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If you’re pregnant and on the hunt for a party top (or even a desk to dinner top), do consider this pretty affordable one at Amazon — it comes in three colors, is highly reviewed, and is $19-$38 — nice! Three Seasons Maternity Women’s Maternity 3/4 Lace Sleeve Yoke Solid Top (L-all) Psst: Happy Cyber Monday to everyone! Keep an eye on Corporette where we’ll do a roundup of the best Cyber Monday sales for workwear; as far as kids stuff goes we’ll try to update this post as we can. Here was our workwear roundup when the Nordstrom Thanksgiving sale began; here are some gift ideas I put together from the sale — that purple sweater at the top of the post is super soft and machine washable; I highly recommend if you’re on the hunt for yourself or a friend. A few quick notes:- Nordstrom’s “extra 20% off sale” today includes a ton of baby gear — nice diaper bags, tons of Honest Company products, even some strollers on sale.
- I always stock up on kids’ shoes, on sale today with lots of extra savings — Nordstrom’s generous return policy makes me feel OK about buying shoes a couple of sizes in advance of where the boys are.
- I also seem to buy a ton of stuff at Carter’s/Osh Kosh — they’re offering 50% off the entire site and store, plus 25% off your $40+ purchase.
- As I’ve mentioned before, I like H&M for their sustainable/conscious collection of organic cotton sweatpants and undies for kids; they’ve also got cute hooded towels and a lot of Star Wars stuff right now if you’re on the hunt. Today they’re offering 30% off a $100 purchase (with smaller discounts on smaller purchases). (Costco also has a bunch of organic cotton sleepwear for sale right now through their website.)
- Finally, if you’ve still got to order your holiday cards, Shutterfly has a good deal: save up to 50% off plus an extra 25% off.
- Boden – 30% off, plus free shipping on $49+.
- Destination Maternity – 30% off everything plus free shipping on every order.
- Eddie Bauer – 50% off your entire purchase, today only.
- Giggle – $20 off $100+, $50 off $200+, plus free shipping over $100 and 20% off Uppababy strollers and carseats.
- Hanna Andersson – Ooh, big sale: all organic PJs are down to $24, plus 20% off sitewide and free shipping.
- Lands’ End – 45% off sitewide.
Sales of note for 7.10.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale has begun! Here are all of our picks.
- Ann Taylor – Semi-Annual Sale! (Ends 7/12)
- Athleta – Extra 30% off semi-annual sale (ends 7/10)
- Banana Republic Factory – 40-60% off everything + extra 20% off your purchase
- Boden – 10% off new women’s styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off all sale
- Everlane – Up to 70% off
- J.Crew – End of Season Sale, up to 60% off all sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – 40-60% off everything + extra 60% off sale styles
- Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off
- Loft – 50% off tops
- Madewell – End of season sale, up to 70% off with code.
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide. (Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think this is the biggest sitewide discount I’ve ever seen…)
- NET-A-PORTER – Up to 60% off sale styles
- Rothy’s – Lots of great finds in the “final few” section
- Sephora – 25% off a ton of shampoos and conditioners (ends 7/10)
- Talbots – Semi-annual Red Door Sale, extra 40% off markdowns
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything plus extra 15% off purchase
- Eloquii – Semi-annual clearance, up to 85% off
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off warm-weather styles; extra 50% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – 50% off your order
- Loft – $39 dresses and 40% off your purchase (ends 6/26)
- Talbots – 30% off all markdowns, summer favorites starting at $24.50 (ends 6/25)
- 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 – Summer clearance up to 70% off; 50% off tops, shorts & more
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all dresses; up to 50% off all baby items
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 50% off warm-weather styles; extra 50% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 50% off all polos; 60% off steals
- Target – 20% off women’s swim; 50% off patio furniture, garden items & accessories; up to 30% off kitchen & dining
See some of our latest articles on CorporetteMoms:
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Pogo says
Coming out of my hiatus to announce I’m finally pregnant! 2 years, two months and something like $30K (most of which insurance covered). oy.
anyway, excited to reading thissite with a real little nugget in mind!
