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When my husband first got me a pair of “tech gloves” a few years ago, I scoffed and thought, “Who is so obsessed with their phone that they need to use it while outside in the freezing cold?” Now I know the answer: ME. I am an obsessive phone checker — if I hear a ping of a notification, it sets off a Pavlovian response in my brain and I. must. check. Obviously touch screen gloves aren’t 100% accurate, but they do the job enough to swipe to answer and end calls and to press some of the larger icons on your screen. (Save the long emails for indoors/warmer weather.) I particularly like these gloves because the palms have a rubberized pattern that keeps you from dropping your phone. They come in four colors and three sizes and are $19.99–$24.95 at L.L. Bean. Sweater Fleece Gloves 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!Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
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Kid/Family Sales
- Carter’s – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
- If you’re a working parent of an infant with low sleep needs, how do you function at work when you’re in the throes of baby’s sleep regression?
- Should I cut my childcare down to 12 hours a month if I work from home?
- Will my baby have speech delays if we raise her bilingual?
- Has anyone given birth in a teaching hospital?
- My child eats everything, and my friends’ kids do not – how should I handle? In general, what is the best way to handle when your child has some skill/ability and your friend’s child doesn’t have that skill/ability?
- ADHD moms, give me your tips to help with things like behavior in the classroom, attention to detail, etc?
- I think I suffer from mom rage…
- My husband and kids are gone this weekend – how should I enjoy my free time?
- I’m struggling to be compassionate with a SAHM friend who complains she doesn’t have enough hours of childcare.
- If you exclusively formula fed, what tips do you have for in the hospital and coming home?
- Could I take my 4-yo and 8-yo on a 7-8 day trip to Paris, Lyon, and Madrid?
Anonymous says
I’m pregnant! When should I call the OB to schedule an appt? First time here, doesn’t feel real yet. :D
Anonymous says
Congratulations. You can call now to schedule since OB appts generally fill up fast, but my OB didn’t see patients until about 8 weeks along. In the interim, she told me to take my pre-natals, eat healthy healthy and get plenty of rest.
Anon says
Congrats! Call now but they probably won’t see you for a while. Mine does the first appointment at 10 weeks.
Anon in NYC says
Congrats! Call your OB now and get it scheduled. I think I saw mine at around 8 weeks. Agree that the advice until then will be to take a prenatal, eat/act normally, drink water, etc.
Anonymous says
They’re all different! My last pregnancy they did dating scans at 6-8 weeks, but this pregnancy (new practice) they want to see you as soon as you find out to do HCG/Progesterone levels. I think this can help with some people who are low in progesterone since they can start supplementing. For me – it just makes me more nervous about the numbers!
And congratulations! It’ll start to feel more real once symptoms ramp up and then when you see the heartbeat
Anonymous says
Thanks! I called and they want to see me right way for confirmation.
Toddlers on long plane flights says
I know this has been asked a bunch before, but I can’t find those threads. We have two 6-hour flights coming up with twin almost 2-year-olds so I’m looking for advice on two things.
1. What are your toddler favorite plane activities where they do something, like putting puffballs in a water bottle, etc. Qe have lots of little toys, but I’m searching for ideas of “tasks” that will hopefully occupy them for 10 minutes at a time.
2. We’re planning to break out screens for the first time in this trip, so any suggestions for apps? They love books and music; are there any apps that essentially read picture books to them? I’m hoping we can get then used to wearing headphones so they’ll watch downloaded Little Baby Bum, etc.
Mrs. Jones says
Stickers are fun and quiet. For screen time, try Sesame Street, Paw Patrol, and Thomas the Train.
octagon says
Pads of post-it notes are also good, and easier to clean up than stickers.
Anonymous says
If you search “toddler busy bags” on Google and Pinterest, you will find websites that list tons of amazing ideas. Our favorites so far: (1) cutting up straws into 0.5-1 inch pieces and “beading” them onto pipe cleaners; (2) buy some colored popsicle sticks (preferably the slightly bigger kind like the tongue depressors at the doctor’s office), make some “puzzles” or patterns on a big notecard by tracing some of the sticks in the same color marker, then have kiddo complete the puzzles by selecting the correct color stick for each spot; (3) cutting up a bunch of 1.5 inch squares of construction paper and bringing a glue stick and some big notecards or a notebook to glue them onto the paper; (4) water painting pad (Melissa and Doug); and (5) putting Velcro circles on the ends of the colored popsicle sticks so you can build with them (hubby and I like these more than kiddo, though). I’m also thinking of getting kiddo some of the Crayola markers that only color on their special paper. I have some cheap nylon zipper pouches from Amazon for each activity, but you could use a Ziploc for easy organizing. You could also consider a handful of Magnatile type toys. Maybe 4-5 of each shape.
