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Anon2NYC says
Thinking about heading to NYC as a family (me, DH and 4 year old). I’ve been to NYC a bunch of times for work, but don’t know it extremely well from a non-business standpoint.
Recs for family-friendly hotels or neighborhoods? Was thinking Times Square just because of the bustle (but a block or two off from the crazy, ideally). Any other spots or specific recs? Major points if there’s a pool (indoor or outdoor) that we can use. We’re in the habit of booking suites when we go away so kiddo can sleep and adults get some alone time, so we’d probably go that route here too.
We’re in Boston. Unless there are cautionary tales against, I was thinking of doing the Acela with the kiddo. Figure the excitement of the train + tablet, games, would probably suit us well for the trip.
Also, what do people do about kids, car seats and ubers? We will use the subway, but practically speaking, do you just all get in the back of a cab/uber and sandwich kid between the two adults and hope for the best? Will not schlep around NYC with a car seat, that’s for sure. Just not something I’d given much thought to.
Will come back at a later time for recs of restaurants and other things to do. For these prelim plans, any suggestions or pitfalls I’m not considering?
Anonymous says
When my kid was under 3 we never got in a car without a car seat. It’s annoying and inconvenient. Over three we hop in a taxi without.
Pogo says
omg avoid Times Sq. It’s not only super busy and touristy, it always feels grimy and sketchy to me.
I would book somewhere close to museums/the park/zoo/etc.
Anon says
I would not suggest going in a cab without a car seat. If you don’t want to carry it around, then make the best use of the subway
NYCer says
I would definitely not stay in Times Square, but YMMW. Personally, I would stay on the UWS when visiting NYC with a preschool aged kid. It is close to Central Park, easy access to subways (which sounds like you want to use) and very family friendly overall. The Natural History Museum will be a hit with your 4 year old, there is a children’s museum in the neighborhood if you’re interested, you can easily to get to the Intrepid (underrated hit if your kid is at all interested in boats or planes), etc. I don’t know of any hotels with pools in the UWS though.
You can get Ubers with car seats, but you usually have to wait longer (like 10 min vs. 2 min). They have Immi Go seats. I have never had an issue with them. Lots of people just put kids in Ubers and taxis without a car seat, but that is not really my thing unless it is a very, very short ride.
GCA says
+1 the UWS would be my preference for vacation with kids, not Midtown!
buffybot says
There is no way in h-e-double hockey sticks (as we used to say) that I would stay anywhere near Times Square. A few reasons: there aren’t great places to eat or even get coffee — it’s all chains. There aren’t any accessible parks or playgrounds. I don’t subscribe to the whole “NYC is a crime ridden nightmare” narrative at all but Midtown is decidedly less pleasant than it used to be – the absence of office workers has changed the nature of those neighborhoods. Plus, I also just find exactly zero appealing about Times Square — you can see plenty of NYC hustle and bustle while still staying in a more pleasant neighborhood. I would go for Chelsea/Meatpacking — some friends just stayed at the Maritime and enjoyed it and the parks along the Hudson are great for kids. If you really want to be Midtown/Central Park adjacent, I would consider low UWS/UES over Times Sq.
I think the train is great for kids. We live in the city with a 4 year old and take the subway or bus and have not ever gotten in the back of a cab/Uber and hoped for the best — I am sure people do but honestly I don’t trust the safety of Uber drivers in particular. Instead we plan our activities around public transport.
GCA says
We’ve done the Acela to NYC from South Station before, and have ridden the commuter rail from suburbs to downtown for weekend aquarium trips and things like that! This will depend on your kid but the train should be a lot of fun. Don’t make the mistake I did and accidentally sit down in the quiet car with an infant. Whoops. I haven’t done this in a while so I’m not sure if they still have Red Cap service, but it’s useful if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage.
If you need to take cabs, get a RideSafer travel vest, a 4yo will be pretty comfortable in it. Also, we were in NYC to run some errands in Midtown and had some time to kill in the area, and my then-4.5yo surprised us by thoroughly enjoying the Museum of Math.
Anonymous says
When I lived in Boston the train was my favorite way to get to NYC.
Anonymous says
I would not stay in Times Square – that is just going to be an expensive hassle with a 4 year old. UWS maybe? I’m not sure where hotels are, and I don’t think many have pools (or large rooms or suites unless you have a large budget), but I would pick a more residential neighborhood popular with families and close to a park. You might be happier in an airbnb if you are on a tighter budget. If you are open to outer boroughs my parents are loyal to the Fairfield Inn on 3rd Ave in Brooklyn. A lot of office workers are still remote, so Midtown is different than it was pre-pandemic – I don’t know that there are more people who are homeless around, but their concentration is higher with fewer commuters/tourists around, and I see more open drug use, piles of poo on the street, etc. Public outdoor pools won’t be open until end of June. They are also frankly a PITA – lots of rules, e.g. you can bring almost nothing with you on the pool deck except a towel and a plain white t-shirt. That said, the Fairfield Inn mentioned above is near a pretty popular public pool at Dean and Degraw St. For cabs and a 4 year old, a bubblebum booster might be a good carseat compromise. (We basically never use cabs with our son except for to/from airport but live a ways out in Brooklyn and have a car.) You can also request a car service with a carseat, but quality varies and I think a Bubblebum would be less of a hassle. But in general you can and should be fine with just the subway, especially if you don’t need to get to the airport and can bring a lightweight stroller or small scooter.
Anon says
I’ve never understood the idea that you don’t need a car seat in a cab. They’re not immune from accidents just because they’re yellow. I have actually been in an accident while riding in a cab (not in NYC though). My in laws live in Manhattan and we brought a car seat with us until my kid was 4 and we switched to a booster. If you’re taking the train and will be using the subway to get around you may not need one, but I would not go in a cab without a booster seat at 4.
Agree that UWS is a good place to stay. We stay in Midtown because that’s where my in-laws are, but they’re in the upper 50s and pretty far east so well away from the craziness of Times Square. We never go to Times Square except for the theater.
