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CorporetteMoms

06/08/2023 125 Comments · by Ann

Make My Life Easier Thursday: Salad Spinner

Recent Recs

A white salad spinner on a white background

Yes — salad spinners have been around for a while. But I was late to the salad spinner game.

For years, I asked myself, “Do I really need another kitchen gadget?” But after tossing too many plastic clamshells of greens into the trash, I decided that buying heads of lettuce was more economical (they seem to last longer, too) and better for the earth.

I’m a huge OXO fan (they have a great warranty) so I naturally got their salad spinner. The in-lid pump makes drying your washed greens a snap. You can even use it to dry delicate clothing like silk shirts!

OXO’s salad spinner is $29.95 at Williams Sonoma.

This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Sales of Note…

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

  • Nordstrom – 2,100+ new markdowns!
  • Ann Taylor – Extra 50% off all sale styles
  • Banana Republic Factory – 40% off everything; extra 30% off orders $100+
  • Eloquii – $39 select styles; 50% off select styles
  • J.Crew – 25-50% off wear-now styles; extra 50% off select sale styles
  • J.Crew Factory – Up to 60% off everything; 50% off women’s dresses; extra 60% off clearance
  • Loft – 60% off sale styles
  • Lands’ End – Up to 40% off your order
  • Talbots – Semi-Annual Red Door Sale: Extra 50% off markdowns
  • Zappos – 26,000+ 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

  • J.Crew – 25-40% off kids’ styles; extra 50% off select sale
  • Lands’ End – Up to 40% off your order
  • Hanna Andersson – 30% off all kids’ & baby clothing; PJs on sale from $25; up to 75% off clearance
  • Carter’s – Rule the School Sale: Up to 50% off; up to 40% off baby essentials
  • Old Navy – 50% off back-to-school styles; 30% off your order, even clearance
  • Target – Backpacks from $7.99; toddler & kids’ uniforms on sale from $5
  • Pottery Barn Baby – Summer sale: up to 50% off
  • Nordstrom – Limited time sales on brands like Maxi-Cosi and Bugaboo.
  • Strolleria – Free infant seat car adapter with any Thule stroller; 30% off all Peg-Perego gear in our exclusive Incanto Collection
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About Ann

Ann is a working mom, a longtime reader of Corporette and CorporetteMoms, and has been writing our morning fashion advice for working moms since November 2020! She has a daughter (born winter 2014) and a son (born fall 2019) and is a public interest lawyer in Washington, D.C.

« Washable Workwear Wednesday: Charlotte Dress
What Are Your Best Tips for Potty Training? »

Comments

  1. Anon says

    06/08/2023 at 7:57 am

    Very low stakes question: thoughts on pull-ups well before potty training? Do they work as well as diapers or are they more of a pain?

    My almost 2 year old is fighting laying down for diaper changes but is pretty cooperative while she’s standing up. Being able to just pull up would be easier than trying to get her diaper strapped on, but I’m not sure if there are downsides to this idea. Have a second coming in a few months so we’re hoping not to potty train for the next 6 months.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 8:48 am

      They are not as absorbent as diapers and are meant to make the child notice when they pee, so not really a good sub unless you’re starting training. I think Pampers makes 360 diapers that you step into, that might work for you!

      Reply
      • Anon says

        06/08/2023 at 9:00 am

        +1

        Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 9:19 am

      A standing change with normal diapers is also an option. It’s a bit more iterative to get the diaper positioned properly and tightened correct.
      Changing a pee diaper is easy and to wipe for poo, my sons preschool taught them to touch their toys so you can get a good wipe.
      We are about 90% daytime potty trained and we still use this method for naps/bedtime.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 9:21 am

      My twins are two and not ready to potty train, but day care asked me to send them in pull ups, so I have been. I think it’s fine to make the switch. They’re more expensive than diapers; that’s my big issue with using them long term. But for now making day care happy is more important than a short term increase in expenses.

      Reply
    • Lydia says

      06/08/2023 at 10:39 am

      There are also pullup style diapers! (Pampers 360, for example). Maybe try those?

      Reply
  2. Cb says

    06/08/2023 at 9:00 am

    Is everyone done with school already?

    I’m so ready for this school year to be over – 3 more weeks! A 15 minute argument because his old black sneakers are too small, his new black sneakers are somehow annoying to him, he wants to wear the blue sneakers but we are trying to hold firm on uniform compliance (despite everyone else’s lax approach).

    I swear, my normally delightful child turns into a gremlin every June. End of school year, pending birthday…

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 9:14 am

      Last day of school is next Thursday. Two of them are sick but not sick enough to stay home (“my belly hurts” and a head cold). Sports are all wrapping up this week. Kids are up late, haven’t made the bus all week. One is having major friend drama and the other is having underslept meltdowns. My PK-er has senior-itis and can’t wait for PK to be done.
      COME ON, SUMMER!!!

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 9:14 am

      School has been out for a couple weeks here, but we go back the first week of August.

