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I’m like Goldilocks when it comes to hand creams — they need to be “just right.” For me, that means a thick texture, quick absorption, and enough staying power to last through a hand wash or two.
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There are even convenient mini sizes perfect for conquering dryness on-the-go.
These L’Occitane Hand Creams are $25 for a standard sized tube or $12.50 for a mini at Sephora.
Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
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- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- Zappos – 29,000+ 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 – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Cb says
How much downtime does your child need? How do you ensure they are getting enough?
My son had a full week of nursery, then swim lessons, lunch with friends, and an impromptu meet-up on Saturday. We had gorgeous weather on Sunday and had planned to head to the beach but he was so clearly DONE! We worked in the garden while he did Lego for 3 hours (he decided to open the sitting room window so he was getting fresh air too….).
I keep hearing stories from friends with school-aged kids that there are birthday parties and events every weekend, and I think we’re all people who need a decent amount of time at home/as a family.
Anon says
I think it’s common to have something every weekend but not usually both days. My kid is pretty extroverted but I don’t think she would handle a fully scheduled Saturday AND Sunday most weekends. We try to schedule stuff in at most two of the four weekend “blocks” (counting morning and afternoon each day as a block).
Anonymous says
+1 to thinking of the weekend in 4 blocks. We can mix and match but don’t do more than 2-3 blocks total, with at least one block for vegging out (either with TV or play-doh/coloring/legos etc.).
Cb says
Oh that’s a really useful way of thinking of it! I think my son can normally roll with things, but he and dad had a dinner date on Friday night and then came and got me at the airport, so he was up past his bedtime which didn’t help.
A friend seems to be going to a birthday party every weekend and I don’t think we’d manage that at all. My son doesn’t love softplay / big crowded environments so would need some major quiet time after that.
Pogo says
+1 We only try to do one “big day” where we’d miss the nap/rest time. Otherwise, little brother naps 12:30-2:30ish and big brother gets his TV time.
Anonymous says
Three social activities in one day on Saturday is a lot!
Anonymous says
My kids do stuff on both weekends days but not all day. In winter we’ll ski both days sometimes but that’s really the only time it’s back to back. And if it’s a ski weekend there is a lot of driving which is good for resting/movies/reading.
Anon says
I generally try to schedule only 1 or 2 social activities or outings on a weekend. We usually have an entire weekend day where we don’t have to leave the house. We sleep in, cook a “fancy” brunch, do laundry, catch up on TV, maybe go for a neighborhood walk, and often stay in our PJs until the afternoon.
anon says
My kid insists on loads of downtime, uses it well (playing alone and with sibling, reading, creating, chatting with me), and is happy.
anon says
When my kids were preschool aged, they only wanted to stay home on weekends if they were in a full week of daycare. It was too much for them to do a full week of daycare and then activities on the weekend. They didn’t even want to do playdates at home with a friend. They just wanted free play at home with nothing else. The burn out was real.
We switched to half day preschool with a nanny and then they were much more open to weekend activities.
It’s gotten better as they’ve gotten older, but my 8 yo still really prefers to have big chunks of time at home. We went skiing last weekend and stayed overnight with the grandparents this weekend–both activities she loves and with lots of downtime–and this morning was a disaster. All she wanted to do was to stay home from school to hang at home. It can be hard to balance my husband’s interest in doing fun things on the weekend with her need to “just play.”
Mary Moo Cow says
We also have trouble with the balance in our house. DH likes to get out to the house once a day on the weekends, and kids and I are okay with one activity per weekend. I wouldn’t mind a second, but kids usually don’t want to. Usually DH goes on his own for lunch and an outing on Saturdays, but I sometimes resent that because then I’m on my own for lunch and most of the afternoon with 2 kids. It seems fair, on balance, because he’s home with them for two hours after school three days a week, but sometimes I want a partner on Saturday. Or, heaven forbid, to go out on my own. I’m not good at asking for that and kids schrreeeecchh if I try to go out on my own.
Also, if we have an activity heavy weekend we pay for Monday morning, too.
strategy mom says
My kids school organizes by birthday so your friend might just be in their class’s birthday heavy time of year (for my son it was the spring). I think some people need to keep their kids out of the house ALL weekend. We are NOT like that. I loathe the fact that my kids are now doing more sports. Protect your low key weekends. I was just thinking about how I miss the first few weeks of quarantine (high class problem) because we had so much time playing in the yard, using their imagination, etc. Now we have both kids in weekend sports and my current guilt trip is over not practicing with them during the week (since our 4 yo daughter stood still, oblivious for the entirity of her first soccer game saturday LOL).
Cb says
Ah, that’s interesting. And I wonder if all these pandemic kids are getting big birthdays after 2 years without them? So many softplay birthday parties, ugh!
When my son was little, we were out of the house much of the day, as he only napped in the buggy or the sling, so we might as well walk around somewhere nice while he slept. But now I think he has interests (or one interest, Lego….) so he’s quite content to stay at home and build all day after a busy week. He gets plenty of exercise during the week – at least a few miles scooting or walking every day, so I shouldn’t worry about it but I find it a bit boring. I have to make food, the house gets messy, etc.
Anon says
ok, please do not spend one further second feeling guilty for not practicing sports with your 4 year old during the week. whenever i try to practice/teach my kids anything they have no interest in learning from me
Spirograph says
This. We only practice sports with our kids to the extent that it’s kid-requested. And even then, if my kid wants me to pitch to him or whatever, I suggest that maybe he could get all the neighbors together for a game of wiffle ball, first.
I miss low-key weekends, too. This past weekend was overscheduled, and between that and DST, I’m really feeling it today.
Anon says
It might depend on if your kid is an introvert or an extrovert…but we get lots and lots of downtime. We barely do anything on weekends, honestly, and at most it would be one sport and one social activity (my kids did no activities this winter; this spring my 6-year-old is doing one sport and my 4-year-old is going and playing on the playground during that sport lol). After school they have free time at home from 4:30 to bed with no TV and no planned activities. Part of this is still pandemic life – I would like to sign up for something like martial arts one night a week but don’t feel comfortable yet.
But all that to say, I am fiercely protective of free time while my kids are little and will gradually introduce more. It’s hard when there are so many great activities out there and there’s a real pressure for kids to be “taking advantage of opportunities”, but it’s really best for most kids to be unstructured. (Simplicity Parenting is a favorite book of mine)
Anonymous says
The more the better. Two of the biggest things kids need are free play and the ability to be bored (and then subsequently entertain themselves). All the research points to this. You can check out Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Paine for a great read on this.
