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I originally saw the Dad Hoodie in a magazine and immediately ordered it for my husband. I thought it made the perfect holiday gift for someone who always said he didn’t know what he wanted for Christmas.
I didn’t actually think he’d use it much for its advertised purpose — it has six interior pockets dedicated to diapering essentials — but I thought it might be good for travel.
We used it a few times for trips and outings in the Before Times, and the pockets worked as promised — they were roomy enough to hold snacks, a small water bottle, and yes, diapers and wipes. The mesh lining is breathable, yet strong enough to support everything inside.
Now, the farthest it goes is the grocery store, but it’ll be ready to come with us on our After Times adventures.
The Dad Hoodie is $95 and comes in four colors (navy, heather gray, charcoal black, and solid black), sizes S–XXL. There’s also a new Dad Vest for $78.
P.S. Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate!
Sales of note for 5.5.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 30% off your purchase (ends 5/12); $50 off your $200+ purchase (ends 5/5)
- Banana Republic Factory – Spend your StyleCash with 40-60% off everything, or take an extra 20% off purchase (ends 5/6)
- Eloquii – $19 & up 300+ styles and up to 50% off everything else
- J.Crew – Shirts & tees starting at $24.50; extra 30% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – 40% off full-price styles & extra 15% off; extra 55% off sale styles
- Nordstrom: Nordy Club members earn 3X the points on beauty; 30% off selected shoes
- Talbots – 40% off one item & and 30% off everything else; $50 off $200 (all end 5/5)
- Zappos – 27,000+ 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 – 40% off everything & extra 20% off select styles with code
- Hanna Andersson – Friends & Family Sale: 40% off sitewide
- J.Crew Crewcuts – tk; extra 30% off sale styles; kids’ styles starting at $14.50
- Old Navy – Up to 75% off clearance
- Target – 20% off women’s clothing & shoes; up to 50% off kitchen & dining; 20% off jewelry & hair accessories; up to $100 off select Apple products; up to 40% off home & patio; BOGO 50% off adult & YA books
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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?
Anon says
This reminds me of a ScotteVest! Weren’t they popular a couple years ago? I think I learned about them here.
Anonymous says
This reminds me of those vests they used to sell in the SkyMall catalogue as a way to carry more stuff onto the plane.
Anonymous says
It has big SkyMall energy.
Anon Lawyer says
Man do I miss Sky Mall.
Anonymous says
Me too! Design Toscano in particular. I still want to know how they know how big to make the “life-sized” statue of Anubis, hand-crafted of the finest resin. https://www.designtoscano.com/product/egyptian+grand+ruler+collection-+life-size+anubis+-+ne232672.do
How is this out of stock? People actually buy it?
Anon Lawyer says
I would die to remodel a pool area like an Egyptian grotto, complete with life-size Anubis. Maybe a subsidiary pool area and the main pool area could be more Roman? Just a preliminary thought.
Anonymous says
Anon Lawyer, please invite me to your pinterest vision board!
anon. says
My dad has something like this. We call him Inspector Gadget when he wears it.
AwayEmily says
Anyone up for a (kid) book recommendation thread? I’m looking (as always) for books my 3 and 5yo will both enjoy. Strong narratives a plus.
Also, my 3yo is deeply into I Spy and Wimmelbooks. Any recs for books with a similar feel (finding hidden objects on a page)?
Some books that have been hits in our family lately: My 5yo is very into Zoey and Sassafras, which makes me happy because I like it a lot too. As always, the “5 Minute Frozen Stories” is very popular with both kids and makes me want to poke my eyes out. I’m not sure if that’s a recommendation for or against…
Anon says
I recommend Read-Aloud Revival a lot, so apologies if you’re already aware, but check out that website (and podcast, if you like podcasts). It has tons of book lists. I particularly like the monthly book lists – I go through them at the beginning of each month and put a bunch on hold at the library. We have found many new favorites that way
Anon says
The February books are mostly folk tales, but the January books are still applicable and almost all of these are excellent for those ages:
https://readaloudrevival.com/picture-books-for-january/
AwayEmily says
This is SUCH a great recommendation, thank you!
Mary Moo Cow says
Mine (3.5 and 5.5) enjoy the old Amelia Bedelia books, Mercy Watson, Zelda & Ivy, Angelina Ballerina, the classic Arthur series, and the Zen books by Jon Muth. They both loved Stuck by Oliver Jeffers. My 5.5 year old likes the Frog & Toad series and the Day the Crayons… series.
AwayEmily says
We got a few classic Arthur books from the library recently…those kids are MEAN to each other! We still read them (with talk about how “wow, they are saying some pretty hurtful things”) but it was definitely a bit jarring the first time we read them.
Anonymous says
Omg I broke out my old Angelina Ballerina recently and the gender roles made me lose my mind. Two year old boy is loving it though. Five year old boy not interested.
anon in Brooklyn says
The Princess in Black books are our favorites.