ElisaR says
you’re totally right but for some odd reason i have always treated cabs differently than another car. it’s not rational. i never wear a seatbelt whereas any other car i can’t fathom not wearing a seatbelt. it makes no sense but it’s what i grew up doing. that being said…. traffic is SO bad right now (especially post subway incident) that the cabs rarely get above 20 mph.
Anonymous says
Yeah, I think the low speed of traffic in Manhattan makes accidents less risky to riders. It is hard to go over 30 mph, even on the FDR and West Side Highway.
Anon says
I’m the poster at 10:05. We mainly use cabs to/from the airport, so definitely going over 60 miles an hour at times. But even 30 mph seems like enough for a serious crash that could seriously injure an unrestrained baby or toddler.
Anonymous says
You don’t wear a car seat in a cab!? You do realize your head can fly through a car window at 25mph right?
ElisaR says
yeah i know it’s not wise. i’m not going out of manhattan to airports or anything either. it’s not rational but it’s my reality.
NLD in NYC says
Also agree that UWS would be much better than midtown. There’s also the Children’s Museum of Manhattan nearby. Also don’t overlook the outer boroughs, especially Brooklyn. Or even consider Jersey; it can be a quick train or bus ride into the city and it’s much cheaper than the city.
You aren’t required to have a car seat in a cab/Uber/Lyft, so bring one if you feel comfortable but it’s not mandatory.
OP says
So noted on Times Sq!! See? I know all my big corporates destinations, white table cloth lunches and coffee joints. I know NOTHING about how to enjoy NYC that does not involve a business expense account, a pants suit and interacting with people not wearing a finance bro uniform. Gosh, I used to be cool…
TY all, keep the recs coming!
anon in brooklyn says
Brooklyn Heights would also be a good neighborhood to stay in, the parks and playground along the park and in Dumbo are great. And a quick train ride to lower Manhattan or even a stroller walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Southern Brooklyn Native says
Brooklyn Bridge Park is amazing and there’s some wonderful hotels near there with great views. Lots of family friendly places to eat.
In my family, if we’re taking a cab a short distance with no highway, I will buckle my kid with just the lap belt part (since age 3 or so), but if we’re going on a highway, booster or car seat required. Recent news notwithstanding, the subway is generally safe in the times when you are likely to be there with a small child (I personally take a cab post 11pm if I’m alone).
Anotheranon says
Just wanted to say I was going to ask the same question today (except my tot is 1yo) and all around same background right down to the finance bros.
NYC says
I did a summer trip last year with a 6,7 and 8 year old! Here are my tips
– I stayed at The Conrad – big rooms and cheap(er) for a 5 star hotel because it was a summer weekend, and the hotel is in the financial district. It is close to the ferry for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty and Battery Park. Great coffee shop across the street and bagel shop downstairs and right around the corner.
– The kids loved an informal pizza tour – Joe’s was their favorite.
– They loved walking around Times Square at night. I told them we could stay out “late” (we were in bed by 10:30), but we could walk around as long as I felt safe. There were so many people around that I felt fine. They loved the energy and excitement.
– We did the Empire State Building and spent a lot of time at the museum before the elevator ride. Really cool King Kong exhibit.
– We did an evening in Little Italy – ate dinner, walked around, got gelato.
– Pedicab! Omg – they loved it. We did a pedicab from the Empire State Building to Times Square at night. It was $80 and worth every penny, lol. The driver blasted rap music with bad words much to the delight of the kids. It felt very edgy to them.
– They did not appreciate the museums to justify the cost of the tickets, but I don’t regret modeling an interest in culture.
The things my kids thought were most exciting – cigarettes (they’ve never really seen people smoking!), taking the subway (and touching everything in the car – ick), and spotting rats, lol.
ElisaR says
cigarettes, lol.
same with my kids and i’m always a little nervous they’re going to loudly point out how bad it is for you…. or ask what it is
Anon says
My kid has definitely said to people “stop smoking, it’s bad for you!”
Anon says
Your last sentence made me LOL. We were just in Italy and my 4 year old was also extremely entertained by people smoking. When her daycare teachers asked what she liked the most about the trip she replied “the gelato and the cigar*ttes!” We had to clarify she only consumed one of those.
Pogo says
My kid saw a person vaping for the first time recently when we travelled. He was SO confused. It made me realize how incredibly sheltered we’ve been in the pandemic!
Anon says
I think it’s more of a suburban kid thing than a pandemic thing. You don’t really see people smoking on the streets except in large cities. People smoke here, but they do it in their homes or in bars.
SC says
I would specifically recommend The Hotel Beacon on the UWS as great for families. They have suites that can be quite reasonably priced depending on your timing, and even the studios have mini kitchenettes. No pool though. My parents stayed there several times when I lived in NYC, and it was always great (though it’s been a decade). It’s also directly across from Fairway Market and Citarella Gourmet Market and close to lots of neighborhood restaurants, the Natural History Museum, and the Park.
AIMS says
The playground at Riverside Park (away from CP) is also fantastic.
AIMS says
Co-signing that you should not do Times Square with a kid. My kids live in NYC and have been there exactly once. It wasn’t fun.
Upper East, Upper West, anywhere else is better. The Lucerne is a great location and I believe has suites.
We do cabs without a car seat. Yes, it’s a car and no, it has no magical powers, but I generally only go short distances at 15-20 miles per hour. When my kids were smaller, I would put them on my lap and do a seat belt over both of us. It’s not a perfect system, obviously. You can ask for an Uber with a car seat but seat will be very random (sometimes too big, sometimes too small). If it’s a concern, I would just stick to public transport. Depending on your kid, you may want to do a foldable umbrella stroller (something like the Summer Infant 3D lite, with shoulder carrier), but we have abandoned all strollers and my 4 year old is largely fine doing a lot of walking on a regular basis.
Momofthree says
We recently took our 6 & 4 year olds for a short (1 night trip). We stayed at the Hotel BelleClaire on the UWS. We ended up with a 2 room suite with beds in both rooms (so 2 full in one room and 1 king in the other). We also got a complementary $30 breakfast voucher at the cafe downstairs (although if you do this, go early b/c it gets crowded).