SC says
My son needs a lot of down time. One of the silver linings of 2020 for us was realizing how beneficial downtime was for him. We no longer keep him in aftercare. He has play therapy once a week and occupational therapy once a week, both after school. We dropped swim lessons because he just couldn’t handle another thing after school or on the weekend. On weekends, we typically limit ourselves to one activity, either morning or afternoon, each day–though often, it’s just one of the two days. At the start of the pandemic, we stopped bringing Kiddo on errands for safety reasons, and we didn’t restart for a long time because he seemed to need the downtime.
We’re just now starting to do more activities with Kiddo, who is almost 7. The type of activity matters. A birthday party is the most stimulating and chaotic social setting, and the most difficult for my kid, so he’d definitely need downtime the rest of the day, and we’d limit ourselves to one birthday party per weekend. Hiking with just the three of us requires physical exertion but no social skills. Errands and restaurants seem to be somewhere in the middle.
Cb says
That makes total sense. We went to a bananas birthday party over the summer and my husband came and collected us. He asked him to turn off the radio as “Mummy and I just need to sit here quietly for a little while…” I think he likes to be out and about, but finds loads of kids his own age in an unfamiliar environment stressful (which I haven’t figured out if I should be worried about yet).
Boston Legal Eagle says
We try not to do too many organized formal outings on the weekends for a lot of reasons, but we do try to go outside during each of those 4 weekend chunks of time because our older kid gets stir crazy (and thus the rest of us do too) being inside all day. He’s got swim and ninja lessons in the middle of the day Saturday and the rest of the weekend is usually unplanned, but with a lot of outdoor time. My parents typically come on Sunday mornings to take them out, which is a nice break for us. If they don’t, then we might plan a trip to a museum or zoo that morning, but then nothing planned in the afternoon. We haven’t had too many birthday parties lately (thanks Covid!) but probably would have a hard time doing one every weekend, much less one on each weekend day. I think my older kid would get overstimulated by that, even though he’s more extroverted.
My younger kid doesn’t have any formal activities on the weekends, and we’ll probably just do a swim class in the summer for safety, but that’s it. He honestly would probably rather spend all day every day playing at home, but that won’t work for the family unit as our older kid needs to get out and also, we get a little bored.
anonM says
Our kids need a lot. On most weeks we don’t have much other than daycare/preschool during the week. So, we do often plan more on weekends. But, I build in some weekends home. And plans are not usually big things, more of pizza with friends and their kids at our house. Or we go to our family cottage in summer, where it can be a lot of people but they are used to it and still get down time and I can still keep us largely on schedule. I don’t like a lot of plans that are strict on time, like formal classes or things that I have to get everyone dressed up for. I also recently signed up for one session of swim class, so about 5 weekends rather than all winter.
CPA Lady says
0%. She would happily go to school all day long, go to an activity every night, then do back to back activities all day both Saturday and Sunday. She’s an extrovert with boundless energy, starting first thing in the morning. I like going and doing stuff too, and I’m an extrovert, but not at that level. She has recently started reading for pleasure and I think that’s going to be a great way for her to be entertained but also give me a break. She has played quietly on her own maybe 5 times in her entire life. The idea of her playing with legos for three hours is just… my gosh. I can’t even comprehend children that do that kind of thing.
It’s always interesting to compare her to her much more quiet and introverted cousins (who both would totally play with legos for hours). On our visit at Christmas, they basically told her to chill because she woke up ready to party every morning, and was interrupting their “sit quietly” time.
Boston Legal Eagle says
It’s so funny how different kids can be. And is a nice reminder that our parenting can only shape them so much (i.e. not very much at all, we can only try to encourage them to us their personalities for good) I’m glad you’re an extrovert too because as an introvert, that much activity would stress me out! My older kid has a lot of energy too, but luckily (for now) still needs downtime after school and on weekends.
SC says
Haha, this was me as a child. I was constantly begging my parents to play board games with me, ringing the neighbors’ doorbell to play, etc. I remember sitting at the kitchen table doing “crafts” while my mom did dishes or cooked. This was after a full week of school, plus aftercare and several evenings of dance/gymnastics/church. (Note–I was not remotely gifted at arts, crafts, dance, or gymnastics.) Reading to myself did indeed help entertain me and gave my parents a break.
Anonymous says
I am 99% sure my baby flipped away from head down on Friday. He now is going back and forth between transverse and breech from what I can tell. I will be 35 weeks this coming Friday. What worked for you? Spinning babies has way too many things to try, I need to narrow it down!
busybee says
I did nothing and she flipped on her own at some point between 38 and 39 weeks.
Anon says
The Miles Circuit seems pretty popular in my Reddit bumper group. I haven’t personally used it to flip a baby, though.
Clementine says
My grandmother’s thing was that you had to scrub your kitchen floors on your hands and knees. Honestly, I think it’s something about the positioning on all fours with gentle rocking that might actually work. Also, couldn’t hurt?
I also know a couple people who swear acupuncture worked.
anon says
ECV was the only thing that worked. Though I’m pretty convinced that all the spinning babies exercises helped a lot in loosening up some really tight areas so there was enough stretch for the ECV to work.
AwayEmily says
Mine was transverse at 38 weeks and my doctor was about to schedule an ECV when she finally flipped on her own. I don’t think it was anything I did, although I did hang upside down off the couch for a few minutes each night. However, when I thought I was going to have an ECV I did a bunch of research on them and while the stats say that they are only 50% effective, that’s an average — if he’s not your first baby, if he’s transverse instead of breech, if you get an epidural during the procedure, and if you have normal levels of amniotic fluid, those are all associated with higher success rates.
Anon says
Based on my experience: expect them not to flip, schedule a c-section, go in and prep for c-section (have the nurse shave you!) then have one last pre-c-section ultrasound to find out twin A flipped (despite being in the wrong direction for literally months). Then induce and unexpectedly labor for many many many hours.
So, sometimes babies just need some time/want to dive you crazy. Good luck!
CHL says
I tried different movement based things (upside down, water, ball, all fours, etc.) and some kind of burning herbs from my acupuncturist. My son never presented as anything except breech the whole pregnancy (I had extra ultrasounds from a study I was in). I got an ECV around 36 weeks, with an epidural. The actual flipping the baby took 3 seconds and then I had an amazing nap. Highly recommend.
OP says
Sadly I had 2 epidurals with my 1st child and neither worked, so the idea of getting an epidural for an ECV sounds very unappealing. I’m glad it worked for you, though!
Anonymous says
Those who’s school districts have lifted mask mandates recently, what are you doing for your kids? I’m inclined to let my kids go without (we’re in a heavily vaccinated area with extremely low case counts). If anyone has made a similar decision, have you faced pushback from anyone? We’ve already had one email to the parents list serve imploring us to make our kids keep wearing masks. But I think there has to be an off ramp somewhere, and if this isn’t it, with case counts at practically zero, I’m not sure what is. And yes I am aware some people think we should require masks forever but I am not one of them.
