This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Toys still consume countless batteries. Instead of keeping them in a Ziploc bag like me, try a battery organizer like this one.
This battery storage case holds up to 150 batteries. The clear cover lets you see what you have, and the heavy duty latches make sure your batteries don’t come tumbling out. There’s even a built-in battery tester so you can figure out if your batteries are dead before you stick them in your kid’s favorite moving/talking/singing toy.
This battery organizer is $14.98 at Home Depot and also available at Amazon.
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
- 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
Anonymous says
Looking for some management advice from the hive. How have your office been treating hybrid work schedules? How many required days in the office, etc. Also, if someone is out for vacation or illness, are others then required to come in to substitute to have a certain number of people in the office, etc.
Anonymous says
We’re in two days a week, working from home three. Lots of flexibility on which days amongst teams and business travel counts as office days. And no, there is no minimum number of people that need to be in the office- that sounds like a really weird requirement unless you work in a healthcare or lab setting or something similar.
Anon says
+1 to this being a really weird requirement. Also really impractical for parents assuming schools in your city have synced breaks.
Redux says
I work in government and we have this rule. My office doesnt interact with the public, but we need someone there every day to collect and send correspondence (time-sensitive, date stamped, mail and faxes, service of process, etc.) for which the dates received/sent have to be precise.
TheElms says
We are 3 days a week in the office averaged over the reporting year and its tracked. Unfortunately work travel, vacation and sick days all appear to count as days not in the office so folks end up coming in more than 3 days a week to ensure they meet 3 days a week once those other factors are accounted for. Don’t do this.
OOO says
Everyone in our department of 500+ people must be in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We don’t need to come in on weeks where there is a holiday, however (Thanksgiving, Xmas, New Year’s, July 4). Rationale is that many people will be on vacation around that time anyway.
Redux says
This is my ideal, and I would make meetings in-person on those days. It only makes sense for people to be in the office if they are going to be doing something in-person with other people. If folks stagger their in-office days, then we end up just talking to each other on zoom anyway. I hate coming into the office just to be on zoom all day.
Does your department like this?
OOO says
Everyone would probably still prefer WFH, but if we have to have a hybrid schedule this is a pretty good system
GCA says
Startup, 40 people, we’ve had a variety of office/ remote situations since 2020. Currently renting space in London from a serviced office company. People local to the office* are in 2-3 days a week, not formally tracked. Most people are in for their weekly team meetings plus another day or two to meet with their project teams. There is no maximum # of days in office; some of our younger team members come in every day because they live with family members or housemates. Definitely no requirement to have a minimum number of people in the office, but when it is packed to the gills (30 people), people start to spill over into the phone rooms and lounge areas of the building for comfort…
*We have a handful of full-timers not in the UK who are fully remote. So are all of the freelance part-time writers and designers I manage.
anon says
I’m in the office, so I’ll respond from DH’s perspective. They are in the office 2 days but no rules about which two days. Honestly, it sucks for all of them. The idea is that they “go in to dial out” – aka go in to the office just to dial in to zooms. So, then what value does actually going in have at all? We’ve talked a lot about it and agree that 2 days consistent with the rest of the team, ideally Tues-Thurs window is best and most productive.
Can’t answer the second part of the question about vacation or illness, but I wouldn’t expect that kind of in person coverage unless you are a receptionist or some other outward-facing role that literally needs to be physically in the office.
The theme – nobody should be in the office for the sole purpose of checking a box and keeping a seat warm.
Mary Moo Cow says
I’m in state government. Everyone except facilities, security, and mail room gets 2 telework days, but they have to be set and approved in advance and can’t change from week to week just because. If your personal supervisor approves it, you can request an extra telework day one week (like to cover an appointment at home) or to switch days just that week. Some managers are much more flexible than others. Admins do have to confer and may have to come in extra days to cover for another admin’s vacation or illness to make sure there is a body in the office who can answer the phone, process mail, stuff like that. That makes sense to me, especially since my unit is not paperless (that’s another story). I do wish my unit had more flexibility and one more telework day, but I understand that’s not happening with my current manager (who comes in every day.)
anon for this says
Federal agency. We are required to be in 4 days per month, with one of those days being mandatory for everyone. The rest of the time is totally flexible. Work travel counts towards the in-office requirement. We have some people who only come in on Monday (except for the mandatory day) because the traffic is better or because they are deliberately trying to minimize contact with others. Most people come in Tuesday or Wednesday. We have a handful of people who relocated during the pandemic and now come in (on their own dime) for four days in a row, including the mandatory monthly day.
