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Sales of Note…
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – The Half-Yearly Sale has started! See our thoughts here.
- Ann Taylor – $50 off $150; $100 off $250+; extra 30% off all sale styles
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- Zappos – 28,000+ sale items (for women)! Check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kid shoe brands on sale.
Kid/Family Sales
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- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
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- Carter’s – Summer deals from $5; up to 60% off swim
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- Target – Kids’ swim from $8; summer accessories from $10
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
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- 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?
West Palm for the Family? says
DH has to go to West Palm for the day in August for work. We’re in the northeast so we’re thinking rolling it into a little get away with our 15 month old daughter. We have easy direct flights into West Palm from home city.
Can anyone give me some intel on West Palm, the hotels, etc? In a perfect world the hotel would have easy beach access my 15 month old daughter adores the beach but we’d like easy access back to the hotel, plus a pool. Being in a walkable area to either shopping or a nice neighborhood (aka not on a major thruway) would extra nice. Should we be looking elsewhere at other beaches/towns? I’ve never been to West Palm so I am very intrigued, but I’m not married to it. We’ve done Ft Lauderdale and don’t want to stray that far from the West Palm airport.
And, FWIW, DH used to live a little further north on FL’s east coast so we are very aware of hurricane risks, August weather in FL, etc. We want to do this anyway.
OP says
Oh, and budget is mid/upper-tier, though we’ve been known to splurge if it makes a lot of sense, checks all the boxes. But, we don’t need the Ritz/Four Seasons.
Anoner says
The Breakers is amazing if in your budget!
NYCer says
+1. Love The Breakers! Someone also mentioned The Colony Hotel, which is nice as well if you want something less as expensive.
Regardless oh whether you pick either of these hotels, I think that you’ll definitely want to stay somewhere in Palm Beach as opposed to West Palm.
anon says
I have a good friend who lives in North Palm Beach, and I visited her family when my son was 14 months old. I don’t have specific hotel recs, but we spent some time in Juno Beach. We went to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center, where they rescue turtles. Just outside of the turtle center is a park with a nice playground and beach access. There seem to be some family friendly hotels and restaurants in that area as well, although I don’t know how walkable it is.
Also, the Palm Beach Zoo is very nice. It’s on the small side, which makes it feel manageable with a toddler. The paths are shady, and the center has one giant splash pad, which my kid crawled through multiple times (wasn’t walking yet). The zoo is a 30-minute drive from the area I suggested above (my friend lives in the middle), but closer to West Palm Beach if you stay there.
WPB recs says
Jupiter resident here – I think you might like The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. It’s quiet, walkable to shopping/restaurants, has a pool, and is a block away from the beach. West Palm doesn’t have beach access as it’s on the other side of the intracoastal, so for each beach access you’ll want to stay in Palm Beach, Singer Island, or Jupiter (heading north) or down near Boyton/Boca headed south. You won’t need a rental car if you just plan to stay in Palm Beach, but a rental car would be handy if you’re down for a few days. A few fun things to do include Lion Country Safari (Loxahatchee) and the Loggerhead Center in Juno Beach.
Happy to help with any restaurant recs, too!
Interviewing obviously pregnant? says
Background: I didn’t seek this job, but was called out of the blue to interview. I have a toddler and one on the way. I’ll be very obviously 6+ months pregnant during the interview. Have you ever done it? Advice for breaking the ice? I’m definitely going to say something – this is a small organization and they are pursuing me. And I have prior relationships with some of the interviewers and don’t want to just ignore the elephant in the room. Thoughts?
AwayEmily says
Can you email one of the people you know and say something like “I’m looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday. I also wanted to give you and the rest of the company a heads up that I’m about six months pregnant (I know it can sometimes be awkward to ask directly!). See you soon.” Then they will pass it on to everyone else.
Anonymous says
That’s so weird. Show up. Interview. Don’t bring it up.
Anonymous says
This is anon at 9:31 below. I wouldn’t e-mail in advance, but it really is helpful to the employer to know what your plans are in terms of start date and maternity leave.
Also, if you aren’t carrying with a 100% obvious basketball belly, it’s a little off-putting and distracting to the interviewer to wonder whether you are pregnant or not. If you are totally obviously pregnant (skinny with a taut round belly sticking out), then it’s less of an issue. Not that your pregnancy is the interviewer’s business, but if I’m hiring I like to know up front what the timing constraints are. This is no different from any other issue that limits the candidate’s availability (visa issues, dissertation defense date, planned date for moving to the area, desire to work remotely, etc.). Better to get it all out there at the beginning or risk making the interviewer think you are engaging in some sort of bait and switch when she finds out late in the process that you are not actually available to start work immediately or in the planned location.
Anon above says
To be clear, I’m not condoning hiring discrimination on the basis of planned maternity leave. But being open about your planned start date and leave dates is reassuring to the employer and helps establish a positive relationship early on, which will benefit everyone in the long run.
