Washable Workwear Wednesday: Scalloped Cami Top

Thoughts on switching OB practices not long before delivery? I am almost 35 weeks with #2 and LOVE my OB. Though she delivers at a hospital with a reputation for lots of interventions, I was able to have an unmedicated birth per my plan and everything went so well. I think this is largely because she happened to be the doctor working and allowed me to push and deliver in the positions that felt best for me (upright and on hands and knees). I met with my doula last night and we went over my plan for this time around – which is basically to try to repeat last time to the extent possible – and she warned me that other doctors in the practice require women to deliver on their backs (she’s attended deliveries where this has occurred). This is a real concern for me because being on my back was by far the most uncomfortable position last time and I just can’t imagine how pissed I’d be if I’m ready to push and someone is forcing me into a position that doesn’t feel right for my body. I reached out to my Dr., but I’m considering switching practices given the strong likelihood that I won’t be lucky enough to have her deliver this baby too. According to my doula – there are practices that will let you push/deliver however you wish. But of course I would be sad to leave my Dr. and nervous about switching so late (if they’d even take me this late!). Thoughts? What would you do?

I’m the poster who started the conversation about kids’ activities last week. Namely, whether our family is trying to do too much. Since that time, I have canceled my daughter’s gymnastics class (she had only a month left anyway) and decided that we’ll take a break from swimming lessons until the end of summer. Tonight, DS will be skipping soccer practice to give him time to rest because he’s in his school musical tomorrow night. He cares more about the musical than soccer, plus our family just flat-out needs a break. In a way, it feels wrong to skip practice without a good reason other than “we don’t feel like it” — but on the other hand, it’s 3rd-grade recreational soccer, you know? Family needs > sports. So, here’s to choosing priorities and pushing back on expectations. For us, activities have never been about getting ahead or creating uber-talented kids, but even on a minor scale, it is really easy to get sucked into what everyone is doing. Particularly if you live in a very sports-driven town, which we do.

Can we talk disappointing work evaluations after having a baby? I had my first child last summer and returned to work in the fall. I just had my first annual review since returning and it was really disappointing. We get numerical scores and they were lower than they’ve ever been, although still more than satisfactory. But my comments from my boss really threw me. I think there are probably some factually accurate things he could have said about decreased productivity (although I’m still more productive than a lot of my coworkers), but instead he chose to nitpick really silly things. He admits my work is excellent but then says things like “I would have liked to see her do XYZ on the ABC project”…XYZ is very tangential to our work, and he never mentioned it. I sort of feel like I’m being penalized for not reading his mind. There are also a lot of things that I would consider backhanded compliments, like saying I’m doing an especially good job for someone new in the role…when I’ve been here almost 5 years. Also, this is petty, but there are a lot of comparisons to a male colleague that strike me as unfair and kind of inappropriate. I’m really thrown and I’m not sure how to proceed. Do you think I’m reading too much into it with respect to the timing? Is this his passive aggressive-way of saying he wants me to be more productive? (But then why not just say that?) I’m not really sure what I’m asking, but would welcome anyone’s advice.

First time mom here. I have a 24 month old, who has recently started exhibiting her “independence” for everything. Everything is generally a battle from the minute we wake up – putting clothes on, nearly all meals, snacks, turning screens off, playing with toys, bathtime, putting on pajamas, and screaming for 5-10 minutes nightly once I leave at bedtime with atleast one wake up most nights. I work a significantly reduced schedule and my husband works A LOT, so a lot of this is on me to figure out.

I just don’t even know how to handle this. I try to be loving and rephrase and give options and timers. The timer works reasonably well for screens, but that’s about it. I find myself having to say / yell “STOP” loudly at the end of the night for her to be still enough to put on pajamas, which I feel terrible about, but I am tired (and 4 weeks from giving birth).

She spends all day with family caregivers, so maybe she needs more time outside or in organized activities etc., but not sure what’s available for a 2 year old other than playground, library, errands. She’s always been extremely high energy and I am just worn out and terrified for another baby.

Favorite weeknight meals your kids like? I’m on maternity leave so have a bit more time to shop and cook, and I’ve forgotten what I used to enjoy! I know it’s been discussed on here but I find the search function difficult! TIA!

My brain temporarily melted and I signed up to create some kind of party favor for the end of year party that my daughter’s dance class is having. Another mom went temporarily insane and proposed then offered to host this affair. The girls are all heading to kindergarten next year but have been dancing ballet and now tap for the past 3 years. I doubt many of them will continue- my kiddo is done.

Any non-candy ideas? It’s only a handful of kids so it can be nicer. Water bottle, hair elastics, hair clips, that sort of thing? I guess having it dance themed would be fun, but since they won’t be dancing next year I hesitate to go over the top and get like, personalized dance bags.

They’re all crazy into those dumb LOL dolls so I kinda just want to buy 8 of those and call it done.

PS- no judgey comments on the “parties for everything.” Yes, I could have opted out. But like I said, the brain melted and here we are.