Anonymous says
I’m in healthcare HR. Our department is truly flexible – be in the office when you have reason to be in the office, otherwise work wherever. Currently we have a biweekly team meeting that is in person and is moving to weekly, and the idea overall is in person for collaborative things where it would be helpful. They redid our space in 2021 so there are no longer enough desks for everyone, or confidential space for HR phone calls, so I don’t expect we’ll be on any set schedule. My team does a lot of in person meetings in our various healthcare facilities all over the region so it doesn’t make sense to have them drive into the actual office space very often. The last month I’ve been going in1-2x a week.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Fortune 500 here (maybe even Fortune 100 depending on metrics). Globally we have about 6000 employees. Here in headquarters, there are about 300(?) of us, two days in office, same for everyone across the office. I’m in today and it’s basically dead so not a lot of people go beyond this. As far as I know, they’re not enforcing via badges, but there haven’t been too many issues yet.
Anonymous says
I work for a performing arts nonprofit so not sure how relevant this is, but we are in person M-Th every week, optional remote on Friday. But there is also a lot more flexibility than there used to be for occasionally needing to work from home for sickness, infrequent childcare issues, occasional travel, etc. Of course I have a lot of coworkers whose jobs have to be done in person (e.g. on stage), but this is the policy for admin staff. We are trying to get it switched to 3 days a week in office as that is more the norm among peer organizations. We do not have a minimum number of people that must be in the office on any given day, but we are usually all there on the same days.
Anon says
Does anyone know anything about the website Bright & Quirky? Its described as a “psychoeducation company” that is “for families raising bright kids with learning, social and emotional challenges.” They’re having a series of seminars for “Friendship Week” that sound like they could be helpful for my kid, but I don’t want to learn stuff that’s not actually helpful or even makes my child’s situation worse.
Anon says
Help me get inside my insane toddler’s brain. When he’s hysterically upset he sits in his room upstairs and calls for me, but when I come he runs away from me and tells me to go away. We do this back and forth for like 45 minutes. I know I just need to ignore him, but he is so loud. He wants comfort but is also upset with me and doesn’t understand his feelings. It happened this morning when we woke him up. I know that trying to rationalize with an irrational 3-year old is pointless, but is there something else I can do during these tantrums?
Anonymous says
Give him a protein snack? My kid used to melt down after sports practices. I started bringing a thermos of milk and shoving it into her hands as soon as she got in the car. It helped a lot.
anon says
+1 on a snack. At that age, I needed to hand my child a snack immediately upon pick up from daycare, not even waiting to get to the parking lot, in order to avoid brain malfunction. I’d try anything you can get him to eat immediately upon wakeup. Maybe a sippy of warm milk.
Longer term, but it helps my kids’ moods to go to bed earlier so they wake up on their own.
aon says
I’d much prefer to stay out of my toddler’s brain because… oh my. But, I’ve tried this: “Daughter, when you need a hug I’ll be right outside your door.” and then I go in to bedroom next door and start tidying or something just to run out some time. I swear 80%+ of the time she takes 2 minutes, then comes outside for a hug and the tantrum is over.
I think it’s probably one part attention seeking, one part just really needing to be consoled, and one part just an immature emotional response and kiddo also actually doesn’t know what they need. So, I’ve taken the tack of if you need me, I am here on demand for you while you calm down, but I won’t be yelled at, kicked, or otherwise put down.
Good luck. Toddlers be toddlin’
Anonymous says
Why is he upset with you? Can you acknowledge his feelings of being upset, and then offer to comfort? I’m not sure ignoring is the right way to go. From a fellow toddler mom, I know how difficult this can be – good luck!
Anonymous says
He wants to be reassured that you are nearby and available to him but he is overwhelmed and not able to engage physically via hugs or emotionally via talking.
When this happens, I tell him that I’m going to fold laundry in my room which is across the hall. I do this while singing or humming so he knows I’m nearby. If that’s too much , sometimes I’ll sit in the hallway and read a book until he’s ready. Nearby but occupied seemed to be the right vibe.