      My kid is a rising kindergartner who’s still in daycare but most of her classmates are already gone, either visiting family abroad for the summer or enrolled in the much cheaper full day parks and rec camp, so she’s struggling a bit with going to school. We signed her up for some camps, even though it means paying for both daycare and camp. She’s doing a dance camp this week and enjoying it.

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 9:26 am

      I live in NY now where the last day of school is basically July! I come from the Midwest where school was out by mid May. Shocking to me how different academic calendars are.

      Reply
      • Cb says

        06/08/2023 at 9:47 am

        In Scotland, we’re out on the 28th, back on the 15th of August, which is similar duration to my California year-round summers (7 weeks), but shifted 3 weeks later. In England, they don’t get out til late July, which means there’s a two week window for the cousin beach trip.

        We get a week in October, 2 for Christmas (wish this was longer), a week in Feb (whyyyyyy???) and two weeks at Easter, so it’s more spaced out over the year.

        Reply
        • Anon says

          06/08/2023 at 9:54 am

          Oh man. We have 10 weeks off and it feels SO short to me, because I’m coming from university academic calendars where summer is almost 4 full months.

          Reply
          • Cb says

            06/08/2023 at 10:09 am

            We finish teaching the week after easter normally, and don’t go back til the 3rd week of September. So I have to keep reminding myself that kid summer is much shorter than mine, and if my work is a bit more fragmented during those weeks, it’s fine.

    • Mary Moo Cow says

      06/08/2023 at 9:31 am

      Today is the last day here! My K-er was worried she wouldn’t move up to 1st grade and her big feelings have been coming out as rude language and snipes at everyone in the family. Once we assured her she was moving up last night, she’s been sunny. She said she’s happy for no more school work but sad to leave K. My 2nd grader is pretty melancholy. One of her good friends is going to a different school and she has heard that 3rd grade has only one recess (not true) and a lot of projects (true.) I think she’s genuinely sad about school ending, and that’s been manifesting itself in sulking and backtalk. I’m not really ready for school to be over, but DH is! He pretty much takes off every Friday to spend with the kids and he’s excited. I am excited to not have to pack school lunches that no one eats!

      Reply
      • Cb says

        06/08/2023 at 9:49 am

        Oh poor thing! Was she secretly worried for ages?

        Reply
        • Mary Moo Cow says

          06/08/2023 at 10:27 am

          Thankfully, no. It just came up recently because a friend turned 7 (and she’s only 5), so we explained that he must have done two years of pre-k or kindergarten. Apparently we didn’t do a good job of explaining it.

          Reply
          • Boston Legal Eagle says

            06/08/2023 at 10:57 am

            We’ve talked at length on this but that is some intense red shirting if he turned 7 before K ended! My kid and lots of his friends have turned 7 in the last few months and they’re in 1st grade. They have a lot of growth at ages 6 to 7, so it’s unfortunate that a 7 year old is being compared to a 5 year old…

          • Anon says

            06/08/2023 at 11:03 am

            It’s very normal in my area for May/June birthdays (especially boys) to be redshirted and turn 7 before the end of first. Our cutoff is August 1, so June is actually pretty close to the cutoff.

            I know of a March kid who is redshirted and *that* is crazy to me.

          • Anon says

            06/08/2023 at 11:04 am

            (I meant turn 7 before the end of K! Turning 7 before the end of first is normal of course.)

          • Anonymous says

            06/08/2023 at 3:53 pm

            Haaaaate the redshirt birthdays. Do the math–these kids will be 19 before they leave high school!

    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 9:33 am

      We’ve been out for two weeks. The first week of summer my oldest played with the neighbor kids and did a little school work. This week it’s VBS. He’s a little over-scheduled, TBH. That reminds me Cb, I owe you a week in the life update. I’ll try to do that tomorrow.

      Reply
      • Cb says

        06/08/2023 at 9:48 am

        Yes, please do! I’m hoping to get some queued up before kiddo and I decamp for camp.

        Reply
    • Boston Legal Eagle says

      06/08/2023 at 10:52 am

      1 more week to go here. My younger one is staying in daycare/pre-K for another year, so no real changes there, although 2/3rds of his class are going to K so he might be a bit sad come September. Older kid is doing the same camp all summer, where he’ll be running around and swimming every day, which I think he will love. Camp was great for him last year, after a tough transition to K. We have a couple of beach vacations at the start and end too. No big transitions this year, so hopefully we have a calm summer.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 11:49 am

      PreK kid is done tomorrow and it’s feeling anticlimactic as there’s no big end of year event. Kid is having some feelings!!!! 2nd grader is done next Weds and also having many feelings, which mainly manifest in extreme, extreme morning irritability.

      Reply
  3. AwayEmily says

    06/08/2023 at 9:08 am

    My 7yo and I are going to NYC for the weekend! Leaving Friday AM and taking the train (we are in central NY, so it’ll be a long train ride). I’m so so excited. Empire State Building Friday afternoon is our only Manhattan plan — then we will spend a low-key weekend in Brooklyn with my best friend (who’s also my daughter’s godmother) exploring playgrounds, going to the Brooklyn Pride parade, and eating lots of good food. Any can’t-miss Brooklyn things we should put on our list? My friend doesn’t have kids and is self-professed clueless about what might be extra fun for a 7yo.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 9:16 am

      Should be super fun. Keep an eye on the air, it’s nasty down there right now. You might want a couple of indoor plans up your sleeve if things don’t improve.