I tried looking at the archives – but does anyone remember discussions on pros/cons of announcing earlier vs later at work? I’m tending towards later (5 months?) because it’s none of their business technically, and I don’t want to get mommytracked.
But part of me wonders if it is a bit unethical to not let my team know, considering I’m leading a strategic initiative and launching a new product, both around the time I’d get back from maternity leave – meaning someone else would have to get them to the finish line.
Clementine says
WOOO HOOO!!!
And do what you want with regards to announcing it. Although, you probably do want to mention it at some point… I’m tall and was hospitalized at 30-ish weeks and had to call work contacts from the hospital and tell them, ‘Oh, hey, BTW- I’m expecting a kid. I’ll be out until X. Spartacus will be taking over your account during my leave.’
Anon in NYC says
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.
FWIW, I announced at about 20 weeks or so, when I felt like I was starting to show. But I didn’t have any impending deadlines or big time-sensitive projects at the time that affected anyone else. I don’t think it’s unethical to wait until later in your pregnancy to announce it, even with your big projects, but I think you should play it a little by ear, knowing your workplace and the deadlines that you have. You don’t know if you’ll get hit with terrible morning sickness (I didn’t) or be exhausted (I was mostly okay) that will compel you to announce a little earlier.
Lyssa says
Hooray!! Congratulations and best wishes.
I tend to feel like it’s easier to tell at least somewhat early, though obviously it can depend on your particular circumstances. It’s just such a pain to keep it under wraps, and if you’re going to get dinged for it, well, you’re really just changing the timing of that by a few weeks. Like a lot of things involved with pregnancy and childcare, this is one of those things that seems like a really big issue at the time, but is almost certainly NBD in the long-run. I would recommend having at least a jumping off point for what you would like to do as far as time off in mind when you tell, though.
Cb says
Congrats! I’m a bit more than 5 weeks along. I’m in a bit of an announcement pickle as well. My first trimester (fingers crossed) will coincide with the final push on my PhD, with submission in week 14. I’m already feeling quite tired (have a chronic illness which compounds the fatigue) and am a bit concerned about the quality of my work. My plan is to see how I feel and tell early if I’m concerned about quality / ability to get it all done. I’m quite close with my supervisor though and know she’d be understanding.
Pogo says
I’m 5 weeks too! :)
FTMinFL (soon to be second time!) says
5 weeks here, too! Congrats, ladies!
Five weeks :) says
Congrats everyone! Five weeks (and five days) here as well!
Half baked says
Congrats!! It’s definitely not unethical, especially for first trimester, not to tell. It’s totally up to you. The first time I was pregnant, I didn’t tell, and miscarried the day I was supposed to start a huge trial. The next time I got pregnant I told my direct supervisors at about 10 weeks because I had another trial starting and wanted them to know in case of emergency. Everyone was a little confused the first time around when I had to send someone in for an emergency continuance, but it was fine and everyone (except the judge) understood. So I’m of the mindset that you don’t need to tell even if you have a big project. If something happens people will deal.
Lurker says
When you say “except the judge” please tell me your continuance was granted. I’m sorry you had to go through that.
TK says
Wonderful news!!
I don’t think it particularly matters when you announce – just do it unapologetically, and be prepared to follow up with a discussion of your tentative plan for delegating work while you’re out and when you plan to return.
I announced at about 14 weeks because in my job at the time, hearings / travel needed to be assigned and booked months in advance, and I knew I’d want to stop flying around 7.5 months. Absent that complication, I would have waited longer, just because its no one’s business (plus the whole mommy tracking thing.)
Pogo says
Good point about travel. If/when I have restrictions on that I will certainly have to tell.
Anon in NOVA says
Read “Balance is a crock and sleep is for the weak” which has been recommended on this site. A book for working mothers, it addresses a lot of the issues about when to announce at work, etc.
Pogo says
thanks!
JP says
POGO!!! YAY!!!!!! Sooo happy for you. This is the best news!
