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Sales of note for 8.30.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off full-price purchase; $99 jackets, dresses & shoes; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 20% off
- Eloquii – Up to 60% off everything; extra 60% off all sale
- J.Crew – 40% off sitewide; extra 60% off sale styles
- J.Crew Factory – Extra 20% off orders $125+; extra 60% off clearance; 60%-70% off 100s of styles
- Lands’ End – 40% off sitewide; 50% off backpacks, 40% off kids’ apparel
- Loft – Summer sale, 30% off new arrivals; up to 50% off much more
- Talbots – 25% off regular-price purchase; 70% off clearance
- Zappos – 28,000+ women’s sale items! (check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kids’ shoe brands on sale)
Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – 50% off everything
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 40% off everything
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off sitewide; extra 50% off sale styles
- Old Navy – 50-60% off; 50% off pants for the family
- Target – 20% off select clothing for all; up to 50% off home; up to 30% off select nursery furniture; up to 30% off kitchen & dining
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
- I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
- I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
- I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
- How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
- What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?
Patricia Gardiner says
Good morning! Any recs for toys to take on an airplane with a 10-month-old? I will be alone with him and it’s his first flight, so I’m a bit nervous! Right now he mostly enjoys crawling and banging things together to make noise, and has an attention span of approximately 30 seconds, so I’m having a hard time thinking of things to entertain him. Thank you!
Anonymous says
Did anyone’s kids have major behavior shifts in the weeks leading up to baby #2 (or 3)? DD is 28 months and my seemingly easy toddler is having a hard time for the last few weeks. DS is due in 2 weeks. We’ve tried to keep up normal schedule and activities as best as possible. I’m still picking her up/holding her/doing bedtime routine. But she’s turned into a tantrumy child overnight. It COULD just be two, but I’m just wondering if others have found that it’s related to the baby coming soon. DD and I remain calm during tantrums but it has really shifted the energy of our household. Her verbal skills are good so it’s not that she can’t communicate, she just gets insanely upset now when we say no to her irrational demands. This also may be related to some increased sugar in her diet because…summer (popsicles, etc…)
AwayEmily says
It may be related (and I’m sure Janet Lansbury would say it was) but it also may just be a Random Toddler Phase. For the last year, our 3yo has had weeks where she will melt down over the tiniest thing, and then weeks where everything is great (we just entered a bad period a few days ago, but had a month-long awesome period before that). I think regardless of whether it’s random or baby-related, as long as you’re consistent, calm, and affectionate (which it sounds like you are doing) then the storm will pass. I know it’s cliched, but the “it’s always just a phase” advice is very very true.
anon says
I could’ve written this. DD is 2.5 and I’m also due with DS in two weeks and we’re experiencing a big increase in whining and tantrums. I think it’s more of a random phase combined with the fact that we’re undergoing a house renovation too, but I wonder if she can sense things are changing.
Anonymous says
It’s so hard! And we’ve had Renos recently too plus a plumbing leak this week (so fun!). DH has been awesome but we keep looking at each other like “where did our child go!?”
Anonymous says
It’s Being Two but also, I think your reactions are probably less tolerant and more irritable – mine were for sure, and it took an outside party to tell me. You’re sleep deprived and uncomfortable and adding an annoying 2 y/onto the mix is just hard.
Anonymous says
I’m trying SO hard to squash the irritability and take deep breaths. I think we’re doing a good job, but I know what you mean. One of my worst fears is just snapping at her all the time due to sleep deprivation with a newborn
dc anon says
Talk to me about easy birthday party ideas. DD is turning 5 and I am all out of ideas. We will likely have her party at one of the nearby parks and have food delivered to the venue (I’m thinking tacos or pizza). I am planning to invite around 15 kids and their families.
avocado says
The easiest party is a package that includes with enthusiastic teenagers to lead the activities. Gymnastics parties and the YMCA tend to be surprisingly inexpensive. Other easy and inexpensive parties, although more supervision is required, include swimming and roller skating or ice skating.