Anonymous says
Omg no. The employer can make an offer and then they can discuss. She won’t be eligible for federal leave. This is bad advice
Anonymous says
But you don’t think the employer is going to have a bad taste in its mouth if it makes an offer and then finds out the candidate is not available for six months? We have had similar things happen for non-pregnancy reasons and it starts the relationship off on the wrong foot. Just because the law says the employer can’t ask doesn’t mean that it can’t be to your strategic advantage to disclose information.
Anonymous says
I’m sorry what? You’re straight up saying you’re so unprofessional you can’t help but waste time in an interview trying to figure out if someone is pregnant or just fat? That’s hideous, discriminatory, and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Like what tho? Now I gotta worry I might not get a job because someone like you is speculating I’m pregnant when I’m just chubby?!?
Anonymous says
No, I’m saying the opposite. I’ll offer you the job if you are qualified, but I am going to trust you less as an employee when I find out that you weren’t up front about the fact that you didn’t want to start for six months. Same thing happens with the people who go through the whole process, get an offer, and then tell me they want to work 100% remotely or whatever.
You sound like a bitter, defensive person.
Anonymous says
And you sound discriminatory
Anonymous says
I don’t know how actively avoiding making hiring decisions on the basis of protected characteristics is discriminatory?
Not one of the above Anons says
I think as an interviewer, it is your responsibility to ask about start dates/conflicts, etc. as part of the screening and evaluation process if it will be important to your decision. It shouldn’t be the interviewee’s responsibility.
Answering the initial question, I’d probably weigh the following options: (1) not say anything at all, (2) work it into conversation but in a very casual way and not as a big issue/announcement that must be overcome (i.e. discussing hobbies outside of work…”well, when I’m not pregnant, I do a lot of biking, but obviously that’s on the back burner right now”), (3) go out to lunch in advance with one of my friends who works there and casually mention the pregnancy. But my advice is to go into the interview with the attitude that your pregnancy is 100% irrelevant to your qualifications for this position, because it is.
AwayEmily says
I guess standards differ a lot by industry — as an interviewer, I have had this exact experience twice (where women emailed to give us a heads up in advance that they are pregnant) and it has never been in the least weird. Just like it isn’t weird if people give a heads up that they will need a break to pump. But maybe my industry is less judgmental/formal than other places.
NYCer says
I agree. I don’t think it would be weird at all to send an email ahead of time, especially since OP said she has a prior relationship with some of the people at the organization.
Anonymous says
I’d be actively mad to be told “Hey here is a protected characteristic you couldn’t have asked me about” and think it shows extremely poor judgment.
Anon says
I think asking for a break to pump is of course completely fine, and they need to know in advance to set up a space for you, so it makes perfect sense to send an email in that situation. Emailing “I’m pregnant” in advance is weird, not because it’s weird to disclose you’re pregnant, but because there’s no need to send an email when you could just tell them in person.
AwayEmily says
The reason (I suspect) that the women emailed in advance is because in my industry you don’t just interview with one person, you interview with about ten different people, one-on-one, and so then she’d have to tell them in person every single time, which would get awkward/annoying (or not tell them, which would also be potentially awkward). So by sending an email in advance the job candidates were ensuring that word would get out and they wouldn’t have to deal with ten individual conversations about their body, which to me seems perfectly reasonable. Again, though, I am totally willing to believe that this varies by industry. But I have to say that being “actively mad” does seem a bit extreme.
Anon says
Your point about emailing because she’d have separate meetings with many individuals makes sense. But it’s not because your industry is less judgmental or formal. If anything it sounds more formal to have so many separate one-on-one meetings.
Anon says
I think it’s weird to email in advance.
Legally Brunette says
So, I have had this experience of interviewing while pregnant. The first time, I was 4 months pregnant and didn’t disclose, but they figured out during the interview and didn’t say anything. When I got the offer, I disclosed the news, they said that they knew, and I was offered leave. I didn’t accept the job ultimately, but it all went fine.
The second time, I was almost 9 months pregnant and felt that it would be ridiculous not to disclose given how far along I was beforehand. I called the hiring manager and told him. The big benefit of doing that is that my late pregnancy was not a distraction during the interview, and we could just focus on the actual substance of the job. I got the offer, got leave, and now have my dream job.
Given that you’re 6 months along, you could do either scenario. But I definitely don’t think it is weird to let them know ahead of time that you’re pregnant. Also, given my experience, you shouldn’t feel that being pregnant is a “liability” to getting the job. If they want you, they will hire you and be fine with you taking leave.
Legally Brunette says
Also, if you decide to disclose, I would definitely do this in a phone call and not over email. Something like — I’m really looking forward to the interview and am excited for the opportunity. I wanted to let you know that I am currently 6 months pregnant and will be due in X. Given how far I am along, I thought I would tell you ahead of time. Again, I’m very excited to meet everyone and to learn more about this position.
Something like that.