I announced at 13 weeks, but nobody was surprised–I was so sick that everyone who saw me guessed but was polite enough not to say anything. I’d plan to keep it under wraps for the first trimester, but give yourself permission to change your mind based on how things unfold. I did tell some people sooner on a need-to-know basis. But once you tell one person, it’s really hard to not tell the world.
Katala says
Congrats!!! Great news. I agree with everyone, it’s totally fine to tell whenever you want, but it’s hard to plan for how you’ll feel in the first tri. But even if people guess, it’s fine not to confirm. I personally found it hard to hide even past 10 weeks or so because I started showing and feeling anxious about hiding and how/when to tell. But I know many people are fine waiting until 15 or more weeks. Either way, it’s only a few weeks difference in the end and still several months before you go on leave, which is much more notice than is usually given for other things.
Spirograph says
Congratulations to all you 5 weekers and esp happy to hear your ivf success, pogo !! As for when to announce, I waited until around 15+ weeks with my first. I’m tall, wasn’t showing, and wasn’t sick or overly tired (yay). I didn’t have a managerial role. I was up for promotion when I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd, and delayed telling to avoid that being a factor, but ultimately had to announce before the decision was made anyway, so I think it kind of backfired. Honestly it’s hard to know what’s right because moving pieces are sometimes beyond your knowledge or control. If there’s little danger of your projects being summarily reassigned, I’d probably tell around the end of first trimester unless it’s obvious earlier or you need accommodation because of symptoms. Trust your gut. You know yourself, your org and your role best!
Pogo says
Thanks for the perspective. I think coming up with a strategy for who to delegate will be key, and if I have that in place – plus a plan for my return – it shouldn’t really matter when I tell them.
I guess right now it’s just nice when I have meetings with management they’re imagining me leading this through to the bitter end, rather than them imagining me home with my infant when these projects launch. Which is the reality, so someday I’ll need to make them aware I guess.
In need of a handle... says
Late to the party, but congrats! (And to all the others!) I was wondering if your absence corresponded to good news. It took us 3+ years and now that little nugget will be one in two weeks. It goes so fast! Hope your pregnancy goes smoothly and you enjoy it. It’s such a trip to go from feeling like it will never happen to it suddenly being real.
Anon says
Monday a.m. shopping question – Baby #1 due in a few weeks and trying to decide on a diaper bag. I do not live in a city with a ton of walking or public transit, but I do live in a place with lots of outdoor activities, walking dog, etc. I am thinking of just getting a simple inexpensive backpack – not necessarily a diaper bag. Pros/cons/suggestions? Thanks.
EB0220 says
I never understood the need for a specific baby bag, and never had one myself. I did breastfeed, so I wasn’t carrying around formula and bottles. That probably influenced my needs. If you think you will be wearing baby frequently, I slightly prefer a cross-body messenger bag. A backpack is great if you’re wearing baby in the front or pushing a stroller, but it’s nice to have a cross-body if you’re wearing baby on your back.
Clementine says
I got a Fjallraven Kanken bag and it’s perfect. It’s not too big so we only bring the essentials.
IMO, what you really should get is a diaper clutch (I have this one https://www.amazon.com/Skip-Hop-Portable-Changing-Cushioned/dp/B00B7XUVOE/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?srs=12321910011&ie=UTF8&qid=1480346456&sr=8-1&keywords=skip%2Bhop%2Bdiaper%2Bclutch&th=1) which basically lets you turn any bag into a diaper bag.
The diaper clutch is also amazing for when you’re just running inside a store and want to run inside with a diaper or two but not the whole dang diaper bag. Half the time, I just stick it in my purse and go.
Anon says
Thanks – I was also looking at the Kanken – did you get the Mini or regular?
Clementine says
Regular! The mini is like… SUPER mini. Look at the dimensions.
Walnut says
Do you already carry a large bag? I did and I skipped the diaper bag. For 99% of trips, I needed a couple diapers, small package of wipes, a onesie, and an emergency bottle. I purchased these SugarSnap bags to organize it and was good to go.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AZK87M8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Anon in NOVA says
These are cool, would they fit in a large Longchamp tote? That’s probably the route I’ll go next time. Thanks for sharing, I hadn’t seen these before!
