This post may contain affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
When your kid gets too old for a high chair or a booster seat with straps (we liked this one from Graco), this booster seat from Prince Lionheart is a great option. We like it so much that we’re on our second one — we got the first when our son was 6, and now that he’s almost 8, we’ve bought a replacement. (The first seat got a crack on it, but I think that two years isn’t too bad, considering that he uses it two to three times a day, every day.) My son is about 4 feet tall, so he’s not really too short to sit on a chair without anything on top — and yes, he’s 8 years old — but the extra height helps, and he likes the slightly squishy seat more than the wooden chairs we have at the table. The booster is pretty easy to clean and comes in brown, dark gray, pink, blue, orange, and green. (Not all colors are available at Amazon right now.) It’s $24–$35 and Prime eligible, and it offers free returns on everything but the brown. Prince Lionheart Soft Booster Seat 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!
Toddler Swallowing says
Does anyone’s toddler or kid continue to have reflux beyond the first year? My preemie had terrible reflux for the first year but it does not seem to have completely gone away. He’s 3 now but I still here him swallowing multiple times after finishing a glass of almond milk for example. It will happen for up to half an hour later. Not sure if this is still reflux or something else entirely. He has an appt with his ped coming up but just wanted to get some anecdata.
Anonymous says
No reflux experience but my youngest had a digestive issue and while we were trying to figure out solutions, ped asked us to keep a food journal noting what he ate and how long after the symptoms occured and how they lasted. Info like that might be helpful at your upcoming ped appointment.
shortperson says
i would see a GI doctor. my niece has this symptom, and it is actually eosinophilic esophagitis.
HSAL says
My husband is changing jobs and will have three weeks off at the end of April and beginning of June. We have a 2 1/2 year old in daycare and we’re expecting twins by mid-June (who will go to daycare in August/September). What are some good tasks he can work on while he’s out? I want him to enjoy his funemployment, but also help get us ready.
So far I’ve thought of: all the regular cleaning, renting a carpet cleaner and doing all the floors, organizing our storage unit, and making sure we have all our newborn stuff accounted for/cleaned/organized. He could probably prep some freezer meals, but those will largely be taken care of. We’re also likely (hopefully) to move this fall/winter since we’re currently in a 2 bedroom townhouse, so there are a few minor touch-ups around the house I’ll have him do.
Any other ideas?
Cb says
A new job + baby (babies!!) is a lot. Is there anything that he can automate? Can he do dental, doctor, car repairs while he’s off?
avocado says
Clean and reline all the drawers and cabinets. Clean blinds and windows. Wash and iron curtains, duvet covers, etc. Vacuum behind furniture. Take all the books off the shelves and dust the shelves. Anything that requires sitting around waiting for a service person to come to the house–piano tuning, etc. Wax cars and steam clean upholstery. Call around to find cheaper insurance rates, cable plan, etc. Pick up 2 y/o early from day care and go to the park.
Anonymous says
Personal tune ups for him and your kid – haircuts, dentist, doctor, optometrist
Vehicle tune ups – oil change, car seat installations. I’d have your twins seats installed by beginning of June in case they come early as twins sometimes do.
Restock medicine cabinet – throw out old medications and make sure it is stocked with medications both for toddler and infants (usually 0-2 is one category and 2-12 is another).
Inventory toddler clothes for summer season- rain jacket/boots, shorts, sandals – purchase whatever is needed
All the meal prep – lots of ideas online for freezer meals including prepped slow cooker meals – ziploc goes in freezer, take out night before, put in slow cooker in morning. I had twins + older child and keeping everyone well fed was definitely one of the biggest challenges.
Restock house – aim to not have to purchase any dry goods like paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, toothbrushes for the first couple month after babies arrive.
J says
I’d look at having him prepare for the move – purge stuff you don’t need and don’t want to move. It’ll be tough to do that when the time comes. Maybe even have him start the hunt for a place.
Anonymous says
I agree. I’d do what I could to get a jump on the move and would seriously consider moving prior to the twins, if at all possible.
During this break, I’d hash out any parenting-type systems that need to be re-thought or updated between the two of you.
