2018 Update: We still stand by this rave review of temporary black-out pleated shades for kids’ rooms, hotels, and grandparents’ houses– but you may want to check out some of our more recent stories about bedtime, including our recent post on how to get your kids to sleep.
Yes, these temporary blackout shades may be an odd choice for an “everyone” Thursday, but stick with me. I only recently realized these things are available — we just bought some for Harry (he sleeps in our bedroom at night), and they’ve made all the difference. I can see them being great if you’re pregnant and exhausted (or, heck, just not getting any sleep at night) and have the opportunity to take a catnap at work — and the great thing about them being super affordable is that you can use them for a few rooms, while on vacation (they’re super lightweight and disposable), and more. For a pack of 6, they’re $27.62 (36″ x 72″ size) and $33.30 (48″ by 72″ size) at Amazon. Redi Shade Black-Out Pleated Shades
2018 Update: We’re adding this solution to our CorporetteMoms Hall of Fame because we still love this solution, there are a ton of products like this still being sold in stores!
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Pump Mix Up says
Does anyone have an unused Medela Freestyle that they would like to exchange for the Medela Pump in Style? Turns out insurance sent me the wrong one and hubby opened and desanitized the parts and only when I got home did I realize they sent me the wrong one. Now its been opened, though unused, and I can’t return it and we don’t have the money to purchase another pump, ugh. With all the walking I have to do and carrying so much stuff already, the freestyle would be a lifesaver. Hoping someone here can help, *sigh*.
mascot says
That’s frustrating. Are there any local mom groups where you could sell the pump and use the money to buy a new one? Can you leave the pump at the office and just carry clean parts/milk?
EB0220 says
Oh no! I have both (purchased the freestyle myself and got the Pump in Style from insurance), and that is a big difference! On another note – I know it’s frustrating but props to your husband for sanitizing the parts for you!
anon says
You can take the PIS pump motor out of the bag it comes in and put it in a small case by itself, if that helps at all.
ANP says
Along those lines, I don’t know if you’re exclusively pumping or just pumping while at work. But if it’s the latter, consider leaving your pump at the office M-F and bringing it home just for the weekend. I did this because I didn’t usually pump in the evenings after work (just fed baby and put him or her to bed) and it became one less thing to schlep. I would then just bring the cooler, ice pack, parts and bottles to and from the office each AM/PM.
Katarina says
I did this at first, until I had an emergency nursing strike and needed to pump (it only lasted one night). I had a hand pump, and it was awful. After that I took my pump home every night, although I rarely needed it. I had an Ameda Purely Yours, though, which was pretty small, especially compared to the pump parts and bottles.
anon says
Whereas I like my hand pump just fine. Everyone’s different!
anonomom says
or get a small, battery powered $40 pump to keep at home as a backup.
Meg Murry says
Yes, this. Once you take the PIS out of the giant bag, it plus the plug are really not any larger than the freestyle. Might be a little louder since you don’t have the case to muffle it, but no larger.
When do you go back to work? Can you use the PIS at home for now and save up for a Freestyle in 3 months (or a second PIS, maybe secondhand if you’re cool with that)? Then you could have a pump at home and one at work so you wouldn’t have to haul anything other than the parts around.
EB0220 says
I feel weird posting this on Facebook, but I think this group will appreciate it. I have a new boss due to a re-org. She was a working & nursing/pumping mama when her kids were small (they’re now teenagers). And she brought me a big bag of Lake Champlain chocolates this week from a recent trip to Vermont. Pretty awesome. I’m thanking the work gods for this one.
anne-on says
I said it to everyone I know, my bosses who were moms are the only reason I not only stayed, but advanced at my company while horribly sick when pregnant and then had a child with multiple (not life threatening) illnesses, tests, and surgeries. It was the single biggest factor in my job satisfaction – my workload didn’t really change, but the ability to work odd hours, work from home full-time, and not get grief about alllll the doctors appointments made a huge world of difference. I plan to pay it forward when I (hopefully) become a senior manager.
On another note – someone recently sent me a study that identified chronic conditions like allergies/asthma/childhood diabetes as the single biggest reason kids miss school and adults (mostly moms) step back in the workplace. Given the number of visits we have for allergies/asthma care in a year and how long conditions can last I totally buy it.
Spirograph says
+1 I’ve recently gone from having a single, childless, male boss to a boss who’s a mom of a teenager. It has made a massive difference in my work life balance and job satisfaction.
I’m so glad the re-org worked in your favor!
FWIW says
That. Is. Awesome.