Walnut says
I carry a large-ish Kate Spade tote and they fit perfectly. I was still able to easily zip it across.
Anon in NOVA says
Perfect. Thanks!
Anon says
Thanks everyone! I think I’ll go with something cheap and simple and if I find myself needing another option I’ll cross that bridge…. Really appreciate the help and the tips!
H says
I’ve made the pitch before but I love having a backpack! We got an REI one that has a few pockets but overall pretty simple. One thing to consider – I don’t like carrying both a purse and the backpack (and perhaps the 2 year old), so having a compartment for my wallet, phone, and keys is nice.
Anonymous says
Expecting my first in May and wondering good ways to meet other pregnant women in my community. Even though I live in a decent sized city, all I’ve seen for opportunities so far are classes at Babies R Us, limited prenatal yoga offerings, and a very few classes through local health clinics. Any advice?
pockets says
I didn’t have a ton of luck while I was pregnant, but once I had the baby I would accost similarly-situated women in public places (I understand this is personality-dependent but if you can do it it’s a great way to meet people). 9 times out of 10 it worked really well, and if it doesn’t you’ll probably never see that person again.
You can also see if there’s a parents email list in your neighborhood (check yahoo groups and facebook)
H says
Same here. Especially once he started daycare and when we started taking LO to the park – that’s where I met other likeminded women/families.
anon says
Email lists/online parenting groups are great. This list has links to a number of groups (especially in NYC, but also some other cities): http://www.parkslopeparents.com/Local-Organizations/other-parenting-groups.html
anon says
However I should add I too mostly met people when I had more time and was more desperate to connect to new mothers: maternity leave. I’ve become friends with people met through email lists and daycare/preschool.
OP says
Thanks!
Beth says
Mom could also get you the snap and go stroller. We didn’t have one for my first and picked one up at a tag sale with our second. It’s my favorite piece of baby gear!
You can punt on the jogging stroller until you find a $$$ one you like and/or the baby is old enough to use it.
Anonymous says
My mother wants to buy us a stroller for Christmas. My husband wants a jogging stroller. We saw one on Amazon we liked but you need to get the corresponding car seat to fit newborns. Should we get the car seat for just the stroller? Or move it between car and stroller? Or just wait until the baby grows into the standard toddler seat?
pockets says
Do you otherwise not need a carseat? If you really don’t need a carseat (I can’t imagine this but maybe you really do walk everywhere), you can look into getting an infant insert to use with the toddler seat. Uppababy makes one and there are several generic ones on Amazon.
CHJ says
Which stroller is it? A lot of jogging strollers come with an accessory (~$40) that make them compatible with any car seat (we had the Chicco Keyfit). That’s what we did and it worked out fine.
Stroller OP says
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-Expedition-Jogger-Stroller/dp/B007O102JM/ref=sr_1_3_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1480347616&sr=1-3&keywords=jogging%2Bstroller&th=1
Runner Mom says
Are you a runner who is looking to continue running with bebe regularly or are you looking for a stroller that is jogger-style and is good for the occasional 3 mile jog?
While it is fine for the latter, I would absolutely steer you away from it if you’re a moderately serious runner or more. I don’t know if you’ve tried it out, but based on my trying it out in store and the experiences of my running group- it’s not going to be what you want if you’re logging some serious miles.
Stroller OP says
Thanks! I’m interested in what you would recommend. My husband and are currently about 5k-5 mi joggers but aspire to improve. I like the idea of jogging strollers as being just more stable and less bumpy as well; we’d one we can use for all purposes.
Ideally, we’d like something in the $100-$200 range, as my mom can’t afford a ton and wants to get us some of the “meaningful” stuff, but if $300+ is really the way to go, I’d like to know that too.
Anonymous says
Most of the cheaper jogging strollers don’t have a suspension system so while they have large tires, the ride is still bumpy. Thule and Bob make good ones.
Runner Mom says
I have a BOB I bought used for $100. It needed a little cleaning up, but it works great. I would ask around to some of your friends and I’d stress the whole, ‘Oh, everybody thinks they’ll use these things and then they never do.’ Thules are supposed to be good too, but I went with what I could find in good condition used.