Finally, he should do something for himself or that he enjoys and won’t be able to do after the babies come. You two are going to have a lot on your hands after the babies come and it’s going to be a long while before he gets this kind of personal time again. My doctor advised me to do nothing but relax when I was taken off work prior to delivering my twins and, looking back, she was completely right.
Sabba says
I would ask him the things that he thinks need to get done and have him focus on those things or other things that you think would play to his strengths (which might be the things you already listed). My DH would hate to declutter and organize house stuff and would not do it well, so that is just where my thought comes from to make sure you efficiently use his time. I agree with getting daily tasks out of the way and automating everything he can. Get oil changed, schedule haircuts, detail the cars, set up a cleaning service (if you can), automate bills, have a handyman come by and fix all the little things that should be taken care of before you sell, build up a family recipe bank in Paprika or other recipe organizer with meals that he would enjoy cooking, plan some fun stuff for you two before the babies arrive, etc.
This may sound silly, but I have been reading Gretchen Rubin’s “Four Tendencies” book and I would make a plan that provides proper accountability for him and his personality. If he is an “upholder” type, he will probably just get a lot done if you lay out some goals together and otherwise leave it up to him. But other types might struggle with unstructured time like this. If he is an obligor, you may need to check in on him or make sure that he is setting up appointments so his vacation time doesn’t just get wasted. If he is a rebel or a questioner, then you might need other strategies. For myself (being an Obligor), I would need to set daily goals, check in with my spouse often with checklists, and set up outside appointments to make sure that I stayed on task, otherwise be easy for me to waste time like this.
ER says
Not to discourage you, but cleaning the carpets was on my list of things to do before #2 was born. I didn’t get around to it, and now I’m really glad I didn’t spend the time, because he spent a lot of the first 6 months of his life peeing, pooping, and vomiting on the carpet…
anon says
Don’t forget financial stuff. Have to rebalanced your 401K this year? Filled out post-birth health insurance forms? Updated your will and guardianship documents? Updated your life insurance beneficiaries?
Some of these forms may have to wait to be filed until post-kids, but it’s nice to have them ready in advance.
Oh, I’d also have him stock a closet or cupboard with activities for the 2 yo for when you’re busy with the babies. Art projects, puzzles, games…. whatever. Easy grab and play activities.
Cb says
What is everyone doing with the kiddos this weekend?
I’ve got work to do and my MIL is here so I’m vacating the premises on Saturday – my office is too creepy at the weekends so I’m going to need to figure out pumping in the university library. There is a giant balloon installation in town so I think we’ll go and see that on Sunday. It looks quite cool and I thought it’d be a fun sensory experience for my 8 month old. He’s a total people-watcher so should enjoy the sights.
mascot says
Soccer games, trip to local pub that has tableside video games- my kid thinks this is the coolest ever, and block party for a local charity. Should be a good weekend. I’ve got some work to do in there somewhere.
avocado says
It is supposed to snow tomorrow (really?!?), so we are planning a low-key weekend at home. Laundry, cleaning, homemade pizza, the new Star Wars movie, and dinner with the grandparents.
Clementine says
We’re seeing a friend’s new house tonight, going to a 3rd birthday party (they’re getting magnatiles and a card colored by the toddler) tomorrow, and then having family come into town on Sunday.
Hopefully it will actulally be spring like and sunny so we can spend some quality playground time.
CHL says
I’m moving on Monday so ALL THE PACKING! I hate moving. This will be over soon, right? Good news is that so many friends have reached out to do drinks, etc. this week. We’re not going far but I’m touched that with little kids and jobs people are being so thoughtful.
Boston Legal Eagle says
We have a 2nd birthday party tomorrow and my parents are coming over on Sunday. We’ve got some random chores stuff, including figuring out what we’re doing for our own son’s upcoming 2nd birthday, that we should take care of while they’re here, but I kind of just want to sleep and veg out, esp. since I’m still feeling first trimester exhaustion and my husband is sick. We’ll see how productive we feel.
Weather is expected to be in the 40s, which is so not what April should be.
NewMomAnon says
It’s supposed to be cold and snowy here (grr) so kiddo and I are going to an indoor amusement park on Saturday, and then a movie on Sunday. We might also embark on a baking project, and I really need to purge clothes and make a Goodwill drop.
