Organizing Thursday: Door/Wall Pocket Organizer

Ooh, I wonder if something like that would work for stacking outfits for the week? I like to prep nursery outfits when I’m folding laundry but they get jumbled up in the basket I’m currently using.

I’m so sad I missed the discussion yesterday about fitting in the over-40 hours with small children! I’ve been struggling with this a bit lately myself, and I would love to hear more from people. What has helped me so far is:
-Our division of labor is that my husband does drop-offs and I do pick-ups. Even though I’m not naturally a morning person, I have been going in earlier. It’s just so much easier than trying to get back into work mode after the evening grind. I joined a gym that has early yoga classes (and a starbucks) that is right by my office for motivation. I can go to early yoga, shower and dress at the gym in peace, get my coffee, and be at the office at 7. Working 7-4:30 straight through puts me at a little over 40
-I am naturally a night owl (or was) but transitioning from “work mode” to “home mode” is TOUGH for me. Transitioning BACK to work mode is almost impossible. So that means I can’t transition out. If something important isn’t done, I work with my husband to make sure he can pick up the kids so I can stay late.
-Alternatively, my older kid has practice after school twice a week, I will drive him to practice and work in my car while my husband handles bedtime etc. with the little one. I find just grabbing my older kid and dropping him at practice isn’t so disruptive that it gets me out of the work headspace
-Protect your productive time. I’m most productive from about 10-2. I don’t schedule internal meetings during that time, I don’t let myself get sucked into conversations with my staff, I ignore most phone calls, etc. Those are the hours I have no qualms about saying “I really like that you have an idea about this, but I have to finish up what I’m working on, can I grab you to chat more later this afternoon?” and then I make sure to stay true to my word. This is what actually makes the biggest difference for me.
-Use your commute- my job requires a lot of strategy discussions with various people, so I use my 40 minute drive home for that!

My house officially goes on the market today. The house is the last non-parenting thing that connects me to the ex, and his parenting is so rare that I feel like this is a huge cord that I can’t wait to be cut. Please send all the quick sale vibes my way!

While I’ve sold a house before, this is the first time trying to do this with two active kids. Any suggestions on how to manage this process and keep the house show ready with two active kids who don’t really understand the necessity of keeping the house more than clean?

A few weeks ago, there was a post about how your spouse supports your career, and how you support theirs. Most of the comments centered on our spouses supporting us. I’d love a thread dedicated to how we support our spouse’s careers. My spouse just got a new position at work. Technically it is lateral, but it was part of a big reorganization, and he was definitely a winner in the reorg. His position is more demanding, and our dynamic is shifting at home. I’m not opposed to it, because TBH, early retirement on my end sounds like bliss. And I’m reminded of a comment someone made a while back that SAHMs don’t stay home because they have rich husbands, they have rich husbands because they stay home. From my observations, there seems to be a lot of truth to that. So, ladies, how have you supported your spouse’s career? What have you sacrificed for it? How has it affected your own career? Do you think it is worth it?

Wisehive. Need some strategy thoughts.

Flying solo with DS (he’ll be 18 months) next week. We’ve done about 15 flights, so general logistics are good and expectations are always low – but would love some suggestions on what you all give your kiddos for take-off and landing for their ears that they actually imbibe for the duration.

When we flew in February, DS I packed milk in a bottle for takeoff/landing. Since he stopped taking the bottle at a year, it still held his interest then, but not sure if it would work now. Even with his 360 cup or his straw sippy (which I use when I give him a smoothie), it may not hold his attention well enough for the whole time.

I’m thinking a fruit or yogurt pouch but will take recommendations! Up for anything no restrictions on travel days!

Solidarity! Isn’t it funny how so many folks that live here are not big fans, but stay for the work? Maybe that’s part of why the vibe can be off here for some of us. There is a lot of great stuff about the area, but it’s still just not for me. To be fair, DH’s work is pretty centered here, but his firm has offered him the opportunity to transfer to their office in my home city given our personal ties there.

I’m from one of the top-5 largest cities in the country, so I really struggle with (what I find) is what D.C. offers – the worst parts of small towns and big cities combined. Would much rather be in a proper small/mid-sized city or ideally, one of the bigger U.S. cities. Hopefully the latter will be true shortly, giving us a whole new set of challenges to navigate ;)

Question as to whether to step in or not step in with regard to kid interactions.

So, 3.5 year old DD is apparently beginning the stage when kids feel the need to articulate who is, and who is not, a friend on a daily basis. I thought I would have more time.

Most of DD’s interactions with other kids are at her full-time daycare/preschool (we don’t really do playdates). So I see very little. For a couple months she had one really close friend, A, now it seems her best buddy is another kid, B. Which is obviously totally normal. DD has recently informed me that A is not her friend and that A hits and kicks (who knows if she actually does more than other kids, and it sounds like she doesn’t hit and kick DD, maybe other kids once in a while).

I usually drop DD off earlier than most of her classmates, so don’t see tons of interactions. Yesterday I dropped her off later due to a morning appointment. A and B ran up to her as she came in, slightly overwhelming her it seems like (she is a but introverted).

B: Are you my friend today?
DD: Yes.
A: Are you my friend today?
DD: No. I only have one friend.

My question is, do I talk to DD about this next time it happens, and if so, what do I say? I’m usually inclined not to get involved in kid interactions if possible. Here, I’m inclined to say to DD something along the lines of, “I won’t let you say that. It can hurt feelings.” But at the same time, I don’t want to give her the impression that she is not entitled to choose her own friends or decide not to interact with someone if she doesn’t want to.

Realize I’m overthinking, but any advice is welcome.

I’ve come to realize lately that I am … brimming with resentment, to an extent that’s probably not healthy. I don’t know if this is a mid-life crisis (age 38, here) or what. Specifically, this is what’s bugging me:
– Feeling undersupported and unappreciated at work.
– The general social expectations that go along with being a parent, especially a mom. My DH is a great partner, but come on — we know the expectations are different for women. Anonymous at 12:21’s post is the perfect example of what I’m talking about.
– The absolute sh!tshow that our country is right now, and recognizing just how much women are undervalued in general.
– My in-laws, who depend on my DH (their only kid) a lot, in ways that affect me, too. They’re very appreciative of DH, but don’t acknowledge that my labor behind the scenes makes it possible for him to be super helpful to them.
– And let’s face it, young kids need us immensely and won’t appreciate us until they’re much older.

I’m kind of embarrassed by how martyr-like this makes me sound. I didn’t know I was such a need-machine when it comes to being appreciated, but I guess I am? How do I make peace with this? I’ve grown so tired of being the capable, responsible person who keeps it together but is basically invisible.