For my youngest, we went with a blue ocean theme for his corner of the room (at the time, it also doubled as my spouse’s home office). This mobile from Pottery Barn Kids would have fit perfectly.
This adorable mobile plays “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” for three minutes after it’s fully wound. There are three whales and four stars for your little one to watch as they (hopefully) drift off to sleep. If you want to go full-on whale, there are also several matching bedding items available, such as sheets and quilts. Even though my kids are past the mobile stage, I still hang their old ones up in their bedroom.
This mobile is $69 at Pottery Barn Kids.
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anon says
We’re having a sitter over for the first time tonight. Woohoo! We have usually have a family member watch the kids. The kids are 5 and 8 and know the sitter, shes a teacher at their school, but it will be her first time at our house. What kinds of information should I leave her with? Doctor’s phone number, insurance info, neighbor’s names? Slightly panicking about this. I know everything will be ok, the kids will be asleep most of the time.
Anon says
Are you just going to be gone a couple hours? If so, your number and a list of kid’s allergies (if any) should be enough. Will you be unreachable by phone? In what situation would she need to call the doctor w/out your involvement?
anon - OP says
Great point – i cant see her calling the doctor without us – I think that’s just what I have seen on sitcoms when parents leave a sitter at home. We will be reachable by phone and gone for about 4 hours, a few miles away.
anon says
I’ve never figured out why doctor or dentist information is helpful for a short term sitter. In a true emergency they should call 911. In a non-emergency they should call me. It’s not like the days before cellphones. We’re pretty much always reachable.
Anon says
ER’s ask for primary care information.
OP, I have a 2 pager with all the key information any ER or 911 responder would ask for – everything from mom and dad’s full contact information to insurance info to PCP info to allergies to emergency contacts (local grandparents). I also add names of neighbors and even the preferred hospital that we’d want to have an ambulance take her to if ever a need and a choice was permitted. I also include our pet’s information and the name of her vet.
We are in the time of cell phones and we’re nearly always reachable, yes, but I will never shake the feeling after the Boston Marathon B o m bing when I couldn’t find my family and cell phone circuits were down for what felt like 2-3 hours. Full on panic mode set in as my family was all en route to meet at the finish line. Don’t take for grated that reliance on technology also means we need to be prepped for when things fail – not dooms day level prep, but prepped.
Anonymous says
Your cellphone number, tell her how to work the tv, and that’s it. In an emergency she will call you or 911. She does not need insurance info.
Anonymous says
I have a sheet wtih our phone numbers, address, dr’s name/number, dentist’s name/number, and copies of the insurance cards. Yes, it could be overkill for this situation, but (1) I reuse it for all sitter situations, and (2) it also might not be, and in in the case of a really big emergency, you’d rather be overprepared. If sitter will be putting kiddos to bed, leave a loose flow of the bedtime routine. I always tell our sitters to start the bedtime routine a bit later than usual becuase my kiddo obeys for the sitter versus trying to drag out bedtime like she does with us. So it goes much more quickly.
Anonymous says
I keep this sheet stuck to the fridge with a magnet.
Anonymous says
Yup. Mine is taped to the inside of a kitchen cupboard.
Anon says
I have this, but I also add local numbers – trusted neighbor, close family friend, SIL/BIL. It’s taped next to the phone. This is also useful for when my kids are at home by themselves.
AwayEmily says
We just had a babysitter for the first time in forever (well, technically a monitor-sitter…the baby was already asleep for the night and my husband and I were taking the big kids out). The one thing I tried to do was be very clear about what was normal vs “call me” (e.g. normal is the baby crying a bit as she transitions between sleep cycles, call me is the baby screaming at the top of her lungs). So maybe you could leave something like that (or just tell the sitter verbally)?
anonM says
Wifi password, phone charger, and which neighbor you trust in case of emergency (assuming no landline, I like making sure sitters know this just in case their phone dies or they can’t find it during an emergency).