Toddlers on long plane flights says
Great ideas, thanks!
Anonymous says
The dollar store is your friend. buy stickers, crayons, small toys. Then wrap them. The kids will need to waste time unwrapping the gifts and opening each container. Also, Melissa and Doug water wow – my kids love those. Lots of snacks. Small books they can look through. Magnetic blocks or magnatiles.
Anonymous says
Re 2 – Sandra Boyton ebook apps are fun and interactive.
HSAL says
No specific activity advice, but you might want to try out screens before the actual trip, not just the headphones. Mine was a little younger when she started watching, but at first they didn’t really occupy for long. You don’t want to count on screens and find out they’re only buying you a few minutes in the air.
Toddlers on long plane flights says
Yeah, good point. We’re not entirely no screens since we’ve shown them TV during nebulizer treatments and they’ve been mesmorized, so I’m hoping tablets will have the same appeal. And honestly, even a few minute break from actively entertaining two toddlers is totally worth it!
HSAL says
I’ve got five month old twins and a three year old. I’m impressed you’re even willing to get on a plane with them!
Aly says
This was 100% our experience. I thought my screen free kid would be fascinated by screen. Apps, kids TV shows, Elmo. Nope. The only thing that she was super into on the screen was photos of herself (baby narcissist, I guess).
Anon says
I have a baby narcissist too! The only thing she likes on screens is looking at photos of herself and taking selfies.
Jeffiner says
Baby narcissist over here too! We have an album of just pictures of her that we share with family, and its great for her to look through when we don’t have a signal on the phone.
Anonymous says
We get a lot of mileage out of turning the camera on in selfie mode and just letting her use it as a mirror. She’ll make silly faces and just be a goon. It’s hilarious.
AwayEmily says
oooo this is so smart
Toddlers on long plane flights says
Thanks for the reminder to make an album of photos/videos of them since we also have some little narcissists!
Strategy Mom says
Magnatiles – a baggie of magnatiles packs easily and engages them for a while. Stickers – my daughter spent 20 minutes putting tiny stickers on my husband and then pulling them off of him. Videos of shows that are visually engaging in case they wont wear headphones (maybe Daniel tiger? or finding nemo?). Water wow books. LOTS of snacks that they have to eat 1 at a time or very slowly.
anon. says
At this age we got about 30 minutes out of the puffball thing and another 20-30 out of the Melissa and Doug removable sticker scenes (there’s a farm and a safari one). I also bought the travel pouch of magnetic Tegu blocks which occupied some time too.
lawsuited says
For activities the most successful have been putting craft pom poms into a clear bottle, and looking through catalogues to find things he knows the name of, then putting stickers all over the catalogues once he’s bored of the first activity. Sticking the earphone jack into the earphone port and moving the arm rest up and down both get pretty good mileage too.
Get them used to the iPads and headphones a little before your trip if you can. My son likes Peppa Pig and Max and Ruby best, but download a few episodes of a lot of shows rather than a lot of episodes of just a few shows, because once they latch onto a show they like they won’t mind watching the same 3 episodes over and over. My son loves the bubble popping app, too.
Also, you’ve probably thought of this, but bring all the good and drink you think you’ll need for your kiddos. We are always proved right for not assuming that the airplane staff will be able to get to us in time or have anything kid-friendly once they do.
Toddlers on long plane flights says
Thanks! I’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by staff on trans-Atlantic flights in the past offering snacks/milk/toys, but we also always err on the side of not relying on that and bringing way more than we think they’ll actually need during the flight. It’s just been almost a year since we last flew more than 2 hours at a stretch and they were much easier to amuse back then!