Anonymous says
We had a candidate who disclosed her pregnancy at the beginning of the interview. This worked fine and was not awkward, except that I wished she’d given her planned maternity leave dates because it was difficult to tell whether she was 4 months along or 8 months, and I couldn’t easily guess whether she was looking to start immediately or wait until after maternity leave. We ended up hiring her.
anon. says
Thanks. Do you remember what she said? I guess I could just say “To address the obvious, I’m pregnant. Due around Halloween” or whatever and move right one?
Anonymous says
She basically said, “To address the obvious, I’m pregnant.” She did not give dates, but I’d add “Due around Halloween. I would be available to start here around XX date.” That would let the interviewer know you want to start before you go on leave, if that’s the case.
Redux says
I disclosed my very-obvious pregnancy (8-months along and super showing so “disclosed” is a funny word here, because, like, duh) in the context of a starting date. My interviewer asked me when I would be available and I said, “I am expecting a baby in December, and would like to take a three-month maternity leave, so I would be available in March.” If they hadn’t asked, I would have disclosed in the same way, asking about their hiring timeline and then segueing into the script above. I was far enough along that I did not want to start before maternity leave, but if you would start before going on leave, definitely say so.
Redux says
P.S. I got the job! AND at the offer stage was able to negotiate a compressed workweek. Good luck!
anon. op. says
Thanks, all. I will be obviously pregnant (no “is she or isn’t she”), and I am definitely going to say something (not a situation where I’m going to ignore it for personal/ social reasons). For what it’s worth, the person in the position before me is retiring and I know from my first interview at the company that she has offered to stay on until they find someone they like, including into 2020. So it could be naive, but given that they are pursuing me, I don’t feel like disclosing it would hurt me in terms of timing, I just want to avoid the awkwardness that 9:31 points out!
anon. op. says
P.S. Anon @ 9:31 I did not read your comment as rude or discriminatory at all, it’s exactly what I was asking for. Thanks for chiming in.
Buddy Holly says
This sounds like a good plan to me OP. It opens the way for a discussion on timing for your start date or leave and anything important to you after you return (pumping breaks, schedule constraints, etc.)
Emily S. says
A woman I know (who got the job) mentioned it at the end, in a very light-hearted way: “Elephant in the room: I’m pregnant. I’m due next month, but I’m very excited about this possibility. I could start (date 4 months from now) if you can wait for me.” That way, she got to control the message, let them know she knew they couldn’t ask, and gave them start dates.
Good luck with the interview!
Pogo says
exactly, I think that’s all you need to say.
Anonymous says
Yes, this is exactly right. I would probably say it at the beginning. I think it would be odd not to address something so obvious that will impact your start date. But this is how I’ve seen visibly pregnant friends deal with clients they are meeting in person. They don’t want the client to wonder what is going to happen when they go on leave or feel like they can’t ask what will happen when they are on leave, so they say up front, “As you can see, I’m pregnant. I’ll be working with [X] on this matter who will take excellent care of you while I’m out for [X] months starting around [date].”
Pogo says
As an interviewer, the main issues that I care about are when you can start, can you accept the travel requirements, and will your commute be excessive (because that could affect your ability to attend meetings, arrive on time, etc). I ask questions to specifically address these points (for commute I look at what town they live in and if it seems crazy I ask what their plan is – sometimes they are planning to move, or want to work remote, or claim they can drive 4 hours every day). Similar to closing on a house, someone with no contingencies gets more preference but if you’re a perfect fit and can’t start right away it doesn’t disqualify you.
Baby prep says
Another baby registry question: is three strollers excessive? I think that I would like an everyday, travel, and jogging strollers, even though I know I wouldn’t be using all of them immediately. Would it be too much to register for all?
And, a nursery question – is a glider/recliner really necessary? I’ve seen a lot of good reviews of Dutailier recliners, but they don’t look that attractive to me. Not sure what the alternative would be, however.
Anonymous says
I would register for the everyday and travel strollers for now. You can’t use the jogging stroller until 6?10? months anyway so you don’t need it for a while. Unless you’re planning on using it for unpaved walking trails or something. I’d register for 2/3 as 3 seems like a lot.
I loved my rocker/glider and still have it in my oldest’s room 7 years later where we snuggle and read books. Monte has lovely gliders and rockers. You can also check allmodernbaby for good options.
Anon says
I think the rule for jogging strollers is 6 months or earlier if baby has good head control. Our ped approved us using one after baby’s 4 month well check.