Anon says
You should have your home address written down on whatever paper you give the sitter or on the fridge. If someone needs to call 911, don’t want them fumbling through their phone trying to find your text with your address.
Ashley says
I do the kids and parents full names, address, phone numbers where parents can be reached, phone number of a trusted friend/neighbor, any allergies, number for poison control, and kiddo’s current age/weight (just in case they do get into something, I figure EMTs or poison control might find this info helpful).
Anonymous says
Your kids are about the same as mine. Sitters get pointed to our landline which has our phone numbers and 911 next to it. Sitter already has my cell since she texts us but you never know.
If mine had allergies, I’d leave info on that and epi pen etc info. We do a quick review of expected behaviors- food/meals, bedtime snack, approx bedtime, whether screen time is allowed, etc.
If the sitter will be driving we do car seat stuff as needed- my kids are in boosters or out entirely.
CCLA says
Similar to others, but I’ll leave out list here for more samples:
On the fridge we leave address (so they don’t need to search for it in emergency when calling 911), kids names and ages and weights (weight/age in case needed for poison control or other medical emergency), and our phone numbers just so they don’t need to dig around. I usually point them to the landline and the fire extinguisher and provide wifi access, but this is a good reminder I should probably just put that info with the main sheet.
When ours were younger we left a loose schedule but now we just tell them when bedtime is and what food is available for meals (and since I have a serious fear of choking, I remind them of any particular things that might not be obvious like cutting grapes if serving those). Honestly though our older one is almost 6 and loves being a helper and the last time we had a sitter she said the older one just told her where everything is.
Emma says
Speaking of mobiles, please help a confused first-time mom. My crib (Stokke Sleepi) comes with a rod for mobiles and/or those crib veil curtains (no idea what those are called, sorry). I understand the crib curtains are a big no for infants due to sleep safety concerns. Can I put a mobile over the crib on the rod, or is that not safe? If not, should I put a mobile somewhere slightly off-center so the baby can still see it but it won’t fall on her if it falls? Or above the changing pad? Someone gave me a very cute mobile and now I don’t know what to do with it.
Anon says
I had a mobile on the crib for a newborn. It’s light and isn’t going to hurt her if it falls. I’d avoid one with small pieces that could be a choking risk but that seems like the only risk you need to worry about. Full disclosure, I dropped an iPhone on my daughter’s head while she was nursing and she seems fine many years later. Babies are not as fragile as they seem.
anon says
+1. The advice we got, and what we did, was to remove the mobile once baby is sitting up or on the brink of it, since you don’t want them going on a grabbing expedition and pulling pieces down.
Anonymous says
My baby slept in the pack n play in our bedroom for the first six months. We had a crib with a mobile in the nursery, and I would stick her in the crib to look at the mobile during playtime. By the time she started sleeping in the crib she was sitting up and we had to remove the mobile. In retrospect it was probably a bad idea to associate the crib with playtime, but it didn’t seem to cause any sleep issues.
Anonymous says
I like the idea of hanging it above the changing table! Wish I had thought of that. I don’t love a mobile above the crib… when babies are in the crib I want them to go the F to sleep :)
Mary Moo Cow says
Same. I hung a paper lantern bunch over the changing table.
Bette says
+1 to changing table – I remember reading some sleep advice that you don’t want anything fun or stimulating in the crib space, you want it to be peaceful and calm and 100% focused on sleep. I found the mobile over our changing pad super helpful when my baby got to that wiggly stage and needed distractions to get through a diaper change.
Anonymous says
Reposting on today’s site- posted on yesterday’s post by mistake:
Came over here to post asking for help for team member. Her twins are 6 months and she has a 2.5 year old as well. What are you best tips for hiring a FT nanny these days? She is using an agency, with very mixed results (they send her people who only want PT, or she’s outside the areas in which they’ll work, etc) but other than that and telling every single person she knows, are there other sources? Been many years since I’ve been in this boat so hoping you wise folks in the thick of it have some advice to offer, which I will pass along. Thank you!
