bowl makes so many fun sounds). As she gets older, I used to set her up in the kitchen with my phone and let her video chat with aunts or grandparents while in the highchair (new definition to virtual babysitter)
Lowering standards will also help. We had grocery delivery for the first 5 years and still use frequently (5YO enjoys grocery shopping so we usually do Costco and have Giant deliver for the other stuff). Is my produce perfectly selected, no, is it good enough, yes. We have a robot vacuum. Unless there is a sticky spill, I do not clean between cleaner visits. If it can’t go into the dishwasher, it doesn’t come into our house (bottles, sippy cups, pacis, toddler plates and spoons, etc.). Run the dishwasher every night, even if it’s not all the way full, so there is always room to fill it during the day. Make sure you have enough bottles so that you don’t need to wash bottles mid-day (they can go in the dishwasher overnight).
Anonymous says
I could write you a novel but instead I’ll share what has helped me:
1) Lower your standards. This was the hardest one for me. It took having three kids to actually stop killing myself to try to maintain a house and family, but that’s a story for another post.
2) At least quarterly, re-evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Involve your partner.
3) Enlist help if you can (paid or otherwise).
4) Let go of the guilt.
Good luck. I promise it gets easier.
Anon says
To the person who posted on the weekend thread about immersion programs – I posted a long response there.
Cb says
Music rec: My 5-year-old started taking ukulele group lessons and loves it! He mastered the finger placement for the chords after a day or two of practice, and comes out of lessons beaming. The teacher is young, and super casual. Bonus: it’s easier on parental ears than some other instruments.
EDAnon says
That’s so sweet. My son is on the waitlist for piano with a beloved teacher. I am hoping he gets to start soon.
Cb says
It’s really lovely. Everyone who hears him sing comments on his musicality (I’m not musical at all so just nod along), so it’s nice to give him an opportunity to shine. Whilst also warding off the very peculiarly British recruitment for boy choristers.
Anonymous says
I would let him do boy choir! As a female choral singer I have many, many issues with the British system of male-only choirs (even when women and girls are allowed, the treble parts just written for the adult female voice), but if my kid had the opportunity to participate I’d sign them up because it is such a good musical education.
Anonymous says
Just *aren’t written.
Anon4This says
I’m recovering from my second miscarriage of 2022, which happened on Christmas Eve. This time around, I took plenty of time off and am easing back into a routine. Sidebar: miscarriage is the effing worst.
I had wanted to host a low key Valentines Day playdate for my 3yo at home (and still do) but I’m worried one of the families might bring their newborn-ish baby along. It’s kind of an ‘all or nothing’ group of friends, too. WWYD?
Cb says
Oh that sucks, and I’m so sorry. What about a generic spring party in March or April, when you might be feeling more emotionally ready?
Anon says
I would just skip it. A 3 year old won’t notice or care and will be just as happy doing something simple and family only like going to Dunkin for a heart shaped donut. It would be different if your kid was 6. Sorry for your losses.
Anon says
I would skip and have the party next year. It was about 6 months before I could be in the presence of a baby without wanting to burst into tears. I still three years and three miscarriages later (latest was about 8 months ago) get pangs that send me into a funk for a day or two when I get birth announcements (holiday cards are a riot, let me tell you).
Anon says
I miscarried on Christmas Eve a few years ago, I’m so sorry. It was not the day I had imagined as I’m sure you can relate.
Anon says
Todays one of those rare days my husband and I both have work off and daycares open. Made sure to do all our chores yesterday so we could be couch potatoes today.
2.5 yo has not been sleeping great lately but still bouncing off the walls so this is a welcome day of rest.
Anon says
Jealous. Our daycare is closed on every holiday I have from work (plus some more).
double-bingo says
Thanks for all the excellent advice on Friday about bribery-based potty training! Unfortunately, DD seems to like the idea of chocolate chips more than the reality, because this weekend has been a resounding failure. We have been making her sit on the potty every 20 minutes and she’ll pee some of the time, but save #2 for her pants a minute or two later. We told her she can have a diaper to poop in but she will not (cannot?) tell us beforehand. Is it time to back off and try again in a couple of months? Will it make a difference if we use pull-ups vs diapers, or those absorbent cotton training underwear? Help!
Clementine says
Oh, I would keep going. She is having successes! I would also up the game – no chocolate chips for every pee, it’s now every 3 pees but she gets TWO for a poop. Something I also realized with my kiddo (currently being potty trained) is that she is always a deep squatter – often with a bend forward – when pooping. I’ve always used a seat on the big potty for potty training other kids, so I got a little potty and it let her sit at a more comfortable position for pooping.