Anonymous says
Target run with the kids. The Easter Bunny put $1 bills in their eggs, so we’re taking them to pick out a treat with their found cash. Snow here, too, so other plans are for a movie and baking cookies. Plus all the normal activities : swim lessons, hockey, and church.
anon says
Posted yesterday, but hoping for a few more responses. Does anyone own the Uppababy Mesa Car seat and has used it in a regular (non SUV car)?
Anonymous says
The Mesa fits fine in my sedan (2007 3 series). We have a toddler car seat as well, and while no one can sit in between the two, those two seats are fine together.
AIMS says
We have the Mesa and toddler seat in the sedan, too, and if you put the Mesa in the middle, there’s room for an adult to sit, too.
Clementine says
A couple of years ago, I was looking at getting a Mesa and the ladies on here ended up convincing me to get a Cybex Aton2 which we LOVED and would wholeheartedly endorse.
The big reasons we picked the Aton over the Mesa were the ability to fit 3 carseats across (amazing) and the fact that the length is shorter so it fit in my sister’s Nissan Versa. At the time, the Cybex was also a pound or two lighter which really does end up making a difference. They both had the Euro belt path that we liked and attached easily to our stroller, so that was nice.
AIMS says
Yes. Used it a regular car and a tiny car, both were fine. It’s a great seat.
Pregnant2 says
Yes- we have a honda civic and it fit with no problem behind my tall husband
anon says
OP here: thank you everyone!
Movies says
Suggestions on movies that are appropriate and entertaining for a 2.5 year old? Right now Sing and Trolls are all we’ve watched (and we watch Sing all the time…usually 15-20 minutes here and there because toddler requests it instead of Daniel Tiger now). I’m hoping to get a bunch of housework done during this snowy (GRRR) April weekend and might need a little more screen time than usual. Any ideas on new movies for us? Thank you!!!
anne-on says
Do you have PBS kids? A lot of the shows have ‘movies’ (ie 45 minute long versions) – Wild Kratts, Daniel Tiger, Cat in the Hat, etc. all had ones that are big hits. Mary Poppins was a big hit at that age, so were the Elmo learns about series (farm animals, jobs, etc. – these were at our library).
AIMS says
Also available on Prime streaming.
We haven’t done too many movies but had some success with Care Bears (Prime) and Ice Age.
TK says
Moana
Any of the Thomas the Tank Engine shows (I don’t get it, but my kid liked them at that age)
Finding Nemo / Finding Dory (skip the first 10 minutes of Finding Nemo, it’s scary and involves parent death)
Any of the Toy Story movies
mascot says
Agree with all of those, so much Thomas at that age. Classic Disney- Jungle Book, Cinderella were both big hits. Peppa Pig maybe?
H says
My son was OBSESSED with Finding Nemo and Finding Dory at age 2.5. They were both on repeat. Definitely skip the first scene in Nemo.
Clementine says
Moana is great and the soundtrack is excellent. Frozen is good too but the songs are annoyingly catchy and totally get stuck in your head. Cars is good if you have a toddler who is obsessed with cars.
Mary Poppins was a surprising hit! Our kid really likes people singing, so he also enjoyed the Sound of Music (watched over several days). The only movie that we’ve started and was ‘too scary’ was The Jungle Book.
As far as shows, we’re big fans of Daniel Tiger, and my niece and nephew love the Stinky and Dirty show on Amazon. My BFF’s son is obsessed with old school Reading Rainbow, so there’s also that.
Clementine says
Also, pro tip: don’t get your kid totally into a show where you can’t handle the characters’ annoying voices. Seriously.
Meg Murry says
Example: Calliou. Don’t let your kid know it exists, he is the most annoying whiny character ever. Elmo also drives me a bit whacko, but not as bad as Calliou. And Barney – he is NOT allowed in our house.
Anonymous says
Oh God. Caillou. We eventually banned it in our house and at grandma’s because basically, all that whiny little kid did was give my son ideas about how to throw fits and sulk/pout about everything. Caillou’s parents were the most ineffectual parents I have ever seen in my life – it was basically like a video lesson on how to create a spoiled brat using wimpy parenting. When we stopped watching Caillou, a bunch of behavior problems magically cleared up. Why does that show exist???
Anonymous says
Moana was scary enough to our kid (who was somewhere between 2.5 and 3) that he needed to watch snuggled with an adult.
