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My daughter got this fun airplane a few years ago and loved taking it apart and rebuilding it. Now my toddler son is completely obsessed with the drill (hopefully the plane will be next).
This colorful toy airplane comes with 25 pieces, including a drill and three drill bits. The chunky pieces are easy to grab, and with a little adult help, even little kids can put the parts together. Once assembled, you can take the plane for a spin around the room, since the wheels actually work. I can also personally attest to its durability since it’s survived one kid and is on its second.
Battat’s Take-Apart Airplane is $17 on Amazon.
Sales of note for 3.28.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase; extra 50% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50-70% off everything plus extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off 2+ items; 40% off 1
- J.Crew – 50% off select styles
- Lands’ End – 10% off your order
- Loft – 50% off everything
- Nordstrom: Give $150 in gift cards, earn a $25 promo card (ends 3/31)
- Talbots – 40% off 1 item; 25% off everything else
- Zappos – 37,000+ 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 entire site
- Hanna Andersson – 30% off all swim; up to 30% off HannaJams
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 40% off sitewide; 50% off select swim; 50% off kids’ styles
- Old Navy – 50% off Easter deals
- Target – 20% off Easter styles for all; up to 30% off kitchen & dining; BOGO 50% off shoes & slippers for the family;
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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?
DrMom says
Hi there. Long-time reader, first-time poster here. I’m a doctor in training (husband also doctor in training) who just had our first kid 6 months ago. We are planning to have more, but live in a space-limited setting – and also money is pretty tight (trying to aggressively save for retirement – 10% of our income, also student loans, own-occ disability insurance, etc etc). I’m wondering if you all hang on to items exclusively related to baby-hood (like: bouncers, breastfeeding pillows, bassinets, playmats etc etc) until you have your next kid, or if you sell them? It took us 2 years to conceive this one, and while I want another child eventually I’m not sure when that will be and hanging on to a lot of this bulky stuff for possibly 3 years seems like a burden that I’m not interested in, but re-buying it in less than two years also seems silly. Just wondering what other people have done and what’s made sense.
Anonanonanon says
Hello! Welcome to commenting!
When I was space-limited, I got rid of things after my first kid. Especially if you’re renting and there is a chance you may move in the next few years. They take up so much space, and those items frequently end up being redesigned or recalled. Stains also tend to appear over time no matter how much you washed stuff.
The other option is to loan some of the bigger ticket items to a friend who is either actively trying or pregnant with the caveat you’d like them back in a couple of years.
Anonymous says
I kept almost nothing once I was done with it. I’m in NYC and was able to get most of the stuff we needed for free or low cost used (much from friends) the first time around, so I figured I could do it again pretty easily if we needed to. Anything that has a short lifespan is pretty easy to get in good condition used in a densely populated area where no one has a lot of storage space.
JTM says
We chose to hang onto the big things, and had to rent a small storage area for a few months to store most of it until we move into a house that had more storage space. For us, it was worth it – we were able to reuse virtually everything for baby #2.
TheElms says
I think if you aren’t actively trying to conceive now I would pass a good number of things on. In deciding what to pass on I would think about 3 things: (1) do you have friends who you could pass things on to who would then be happy to pass them back to you and (2) what would you be comfortable getting second hand and (3) how big is the item and where you can realistically store it. Some things pack down really small (playmat) or are easy to stash in an odd spot because they are lightweight (breastfeeding pillow). Things like bouncers/swings were a no brainer for me to pass along because they are enormous to store, readily available used, and you can generally wash the fabric parts and the rest is solid plastic that you can wipe down with lysol.
anon says
I did save the things I liked, but we had an ok amount of attic space at the time. Looking back, I should have gotten rid of more stuff that I didn’t use ever/much (sorry, but looking at you Bumbo seat). It depends on a lot of factors, but your time is valuable too and re-finding the exact same thing a year or so down the road sounds annoying. Clothes are a different story. What I wish I did was purge all but my favs and the winter gear (midwest here). Like, why did I save things like socks and outfits I didn’t love to begin with?
GCA says
I was you for four years: tight on finances and tight on space. We lived in a studio for kid 1’s first year and then in a 1br apartment while DH was doing his PhD – we did have a small storage space in the building, but very little space in the apartment. If you are in a small space and likely to be in a large, dense city when you have your next child, I would get rid of most baby items on a local buy nothing or parent group, and acquire your next batch of baby items this way. Population density makes it easy. Or lend things to friends with new babies.
Anon says
Get rid of it as you’re done. Once you have one kid, you learn what items you love and how to score things for free/cheap next time around. I did keep our crib mattress, beloved high chair and diaper changing thing (keekaroo) because I had worked hard to track them down the first time. Now we are having our second child, they will be five years apart and opposite genders, and we’ve lived in five different places/three states in those five years. So glad I didn’t keep more things, and we’ve had the space for much of the past three years. It’s nice to know that your items can immediately be useful to another family instead of gathering dust in your spare closet. However, my current neighbors in suburbia just don’t share this point of view, so my perspective was very influenced by our city living.days.