Anonymous says
Bob recommends 2-8 months for walk only and then 8 months and up for jogging so I’d be pretty nervous using one to jog before that even with ped approval. “For jogging stroller or off-road stroller use, children should be at least 8 months old.”http://www.bobgear.com/support/faq
Anonymous says
I have ended up with way more strollers than I anticipated (into double stroller territory now), and 3 made sense for us. We did not register for 3. We had an everyday/frame combo (babyjogger citi premier) so it’ll the car seat popped in without the stroller seat, a Chicco “lightweight” travel stroller we got on clearance ($45) which still resides in our car and gets a lot of use, and a jogging stroller for neighborhood walks (lots of hills) and any rough terrain. FWIW we stopped using our “everyday” stroller after 1yr and could’ve gotten by with a cheaper frame stroller and then just using the other two after 6 months. My advice is to do something not heavy for the first 6months because your core is kinda out of whack after birth. Can’t use jogging stroller until at LEAST 6 months but if you’re actually running with it I would wait even longer. I’d register for one and buy the other two secondhand.
We spent the most money on our glider/recliner and it’s worth every single penny ($400). It was only sold through babies r us so sadly not available anymore. It’s not a wooden glider, it’s a real upholstered recliner. If you are your husband are remotely tall make sure you get one big enough a lot of nursery gliders are small. I nursed, slept, and relaxed in that thing so much and now it’ll be used for our second. I also highly suggest an inexpensive nursing stool if you plan to bfeed to have good posture/positioning while nursing.
Anon says
A glider is really nice, not just for nursing but also for snuggling and reading books on later. I love my Babyletto glider and it’s very cute.
Anonymous says
That’s too many strollers
Anonymous says
Three does seem kind of excessive to start out with. Do you live somewhere where you’ll be using the stroller every day? If not, I’d go with just the jogging stroller and the travel stroller for now. Most likely you can use one of those for everyday walks and if you discover that you find the jogging one too heavy and the travel one too flimsy, then you can look into a third, but most likely those two will cover all your bases.
Anon says
Can you put a newborn in a jogging or umbrella stroller? I thought you couldn’t use those strollers until the baby can sit well with support, which is 4-6 months for most babies. I think you need a traditional stroller with a carseat attachment or a flat bed-like surface for the first 4 months.
Sarabeth says
You can use the jogging stroller with a carseat attachment.
Anonymous says
Yeah, I had lots of friends who used jogging strollers with the carseat attachment. It’s heavy, but totally doable if you want to use the carseat anyway.
Clementine says
Agreed. I have 3 strollers (City mini GT, single Bob for running, double Bob) and if I did it again, I would do the single Bob new (I have an old one I bought used and have run many, many miles with it) and a very packable umbrella stroller.
Although I love love love my City Mini, because I’m a runner I would rather have the nicer jogging stroller. As a note, I do use all my strollers all the time and am an evangelist for a giant double side by side for two kids because… go big or go home. If I’m in a more crowded area I just wear one and push the other in a single. I personally hate tandem strollers unless you have twins.
Also, it depends on the kid for the glider. Some kids love to be rocked, some could care less. I got a nice West Elm glider and love it.
Clementine says
Oh! If you are not a runner and just want something for walks, I switch my recommendation to a slightly sporty regular stroller and the umbrella stroller.
Anon from 9:32 says
Yeah, I should have added that what we’re not runners so our two are a City Mini GT (rugged enough for any terrain) and an umbrella stroller. But assuming the OP is a runner, my jogging + travel rec still stands!
FVNC says
It’s possible to combine the jogging stroller with everyday stroller. We used our Bob, initially with the bucket seat attachment, as our everyday stroller (suburban neighborhood, wide sidewalks). We had a cheap hand-me-down umbrella stroller as our travel stroller for our oldest, and upgraded to a pocket (sp?) stroller for travel with our youngest.
I was too cheap to get a nicer looking glider like from Babyletto, and bought an Ikea rocking chair instead. It’s worked fine, and has held up surprisingly well after six years. I can’t sleep in a chair, no matter how comfy, so never considered a recliner.
GGFM says
Was also going to suggest you consider using a jogging stroller as your everyday one. We have a Thule urban glide that we have used as an everyday stroller since birth, with the infant seat adapter. We walk a lot and commute 2.5 miles/day to and from daycare, and its more comfortable on long walks like this than our umbrella stroller or, I’m told, some of the everyday strollers. The 6+ month recommendations apply if you use the stroller for actual jogging (too much jostling of head/neck for a young infant), but it’s fine to use earlier than that if the kid is properly supported. One drawback is foldability as I don’t think there is a jogging stroller on the market that is as easy to fold as the city mini.
Anonymous says
But would not use a jogging stroller– at least a BOB– if you plan to use your everyday stroller in and out of the car a lot. So, so heavy and takes up a ton of space in the trunk.
ElisaR says
you may wind up with 3 strollers but I would have been embarassed to register for 3. Maybe that’s just me. I was embarassed to register for an uppababy because they’re so pricey. But that’s just because people I grew up with would fall out of their chairs if they saw it on a registry.
I do think a glider is great. We LOVE ours. We also spent more on that (it was not on my registry). My oldest son is 3.5 and we still use it every morning and every night. We have a glider ottoman too which I love to use with the chair. My youngest son got my husband’s old la-z-boy chair from his bachelor pad for his bedroom …..and that works well too.