NYCer says
She could try FB moms groups in her area. At least in NYC, there are lots of nanny postings in those groups (moms posting on behalf of their nannies they have “outgrown”).
Anon says
We found ours on care dot com.
Anon says
We found ours via care.com, and also worked with an agency. The nanny we ended up choosing is a professional, career nanny, who also gets most of her jobs via an agency but happened to look at care.com as well, so the stars aligned well.
I will say that our agency only sent us candidates that met our requirements (FT, newborn experience, willing to travel to our area, willing to be paid on the books), so it sounds like she needs a new agency.
Anon says
There are Facebook babysitting groups that sometimes are pretty active. It might help to share the city because it’s all very local. She may also need to pay more than she thinks. Finding a nanny is tough.
Anon says
facebook, word of mouth, i have twins and i’m also part of a twin group
Anonymous says
I found mine on care dot com last year, but I think I really lucked out. I’m having no luck finding a babysitter on there at this point in time. After that I’d try FB groups, then an agency. I’ve talked to three agencies in my city: they just don’t seem like they’re providing much of a service for what they’re charging. I also think they’re pulling from the same pool as care dot com, but that’s just my opinion: I have no data to back that up.
startup lawyer says
Dropping my very clingy to mom and dad 3.5 yo with grandparents for an overnight this weekend. He did it once last year at 2.5 yo and was perfectly fine. Not sure how he’ll respond this year. Is it better to just drop off and say bye or stay with him, have dinner and then say bye? Any other tips.
Anon says
At 3.5, I’d probably ask him what he prefers? I know drop and go is the usual advice here, but when my daughter has gone through clingy phases she’s done better with us staying and helping her settle into a fun activity.
Anon says
I would stay for dinner to help him settle in, then say bye, but prep grandparents for tears and have them be ready to go with a new fun activity (or an old reliable favorite) for distraction.
Anonymous says
I would drop and go. My kids tend to be really excited when they first arrive at grandma and grandpa’s house and it’s easier to make the handoff while they are fully engaged with the grandparents. After dinner they are winding down and more apt to be clingy.
New Daycare Tears says
We swapped daycares yesterday and drop offs have been torture the past two days. I know it’s normal and he will adjust after a few days. He’s 2 and was in his previous care since 3 months.
Anybody got cute kid stories to cheer me up?
Anonymous says
Mine just turned 3 and graduated to the 3s room at daycare. I was worried it would be a difficult transition, but every day since the move he’s been waking up saying “Go to frees room today?” so I think it’s a win.
Anon says
My almost two year old switched daycare rooms three weeks ago and is still crying at drop off :( teachers reassure me he’s fine after 5 minutes and then is happy all day. Hope your kiddo is the same and it gets better soon!
Anon says
My one year old has a best friend at daycare (I think highly encouraged by the teachers because it’s adorable) and today I learned they can’t sit next to each other at meals because they’ll “share” food.
Anon says
I was feeding and rocking mine to sleep last night, and she discovered from that position she could juuuust about reach up and stick her finger in my ear, which resulted in GALES of belly laughs, so hard she was spitting milk up all over my face.
Anonymous says
This morning one of my twins figured out that he could use the tripp trapp as a stool to reach things on my counter. I was simultaneously proud of the cognitive skills and terrified because now he can reach stuff like the xacto knife my husband always leaves sitting around.