It was very close to the Natural History Museum & is close to Zabar’s, etc. It also would have been easy to get on the Subway from there. It’s also very close to some of the playgrounds in Central Park.
For the second day, we went up Rockefeller Center and before then walked over to Grand Central (the prettier train station) and we spend some time in Lego World and just dancing around.
We tried to plan 1 big activity per day and then just play the rest of the day by ear.
FVNC says
This is all such great advice. My in-laws live right outside the city, and a long time ago (pre-kids) my husband and I lived there. We haven’t been back in a few years due to pandemic and currently living far away, but this thread makes me so excited to go back with kids that are old enough to appreciate the city! Have fun, OP, and thanks for asking the question :)
Anonymous says
UWS is a great option, though be careful about hotels that have been used for the homeless recently.
I’d recommend Tribeca, where you have playgrounds along the waterfront, lots of coffee shops, and subway access to east or west sides uptown. It’s also an easy walk to Soho/ Chinatown. We stayed at the Smyth Hotel recently and it worked well with kids.
My other rec would be the hotel at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge on the Brooklyn side (I think it’s the One Hotel Brooklyn, or something like that?). You have playgrounds right out your window, and there are lots of family-friendly restaurants in walking distance.
Anonymous says
If there is a hotel by the Brooklyn bridge now, that would be a great location for a visit with young kids. You are near a bunch of great destination playgrounds, the transit museum (one of the best spots in the city for preschoolers), subways, the bridge and ferries, one of the city’s prettiest, walkable, kid-friendly neighborhoods (brooklyn heights), plus other very kid-friendly neighborhoods (where rich people go to breed).
Anon says
Any parenting advice you’re glad you ignored? (In a fun, good for them, not for me kind of way)
I’m finishing up breastfeeding and I’m thankful I nursed my daughter to sleep and didn’t formally sleep train.
For the first month or two of her life I was pretty sleep advice obsessed and really tried the eat/play/sleep and “drowsy but awake” her. Letting that go relieved so much pressure, gave me some beautiful memories, and she started sleeping through the night on her own at 9 months.
Anon says
i feel the opposite. so glad i had a schedule for my kids from the get go. i have twins and if i didnt have one i never would’ve slept. advice i finally became ok with is that just formula is ok. so glad i stopped pumping at 6 months and in retrospect wish i’d stopped sooner. oh and glad i stopped trying to breastfeed at 8 weeks, bc triple feeding was making me crazy. i ignored the no screen time until age 2 and started at 22 months when the pandemic started and felt SO guilty about it at the time
Anonymous says
Both of my closest friends slept in the same room as their children from birth to over 2 years old, and while I’m glad it worked for them I’m so glad I didn’t go that route with my child.
Anon says
That supplementing before breastfeeding was well-established would be the end of my breastfeeding ~journey~. My daughter had formula on day 2 of her life, and nursed until 18 months.
Anonymous says
1) cosleeping. I have several friends who do and I genuinely think it’s great for them, but it’s not for me.
2) shoes. So glad I pushed back on my non-walkers “needing” to wear shoes at day care.
3) breast vs formula. I had more moms than I expected really push me to breast feed my foster babies, and I’m really glad I stood my ground and formula fed them. It gave my husband such a great foundation of connection to them. Again, I have zero judgment for anyone else’s decision on how to feed: that’s just what worked for us.
HSAL says
…people expected you to breastfeed foster babies? Even assuming you were lactating at the time that’s insane, and for some reason I have in my head that that’s actually illegal.
Anon says
It is illegal, I’m pretty sure.
HSAL says
And just to clarify, if you wanted to and were able to (biologically and legally), great, but the idea that people expected it is what’s insane to me.
Anonymous says
OP here and I 100% agree. It’s a weird position to dig in.
Anonymous says
Ooh this is fun! I never coslept, and also moved my kids out right at the 6 month mark. Never did baby led weaning either.
I will say I was so much more relaxed about all of this with my second kid, because it was so clear how little any of that stuff I stressed endlessly about really mattered.
Anon says
We moved right at the six month mark too, with approval from our ped. I thought that was within the AAP recommendation? I know they say “ideally” you can go to 1 year but I thought it was only considered mandatory for 6 months. My kid was NOISY and none of us were sleeping well in the same room by six months.
AnonATL says
We moved my son to his own room at 3 months instead of one year or whatever the association recommends these days.
He was a late cruiser/stander which a lot of people in our lives (including the ped) flagged. We didn’t bother with any extra bouncers or walkers and he went from sitting to walking like a month later. Now he sprints almost everywhere at 20 mo.
We combo fed with no issue.
Didn’t worry too much about allergens and food sensitivities at the start. We had no reason to, but still the general advice is only small exposures at the start.
All of these definitely taught me that every kid and family is very different.
anonM says
Maybe not advice, but pressure — lots of scheduled activities. We’ve done two sessions total of swim class, no dance, not a lot of playdates, specific library events, or big birthday parties, etc. (Kids are 4 and 2). Part of it was covid, but also the 4yo really needs lots of quiet/home time on weeknights/weekends. His jam is really just playing with his “tools” in the garage, since he was 2yo. We go to the library a lot, but go when we want. I don’t like the added stress of trying to get to unnecessary activities at set times multiple times a week. Sometimes I feel bad when friends are taking their kids to 4 activities a week, but this works for us.
Anon says
I like playdates and birthday parties (although we haven’t been invited to many yet), but strongly agree about the activities. My kid is extroverted and I think could handle multiple activities per week but it just seems exhausting to me. We do one weekend activity at a time, and then this spring I’m letting her do soccer one night a week as well but only because it’s literally across the street from our house.
Anon says
Happily birthed two babies with planned c-sections and no guilt whatsoever that I didn’t ‘try’ to labor first (both were near 10 lbs, so … good call).
FP says
I’ll do you one more and say I had two elective c sections and loved every moment. I had major anxiety about childbirth and truly this was the best choice for me.