      I would get fun donuts or ice cream. It’s not Brooklyn, but consider visiting the american girl store if she’s into that and you won’t be back for a while. My 9 year old is over it and we never got a chance to go.

      Reply
    • AIMS says

      06/08/2023 at 9:27 am

      There is a nice children’s museum in Brooklyn, which may be a nice way to pass the time if air quality doesn’t improve. Also, a cool carousel in Bk Bridge park.

      Since you’re already going to the ESB, I would take it as n opportunity to walk down (10 blocks) to the Lego Store and the Harry Potter store, which are big hits with my kids. Bonus is you have to walk thru Madison Square Park which is beautiful. If air is decent, grab lunch at the original shake shack. If not, stop by Eataly for a bite to eat there. Both eataly and the Harry Potter store have ice cream. Butterbeer soft serve, in the case of HP.

      Reply
      • NYCer says

        06/08/2023 at 9:46 am

        I don’t have many Brooklyn recs, but I agree with AIMS suggestions in the second paragraph after the Empire State Building. All these things are a hit with my kids too.

        Reply
      • GCA says

        06/08/2023 at 11:08 am

        Not far from the ESB, my secret fave is the Museum of Math. I thought it would be too advanced for my 4.5yo the last time we were in NYC, but he was enthralled. I’m planning to take my almost-5 there this summer when we have to run some errands in NYC.

        Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 9:52 am

      I second the American Girl store if your kid is into that. If she loves cute stationary or manga, there’s Kinokuniya nearby there too (basement for stationery and stuffies, upstairs for manga and a small cafe, the manga that’s great for smaller kids is towards the cafe).

      What neighborhood in Brooklyn? Brooklyn is enormous so if you give us a bit more detail I might have better recommendations. I have a 7 yo and live in Brooklyn.
      Generally — Brooklyn Bridge Park is awesome and fun, and taking the ferry anywhere is great– we like to go to Governor’s Island or Domino Park. Industry City has a lot of fun events and the Japanese food court is fun. There’s also an arcade that’s IMO not amazing but my 7 yo loves it.

      The air quality is a real issue right now. I’m hoping it clears up by the weekend but unclear.

      My 7 yo also loves going to the Met or Brooklyn Museum with a sketchbook & colored pencils and stopping to draw. The guards are pretty lax on kids sprawled on the floor with pencils at the Brooklyn Museum, and at the Met it depends on the room.

      Reply
    • Anony says

      06/08/2023 at 10:00 am

      I love the NYC Transit Museum in Brooklyn for kids.

      Reply
    • buffybot says

      06/08/2023 at 10:01 am

      Brooklyn is massive and parts of it are not readily accessible from other parts, so it does depend a bit on where your friend is living.
      In Williamsburg/Greenpoint, Domino Park is great (has a unique playground, try to get there early in the morning because it gets craaaaaazy, tacos at Tacocina are a good quick lunch or pizza at Roberta’s). There is also a brand new playground at Grand St and Wythe. Bon Bon, a Swedish candy store, is always a hit, and there is a great outpost of McNally Jackson (indie bookstore) on N 4th.
      Brooklyn Bridge Park is excellent and can be a full day – go down by pier 6 for a great splash pad, Swing Valley, outdoor pizza, and some tall slides, in addition to Jane’s Carousel.
      In Prospect Park, the zoo is small but good and the LeFrak Center is an enormous splashpad in the summer.
      Downtown Brooklyn has a great store/indoor playground called “Camp” that you can buy tickets for ( if you need an indoor experience). You could also try for a kid’s movie at The Nitehawk or Alamo Draft House.
      People also love the transit museum.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 10:14 am

      Best thing near the ESB, IMHO, is Ktown! For a 7yo, I would go to one of the fun dessert shops.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 11:31 am

      The Pride Parade is in Park Slope, so I am guessing you will be in that area. It is kid central, so there are no lack of kid-friendly restaurants around; basically just about anywhere you go you’ll find kids. I don’t know if the smoke is going to cooperate with some of your plans though – it sounds dicey through Saturday even. Good indoor options would be the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Transit Museum, and even the Brooklyn Museum, which is huge and underappreciated due to the Met’s proximity. If the weather cooperates, the Prospect Park zoo is small but surprisingly nice, especially for younger kids, and is right next to the carousel. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is also in that area and has a nice kids area. I agree that Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 is well work a trek if the weather is okay.

      Reply
    • AwayEmily says

      06/08/2023 at 11:59 am

      These suggestions are amazing, thank you. I didn’t even know the HP store existed, and my daughter will love it.

      And the indoor suggestions are really helpful, too. It’s been “hazardous” level here for the past two days, and it just as it’s starting to get better here, it’s getting worse in NYC, sigh. Apparently we’re chasing the smoke.