Anon says
Save things you love and/or wouldn’t want to buy secondhand, like carriers, fancy bassinet or stroller, particular toys or seats. Get rid of the rest with no guilt. You can easily buy stuff secondhand or borrow from a friend in the future (Once Upon a Child is overloaded with bouncers and strollers!)
Your parenting style or things you find useful may vary from baby to baby, too. I’m on my third baby and have taken very little down from the attic. In fact, I’m buying new things that I like better and wished I had with the others (like a Tripp Trapp! It’s as good as I’d hoped)
Anonymous says
+1
The bulky baby stuff is constantly being sold used, and it’s all very easily cleanable/washable. There’s no reason to hold on to it unless you have tons of space and are planning on another kid very soon.
EDAnon says
I agree with keep stuff that you want used from someone else. We got a bassinet that we LOVED and kept for our second (and still have in the unlikely event of a 3rd), but a lot of stuff wasn’t worth keeping or was easily purchased used. In fact, I am selling a baby bathtub on Craigslist for $5 right now.
Anon says
I’ve posted here before about adopting three elementary school aged kids. (We leave to get them in a week!) My colleagues just reached out and said they want to do a “Zoom shower” of sorts to meet the children later this year and asked what we needed. They mentioned toys and clothes. Friends and family have long since met all our needs for that (cousin hand-me-downs FTW).
Honestly, the thing that would be the absolutely most useful would be 529 contributions. We’re getting three kids and will have missed out on years of compound earnings! (And we won’t have cash ourselves to start saving for them because adoption is $$$$$ and we are tapped out financially and will be for months to come.) It would be such a mental relief to have a little nest egg started for them. Is it beyond rude to ask for that instead? I know it’s not the same as having children unwrap a toy in front of you. Thanks for your thoughts!
Anonymous says
Adoption is different, but I still don’t think you can ask coworkers for cash. Perhaps clothes or shoes a size or two up, and as kids grow like weeds. I am forever buying something for someone and shoes are my nemesis.
Anon says
I understand why you want money, but I think it’s rude to ask people for money.
Anon says
I kind of feel like this is going to follow the same split as cash-for-weddings questions, but I personally would LOVE to contribute 529s in this situation. If you were my coworker, I’d be giddy to give some cash.
EDAnon says
I would also love it. Do you have a trusted coworker who could share it around in an invite so it’s not you asking?
Anonanonanon says
Congratulations!!
Something about asking people for cash in a work setting seems risky, to me. I know you said you got some hand-me-downs, but did family provide new clothes, as well? Elementary is old enough for kids to want to have new clothes when possible.
What about seasonal items? New winter coats, rain coats, rain boots, snow boots, snow pants, etc. or those items in a size or two up from their current size? Kids lose coats at school all the time, trust me, a backup never hurts!
Sleds for the kids for this winter? Pajamas, robes, slippers? Kid towels or kid dishes, maybe towels with their names embroidered on them? A kindle fire for each of them?
Alternatively, accept the offer for the shower and ask if you can make a list once you have the kids in the house and somewhat settled. Then you’ll know if they’ve asked for anything or if you’re missing anything.
TheElms says
I personally wouldn’t be offended, but I can see that people might be. I think you could offer both options. I also think folks might feel more comfortable if the 529 was one that has a link where people can make a direct contribution to the 529 rather than give the money to the parents to deposit. (I don’t know if this is a standard feature or if just some plans have it).
Anon says
Congratulations! As somebody who adopted a non-newborn recently, people really don’t know what to do with it.
It’s so lovely that they’re offering to throw you a shower. I would put together an amazon wish list, heavy on sports equipment, bike helmets, boots and clothes in a size up, and verbally spread the word that what you’re really hoping for is contributions to their college savings plans.
Also, yay for keeping siblings together!
Anon says
How about a gift card shower? You can use those for essentials in the coming months and put the equivalent of your own cash into a 529. Is there a way you could float that idea to a close colleague?
I agree that asking for donations to college funds sounds a little rude/weird…I can’t quite put my finger on why, but not everyone goes to college and it seems a little presumptive to have that as your first concern, whereas everyone needs clothes and the types of things your colleagues want to provide. Also, the point of a shower is to give gifts that can be useful right away
Anon says
You do know 529s can be used for trade school, cosmetology school, CNA training, etc? It’s not just college. And the money can be traded around between beneficiaries, so if one of OP’s kids doesn’t use the money, the others can.
Anon says
Yes, and I totally understand why OP wants to start the funds. I’m just saying that asking for something hypothetical for 10 years down the road isn’t really the point of a shower, which is to help with the immediate life stage transition
Anonymous says
I agree with you. People want to give presents the kids can use now, and asking for funds that won’t have any relevance to the kids’ lives for 10+ years is weird to me.
Anon says
As someone who still has student loans, I would be turned off by someone asking me to contribute to someone else’s 529. Before the haters start, no, I don’t want other people to suffer the way I do, but if I have an extra $100 to spend on college, it goes to my own loan balance first.
But I do wear clothes and would contribute to someone else also having clothes. Perhaps that is irrational, as money is fungible; however, giving someone clothes (or a scooter, life jacket, sidewalk chalk, etc.) feels like “gifting down” while paying for someone else’s college feels like “gifting up.”