Anonymous says
We had a Dutalier glider in the nursery and almost never used it. Once baby was mobile, we got rid of it because she kept trying to pull up on the glider or ottoman and sticking her fingers in places where they could get pinched. It was a total waste of money.
We also had a nice big armchair with an ottoman in another room, in which I basically lived throughout mat leave and which we still love.
Turtle says
I have three, registered for two and bought a BOB on our f-book yard sale site. I got the UppaBaby Vista and have used that non-stop since 15 month old’s birth. We have an umbrella that we won’t need for a while but we registered for it because, why not. I gave that to my mom on loaner for other grandkids and we’ll take it back when we’re ready for it.
We use the BOB for walks at home now that she’s bigger, stored in my garage, and keep the UppaBaby folded in my trunk.
shortperson says
we only registered for the everyday and the carseat frame stroller but we ended up only using the carseat frame, jogging and the travel strollers we bought. our bob stroller is great for everything around the neighborhood (you can put in the carseat), and it’s just always easier to bring our mountain buggy nano anywhere we go in the car than the “everyday” stroller (b-agile) that we have hardly used. if you want a fancier look than the nano i suggest registering for the babyzen yoyo as your everyday and travel.
shortperson says
also we have the monte glider and it looks amazing 5 years and two babies later. it is the only glider i found that is super comfortable and nice looking. i like that they dont use flame retardants etc. i was willing to pay $$$ for that.
Em says
No. We just bought a nicer, lightweight travel stroller to take on a trip to Italy when my son will be 3 1/2 and I am kicking myself for not buying it 2 years ago. We also have the big stroller that our car seat clicked into and that converts to a toddler stroller, but it is bulky and inconvenient for short trips.
NYCer says
We have 3 strollers (Cruz, yoyo and Thule), but I didn’t register for any of them. Immediate family bought the Cruz and Yoyo, and we bought the jogger once the baby was older. We live in NYC, so use the Cruz every day and my husband runs a lot with the Thule. I don’t love running with the stroller to be honest….
As for your nursery, we do not have a glider/recliner. I didn’t really like any of the options. We have a regular living room type chair from Room and Board that has been totally fine.
Spirograph says
Granted, I am not a serious runner, but 2 strollers was enough for us. We have the City Elite (with carseat adapter in the early months), which was good enough for jogging a couple miles, esp if I locked the front wheel, and an umbrella stroller.
Now that my kids are bigger, I get a ton of use out of the stroller adapter for my Burly double bike trailer.
Anonymous says
No comment on the strollers. With respect to the glider/recliner, we have a smaller La-Z-Boy leather recliner in kiddo’s room. Hands down, function beats form for that purchase all day, every day. Kiddo is 3.5, and the amount of time we’ve spent in that recliner is huge. My husband is tall, and it was important to him to be able rest his head against the back of the chair. I was happy to comply but thought he was being a little high maintenance about it. But he was so, so right.
octagon says
I second this! We sat in so many chairs so DH could be sure that it cushioned his neck well. He was right.
We ended up with a Little Castle glider & ottoman from Buy Buy Baby (I think). It was also important to me that I be able to stretch my legs out and rock at the same time, but there definitely have been nights where I would have preferred a recliner because I ended up sleeping in the chair.
Anonymous says
We ended up with 4 strollers over the years, but in reality the running stroller (we have a BOB) and an everyday stroller (we have the Britax B-ready that worked with our car seat) were all we needed.
For me, with my babies, the glider, while ugly was necessary. Especially my first had a horrible witching hour and the only thing that would calm her was rocking. My second was mildly interested and I’m glad we have it for snuggles, but I never would have made it through year 1 with my first without it.
anon says
i have lots of stroller thoughts, but they depend on where you live – do you live in the burbs where you plan on going places by car a lot, in a walking city, etc.? additional information would be helpful on the stroller front. many people i know have three strollers, but kind of regret one of them. we use the Thule to walk around our neighborhood. We live in a VERY bumpy area and a stroller with regular wheels would not suffice and have actually never used it to jog, but it is a breeze to push. other than my nyc or real city friends, most people i know have found their UppaBaby Cruz or Vista less useful once they are done with the infant car seat. I do not think there is anything wrong with registering for 3 strollers, but if you want to try to get away with 2, then i would suggest using the jogger with the infant car seat to begin and then the travel/umbrella stroller (we have the Zoe). or register for one of the cheap snap and gos if you don’t want to use the jogger to begin with.
we did not have a glider at all or even any kind of chair. i can definitely see how they would be nice. however, we live in an apartment where the living room couch/chair is only a short walk away. if we lived in a multi floor house, i would’ve wanted a comfortable glider.
Anon says
I have a Dutailier glider, but it is fully upholstered and more attractive than the wood one. I believe it is the Lula. It also reclines.