      For those that asked about specific location — we’ll be in Prospect Heights, but close to Park Slope. Right by Grand Army Plaza.

      Reply
      • NYCer says

        06/08/2023 at 1:09 pm

        I actually think the air quality is getting better in NYC now too, and should continue improving towards the weekend. Yesterday was significantly worse than today.

        Reply
  4. Anon says

    06/08/2023 at 10:15 am

    Is the Social Dilemma documentary appropriate to watch with a 11-year old? Are there other books or movies to help explain the negatives associated with phone usage separate and apart from social media (ie, bullying in group texts, addictive patterns) good for this age group? My headstrong child does not understand why they can’t use their phone without restriction.

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 10:34 am

      Persuasion doesn’t work with this age group. The only thing that works is “these are the rules in our family. Follow them or you will lose your phone privileges altogether.”

      Reply
      • Anonymous says

        06/08/2023 at 10:45 am

        Maybe for you. I prefer to both communicate rules and talk to my children.

        Reply
        • Cerulean says

          06/08/2023 at 11:32 am

          I think you’re both right! Sometimes you can communicate all you want and kids won’t be convinced. I was the skeptical and stubborn kid who wanted to negotiate everything, and I remember my mom saying at one point, “I’ve already explained. You don’t have to agree with us, but these are our expectations”.

          Reply
          • Anonymous says

            06/08/2023 at 11:34 am

            Yup. This is authoritative parenting.

    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 10:36 am

      If your child is a girl, I would probably focus on the extensive research showing that social media is bad for mental health and body image. But I also wouldn’t hesitate to explain once and then make a firm rule that isn’t open for discussion.

      Reply
    • anonamommy says

      06/08/2023 at 10:59 am

      Friends with older kids watched Childhood 2.0 with their tween and said it helped frame the conversation. The themes can be heavy due to the online risks – if your child isn’t able to handle them it’s a good indicator of the need for restrictions or close monitoring on phone use.

      The FB group Parenting in a Tech World also has good conversations about this (though some members are anti-tech in all uses, which I am not.)

      Reply
  5. Room sharing help says

    06/08/2023 at 10:22 am

    I am desperate for ideas of how to better manage bedtime with my 4 1/2 year old and 2 1/2 year old. They’ve shared a room since baby was born a few months ago and it is —- a problem. After I put them to bed around 8pm, they get up and run around, screaming and yelling and playing and coming out of their room. It’s honestly out of control. Bedtime battles have been lasting an hour and a half or more. I feel like such a failure that I can’t seem to manage this problem but I don’t know what to do. I end up yelling which makes it worse. I’ve trying talking calmly to them about it during the day, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. They stay up sometimes past 10 pm and it is absolutely making me miserable.

    Reply
    • OP says

      06/08/2023 at 10:26 am

      I should add that we start the bedtime routine at 7 or 7:15. No screens after dinner. I often put in audiobooks for them at night while they fall asleep (after reading actual books) and have tried turning them off when they’re being so wild, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

      Reply
      • anon says

        06/08/2023 at 10:53 am

        Just want to say that you’re not alone and bedtime is usually like this for us too since having 3 kids (baby is 1 in our house).
        A few things that help us are having a speaker play bedtime music when they have good behavior and getting a very cool nightlight that again they can use if they are behaving.

        Reply
        • OP says

          06/08/2023 at 12:42 pm

          Thank you! It actually does make me feel much better to know that we are not alone in this struggle

          Reply
    • AwayEmily says

      06/08/2023 at 10:37 am

      We moved our kids in together at that exact age. Here is what worked:

      1) During this transition period, one of us often would lie on the floor mattress with them until they fell asleep. It will not last forever, and gets them in the habit of going to sleep.

      2) A Hatch light — “purple” means it’s okay to talk, and then “yellow” means that they need to stop talking and go to sleep.

      3) If appropriate, staggered bedtimes — the 2yo was still napping, so we’d put the 4yo to bed first (one of us had to stay in there with her til she fell asleep so she wasn’t consumed with jealousy) and then follow up later with the little one.

      4) Patience. It’s REALLY exciting to share a room and it takes awhile for that novelty to wear off. And there will be tough stages even after they get used to it.

      I will say that despite all the frustrations (and there are many — ask me about the “congrats on no more yelling in the morning” party we threw a year ago to celebrate the end of that horrible period) it has brought them together in so many wonderful ways. I love listening to them chatting about their days, comforting each other, and just generally being BFFs (BFFs who fight a lot, of course).

      Reply
      • Boston Legal Eagle says

        06/08/2023 at 11:08 am

        Mine shared a room for a bit when they were nearly 1 and 3.5, and agree on the staggered bedtimes. That seemed to help my kids. Also, if 4.5 year old is still napping, try dropping the nap!

        Reply
      • OP says

        06/08/2023 at 12:43 pm

        Thank you!’

        Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 10:49 am

      You need to set a rule (clear expectation) and consequences and be consistent. Eg – what happens if they yell, what happens if they get out of bed. Family meeting to set it all out. Tell them why these rules are important – how sleep is just as important as good to help our bodies and brains grow. And your brain cannot learn if it doesn’t get rest.

      First night is warnings – you remind them they are not allowed to do that and ask them what the consequence is so you know they understand.

      One of our rules is that they have to stay in bed after a certain time unless they need to go to the bathroom. I tell them that their bodies need to rest even if they cannot fall asleep.

      Reply
      • OP says

        06/08/2023 at 12:15 pm

        What is an example of an appropriate consequence for coming out of the room at night? I’ve been struggling with how to enforce the rules, truthfully. I feel like if we go this route the consequence needs to be immediate (vs the next day) or it won’t work given their ages.

        Reply
        • AwayEmily says

          06/08/2023 at 2:11 pm

          Our consequence was “we will separate you.” Which honestly was not actually sustainable long-term since we don’t have enough rooms to do that. But they were too little to get that, and they REALLY did not want to be separated. One night we followed through on it — we moved one of them to the guest room at like 10pm (this was before the baby was sleeping in there). They both screamed bloody murder for like a half hour. It was terrible but after that they saw we were serious about it. Short term loss (we did not sleep much that night), long-term gain.

          Reply
          • AwayEmily says

            06/08/2023 at 2:12 pm

            Sorry, I should have said — this consequence was for continuing to talk/play after the light was yellow and they had gotten a warning, not for coming out of the room. We’ve never had a consequence for coming out (only because we’ve been lucky enough not to have that particular problem).

        • Anonymous says

          06/08/2023 at 3:28 pm

          I would have the audio books turning off as a consequence. Like ‘the audio book is not helping you stay in bed so it has to go off’

          Maybe a points chart where they earn points/stickers for staying in bed and lose points for getting out. maybe get a magnetic chart and some cute feet magnets. Keep the chart in your room and update in the morning. I would track each kids points separately and have so many nights earns a bedtime related treat. Like 3 nights is a bubble bath with a bath bomb.

          We also didn’t move out kids out of cribs until age 4 so we used not getting a big kid bed as a consequence. Like you have to prove you are ready for a big kid bed by staying in bed.

          Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 10:50 am

      Fresh air and running around in the garden after dinner but before bed works in our house. Bedtime is a much bigger struggle in winter when they are less wiped out. I would push bedtime back to 7:30 to create a bit of time earlier in the evening to run around.

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:25 am

      one thing i’ve done is to incorporate screaming, running time into the bedtime routine so they’ve gotten that out of their system. we also have a Hatch light which at age 5 they are starting not to care so much about and it is hard to know what to make as the consequence for coming out. when we had a really really bad middle of the night waking problem i had to bribe with a mini marshmallow, which somehow worked wonderfully. i don’t really like food as bribes, but it was so small that i felt ok about it and was desperate.

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:50 am

      Wow – I actually came here to write this comment myself and ask for advice. We are in the same situation with our 4.5 and 2.5 year old. We had to move them into the same room because of our new baby. The 4.5 year old no longer naps and is ready to sleep at 7.30, but the 2.5 year old still naps and is too noisy and keeping the older one awake, and then they just fight and shout at each other. It is horrible. Maybe we need to do a later bedtime for the 2.5 year old… I have really been trying to avoid it but seems like it may be the only option. We have a Hatch light but she’s still a bit young to understand that and follow through on instructions/bribes.

      Reply
      • OP says

        06/08/2023 at 12:12 pm

        Honestly I’m so relieved to hear I’m not alone because it’s so bad that it feels like I’m failing as a parent somehow.

        I’d love to drop the 4.5 year olds nap, but daycare is not cooperating. (They say he doesn’t have to nap but then they make him sit on his nap mat for 1.5-2 hrs so he ultimately falls asleep, even with books or a workbooks.

        Reply
        • Boston Legal Eagle says

          06/08/2023 at 1:46 pm

          Aah that may be one of the issues (not your fault though!) Is he in the Pre-K room? At least at ours, the Pre-Kers typically have a quiet activity at that time and kids can choose to go in a nook and nap if needed, but the assumption is most don’t nap. Maybe he can go in the older room if it’s available?

          Reply
          • Anon says

            06/08/2023 at 3:28 pm

            Yah if he’s napping you should stagger the bedtimes and let him stay up a little later.

        • Anonymous says

          06/08/2023 at 5:12 pm

          He definitely needs a later bedtime in that case. I would put the 2 year old to bed at 7:30 and the 4 year old to bed at 8:30.

          Reply
    • CCLA says

      06/08/2023 at 12:25 pm

      Mine are 4/6 and have shared since about 2/4. Second the hatch light suggestion above. In particular we have two stages after we put them to bed – white light (8-8:30), where it casts enough light to see decently. They have magnets and books in their room and flashlights, they can use these and build forts or whatever they want for that time period as long as they’re in the room with the overhead light off. When the light turns purple (8:30), they need to get into bed. Only thing allowed after that is they can look silently at books in bed with flashlight or use the yoto or tonie to help fall asleep. Older one is compliant, the younger one pushes the boundaries sometimes and when we get into that zone we warn her we will start taking away some stuffies every time we have to come in and shush her. Then we follow through, which results in tears and whining for a while and then we get to a reset. Part of it I think is she isn’t as tired as big sis since she gets a nap at preK but hoping that she’ll be tired for bed once she starts TK next year. Good luck.