Every time I’ve provided the party activities myself, the party has ended up costing more than just outsourcing.
octagon says
We were recently at Frying Pan Park in Fairfax County and it said they do birthday parties. I’ve seen other nature centers that do them — maybe Rock Creek does?
Anonymous says
Depending on where you live in DC – locust grove nature center does fun ones (in Cabin John). They do a dinosaur one where they excavate Dino fossils.
Sarabeth says
The park is the activity, no? They are five year-olds, they will be perfectly happy running around on a playground with breaks for juice boxes/pizza/cake. At least, that’s been true for the parties we’ve thrown.
Anonymous says
+1. Add a pinata if you want to be fancy. Destroying the pinata once the candy is out is my son’s favorite.
DLC says
+1 piñata. Always festive and then no need for separate favors. Last time I had a piñata, I also had the kids decorate their own paper bags to collect candy- brown paper bags, markers, stickers- was a low key craft activity.
Bubbles are always fun outside. And I also went to a party where someone had an Instmax camera and they did a photo booth- it’s nice to have hard copy photos of your kids with friends.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
+1 – Went to my friend’s 5 year old’s birthday party at Rock Creek last September. They basically reserved a picnic area, and then had uber eats deliver food from various places. She also had a face painter and a pinata. Seemed like the kids had a great time.
Anon says
That sounds pretty easy to me. Pick up a store bought cake and fill a cooler with beverages and you’re good to go. Since it is at a park, I don’t think you need an additional activity.
Anonymous says
The only downside to a park is that there is no rain plan.
Gymnastics parties are the default for us, just add cupcakes.
OP says
I forgot to mention that we (and all the party guests) go to this park all the time – like at least everyday. So, I am trying to find ways to make it a little more special. Cake, friends, and juice boxes are a starting point.
lsw says
Decorate with helium balloons and send one home with each kid? Maybe tie them around the park with each kid’s name on it? If the park is super busy with other (nonparty) kids, that might not work.
NYCer says
Gymnastics parties are the default here too. Always a hit.
shortperson says
that sounds like enough. if you want to add a bit, you could:
-hire a character, like a superhero or princess
-hire a facepainter or balloon artist (our farmers market guy does parties)
-hire a performer/entertainer of some kind. some recent faves for my four year old was a bubble scientist/performer and a guy who brought a bunch of reptiles to pet.
-get a jumping castle, if allowed by the park.
-up the craft game a bit. search on etsy for craft kits related to theme.
SG says
Donuts at a local place on Sat/Sun morning. Call in advance and let them know you’re coming, helpful if you have a larger location, have seen this done well at Dunkin.
ThirdJen says
Water balloons are the addition that makes the party for my just-turned-six-year-old. Just tell everyone to bring swimwear and buy one of those massive packs of self-tying water balloons at Costco.
CHL says
The biggest hit I’ve seen in a while was a plastic baby pool filled with potting soil and a couple containers of nightcrawlers from the bait shop. Throw a couple plastic trucks and shovels in there and you’ve got some happy little boys (also some girls).
Ouch! says
My teething 11 month old is biting me while we nurse (especially in the evening when supply is low/let down takes a minute). I’m planning to stop pumping on his birthday at the end of this month but would like to keep nursing before bed and morning for another couple of months if possible. I scoured the internet the other day and have been trying to stop the nursing session (at least for a minute or two) when he does it, which usually leads to him crying. This of course makes it harder for me to get a let down at all and leads to me worrying he won’t have enough milk and that my supply will decrease faster than I want it to. We had a great session yesterday night but then he bit again this morning (seemed to be that he wanted to switch sides). I feel like the wisdom of “end the nursing session completely” doesn’t work when it’s morning and he’s hungry or before bed. Any advice?
Anonymous says
I used to just do a stern ‘no biting’ and sit them on the floor facing away from me. Then I say ‘try again? no biting’ or something and let them try again. How often are you pumping? If three times, definitely cut to two. If twice, maybe do only once a day every second day so there’s more milk when he’s nursing in the evening. If it may also be hormonally related. My supply always dipped right before my period.