Emily S. says
I got the Bob jogging stroller as a gift and bought the Summer infant lightweight 3D stroller on sale as an everyday (highly recommend for taller parents! The handles are higher than most umbrella strollers.) We used the bob with the car seat frame from day 3 (just walking, not jogging) and occasionally on the gravel trails, but even though we were runners at the time, it didn’t get as much use as I thought it would. Now, it’s taking up space in the garage. It’s just too big and heavy for everyday use once baby was out of the carrier car seat. In retrospect, I would have preferred just the 3d Lite or just a smaller jogging stroller. So, to echo what others have said, think about your lifestyle and needs before you buy. If you register for and receive 3 strollers, maybe don’t take every stroller you get out of the box because you might have one you really like and could return an unnecessary stroller.
Pogo says
I’ll echo what I said previously – register for what you want if you get any kind of completion discount and it’s advantageous for you. I think people know they’re not expected to buy you a $300 stroller – or in my case, my in-laws WANTED to buy something insane as a ‘big gift’ for baby, and the registry kickbacks made it attractive to add the item even though I knew they’d be buying it.
For strollers: I loved the stroller frame/snap-n-go for the first year with the bucket car seat, and since then we use the Thule Urban Glide as our “everyday” if we need it. Caveats: I do actually use it to run quite a bit, and after the end of the bucket seat era, we tend to just let kiddo walk rather than stroll him. I also babywear a decent amount at things like festivals, farmers markets, etc because I find the stroller more of a hassle. Ditto airports. Live in the suburbs so we don’t usually stroll to the store – if we walk to get ice cream or go to the park, we use the Thule.
Boston Legal Eagle says
We have a bunch of strollers but didn’t register for them, and didn’t buy them all at once. We started with our everyday Cruz, then the jogger when DS1 was older, then a couple of umbrella strollers as needed. We also have a double now as well. I would probably just register for your everyday one, and then get more as the time goes by, unless you really want all of them now for some reason (completion discount?)
Our Dutailier glider is still going strong for kid#2 and I love it! It’s comfy for nursing and it was great to rock the baby to sleep when he was a newborn. I think it looks nice but your taste may vary.
Anon says
This – we bought the travel system with Chicco Bravo ourselves, then were gifted a fancy umbrella stroller (Maclaren) by my co-workers, then bought the Summer 3D lite umbrella for DH’s car, then at 20 months added a joovy jogging stroller (not for jogging, because I’m only running if something really scary is chasing me, but for uneven terrain (wineries, horse races, parks without sidewalks, etc.)). Given I’m not yet pregnant and DD is 2, I’m hoping we might be able to avoid having to go double stroller for hypothetical baby 2 and further add to this crazy collection.
Anon says
We went with a full on leather power rocker recliner (like, for a living room) in the nursery. It is sooo comfortable. We still use it nightly at 2 years old. DH and I have spent a lot of time sleeping in it ourselves. And I like that I could move it into our office or living room if we ever outgrew it. Our kiddo is a terrible sleeper though, so maybe if your child sleeps, yours will get less use? Still rate it as one of the best decisions I ever made for baby stuff.
Anonymous says
I was hesitant to get a Dutailier because yeah it’s not the most stylish, but when I went to a baby superstore to try out various chairs, I found the Dutailier by far the most comfortable. (I’m pretty petite – someone with a different body type would probably think differently.) My baby is 5 months and I use it all the time.
AnonLaywer says
Heh, now I feel bad because they look fine to me. I mean, not something I’d put in the living room but they look cozy to a nursery for me.
I ended up buying a different glider they had at Buy Buy Baby, but it looks pretty similar to the Dutailier. It’s incredibly comfortable.
SC says
I ended up using 3 different strollers during the course of my kid’s infancy and toddlerhood, but I would side-eye a registry with 3 strollers. We registered for the everyday stroller, which had options for clicking in the infant seat and having an older kid sit up. We purchased a jogging stroller on Craigslist around 6 months old–our city is known for rough terrain even on a neighborhood walk. And we purchased the pockit for travel before a series of trips around 2 years old (the original stroller was broken by then, and the jogging stroller is impractical to travel with).
I would skip registering for the travel stroller for now. Different parents and babies travel in different ways that work for them. Some like baby-wearing. I liked having the infant car seat clicked into the stroller frame as long as possible (so baby could face me), then switched to the pockit. My SIL preferred purchasing cheap ($20) umbrella strollers at her destination rather than traveling with a stroller. Some families need a double stroller.
RR says
We have a Dutalier glider that we bought 12 years ago when expecting twins. That thing is a tank. It’s been used most days for the past 12 years, and aside from a few chips in the paint on the edges, it looks like when we brought it home. We used it not just for feeding when they were babies, but for reading books to this day. I sit in it while folding clothes in their rooms. The kids sit in it to read. If you want a glider for the functionality, I can’t say enough good things about the brand. But, it’s not a fashion statement to be sure. Ours is white wood, so I don’t think it’s horrifically ugly, but it’s certainly not something I put in my living room.