Anonanonanon says
My older kid is still wearing one because he can wear it properly and they still space out enough at lunch that I feel it actually does something. I discussed with him and he wanted to continue to wear it until the weather warms and the kiddy cruds passing through the community lighten up.
I let my younger one (4 yo) stop wearing hers. Only around half the parents in her class are still sending kids in with them, but since they remove them to eat and nap in the same room and barely wear them correctly anyway, it felt like theatre at this point. Plus, they’re working on some speech things with her and the teacher strongly hinted it would be easier when she’s not masked.
I’m saying this as an immunocompromised person who clearly has skin in the game- but it’s time for us to just start making decisions that work for our kids. Obviously a new vaccine-resistant variant, rising case counts, etc. can always change that but in the current climate I don’t have a problem with people doing what they need to do for their kids after 2 years of this.
Anonymous says
I would consider if the parents making the request are doing so on the basis of having some particular risk for their family. And also if it’s an elementary school with pre-K kids in the building, consider that they cannot be vaccinated yet, so vaccination for under-5s could be an off-ramp.
I think if you think though those points and are still ok w/your kids unmasking, I would think about what an on ramp would be. It seems pretty clear that cases are creeping up right now. So maybe your kids go without for now but there’s a point where they mask up.
Anonymous says
It does not seem remotely clear to me that cases are creeping up. There’s zero evidence of that in my state and those around me.
EP-er says
Masks became optional 2/28 at our schools. We have high vaccination/low transmission in our area and let the kids decide. My 4th grader still wears one in school, but not at lunch/outside recess — she has a lot of friends with younger siblings, and most of them are still wearing masks. My 8th grader mostly doesn’t wear one anymore. He is recently boosted, so I am okay with that too.
We did have protests a few time outside of the elementary school in the fall, and some drama with a student’s father around that. There were a few “unmask our kids” lawn signs, but mostly it has been civil.
I keep reminding myself that vaccines work & we are vaccinated. Transmission is low. My parents are not in great health, but we can rapid test before we see them. This might change if I had unvaccinated younger children, but this is where we have landed as a family today. (And it might be different next fall if there is another surge next fall)
Anonymous says
Not dying to get into yet another mask debate, but I think an obvious off-ramp is when cases are low AND every child has a vaccine available to them. My biggest problem is that our state recently banned mask mandates so not only is there a mandatory off-ramp, but there’s a bar on creating a new on-ramp if a new variant or surge comes along.
Anon says
My kid is going maskless for now. If cases go back up, she will wear a mask again.
anon says
Mine are (in theory) wearing theirs until we leave for spring break. We will reevaluate as we go. Today was the first day that masks have been highly recommended rather than required. The elementary kids were pretty keen on keeping theirs own, but my middle schooler would have given it up if allowed. We did let them take their masks off while playing hockey (but not in the locker room) because I know that they get crazy hot.
NYCer says
My elementary school aged daughter is no longer wearing a mask. My preschooler also won’t wear a mask as soon as the requirement is dropped for preschools in NYC.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I have one vaccinated child and one unvaccinated child (too young). Neither wears masks to school now. I asked my older kid and he said he wanted to stop wearing his. My younger kid’s class wasn’t great at mask wearing before (although he was pretty good) and they take them off to eat and nap anyway. Is it the safest least risky option? No, but for now this is what we’re doing now given where the case counts are. If they change, we’ll reevaluate. From looking at his class pictures, I’d say maybe half of the K class is still in masks. Maybe 1/3 of my younger’s preschool class.
Anonymous says
Boston suburb. Adult vax rate of over 85% in town. My 5 and 8 year olds are vaxxed and have not had COVID. They don’t wear masks anymore.
My newly 4 year old no longer wears a mask at Pk. Of the 12 kids in her class, 9 have had COVID (and she’s one of the 3 that has not).
Anon says
DD went to school without hers for the first time today (church part-time preschool class of 4 YOs). They all wear cloth masks (not very effective) and not very well (I see lots of noses in pictures), so I don’t think the mask is doing much. Everyone who is high risk in our circle (including my immunocompromised self) is vaccinated and boosted (as well as everyone we know how is not high risk). Case counts are super low. DD’s speech issues are progressing so, so slowly that I can’t imagine that being able to hear herself without the mask muffling and hear her peers and see their mouths won’t help. As it is we’ve been doing speech therapy outside all winter for the exact same reasons.
Anonymous says
We left it up to our 10 year old son, who chose to not wear his, although he came home with a cold 5 days in so is back wearing it until his symptoms are gone. We are in NYC, CDC green zone, pretty low case counts, and had breakthrough infections with Delta but not omicron. Somewhat inconsistently, we still put masks on to leave our apartment and go in stores, and he just pulls it down and ends up wearing it around his neck all day at school. Its a work in progress.
Spirograph says
I also am not one of them, and while I’m absolutely willing to keep masks on if the requestor makes a targeted personal request, I’m not receptive to blanket “everyone still needs to wear masks because this isn’t over!” anymore. Also in a highly vaccinated area with very low case counts. Not that people need to tell me all their health business, but I’d encourage my kids to wear masks if there were a high-risk, unvaccinated not-by-choice classmate or teacher; I would not for just a strident parent on a risk-mitigation soapbox.
In general, I let my kids choose whether they want to wear masks if it’s an option. Mask mandates have dropped 90% of places we go, now, but also the overwhelming majority of people still wear them indoors. My husband said other shoppers were actively avoiding him at the grocery store yesterday because he was mask-less. My kids make different choices depending on the situation and peer pressure.
Anon says
They literally just lifted ours this afternoon (there’s an ongoing court case and the judge lifted the temporary injunction when even the plaintiffs (the ones who filed the suit to have a mandate) moved to lift it in face of the new CDC guidance). My kids are on spring break this week but are thrilled to go without next week. We live in a red area, and didn’t have masks when school started in the fall, so I’d be shocked if there’s significant pushback. But if there was, I’d let my kids make their own call. They’ve handed it far better then I would ever have expected, but I have no interest in making them wear masks in school.
AwayEmily says
My kindergartener and preschooler are still in masks. About half the kids in their classes are, too. We will revisit when their baby sister turns 3 months and is at lower risk (not just for Covid but also for everything else). If it wasn’t for her we would likely unmask, and I fully support parents who make either choice given the low case rates in our area.
Anonymous says
OP- Thanks all, appreciate the thoughtful responses to this.
Anon says
We are at a private school in a VA suburb of DC and our 2nd grader still masks. We upgraded to kn95 to increase protection during omicron, so feel fairly comfortable that it works even with other kids unmasking. I think it’s about 50/50 in her clas.