One of my twins had this reaction at that age. At older elementary age, he’s better able to ask for alone time but that I should stay in the house and not garden or walk the dog etc so I’m there when he’s ready to talk.
Anon says
Oh gosh. I have the same kid. Hug
Anonymous says
Does anything even use batteries other than AA and AAA anymore? I just have a set of Eneloop rechargeable AAA and AAs. I don’t buy alkaline batteries anymore because they always leak in storage. I don’t think I’ve used a larger battery since they came out with LED flashlights. We don’t even have 9V batteries for the smoke detectors because the latest set has a lithium backup battery. We have a few button-cell batteries for various remotes but that’s it.
anon says
Partner up with someone who has all the trinkets, and yes. We have every battery size known to man in the house, and they get used. Before living together, I would have agreed with you. He has model airplanes, amateur ratio stuff, all kinds of weird tools that I have no idea what they actually do… it goes on.
Also, randomly we have some kid toys that need C batteries. Rarely see 9Vs any more though.
Anonymous says
+1 although mostly button cells of various sizes (smart home crap) and then the AA and AAAs. I don’t think we use the Cs anymore. Our smoke detectors still use 9V i think.
OOO says
You’re right. We have this Battery Daddy and the Cs and 9vs haven’t been used in years
Anon says
How do you get over wanting a third kid? I’ve honestly got my hands full with my two but more to the point, I don’t think I really could physically do another pregnancy. Like, I don’t think it would kill me or the kid, but it would be real rough on my body and there is a possibility I would need additional surgeries. But I keep seeing babies and looking at old baby pics of our kids and I feel the pull! My husband would do another one but doesn’t want me to go through the pregnancy part again. I should just get a puppy right?
Anony says
Can I ask, how old is your youngest? We stopped at one, and while we were it was the right decision (very happy with our family as-is plus some complicated health issues), I still felt this for a long time. But time has really made the feeling dissipate. I think partly it took time for me to process, and partly as our lives have moved into more of an older kid phase it just isn’t present in my brain as much.
Anon says
Same.
I will also say that in my circles a large age gap before #3 is quite common. I know several people who waited on the third until the first two were in elementary school and much more manageable. And there are some big advantages to a larger age gap. So just because you feel like you have your hands full now doesn’t mean you’ll always feel that way. I know that doesn’t help with the pregnancy health issue though.
AwayEmily says
Yes, this. We had two under two and then had our third when the bigs were 4 and 6 (we had only planned on having two originally). I could not have done it any earlier and I LOVE the bigger age gap. I really did not like the baby stage, and so needed time to mentally prepare for it again. So I would just give yourself permission to not decide for awhile. Maybe those feelings will dissipate, or maybe they will get stronger. It could go either way!
I will say after having my third I have zero pull any more to have another baby. When I see babies I think “oh thank goodness I will never go through that again.” And my husband got a vasectomy, so it’s definitely out of the question anyway.
Anon says
Having another baby would be rough on me physically and mentally and would likely lead to health complications, so we stopped at one. I decided I owe it to myself and my kid to be healthy.
Anonymous says
Right there with you! I think it’s normal to feel the pull when you see babies regardless of whether you’re done with that phase in your own life. I don’t think those intense feelings necessarily mean that *you* want one – I think it’s just a natural, biological human response.
OP says
OP here – youngest is almost three and very much a handful! It is usually when I’m not with her that I get to thinking about a third lol
Anon says
I had the kid. For me it was a pull toward 4, and now that I’m pregnant I have a sense of peace about being DONE. Yes pregnancy is awful and I hate it and this has been my worst one, but each successive pregnancy seems to go quicker because you have distractions (somehow I’m already 24 weeks) and I know it will seem like a blip in time years down the road (it seems you have extra health concerns, though — maybe a talk with your OB could help either way?)
I do have bigger gaps between 2 and 3 (3.5 years) and 3 and 4 (3.25 years) though. I needed a bit of space to breathe after number 2.