OP says
I cannot tell you how many times we have been in the kitchen and I turn around and my son has a knife in his hand. Terrifying when they have long arms and you think you put the knife far enough away…
Anon says
Any words of encouragement from anyone who’s dealt with postpartum prolapse? I’m five weeks pp (second vagi-al delivery, two huge babies) and was diagnosed by my OBGYN at 3 weeks. He made it sound like no big deal and that it would just get better on its own. My main symptom is just feeling it especially when walking or moving around and pelvic heaviness. I have an appointment with a pelvic floor PT next week, who I’m hoping can diagnose the severity and let me know if PT will resolve it or if I’ll eventually need surgery. Sort of depressed about it as I was hoping to get back to running and weight lifting but seems all that is indefinitely on hold now.
anonM says
OBGYNs often do NOT know enough about prolapse. Definitely do not lift or run before you see the PT, it could make it worse. (S/O to my ob who gave me clearance to run while I had severe prolase ughhhh). Mine did improve after stopping breastfeeding, with PT, continuing the exercises, and biking. It’s a really frustrating thing to deal with. The good news is you’re seeing a PT right away. Good for you! If you want something for the meantime, I really think Hab-It is great. Some of the videos look outdated, but the info is good and she’s very calming.
anon says
You’re doing the right thing by getting to a PT! Mine did improve after I stopped nursing. Definitely hold off on running and lifting; it’s not the time for that.
Twin anon says
Seriously, are we twins? So Pelvic floor physio is key. You need to know the grade of the prolapse. Mine says you can improve 1 grade. The exercises seriously help and are worth doing, but I’ve also gotten a rec to a pelvic floor clinic in my city for a doc who specializes in this area for exactly the same reason you are – will I need surgery to fix this? I agree with being super cautious about weight lifting/running. I wanted to but it felt wrong in my body so I stopped and the physio agreed with this. I’ve been subbing in swimming and walking if it feels okay. I’m so sorry this has happened to you (and me)
Anon says
I have an infant and a prolapse, too. I had no idea it was a common thing until I got one. Why did nobody warn me!? The doctor was pretty blame about it and had no suggestions. I did pelvic floor PT and I think it’s helping,it just takes time. At five weeks who you’re not anywhere close to fully recovered. You may even be too early for PT.
I’m 4 months pp and mine reduces significantly some days. I think that is a good sign, who knows.
Anon says
Blasé, not blame. :)
Pogo says
At 5w, hormone-wise, your muscle tone in that area is also really low. So it definitely will improve a bit on its own in time.
But YES to pelvic PT, and if you’re willing to throw a little money at at, RestoreYourCore.
It is so discouraging and frustrating, so I get it. My mom’s was so bad she had to have a hysterectomy.
Too many tantrums says
How do you deal with discipline when you know the bad behavior is tied to exhaustion? We’re on an extended family visit overseas, and no one has slept well in weeks. Not surprisingly, our 3.5yo has been a complete mess. He’s upset about the routine disruption, and refusing to nap or go to bed on time. I would guess he’s getting 8-9 hours instead of his usual 12, and we’re all suffering as a result. When we try to enforce a rule, like not spraying water all over the bathroom, he doubles down (yesterday he pulled all the dry towels into the tub and started kicking his sister). I’m at a loss, partly because he’s never even really had tantrums before. We’re trying to change the sleeping setup and prioritize bedtime, but I’m not sure it will work. Anyone have tips on dealing with this?
Anon says
I would probably try melatonin to reset his sleep routines, if you can get it where you are. 0.5 mg is enough to knock my 4yo out in a hurry. This sounds super stressful–good vibes to you!
Anon says
I’d find ways to get him more sleep. That’s the only way it will get better. Have a parent skip out of family time to take him somewhere quiet for a giant nap. Then find a way to get him to bed earlier–whatever it takes.
Anon says
+1. Bluntly: he’s telling you he needs more sleep and your job as a parent is to figure out how to make that happen.
OP says
Sigh, I know…sometimes I really wish Airbnb didn’t exist, so we didn’t have to deal with extended family vacations under one roof. It’s just been really hard to take a hard line on his sleep needs.
Anonymous says
Check out! Go to a hotel. You can leave.