Anon says
Our schools and public spaces went mask-optional on March 1 (Chicago suburbs). Both kids are in elementary and fully vaxxed, and they report that probably 50-75% of kids are still wearing masks. Our spring break is next week.
My kids are still wearing theirs for now, and I’ll probably give them the option to take them off after we come back from Spring Break. So far, we haven’t had a large uptick of cases in ours schools or even our community, and we’re right at two weeks out. Most of the parents I’m talking to are in the same approach – wear until Spring Break and then likely take them off, assuming we haven’t seen any big spikes. I agree, we need an off-ramp, and this is about as gradual as I can make it.
Anonymous says
Comments are still missing. This is becoming frustrating. I’m not having this problem on the main page.
Clementine says
This is so odd! Mine keep disappearing? Like, I can see them and then I can’t…
Test says
I noticed on the main page there are instructions about the comments that say you need to have your name and email (can be a burner) filled out and the “save my info” box checked for each comment, otherwise it will go to a mod queue. I assume it would be the same here, but agreed it’s really frustrating. I think a lot of us are here for the comments as much as the editorial content, so it’s really messing with the UX.
Test says
Checking back to say that using my Test name and email address did not solve the mod queue issue for me (it could be operator error on my part!). I still couldn’t see my own comments or any other new ones from 11:30 til now; I refreshed a couple times in the last hour or so just for curiosity’s sake.
Test says
But that one popped up immediately! Maybe it’s fixed from now on…?
Kate says
So sorry this is still an issue! Working on it!
Anon says
My son takes off all of his clothes to poop. (Only does this at home – when at school or elsewhere, he does not disrobe). How normal is this? My husband is worried and I think it’s NBD. DS is 6, for reference.
Anon says
i just listened to a parenting podcast and someone else was worried because their kid does this, so can’t be too out of the norm
Anonymous says
I would teach your son to close the door while he uses the bathroom.
Anon says
He does! Not worried about the privacy aspect, just the disrobing part.
Anonymous says
That’s the point. If he’s not taking off his clothes in front of other people, what’s the issue?
Anon says
OP. Yes, exactly. I don’t know why my husband cares – since it’s not a privacy issue. He’s worried its weird / uncommon enough that we should worry. I disagree.
Anon says
My husband does this lol. I hate it, but in the big scheme of things its not really a big deal.
Cb says
NBD, he’s getting comfy.
Anon says
Is the disrobing helping with something that could be helped by something else? Maybe he needs a stool or something to be more comfortable.
Anonymous says
It’s not a big deal but it’s also something you need to teach him not to do.
Spirograph says
I think it’s pretty normal, my boys used to do it. The 5 year old kinda still does, but has just shifted pooping schedule to coincide with shower time when he’d take his clothes off anyway. If he poops at a non-shower time, he takes off his pants (he does close the door usually, but often puts his pants back on backwards, which is how I know).
Anon says
help me figure out what to do. my almost 4 year old twins are participating in their first ballet class and for various reasons their recital is going to be at 7/7:15pm. my kids are usually in bed at 6:30/7 (like they start brushing their teeth at 6:15) and i am worried this is going to be an epic disaster, since given where it is located, the earliest they would probably be able to get into bed is 8:30. participating in the recital is not required and in fact you have to pay extra for the costume. i’m not sure my kids will really understand exactly what they are missing, but it will be talked about during their weekly class. should we participate? opt out this year?
Clementine says
Participate, have low expectations, introduce your kids to the concept of a ‘disco nap’, and they’ll be a hot mess the next morning so plan nothing.
‘Disco nap’ is a late afternoon snooze so you can party all night at the disco. Also a much better sell for my kid than a ‘baby nap’. “No dude. It’s just a disco nap so we can go to the Nutcracker tonight! Doesn’t that sound great?’
anonamama says
Hahah, I love this! Clementine, you’re the real MVP for this one.
Pogo says
i love this so much
Mary Moo Cow says
I love the idea of a disco nap! How do your kids feel about it? You said you aren’t sure if they would really understand what they are missing, and that sounds like my 4 year old. A recital at that age would have been for me, and so, in your shoes, I would have opted out (although it would pain me to do it as a former dance kid.) However, if they talk about it or are excited about it, disco nap and clear your schedule for the next morning.
Anonymous says
Dance recitals for 3-year-olds are torture. I’d skip it unless they are clamoring to participate.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
+1. This is where I’d land.
OP says
one of them definitely will not nap under any circumstances. i also should add in that their bday is earlier that week so it is already going to be a bit of a different week, and this is also the date that we wanted to have their bday party (the recital was supposed to be during the week), so a part of me thinks we should just do their bday party earlier that day and then they wont care about the recital. most of the kids we will be inviting to the bday party will not be in the recital, and my in-laws will be visiting.
Mary Moo Cow says
Oh, yeah, with that information, I would skip it.
Anonymous says
I have 3 girls. They’ve all done dance at various studios over the years, and all the studios always say “recital is optional.” I will tell you that they will 100% know they are missing something when the other kids get to try on costumes and they don’t have one.
If you do opt out, talk to the teacher and get a sense for how you can avoid them feeling left out (skip costume measuring/try on day/in-studio dress rehearsals, etc).
Anon says
I completely agree with this. My daughter would have been really sad at 3 to not get the costume that everyone else in the class did. If you are not going to do the recital, you should probably go ahead and pull them from class now, because learning the dance will be the class focus until it happens.
NYCer says
+1. I would assume that most/all of the other kids will do the recital.
DLC says
I think it is totally fine to opt out, and explain to your kids that they can participate next year, but I would tell the Studio/teacher as soon as possible because my experience is that often much of the class is working on recital material and this way the teacher can space the routine for the right number of participants.
Anonymous says
Yeah your kids will be excluded in class. It will suck
Anonymous says
Participate. Deal with one late bedtime.
Anonanonanon says
I think this is partially a know your kid thing. This would have devastated me, even at 3. My daughter, on the other hand, probably wouldn’t care. Especially with the birthday context you’ve given, I don’t blame you for skipping, but I’d consider talking to the teacher and pull them out of the class when they reach the point of exclusively practicing for the recital.
Because they’ll need to practice spacing, entrance/exits, and practice the dance in their exact spots, your kids will be asked to stand to the side or in the back during practice, which might add salt to the wound. The teacher will inevitably have to mention at some point that they won’t be there during the recital (when explaining spacing, etc.) and again, that would’ve bugged me as a kid. If they’re sensitive to that sort of thing, it’s more reason to pull them out early.
anon says
Happy First-Workday-After-the-Time Change! The worst morning of the year.