Anon says
I’m glad I stopped stressing about a “schedule” after about 3-4 weeks, and just went with the flow of my baby. She was sleeping through the night by 8 weeks (as in, 6-7 hours straight, up to nurse, and then another 3-4). I recognize that I can’t take credit for her being a good sleeper btw, that was lottery :)
I’m glad I never worried about nursing to sleep. She naturally stopped falling asleep at the breast and transitioned to awake-in-crib, falling-asleep-on-own very naturally.
I’m glad I didn’t do baby led weaning because honestly I would have just been too worried about her choking. Now she’s 18 months and eats absolutely everything and it’s so fun to share meals with her.
I’m glad I ignored everyone who told me that I would never sleep again, wouldn’t have time for myself, wouldn’t have time to make homemade purees, wouldn’t have time to exercise. Honestly the way some people talked made me wonder why they ever had more than one child!
Finally, I’m glad I ignored my OB when her response to my desire to go without an epidural was “Okay, sure. Except *** expresses serious concern about how much tougher pitocin contractions are***”. I brushed it off and told myself I could do it and ended up having the delivery I’d hoped for and it was awesome.
Anon says
Cosleeping. Was dead set against it until I went nearly 72 hours on 2 hours of sleep and DH had maybe 10 hours sleep in that time. DH, also initially against cosleeping, gently sat me down and said we can’t do this anymore and he researched the safe cosleeping practices and that is how we go through the first 6 (?) weeks. (I coslept with baby alone and DH periodically checked on us.)
Advocating against safe cosleeping is as dangerous as advocating for abstinence instead of teaching safe s*x practices. Babies that only sleep while being held and only sleep in 30-40 minute bursts do exist. Mothers that take a minimum of 30 minutes to fall asleep for themselves also exist. Cosleeping is the best and safest options for all families (with all the love to families that found that the crib worked from day 1).
I felt horrible that I had to lie to my pediatrician and physician SIL, who were both on the cosleeping is never ever ever safe train, but I was not physically capable of getting by on the sleep that was possible with my newborn’s own sleeping habits. Better to teach safer habits to families than to pretend that cosleeping is always off the table.
Aunt Jamesina says
I remember feeling mildly judgy about cosleeping before having a baby, but now I totally get it. We haven’t done it aside from a really bad night when she got sick, but I would totally do it if it were needed for our circumstances! The safe sex comparison is so true.
Anonymous says
This is so true, right down the the s*x analogy. After having twins who don’t sleep, I TOTALLY understand why you would try literally anything that might get you more than 2 hours of solid sleep. I also really think cosleeping can be done safely. Of course I’m not a doctor.
Cb says
Yep, same. I went from “I’ll never have a baby in my bed” to “how can I do this safely? because it was the only way we were going to get any sleep.
AnonATL says
Same. Lied to our pediatrician about always in his own bed. When you have a whole week where kid wakes up every single hour in their bassinet you say f it and bring them in the bed so everyone sleeps.
AIMS says
+1. I don’t even feel bad about it because early on I was so tired that I fell asleep holding my daughter on the edge of the bed and it is a miracle we both did not fall off. After than I gave up on sleep deprivation as some sort of marker of good parenting and just did everything I could to keep baby safe in bed on the nights it was necessary.
FVNC says
Saaaaame. I think parents with babies who are decent sleepers, or even “not that bad” don’t truly understand what it means to have babies who will not sleep unless held. We followed all the Rules with our first, and I had numerous near-accidents (like, driving through red lights) because I was so sleep deprived. I also have basically no memory of the first year of my daughter’s life; I really think lack of sleep wiped my mind. Safely co-slept with second baby and while it wasn’t perfect in terms of getting sufficient rest, it made a world of difference.
Anon says
Whoops. I definitely meant to say that co-sleeping is the best and safest options for *some* families instead of all families.
anon says
Moving my son out of our room at 8 weeks was the best thing
anon says
We did the same (pedi even blessed it, fwiw). No ragrets.
Aunt Jamesina says
I was terrified of never sleeping again since I already have insomnia issues, so I think I read every book on baby sleep that’s been published in the past decade before I even got pregnant. After realizing that nearly all of them contradict each other and feeling overwhelmed by the different ideas, I decided to just go with the flow until she hits around six months. No worrying about wake windows or tracking in apps or anything. She’s four months now and we’ve done just fine! As a reformed Type A, it’s actually been a huge relief to just roll with things.
Anonymous says
That you have to choose between purees and baby-led-weaning. We did a combo of BLW-style solid foods and purees and it worked out great for us. Also started solids at 5 months instead of 6+. One of my best friends is a BLW purist– that just wasn’t for me.
Aunt Jamesina says
I feel this way about pretty much every formalized “style” of parenting. It’s so dogmatic and feels like it contributes more fuel to the mommy wars. I much prefer to just pick and choose what works.
Anon says
Yup.
Pogo says
Yes, this. It’s like n*pple confusion – it does not exist. Baby can learn to eat solid food and purees. I don’t get why BLW purists make such a thing out of it.
Aunt Jamesina says
Right? Adults somehow eat mashed potatoes, puréed soups, and yogurt along side solid foods. There’s nothing magic about feeding a baby zero purées.
Anon says
Yes! This is my biggest pet peeve with Solid Starts and other influencers who swear you will ruin your child if you give them a puree after a certain age. Purees and soft foods are a normal part of an adult diet! They just shouldn’t be eating ONLY purees.
Pogo says
I actually have this container and it works!
ElisaR says
that endorsement alone just made me pop it in my cart…. funny how comments from “real” people are more trusty than even the original post!
Aunt Jamesina says
If you already have a dedicated brown sugar canister, you can buy a piece of terracotta for this purpose. Ours is shaped like a bear!
Anonymous says
Yep, this is what I do. Do they come in other shapes? I think I’ve only seen bears!
ElisaR says
cute! i just leave it in the box and then basically need to take a pickax to it so I think this purchase might make sense!
Anonymous says
I have a slightly different one (Prepworks by Progressive) with the same ceramic thing in it and I really love it.
Anonymous says
Sorry Prep solutions
Anonymous says
I have a whole bunch of these containers for brown sugar and all sorts of other ingredients. I prefer them to the Oxo containers because they can go in the dishwasher and they seal better. The Oxo lids are a pain to wash by hand, and the pop seals are fussy.