I’m in an office environment where both my boss (male) and my grand boss (female) have young kids. My immediate boss knows I’m pregnant, but I have not yet told my grand boss. I’m actually kind of dreading it because honestly- she’s a whiner and a one-upper and has amazing 110% flexible childcare. I know that if I tell her I’m pregnant, I’ll immediately hear both how hard her life is and how much better than me she does and that I am doing everything wrong.
I’m planning on telling my office at 16 weeks, because of leave related issues, but man- I’m kind of dreading it.
Philanthropy Girl says
These shades are wonderful. We’re headed on vacation in a few weeks and I may get some to take along to make sure nap time happens!
Anonymous says
We had the white ones in our “new” house for over a year. They worked great, but I’m definitely buying some of these for our preschooler’s room. The room darkening panels simply do not work on her eastern-facing room.
In House Lobbyist says
I bought light blocking curtains from Amazon and they are amazing. My kids get at least an extra hour of sleep in the mornings and nap times are great. I even want to sleep in there.
anon says
I have the white ones in my office right now for pumping purposes (I have glass walls).
NewMomAnon says
Yes! I love this, even if it is unorthodox! I have a challenging blinding sunlight situation in my office a few months out of the year, and this would be a great solution I could take down when not needed.
RDC says
Question about shades – we have blackout curtains for the baby’s room, but then we have to leave a dim light on all night. Too dark and it seems to freak him out when he wakes during the night (so he cries instead of self-soothing back to sleep). This could all be coincidence, of course, but he seems to sleep better with a light. Do other folks leave lights or night lights on? Baby is 7 mos, fwiw.
Claudette says
We turn on the overhead light in the spare bedroom next to the baby’s room and then leave her door cracked. I don’t know whether it helps her sleep, but I read somewhere (in a WebMD newsletter, I think) that having a low light on at night helps babies’ vision development.
EP-er says
We have always used a nightlight — a little glowing guy from IKEA — for the kids. With my eldest, until he was about 3. He still uses his FP aquarium, though! My 3.5 year old still uses her light. It does help my kids with self soothing for sure and doesn’t seem to bother her sleep.
pockets says
I have the same experience as you. My 16 month old will cry in the middle of the night if we don’t leave a nightlight on for her.
sfg says
I just have to say that I am so glad to be part of this little community. My kid is 3 months old now and my mother is already harassing me about having a birthday party (yes, 9 months from now). Thanks to all of you, I know in my heart that my child won’t be scarred for life if I don’t throw some amazing/huge party for her that she will have no memory of. Don’t get me wrong, we will celebrate – it’s just that celebrate might mean baby’s first cupcake and bourbon cocktails for DH and me.
JJ says
For my kids’ first birthday parties we probably had more wine and booze than food. It’s a celebration for the family, not the baby.
EB0220 says
Hey, thanks for planning my 11 month old’s birthday party for me!
sfg says
I have a major craving for bourbon punch. Might get crazy and order a pizza, too. ;)
Katarina says
For my son’s first birthday, we accidentally cooked something he didn’t like (steak, it was delicious). We had my parents over, had cake and opened presents. He loved the cake. The first birthday party (and the second) is really for the parents, who are the ones who knows what is going on, and why it is important.
Regular Poster says
General question for moms of older kids: how do you help your kid learn social skills? My kid has started “bragging” and it’s driving me crazy. Example:
Other Kid: We went camping this weekend!
My Kid: I went camping twice!
Other kid: My baby sister knows how to ride a tricycle!
My Kid: My baby sister knows how to talk AND ride a tricycle!
I don’t think it’s malicious or intentional. I think kid is just trying to be part of the conversation and create connections. But it comes off as bragging, or one-upsmanship, and I’d like to help to get it in check now, before it becomes a problem. At the same time, s/he’s a happy, social, generous kid who doesn’t have trouble making friends, and I don’t want to get in the way. S/he’s 5 and this really just started. Any thoughts?
Anon says
I am pretty sure that this is developmentally appropriate and many/most kids go through it. She will grow out of it.
hoola hoopa says
Completely normal for the age. Continue encouraging manners and empathy, and just wait it out. Friends will go through it too and for the most part they’ll figure it out amongst themselves. When someone’s feelings get hurt (or just annoyed), it can help to recall a time when they also felt hurt/annoyed by a friend doing it to them. It’s annoying, but don’t stress over it. It’s one of many normal things kids do that would make them sociopaths if they were adults. At playdates, I suggest getting some distance so that it doesn’t drive you up the wall and let them come to you if/when there’s an actual issue.
Regular Poster says
Thanks, both of you – I find that reassuring.
Manhattanite says
Just a comment… I like coming to this site for the clothes/jewelry/handbag ideas as much as the comments on random topics. I don’t dislike posts on things like black out shades and bibs, but could you put up at least one clothing/jewelry/handbag post per day on the moms site, too? Thanks for listening!