Did everyone survive? My 8 yo had the world’s biggest meltdown because she slept “late” and missed some of her cartoon time. It was a miserable start to the day. She isn’t a kid that rolls with it and she tantrumed for a solid 45 minutes before I flipped and yelled at her. She wasn’t pulling it together and we had to get to school. I really thought we’d be past this by 8 yo. Gah.
Anonymous says
My kid did just fine. She had a sleepover Saturday night so she came home tired, went to bed early on Sunday, and popped right up this morning.
I had to be up at new 6:00 a.m., old 5:00 a.m. on Sunday. I woke up at new 3:30 and couldn’t go back to sleep because I was worried I’d sleep through the alarm. Then I couldn’t fall asleep last night because it was too early. I am so very tired.
The dog is confused. I went to let her out this morning and she just gave me a look like WTF, human? It’s still nighttime. No way am I getting out of this bed.
Anonymous says
survived, but overslept bc my kids are my alarm these days and woke up when our house alarm started going off bc i wasn’t up in time to shut it before our nanny arrived. fortunately i am still WFH this week, but going back next week :-(
So Anon says
My 8 year old moaned that it isn’t fair that they change the clocks like this, and I had no good response. We were all a bit all over the place this morning. My 11 year old sprinted back to the house from the bus stop because he forgot something and the bus was 3 minutes early. So they made it to school, and I’m calling that a win?
Anonymous says
My husband overslept and basically tried to blame me for not waking him up sooner? He quickly apologized, since as it was coming out of his mouth he knew it was ridiculous. But we all were big grumps this morning. Except my toddler, who was totally fine and excited for school.
anonamama says
BARELY SURVIVED. It took THREE tries to get my 2yo out of bed. On the second try, “Go downstairs and clean up, ma.” That hasn’t softened in my brain to become cute to me, yet.
Anon. says
My two year old this morning was laying in a face down starfish pose when I walked in. Me: Are you awake yet, sweet pea? Her: No. Delivered in perfect deadpan. I couldn’t stop my giggle. She did not think I was funny.
Anonymous says
Somehow my 9 year old got up at 5:30am (new time!) today.
Pogo says
The 4yo woke up after his little brother and I were puttering around for awhile, then declared “why are you guys up so early”. I told him he could go back to sleep but he didn’t want to miss out on the fun so came down to breakfast. He then curled up on the couch after breakfast, which he NEVER does.
I made it in by 8:15 so i’m taking the W.
NYCer says
I am always happy when our spring break coincides with the time change. We are traveling next week, so my kids just enjoyed a lazy, slightly later than usual morning at home.
Boston Legal Eagle says
My older kid slept until 7 new time (we had to wake him up). This kid is high energy and is usually up no later than 6:30 so I’ll call today a win.
Anon says
Was rough. The only saving grace is that her school has spirit week this week each year, and they always have pajama day today. So kiddo was groggily excited to get to put clean PJs on for school today which is the only reason we had no tantrums this morning. Although she did yell at me because she thought it was crazy hair day (which is tomorrow) and I didn’t fix her hair.
EDAnon says
It went fine only because my kids are home sick so we didn’t need to get out of the house.
Clementine says
Help me figure this out for next year:
Kid #1 – Bus comes at 8:30AM for pickup, drops off at 3:30PM
Kid #2 – Daycare is next to work – 10 min each way drive.
Me – ideally starts work at 8, finishes at 4:30
There’s basically no aftercare at kid’s school. The before care also has a huge waiting list. Right now, my plan is to switch my hours later but basically drive Kid #2 to daycare, drop off, drive home and wait with Kid #1 for bus, then drive back to work, starting by 8:45/9 on in office days but still starting by 8 on WFH days.
I have a grandparent who is willing to help 1-2 days/week, but the days change (so that’s not super helpful for planning). After school sitter is the answer here, right? Anybody have a setup that works well for them that doesn’t involve me parking a kid in front of screens so I can wrap up my workday?
Tea/Coffee says
Does daycare have a school-age program? Most big centers will accept school-aged kids for before and after care, essentially – and around us, they bus to/from school. So that would give you a single drop off / pickup which IME is worth it’s weight in gold. They also will usually open for those random half days, etc.
Anonanonanon says
This. We relied on daycare school-aged programs because they also cover teacher workdays, some snow days, Christmas break, spring break, etc. and had better hours (as early as 7 AM and as late as 6 PM)
I would avoid one of the karate studio before/after programs that are prevalent in some areas. Some people love the, but they aren’t licensed and there are also a lot of horror stories out of them
Clementine says
For some freaking reason, we have almost no after school options. Our town rec center runs an after school program at all the public schools but it’s literally a lottery to get in… and for the 300-ish kids in my local elementary school, there are 50 slots…
The JCC and Y are both in the city next door… which my school won’t bus to. The only other option IS the karate program with aftercare (that also happens to be 15 minutes in the wrong direction at peak traffic) which I would rather avoid.
Anonymous says
I am assuming you need to be able to do mornings solo.
What is the earliest you can drop Kid #1 off at school? Our public schools allow kids into the building 1/2 hour before school starts, which is actually earlier than the bus comes. I’d do either school drop-off –> day care drop off –> work or bus –> day care drop-off –> work. Start work around 9, end at 5:30. No way would I add at least 1/2 hour to the morning with an extra trip to day care and deal with wrangling both kids at day care drop-off.
You absolutely need after-school care. Even if you are willing to park Kid #1 in front of a screen for two hours in the afternoon, you still won’t be able to get anything done with a kid in the house until they are in middle school, and not even then if they require help or supervision with homework. If you can’t find a program at a Y, JCC, church, preschool, day care, martial arts school, or sports facility, then you need to hire a sitter. Or get a full-time nanny for both kids, drop day care, and have the nanny put Kid #1 on the bus so you can get to work earlier.
Clementine says
I don’t even know if you guys will see this, but thank you for letting me think this through out loud. I have literally looked at all the options and I could either go with a martial arts place (which a friend had a weird experience with and it’s not convenient for me at all) or hire a sitter.
I am really starting to think I should be talking my husband into an au pair (even though it would mean leaving my beloved daycare who is only full time).
anon says
Au pair.
Clementine says
You know, I’ve been telling my husband that when younger kid is in 3-K, that’ll be the year of the Au Pair… We’re actually starting on renovations this summer so that we have a nice private space for an au pair… I don’t know if it’ll be done in time (we are having some actual construction done).
Anonymous says
Working 9-5 with after school care. Is there no childcare that picks up at the school? Our school has one option for in school care that is always full and two more different places that pick up.