Anon says
I don’t think you really need the ceramic thing. Brown sugar should stay soft as long as it’s in a sealed container. It’s the exposure to the air that makes it dry it out. We have a plastic tupperware thing with no special ceramic addition and it works just fine.
AIMS says
I add a tiny apple or orange peel to my brown sugar when I open it and replace as needed (once every few months when I go to use the sugar). It’s magic. My sugar is always fine. This also revives it (just throw it and let it be for a few hours).
Anonymous says
I commented above about having a similar canister, and I think the ceramic thing really helps. Sometimes our sugar starts getting lumpy and it makes a noticeable difference in the hydration if I take out the ceramic thing, re-soak it in water, and then put it back. It not only prevents the brick thing, it really cuts down on clumps and lumps.
Anonymous says
What’s a good formal summer look for a K girl that does not want to wear a dress? Boys clothes are too boxy and don’t fit her (she is very slim). I had a romper for her last year and she resisted that too. If it was winter I could put her in like a girls blazer or something, but I’m struggling with the summer version of that look.
ElisaR says
my nieces often wear one piece jump suits with flowy pants that are super cute.
Anonymous says
A cute little matching set?
https://www.janieandjack.com/item/girls-floral-puff-sleeve-top-100041884.html?lang=en_US&dwvar_100041884_color=M48&cgid=girls-tops
https://www.janieandjack.com/item/girls-floral-paperbag-waist-short-100041887.html?lang=en_US&dwvar_100041887_color=M48&cgid=girls-skirts-shorts
Or a fancy-ish white top?
https://www.janieandjack.com/item/girls-smocked-puff-sleeve-top-100042627.html?lang=en_US&cgid=girls-tops&dwvar_100042627_color=SHW001
https://www.janieandjack.com/item/girls-eyelet-ruffle-skort-100041681.html?lang=en_US&dwvar_100041681_color=JJ902&cgid=girls-skirts-shorts
Pogo says
Boden has cute sets that would work too –
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/shirred-waist-culottes-molly-mahon-floral/sty-g3099-col?cat=C1_S13_G360
Is this for school pictures by any chance? My kid hates chinos or any other nice trousers so I’m letting him wear printed shorts and a polo for his school pictures, figuring that mostly the shoulders up is what I’ll get framed anyway. For something like Easter/church, I have basically given up. He wore a Paw Patrol t-shirt to Christmas. Solidarity.
Anon says
formal in what sense? like where does she need to wear this item? my sister went through a no dress phase from k-4th grade and i remember it being so hard for my mom to find stuff. what does she not like about dresses or rompers? will she wear shorts? is she particular about fit and what is on these shorts (like patterns, etc.)?
anonM says
Girl uniform pants/shorts and polo/other shirt? I have been using Children’s place for DS — he’s pretty slim too, and the pants stay up fine on him, so I’m guessing the girls version would work for a thin girl. Children’s Place tops also have some short sleeve floral shirts that look formal enough for a kiddo.
Anon says
Could you get non-denim pants and a pretty blouse? How formal does it have to be?
Realist says
Pull up a bunch of formal looks and let her pick? I would put a K girl in boys clothes that looked boxy if that is what she wanted. Assuming this is an event where men will be in suits, why can’t she be in a blazer? If it will really be that hot, look at boys button up tops from Janie & Jack. If she isn’t against feminine clothing but just doesn’t want to wear a dress, I would look at coordinating pants and tops from posh kids stores.
And if anyone sees a kindergarten girl in a nice, clean, seasonally appropriate outfit and thinks “those clothes aren’t formal enough!” the problem is them and not the girl.
NYCer says
How formal is formal? Some of the “fancier” kids stores have nicer shorts and tank top sets that could work (think, Jacadi, Janie and Jack, etc.). Same re nicer blouses and pants (even leggings honestly). A cute/flowy blouse could be paired with non-jean pants and nicer shoes, and it would probably work.
Anonymous says
+1 to this. Gymboree used to have these outfits at a lower price point. E.g., a cute top printed with cherries + capri pants with embroidered cherries + coordinating socks + hair accessories.
Anon says
What does she like to wear? Maybe it’s worth taking her shopping and explaining what the occasion is and trying a couple of outfits. Off the top of my head a polo and nice slacks would be formal. There are some cute two piece sets at HM that are a top and flowing pants in the same pattern.
Anonymous says
Old Navy has this cute set, plus some separate tops and shorts, that would work.
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=823735002&cid=63664&pcid=63664&vid=1&cpos=9&cexp=2223&kcid=CategoryIDs%3D63664&cvar=16849&ctype=Listing&cpid=res22041408945962793168594#pdp-page-content
Anonymous says
What does she wear during the summer and year? What’s she comfy in? Also, what does she need to be formal for? A wedding? Church on Sundays?
One question I’d ask is if she’s resisting more formal wear in general or just the twirly-girly stuff.
AIMS says
Button down shirt? Nice polo with a Peter Pan collar and some knee length shorts/pants?
You can probably find this in the girls dept., but if looking at boys, not all brands are cut the same way. I think Jacadi, Janie & Jack etc. may be less boxy/baggy.
How has it been a year? says
This is a 2 parter about 1 year old birthdays!
First, my friend has a baby that’s a week older than mine, about to turn one. Ideas for birthday presents? This is her second kid, both boys. Budget $20-50.
Second, my son is about to turn one too! First kid. I welcome your suggestions for helpful things for this age. He can cruise but can’t walk yet, though it feels like he’s on the verge of it. He is very active, and we have a large playpen area set up for him. He loves music (the Baby Einstein take along tunes that we got after seeing it recommended here is his favorite thing ever), and he likes to “read” i.e. flip through books very fast. Not much interest in stuffed animals yet. What did your kids enjoy at this age?
Aunt Jamesina says
I’m the Boring Aunt when it comes to birthday gifts for young kids, but I always give a book and a check for their college fund. I go to our local independent bookstore for recommendations, and they always have great ideas for new books that aren’t the same old ones everybody already has. Easy, the book also serves as the card since I write my message in there, and I get to support a local business.