      Reply
      • Boston Legal Eagle says

        06/08/2023 at 1:49 pm

        Probably not helpful to the OP, but the Hatch light really only worked/works for one of my kids – the younger one will follow that light to the T, but the older one did.not.care. The only way we got him to sleep at a reasonable time was to drop the nap just before age 4.

        Reply
        • CCLA says

          06/08/2023 at 2:06 pm

          Yeah the rule follower kid is much more apt to comply for sure. Cannot wait for school naps to drop next year. The younger one is so often wide awake late at night on school nights and I’m sure it’s because they still nap in preK.

          Reply
    • AIMS says

      06/08/2023 at 8:54 pm

      In case you’re still reading, what helped us with similar situation is one parent stayed on the room for a bit to keep order. My kids liked the idea so behaved and we eventually were able to break that habit later. But it taught them to lie down quietly, which was essential.

      Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    06/08/2023 at 10:34 am

    My kids are these ages. They don’t share a room, but currently they’re super into playing “school,” where 4yo is teacher and 2yo is student. I’ve leaned into this and sometimes we “play school” as a way to get 4yo on my team when we need to clean up, brush teeth, etc. When it works, the task becomes a game and they basically take care of it themselves. Could you do something like this, where 4yo oversees some aspects of bedtime routine? Good luck!

    Reply
  7. Cerulean says

    06/08/2023 at 10:44 am

    I’m making a packing list for a two week vacation to Europe with an 18 month old and I’m kinda stumped over how to bring books. She loves to cuddle up with books, both during the day and at bedtime, and I don’t want to completely bored out of my skull for two weeks with the same two books over and over. Any suggestions or creative workarounds? How many books would you bring with on a trip like this? We’re visiting family and bringing a few small gifts for them, so while we’re checking bags, we won’t have a ton of extra room. Thankfully we can do laundry mid-trip.

    Reply
    • Cerulean says

      06/08/2023 at 10:55 am

      Just realized how many times I said books in this comment. BOOKS.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 11:00 am

      Maybe order some new books to go to family’s place, and then bring home the favorite book as a memento and see if family will pass on or donate the rest?

      Reply
      • Cerulean says

        06/08/2023 at 11:18 am

        This is a great idea! Thank you.

        Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:00 am

      We don’t normally bring books when we travel (maybe one or two for the plane ride), but we don’t usually have checked luggage.

      Can you ask your family members to get some books out of the library? Even if they’re not in English, an 18 month old isn’t going to know the difference. You can just make up the words.

      Reply
      • Cerulean says

        06/08/2023 at 11:15 am

        We’re visiting elderly family with limited mobility, but this otherwise is a great idea!

        Reply
        • Anon says

          06/08/2023 at 11:26 am

          Some libraries in the US have delivery services, but maybe that’s not a thing in Europe.

          Reply
          • Cerulean says

            06/08/2023 at 11:33 am

            IME after living in France and what I’ve read online, libraries are one of the (few) things the US does better than a lot of other countries. French libraries were pretty bare bones.

        • Anonymous says

          06/08/2023 at 11:44 am

          If they have enough mobility to get out of the house I would totally do a library visit as the activity one day. You can just return the books on your last day.

          Reply
    • anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:00 am

      Can you download any on a kindle, tablet, or phone? What about buying a few new books when you get there? Otherwise I’d bring 3 or 4 comfort favorites for some predictability

      Reply
      • TheElms says

        06/08/2023 at 11:57 am

        This is what we have done starting at 2ish. We bring a handful of favorites and then we get the rest as Kindle books or ebooks from the library. My child is a book lover to the extreme so it was not unusual for us to read 10-15 shorter books in a day at home (the number is less now because at 4 the books are longer). Kindle does a surprisingly good job with picture books I think.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        06/08/2023 at 4:00 pm

        +1. Picture books on the iPad, chapter books on the Kindle with 2-3 physical picture books just in case.

        Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:01 am

      I would bring only one book and buy more books once I arrive. The gifts you offload can make space for the extra books you buy. Plus, new books are fun! And if it’s in a language you don’t read…we’ll just get ones with interesting pictures :) have fun!

      Reply
      • Cerulean says

        06/08/2023 at 11:16 am

        Oh, duh! We’ve been intending to get childrens’ books in my husband’s first language, why didn’t this occur to me?

        Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 11:04 am

      If you’re visiting family, can you ask them to pick up books from the library? Also, my twins are two years old and I’ve read them the same book every night for the last six months (before that bedtime was such a circus they didn’t even get a book). I know it’s boring from your perspective, but I don’t think your 18 month old will care. I honestly would really hesitate to use up precious packing space on more than one book.