Mary Moo Cow says
Time making the decision for me. I was content with my 2 until youngest was solidly 5 and then I felt the itch. Since we didn’t want a caboose child with an age gap of 6 and 9 years, respectively, DH and I discussed that it would have to be 4 kids, the later two spaced close. I had healthy, easy, enjoyable pregnancies and didn’t hate the newborn phase, but struggle now with having enough bandwidth for two kids, a full time job, DH with a full time job, and really really like our very comfortable financial existence that only exists because I also work with very generous healthcare and retirement package. If I have 4 kids plus a household to manage, I don’t want to have to work. That all pushed me towards being done. Then, considering that I’m 40.5, have only one ovary, and have been through 2 c-sections and a similar surgery, I ultimately and painfully have decided we’re done. I know a few families now with 4 and I get jealous, temporarily, but I know it’s not for us. DH is disappointed but on board. I also have a dog sized hole in my heart from losing our dog last summer and cannot wait to get another dog. I vote yes for you getting a dog. Commiseration from this internet stranger.
Colorado says
I’ve never heard the phrase “caboose child” but I hate it and find it very judgmental.
Anonymous says
My 3rd wasn’t unplanned, but we refer to her as the bow on top of our family. She totally completed us. Also, I have no idea where she came from- our other two kids are very similar to me and/or DH in personality but #3 is just…a hoot. She’s a fast talking, smart-as-a-whip, hysterical kid who makes friends everywhere she goes. She is destined for greatness…and maybe a career in sales :). If she didn’t look *exactly like me* I’d consider she was an alien.
Anon says
The question about having a third child comes up on here from time to time, and then people usually chime in with the logistical challenges of having 3 kids. Being outnumbered by your kids, don’t fit in one hotel room or one row in an airplane, etc.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I have two and don’t feel a pull toward babies anymore. It all just seems like too much work, not to mention the physical constraints on me. And even past the baby stage, I didn’t like the toddler stage. My youngest is 5.5 and I don’t want to go back. Also, bigger kids come with bigger logistics and emotional work so I’m not sure I can emotionally handle more! So I’d say give it a few years, and see how you feel then.
A puppy is a lot of work BTW! They do at least try to listen sometimes, unlike most toddlers ;)
have another one says
I really really wanted a third kid, even though I had difficult pregnancies, two c-sections and two postpartum hemorrhages + other complications. We had the third, and it was really rough on my body (more weird complications, another c-section, another hemorrhage, hardest recovery yet) – babe turned two before I felt healed. And it was a great choice and really quieted that “must have more kids” feeling in my heart all the time. Also two–>three was our easiest transition and did not make me feel like I had my hands any more full than I had with two – just more joy, not really any more work (you’re making snacks and doing bedtime anyway!)
anon says
If you have a good obstetrician, it’d be worth a video visit to discuss the health impacts. They’ve seen so much and can give you good advice on how rough they anticipate another pregnancy would be.
Anon says
We have two that are 7 and 10 yo and I love that they’re big enough for adventures. We just went ziplining and white water rafting in Costa Rica. Snorkeling in the Caribbean. Hiking and camping in the mountains. Lots of fun stuff that we wouldn’t be able to do with a younger kid in tow. Of course we could wait and do those things in a few years, but then we’d have a moody teenager. It’s just harder with a bigger age range. Our two are close enough that they enjoy many of the same things and play together well. It makes life pretty fun.
We’ve also had a third (a cousin) join us for some travels and I do think there’s truth to the notion that someone is always left out with three kids. Those trips are always more contentious with more rivalry and conflict than with just our two.
Anon says
+1. All my friends are all in this stage (two kids between 7 and 12), and this is their current reality. With our third, we are still doing these trips — but it’s a lot harder. Somone usually has to hang back from the adventure, or we’ve used nannies at these places, which is not my preference. I am excited about having a sweet 7 year old when my 13 and 15 year old don’t want to speak to me :) but as a family that loves adventure, having a third definitely has impacted the way we travel.
Anonymous says
I only have 1 (for now) but my best friend has 4, and she frames the decision to move from 2 to 3 in a way that has always resonated with me.
2 kids is a small family and there are more resources for the 2 kids – more money to save for college, more time to spend with the kids 1:1, don’t have to make hard decisions about individual interests – each parent can take a kid to their desired activities on the weekends, hotel rooms/restaurants/etc. are designed for 4.