As for mom- another idea is to have her buy the crib (Ikea 4 ever!) which would be in the price range and a ‘big’ thing.
October says
Maybe silly question, but are you planning to actually jog with baby? We got a BOB stroller last year for Christmas (and love it) but didn’t actually run with baby until he was 6+ months. We also had another stroller that went with our infant bucket seat which is what we mainly used for neighborhood walks/errands around town.
All that to say — I’d recommend getting the car seat you want and using either a snap and go or a corresponding, basic stroller while s/he is itty bitty, and using the jogger when s/he is a bit bigger. Unless of course the car seat you want is the one that matches the jogger…but getting a separate car seat just for a stroller seems crazy.
Stroller OP says
We aspire to run with the baby! Since I’m due in May, I would imagine we’d want to get out during the summer. But it is the South, so it may be too hot…
I wondered about the separate car seat for the stroller if this one seems to require the corresponding brand. I often hear how hard it is to get car seats properly installed, so wondered if it would be worth having one just for the stroller component? Or is this problem overrated?
October says
Re: installing, bucket seats come with a base, which installs into the car, and a seat that is removable. You can get the base installed at the police dept to be sure it’s done correctly, and taking the seat in and out shouldn’t impact the installation at all. I had the Chicco Keyfit and it was soooo easy. But for jogging, you’d definitely need some sort of seat/head support for an infant — I agree with past posters to see if you can buy an adapter for a different car seat brand so you have options (or just go with the same brand if you are comfortable with that car seat).
Stroller OP says
Thank you!
Anon says
Just remember that you’ll need to wait several months until the baby has enough neck strength for you to jog with the babY in the stroller. I think the recommendation is 12 months, but I know others start sooner. Regardless, you won’t be jogging with a 2 month old. They’re just too floppy.
Anonymous says
You can’t actually run/jog with a stroller until they are closer to a year old.
Get a Quinny Buzz and a Maxi Cosi car seat to use with it. Stroller seat is reversible so baby can face you when you don’t want to use the car seat (like if it’s hot in the summer and you want more airflow around baby. Wheels are decent enough for gravel trails.
Buy a proper jogger when baby is bigger.
Anonymous says
BOB says 6 months to run with baby. But yeah, get a different stroller for the first 6 or so months – if you have an infant bucket seat, get a snap n go style. Otherwise, something that lays reasonably flat.
Stroller OP says
Thanks! Do you think we could get away with the same stroller for the newborn phase if we just don’t run with it until 6-12 mos?
Anon in NYC says
Yes, you can absolutely use this as a stroller with a newborn. Just buy an infant car seat that attaches to the stroller to make it more of a travel system. My stroller (a Bugaboo) doesn’t have a branded car seat, but they have different adapters that fit certain brands of car seats. We bought the adapter for a Chicco car seat.
Anonymous says
You can use a Bob with a car seat in the newborn phase but they’re giant and a pain to lug in and out of your car, that’s why Anon above made the suggestion for a snap and go.
Bob actually recommends no jogging before 8 months (that was in 2013, not sure if they changed it since then) – “For jogging or off-road stroller use, BOB recommends that children should be at least 8 months old” http://fitnesscenter.bobgear.com/fitnesscenter/running-moms-guide-jogging-stroller/
The recommendation was 6 months when I had my first in 2011 but I’ve heard 10-12 months across most brands more recently.
Stroller OP says
Thanks, all. I don’t know how we’d figure all this out on our own!
Clementine says
Okay, so I’ll vote for the baby bucket seat as a purchase. Mostly because you can pick the whole thing up out of the car and carry it with you into the store/the bank/daycare/the house when they’ve fallen asleep in the car.
If you live in a place where it’s extremely cold or hot, it’s really worth it for me to to just be able to strap the kiddo in while they’re in a climate controlled environment and then just snap the infant seat on the base.