8:30 – bus picks up and your leave to take kid 2 to daycare
8:45/9 – 4:45/5 – work
5 – pick up at daycare
5:15/5:30 – arrive home to sitter or pick up at aftercare
Clementine says
Kids can take the bus to an aftercare place… it’s super weird, the district refuses to tell you of other aftercare options because they ‘don’t want to endorse anyone’… but when you ask about aftercare they tell you it’s a lottery and always full.
I tried asking my neighbors what they do and 90% seem to rely on the kids taking the bus to grandparents or other relatives.
Anonymous says
It feels like it would be easiest to wait for the bus to come and then take Kid 2 to daycare and then start work then (sounds like that would be 8:50ish?). Then work as late as you need to, get Kid 2 when you’re done, and then get Kid 2 at aftercare. It sounds like you need either before or after care (or both) so I would probably try to manage the morning stuff before work and then get aftercare. And we have succumbed to letting our oldest watch about an hour of screen time from 4-5 while we finish up work (we’re both lucky to WFH full time and have flexibility). It ain’t ideal, but we feel like it’s not that bad in the grand scheme of things and he needs some down time after getting home anyway. Some days, neighborhood friends come over to play and while that’s harder to manage, we try to just bring our laptops within ear shot for that last hour.
Mary Moo Cow says
Ehhh, kind of. For us, the pain point was the afternoons, when you either get Kid 1 home and settled and then have to uproot her to go get Kid 2, or you pick up Kid 2 early (right at the end of nap, inevitably) and have 2 kids to entertain at home in the afternoon. This was our situation last year, with a 5 and 3 year old: DH picks up kids and gets home with them about 3:30 M/W/F. Snack, maybe check email, but don’t count on getting work done), a bit of TV and then playtime until I got home at 5:30. T/TR he picks them up and takes them to grandparents house, then either parks at a coffee shop to work until 6 or comes home and grandparents drop them off at 6.
DH and I disagree about whether this actually works, and I would investigate at least part-time aftercare for Kid 1 (like afterschool club or straight up aftercare), at least one consistent day with a grandparent (every T, or every F), and a babysitter for Kid 1 while you work and then go get Kid 2 (and take a few minutes to stop at the drugstore or get yourself a coffee!)
Anonymous says
Yes, if you’re working after 3:30 you need child care. I’d get a sitter. And you shouldn’t be doing all the drop offs and pick ups since you have a husband who is these kid’s father.
Clementine says
Heh- I think I may have missed the mark with my poor attempt at pandemic era parenting humor.
Yup, my husband actually does 50% of the drop offs/pickups. But because of a lot of work related travel (for him), I need to make sure that I can make it work for me all the time. Basically, I plan around ‘Okay, if I have to do this solo, what is the sanest thing for me’ and then he jumps into that routine.
Anonymous says
Help me out with a neighbor issue. We live in a high density area outside of DC. It’s a 1950s neighborhood and the lots aren’t huge but they aren’t small. Not a townhouse, these are 4 bedroom homes. Houses sell for 400-500K. My neighbors moved in 3 years ago and their barking dogs (outside) have been a constant problem. In the last week it’s been worse because it’s been early in the morning (6am) or late at night (after 10pm). There’s been instances I’ve had to text them or knock on their door because the dogs are barking incessantly outside at 11:30pm on a weekday.
Last night I texted them and finally sent a link to our county noise ordinance, quiet hours after 9pm. To which she replied “I’ve never said anything but I can hear your kids crying and screaming all the time. I can even hear you on the phone in your house”. My kids aren’t home until 4pm, and sleep 7-7 every night. We bring them in if they’re crying in the yard. I don’t want to call the police for a noise complaint because I’m afraid they’ll retaliate with a bogus call to CPS, especially given the last comment. But I don’t know how else to proceed.
Test says
Ugh, neighbor issues are the worst. What do they do when you knock or text them asking to bring their dogs in? I can see why you did it, but clearly the noise ordinance link was an escalation and you don’t want it to get more acrimonious. If they’re usually responsive the first time you ask them to bring the dogs in, I’d actually start with an apology: “I was really frustrated last night, and I’m sorry I brought up the noise ordinance.” time change, sleep, blah blah blah. and then some kind of olive branch about the small yards and trying to make sure your kids aren’t disruptive, but can they please also minimize the dogs out in the yard late at night and early in the morning.
Our friends have a couple really noisy dogs and they have bark collars for them that they put on if the dogs are getting too riled up. I know some people disapprove those, but as a training tool they seem to be effective.
anon says
Have you considered getting new windows? They can make a huge difference. When they’re installed hover and make sure they insulate every gap.
Cb says
Oh no, that’s terrible! Are they home when the dogs are barking and they are just neglecting them?
Anonymous says
Having dealt with major neighbor drama in the past, in the context of a small co-op, unfortunately there’s not much to be done. It’s clear from your neighbor’s response that they’re unreasonable, so you’re not going to reason with them.
I would definitely not call the cops. I would maybe call someone in local government to ask about your options. But this is just neighbors and life. Add some landscaping and ignore them as best you can. You’re not going to “win” though it will be tempting to try.
anon. says
I wish I had a “like” button for this comment. Everything here is true.
Mary Moo Cow says
Investigate adding insulation and new windows, add some trees or bushes to help muffle the noise, and see if you can commiserate with other neighbors. I wouldn’t have texted the noise ordinance, but I would have texted and asked if the dogs need something that they aren’t getting, or a passive aggressive “your dogs are barking; is there a racoon outside I need to be worried about?”
I don’t think is a police matter, and I would even hesitate to call animal protection, although it seems like they either have dogs who need training and support and attention and aren’t getting it, or just unfortunately neurotic dogs with brain worms (like my poor ancient dog who barks at the construction guys and delivery guys all.the.time.)
ElisaR says
that is so painfully passive aggressive that it would probably annoy the neighbor more.
Anon says
Maybe get a few cans of Pet Corrector and see if you can train the dogs not to bark with it. If you can hear them from your yard, they can hear the Pet Corrector. It may stop the barking if you consistently use it every time they bark. I think you are supposed to give a command like “No Bark” before using the corrector but it may not be possible in your situation.
Anonymous says
OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately we already have new windows etc…Sometimes they are responsive, other times they are not. Frankly I think they are just completely not self-aware. They also still have deflated Christmas decorations on their front lawn and lights hanging precariously off their house. Before they hired a lawn service (thank god they did!) they’d let their grass get way too long, etc..
I did very politely reply this morning about us making sure the kids aren’t too loud in the backyard . but also…kids playing normally in the backyard at 4pm is not the same as a dog barking at 10pm.it just REALLY grinds my gears that she brought up my kids. I guess this is sometimes par for the course for “my dogs are exactly like human children” people.