4 kids is a big family – less time to spend 1:1 with each kid, less money to save for each kid to go to college, less money for each kid to do activities, you have to make decisions to maximize the family’s best interests instead of the kids because it’s hard to have 4 kids doing 4 different things at the same time.
3 kids is ALSO a big family, but people try to parent like they are a small family and find it really hard. If you make the move to 3 kids, you will be much happier if you accept you are now a big family instead of trying to power through as if you are a small family.
Anon says
I realized when I get this feeling it’s not that I want a 3rd kid, it’s that I miss MY kids as babies (like I’m tearing up for a second just typing this). Acknowledging that “loss” helps calm down my mental gymnastics.
Anonymous says
This is so true for me too! I realized that when I feel that pull, it’s not because I want another person in my family, it’s because I wish I could redo or relive certain things with my son.
OOO says
+100
Anon says
I only have one but this is it for me too. When I get nostalgic for the baby stage, it’s really about wanting more time in the baby stage with my kid, not wanting a different kid.
Anonymous says
Agree completely
Anonymous says
Honestly, we had our third when my now middle was 18 months old. She was such a tough baby that I knew if we didn’t get pregnant ASAP I’d never do it.
Now my youngest is 8. Three is a lot. Three under five was A WHOLE LOT. I had a mental countdown until things would be better (when baby was two). Then of course when baby was still in PK covid hit and the world shut down and OMG try having a kindergartener and a 2nd grader on zoom school while WFH and having a preschooler.
On the contrary, we have friends whose kids are 14, 12, and 6. They are loving life. Youngest was born when the older two were already in elem. If you have age on your side maybe give it a few years and see if it’s still something you want.
Anonymous says
I want a third but DH never has and it’s not happening. I STILL want a baby (youngest is almost 5) but I also enjoy the freedom of big kids. So…I’m not sure if I’ll ever get over it?
anon says
I have an upcoming one-day work trip where I’ll be meeting with a few different clients. It’s a two-hour train ride. I’m nursing. How would you handle pumping throughout the day?
Spirograph says
How many times a day do you normally pump? Are the train trips on either side of an 8 hour workday (meaning you’ll be away from home for 12+ hours) or mostly within an 8 hour workday? Do you need to keep the milk, or are you OK with pump-and-dump for a day? I used to nurse in the AM before work, pump twice during the workday, and nurse when I got home. Based on that schedule, I’d
– nurse before leaving home
– pump when I arrive at the destination train station (in a bathroom if necessary, but if it’s a major city hub station, it probably has dedicated spaces)
– pump at the destination train station again before I leave to go home
-nurse when I get home
If you absolutely need to work in a 3rd pumping session, I’d do it adjacent to lunch. If you have a working lunch, use any available natural break and adjust your appts accordingly, or just excuse yourself for 15-30 min.
In your situation, I’d probably have pumped and dumped, rather than trying to figure out where to store milk and clean equipment while on the go.
anon says
Thanks, and good questions. I’ll be gone for about 12 hours- train trips are on either side of the workday. Normally I pump/nurse every 2.5-3 hours during the day. I have twins and have a lot of milk, so it’s very uncomfortable to go any longer. Even 3 is pushing it. One twin really struggles with formula so I’d like to at least be able to keep some of what I pump during the day. Ugh, I was excited to take this little trip but I didn’t think about the logistics of pumping.
Leone says
This seems like the situation a Willow/Elvie plus a Ceres Chill were made for – see if you can buy or borrow them.
Spirograph says
I had to look this up because Ceres Chill was not available / I didn’t know it existed when my kids were still nursing-age. What a game-changer, especially for moms who need to visit client sites frequently!
TheElms says
Have you looked into getting a Ceres chill as your storage option to avoid needing to carry a cooler with ice all day?
anon says
Never heard of it and this is exactly the reason I posted here! Seems like a much better option than a cooler
Vicky Austin says
+1 to the Ceres chill tumbler and some pump wipes (I like the Bella B brand on A*zon but there’s also the Dapple kind at Target and probably many others). I’d also take lots of ziploc bags so you can keep parts separate when they’re clean/dirty. If you have a pumping bra, definitely wear it. Take a nursing cover because you never know where you might find yourself needing to pump. Maybe a thin microfiber towel for a clean surface to set things down on? Pocket size hand sanitizer? Some nipple shields if you’re worried about a meeting running over (bonus, you can use these like a Haakaa and keep collected leaked milk)?