EJF says
Congratulations on your little one’s first year! The biggest birthday hit at that age for our kids was the Radio Flyer tricycle with the push handle bar behind it. Searching “Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike” will pull it up. Our youngest is 1.5 and loves it. For your friend’s son, the Munchkin mozart music cube should be in your price range. That is my go-to 1st birthday gift!
Anonymous says
My kid got a Radio Flyer ride on car for her first birthday and still cruises around the house with it at 19 months (usually in the evenings when her legs are tired). Great for strengthening her legs, plus the seat lifts up and provides a place to stash her treasures/my sunglasses/etc.
Funny story – when she figured out it was a car, she immediately started getting on it so that she was rear-facing, because that’s how she rides in a real car.
anonM says
A nice wooden stepstool; if daycare, a cute all-in-one nap mat/blanket/pillow (check Etsy, can personalize), a subscription to Highlights Baby (toddlers LOVE looking at other babies!), a nice pottery barn hooded bath or beach towel
An.On. says
My kid’s about that age, we just bought the Little Tikes garden activity center and they’re really into it – very much enjoying the placing of balls in the mailbox and through the shutters, uses it to stand and cruise, etc. Don’t know how long they’ll use it, but the reviews are great, and it’s not hugely expensive.
Anon Lawyer says
There’s something similar to that at a neighborhood center we go to and my 2-year-old and the other similarly aged kiddos still love it so I think it has some longevity.
How has it been one year/ says
Thanks everyone! Will check these out.
Anon says
I’m pregnant with my 2nd due early December. Our kiddos will be 23.5 months apart, so I guess I will be a part of the 2 under 2 club.
Any recs for double strollers? We currently have a pre 2015 vista that was handed down and a Joolz aer. The vista is so old that I don’t want to use it as a double stroller (nor can I since I can’t find an extra rumble seat!). I’ve seen some people use wagons, but wondering if that is more of a secondary stroller (which we don’t have space for—we are in a small home with a 1 car garage).I’ve heard great things about the Donkey5 but I am hoping NOT to spend nearly $2000 on a stroller
HSAL says
We had 3 under 3 for a few months in 2018 and I still love our Baby Jogger City Mini GT Double, but it’s a heavy mofo. I think if I were buying another tandem stroller now I’d go for the Zoe XL2 or the Joovy Caboose – lighter but still a good weight limit.
Anonymous says
+1 to a Zoe double. I love love ours so much.
FP says
I had a vista I used as a double with the same age difference. Within about a year, we switched to a side by side double stroller, because the vista’s weight limits were higher on the top seat compared to the bottom seat, and hauling my three year old to the top was getting old quickly. We got the baby jogger citi mini gt2 double. It was fine. I don’t have anything real to say other than I would recommend a side by side rather than a top and bottom if you do not have to navigate narrow doors much, because lifting in and out was a pain – or check the weight limits on both seats if you are leaning towards a top and bottom double stroller. I’m almost positive you can put an infant seat in one side of the baby jogger double strollers.
Spirograph says
FWIW, I had 2 under 2 and never missed a double stroller. I found it much easier to do bigger kid in the stroller and wear the baby. If we were walking to a playground or something, I might set the baby down in the stroller once the toddler hopped out to play, but seriously… baby wearing is the easiest way to wrangle an infant and toddler simultaneously.
I also had 3 under 4, and that’s when the wagon was useful (radio flyer folding wagon doesn’t take much storage space). The two bigger kids would go in the wagon, and I’d still wear the baby. We also had a Burley bike trailer by that point, and bought the stroller attachment for it. It is gigantic and I never would have taken it to a store or even pushed it on a city sidewalk, but it was perfect for walking to neighborhood parks. If you’re into biking anyway, that might be a good route to go.
AwayEmily says
+1…I had two under two and did not need a double stroller. I would baby wear, and then when the youngest was 1.5 or so we transitioned right to a wagon.
Anon says
We have a double jogger (thule) which is great but what I really love most is the rider board that attaches to our cruz stroller. Would have older kid stand on that while pushing hte baby much more than having both in a stroller (kids are 18 months apart and then next to are 28 months apart)
anonM says
Graco Roomfor2 Stand and Ride Stroller | Lightweight Double Stroller with Toddler Standing Platform, Gotham
I found one used on facebook marketplace for like $50. It’s nothing fancy but worked great until both kids could go in the wagon.
Anonymous says
Mine are almost 2.5yrs apart but I did almost exclusively baby wearing plus single stroller until the youngest was 6 months. This is because he screamed bloody murder in the car seat every time (I actually wrote about it on here) and screamed in the stroller. Then one day at 6monyjs he magically stopped! We liked our baby jogger city mini double gt – got it used. But my kids are big, so it got heavy to push in our hilly neighborhood when DD was 4. We put a LOT of miles on it during COVID and resold it. We still have a double BOB for 2.5 and 5yo. I would not recommend the City Select (heavy, hard to steer, annoying to fold) or a wagon.
Anon says
Mine are about that far apart and we love our Double Bob. Baby wearing and pushing the single stroller never worked well for me.
ElisaR says
double bob is great for pushing but if you need to fold it into the car it’s not my favorite (i was lucky enough to be gifted a used one from a friend). i prefer the city mini GT double for folding up and putting in the trunk. I was also able to maneuver the baby carrier in one side and kept my other son seated normally. the vista is terrible as a double bc you need to put infant in top part and bottom rumble seat is only good up to 30 pounds. it looks tiny when i see a child over 2 in it. mine are 20 months apart. now age 4 and 6 and i still use the strollers from time to time.
Boston Legal Eagle says
+1 on City Mini double jogger (which is not actually for jogging). We used this from about when baby 2 was 6 months or so, and we still use it at ages 3 and 6. Before baby could sit in this, we either did baby in UppaBaby Cruz while toddler stood on the board, or toddler in some other small umbrella (with two parents available). Agree that Vista didn’t seem useful beyond a few months.
Pogo says
I love my double Thule BUT running is my love language. For shorter walks, commuting/travelling, zoos/festivals/etc, I would probably get something lighter that others have recommended here. I need a double because I don’t like to go places without both kids strapped in if I am solo.