      Reply
    • anonamommy says

      06/08/2023 at 11:07 am

      Will you have a tablet? Use Libby to download books from your local library for extra variety.

      Reply
      • Cerulean says

        06/08/2023 at 11:18 am

        I have a Kindle Paperwhite and use Libby all the time, but my library’s ebooks for kids seemed oriented to older kiddos. We don’t have a tablet, but I’m sure we’ll get one for travel when she’s a bit older.

        Reply
    • NYCer says

      06/08/2023 at 11:09 am

      I would bring 1-2 books max. Your 18 month old won’t mid repeating stories. Either make do with those, or else you can buy 1-2 more books at the destination.

      Reply
      • Anon says

        06/08/2023 at 11:19 am

        This is a “know your 18 month old” :) mine would request 5-6 different stories per storytime/bedtime, and would know in a second if you skipped a page or missed a word. She’s 2.5 now and we probably read 15-20 different stories on any given day.

        Reply
        • Cerulean says

          06/08/2023 at 11:36 am

          Hah, this is my kid. She will look at us and pull the book out of our hands to go back if we try to skip anything, and she squirms off our reading chair and pulls her favorites from her reading nook each night. Not sure I could get away with one story.

          Reply
        • NYCer says

          06/08/2023 at 11:37 am

          But bringing 15-20 books on an international trip is completely impractical. My point was more that the kid will survive with repeating stories for 2 weeks…

          Reply
          • Anon says

            06/08/2023 at 12:34 pm

            +1 especially with other family members around

          • Cerulean says

            06/08/2023 at 1:48 pm

            Oh, I absolutely wasn’t planning on bringing that many books! just trying to get some ideas for how to bring just a few and combat too much repetition. I’ve gotten some good ideas here.

    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:48 am

      What about one of those 5 minute stories collections? It would be only one book to keep track of but has enough variety that you will get less bored.

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:54 am

      We went to China at this age, and we brought 5-6 if I remember correctly. I bought a few of them in paperback so that they would be lighter. Sorry to say, but 5-6 is still not enough to not be bored out of your skull. I can still recite the words to My Car, and the kid is 14.

      Reply
      • Cerulean says

        06/08/2023 at 12:16 pm

        Hah!

        Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 12:44 pm

      Ok my kids can go through 20 books a day so I get it. Thin paperback books! Think Mercer Mayer, Angelina Ballerina, and get the thin paperback ones. You could easily fit 5 in each carryon and then pack some. Signed – mom who definitely flies with books.

      Reply
      • Cerulean says

        06/08/2023 at 2:35 pm

        I need to get some of these! All we have are board books right now.

        Reply
      • Anonymous says

        06/08/2023 at 4:02 pm

        +1. Otis was a good one for this, too. Think I still have it memorized from a trip to Hawaii.

        Reply
    • DLC says

      06/08/2023 at 1:34 pm

      We travel with a children’s book treasury. It’s heavier than a regular book or two, but it has a wide variety of classics in it. (It’s called 20th Century Book Treasury, or we have a Robert Munsch treasury)
      That plus we let the kids pack a book or two in their backpack if they really want.

      Reply
    • Emma says

      06/08/2023 at 2:58 pm

      Assuming you are going to France, French libraries aren’t great – they do tend to be pretty bare bones and require a ton of paperwork to get a library card which might be a hassle (unless you can use a family member’s existing card). France does have a lot of great, inexpensive bookstores so I would buy a few books over there and either pack them home or donate them at the end of the trip. I you need English books, there are a number of English-language bookstores in larger cities (if you are in Paris, avoid Shakespeare and Company in the summer because it’s become a tourist trap with ridiculously long lines. The Red Wheelbarrow near the Luxembourg gardens has a nice children’s selection, but there are others too).

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 4:58 pm

      We typically packed 8-10 paperback picture books at this age. 3 in each parents’ backpack for the plane (twins, so we didn’t all sit together) and then another few in checked luggage. Yeah, they get repetitive, but such is life.

      Kindles are amazing, but didn’t make sense for my family until my kids were reading independently.

      Reply
  8. Anon says

    06/08/2023 at 10:56 am

    Best book about welcoming a new baby/becoming a big brother for a 2.5 year-old? I’m getting it as a gift.

    Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 11:04 am

      My kid liked Best Ever Big Brother by Karen Katz.

      Reply
    • CCLA says

      06/08/2023 at 12:28 pm

      We loved the one by Caroline Jayne Church for that age (we had the sister one but I’d imagine it’s basically the same).

      Reply
    • Mary Moo Cow says

      06/08/2023 at 2:03 pm

      Daniel Tiger The Baby is Here!, Daniel Plays in a Gentle Way, You Were the First, Julius the Baby of the World, and A Baby Sister for Frances have all been well received in my circle.

      Reply
    • DLC says

      06/08/2023 at 2:30 pm

      I really like Sara Gillingham’s Snuggle The Baby – it has a cut out baby that you can swaddle, diaper, feed, etc. It’s super cute.
      My kids really liked “How to Grow A Dinosaur.” by Jill Essbaum

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 3:16 pm

      You might want to check out, Slumberkins Fox toy + boardbook. It’s all about changes in families. At 2.5, something to cuddle that matches a book works well.