And remember, milk is stable for 4-6 hours at room temperature! You can put as much milk into the Ceres as will fit and once you get within a few hours of your return journey, just keep it in the container you pump into or would normally transfer to. Good luck!
Anon says
If these are clients you know well, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask if you can use an empty office or lactation room. I’m a client and I wouldn’t blink if outside counsel asked this. Totally fine and I’m happy to be supportive.
Anon says
Highly recommend the baby buddha with the freemie cups. This combo is much cheaper than the elvie and willow options. I find the pump nearly as effective as my stationary pump. The advantage here is that you can slip it in and pump anywhere. (Recently done in following situations: in ski lodge while dressing 4 year old for lessons, on the patio of a casual restaurant, hanging out with my father in law). If it were me, I’d wear a pumping tank with a button up blouse over it.
Anon says
I just did a 24 hour trip away with similar logistics. I think you’re going to have to pump 3 times while away. Is it all one location or are you going to different client sites?
I brought a small sided cooler and an ice pack, pumped straight into storage bags and just stuck them next to the ice pack and felt like it was plenty cold. I was able to fit all my pumping supplies into the bag too.
The biggest thing for me was the pumping areas were often super lacking. Portable, battery powered pump was a must (I actually got a cheap one that worked well). I felt like throwing my pumping supplies in a ziploc bag and into the cooler was good enough but if you prefer washing them would recommend bringing pump wipes.
Let me know if you need any links to the supplies I used.
Anon says
It might be worth looking into Mamava pods. In my area, more and more public space buildings are adding them. They’re pretty convenient. It might not hurt to download the app on your phone and double check if there are pods on your route.
Anonymous says
After dinner snacks – if this is a thing that works for your family, what is available? One of my kids routinely is very hungry at bedtime (I think growth spurt, he eats a gigantic dinner as well). Typically we have allowed only the most boring foods to make sure people actually eat dinner – for us these are string cheese or banana. But at this point kid is like 90 percent string cheese and maybe three string cheeses is too much string cheese? (This is on top of an adult sized dinner plus a banana.) Other kid will not eat dinner if interesting food is available later so I think I’m just looking for ideas of other neutral foods. (Toast is other kid’s favorite and he will definitely eat toast instead of dinner, but I suppose we could have different rules for different kids.).
TheElms says
Any chance you can get your kid to eat a bigger breakfast? Also are they thirsty? We do a large glass of milk at bedtime. If you want a break from cheese would a yogurt work? Kodiak waffle? Apple with peanut butter? Carrots and hummus?
NYCer says
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich, toasted freezer waffle with butter, cheerios (or graham crackers or shredded wheat) with milk.
Anon says
We do bedtime snack. We eat dinner early (5ish), so there is a long time before bed (8:15ish). Yogurt/yogurt smoothie is the usual snack offered after some trial and error on what works for us. Max available is 2 (two yogurts, two smoothies, or one of each). Other ideas that we have tried were a banana, peanut butter bread (my kid won’t eat bread that’s toasted), string cheese, milk and cheerios. We needed something boring, something filling, and something that we knew we would always have on hand. Bedtime snack is not dinner dependent, so it is available if kid ate 100% of dinner or 0% of dinner.
anon says
We are on a similar schedule and my 3.5 yo typically eats some yogurt or peanut butter crackers and water before bed. Some days he won’t eat a great dinner and asks for snack. Some days he eats big dinner and still wants snacks. I feel weird saying no snacks so I try to make it pretty boring and easy to clean out of his teeth when brushing shortly thereafter.
AwayEmily says
I think whatever works for your particular household/kids is fine. We offer an optional pre-bedtime snack every night at around 7pm (we eat at around 5:30). Kids can have any fruit, veg, cheese, and/or yogurt. Oh, or a spoonful of peanut butter.
That being said, if I notice that one of them didn’t each much dinner for whatever reason (e.g. they were too busy irritating their little brother or telling an elaborate story about Pokemon), sometimes I’ll also offer to make them some toast or reheat something from dinner. We’re not particularly dogmatic in our house about food stuff; I just want them to go to bed feeling full and happy.