Anonymous says
I gave my Dutalier glider away recently after using it almost daily for 6+ years. It was still in great shape. I found it really comfortable and fine for a nursery, looks-wise. My babies all were soothed by rocking, so it was a good choice for us. Like someone said above, I wouldn’t put it in my living room, but it’s not hideous. I’m 5’8 and average build and it fit me and a baby perfectly for nursing, and 2 kids 4 and under in my lap was doable. We pile on the couch or chair and a half, now, but it was the most-used baby item we bought, hands down.
Anonymous says
Counterpoint: our Dutailier literally collapsed/splintered/broke apart while I was sitting in it with my then-3 year old. The wood splintered apart— didn’t even break at a joint or anything. We aren’t large people. We bought it used, moved it cross country, and used it daily for 3 years but I have never had that happen with any other piece of furniture ever. Luckily we weren’t injured .
Anonymous says
Look into the Bumbleride Indie! It’s a jogger that’s also lightweight, easy to maneuver, and folds down compactly. We had it as our everyday stroller (maxi cosi adaptors for Nuna) through toddlerhood and had a secondhand Maclaren for travel. Our marathon-ing friends also have the Indie and theirs has logged hundreds and hundreds of miles.
Marshmallow says
I know this must have been discussed before but I’m not having luck searching. Anyone have a pumping bag or just a really large work bag they like? I’m two weeks into pumping at the office and the schlepp is already killing me. I can leave my pump at the office, so I’m just bringing the parts and milk back and forth, but even so there’s little room in my regular bag (13″ Lo & Sons Seville) for anything else. I prefer something conservative-looking, black or navy. The Sarah Wells bags look nice but maybe not formal enough.
Anonymous says
I was lazy and left my parts at work throughout the week. Rinse them off and keep them in the fridge. Steam clean bags if you want to clean them more often. Schlep only once a week each way, and only transport the milk. YMMV.
Anonymous says
This. If you rinse them and leave them in the fridge, they don’t need to go through the dishwasher every day.
AwayEmily says
Yup. This is what I did as well, with my pediatrician’s blessing. Of course YMMV if you have a very tiny or immuno-compromised baby.
Anon says
Yeah I hand-washed mine at the office every day. Worked for me.
Marshmallow says
I had heard of leaving in the fridge each day but not just rinsing and leaving alone week. Will try that!
Pogo says
I used a packit freezer bag and carried home the bottles + pump parts in it. I didn’t actually freeze the bag, but I liked that it was wipeable and did have some insulating quality. I packed my lunch into my work tote so I had two total bags (3 if I was going to the gym or yoga), and the packit looks just like a lunch bag so no one could ‘tell’ (not that I cared). Not ideal, but worked fine for a car commute.
Anon says
Not sure if I’m in mod or didn’t post correctly so apologies in advance if this shows up twice. I love the Sarah Wells Abby in black and found that it looks more formal in person than the pictures online. It’s definitely formal enough for my conservative office.
AMama says
I agree with the posters above about leaving items at work if you can. In my case, I frequently needed to bring my pump when attending off site meetings. I bought the Charlie G “New Yorker” bag from Amazon and carried it every day. It was dressy enough that it fit in, and doesn’t scream “pump bag”. Fair warning: it is LARGE, but it fits a lot. I was able to fit my Spectra pump + parts + freezer pack for milk + laptop/folders/notebook etc. I used it for about 8 months and it held up fairly well- I’ll be able to use it again for my 2nd. I left my pump at the office when I wasn’t off site, so it was lighter to carry those days and I was able to fit my lunch in the pump compartment.
Anon says
I just bought a larger diaper bag from Target. I carried my pump and the milk (in a smaller cooler bag) back and forth every day. I left a set of parts at work.
The bag I got also had space for my wallet/phone/keys so I didn’t carry an additional purse.
Anon says
I used a wet dry bag to bring clean parts in and dirty parts out (and then put the milk in a black cooler bag to go home). At the time I was using a huge canvas tote, so it was easy to toss the parts bag and cooler in.
shortperson says
i had a sarah wells annie (that model now discontinued) and i think it is formal enough for any setting. i got a bunch of compliments on it from people that did not realize that it’s a pumping bag. but i did sometimes carry my pump and/or supplies in my cuyana oversized carryall tote. i still use that bag when i need to carry baby stuff but look professional. or just for my own stuff. yesterday it carried all the clothes i needed to return into the office in it.
Anonymous says
I have the Sarah Wells Claire in black and it seems pretty conservative/formal to me. It has a lot of pockets and can hold a lot! It was working really well for me at first but then the zipper on one of the side pockets on mine started tearing away within the first month.I’ve actually ordered a cheaper bag from a different brand and am planning to send this one back. But if you want to risk the quality control issues (there are other reviews that have the same zipper issue, but the bags are well regarded overall so… they must not all do this?) it could be an option.