      Reply
    • EDAnon says

      06/08/2023 at 6:34 pm

      We did You’re a Big Brother by Marianne Richmond and it was great. We had another one that I don’t remember. It’s a good idea. I credit the ease of bringing home my second to reading about it a lot.

      Reply
  9. Anon says

    06/08/2023 at 11:02 am

    I have this salad spinner and am not a fan. There’ a giant cone(?) shaped thing in the middle coming down from the lid, which limits what fits in the spinner. I feel like it doesn’t spin super fast, either. I miss my old one!

    Reply
    • Cerulean says

      06/08/2023 at 11:20 am

      I got this one ten years ago and the outer bowl cracked and a piece splintered off after just a few uses. We just swing around our greens in a dish towel outside. I would get one with a stainless bowl if we ever bought a new one.

      Reply
  10. anon says

    06/08/2023 at 11:39 am

    Dumb question, but packing tips are welcome. Our family of 4 is going on a weeklong vacation that requires air travel. Once we get to the destination, there are several times when we will be going to outdoor water parks and other water attractions where towels are unlikely to be available. Do I waste suitcase space on beach towels? Buy some when we get there? And then what do we do with them at the end of the trip? I am not eager to buy stuff that we really don’t need, but this is a logistical hurdle.

    Reply
    • Cerulean says

      06/08/2023 at 11:45 am

      Maybe those small camping towels? Or just bring hand towels.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 11:51 am

      Turkish towels take up much less packing space and dry more quickly. Or will the hotel have towels you can use?

      Reply
    • Meg says

      06/08/2023 at 11:51 am

      Turkish towels are much much smaller and easier to pack than standard beach towels. I bought some a few years ago for a beach trip via plane and loved them so much they are now our standard pool towels.

      Reply
    • anonamommy says

      06/08/2023 at 12:00 pm

      Turkish towels could be an option – they would still take up room, but much less than fluffy beach towels. Otherwise I would hit up a walmart or target at your destination. Either transport them on the plane home (one squeezed in each person’s suitcase?) or leave them behind – not ideal, but probably workable. Or have each kid carry them loose onboard as a “blanket”. Ha.

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 12:00 pm

      If you’re at a hotel, they may have towels for you.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 12:34 pm

      I’d do Turkish beach towels as the others have mentioned. I’d consider using them almost as packing cubes. Wrap different types of clothing up in them. I actually used to do that from time to time before I finally broke down and purchased real packing cubes. The only Turkish beach towels we have are inexpensive ones from Amazon and they work great. Especially this time of year when it is so hot and you dry off quickly outdoors anyway.

      Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 12:36 pm

      Your hotel or Airbnb will have towels you can use. I have never packed towels and nearly all our trips involve swimming or water parks.

      Reply
      • Spirograph says

        06/08/2023 at 3:43 pm

        This

        Reply
    • Mary Moo Cow says

      06/08/2023 at 2:04 pm

      Dock & Bay towels are very absorbent and fold up or roll up pretty small. I’ve switched most of our pool towels to these because they are so much lighter and smaller for a beach bag.

      Reply
  11. Anonymous says

    06/08/2023 at 12:52 pm

    My 7 year old wants to “design a dollhouse” this summer. In her mind, this is not a deep dive into the land of miniatures but like…wallpaper it, lay down tile, make furniture for it, etc.

    Has anyone seen a dollhouse/house that would be good for this kind of project? I’m only seeing DIY dollhouse kits which isn’t really what she’s after.

    Reply
    • Anon says

      06/08/2023 at 12:57 pm

      so there is an arts and crafts day camp near us that does as an activity for a week. i think they are using an ikea dollhouse

      Reply
      • Anon says

        06/08/2023 at 1:19 pm

        +1 I was going to suggest the IKEA dollhouse. It’s probably easier to work in than most since it’s completely open on one side, and small enough to not be overwhelming. (My 7yo tends to go all in for about a day…then the project is forgotten.) If it doesn’t work out as she envisioned it can be repurposed as a bookshelf

        Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 1:18 pm

      You could get a dollhouse bookcase and decorate it.

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      06/08/2023 at 1:29 pm

      OP here- I found this, which is what our local art camp is using, but it seems like it has so many stairs there isn’t as much room for decor as she’s like. I’m looking for a house version of this :)
      https://www.michaels.com/product/artminds-wood-castle-dollhouse-10166605

      The IKEA idea isn’t bad. We also have a Melissa & Doug dollhouse she got when she was 3 that I told her she’s welcome to decorate but I think she doesn’t like that it’s already painted.

      Reply
      • Mary Moo Cow says

        06/08/2023 at 2:05 pm

        What if you prime it/paint it all white for her one day and then let her have at it the next day?

        Reply
    • OOO says

      06/08/2023 at 2:39 pm

      There are several options on Etsy but they are a little more expensive

      Reply
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