Anonymous says
I would pull my kiddo off, say no, and then let her re-latch right away. I think the learning comes from taking them off…not leaving them off. If it helps, this phase lasted a very short time for us. It was really only relevant when kiddo’s first teeth were just popping through.
Anonymous says
Just wean.
Anon says
This is so silly – biting is a very short phase for most kids. I think my daughter bit me two or three times when she was right around 10 months, and then never bit me again (I nursed until almost 2 – biting is definitely at it’s peak before a year, not later).
Anonymous says
He’s 11 months old and biting. I don’t see why suggesting weaning as a solution isn’t the go to. At this age milk isn’t a primary source of nutrition so certainly not a problem to stop a session if he’s biting.
Anonymous says
Because OP says that she wants to continue nursing once or twice a day for another few months. She wasn’t looking for weaning advice. Nursing is a relationship, it’s not just about the nutrition from milk. And with regard to the nutrition older babies/toddlers still benefit because of the antibodies in the mom’s milk. It’s particularly useful during cold and flu season.
Nan says
I thought milk was the primary source of nutrition until one year. That’s what my pediatrician told us.
Anonymous says
There are many physical benefits to bfeeding toddlers as well as emotional ones. Around the world it’s very normal to bfeed children to age 2+. If you think a kid biting a bit is a reason to wean then I doubt you had any sort of successful bfeeding relationship and frankly you sound like a troll. This is a totally normal thing that comes up.
Anonanon says
Wow! So much ire over the idea of weaning. Why does this suggestion make someone a troll? Not everyone views or values breastfeeding in the same way. It’s okay to have differences of opinion on what to do here.
Anon says
It’s not that nobody can discuss weaning, it’s that the entire comment was “Just wean.” when the OP made no discussion of weaning and specifically said she wanted to continue b-feeding. Nobody here is nasty to moms who choose to use formula (rightfully), let’s not do the reverse.
Anonanon says
Okay, but calling someone a troll and telling them you doubt they had any kind of successful breastfeeding relationship is nasty too.
Anonymous says
Omg wow. It was a suggestion that would solve her problem that she’s free to ignore.
Anonymous says
There’s a discussion on weaning here at least every week or so. It’s 100% not true that ‘no one can discuss weaning’ – OP didn’t ask how to wean and the ‘just wean’comment was dismissive and not a jumping off point for a discussion.
Anonymous says
I agree with Anon at 2:57. I find this group to be very anti-breastfeeding and also not supportive of people looking for advice on pumping at work w/o supplementing formula. Let’s do better ladies.
Anonymous says
Oh my, I need these pants in my life…
Anonymous says
Same. Love those pants.
Sasha says
So my daughter fell and scraped her head on a table and got a really bad nickel-sized scrape in her forehead. We kept it moist while it was healing and it’s now healed up, but there’s a definite smooth pink bump as a scar. :( My poor beautiful girl. Please tell me if there’s something I should be doing to lessen the scar, or just reassure me that your kids had the same thing and it eventually went away…
KateMiddletown says
Apparently a silicone patch is the new best practice for scar therapy. Don’t kill it with neosporin. Make sure she wears SPF.
Scars suck but they fade over time <3
anne-on says
+1. The silicone patches are basically the same as the band-aid blister gels. I personally prefer those for small kids, they are very water resistant and do not budge as long as you put them on when the skin is bone dry.
SPF every day if you want to fade the scar, especially over the summer.
ElisaR says
we had a nasty cut that sent us to the doctor who sent us the ER a few months ago. At the follow up appointment the doctor told me to put vitamin E oil on it regularly to avoid scarring.
SC says
We put silicone gel on one of my son’s scars, and it has disappeared to the point that I don’t really remember where it was. I’m sure a patch would be great if she won’t peel it right off.
Anonymous says
Not the OP but my kiddo also has a nasty scar on his face (and it was my fault he got it, so I feel extra guilty). Did you put the gel on the scar, or a healing wound? This happened 6 months ago; is it too late?
Anonymous says
Bio-oil! Also works great on pregnancy stretch marks.