Anonymous says
Navigating family dynamics with a small child is tough. FWIW: My family had norms that You Will Stay With Relatives When Visiting… this is OK if it’s just my family visiting a grandparent, but when extended family gets together it is nuts. We ruffled some feathers at first by insisting that we get our own Airbnb at Thanksgiving and for other big occasions starting when my oldest was a year old, but it’s been worth it and everyone has come around. “We really need our own space to help [little one] get enough sleep that everyone can enjoy our time together.” Get a place nearby, and it’s super easy to pop over right after breakfast, duck out in the afternoon for naptime if needed, or power through and cut out at kid bedtime and enjoy decompressing in the evening. As a bonus, you’re not on display (or getting “help” from bystanders) while parenting through the potentially rough transitions around wake-up, getting dressed, and bath/bedtime.
Anonymous says
You don’t have to agree to stay in the same house with the rest of the family. You can book your own hotel room or vacation home and then just meet up during the day. We sometimes even stay in a hotel when going to visit family at their homes so we can have our own space and protect sleep.
Anon says
Only solution is sleep; when they’re like this consequences don’t work and their brains aren’t logical. Take a day or two to really chill out and hope that resets him.
Anonymous says
I ignore as much as possible when the reason is exhaustion. I figure in a lot of those situations, I’m the reason kiddo is having the disruption, they’re too young to regulate emoitons due to exhaustion (even I have trouble with that as an adult), and I just try to ignore/hug/give extra help as much as possible. I don’t try to discipline at all. It likely won’t sink in at that point, and I’m just making the situation harder.
Spirograph says
This. If it’s very clear the reason is exhaustion, *especially* for a preschooler, it’s not the kid’s fault that he’s behaving badly and discipline isn’t appropriate, IMO. You just put the kid to bed. Melatonin gummies are worth trying — I was resistant to them, but they’re a godsend for times like you’ve described when routines are out the window and the sleep debt is so big that overtiredness is keeping the kid awake.
Even with my older kids, if I think sleep is the root of the problem, the consequences will be “time out in your bed with a book for 15 min” or early bedtime (with a melatonin gummy), not loss of privileges.
DLC says
I would do as much as you can to tire him out during the day, preferably outside. I know it’s sometimes tough when it’s a family trip, but as much as I can I try to minimize the sitting and waiting and opportunities to get antsy and restless. So, for example, if we’re having dinner at a restaurant, I take the kiddos out for a walk around the block while husband waits for food and then bring the kids. back when food is ready. It kind of sucks to feel like i’m on child alert all the time, but if I don’t expect good behavior and keep them moving, I feel like we get through much better.
NYCer says
Will he nap in a stroller or car seat? My almost 3.5 year old who never naps in bed will often fall asleep if she is in a stroller or car seat in the middle of the day if she is tired. I would try to do that every day, even if it cuts into what would otherwise be a family activity. Drive around for an hour if you have to!
OP says
We don’t have a car with us, sadly :(
Anonymous says
I do not discipline. It’s my fault as the parent!
Janey says
Wake him up in the morning and take him outside first thing so his eyes/retinas get that early morning sun. Likewise take him outside at twilight so his body understands it’s getting to be nighttime and time for sleep. These are “sleep reset” strategies that work for all ages. Our bodies are wired to respond to the sun, so give him that opportunity. Also make sure the room where he’s attempting to sleep is dark and quiet.
anon says
The evening one doesn’t work this time of year. It likely gets dark hours after he should be asleep.
Anon says
Agree with the evening darkness point. But I would wake the kid in the morning if they’re struggling to adjust to a time change. It’s one of those situations where you need some short term pain for long term happiness. We have always had a strict 8 am wake up call for the whole family on the first full day in Europe.
anon says
We’ve often chosen not to shift much and just keep our kid on US hours in Europe. This works well in the summer as then they go to bed when the sun goes down. Late morning, late evening.
Ifiknew says
Does your kid sleep in the morning though? In the US, if my kids go to bed late, they still wake up at the same time
I posted a few days ago about a Europe trip and am dreading it because I can see this totally being us!
anon says
My kids won’t sleep in at home, but they did sleep in a dark room when jet lagged in Europe.
anon says
Do not wake an overtired sleeping preschooler. Let him sleep.