Anon says
This is a very good point. I also think it’s really not hard to find a $10 or $20 toy or book or t-shirt for an elementary school age kid, but a $20 contribution to a college education that’s almost certainly going to cost in excess of $100k feels so trivial as to be essentially meaningless. I feel like $100 is sort of the minimum contribution to a 529 and I would feel kind of awkward giving less. Maybe that’s silly but I think it sort of pressures people to spend significantly more than they might otherwise.
anon says
This sounds so kind of your colleagues. I would wait before putting too much thought into it because kids vary in what they would like. My own elementary-aged kiddo would hate this kind of thing and absolutely wouldn’t want a party to meet random (to kiddo) grownups either on Zoom or in person.
I agree with others that you probably can’t ask colleagues for 529 contributions, but asking for things that will help you parent and save you money in the future is ok. Membership to the zoo? Takeout gift cards so you don’t always have to cook and can spend more time hanging out with them? Books (you can never have too many books, and parents often know what they good ones are for various ages)?
Pogo says
Agree on checking with the kids.. I fee like they might feel uncomfortable opening presents in front of strangers on Zoom. I also agree that while 529 contributions are most useful, it’s tough to ask for that specifically and i’d make an Amazon wish list.
Anonymous says
I actually think this whole idea sounds odd. If I were a kid, especially one who had just joined an adoptive family, I would feel like a zoo animal opening gifts in front of strangers. I would politely decline the shower.
Anonanonanon says
ATTN: QUARANTINE from yesterday.
My long list of stuff never posted! Tried to re-create it below:
-We did a Halloween egg hunt in our neighborhood in 2020. I put tiny glow sticks in plastic eggs with a piece of candy, a sticker, a stamper, etc. Could you do something like that with your kids since they can’t Trick or Treat? Also decorating sugar cookies is a hit with my kids (don’t make them, now isn’t the time to create dirty dishes for yourself! Buy one of those packs of dough already made and cut into squares you just drop on the tray!)
-One of those cardboard playhouses or rocketships you build and color could buy you a few hours (just make sure you have WASHABLE markers if you’ll try to get work done!)
-A large play-doh order and a bucket of monster parts they can stick into play-doh creations to design monsters was a huge hit for both of my kids (my kids are 8 years apart, so that’s always difficult!)
-A game both of my kids will play together is Gas Out. I’ll let you look it up, but they just draw a card and press the toy that number of times and if it makes a noise on your turn you lose (my kids play that they win if it does, though!) My youngest is 3 and can play it without frustration.
-A long roll of white paper went a long way for us. The kids could line up toy animals and trace their shadows, I could trace them and have them color in their clothes, they could paint on it, etc.
-a bit of separation is key when you’re all trapped in the house together. If your 3 yo naps, I’d bribe 7 yo to spend some “quiet time” in their room, too. It just gives everyone a bit of a mental break. If 3yo doesn’t nap, I’d still push for “quiet time.” for each kid in their room, even if it involves a show on a TV or tablet or an audio book.
I don’t remember the rest, but I hope something in here buys you a few hours of peace! Fingers crossed you all continue to feel OK!
Quarantine says
Thank you!! This is great! Our three year old has decided he’s not interested in napping so the days are feeling extra long. I appreciate these fresh idea!
Anon says
My almost 4 year old loves going to school and chats non-stop to us about the kids in her class and what they’re doing (for example, over the weekend she told us what every kid was going to be for Halloween). But from the (admittedly limited) interactions I’ve seen with her classmates, I’m kind of concerned. This morning a classmate came running up to her, addressing her by name and asking her questions about her Halloween costume and she ignored him and pretended to balk like a chicken (nothing to do with her costume). Then when we got into the classroom two girls asked her to come join a pretend game and she ignored them and went to find a teacher’s lap to sit in. She’s the youngest in the classroom and 12-18 months younger than many of these kids, which I know could be a factor but I feel like most 3.5-4 year olds are more interested in engaging with their peers than she is. Is this something we should be worried about? I’ve asked our ped before if we should potentially have her evaluated for autism or other differences (in addition to this issue, she has extremely intense meltdowns – although things seem better on that front recently – and has a lot of fears and anxieties) and the ped was very dismissive and said not to worry because she’s plenty verbal, extremely affectionate and loves pretend play. But I know there is more to autism than that, particularly in girls. Are there ways to work on this at home without other kids around? I do sometimes try to gently talk through situations I’ve observed and give her ideas about how she could have responded, but I don’t know if that is helpful or what else I should be doing.
Anonanonanon says
Have you asked the teachers if she is doing that throughout the day, or just as transitions? My (seemingly) neurotypical child that age does really weird things when friends approach her when I’m dropping off or picking up (like, put her hands in front of her like paws and make a weird noise? for no reason? and not answering kids who say something to her, etc.) but it’s just because she’s being weird because Mom-world and school-world are colliding. The teachers say she doesn’t do that during the day at all. I’ve noticed that she is interacting in a more typical way before she sees me walk up as well.