KateMiddletown says
I have this in the cheetah print. It’s great. It’s going on the shelf for now tho as I transition out of the working world for a while…
Ya’ll – I am leaving my job after 6 years to care for my daughter while she is in the hospital. I posted on here a few months back when we first learned about her health issues, and I’ve been doing PT work/PT hospital, but now it’s time to make my daughter my full time job, at least through this acute treatment phase. (FMLA time, 30 day leave of absence have been exhausted… this is truly the only/best recourse for our family @ this time.)
I’m a financial planner specializing in divorce planning and investments. I’ll have my license “on the shelf” with my current firm for 2 years – won’t be practicing as an investment adviser but I’ll still be a certified divorce financial analyst, certified financial planner, and life and health insurance broker.
I’m not sad to be leaving, just relieved for now, but hopefully I’ll be back in the game in two years’ time.
If you ever want to chat finance stuff HMU at alexandra rice CFP at g mail dot com!
Lana Del Raygun says
Good luck to you, and all my best wishes and prayers for your daughter’s health!
Anon says
So sorry about your daughter’s health issues but glad you are doing the right thing for your family!
ElisaR says
good luck, sending you all the positive vibes!
Anonymous says
Best wishes! Prayers for you and your family. Please keep us all updated if you have a few minutes. I’ve thought about you and your family since you first shared your daughter’s illness with us.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
+1 – My reply was lost in the thread, but have thought of you often Kate Middletown! Again, sending your family warm thoughts and prayers.
Anon in NYC says
Same! Sending good thoughts your way, Kate Middletown!
Pogo says
Glad you are able to take this time with your daughter. Good vibes your way :)
avocado says
I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering how you were doing. Best wishes to you, your little one, and your family.
Emily S. says
Welcome back to the blog! Sending you all the good vibes. I like your attitude: not sad, but relieved, and it sounds like you’ll reevaluate down the road. Good for you for doing what you need to do for your family and sticking to it.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Best wishes to your and your family and I hope your daughter gets better very soon.
Anonymous says
Best of luck! I hope you keep checking in! And also thanks very much for posting your contact info- getting on financial planner has long been on my list and once we transition away from our current account manager I would love to chat!
govtattymom says
Thinking of you and your family! Praying for your daughter and your family as she goes through treatment.
anon says
Sending you and your daughter lots of hugs! Your attitude is remarkable.
anon says
I sent you an email because I’m local to your area but thinking of you and your family! Best of luck.
So Anon says
Wishing you and your family all of the best!!
Anon. says
Will be thinking of your family in the coming months. Keep us posted if you can.
H13 says
Definitely keep us posted. All the best to you and your family.
rosie says
Sending you good wishes!
IHeartBacon says
Sending you good wishes! Please keep us posted and check in when you have time.
Anon says
I went to the dentist for the first time since having a baby last year and I have six cavities! I’ve never had a cavity before in my entire life. The dentist said it’s a myth that pregnancy/nursing hurts your teeth, but I have some friends that have had similar experiences so I’m skeptical. Anyway, can anyone reassure me that getting them filled will be ok? I am the biggest wuss about anything involving my teeth and have never had dental work of any kind.
Lana Del Raygun says
It will be okay! I’ve never had cavities but I had two root canals and it was very easy. They gave me numbing gel and then novocaine, and it didn’t hurt at all. You do have to resist the temptation to keep biting your cheek afterwards to see if it’s worn off though, because you can bite yourself pretty hard without realizing it.
Cb says
Is this your normal dentist or a new one? Someone posted recently about visiting a new dentist and finding loads of cavities. She switched and the new dentist didn’t find anything. I’d get a second opinion as that seems like a huge jump.
Anon says
It is a new dentist (we moved while I was pregnant) but he was recommended to me by a bunch of people I know personally who told me he has a reputation for being conservative about treatments. And my husband saw him after another local dentist recommend very expensive treatment and he said that treatment wasn’t necessary (and didn’t diagnose my husband with any cavities). He also said only 4 of the cavities need to be filled immediately, we can watch and wait on the other two. So I’m inclined to believe him – but I have definitely had experiences with shady dentists so I get where you’re coming from.