Hoodie recommendation? says
Do any of you have a hoodie (or similar) that is the softest and coziest thing ever? (for mom, not for kids) I have been wearing a ratty old college sweatshirt but it is a MESS after taking me through two babies. My priority is comfort rather than style — I keep trying hoodies but finding they are too stiff, or too fitted. What I want is that feeling of taking off your work clothes and putting on the hoodie and just thinking AHHHHH now I can relax. I’m also open to cardigans, etc but I do want something that can close in the front…it’s COLD where I live.
Cb says
I’d go to gap for this. I find that they do nice slouchy sweatshirts.
GCA says
What kind of material were you thinking? I have a wrap sweater from Danskin (‘French terry wrap jacket’ online) that’s midweight and soft. It’s not the sleekest, but it’s very comfortable for lounging around. You may be able to find a sweatshirt in the same material on the Danskin site.
Anonymous says
Uniqlo has one that is lined with the soft shaggy fleece that seems really nice.
rosie says
I got a Zella zip-up hoodie that is super soft from Nordstrom Rack and really like it. The sleeves are dolman-y, so it’s slouchy, and the zipper goes up higher than most but is not constricting.
Spirograph says
Bobeau one-button fleece wrap cardigan. I learned about it on this s1te a couple years ago and now have a couple colors. No hood, but super soft and comfy and perfectly attractive if you need to leave the house.
In fact, now that I’m thinking of it, buying another one right now. They’re on sale at Nordstrom today
EB0220 says
+1 for this. Wearing it now at the office (it lives here) and is so so cozy.
Not the OP says
I just looked them up online – they say hand wash, lay flat to dry. Are you hand washing yours? If not, how are they holding up?
Spirograph says
I machine wash on cold in the regular cycle, and they go in the dryer on low, too. A year or two in, they look and feel good. Maybe not quite as fleecy and wonderful as they started out, but still my favorite fall/winter loungewear.
AnonAtty says
I have had one for years. It gets washed with all my other darks: cool wash, low dryer, lay flat in the basket until I get around to folding clothes. Doesn’t seem to have hurt it and I still love it. My only gripe is that the sleeves are a touch short. Can be good when cooking or doing dishes but I like to snuggle up with something with longer arms sometimes.
OP: I finally broke down and ordered a new hoodie sweatshirt from my alma mater. They’re not cheap or fashion forward but last forever and they’re meant to be worn big and bulky, which is exactly what I want at the end of the day.
octagon says
I got a nice hoodie at Old Navy this fall, of all places. In the past I’ve had good luck at Uniqlo too.
I also love those Bobeau fleece wraps but find myself reaching for the hoodies more because I want a pocket to keep my phone handy.
BTanon says
Lou & Grey Signature Soft line from Loft. A lot of the shapes are not my typical style, but the handful of items that have worked are my favorite comfort pieces ever.
anon says
zella
Anon says
I live in this sweatshirt from Old Navy – bonus it has pockets! https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=202679012&cid=1091749&pcid=1009584
June says
I just got the L.L. Bean “Ultrasoft Sweats, Funnelneck Pullover” and love it. I’m 5’3 and its long enough to wear with leggings. I’m a size 8 in blazers/34F and got a medium, even thought I wear a S or XS in other LL Bean tops.
I’m with you on the open cardigans, I was cleaning out my closet and my husband called them all useless sweaters.
Cb says
We’re hosting five 15 month olds and their parents this weekend. It’s mid-afternoon so no need for a full meal but wanted to do some nibbles. I was thinking some apple banana muffins, some egg bites, cheese and crackers, and a fruit salad. My kiddo is dairy free but there are no dietary restrictions with the other kids.
Cb says
Sorry, and clearly there was a question. Any recommendations for anything festive and fun?
Anonymous says
Mince pies! Cookies! Brownies! Chips! Anything that seems less Serious Healthy Spread and more Fun Food.
Redux says
Five 15-month olds! Why?!
Cb says
Haha! It should be delightful chaos with all the babies from our childbirth class. The cat might decide to evacuate though.
Redux says
That’s really sweet!
Maybe pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and rolled in sprinkles?
Anonymous says
Probs because they were in a baby group together?
anon says
I’m a big fan of the “walking balloons” (just put it into Google and you’ll see) that come with little ribbon leashes for this age up to like 3. They don’t even need helium to work. They’re amazing.