HSAL says
My 2 1/2 year old loves Zootopia, Moana, and Frozen. Confession: I also love Zootopia and will watch it every time she wants to.
TK says
I forgot about Zootopia! I love it too. The themes were too mature for my kit of understand but he loved it. Minions was also a hit, and not too terrible
Movies to avoid:
Nut Job
Ice Age
Monster Family
Bee Movie
Emoji Movie
Anonymous says
Ice Age is definitely one to wait on. We watched Ice Age pre-kids and liked it. When we showed it to my son when he was 4, it terrified him. What happened to the baby’s mommy? Why isn’t she coming back? Where is the baby’s daddy? Why isn’t anyone looking for him? He’s alone in the snow with the scary animals, why don’t his mom and dad try to find him? We had to turn it off. I hadn’t made the connection when I saw it the first time, but yeah – it’s scary for little kids. There was a similar reaction to Monsters Inc. until he was older.
The other one I would say to avoid is The Secret Life of Pets, which is way not for younger kids. My son liked it when he saw it at 10 but I would say, not okay for ages 5 (maybe 6, depending on the kid) and below. I also remember Antz and A Bug’s Life being a little more than what my son was ready for when we watched them at age 3/4.
This might also go without saying but: ParaNorman, Coraline, Monster House, and Corpse Bride aren’t for kids under 10 or so. We also had an unfortunate time watching Fantasia when he was 6 (I forgot how creepy parts of that movie are). However, at 6/7 he loved Fantastic Mr. Fox which I would have thought to be super-scary (I don’t recommend it for toddlers tho).
And don’t watch The Emoji Movie because it’s just bad.
Sabba says
These are only 30 minutes, but Room on the Broom and the Gruffalo seem good at that age.
NewMomAnon says
Kiddo is obsessed with Charlie Brown – there are a bunch of seasonal specials that are free on Amazon Prime. Right now we’re watching one about Christmas and one about Arbor Day?
Meg Murry says
The 3 Curious George movies are super popular at our house, although I think some of them are only available on Hulu right now. My son is older (6) but we watched EVERY.SINGLE.EPISODE of the Magic School Bus over the course of our 3+ week Christmas break/snow days that never ended.
Due in December says
This will out me to anyone who knows me, but my approx. 2.5 year old has watched and loves the following:
Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977 Disney version, bought on Amazon streaming)
The Snowman (1982 short film, free with Amazon prime)
The Snowman and the Snowdog (2012 short film, free with Amazon prime)
Nothing scary, and all are pretty pleasant to have in the background. I absolutely loved the latter two around the holidays, though they are less seasonally appropriate at the moment!
anon says
Is Reading Rainbow available anywhere?? I would love for my kiddo to watch it!
NewMomAnon says
It was free on Amazon Prime last I checked.
shortperson says
disney nature documentaries and planet earth.
Frozen Peach says
Seconding Room on the Broom, Zootopia, Dory
Other movies we love: Inside Out, Coco, Monsters Inc.
Shows: My kiddo LOVES the original 1980s Care Bears series, which is available on Amazon on DVD for a shockingly low price. We also love Octonauts, Puffin Rock, Dinotrux, and the old Magic School Bus on netflix (not the new one, it’s inane). I can tolerate a LOT of Chuggington and Super Wings.
Anonymous says
Advice on what I should expect when I stop BFing my 12 month old? I decided this morning would be the last time. She has lost interest and we’re down to one short feeding in the morning. I also want my body back to myself for a while before we have a second kid. I assume I won’t have issues with engorg*ent or crazy mood swings, but I could be wrong!
TK says
I don’t generally have issues with mood swings due to PMS or anything else but I was batsh*t nuts for a week after I weaned. It was very unexpected and scary to feel so out of control. It passed after about a week. Angry, weepy … it was weird (and gave me a lot more sympathy for women who have to deal with that stuff on a more regular basis.)
Anonymous says
Thanks – already warned DH about this last night haha!
lsw says
YES +1, I actually went to my OB because I got pretty scared of my rage. Was glad to learn it was normal but also WTF, why didn’t anyone warn me?
Anonymous says
I was a bit moody/weepy about the end of babyhood – more than I expected but otherwise nothing major. I did continue to produce a small amount of milk for a couple of months which I discovered when DH and I were gardening so that was a bit awkward. No feelings of fullness or anything beyond the first couple of days.