OP says
Sadly it’s light late where we are, and it’s also been incredibly hot, but we have no AC. Did I mention that my in-laws picked where we’re staying? Ahhhhhhhhh!
Anonymous says
Leave. Check into a hotel with AC. You shouldn’t sacrifice your child’s health to please your in laws.
Anonymous says
Leave. This is absurd. Go to a hotel with AC tonight and pick up a rental car tomorrow. You are the mom. You make the call.
anonn says
my daughter was 3.5 when we had a new baby and she fights bedtime so much anyway that it was awful. we did kids melatonin gummies a half hour before bedtime and it saved us. She loved them, and they settled her enough to fall asleep. we did that maybe 4 to 5 nights a week for 6 months (a third of the kids ones on amazon) and then stopped cold turkey with no issues.
Anon says
people who have nannies or any other kind of help – are you giving an inflation related raise? we give our nanny a raise every year, but are wondering if we should be giving more than usual due to inflation.
Anonymous says
DH and I are not getting inflation related raises, so no. But I already pay top of the market. I honestly think she would approach me if she needed more money but I know that is very dependent on your individual relationship with your nanny.
Anon says
Same. We gave her an annual raise in February (which she seemed surprised by – I wonder if this wasn’t the norm with her previous families), but neither of us received an inflation-related raise, and we pay top of the market. We will probably give her a larger-than-normal raise next year because we’re adding another baby to the family.
anon says
Yes. We bumped up from $27.5/hr to $30/hr. She asked for the raise on the same day I was going to offer her one. Her request was higher than I was planning, but given inflation and our eternal gratitude to her for sticking with us through covid online kindergarten, we met her request. She has been with us for 5 years for our now 6- and 7-year olds. She’s PT during the school year (she supplements by working PT with another family in the morning), FT during the summer.
annon says
We paid our nanny an extra $40/week for “gas”… started doing that when gas crested $5/gal. She drives our daughter around enough that I felt compelled, esp since we don’t do any other gas-related reimbursement for her.
Gas prices are down and we don’t intent to walk it back. We don’t notice the extra $40/week but I’m sure she does. She’s worth her weight in gold so we’ll do nearly anything to make her happy. It’s the equivalent of about a 7.5% raise ( I think – doing this on the fly).
annon says
JK ignore the math. But, yes, we’re giving her a raise. Closer to 4%.
anon says
We did, 10%. We reimburse her for mileage for driving our kid around, so it wasn’t tied to gas prices, just to general COL. She’s been with us two years and we didn’t do an annual raise, so felt it was time in any case.
Anon says
+1 I don’t think most office workers get special inflation-related raises? Dh and I certainly don’t.
Anon says
Meant to be a reply to Anon at 12:21
Anon says
Nope.
Pogo says
I bumped her mileage reimbursement to the new federal rate on July 1. But no inflation bump.
Anonymous says
DH actually got a sizeable inflation bump. And his company already gives him a car/gas card. So it’s not an insane idea.
Anon says
Not suggesting it’s insane, but I don’t think it’s expected.
What age for starting preschool? says
When did your kid(s) start preschool? Did you have a nanny/au-pair, or daycare, or family care situation prior to that?
NYCer says
My kids started preschool around 2.5 in a half day 3x week (915-12) program. It increased to 5 days per week for 3s and 4s, still half day. Their school is also a regular school calendar (mid Sept through early June, 2 weeks off for Christmas and spring break, etc.). We kept our full time nanny, and she does other tasks or has some down time during the morning.
NYCer says
I should add… In retrospect, I am not sure I would have sent my kids to a 2s program (especially my younger daughter), but it is definitely a “thing” at private preschools in NYC.
Anon says
I live in a Midwest college town and daycare vs. preschool isn’t a huge thing here. Most working parents use daycare, and most daycare kids including mine continue at daycare until kindergarten. Preschools are mostly run by churches, are very part time and are for the children of SAHMs. I don’t know anyone who used a nanny except for the first year or so before starting daycare.