Daycare dropoff says
I dropped my LO at daycare for the first time today. It was (is) so sad and made me want to quit my job, which I know would not be a rational decision. But I honestly can’t imagine doing this every morning. Does it get easier? Any tips?
CPA Lady says
Yes, it absolutely does. You just do it day after day. Then you eventually get to know your kid’s teachers and start to understand that they actually love her. Then by the time your kid is about 2 or 3, you’ll one day get an FYI email from the daycare telling people that the pre-k class is graduating that day and the parking lot is going to be full so plan accordingly, and you’ll start crying because you can’t imagine your kid getting old enough to leave the wonderful, nurturing environment, where all the teachers know her name, and are excited to see her, where she’s excited to go, and where she has met her closest friends and done so many cool crafts and activities. Then one day your kid is in the oldest class and you are about to give a donation for the new playground because that place has been such a formative place in her life and you want other kids to enjoy that same gift. You will have been to many birthday parties with the other parents and have started to form a community with them. Your kids will be doing some of the same activities. You’ll watch kids go off to kindergarten that you have seen every day since they were babies. Eventually your child will too. It’s going to be great. The first day is not fun at all. But it gets so much better.
Daycare drop off says
Thank you! Thank you thank you. I so needed to hear this.
Spirograph says
It gets so much easier. Everything CPA Lady said. I still send holiday cards to the teachers at our former childcare center, and keep loosely in touch with the parents of my kids’ classmates. It can really become a great community if you’re open to it. I cried when my oldest graduated from preschool, and he cried for the first month whenever he had to go back and see his old teachers at dropoff for the younger siblings, but didn’t get to stay with them all day.
I’m assuming this is an infant, so you won’t get validation from your child for a few months, but eventually he’ll be visibly excited to see his friends and teachers in the morning, and you will also be happy to leave a happy kid in a happy place and have some peace and quiet for yourself at work. :)
Those first weeks, though, are tough. Sending some internet hugs your way
Cb says
It gets so much easier! We had an awful time settling into nursery but my kiddo loves it now and so do we. He finishes his breakfast and runs to the door shouting the names of his nursery teachers. He’s in a mixed nursery so kids from 1-5 are all in the same rooms and garden. I’ll often come in at the end of the day and find my kid cuddled up with a teacher and big kids, reading a book.
octagon says
Hugs! It is so hard, but it DOES get easier. IME the best part was when I could see how much he was learning, even so young, from daycare, and how happy he was.
I also often take 60 seconds or so in the car after dropoff, to myself, to appreciate the stillness and be grateful for what is in my life.
ElisaR says
it gets so much easier. i am so glad my babies were/are in daycare now. it’s really a great thing for them in terms of development.
very anon for this says
I found out over the holiday that my SIL is thinking of asking DH and I to be on her guardian list for her 10 y.o. moderately autistic child. She is a single mom, child’s father sees her on weekends and pays child support but is immature and irresponsible. While I would never want to see the child go into foster care (and MIL is ahead of us on the list), I honestly feel like I’m already mourning the possibility of taking in this child. She has been raised in a way that is starkly different from how we are raising our child and I can’t help feeling resentment that she would take a lot of our focus, energy, and resources from our own child and any future children we might have, not to mention that she might need care the rest of her life, and that we would be asked because of our income, not because of familiarity with the child or compatibility with SIL’s parenting philosophy.
All that said, I want to collect as much information as possible for things to think about if this does come to pass. Would her ex have to sever his parental rights for us to become legal guardians? I assume that this would mean we would not have any expectation of child support? (I would also ask if she has life insurance and a plan for the child if lifelong care is needed.) Any other advice?
Please be kind–I am confident I’ll come around but I’m just in shock right now.
Anon for this says
I think you should think about this and discuss with your husband for quite a time before making a decision, but if the idea of raising this child still fills you with dread, I think you should pass or at the very least make sure there are more contingent guardians.
My husband and I are the designated guardians for our nephew with down syndrome. We are also on the list of potential guardians for my adult mentally handicapped siblings. Raising individuals with autism, and then potentially continuing guardianship of them as adults, is a HUGE responsibility. Which, to be blunt, most people wouldn’t volunteer for. If you don’t think you can do so in good conscience, I think the best option is for you to let SIL know, if she officially asks, to make other arrangements.