Marshmallow says
Thanks! I think I’m going to order the Claire. I hadn’t seen that design and it’s aesthetically just what I’m looking for. I guess I’ll order straight from the manufacturer rather than Amazon so if I have a quality issue it’s easier to deal with them. I will try leaving my pump parts at the office during the week, but I still need a bag that can hold everything for travel or days away from my office. Hopefully this one will work out!
shortperson says
my sarah wells bag got a broken zi[pper after months of use and they sent me a new one no questions asked. they are super nice.
Sweatpants says
Hi Gang! I am looking for a recommendation on some super light and soft sweatpants/joggers intended to be used t-2 weeks to my due date and post-partum. I am due labor day in the SE, so don’t need anything too cozy. I’d like to find something with a drawstring so they can weather the weight changes to come after the baby is born. Anyone have a favorite pair to recommend?
Pogo says
I have a really lightweight pair from American Apparel (joggers) that I love. Only caveat is I probably wouldn’t wear them out of the house because they’re so thin/light they border on see-through (VPL a big issue). They’re basically t-shirt material and soooo comfy.
Pogo says
https://www.americanapparel.com/en/tri-blend-leisure-pant_rsatr334w?c=Athletic Grey
Anonymous says
J Crew dreamy pajama jogger pant. I wore the previous version, which was a wide-legged PJ pant instead of a jogger, throughout pregnancy and afterwards. I wore the waistband under the belly.
anon in brooklyn says
https://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=364061002&cid=1005439&pcid=1005439&grid=pds_9_18_1&cpos=10&cexp=1161&cid=CategoryIDs%3D1005439&ctype=Listing&cpid=res19072508935784864209492#pdp-page-content
I liked these a lot—very light and comfortable, and pockets are useful.
octagon says
They haven’t arrived yet, but I ordered a Zella pair in the Nordstrom sale that might fit the bill.
Em says
When I was about at this point in my pregnancy I bought a pair at Walmart (because I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on pants I would be wearing for a few weeks) and ended up loving them. I wore them for two years after I had my son. They had a drawstring and pockets and were cozy as h*ll. The string broke a few months ago and I was sad.
Anon says
+1 – I would honestly just get something cheap at Walmart, Target or Old Navy because (to be gross) they will probably get bled on.
Anonymous says
I can’t recommend the Old Navy sweater-knit joggers enough. They’re super light-weight and so, so soft. In fact, I WFH and am in a pair right now!
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=437808152&cid=1075857&pcid=1031032&grid=pds_0_15_1#pdp-page-content
As an FYI, I dry mine in the dryer, and they’re totally fine even though the instructions recommend line or flat drying. The giant pockets are awesome. The only downside is that the knees get a little stretched, but washing gets their shape back. And a new pair I have (versus the ones from 2-3 years ago) retain their shape much better.
Anon says
Not sweats, put I delivered in August in VA, and my gap maternity yoga pants were lived in the last month pregnant and the first month PP.
Knope says
I don’t have a specific brand to recommend but I HIGHLY recommend getting non-maternity foldover waistband pants (probably in a larger size than you’re used to). I was able to unfold the waistband to accommodate my very pregnant belly, and then refold postpartum.
Anon says
+1. I’ve been wearing my old Victoria’s Secret foldover yoga pants and they still fit me at 37 weeks, even when actual maternity clothing is starting to get too tight. So comfy.
Anonymous says
+2 I just wore yoga pants postpartum
Sweatpants says
Thanks for all the suggestions! I will have to load up my ultra casual wardrobe for maximum comfort while I am on leave!
Babyproofing? says
Anyone have suggestions for how to babyproof an old house for a toddler? We have two built-in cabinets that have French doors with glass panels on either side of the fireplace in our living room. It’s old glass so I have no doubt it could break if toddler fell into it right. I thought about a baby gate but that seems like it could be pushed right over.
CCLA says
Two suggestions – 1, maybe easiest if you’re going to gate off the fireplace anyway and the layout accommodates for it, just get something like the regalo baby yard that can be used in one long line and gate off in front of that entire wall. 2, if you are mostly worried about kiddo running into the glass and it shattering, look into the clear safety film. We applied it to our windows and mirrored closets in kid rooms here in earthquake country, you can’t tell that it’s there, but it is set up to hold everything together in the event of a shatter.
Anonymous says
You can get a “fireplace fence”—a long baby gate made up of multiple panels that fastens to the wall on both ends. You could use this to gate off the cabinets along with the fireplace.
ElisaR says
My house is 90 years old and I have french glass doors on either side of my fireplace. It never occurred me to babyproof them. I insist my 3+ year old not SLAM them but honestly – the thought of babyproofing them sounds unnecessary to me. I have low cabinets in another room and I put a rubberband around the 2 knobs so the baby can’t open the cabinets. And for cabinets that hold cleaning supplies I just bought those baby lock things that are u-shaped and my cleaners have trouble getting in to get the supplies which is kinda funny.
Anon says
I am planning to put plexiglass over my glass built-ins but may look into the safety film recommended above.