Honestly her oddest comment is that she said “I can hear you talking on your phone inside my house”. Im not on speaker phone in my house or anything. She’s paranoid, keeps track of what cars visit OUR house (like mentions my parents or friends car make/model), and has lots of cameras around. Now I’m wondering if she records audio as well.
Test says
There’s a lot here… These are the kind of neighbors that you either learn to ignore or who drive you to move. I’m sorry. If you live somewhere with a neighborhood association or HOA, you could check out whether there are any options there, but otherwise, I think this is one where you just resign yourself to do what you can without the neighbor’s help.
Anonanonanon says
This. Good news is, it’s a decent time to sell in the DC area. Otherwise, I agree with everyone who suggested some kind of device that emits a noise only the dogs can hear.
Anon says
My neighbors told us that the previously owner of our house bought something that looks like a birdhouse that hides some kind of equipment that makes dogs stop barking (it emits a noise only dogs can hear when they bark as a deterrent or something). They put it right by the dog’s fence. Their child had health issues that made a barking dog intolerable. Maybe you can look into that? I’d stop engaging the neighbor. They sound crazy-ish.
Anonymous says
Thank you! I didn’t even think of anti bark devices. We’ve owned dogs before, and our last dog was A LOT but we never let her bark at neighbors because we aren’t insane.
Anonymous says
I’ve only lived in apartments my adult life, but I don’t think escalating things generally helps these conflicts. Re sound from kids – I would worry more about the early morning hours than 4pm. It is possible the walls are thinner than you realize, and 7 am noise can be annoying if you are not forced to get up at that hour, especially on the weekend.
Anonymous says
I totally agree, but we don’t share walls (this is an old school suburban neighborhood – think Wonder Years) and we don’t let our kids out loose in the backyard until a reasonable hour (9am?). Usually we’re out on an adventure by 9:30am saturdays and go to church Saturday mornings.
AnonZ says
It was bound to happen. I tested positive and I’m actually quite sick. No idea where I got it. DH tested negative but is symptomatic – I think he’s tracking 2 days behind me. DD is almost 4 and is at 110% energy it feels like, also slightly symptomatic and testing negative. DD is going to have so much screen time these next few days. Idk what else to do. I can barely move and DH isn’t far behind. This too shall pass……
Cb says
Oh no, AnonZ. All the screentime, some new toys, and maybe some fun delivery for you guys?
EDAnon says
My husband and I got stomach flu back to back when our son was under 1. Kiddo didn’t get it. It magically worked that I got better (enough) as he got sicker so we were able to get through it. Hopefully, you will have similar luck!
I am so sorry this is happening!
octagon says
School went masks optional last week.
This week our entire household is down with a raging cold. (Tested, not Covid.)
I know this is part of the expected return to normalcy, but I did not take for granted that period where we were all healthy for 2 years.
Anon says
Yep, raging cold and TWO stomach bugs in the last week (after having no stomach bug since Dec 2019). My kids are still in masks but I think are a little lax about them now that many other kids aren’t wearing them…
Anonymous says
Right? I miss winters without colds.
Anonymous says
Yup. My kid had two bad colds in two weeks after school went mask-optional. My kid still wears a mask, but the unmasked kids are apparently spreading all kinds of things among themselves and then sitting next to my kid at lunch. (Note to kid’s seatmate: If you “feel like death,” why are you at school?)
Honestly, since our school has no windows and terrible ventilation they should be requiring masks at all times, COVID or not. They also need to make sure the restrooms have actual soap and paper towels.
AIMS says
I mean isn’t this kind of like when kids started daycare/school after being home? You get all the germs and then your immune system gets better at dealing with it and improves. I don’t think masks forever are the answer. Particularly just to avoid regular colds. And I get the frustration – my kid was sick with a cold all weekend.
octagon says
Oh, it’s totally normal and we knew it was coming. And yet, it sucks. Both things are true!
Anonymous says
Yes…but the alternative is all our kids get autoimmune diseases when they’re older from not getting ENOUGH germs in childhood,
Anon says
Do kids have to get sick sick to build “appropriate” immunity, or can they just, like, play in dirt? Obviously you need to catch a cold to become immune to that specific virus (or whatever illness), but isn’t the immune system also built up by low-level exposure to all sorts of germs in the general “mess” of life, (being kind of dirty, playing with animals, not over sanitizing things, etc)?
Anon Lawyer says
I always thought that was more protective against allergies than viruses.
Anon says
Allergies are autoimmune, so that’s why I’m wondering (re: the assertion of developing autoimmune issues). And actually, *catching* viruses can trigger autoimmmne issues later in life (like Epstein-Barr)
EDAnon says
We got stomach flu – same thing. Masks off and it started spreading fast. It’s been two years of no stomach flu.
Small gestures says
DH and I are brainstorming small concrete ways to help each other feel appreciated. Stuff for each other than for household or child. like making coffee, foot rub, etc. Almost a daily checklist of small things. Any ideas? Thanks!
anon says
This is probably highly dependent on the individual, but here’s a list that works for me and my DH:
– Saying the actual words “thank you.”
– Small gestures of physical affection.
– Grocery store/Costco flowers (though less often than daily).
– I joke with my husband that the way to my heart is “coffee before noon, diet coke until 5, then wine.”
– Handling your own stuff to make the other person’s chore easier–clearing your plate if your partner does the dishes, putting your laundry in the hamper if your partner does the laundry, etc. (Maybe this is more making sure the other person doesn’t feel unappreciated.)
– Telling your partner to go sit down for 20 minutes.
Cb says
My husband put in his wedding vows that he’d always make me tea. I think for me, asking how their day was and genuinely listening? And remember to follow up on something you discussed before. I’m not great at this, there are just so many people, I can’t remember who is who.
Spirograph says
That’s a really sweet thing to add into vows! I agree with just genuine listening, this is huge for me, too. I forget the source, but relationship advice about “turning toward” offhand comments instead of acknowledging but not engaging really resonated with me. Lieke, if your partner comments on the birds in the backyard, you treat it as a conversation opener, rather than saying “mmhmm” while still scrolling through your phone.
“Acts of service” is definitely one of my love languages. My husband knows how clutter or tiny chores piling up really add to my stress. So if he unloads the dishwasher in the morning, I take that as the appreciation that it is, and thank him for it.
Mary Moo Cow says
Saying thanks goes a long way for me; physical affection goes a long way for DH. So I would say it’s going to be individual and the more targeted the gesture, the more it will be appreciated.
Clearing the other’s plate after a meal, doing the dishes without being asked, making the other tea randomly, a surprise bunch of flowers, saying thanks after the other has planned and prepared a meal, a text to say thanks for getting the kids ready this morning, are all small things that would make me feel appreciated.