Anon says
As always, +1 to AwayEmily. I really like family dinners to be peaceful, so I don’t overly police what the kids eat. Snack is usually an apple and toast, or a bagel and cream cheese if dinner was particularly adventurous and no one ate much. I’d rather have kids go to bed full and happy, and not wake up hangry. I love snack time — kids are all in PJs, and the dinner rush is over, and everyone is usually reading their books and chatting about what they are eating. Growing up, we always had cereal before bed, and I have similar memories of it being a relaxed and happy time of night.
Anonymous says
cereal, berries, veggies, cheese, more dinner, a frozen pancake, a glass of milk…idk whatever they are hungry for within reason. My kids are super active and eat pretty healthy. We don’t allow super sugary stuff (cookies, ice cream) close to bedtime. If they are telling me they are hungry, they are hungry!
Anonymous says
how old? we were more flexible when they were small. In upper elementary we do some combo of fruit for dessert alternating with treats because my mom regularly sends over cookies or cupcakes. Fruit you can do in fun ways like frozen fruit blended to a sorbet texture or apple slices in a flower shape or let kids cut shapes from melon with cookie cutters.
If they are still hungry then the option is a glass of milk and toast.
Anonymous says
OP here, these are both good ideas and good reminders that it’s not like other people eat such different foods than we do . I may try veggies again although usually I’m trying to offer something very filling. Maybe peanut butter. Kid is 9. Kid often eats small meals earlier in the day and cannot be convinced to change that.
One of my friends said as her daughter entered puberty she started waking up in the middle of the night, eating three bananas, and going back to sleep!
avocado says
In households with teenagers, if the peanut butter jar is missing it probably got carried off to the kid’s room at 2 a.m.
Anon says
Recs for cheap convertible car seat? 30lb slim 3 year old is too long now for the cosco scenera. Will need car seat at our destination, less so for the plane. Will become our spare for the grandparents.
anon says
Convertible and not combination? If you can FF your 3yo, then the Cosco Finale is cheap, light, and easy to travel with. Otherwise if you do need a convertible, maybe the Cosco MightyFit 65 (aka Safety 1st Guide 65) would work; I think it has a decently higher height limit than the Scenera Next.
TheElms says
If forward facing and definitely 30lbs, then the Cosco Finale. If not always 30lbs the Graco Transitions. The Transitions is more expensive but it is likely the last grandparent seat you would need, so might be a better option anyway. It convers to a high back booster and a backless booster. If rear facing a Graco Contender would work.
anon says
Cosco finale is our travel car seat. It fits in the delta plane seats easily, but the plane seatbelt creates an uncomfortable lump in the back. I’ve read a few things about that and some people shove a light sweater between the buckle and seat cover. Our kid doesn’t seem to mind on a 2ish hour flight.
We use it when we travel cross country for one set of grandparents
It’s easy to install in the car and plane and I don’t have to worry about our $300 carseats. I also don’t care if it gets beat up
Anon says
Yes we have that same problem with the scenera. My kiddo also didn’t say anything when he used it last but I’m sure it’s not comfortable!
Anon says
Agreed, Cosco Finale. We used that for travel until we switched to a backless booster at 4.
Vicky Austin says
I’m eying the Safety 1st Jive for our long almost 1yo, with the hopes of getting a lot more years out of it than the Scenera.
Anon says
My 3-year-old screams a lot for “fun”. Never when they are occupied/busy, but just like in between things or out of excitement. Sometimes it legit hurts my ears. Like we were going for donuts this AM and kid was shrieking in delight. They also have minor speech delay and are in ST, but I think this is a personality thing bc they tend to be LOUD (and always have been since like 14 months).
Any tips to help curb this behavior? I’m reading How To Talk So Little Kids Listen, and have found those strategies helpful so far for general tantrums/communication, but not sure about the screaming.
Anonymous says
Time to introduce the concept of “indoor voice.”
Anon says
Happy screams were low on my list of things to worry about when I had a 3 year old. But agreed, “indoor voice” is what you want.
Anon says
On the track of teaching inside voice. When my kid is home and is yelling or being too loud inside, I’ll often take them outside and encourage them to scream or yell as much as they want outside. It’s the only way I’ve found a “yes” to the screaming instead of saying no.