Anonymous says
Girl. Chill. Your SIL is probably not gonna die? Literally this is not a problem you can solve now or should spend any time trying to solve. If your SIL tragically dies everything g will be a hot mess and you’ll all figure it out.
Anon says
Plus your MIL has to die too. There are a lot of contingencies here. I think it’s something to talk about, but stop panicking. The odds you’d be taking in this child are incredibly remote. Something like 1 out of 70 kids have autism, the odds that you’d have a biological child of your own with autism are far far greater than the odds you’ll be taking in your niece.
Anon says
+1, doesn’t the Dad have to die too? IANAL but I thought parents get custody barring severe parental issues, and in a situation like the one you described, even if the MIL wanted the kid, she’d have to go through a lengthy court battle to get even visitation rights.
But I do think it’s a good idea for you to ask all those questions, so you understand 1) for your peace of mind but 2) so you understand your SIL’s wishes. And if you think she’s looking to you for financial reasons, you might also consider offering to be executor or custodian of your SIL’s will/estate rather than the actual guardian of the child – you control her finances and manage any inheritance to ensure it’s used for the goodwill of the child. (So the child has two involved adults – one for her day to day activities, and you guys for her long term financial activities.)
AnoninBigLaw says
Also, not to pile on, but you can be on the list now, and turn it down later. Being on the list does not mean you are required to take her in, just that you are one of the people SIL prefers does that. If/when this ever came to pass, you would be able to evaluate your time/finances/life circumstances at that moment and decide what’s best.
lawsuited says
In my jursidiction, parents can express a preference for who they’d like the guardians of their children to be, but the decision is ultimately made by a family court judge based on the best interests of the children (and you can’t be considered as a potential guardian during that court process against your will).
Anon says
Please don’t do this. That’s so deceptive. The thought of entrusting someone with the care of my kids who plan on changing their mind when push comes to shove is terrifying.
Redux says
My husband and I are the primary designated guardians for our nephew with ASD (and a whole host of other diagnoses) and his two younger siblings. We accepted the role before the full panoply of his conditions manifested. He is pretty volatile and can be violent and it’s not clear how independent he’ll ever be. Although the circumstances have changed and I think it would be fair to re-evaluate our commitment if we wanted to, I know that the vast majority of these arrangements are for the peace of mind of the parents and will never actually come into reality. In my case and yours, two people would have to die before we would ever be called upon. It’s unlikely that would happen.
But, still, before we agreed to it, we wanted to know what kind of financial arrangements they had in place– life insurance and other death benefits, and who would administer those (it’s usually a different person from the guardian). Your questions about visitation with the child’s father are also good questions. One open question I have for my circumstance is what happens when the child is over 18? If the parents get a guardianship over their adult son, will that guardianship transfer to us upon death? There is a legal answer based in your state’s law, but also a personal answer– does your SIL expect that a guardianship would extend into adulthood if necessary, or just childhood?
These are difficult conversations to have and I empathize with your feeling overwhelmed by it, even if the possibility is remote. Especially if it seems like she picked you guys for reasons that don’t include your being close to the child or family. If you have means, it may make you and her feel better to set aside a trust for the child that you each contribute to with the expectation that the money will help you make the best decisions for her if she ends up in your care. If you become her guardian it will be your CHOICE on how to take care of her, be that in your home, with a nurse, or outside of the home. This conversation may also make your SIL realize that there is a better guardian than you if money is taken out of the equation.
Don’t feel bad. This is hard.
Anon in NYC says
I completely understand why you’re freaking out. I would too. BUT, like others have said, this is not something that is imminent, and there are several things that would need to happen for this to even be a reality (dad would have to do something – relinquish parental rights? give up custody? who knows, and MIL would have to die). I do think you need to have discussions with your husband, particularly related to the financial burden and the types of resources your niece needs to be an independent, functioning adult. But no decisions need to be made now, and if SIL does actually ask you and DH to be guardians, I think you need to talk about some of those questions with her and ask her about things like life insurance and what sort of resources her daughter needs.