Sasha says
Agreed on getting a second opinion — yikes! Especially if you didn’t notice any pain or issues.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Ugh, same thing happened to me! I did switch dentists, but also had some pain (and got a root canal). I know the nursing/pregnancy and teeth connection isn’t a clinical fact, but I do think it applied to me.
I was dubious but it was clear when she walked me through the x-rays. Definitely ask questions and push and ask “is this necessary?”. I found that they didn’t bill or charge for certain x-rays and enhancements when I asked more questions.
Quail says
Same thing happened to me. Never had a cavity, then four cavities post-kid. In fairness, I had not been diligent about going to the dentist every six months or whatever during the pregnancy/first year post-partum. It was the same dentist. So wives tale or not, I definitely blame the pregnancy/nursing.
Anonymous says
I also got my first cavity ever while pregnant, despite maintaining my brushing/flossing daily regimen, so I do think there is a correlation. But my dentist would not fill my cavity while pregnant. He said unless the tooth began to hurt (a sign the cavity was worsening), there was no problem waiting a few months to have the baby first. When I did get the cavity filled post-partum, it had not grown in that 4-5 month period.
octagon says
After years of healthy teeth, post-pregnancy I had 3 cavities and 1 root canal. Same dentist I’ve gone to for a decade. Pregnancy just kills your teeth. I’m so thankful I have good dental coverage.
ALC says
My dentist specifically told me it is common to get cavities while pregnant.
Anon says
Not me, but my best friend had 15 (!) cavities at her first postpartum dentist appointment. Same dentist she’d used for years. I think it’s an old wives tale that the baby sucks calcium out of your teeth, but my OB said pregnancy hormones do change things in your mouth and make your teeth more susceptible to decay.
anon says
please get a 2nd opinion before having them all filled! Maybe they’re legit, maybe not. That’s a log of time and money to get those filled and fillings make prone to decay later on. Signed, paid for 5 of 9 cavities when I was broke in law school, switched dentists twice thereafter and neither dentist has found cavities in the last 11 years!
anon says
It was totally true for me! I had a TIME with the dentist after my second was born. Had never had any dental issues prior to that.
June says
Did you have morning sickness? After I had the baby my dentist asked if I had morning sickness. I thought it was small talk but she said the vomiting ruined my teeth. Right after the baby I had to get 2 or 3 fillings and my last 2 check ups I had no cavities.
Anon says
No I never threw up, but I did have pretty bad heartburn which can also damage teeth. My pregnancy also gave me an autoimmune disease (well, activated an underlying autoimmune disease) so I look forward to lording these things over my kiddo when she’s an unpleasant teenager. JK, but for real, even the easiest pregnancies are so hard on the body!!
Leatty says
In case anyone else is looking for shorts to wear on the weekends at the playgrounds, I just purchased the zella switchback shorts (currently on sale) from Nordstrom, and they are awesome: breathable fabric, super comfortable, and will be perfect for hot summer days at the park. They can apparently be rolled up to make them different lengths, but I prefer the longest length.
AwayEmily says
I am looking for EXACTLY this and am wearing Zella leggings as we speak. What’s the sizing like? I’m usually a small (6ish) but I hate tight shorts so maybe I should size up to M?
Leatty says
I wear a L in the zella leggings, but I always size up in shorts so they are loose. The XL fit exactly the way I wanted (loosely). I’d probably size up.
Anonymous says
Similarly, I recently got these and love them!
https://shop.lululemon.com/p/women-shorts/Spring-Break-Away-Short-4-Way/_/prod6860019?color=34696
Pogo says
ooo, love it! Zella’s high-waisted leggings are a staple of mine. It looks like they might be sold out online though?
Leatty says
Well crap. I should have checked that before posting.
More Sleep Would Be Nice says
Awww best of luck and warm thoughts and prayer for you and your family in this next chapter.
Anonymous says
Birthday party goodie bag ideas for a 3 y/o (celebrant is a girl, theme is mermaid).
Sunglasses, water gun and bubbles are out since this exact stuff was in the goodie bag we got last weekend with the same crowd of kids. We’ve done mermaid tail keychains and bath grow sponges before. I don’t like just candy.