I definitely sympathize with the frustration factor. What we’ve always done if we catch a kid pooping is to sit them on the potty, mid deuce. They get the party and the celebration there.
I’m also going to say – most kids won’t be trained in 3 days. For most kids, it’s a process. I think the Potty Industrial Complex has sold us this idea that we need to go with one ‘method’ and if it doesn’t work you failed at it, but I think it’s growth and a process. I personally would keep going and use pull-ups… maybe even underpants under a pull-up if you aren’t expecting a poop.
You’re doing great.
double-bingo says
Thanks :) We already upped the ante to FOUR choc chips for a poop in the potty and she is indifferent, or even resistant – by mid afternoon yesterday and again today she was refusing to sit on the potty when the timer went off, asking for a diaper, etc. We have no less than 3 little pottys. I would be ok continuing like this longer if it wasn’t for (1) feeling trapped in the house, since it’s a bit cold to bust out the travel potty at the playground, and (2) daycare – feels unfair to send a kid in underwear who will undoubtedly poop in them 2x a day or more.
Bette says
Keep going!! This is the hardest part of it. If daycare is game to try, I would lean on them heavily. We’re on week 2 and my kid actually does much better with potty training at daycare than at home. Better with most self control/behavioral things in general, honestly. Also we started doing multi-hour outings this weekend out of necessity even though he was still having accidents at home (family funeral) and not a single accident while we were out. Still a few a day at home. So I guess the takeaway is… try it? But don’t give up! Your kid is definitely not going to follow some three day prescribed method perfectly. No one’s is.
SC says
Bribes have rarely worked for my kid. He’s 7 now. It seems like the more we offer him to do a Thing, the more he’s convinced that Thing is something to be avoided. The avoidance always, always becomes more desirable than the incentive.
For us, bribes work for one-offs, like making an effort on family photos.
Anon says
Bribes generally work ok for my kid, but they failed spectacularly when it came to potty training. Apparently if it’s anxiety-related, which was our situation, offering a bribe can make the situation worse and that’s what happened to us.
Anonymous says
Switch to underwear if you haven’t. Being uncomfortable is a motivator. I used to sit mine on the toilet or potty with their naked bum while I cleaned up/got fresh undies. No negative talk, just your undies are dirty so you have to sit here while we get you cleaned up.
Not sure if Daniel Tiger is still populaR but mine lived the potty episode. Potty over toilet which seemed big and scary. One kid only wanted it flushed after he was out of the bathroom.
Anonymous says
Maybe up the ante to M&Ms? We are potty training too and kiddo loves selecting the colors…
Side note – about gave up after first morning of nothing but pee anywhere but the toilet while wearing training undies and then went naked the rest of the day and it clicked.
Anon says
keep going! she’s peeing in the potty so that’s a huge success. poop takes …so much time.
anon says
I probably won’t get many responses but I wanted people’s thoughts. Basically, should I just go to therapy?
I have a rare condition in my tissue that is frequently associated with serious diseases and rarely random. Despite multiple reassurances from experts that my case was random, I worried that I was going to find out any day that I had a serious disease. I finally got a genetic test which confirmed that I am not at risk for anything serious. It has been a huge relief.
However, my older daughter (6) went to the dentist and has an uncommon tooth condition. I am now worried because it is sometimes associated with more serious conditions. She doesn’t seem to have anything – she’s developed normally otherwise and is doing well in school.
I thought getting the genetic test would cure me of my anxiety around this, but I am wondering if I am just going to flail looking for something else. Maybe the stress wasn’t about my condition but something else? Or maybe I am just in a pattern of looking for something worse? Regardless, I want to stop being like this. I successfully got myself out of worrying too much in the past, but it took a pretty hefty amount of reframing effort on my part. I don’t know if I have the capacity to do that on my own with work and kids and life. Do I just need someone to coach me through it?
Cb says
I think you do! It’s worth a try. Perhaps CBT for techniques to stop the worry spiral?
Anonymous says
If you think it might be helpful, try it. You can always stop. I think if you are asking the question it probably means you feel like you could use some help. And yeah, you could probably white knuckle through it on your own if you had to, but since you don’t – why not get some help? There’s no prize for doing life the hard way. Sometimes just having someone to listen is a huge relief. There has been so much stress and anxiety in the last few years that I think for a lot of us it is coming out in unexpected was.
Torsion says
Anyone have experience with their son needing surgery to correct penile torsion?