Anon says
Thanks. Teachers have described her as shy and noted that she often prefers the company of adults, but they don’t seem overly concerned about it. I have seen better interactions with classmates at pickup, although I would say at least half the time when I arrive she’s playing alone or with a teacher. She moved to a much larger classroom in August (16 kids versus 8) and I feel like that may be a factor as well. She tell us she doesn’t “know” her classmates, even though she can tell us all their names and stuff about them, and she does seem to play pretty normally with the one friend we’ve seen outside of school. In normal times we’d be trying to set up one-on-one playdates but that’s tough with Covid especially with the weather getting very cold recently in our area.
Anonymous says
I’m not an expert but my DD is 4.5 and totally shy with her friends at drop off. Like hides behind me. But plays completely fine with them at school and they run off into a pack at parties together.
anonamommy says
We went through something similar. My daughter genuinely prefers the company of adults and tends to ignore people of all ages unless they are talking about something she is interested in right that moment. We found a lot of success role-playing how to be a good friend, how to engage in conversation. Watching Daniel Tiger eps that center more on feelings. Emphasizing over and over that part of being kind is responding to people when they talk to you, and that you sometimes you play what others want to play so that they will play with you another time. Don’t dismiss her age and give her time, but also strong examples of how to act. We forget that so much of this is learned behavior because we learned it so long ago.
SC says
I would get her evaluated. As you say, there’s more complexity to autism, particularly in girls. Also, my son was evaluated because of similar behaviors. He’s not autistic but has sensory processing disorder (and ADHD, making it more complicated). We’ve worked with an occupational therapist to address the SPD, and it’s really helped! We’ve also worked with a play therapist on interactions with other kids, and that’s helped too. So, even if she’s not on the spectrum, there may be things you can do that give her extra support and help her out.
Anon says
Thanks, yeah I’m less concerned with whether or not she actually has a diagnosable issue and more concerned with getting her the support she needs. I think she could really benefit from play therapy and/or occupatioanl therapy. Do you have any advice about how to get an evaluation? Can you do this privately? We’re willing to pay. My ped is just brushing me off and telling me not to worry, as I mentioned.
Anonymous says
Ask your pediatrician and others in your community for a referral to a PHD psychologist (pref one in a large practice) who can evaluate for autism in girls. I want to strangle our original pediatrician who repeatedly dismissed my concerns where in retrospect, our daughter is clearly on the autism spectrum (masked by being fairly bright and being a girl who is not disruptive). I will forever kick myself for her delayed diagnosis. OT and PT and other therapies and group social skills work can really help, so you don’t want to start at age 10 where she may have already been bullied in school for her social skills differences.
FWIW, I found our initial psychaitrist who has since retired through a friend who has a kid who is dyslexic. In bigger cities a lot of private schools mandate psychologist-given tests for admissions, so there is an industry that does this for neurotypical kids but they also often are able to spot differences.
Anon says
Thanks – do you mind sharing what behaviors you observed at the preschool age?
Anonymous says
I’m trying to recall specifics at that age, but her personality was very little professor (no interest in other kids, very interested in adults and much older kids). In a school setting, kind adults would engage her but IRL she could be very off-putting to strangers (not intentionally, but overly blunt and no filter). She would run in circles at recess vs playing with others or doing an activity. Toe-walking. Definitely the toe-walking. PT wasn’t helpful b/c there wasn’t a biological / mechanical cause, but she really enjoyed it. We hike a lot now to help her with gross motor skills on varied terrain; avoided dance b/c she was already on toes enough (but need refinement — her gait is noticeable now and she would like for it to be better). She’d be the one kid who’d have benefitted from enlightened pageant coaching (look at people when they talk to you or you talk to them, if not in the eyes, then in their general direction; pause periodically and look at people to see if they are following what you are saying). Also: look at people — they will give you clues about what they are thinking and feeling and how interacting with you is going so maybe you can course-correct (esp. if you have accidentally insulted someone (why is Aunt J fat?)).
EDAnon says
I don’t think the behavior is all that uncommon for kids that age. I will say that all of this was easier pre-covid when we all interacted more and I could see kids in different settings to gauge my kiddo’s behavior.
Anon says
Ha, it’s almost like my strong-willed kid knew I posted this and decided to give me a piece of her mind. We saw several friends leaving school today and her behavior towards them was completely different than in the morning, much more engaged and interactive, all shrieking and giggling and chasing (the treats they had at their Halloween party clearly working their sugar high magic…). So I definitely think there’s something to the being slow to warm up theory. We’ll keep an eye on it for sure, but I appreciate the comments here.
Runny Nose at Daycare? says
Am I wrong to send my toddler to daycare with a runny nose, occasional cough, but no fever? It’s been wet and cold here the past week. I’ve been checking his temp morning and night and they check it at daycare each day. Their policy is if he’s running a fever he can’t come.
We have no reason to suspect any covid exposure.
Lily says
Do a rapid test before sending him in.
Anon says
Yes, this is what I’d do. Pre-covid I probably wouldn’t have thought anything of it, but we keep some of the Binax tests at home now strictly for this purpose — they are very good at true positives if symptoms are present.
Boston Legal Eagle says
+2. My kid gets runny noses from everything. No Covid positives so far.