Also- I love my Bob jogging stroller (purchased on Craigslist) and my City Mini GT. I used carseat adaptors with both of them, plus I wear the baby a ton. Honestly, we just get out a lot and it works for us to have many different configurations of baby carrying.
Anon says
I have a BOB and LOVE it. Even when we aren’t running and are just walking on the sidewalk, I feel like my LO is comfortable due to the suspension. I used the adapter for the Chicco Keyfit 30 when he was a little baby and that worked really well for walks around the neighborhood. That said, Bobs are pretty pricey. If you can find a used one, I’d definitely recommend it. I scoured Craigslist when I was pregnant but couldn’t find a used one; they’re so popular in my city. I also haven’t tried less expensive jogging strollers so I don’t know if the cost is “worth it” or whether or not there is another great one at a lower price point. But I do love the BOB and am very happy we were able to get it.
dc mom anon says
My two year old sometimes says mean things like, “Go away, Mommy.” I think she says it when she wants some privacy or wants to do something by herself. When I am calm and thinking things through, I explain to her that what she is saying can be hurtful and suggest that she ask for privacy instead. When I am less patient, I just tell her to “Be nice” and she has been repeating it to us and kids at daycare.
I don’t love the phrase be nice, bc it doesn’t really capture what I am trying to teach her and I don’t want her growing up thinking she has to be nice. Do you have a better phrase? Am I crazy?
TK says
My kid says this to me all the time. I haven’t found a good response that doesn’t use the phrase “nice,” and I agree with you that teaching our kids to be “nice” in all circumstances isn’t necessarily a great idea.
I have tried to just model behavior, rather than correcting him. “Are you telling me you want some time by yourself? Yes please, you want some time by yourself?” or “Mommy would like some time by herself, can you please go read your dinosaur book quietly for a few minutes?”
Anonymous says
I don’t think “Go away, Mommy” is that bad for a two year old. They are just learning that other people are impacted by their words.
I have a girl and two boys, in a post-HRC loss world, I’m trying to be super cautious about respecting my daughter’s boundaries and not encouraging her to “be nice” any more than I would with the boys. Can she say ‘privacy’ yet? Could you encourage her to say “privacy please”?
“Be nice” is telling her how to behave and is generally fine, but I think what you’re really looking for is how to teach her to say what she wants in a polite way. Maybe other readers have better suggestions than “privacy please” but that’s the only thing that comes to mind for me.
Anon in NOVA says
I can’t remember how much my 2 year old could comprehend (seems like ages ago) so if this isn’t developmentally appropriate, ignore me.
If you’re concerned about making your child feel like they have to be polite all the time, even when asserting themselves, could you say “We only say ‘go away!’ when something is hurting or scaring us. We say ‘please give me some space’ if we want to be left alone while we play.” Now that I’m typing that out it seems like a lot for a two year old, so never mind. (yay Monday after a holiday, right?)
Sarabeth says
We say, “Can you ask politely for what you want?” Our kid is 3, though, and it’s only in the last few months that asking politely has become a reasonable expectation.
Sarabeth says
And for this specific thing, we say “do you need some space?” And she can ask politely, “Please, can I have some space?” Also super useful for explaining why Daddy doesn’t want her to follow him into the bathroom.
Anononymous says
I’m not sure why you can’t use the word polite in place of nice. Nice is helping someone or sharing. Polite is saying hello and goodbye, please and thank you. Nice is something you do because you want to. Polite is the rules.
Anon says
Interesting. My almost 2 year says “Go away mommy” all the time and I haven’t thought anything of it. Usually it’s because he wants daddy instead. I’m actually more thrilled that he can communicate but maybe I’m off base here…
Navy Attorney says
Would you like to hear a please in there, or do you want to know why she wants you to go away? I’m not sure toddlers are developmentally ready to express multiple ideas, such as “go away I need to do X”.
Closet Redux says
When do you time bonuses/ monetary gifts for your daycare providers? We’re planning on giving a monetary gift to the director and primary caregiver of the small, in-home daycare our daughter attends, plus a gift for her to distribute as she sees fit to the 3 rotating providers she employs. Do you wait to do this until just before Christmas/ the New Year? It seems like it would be infinitely more useful to the part-time, surely underpaid (because such is daycare) providers in advance of the holidays but not sure when the timing is most appropriate.