You certainly can babywear + one stroller, but not for long distances and once the younger one gets big it’s a real workout (I just did it in the airport with a 20mo on my back…).
Anon says
If you want an alternative to the CityMini, or want a front/back stroller, we really loved our Joovy Caboose Ultralight stroller with the extra seat in the back. I solo parented alot (in walkable suburbs) and it was great to push around the downtown area, in and out of buildings by myself, and also to fit in the car by myself. It adapted well to the baby carrier carseat, and then was easy to adapt as they got older. The oldest loved the choice to sit/stand on the back and the youngest could still sit in the front without it being impossible to steer.
Strollers for tall toddlers says
Any recommendations for strollers for tall toddlers (ideally convertible ones that fit more than one child)?
We have one toddler and plan to have a second baby early next year (IVF transfers start shortly). Our daughter is 15 months and 35 inches tall, which is well above 100th percentile for height. We bought the Vista and an extra rumble seat and congratulated ourselves for future proofing, except the joke is on us because the rumble seat max height is 35 inches and the toddler seat max height is 40. At this rate, she’s going to outgrow it before her sibling even arrives…
Anon says
Foldable wagon
Anonymous says
BOB runs the biggest. DD is 5 and 96% for height consistently and still fits in the double Bob easily.
Pogo says
Posted above, I have the double Thule (which is similar dimensions I think) and my average 4yo is very comfortable in it.
CCLA says
Since you already have the vista, if you have the bassinet that came with it, I found it easiest to put that on the bottom and toddler up top for the very early days so I’d just do that for the first couple of months which avoids the rumble seat issue. After that I’d get a double Zoe – we used the Vista for about a year (our toddler fit in the rumble seat, so we did that after the bassinet days), but once we switched to the Zoe realized how much easier it was (but I did love the bassinet for the early days).
Anon says
I just got the donkey 5 which ugh is expensive but seemed like best option for a stroller that accommodated toddler seat and bassinet. I’m due in July with our second; my older son is 33 lbs and 37 inches at 19 months (will be 22 months when baby is born). The donkey seats are a bit narrow but they have weight limit of 50 lbs each. Vista would not work for us. I prefer side by side vs up and down configuration and most other side by side don’t accommodate a bassinet. I also liked that as my son gets older we can convert back to a single and add ride on board. I have huge babies so baby wearing and relying on a single stroller would not work for me beyond 3 months.
Anon says
May be too late for today’s thread, but I’ll give it a shot anyway: looking for recommendations for the following:
1. Financial planner in San Francisco/the Bay Area. Mostly a one-time thing to help us put some things in order and plan for baby 2; we might go back to this person in a few years if other life changes are looking at that point
2. Maternity bathing suit. Maybe a tankini or similar? A high waist non-tankini? Don’t want to spend a lot–it’s for a bachelorette party, not something I’m going to wear often. 6 months pregnant so really do need maternity.
3. Maternity beach/pool coverup. To be worn with aforementioned swimwear; again don’t want to spend a lot.
Pogo says
For #2 – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y1WQGWJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I found this very flattering.
anonM says
Maternity suit – I’d try resale. Some kid resale shops have maternity sections, and I found a nice maternity consignment near me and loved the suit I got. It felt surprisingly cute! (one piece, black fwiw. I liked the maternity style one piece!)
So Anon says
I’m going to go test drive a car (or three) this weekend. This is the first car where I am picking out what I want and need for me and my family. I am not planning on buying immediately, but I am weighing the potential rise in interest rates against the potential for greater inventory later this year. I’ve done all the research, both in terms of the car and financing, but I still feel like a kid that needs to ask permission. Ugh. Any advice on test driving? Anyone use a car buying service like True Car?
Eek says
It’s less intimidating than it feels! I really liked the Car Mom on Instagram when we were car shopping.
Anonymous says
Depending on what you want, prepare to call around to a lot of dealerships to gauge inventory and see if they are charging above MSRP. And prepare to get on a list. My friend just bought a new car and doesn’t expect to get it till August. We ordered ours in February and just picked it up last week.
AIMS says
I would recommend figuring out what you want to pay per month and work backwards. I don’t drive but I’m an excellent negotiator and have gotten a great deal on our last three cars.
Anon says
Remember that yes the feel of test driving a new car is good (get a sense of if it feels more like a truck or a car, see if you feel comfortable seeing blind spots, backing up, etc) but they’re all going to ride smoothly. You really are checking to see if you fit in the car or if you feel too big or too small. Make sure to sit in all the seats – if you’re looking at third row vehicles, that third row can be either super hard and tiny or almost a regular seat. And check how hard it is to get in and out, esp for a young kid who might have trouble pulling levers or pushing high buttons. Seconding CarMom and her YouTube videos – they are great for seeing if you need to worry about car seat clearance or strollers in the trunk.
Pogo says
I can’t say I see the inventory situation getting any better…. my semi conductor suppliers (not for auto, but similar industry) are still projecting recovery into 2023. And auto is still taking a backseat to vaccines and other COVID production in terms of getting product, at least in my business.
Anon says
am i the only one who likes the idea of close toed shoes for their toddler? there are so many cute girl baby sandals that are close toed, but so many of the toddler ones have open toes and/or heels. i’ve looked at target, old navy, gap, carters. any other ideas?
anon says
I’m generally lucky if shoes stay on, so open/closed toes isn’t something I think about.
anonM says
Keens sandals. My kids wear them daily during the summer, including DS who loves to wear them with socks. (He’s a 90 year old man at heart.)
AIMS says
+1. This is the only shoes my kids really wear all summer.
Anonymous says
Stride Rite has fisherman style sandals with closed toes and heels.
Anonymous says
Our PK requires closed toed shoes to be on the playground in the summer. We are team natives and keens.
We also do saltwater sandals.
Anon says
I did a model of Salt Water sandals with my toddlers that had a closed toe.
We also did Natives. They’re still the hands down favorite for my kids.
Anon says
We just do sneakers year round. My kid has never complained and I like not having to sunscreen feet.