Anon says
I think it’s courteous to keep them home for one day or so if you can. This isn’t really a Covid thing, I just think it’s kind of gross to send a snotty, drippy kid to school if you can avoid it. Perhaps other kids are different, but every time I thought a runny nose was due to teething or allergies or a change in weather, it turned out to be a virus, so if your kid has a streaming nose they are probably contagious.
Anon says
My kids would be out for weeks if I did this. Unreasonable.
Anon says
I’d take him to the doctor for your sanity, but I wouldn’t clutch my pearls over someone sending in a kid like that. Some kids seemingly constantly have a runny nose from daycare. The doctor always says they’re not concerned it’s Covid when we take them in and seem to only want to do a Covid test if daycare requires it.
Anonymous says
My four year old has seasonal allergies but almost never gets sick. This will probably be an unpopular opinion but if I kept him home for a runny nose he would be home from September through April. He takes Claritin daily but it’s not 100% effective with all the weather changes.
Anon says
Agree to keep home one day and get a rapid covid test. You know you’d want other parents to be cautious and would be really annoyed if your kid was accidentally exposed and had to quarantine. Once cleared of covid (and possibly RSV, depending on the age and current prevalence in your area), I think it’s okay to send a kid with a mild-moderate cold symptoms, if the worst is over and they are lingering forever, like tends to happen.
anon says
I think the stricter of the school’s policy and public health guidance is what rules here. If you’re in a really relaxed area, then it’s unreasonable to have to clear every little thing because, if no one else is, there are just going to be so many more little bugs and everyone is accepting the higher risk of Covid.
I live in a strict area. With an occasional cough, the schools in my area would require a PCR test to come back, so I’d keep kiddo home until cleared by PCR test. With just a runny nose, schools in my area range from send them in to antigen test to PCR test to stay home until resolved/diagnosed as allergies.
For my own conscience, I run a home antigen test for any little symptom because it’s cheap and easy and I don’t want to risk my kid being the cause of an outbreak.
Mary Moo Cow says
I would be sending him in as long as he wasn’t puny and clinging.
Pogo says
+1 I always evaluate first based on how child is actually acting, then symptoms & test results to back it up. Sometimes this means keeping home a kid who is fine when they haven’t been 72h fever free or test is pending, but otherwise if they seem happy and not bothered by symptoms, they go. Any time they are acting “off” (Truly sad and clingy and not eating or drinking well) I keep home regardless, while continuing to follow up with ped of course.
Quarantine says
We have been sending our kids with occasional runny noses, too, but I do have some anecdata. I posted yesterday after my three year old tested positive for Covid, and he was/is having very standard (for him) cold symptoms–a slightly runny nose and an infrequent croupy cough. He hasn’t had a fever at all. These are things my kids get annually, and under normal circumstances I would not have been very concerned. His rapid Covid test came back positive right away (confirmed with a PCR, too). So…I get it and we are right there with you, but innocuous seeming symptoms can also be Covid. Rapid tests are super helpful for this.
Anon says
I hear you but also ~50% of kids with Covid never develop symptoms, so if you really want to be sure your kid isn’t exposing people to Covid you’d have to keep them home all the time. We really don’t do anything outside of daycare and DH and I work from home, so I don’t feel bad about sending my kid in with a cold because if it is Covid, the odds are >99% she got it at daycare and wasn’t patient zero in the class. I might feel differently if we were in a bunch of extracurricular activities and could potentially introduce Covid into the school environment.
CPA Lady says
Another one of those “I feel like I should know the answer by this far into the panini” questions… but I got my second Moderna shot a little over six months ago. I live in a red state in a county that currently has an overall ~50% vaccination rate. I am back to the office 100% of the time, and no one wears masks at work. I could go out and easily get a booster tomorrow if I wanted, because people just aren’t chomping at the bit to get vaccinated here. I don’t have any underlying health issues, so I’m not sure I “qualify”… would you get a booster if you were in my shoes? I was thinking about getting it done in the next few days so I beat the initial rush (or as much of a rush as there’s going to be) of younger kids getting vaccinated when that (probably) starts happening in the next couple of weeks. Thoughts?
Anon says
Yes, I would get it.
Anonymous says
Yes, in my state you qualify if you are working in person I believe.
anon says
Yep, anyone who works within 6 feet of another person qualifies. Go get it!
No Face says
I’m in your shoes (red state, mostly in the office, ~50% vax rate) and I plan on getting a booster.
Boston Legal Eagle says
So the CDC just added mental health conditions to the list. I qualify now due to diagnosed anxiety (taking medication for it). I believe you said you had ADHD or anxiety? Overweight and obese are there too. Seems like a broad group of people qualify now and I don’t see the harm in getting boosters.
Anon says
Yeah I feel like almost everyone qualifies now through either health conditions or workplace setting.
OP, you may not be on the enumerated examples of high risk workplaces (healthcare, education, etc), but if you work in an office with people who don’t wear masks, I think you have a very good argument that you work in a high risk environment. I would absolutely get it. There is excess vaccine pretty much everywhere. The kids vaccines are in different vials and the pharmacies are legally not permitted to give the adult vaccine vials to children, so you won’t be taking a dose away from a 5-11 year old who is waiting for their first dose.