Anonymous says
Thanks – I think I’ve taken the time to process my feelings about the end of babyhood over the past month or so (DD is almost 13 months really). I’m sure I’ll still continue to feel sad on and off. It’s definitely bittersweet. I’m ready for it to be over, but sad that I’ll stop feeding her with my body (which I’ve done since she was conceived!).
Anon in NYC says
Honestly, nothing happened to me (weaned at 15 months). I also didn’t regularly experience big emotional hormonal shifts pregnancy, postpartum, or during nursing. I did feel slightly engorged but I think my supply had dwindled to the point where it was mildly uncomfortable, but not terrible… and less painful then boob soreness for all 10 months of pregnancy!
NewMomAnon says
From 12 months to almost 2, I nursed kiddo only at bedtime (was not planned, I would not do it again, but I was flying by the seat of my pants and it helped her fall asleep and that was reason enough to continue). When I finally cut if off, I had a little bit of engorgement for a couple days that I resolved by hand-expressing in the shower. I didn’t have crazy mood swings. I think fully weaning made my p*riod a bit heavier and more crampy, but I had experienced a year of super easy p*riods so it was fine.
Also, I bought myself some nice new bras when I fully weaned. It was a nice little present to myself.
CPA Lady says
I was weirdly queasy for a few days (which may have had nothing to do with quitting nursing) but had no mood swings. It was very anti climactic for me.
lala says
I weaned my first around 12 months and we were both so done with nursing, so I was surprised about how emotional I was over the next week. I also had flu like symptoms (GI symptoms, nausea, etc), but I have a sensitive stomach in general. My doc said these were all normal from weaning hormones, fun times.
It did pass within a week or two.
Good luck!
Moms Solo says
I was in the same boat about 2 months ago — 12 month old, down to one feeding. When we stopped I felt like I was pregnant again — all day nausea, peeing all the time, headaches, rando cramps, etc. Lasted about two-ish weeks? Engorgement for a couple of days that resolved on its own.
Anonymous says
oh no! This is definitely more than I expected. But I think I can put up with 2 weeks after the 10 months of pregnancy.
CLMom says
Car recommendations. We’re looking for a hybrid SUV. One 2.5 year old. We’re 50/50 on a second one.
Anonymous says
Not a hybrid but we love our Subaru Forester. It’s a 2009, bought it used in 2012, and still going strong. 3 friends have bought the new models based on our recommendations and are all happy with them! Subaru owners are loyal car owners for a reason.
Anonymous says
Foresters are pretty popular with parents of young kids in my city too.
Boston Legal Eagle says
+2 We had a 2003 Subaru Forester for years, then ended up getting the new model (2016) a few years ago. We tested out the CRV as well, but preferred the Subaru, particularly the automatically included all-wheel drive feature. Storage space is great for 1-2 kids. We can fit our stroller in the back and there’s still extra space for groceries, etc.
anon says
We love our Kia Niro. It fits two car seats in the back well, and even a fifth person with two car seats as long as they are skinny car seats. I also get 50+ mpg and over 350 miles to a tank in warm-ish weather. The technology is also awesome. I love Kia’s interface, which is something that I never thought I would say.
VW Tiguan says
Check out the vw tiguan. Great amount of space without being too big. Nice price point considering it has the same engine as an Audi. We absolutely love ours. It has enough space for stroller + bike and a large back seat.
Anonymous says
We hired a balloon artist to come to our daughter’s birthday party. She charges $200/hr and will be here for an hour and a half. So the total cost is $300.
Are we supposed to tip on top of this? We are paying in cash. She technically works for a company, but she and her husband are the owners.
anne-on says
I’ve always heard you don’t tip the owner. So no, I wouldn’t. I would of course make sure to offer to feed her/offer cake/drinks.
Anon in NYC says
I agree that I probably would not tip since she’s the owner. But do you have a contract? That might have some info on it.
anon says
I would tip if she did a good job. Tipping is supposed to be about rewarding good service. I don’t think you have to, though, even if she weren’t the owner.
shortperson says
you did not mention a budget but i would consider the lexus RXL hybrid if i were buying an suv this year. hybrid, third row seats but not huge.