DLC says
I think it depends on your love language, but things I do for my husband- make sure the counter in front of the coffee maker is clear before I go to bed, keep foyer clutter at a minimum, but him a bag of his favorite coffee beans when I’m near the coffee place. (Basically things that make his morning frictionless as possible since he leaves for work at 6:45a.) Remember to call him on my dinner break when I have to work late.
Things he does for me that I love – he does all my laundry, remembers to stock up on my favorite chocolate bars, lets me sleep in, texts me silly gifs randomly at the middle of the day. Tells the kids what a great person their mom is.
He is also really verbal, but that isn’t my love language, so I appreciate it when he says “I love you” constantly but it doesn’t fill me with oxytocin.
Oh another big one I know we have to work harder on is to put down our phones and look each other in the eyes when we’re talking.
Anonanonanon says
I’m not usually into this kind of stuff, but love languages are real. I’d learn each other’s love language if you don’t already know.
My husband is a words of affirmation/physical touch person, so I go out of my way to thank him like”Hey, thank you for cleaning up that big mess I made cooking. I know you had a long day too, so I appreciate it” or give a genuine compliment. He likes when I massage his head while we watch TV, too. He likes a specific soda that can be hard to find, so I’ll grab a case of it if I see it as a little surprise.
I’m an acts of service/quality time person. For me, watching a new TV show together where no one is messing around on their phone is important. I want us to actually be experiencing it together, cheesy as that sounds. If I’m hungry and he offers to leave the house to go pick up food, I really feel spoiled (yes it’s not a huge thing but I HATE the cold and hate leaving the house once I’m home and it means a lot for me that he’ll run an errand after he’s already settled at home after a long day). He’ll drop off my return packages for me, which is also an errand I have an irrational hatred for. I like when he indulges me in having a cheese/wine/movie night even though I know he’d prefer to have an actual meal.
Anonanonanon says
Oh and I’ve noticed we try to go out of our way to text the other person if something made us think of them during our workday. Not just an “I love you” text but the context in which we thought of them, or what we’re looking forward to that involves them/the family coming up, or something fond we were looking back on.
Anon says
Getting the L’Occitane advent calendar is a good way to try most of their hand lotions and other products. I think you can still find old ones online. I was not a fan of this cherry blossom one but I liked several of the others.
anon says
It’s time to start talking about where babies come from in our house. Any book recommendations? I remember a getting a great book from the library a few years ago, but can’t remember the name. Kiddo is in second grade.
Mary Moo Cow says
Amazing You! by Dr. Gail Salter might be a bit young, but a good starting point. For yourself, I recommend “Beyond the Birds and the Bees” to get acquainted with shifting attitudes about this in society and schools, what might be taught in school, how to gear yourself up for the talks, etc. She also has a list of age specific resources in the book; the one I remember that I’ve seen endorsed elsewhere is videos on Amaze.org. Also, asking a librarian?
Anon says
Google Oak Park OWL and go to resources. Organized by topic and age group.
Anonanonanon says
“It’s not the stork!” worked for us. It also gets into okay touches, not okay touches which are conversations I struggle to have/stress about. My son actually disclosed that another kid was touching him at daycamp while we read the book. Second grade was the year we read it.
Anonymous says
Has anyone taught their kids cursive? If so, how? Is there a good workbook, etc?
My 9 year old can read cursive (thanks, babysitters club members who use cursive!) but wants to write it.
DLC says
I got a workbook off Amazon for my kid the summer when she was 7. It takes a little digging through search results because not all books teach the same style of cursive so I had to find one that was the style that I learned. I like the books that teach the letters by grouping them by stroke style rather than strictly alphabetically.
…. But I would be curious to hear other thoughts on the matter. Sometimes I feel so old fashioned for trying to teach my child cursive, since they clearly don’t do it in class. We only made it through the lower case letters before she lost interest and other priorities popped up.
Anonymous says
The Good & The Beautiful, which is a homeschooling company, has cursive workbooks. Really just a page a day should be sufficient.
Anon says
We have a private tutor for reading and writing and she recommended the Learning without Tears books for handwriting. We haven’t started cursive yet, but I like the regular workbooks that the tutor recommended for handwriting, so the cursive ones might be good too.
anon says
The Handwriting Without Tears series is pretty standard in our schools. They have good workbooks.
Anonymous says
OP here. That’s what our schools use for print. Didn’t occur to me they’d have cursive!
In House Lobbyist says
Classical homeschoolers still teach cursive in 2nd grade. It just takes daily (or eveyr few days practice) for a few months and they will be pros. Mine routinely correct my modified handwriting I have developed over the years. Many of the homeschool publishers (veritas press or memoria press for example) will have Christian references if you care – otherwise just order something from Amazon.
jz says
Has anyone here been to Legoland or Sesame Place? Are these suitable for a 3 yo?
AIMS says
Sesame Place – definitely. I think 3 y.o. are basically the target demo. I haven’t done Legoland.
Anonymous says
If Sesame Place is similar to Sesame Street Forest of Fun, then I agree that 3 is the perfect age.
Anon says
I did Legoland with a 3 year old. It was very cute and fun.
NYCer says
I haven’t been to either, but we have friends who swear by Legoland for their preschoolers.
jz says
based on your username – the one in upstate in NY? thta’s good to hear. we’re looking at that one
NYCer says
Unfortunately, no experience with that one! My friends live in CA and go to the one in Carlsbad.
Anonymous says
Which legoland?
I did sesame with my kids when they were 3,5,7. Fun for everyone!
NYCer says
The friends I referenced live near the Legoland in Carlsbad, CA.
Anonanonanon says
Huge fan of legoland. I can’t really remember enough to know how it would be for a 3 year old, but it was sooooo much less stressful than something like Disney. Wasn’t super crowded, could do most of it in one day, didn’t have to do a bunch of research/buy special passes, etc. ahead of time. For reference, we went to the Florida one in the Summer (so the off season)
Anonymous says
I thought that was what all 4-year-olds did during soccer games?
TheElms says
Hi all, just wanted to say that baby girl arrived safely at the end of February ( a little earlier than expected!) and after some initial struggles everyone is home and doing well! Nursing still isn’t going great but at least I’m not triple feeding this kiddo! For the other expecting parents (I know there were a few of us) I hope your last few weeks are going well or that you have your tiny nuggets in your arms already!
NYCer says
Congrats!
Spirograph says
Congratulations!
Boston Legal Eagle says
Aaah congratulations TheElms!! Best of luck to you all in the next few weeks!
EDAnon says
Congratulations!
AwayEmily says
Yaaay! I was just thinking of you, so glad to hear baby is here. Sending good vibes for sleep and feeding your way!
Walnut says
Congrats and good luck! Sending all the best baby feeding vibes.