Relatedly, how much do you give? Our two-year old attends full-time, and this is the end of our first year in care. Last year we gave a token gift because we had only been there a few weeks. This year we were thinking $100 to the director and another $100 for her to split with the others. We are in a LCOL area (we pay about 200$/week for full time care) and I was using a benchmark of a week’s rate as a total amount for us to pay out in bonus/gift. Is there another benchmark that is better? Having never worked in an industry where bonuses/ gifts were the norm, I really have no idea.
anon says
We give before Christmas, usually on our last day before the holiday, and give about a week’s worth. Park Slope Parents has a survey they do every year about how much people tip if you want to see what people in Park Slope Brooklyn do.
Betty White says
As a former Park Slope resident, I’m not sure Park Slope parents should set the benchmark, especially for LCOL areas!
Anonymous says
For my eldest, when she was in-home care with a sole provider we did one week’s pay and that seemed standard ($200). She’s now at a larger centre. We do $20 plus chocolates/coffee etc for each of her two teachers and that’s standard for that centre. We also give $20 and chocolates to the centre’s cook because she’s been great about accommodating allergies. We’re better off than most of the other families so we didn’t want to seem like we were trying to buy special treatment (teachers don’t know our economic status), if $50/teacher was standard we would do that. I know a couple of the room moms so I asked about what they were doing to get an idea. We do the small gift (chocolates/coffee/candle) because my daughter likes wrapping something for her teachers.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Jumping off of this – my son attends full time at a big center in a HCOL area (not bright horizons but similar). I was planning to do holiday gifts to each of the primary teachers in his room (3 total). Should I gift a smaller amount to the teachers in the other room who sub in occasionally? I wasn’t planning on gifting the director because she handles the admin aspects and not really the care. Does this sound reasonable? Also, what would be a good bonus amount for my area?
Anonymous says
My kiddo is in a big center in a HCOL area, and I don’t give a gift to the director or admins. Last year I gave $100 to the main teachers (there were 2 of them) and $50 to the floaters. We can’t afford that this year, so I’m thinking $50 to the main teachers, and $25 to the floaters.
Runner Mom says
You might want to ask if they do something for the floaters. The way it works at my daycare is that they basically collect up all the cash and divvy it up based on how many hours the floaters work and with what age group (infant/toddler/preschooler).
It’s so nice and it also means that 1. you’re not giving 5 buck to like 20 people and 2. families who are able and want to give more or less can do that and it’s mostly anonymous.
Anon says
We are in a big center. We don’t do Directors, and give $50 Target gift cards to teachers sometime in December. Then we bring in coffee/donuts one morning during the last week or so of the year (kind of loosely coordinate with the 1-2 other parents I know so we don’t all do the same day).
dc anon says
Our 2 year old is in a larger, more corporate daycare but I gave each of her 3 teachers a $50 target gift card on Wednesday last week just before the holiday. I was thinking the same as you, the gift would be more useful before Christmas and used it as an opportunity to say thank you for all that they do. It also feels nice to have one thing off my list. I am considering giving something small, like fun candy and a nice card around Christmas/New Years.
Anon says
We are planning on the same – $50 Target gift cards. One of the teachers is actually leaving this week, so I’m going to do it this week.
Anonymous says
Any genius gift ideas for a 5-year-old step-son who seems to have everything? We have all the “little” gifts covered, but we’re trying to figure out what to get him for his “main” gift. Last year, it was an ipad, so he could call (FaceTime) daddy from mommy’s house. (So, his expectations are pretty high, but we’re definitely not getting him another ipad or similarly-extravagant electronic device.)