Anonymous says
If you are even 1 pound overweight, I think you qualify. I probably would if I were you; the only reason I haven’t is I just had a breakthrough case of COVID in August so I got a natural booster. I’m going to give it a few months at least.
Anon says
Yes, 70% of American adults qualify for boosters simply by being overweight. They’re open to everyone at this point, even if the CDC is not saying that in so many words.
anne-on says
I would 100% get it. My doctor is recommending it for all parents of unvaccinated kids, especially if they are going to work in person. There is plenty of supply, you are not taking anyone else’s shot or spot.
CPA Lady says
I just went and got it. :)
There wasn’t a wait and the health department people were just grateful to have someone there to get it. I feel good about this. Yay! Thanks for all the responses.
Pogo says
Yep, I got mine too! Am going to be travelling for work and I really wanted to have that extra protection. I actually qualified based on my health status, so I didn’t feel bad at all.
Tina says
Yes, get it. There is not a shortage now as there was before so if you get the chance just take it.
Butter says
I’m waiting to get mine for another couple of months as I’m pregnant and hoping to push it to the third tri for maximum protection for the baby. This was a rec I first heard from Emily Oster that my midwife group also supports, based on the current data. They said if Delta rises again or something similar, they would adjust their recommendation, but for now they are comfortable targeting 28-37 weeks just like the TDAP. Their primary concern is making sure that their pregnant patients are fully vaccinated, and they have less concern about the timing of the booster, particularly with Moderna that is still showing such strong efficacy.
AwayEmily says
This makes sense…I’m pregnant and got it at 21 weeks. I would have waited but I teach college students and figured that I wanted to get the extra protection as soon as possible even if it meant a little less trickle-down to the baby. COVID during pregnancy is so terrifying.
Anonymous says
Have any of you had kids with speech delays? My nephew was evaluated and appears to be delayed – he is not speaking any words at all and is not really babbling at almost 15 months. I don’t want to speculate with his parents because I think it would be stressful (and I follow their lead), but I’m curious how common this is. He makes eye contact, responds to his name most of the time, and seems to understand some other simple sentences, but isn’t speaking at all or engaging in any gestures like pointing or waving. They have a plan for intervention, but are understandably worried about autism.
Anon says
According to my doctor you can’t even label a child speech delayed until 18 months because until then it’s within the normal range to have essentially no words (not that most children have no words until 18 months, but what’s considered “normal” is different than what’s typical). My daughter had maybe 3 or 4 words at 15 months and was talking non-stop in complete sentences before she turned 2. You should definitely not say anything to his parents about your concerns.
Anonymous says
I definitely don’t add any concerns (super conscious about that), but his mom talks to me about her own concerns and I’ve been curious how common it is. Thanks to you (and others) for the interesting responses!
Anon says
My son said basically no words and didn’t babble at 20 months, I had him evaluated and he didn’t qualify for anything (his receptive language scores were too high) and he started talking at about 22 months. He’s four now and his pronunciation seems to be a little delayed (though according to his school’s speech therapist it is in the range of normal), but he has an excellent vocabulary and talks a ton.
Being 15 months and not talking is very common, especially for boys. Sounds like they are doing all they can and from what you shared I wouldn’t be worried at all.
Anon says
My 18 month old kid is in Early Intervention for speech because of hearing loss (an auto-qualifier, so she’s been doing it on and off since 4 months old). I would not worry with that communication level at 15 months as a parent, and I 100% wouldn’t get involved as an aunt. They’re watching it, which is exactly what to do at 15 months.
If they’re asking for help (or for any other parent reading ina similar position), I have recommended Speech Sisters on Instagram here before – they’re SLPs whose tips have always tracked my SLP’s tips.
FWIW, all 3 of my kids (regular hearing and not) had a word explosion between 15 and 18 months.
Anonymous says
My speech pathologist cousin would say it’s too early to worry. Even with her own kids, her daughter started talking closer to 16 months and her son closer to 20-24 months. It’s not uncommon for boys to start speaking later. Both kids are fine now (elementary school).
Also, for a funny anecdote, our male cousin didn’t start talking until he was nearly 2.5, which scared my aunt at the time, but once he started talking he hasn’t shut up since and he’s 21 now.
Anon says
This is extremely common during the pandemic. Children learn to speak by watching adults’ mouths move, and that doesn’t happen when everyone is masked up. Studies show that boys are more affected than girls.
Anonymous says
Calling BS. There hasn’t been enough time in the pandemic for there to be high quality language acquisition studies.
I work with toddlers and I see a lot more clingy behavior, but nothing notable about language and the horror that you apparently have about masks.
Anon says
+1 there aren’t yet high quality studies that demonstrate this, and anecdotally it’s not what I’m hearing from friends with kids under 2. Unless your child is in daycare 60+ hours a week and never spends time awake with a parent, he sees plenty of unmasked mouths. Also this was extremely common BEFORE the pandemic. It’s really just not that weird for a 15 month old, particularly a boy, to have no expressive language. The lack of pointing, etc. would actually be more concerning to me than the lack of words, but I don’t see how that would relate to masks.
