Accessory Tuesday: Lightweight Elbow-Sleeve Ruana

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Even though this looks like a sweater, I am putting this under the category of “accessory” because it is more like a scarf to keep in your office (remember offices?). I’ll admit, I did have to google the word “ruana” because that is a new vocabulary word for me. I like that it is a hybrid of a shawl, scarf, and a light, open sweater. It looks more comfortable and easy to wear than a scarf while working. The camel color is beautiful, and this style also comes in black. I never thought I would miss my office, but working from home has made me appreciate how I set everything up to my own preferences — and oh yeah, not have to entertain a 3-year-old while working. This ruana, which is “one size fits most,” is $88 at Bloomingdale’s. Lightweight Elbow Sleeve Ruana

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Sales of note for 9.10.24

(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)

Kid/Family Sales

  • Carter’s – Birthday sale, 40-50% off & extra 20% off select styles
  • Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off all baby; up to 40% off all Halloween
  • J.Crew Crewcuts Extra 30% off sale styles
  • Old Navy – 40% off everything
  • Target – BOGO 25% off select haircare, up to 25% off floor care items; up to 30% off indoor furniture up to 20% off TVs

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Hey, here’s something we haven’t done in a while! I’m always curious about the demographics of who reads this board, so if you’re willing, respond with your kids ages, where you live (generally), and maybe your family situation.

I’ll start: 3 yo boy, baby due in 2 weeks; 2 parent household; live in MD suburbs of DC

Ohh I like this – its a desk sweater but its a scarf. I wish it came in more colors! Oh I do miss the office!

Eczema FTW!

Well, not really. But that’s the presumed cause and we’re going to treat with a prescription cream and also children’s claritin for the next two weeks. Seasonal allergies can exacerbate symptoms and DH and I both have terrible seasonal allergies, which can be passed to kids. Her 2 YO check up is in three weeks so we’ll reevaluate then, in person.

What are y’all doing about family / grandparent visits and newborns? I’m due in a month and am having a hard time figuring out logistics that are consistent with best practices for social distancing / keeping grandparents safe.
We have a five year old, and local family (grandparents) who we’re visiting with once a week or so, outside, maintaining appropriate distance and while wearing masks. I’ve already let them know they may not be able to see the newborn right away, and they’re disappointed, but they understand. But I can’t figure out how this is going to work.

Our hospital has a 1-visitor policy. Do I leave the five year old home with dad when I’m in labor, or have him stay with grandparents while DH comes with me?

Do I need to keep the 5-year old and the baby apart from each other for 2 weeks under either scenario?

After 2 weeks home from the hospital, should I be standing firm on social distancing with grandparents and baby – and really not letting them get within 6 feet of her from some as yet undetermined period of time? I think the answer is probably “yes” but maybe you guys can help me think of a loophole because I’m not looking forward to soothing hurt grandparents’ feelings while also trying to survive those early newborn days with the additional pressures of all of the Stay at Home business.

Last night as I logged back on to work while DH did bedtime, LO said, “No work mommy! I lock your office!” and he pretended to lock my office door. Believe me, kid, I wish.

Following up on yesterday’s thread: For those of you who are using a nanny/babysitter (whether temporarily or someone you used in the past), how did you handle social distancing conversations? I am trying to hire a part-time temporary nanny and finding it really awkward; I know it’s necessary to talk about, but I’m not sure when or how to broach the subject. This is complicated by the fact that my state is not under a stay-at-home order (though we’ve been home for weeks leaving only for groceries). Any tips or, even better, a script for what to say?

This sweater makes me think of the 30 Rock episode where she wants to wear long flowy clothes in the Hamptons all summer and relax and drink wine and learn a new language and she imagines Ina Garten next door

So I was laid off just when schools shut down (educational non-profit) and my husband is an essential employee at a hospital (non-clinical). Our bills are paid, I don’t have to juggle WFH and childcare, but I’m SO EXHAUSTED. My husband is dealing with a lot and I’m doing everything I can to make it easier for him. It’s become a very traditional stay at home situation for me. This week he’s finally coming home at normal hours (he’s been home late/going in early since Feb) and if he gets home before dinner he showers or naps. Which is fine! This is an emergency, I get it.

Anyway, he does one thing that makes me want to scream. If our daughter (4) is asleep when he’s getting ready in the morning he wakes her up! I know he misses her all day, but I then I have to get up and entertain her or get breakfast going. I just want to sleep in!

Thank you for letting me complain, since I can’t to him. (Or anyone, I feel so terribly ungrateful.)

Toddler and DH were both up most of the night – toddler had gas, not sure what DH’s problem was (and to his credit he was trying to be quiet, I’m just a light sleeper and his restlessness woke me). As a result I woke up almost every hour of the 6 hours I “slept.” And I have calls that started at 7:30 am and going until 7:30 pm and it is ridiculously dreary out. All the coffee I guess.

I’m posting a focus group opportunity for moms in California – I’ll cross-post on the main site. Check it out!

The Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health is studying the relationship between Paid Family Leave and women’s health. If you have a baby under the age of one and are eligible for California’s Paid Family Leave Program (whether you took it or not), you may be eligible to participate in a virtual focus group. You will receive a $50 gift card. Contact Amy Lim for more information: [email protected].

For those who have kids in elementary school, I am curious what your schools are doing during the shutdown and what the expectations are of parents and kids of varying ages regarding school work.

Our school system has settled into google classroom and zoom. For my third grader: His classroom teacher has 3 weekly zoom morning meetings of 30 minutes. The 3rd grade team posts short videos and assignments online, with varying due dates. 3rd Graders are expected to check their gmail daily and complete assignments on their own. For my first grader: Her classroom teacher has 2 weekly zoom morning meetings of 20 minutes. The first grade teams posts short videos (5 minutes each) for the kids to watch. Each first grader has one weekly 10 minute check-in with their teacher via zoom.

I am honestly trying to gauge what schools are doing for various ages, and I get the sense that it is vastly different based on school and district. Anyone else willing to volunteer what their schools are doing?

Non-covid question: I’m looking for crewneck 100% cotton racerback tanks. Prefer one that I can buy in white and it not be see through. I don’t want v-necks or spaghetti straps. Basically I want a copy of a super old one from JCrew that I bought at Goodwill years ago. I miss thrifting.

My kids (especially the younger one) have never been more healthy than they are now at home with us. Not surprising as they go to daycare full time. I’m just wondering if as soon as they’re back at daycare and they catch some virus from there, are we automatically supposed to assume it’s Covid and quarantine them for 2 weeks? Or do we think everyone will have access to tests at that point and thus we’ll need to test the kids immediately. Ugh, just stressful thinking that going back to “normal” may end up being worse because the expectations at work will be business as usual.

I feel like crap. I am doing crap work and I’m not a great mom. My bosses are already sort of over me being not my best self and refused to extend a litigation schedule without even asking if I would be okay without the extension. I don’t know how, psychologically, to get through what will likely be many more months of being crappy at everything.

We hired the dad of a fellow daycare kiddo to come clean our gutters. He left an invoice that says “minimum $50”. I’m guessing this is a discount to normal pricing – I was expecting $100-150 based on inquiries. The wording of “minimum” seems to confirm this for me.

What would you do/pay?