Anon in NOVA says
Do you have magnatiles? Someone got those for my son and they were a HUGE hit, way more than I expected. He’s almost to the age where snap circuits are fun (another big hit with my son) but he would need an adult to walk him through the projects, so you’d need to think about if you want to sign yourself up for that. My son likes the different kits with extra lights and sounds etc. The large Imaginext play sets are always a big hit too and have more of a “wow” factor upon opening than the previously mentioned items. The large walking T-rex and the batman robot are favorites in my house.
mascot says
+1 to Magnatiles. My 6 year old loves his and even used his allowance to add to his collection. How about a nice remote control car? A set of real walkie talkies (not the toy junk) and a spy kit?
In House Lobbyist says
We love ours and my 6 year old and 3 year are each getting more to add to Magnatiles this year since they both play with them. I’m also thinking of a marble run for my 6 year old.
LizzyB says
Magnatiles are on sale online at Target today! I picked up an ‘introductory’ set for my 2 year old this morning.
Anonymous says
Art supplies? Like paper/paints/pastels etc. Ikea has great stuff if you just want to order online. Maybe something to keep at your house – like an easel and a travel kit art set for taking back and forth?
Depending on distance between parents houses/custody arrangement you could include a bunch of pre-stamped and addressed envelopes so he can mail you pictures. My 5 year old loves mailing stuff to her cousins and grandma.
anne-on says
Robot? Is the cozmo in your price range? Or there are a bunch in the $50-$100 range at amazon. Ditto on the Imaginext sets – they are HUGE and very impressive.
I love magnatiles but they aren’t generally a ‘wow’ out of the box present, and if your kid isn’t into building it might not be a huge hit. Mad scientist kits? Klutz makes some really cool ones, and there are Magic school bus ones too (my almost 5-yr old is a HUGE magic school bus fan).
OP says
This made me think of a telescope — which might be a fantastic gift for a city kid, who lives with his dad in the ‘burbs on weekends. Thanks, all!
NewMomAnon says
How about a subscription service, like the Kiwi Crate? Or a zoo membership (if you think you would use it).
Frozen Peach says
We’re navigating similar questions with our toddler. So far the two that are working are
“Be respectful!” or “Please be respectful of Mama” and
“Can you please be cooperative” or “Please cooperate with me.”
She’s definitely learned what those two words mean, and responds (when she wants to, as toddlers are apt to do).
Somewhat related story of child development surprises–
I was astonished, over the holiday my kiddo started peeing on Grandma’s rug while I was doing a quick stand-up change (no changing table at Grandma’s) and I barked “no!” in surprise while I airlifted her off the rug. She started to cry, and after the immediate situation had been handled, I said “Mama’s sorry she yelled, sweetie. You didn’t do anything wrong– you just surprised me and I wanted to protect the rug.” To my utter surprise, she broke into a huge grin and launched herself on me with a huge bear hug and kiss. So apparently some of this modeling healthy emotions is working?
Frozen Peach says
Oops, that was meant for the “be nice” discussion above.
NewMomAnon says
My daughter spent last night telling me to “shut up.” Sometimes she varied it up by yelling, “Shut up girl!” in my face. Every time, I would explain that those were mean words, and I was sorry someone had said that to her (a friend at preschool, we think), and that we don’t use those words at our house or at Daddy’s house (he and I conferred via text and were on the same page). Finally, I told her that I didn’t like her words and was going to go to my room and leave her alone to finish dinner if she continued. She stopped immediately.
I know I read somewhere that you should never use abandonment of your child as discipline, so I probably just wrecked her for life….but I hope I also demonstrated that if someone is treating me badly, I have the choice to leave.
NewMomAnon says
The director of my kiddo’s big corporate daycare center is leaving. She’s been with the center since we started two and a half years ago. Would it be normal to give a gift in this situation? I have a feeling that the daycare gifting norms on this site are more generous than the gifting norms at our center (we have a significant population of subsidized kids and a significant population of parents recently arrived from other countries), but I don’t want to pass up an opportunity to thank her.
Anon in NYC says
The director of my daughter’s daycare just moved to another center and I didn’t give him a gift. I liked him but I didn’t really feel like this was a scenario where a gift was necessary or expected. In contrast, when our favorite teacher left we got her a bottle of sparkling champagne. I think this is up to you!
Anon in NYC says
*sparkling wine, not sparkling champagne. I miss the edit function.