Makeup & Beauty Monday: Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

My 4 year old has recently had an explosion of writing, as in went from writing 1 letter as of 2 weeks ago to asking how to spell words so she can write them and seemingly knowing how to write all the letters now. Preschool is over in 3 weeks and I don’t think camp will do much writing, if any (which is totally fine), but I’d like to do something lowkey to keep the letters she has now. Any ideas? Could it be as simple as asking her to label her drawings when she draws at home? She draws all the time or makes collages.

I know this is asked here periodically, but I’m headed back to work post-maternity leave and need comfortable wireless bras for a larger chest. Does not necessarily have to be a nursing bra as I change bras when I pump anyway. Ideas??

Ideas for a vacation with a 3-year old in April? We have a long break from daycare and instead of doing camp next year are thinking about a family trip. Will be coming from the SEUS– interested in Europe or a bigger domestic trip. Several locations I’ve thought about (PNW/Olympics National Park) would be too cold in April, so looking for new ideas!

How common would you say feelings of “long regret” are in motherhood for decisions on the level of importance of wanted to breastfeed but couldn’t, wanted a medication-free delivery but didn’t get one, tried sleep training for one night and it worked but it wasn’t for her? I’m struggling with how to help a friend who seems to have MUCH more regret/guilt/beating herself up about those issues now that her son is almost three than she did when they happened. For example, in the sleep training example, they tried modified CIO (where you check at intervals) for one night and she hated the crying, so even though it did work after about 30 minutes, they never did it again. Now, over a year later, she has begun describing that as the “worst parenting experience she’s had” and “traumatic.” I’m a little worried about her and we have the kind of relationship where I could raise concerns (in fact, she specifically asked me to be a “check” for postpartum anxiety), but I’m not sure if it’s normal or not. She seems to think it is, but I don’t really know any other moms with persistent, increasing regret about decisions like that (i.e., decisions where no one was seriously harmed). Thoughts?

yesterday we had my twins’ bday party at a playground – rain had been in the forecast all week, but on saturday night the forecast switched to 0% chance of rain and i was finally able to breathe. of course, yesterday morning it said 100% chance and it was too late for me to switch it, so we had a party outside in the rain -fortunately there was a covered pavilion in the park- and many of the families still came and had a great attitude, which made my girls SO happy. so if you are ever invited to an outdoor party and the weather is bad – please go! also, please do not give twins a gift that is almost the same, but one kit has 5 princesses, and one kit has 6….

A question on death (apologies for the Monday morning downer!). My grandmother is entering the end-of-life stage. She’s 95 and had a great run. She’s just at the point where things are shutting down: not really eating, sleeping most days, memory fading fast. She’s going to be moving from her current place (independent living with a lot of help to the point i’m sure it’s technically assisted living) to more like nursing care over the next few weeks.

I have 3 kids ages 5-10 who know her fairly well. COVID threw a wrench into 2020-2022 but they did spend a fair bit of time with her before that, and from 2022-now have visited her a few times in her apartment. The last time I went to see her with my oldest was a few months ago. She was pleasant, but pretty confused- she sort of mixed up all the people/places and obviously recognized us but didn’t really know who we were (children vs grandchildren vs great grandchildren vs a familiar helper). My mom reports that she’s gotten worse in this regard, but still very pleasant.
So…the actual question: Do I take my kids to see her as her life winds down and she becomes even more confused? Do I explain what to expect/ask them first? They lost DH’s grandmother about 18 months ago and despite not knowing her well my youngest (and most sensitive child) was DEVASTATED. Still is. She will still say things like “I really wish I could give her a hug.” My kids sometimes mixed up which great-grandma was/is which but generally have positive and kind memories.

They will be expected to, and barring any complications will, attend services for my grandmother when the time comes. They did not for DH’s as it was during COVID and across the country–my grandmother is about 90 minutes away from us.

Thoughts? FWIW we are not at all religious. My grandma is Catholic so services will be religious.