I would really try to stop feeling resentful of SIL/your niece for hypothetically taking time/energy/resources away from your kid(s). Your SIL is trying to find a stable home for her autistic kid, in the event that she dies. It’s literally what every single one of us does when we write up a will. And people agonize over who should be their child’s guardian – the distant relative who is also the most stable, the emotionally close sibling who is financially insecure, the grandparents who maybe weren’t the best parents, the friends who would love your kid like their own, etc. You shouldn’t hold it against your SIL that she thought you and DH have a stable home life, are both gainfully employed, and are good enough parents that her child would have a good home with you.
AnonAtty says
This.
Myrna says
Sorry, but it has to be said – you’re being unkind. Like really, really unkind. This is a kid. And the scenario we’re talking about is one where she’d be basically orphaned (considering how checked out her father is.) It bums me out that the prospect of a frightened, motherless child – with autism, no less – makes you not want to reach out and take care of her, but instead resentful.
Can’t imagine your husband will take too kindly to it, either.
Anon says
I think there’s a pretty big difference between wanting to help a child and wanting to be her primary caretaker. Of course she would feel devastated for her niece in the event she was orphaned, but that doesn’t mean that she should become her niece’s guardian, especially if the niece has special needs and it would take attention and resources away from OP’s other children in an inappropriate way. There’s an enormous difference between helping someone out and having them move into your home and effectively become your child.
When you form a nuclear family, especially one with children, it has to come first, even at the expense of other loved ones. People say here all the time “put on your own oxygen mask first” and there’s often advice thrown around that we should help out elderly parents and in-laws financially but only to the extent that it doesn’t destroy the financial stability of your own family. I agree with that advice and this is an extension of that. Yes, she should do what she can to help her niece, but that may not include becoming her guardian if that would be too much of an emotional or financial strain. My experience is with eldercare, not special needs care, but full-time care can cost of upwards of $100,000 a year. I think it’s pretty reasonable for anyone who’s not a multi-millionaire to be scared of that financial burden.
Anonymous says
My husband and I are guardians for our niece and nephew; my nephew is autistic. We also assumed this role “accidentally” when we were asked to be “godparents.” I did not know that this came with legal responsibility, in my family this is a purely ceremonial role (and we are not religious). While it does make me a nervous to potentially have responsibility for lifelong care, I think you already touched on the most important point – avoiding foster care. I know that I would move mountains to keep the kids out of foster care in the extremely unlikely event of them being orphaned (i.e. going to court to get guardianship if required), and we are by far the most suitable immediate family members, so the decision wasn’t actually that difficult because the alternative is not something I would consider for the kids.
Anonymous says
I mean, on the flip side of this, i have 3 neuro typical kids and i have a stomach full of dread thinking how my SIL and brother, who would be their guardians, would raise my kids.
Your SIL is probably thinking “my god,
If the worst happens and exH and MIL are dead will my child end up in The System?” Because that’s probably the alternative unless you have a massive family.
Plus, kid is 10. Run the statistical likihood of SIL death + ExH death + MIL death in the next 10 years. Unless this is guardianship forever, I think you just say yes and make sure you understand what is in place. Unless you think the kid will be better off elsewhere / you really don’t want this.
I can tell you that the last thing I want is my kids raised by my social services mooching bible thumping SIL but we have a trust, $3M in insurance, and an administrator/executive of our estate in place to make sure the kids (all of them, not just ours- because her kids will be impacted too) are financially set.
mom says
Let’s assume your MIL will live another 15 years and that the odds of both of them dying are less than 1%. By the time you’d be needed to help play a bigger role in the child’s life, he’d be 25 and in a very different place than he is today – your children would be out of the house living their own lives and it wouldn’t impact the attention you could give them. I’d make sure she has a VERY generous life insurance policy that would more than cover her son’s expenses and assume that your role would be as a loving relative who makes sure the child has wisdom and love from adults who care about them and a place to go for holidays. And also someone who manages financial decisions to make sure he is taken care of.
Redux says
Settle a debate for me: Do rugs belong in working kitchens? If yes, are they limited in some way by type or location?