Pogo says
+1 our school requires closed toe and my kid would just stub his toes anyway!
For the beach we do crocs.
AwayEmily says
Same. Sneaks all the way.
Anonymous says
I completely go function over form for toddlers/preschoolers. My daughter has lived in her keen-style sandals every summer since she’s been walking. I think they’re the perfect summer shoe because they’re great to get wet but also to just run around, climb, and be a kid in. Unfortunately the Keen brand gives her blisters, but she has done great in the similar Stride Rite ones.
anon says
I hate open sandals for kids in general. We’ve usually done Keens (or knockoffs) or Natives.
anonmom says
We really like the Sam style from Plae shoes for my kid who has to wear inserts even with sandals. See Kai Run also has closed toe sandal options
anon says
Ok, moms who travel for work or with a spouse that does. How common is it that work trips involve heavy drinking? (Like, suppliers taking the buyers out to dinner and drinks — i get that the socializing probably helps long-term for these projects, but ugh.) Is it a very company/industry-specific thing? DH travels for work and comes back wiped out — between the trips being very short in comparison to the travel time involved (like 2 days, 16 hrs of it traveling), working lots of hours, and then getting dinner and drinks after. I’m reallyyyyy trying to be supportive here because of other things going on, but man are the work trips starting to get on my nerves. Tips for me as the spouse at home? Or that maybe I can suggest to DH?
Anon says
Very company/industry specific. DH travels for work quite frequently but he’s in academia so there’s no pressure to drink a lot. He doesn’t really ever drink and it’s fine.
But it’s not clear to me alcohol is the issue here -these trips (long hours, late nights, etc.) can be completely exhausting even without any drinking, so I’m not really sure why you’re zeroing in on the alcohol unless there’s more going on that you’ve left out.
Anonymous says
I used to be the one who traveled. Yes, drinks + dinner out are usually involved. You don’t have to drink, but you have to attend. My travel workday usually started at 7:00 a.m. for pre-meeting prep and ended at 8:00 or 9:00 after a business dinner. It was truly exhausting. I would often take the day after a trip off to recover and catch up on household chores, which I’m sure no man would ever do.
Anonymous says
+1 I usually tried to nurse one glass of wine for a long time at those kind of things, but it was still super exhausting just being “on” with clients for a such a long stretch (often 7 am to 11 pm or later).
Pogo says
+1 I am the travelling spouse most of the time and I don’t drink heavily, but just the hours kill me. And all the face to face. I an am introvert, so it really drains me having to be “on”, even if it is with my own team. My hours last week while travelling were 6:15am in the office til 6:15pm, drinks at hotel bar, dinner til 9pm, then slides/email til 11pm. And this wasn’t nearly as bad as the people who had to go to the game (also common in my industry – taking customers to box seats at sporting events til 11pm).
I do sleep on the plane, but I understand not everyone is able to do that. What we do is have our PT nanny put in extra hours when one of us is travelling, so the spouse at home isn’t doing double work and doesn’t feel resentful of the travelling spouse when they get back and still need to recover.
Anonymous says
You need to hire help at home to ease the resentment. He is working very, very hard on those trips and is going to be exhausted even if he doesn’t drink a ton.
ElisaR says
in my experience that is pretty typical. i can see how it’s annoying. maybe you can ask him to be cognizant of it because there is usually a point where you can throw in the towel a little early but that doesn’t come naturally to some of us…..
This is me says
So we have four kids and my husband travels 8-12 nights a month? Yes, drinks involved. I bought him the anti-hangover pills for Christmas. He totally hates it. If you think they’re getting on your nerves, just remember they are way harder on him. We’re seven years into this, and that’s something it took me a couple years to realize. I used to be grouchy because he got to sleep through the night – but he was in a strange bed and often waking up early to catch the best flight possible and sleeping less well because he had a dinner and drinks. And a lot of the purpose of the trips was really the dinner and drinks (he’s in real estate) so he can’t avoid it.
All that to say, it’s super tough to be the one at home, but I bet it’s more tough on him. My only tip is that he does like the anti-hangover pills I got him! And good headphones for his plane rides.
The other thing I’ve realized is the kids are totally fine with it, even the older ones, so that makes me feel better.
Anonymous says
Is he drinking heavily? On work travel I’m usually on from 7-10:30. I only drink a glass or two and I’m exhausted.
anonM says
Thank you all, I’ve read all these comments and appreciate it. As noted, it’s not just the alcohol that’s annoying, but the whole thing. (This particular trip it was alcohol because other people failed to show for DH’s meetings today, but that was a first and as pointed out, besides the point.). But, these comments are reinforcing to me that I have to shift my attitude a lot on this. You’re right, he’s not on vacation without me, he’s working hard and asking him to “make up” for when he’s not around is unfair. I got a sitter for tomorrow morning (I work half day, he is supposed to be off, but this way he can work a little and then actually nap instead of half-watching kids with the tv on, as we both tend to do when we are really exhausted). Much appreciated, everyone.
Pogo says
Comment in mod, but I would suggest for you to get extra help, and for him to sleep on the plane.
anon says
I can’t speak to the travel issue exactly but my husband is in charge of various local happy hours for his team and comes home late on those nights due to the nature of the event and the train schedule. It doesn’t bother me as it happens maybe twice a month or so. I would be pretty stressed if he was drinking heavily at these events though, full stop. He typically has one drink. I guess as the child of an alcoholic I’m pretty sensitive to the issue but it feels like more than 2-3 drinks when you are taking care of kids the next day is…a problem I would address. I mean, I’m sure there are other folks who will drink heavily at these events, I’m just saying I think it really isn’t a great look for anyone. My husband has made comments to me about various colleagues who seemed pretty drunk and I just think more than 2 (maaaaaybe 3) drinks is not professional and again, as a kid of an alcoholic, I would be concerned for the family unit.
Anon says
I find the travel really draining – air travel is pretty unpleasant, you usually eat crappy food, are on a different time zone, “on” with clients all day. If this is part of his job that’s unavoidable, think about what your family can do to help ease the burden at home like more frequent babysitter or laundry pickup or something.