ElisaR says
that is total BS. literally nobody is saying kids are developmentally delayed due to mask wearing. what a ridiculous (politically weighted) statement to make.
ElisaR says
oh wait, i bet fox news has said it. so not “literally nobody”. just people with an agenda.
Anon says
Yeah Tucker Carlson is saying it. What a reliable source. LOL.
Anonymous says
There are actually historical studies about this based on societies where people’s faces are covered. It’s not an issue.
anon says
Yes! My son didn’t speak at all until a few weeks after his 3rd birthday. Literally, his only word was “quack”. Never babbled, never said mom or dad. He clearly understood everything that was going on, and he communicated with signs, pointing, and expressive body language. He qualified for early intervention and worked with a speech therapist for a year, which was helpful in giving us a few tricks for communicating non-verbally with him, but didn’t produce any verbal speech. Shortly after he turned three, he began speaking, basically all at once. Now he’s five, has taught himself to read, does his older sister’s math homework, and is a sweet and friendly little chatterbox. There’s a huge range of “normal” in speech production.
Sarah says
Some kids definitely do that. It’s like they are learning how to speak, but aren’t going to let it out until its more of a finished product.
Anonymous says
Family legend is that my mom was like this! 0 words then started speaking in complete sentences one day. Clearly I wasn’t there so I ‘ve always wondered if it was true…
EDAnon says
That is what my family said about me. I always wondered if it was true. My mom insists I had no words until I was 2 and speaking sentences. She did confirm I had enough sounds that they were not worried about a physical problem.
Anon says
My husband has a friend like this. The guy has a PhD in math now.
Anon says
My daughter has a speech delay. We noticed around 12-15 months, took a watch and wait approach until 2, got an evaluation and into services by 2.5 through the county infant-toddler program, and now she is in pre-K services through the local public school (she is 4 and also goes to her church preschool). We have an IEP meeting next week and they are looking to up her services to twice a week but she is making good progress. When she chattered my ear off non-stop for a 2 hour car ride the other day, I looked at my husband and said “remember the year we spent worrying that she would never talk?” So I know it’s easy to worry, but this is far to young for the worrying to be productive.
fullofpears says
Does anyone have a Kia Soul who could comment on the fit of a rear facing convertible car seat (particularly the Graco 4ever)? We’re looking at new cars, and wanting something that will fit in our very small garage but still leave space for my husband in the front passenger seat.
Anon says
I don’t have a Kia Soul but if you only have one carseat you can put it in the center (that’s the safest seat anyway) and it shouldn’t affect the front seats.
Anon says
Anyone know why they’re not doing boosters for kids/have any insight into whether boosters will happen relatively soon for under 18s? There are 16 year olds who were fully vaccinated over six months ago, and it’s coming up on six months soon for the 12-15 group. I get that even without a booster, protection against death and hospitalization remains high, but severe acute illness was never really the issue for kids anyway. We’ve been basically locked down until our kids can get vaccinated, but since kids apparently may not be boosted and protection against infection wanes relatively quickly, I’m starting to feel like that was all a waste. Just curious what other people think.
Anon says
It is absolutely, 100% not a waste. Boosters are not required to maintain some protection. Is it necessarily the protection it was two weeks after vaccination? No. But the protective effects are there. I am not stressing about this.
Anon says
Interesting question; I hadn’t realized it’d been almost six months. I have no behind-the-scenes insight, but it seems health bodies are taking a more macro approach now and focusing on spreading the vaccine more broadly throughout the world rather than a micro “would this particular person benefit” view. That seems to be the reasoning behind the limited authorization of adult boosters, so focusing on boosters for kids probably isn’t a priority. However, I suppose that could change quickly if/when we reach a certain point wrt production and initial vaccine distribution. I’m an adult who doesn’t qualify for a booster (yet) so that’s my concern right now
So Anon says
Warning, vent ahead: As some may know, my ex was formerly an elementary school principal. Shortly after the divorce, he left/was fired (never been able to get the full story there) and went to work as a grocery store clerk. When he was working in the schools, his schedule was entirely inflexible and kid appointments were accommodating to his schedule, if he could attend at all. We have been divorced 2 years and the kids are with me 94% of the time. Their dad does not attend doctor’s appointments – routine or otherwise, sporting events unless they are solely within his 6% of the time, or school events (again unless solely within his time. He left in the middle of band night because his time was up). My son had his parent-teacher conference last night, which was led by my son. I asked the ex if he wanted to attend, and he was adamant that he attend. So the conference was scheduled over zoom for a time convenient for the ex. He didn’t show up to the zoom (20 minutes) because he “got stuck on a register and couldn’t get away. sorry.” Then, he asked for a full run-down of what he missed. My son knew that his Dad was supposed to attend, and it was a glowing review of how my son is doing. I am heart-broken for my son and just so frustrated. I’m working my tail off to support my kids and be the parent that they need. The ex works evenings so he can golf in the morning. I do realize that this stuff is a huge reason we divorced, and I am so glad for that. I just need support in my frustration.
Anonymous says
hugs
Anon says
That sounds really hard. I’m sure you’re kid is disappointed but also that they see you are doing your very best to make this work and how much YOU are supportive. Take care.
anon says
That’s so disappointing, and it’s so hard to see your kiddo upset.