My husband (and his mom) love the look of a colorful, oriental rug in the kitchen. I think kitchen floors should be bare (and clean!) except for a rug or fatigue mat in front of the sink. The rug we’ve had in our kitchen, while definitely adding to the aesthetic, is perpetually full of crumbs and — I assume– spills of all sorts. We cook a lot and have two small kids. I think the rug is just a magnet for messes that hide easily and so are cleaned more rarely than if they happened on bare floors. He thinks the kitchen looks too bare without a rug. So, families who cook a lot: rug or no rug?
Anonymous says
No rug he’s insane.
Anon says
No rug.
Aly says
No rug. How can you keep it clean? A bare floor is easier to clean
anon. says
I get it because they look soooo pretty on design blogs, but gross. At least in my house, that would be both a recipe for dog and kid food grossness and a tripping hazard for my clumsy 2 YO.
Anonymous says
yup, all of this. No rug!
anon in brooklyn says
I have a rug in front of the sink, but my kitchen is so small that in front of the sink is most of the floor area. It’s an outdoor rug from Dash & Albert, so I can just hose it off or wash it in the tub when it gets dirty.
Cb says
Ew, no rug! Or if they insist, a rag rug so you can wash it frequently.
rosie says
a rag rug so *he* can wash it frequently
AnonAtty says
+1 I used to have a rag rug in my kitchen that I would toss in the wash every month or so. Eventually I figured out that it gave my small/medium dog the grip he needed to jump on the countertop when I wasn’t home. No more rug in the kitchen. I haven’t missed it and appreciate that gross things that are dropped are easy to clean up.
Anonymous says
You are 100% right.
My husband once lived in an apartment with carpet in the kitchen. That was the most disgusting thing ever–even worse than a rug!
Anonymous says
Yes rug but we have to vaccum the kitchen everynight anyway because our three kids are a mess.
Mrs. Jones says
No rug. But yes mats that you can wash. We have one next to the counter where most food prep occurs and one in front of the sink.
anon says
I think that entirely depends on what you want. I’m not pro or con either way, but in my breakfast room it makes sense aesthetically as we have whiteish tile floors and a white table so it breaks it up a bit. But we didn’t spend a lot on it, and it is patterned, knowing it would get beat up.
We have one child and vacuum a couple times a week. We’d probably do this without a rug since it is so much easier than sweeping so for us having a rug doesn’t change cleaning frequency.
Another Midwest mom says
No way. Even the small rug in front of the kitchen sink gets disgusting. I would never willingly put a rug under a kitchen table that kids use.
Anon says
We have the wipeable gel mats (Costco I think) in front of the sink and the stove – they get mopped when the floors get mopped or if there is a spill that needs to be wiped up. I think tables look better with rugs under them. Under our kitchen table, we have a rug. It is olefin, I bought it pre-kids, and I will not be replacing it until we are done having kids and the kids that we do have are past the major mess stage. Our toddler eats in her highchair on top of a coated canvas splat mat that goes in the washer every few weeks in the corner of our kitchen (not yet at the table or over any rugs). Our dining room table does not have a rug because I would want a nice rug in there and we’re not past the kid stage where a nice rug makes sense.
If you’re going to have a rug in the kitchen, I would make it be one you don’t mind replacing if it gets super grody (or have it be machine washable), and opt for dark colors with a pattern so stains don’t show. Get a stick vacuum for easy vacuuming (what I use on my hardwood anyways) and use it often.
Anon2 says
There is no right or wrong answer, this is a matter of opinion…FWIW my in-laws have a big rug under their table and raised five kids, have 14 grandkids, and have family gatherings all.the.time. Vacuum it frequently and replace if it gets truly gross?
ElisaR says
no rug. or ruggin’ as my aunt would have said.
CHL says
On a related note, our kitchen also serves as a mudroom and we need some kind of large mat or rug for slushy boots/snowy kid clothes, etc. Any suggestions for something washable, functional and not too ugly for the winter months? Do I just suck it up and get a water hog mat from ll bean or similar?
AwayEmily says
Yup, llbean water hog.
Anon says
+1
Anonymous says
Muddle mats are great, but they are not large. You’d need multiple.
Anonymous says
Dudes: If I have a screen up over my exposed glass internal window and a do not disturb sign outside my door, don’t try to come in. I am pumping. Geez.
On the plus side: this ought to be my last week pumping at work! Ever! I’m three kids in and seem to have I forgotten how to wean a baby though… Hoping to keep up nights and mornings for another couple months.