Anonymous says
Crayola has a mermaid-themed box of crayons.
Quail says
Stickers are always a hit in our house. Not on theme but – sidewalk chalk? Curly straws? We did treasure chests as bags for an ocean themed birthday recently which I don’t think was appreciated by the kids but I liked the reference.
I do confess to purging goodie bag contents as soon as they appear to be forgotten, but my kid loves getting them.
Anonymous says
Would you be willing to go off theme? At this time of year my kid would love new toys for the sandbox or a beach ball.
Anonymous says
Both of those still seem mermaid-themed to me!
AwayEmily says
Yeah balls in general are always awesome. You can never have too many balls!
A different idea: skip the goody bags entirely and give everyone a mermaid helium balloon to take home. Everyone loves helium balloons!
Anonymous says
I got this idea from here and it was a hit at DDs party. Just gave all the kids a balloon!
Anon says
not OP but where do you get helium balloons? Party City in our area never has them due to a “helium shortage.”
Anonymous says
The helium shortage is real and it’s scary. Don’t buy helium balloons.
Anonymous says
doesn’t have to be on theme at all, just providing the “theme” in case it’s inspirational :). The gymnastics place comes with a balloon for each kid. I wanted to do the “one bigger thing” like a water wow book, but my daughter scoffed at the lack of bag-o-junk. So I’m at least going for semi useful junk.
I like the candy necklace idea…keep them coming!
Anonymous says
Band Aids?
If you can swing it I like to get just 1 slightly nicer/more expensive (~$5 or less) thing, like a Melissa and Doug Water Wow book, animal figurine, or something like that.
shortperson says
i am also planning a mermaid party! for goody bags, so far we are planning a banzai magical mermaid which is a diving toy and a seashell candy necklace (oriental trading company). will probably add mermaid tail keychains although TBD.
“teatotspartyplanning” on etsy also sells craft kits for mermaid treasure boxes, which we would do except we did something similar last year.
Anon says
Personally I’m on team no goody bag…we’ve rarely gotten anything good and most of it ends up in the trash. Last year we got a couple of bath bombs as party favors and those were fun for my son.
Rugs says
I need a new living room rug that will hold up to kids and dogs. Anyone tried ruggable? Other suggestions?
lsw says
I got one from Ruggable and I really like it. I’ll be honest, we’ve just spot cleaned it rather than washed it in the machine so far (which in itself is impressive, because it’s under our dining room table!). It’s extremely thin, which I was expecting, because – duh – it has to fit in your washing machine. It doesn’t provide much more padding than your hardwood floor would.
It was a pain to lay flat. Ours is very big so smaller ones might be easier.
The colors look fantastic and I’m overall extremely happy with it. I’ll probably get another at some point.
Rugs says
Thanks! Do you have a rug pad under it? I’m worried about it being too thin and flimsy.
lsw says
It comes with its own rug pad. It’s almost like a velcro. The thing doesn’t budge, even with moving our dining table chairs back and forth on it.
Anon says
I am partial to a power loomed polypropylene with a half-inch cut pile and a decent rug pad underneath. I find they are pretty resilient, and my toddler is pretty rough on it (so many ground in crumbs and spilled milk) and I totally vacumm with the beater bar going and they’ve been going strong for close to 8 years (obviously only 2 years with kiddo, but dogs before that and on a farm (so much dust)). Once we’re done with the messy kid stage, I will likely switch to wool. Mine are from JCP or Kohl’s (I don’t remember).
Anonymous says
I think this is what we have in my daughter’s room and I’m amazed at how well it’s held up and how easy the spills have been to get out. Got mine from rugs usa dot com and it was super affordable.
anon in brooklyn says
I have the same kind of rug from rugs usa—one of the oriental-ish ones. It’s taken all kinds of spills, cleans up easily, shows nothing.
Butter says
Not a rug but we used FLOR tiles in our living room and they are pretty great. Not super squishy comfy, but super easy to keep clean and tidy with kid and dog. If something were to spill you just rinse individual tile under faucet, or worst case scenario toss and buy new tile. We’re going on two years strong and have never had a single issue.