We have never considered using anything except daycare. Kids who graduate from our university-run play-based daycare are more than prepared for kindergarten, both academically and emotionally, and our kid he thriving there, so no reason to switch.
Anonymous says
Totally agree with this. I’d go a step further and say that the preschool vs daycare distinction (where I live at least) is really a SAHM vs working mom distinction. The “preschools” are basically the same, just part time because who could subject their children to a full day of care/school!? The horror! :)
Anon says
Or part time because the SAHP is home *for the purpose of* caring for the kids (and is far cheaper than daycare!).
Anonymous says
And because the family with a SAHP can’t afford more than part-time preschool.
AwayEmily says
Same. The only “preschool” programs I know of in our LCOL northeastern city are the UPK programs run by the city (which are great, though the hours are too short for many working parents). Pretty much everyone I know sends their kids to a daycare as a baby/toddler and then the kid continues there until they start kindergarten. I guess technically they switch to the “preschool” class at daycare at age 3 but the distinction doesn’t mean much.
Anon says
we have a nanny and my twins started part-time preschool age 3 (5 days a week but only until 12:30pm, i would’ve happily done 3 days but wasnt an option at our school of choise). we had planned on starting at age 2, but covid got in the way. while i’m sure they would’ve been fine at age 2, they also did great starting at age 3 and their teachers said they were not at all behind or anything. as a kid, my family had a nanny and I know I started part-time preschool at age 2.5 (i think 2-3 half days a week). Most of my friends with nannies have kids start preschool at 2 or 3. Seems to depend on family finances, if there are other kids for nanny to care for, etc.
Anon2 says
I am a SAHM and started my kids at age 4. Before that, we had occasional neighbor play dates, went to the library, etc. My kids both matured a lot in that 3-4 year and were totally prepared for preK, academically and socially, despite not having done any “formal” programs beforehand.
IMO preschool for younger kids can be fun, and if it works for your schedule/budget then great, but it is not necessary and definitely not necessary before age 4, as long as your kid is doing *something* that exposes them to people beyond your family (and that can even be just going to the playground. We were basically Covid hermits when my second son was 2-3 and he did GREAT in preK after that).
anon says
My oldest was in daycare from 2 until she was about to turn 4 yo and it wasn’t working for her. The days were too long with too little downtime. She was a tantrum-y, undernapped mess. We got an au pair and sent her to morning 4 yo church preschool and she did afternoons with the au pair. It was so so much better for her.
My youngest did half day church preschool as a 2 yo and 3 yo and spend her afternoons with our au pair. Then the pandemic hit and she was home for her 4 yo year before starting K. It was fine. She’s a sociable kid and bopped right along.
HSAL says
My oldest was in daycare until K, and my twins were in daycare until I quit my job after they turned 3, and switched to part-time preschool. Most center-based daycares around here have a preschool program and I can’t imagine switching from that type of daycare to preschool, but I don’t know about in-home daycares.
(For comparison’s sake, I much prefer the preschool. Our daycare had started to focus too much on “academics” (aka worksheets for 2 and 3 year olds) and got away from the play-based program they advertised)
Anon says
Mine started a 2x/week 3- hour nursery school at 1.5. We also had a full-time nanny; she ran errands during that time.
AwayEmily says
Meant to post this earlier but forgot…I finally figured out the best way to cut my baby’s nails: front-facing in the Ergo, in the yard. She is restrained AND distracted by nature, and I don’t even have to clean up the clippings.
First Time Mom says
My husband and I are expecting our first baby. He really wants to find out the gender, but I would rather keep it a surprise. Have any of you had one parent know the gender and the other not? Did the parent in the know actually keep it a secret? I am concerned my husband will accidentally let it slip out. Are there practical reasons to find out the gender? (We are not planning a gender-themed nursery) It seems to me that the baby’s needs will be the same regardless of gender for some time.