Realist says
So sorry. Your ex is a jerk. I’m sorry you had to deal with him in your life and so, so sorry that your son has to deal with him now. I think this might be a good opportunity to validate any feelings your son has and talk through some of the “life lessons” here. You don’t have to trash your ex, but you can maybe talk through how you learned that we can’t change other people, or talk about some relationships where you couldn’t have the relationship that you wanted with someone because they prevented that through their actions.
Your frustration is completely understandable. Your son got glowing compliments and you and he had done everything you could do that both parents could be there to hear them and celebrate, and through no fault of either of you, his dad robbed him of that experience and let you both down. And nothing you did could change that. It sucks.
best wishes and kudos says
Also, I fully support you looking to vent here instead of trashing your ex to the kids, while I’m sure that is SO hard, so kudos to you! I know this falls into easier-said-than-done, but keep that up. And, while it would be great if your ex stepped up to the plate, etc. etc., I really do believe that one positive, consistent, loving, steady person in a kid’s life is their core need. Your kids may feel angry, disappointed, etc., and have the loss of a good relationship with their father, but they can still be very emotionally well-off kids with your guidance and love that is very clear from your comment.
EDAnon says
You’re doing great for your kid. I am sorry you have to deal with this.
Anon says
I know I’m late, but wanted to comment. My dad was like this when I was a kid. My mom never badmouthed him, but always made sure to validate my feelings. It sucked when he would build up my birthday dinner like he was gonna go all out, I’d cancel other plans so I could finally spend time with him, and then he’d completely flake. It made a big difference for her to say “It’s okay to feel hurt and disappointed! Most people would feel sad if they were looking forward to something and it fell through.” I don’t think I fully appreciated it then but as I grew up I was and am so grateful for her steady, consistent presence.
Also. My dad went through three marriages, two live-in girlfriends, and then around my 35th birthday he decided that was enough and started going to a counselor. We’re starting to rebuild a relationship and while I still don’t fully trust him, it’s getting better. My mom totally gets all the credit for making me the kind of person who can even consider forgiveness and growth. Single moms that deal with sh***y dads are the closest things to angels on earth. Thanks for being such a good rock for your kids.
AnonMom says
What would you wear to a night out to meet the other preschool parents? It’s drinks and apps at a restaurant, in their outdoor space. We’re in the northeast and it’s outdoors there will be heaters.
TheElms says
Having just done this and not worn the right thing (DMV area, but a catered party in the garden of someone’s home); I would wear blank ankle pants with boots, a nicer top, and a moto jacket or denim jacket.
Anonanonanon says
Haha oh no! What did you wear and why was it wrong?!
TheElms says
I wore a maxi dress (but a casual one like I would wear to chase my toddler on a weekend) with flat sandals. Most everyone else was more dressed up in fancy maxi dresses and heels or nice tops, ankle pants/skirts and heels. We are almost all still WFH, so I was surprised.
Spirograph says
I would wear whatever I’d normally wear to a restaurant of that fanciness when I wanted to be warm! Boots with warm socks, ankle pants or dark jeans, “nice” T or light sweater and moto jacket (or a real coat if it’s already that cold in NE. I get cold easily). Then do going-out-in-public hair, makeup and jewelery.
AwayEmily says
Jeans and warm socks and a down jacket. Also in the NE and it is getting legit cold at night!
Anon says
DMV area here. At a meetup at a playground a month ago, I wore a maxidress and all of the other parents were in shorts and tees. At the outdoor halloween parade yesterday, I was wearing a wrap dress (on my way to work) and most of the parents were in jeans and sweaters. Caveat it is a church part-time preschool and most of the parents are SAHMs. In your situation, I would probably wear jeans, a “nice” flannel and a down vest with some riding boots (aspirationally but mine are just small enough to make them a pain to get on and off), ankle booties (more likely if chilly) or flats (if above 50).
NYCer says
I wore jeans and a turtle neck sweater (a nice sweater) with loafers to a similar event recently. We go to a “fancy” preschool, but most of the moms were similarly (casually) dressed. Had this been in warmer weather, there probably would have been more people in dresses.
Anon says
Sometimes I really don’t think my partner is a kind person. If he was nice, he wouldn’t just say such snide things (e.g. “Fine, do whatever you want”, “Why is everything always so complicated”) when we’re just having a normal back and forth on where to put something in the fridge.
EDAnon says
I am sorry. Do you think he’s not kind or just not the best at expressing himself? Like does it carry over to other parts of life?
I have a problem with being too blunt and there are a few people on my life who gently tease me about it, which has been helpful in my being attentive to it. Would he take gentle cajoling well (and could you deliver it well)? I am incredibly grateful to these people (my husband and boss in particular) to seeing through my challenges with this and supporting me in my efforts to improve.
OP says
Thank you. Oh it’s definitely he struggles to express himself. Empathy and anything remotely emotional were not a thing for him growing up.
I just can’t imagine speaking to a loved one that way. I’ve tried cajoling once but he snapped at me (I’m not trying to attach you as a person!), but am open to try again in a more sincere way.