Washable Workwear Wednesday: Jackie Slim Bootcut Pant

Even a sea between us cannot save me from pretend play. Kiddo and I were having our nightly video chat and he wanted to play reindeer rescue, so phone me was on a mountain, awaiting the arrival of rescue unicorn with his medical kit. Of course, my housemates walked in while I was making sad reindeer noises and holding my hurt hoof.

So my 3rd grader asked me to give advice on play yard drama for the first time ever. She says two girls keep following her around telling her that she’s a bully because she trips them every morning and then runs away laughing. She swears it isn’t true and says she has no idea why they keep bothering her. She says they follow her around all of recess calling her a bully. She says she’s been running away, but they won’t leave her alone. (Ironically next week is bullying prevention week–I think some kids have missed the point.)

As background, she’s very young for her grade and developmentally is still more into pretend play than girl drama. She has other friends who also do pretend play with her at recess. I know the other two girls (and their moms) and they’ve been into girl drama for a couple of years now. My kid is also slightly verbally delayed, especially when overwhelmed, so she isn’t able to spar verbally; she’s more likely to run away, push or hit than to be able to discuss or deliver a rejoinder.

Suggestions? What would you do?

Does anyone have a Turing Tumble who could comment on how well you like it? I am contemplating it for my 6 yo who likes logic and puzzles, but am a bit worried it’s a one-trick pony. Are there enough different ways to set it up to keep a kid engaged?

Tips to teach a 2 year old how to wear a mask? We’re flying at the end of the month. We’re kind of at the stage where if she sees me wearing one, she wants to wear one too, but only for 5-10 mins max. Anyone work on this with a similar-aged kid and have any strategies? My older son wears his no problem, but he can be reasoned with. Little one, not so much, so I am thinking something like wearing at home for increasingly longer periods? Thank you!!

Just a quick follow up from yesterday. Thank you for all the kind words and excellent advice. I’m taking it all to heart and also, frankly, letting my hormones and emotions settle before making any decisions. I’ve had some really low lows lately, and I don’t want to make decisions when I’m in that headspace.

I’m going to keep going through the motions in the meantime related to this possible promotion – doing the bare minimum to continue to convey interest, regardless of whether I ultimately bow out. From a long term perspective, I do think that internally it’s important for them to see I want more than what I currently have, even if I opt out of this process (or if I simply don’t get the job), for another week or two anyway.

Thanks, again. This place can be great sometimes.

Should I stop breastfeeding?
Baby is one month today. She had a posterior tongue tie that we snipped 2.5 weeks ago and was jaundiced at birth, so we supplemented with formula for the first 3 weeks. Since then I’ve been exclusively breastfeeding. She’s easily filling the right number of diapers, but my husband is convinced that she’s not getting enough to eat (in part because she fusses at night and will gulp down a formula bottle with 1-2 oz). She sleeps 10-2 and 3-5:30 pretty consistently. I’m now stressed all the time about is she latched well / is she sucking enough/ is she falling asleep / do I need to switch sides. What used to feel miraculous is now an anxiety trigger.

What I want to know is — if I can stick with it 2 more weeks, is it likely to get a lot better? I don’t have an issue with formula feeding but would love to stick with breastfeeding if it’s likely she’ll get stronger and eat better soon. We are already back to supplementing with 1-2 oz formula again each night, but I have a feeling doing more will mess with my supply (even more?).

Sorry for the novel. Happy for any and all advice.

Anyone want to find my 3.5 year old a cute dress for family photos? She wears a size 7-8 and girl clothes are so much less cute than toddler clothes :( Her day to day wardrobe is mostly Primary, a lot of solid colors, but I want something more fun for the pictures. Not necessarily a print but at least a style that feels more exciting than a plain cotton swing dress from Primary. Last year she wore an off white cableknit dress and the photos came out really cute.