Anonymous says
Wacky Wednesday has some hidden elements as does the Hidden Pictures book. Where’s Waldo is fun for the 5+ group.
anonamommy says
Zoey and Sassafras is huge in our house with my 5yo, as is Magic Tree House. We like some of the Cat in the Hat learning library books, like Inside Your Outside and There’s No Place Like Space. Also Katie Woo and the Fly Guy books (which I find terrible but they get huge laughs). Belle and Boo books are very charming and retro-feeling. Also the books by Jon Agee (esp The Wall in the Middle of This Book) and Chris Van Allsburg (esp The Circus Ship). Oh! And Julia Davidson – the Snail and the Whale and the Gruffalo, but all are great.
I really did not like Ivy & Bean — they were too sarcastic & mean to each other. And Amelia Bedelia seemed to not land, I guess we are not yet ready for that kind of wordplay.
Anonymous says
The wordplay in Amelia Bedelia is so outdated that I didn’t get it until I was an adult. Who uses actually dusting powder, or “puts out” the lights instead of turning them off, or dresses a chicken?
Anon says
We love the Rabbit and Bear series— it’s the perfect mix of pictures but chapter book to keep my kids the same ages engaged.
AnonATL says
Anyone have fun date night plans with your partner this weekend? We are recreating our first date at home. Complete with the outfits we wore (we still have them!) and a random sample of craft brews to mimic our brewpub date.
With an infant it feels like we never have quality time together, and I’m trying to reprioritize that.
avocado says
I still have the dress I wore on our first date! It is hopelessly out of style, but every so often my husband will ask why I don’t wear it any more. It’s put away in a box now.
The very last date I had with my husband in the Before Times was a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner while kiddo was at a Galentine’s Day party. Sigh. No plans as a couple this year because we are stuck at home with a teenager who stays up later than we do. We are planning a fancy family dinner, complete with Shirley Temples because they are pink and fun.
Anon says
We have a three year old who keeps the same hours we do, so no. Not that we had many date nights before (child care is an issue for us in the before times and even more so with covid because we are high risk), but it is something we are both missing. Now that grandparents will be vaccinated by the end of the month, and kiddo is getting old enough (3.5) to supervise the grandparents (or at least provide an honest explanation of how things went), we might be able to drop her off for a short period of time and grab takeout somewhere once it warms up.
We are hopefully getting steaks and a few other costco items delivered today to cook for one night, and DH wants to order sushi for him and hibachi for me from a place that delivers (TBD how hibachi delivers, but I don’t eat sushi so compromise) another night. So we might be able to bribe kiddo to eat her dinner in front of the TV while we eat in another room, but that’s about it. I might make cookies with kiddo if I don’t have to work too much.
AnotherAnon says
I have a four year old so it’s probably takeout for dinner cuz I’m sick of cooking, but you’ve inspired me. I’m going to pull the beers we’ve been “saving” out of the fridge and DH and I will share them. I might invite our friends to Zoom. I know it’s hard rn but I honestly kind of miss putting baby to bed at 6 and then making dinner with DH and staying up way too late (til first feeding) watching a movie.
AnonATL says
For sure that 6:30 bedtime has some benefits! It’s a mad rush from post-work to bedtime, but it is great to have some time after he’s down for the night to relax a little. Especially on a weekend night
Anonymous says
My 3 year old still goes to bed at 6:30. She needs a lot of sleep and doesn’t nap, which was very hard during the no daycare months, but I love the early bedtime and having evenings to myself. I will be so sad when she finally gets a more age appropriate bedtime.
SC says
We signed up for a virtual cooking class and are learning to make gnocchi on Sunday. There’s a fairly elaborate 4-course meal, actually. We just finished renovating our kitchen, so it’ll be fun to get in there and play.
Anonymous says
We’re getting sushi and serving the kids chicken nuggets. #parentsoftheyear over here.
SC says
My kid is getting leftovers tonight, pizza tomorrow night, and chicken nuggets Sunday night.
Anon says
My kid gets chicken nuggets every other day because it is 1 of 5 meals she will eat (the others being yogurt, beef with rice, peanut butter sandwich or peanut butter toast).
Anonymous says
Cute kid stories to fuel us up for a long weekend? I’ll start:
Last night at dinner, my 3 year old daughter said she wanted to be a mommy when she grew up.
I asked her what she’d do if she were a mommy, and she said she’d “do the dishes!” which is funny because my husband is the designated dish-doer in our house.
My 5 year old son then declared he was going to be a “tough man!” when he grew up.
Slightly bracing myself and preparing how to further prod into any stereotypical answers, I asked what he would do if he were a tough man.
“I would do the dishes TWO TIMES!”
Cb says
My son likes to talk about his dreams in the am. Yesterday, he said “Mummy, I had a dream that a monster was trying to eat me”. I asked why he didn’t call me in “I didn’t want him to eat you tooooo!”
Clementine says
Love it!
Last night, my mom was helping put the kids to bed (yay fully vaccinated parents! yay help!) and my oldest lodged a formal complaint that he had NOT been getting enough cuddles lately because ‘big kids need cuddles too!’
Middle kiddo has taken to asking for a morning hype song. So we sing, ‘Go (name)! Go, Go, Go (name)!’ Aaaand we go through not only our whole family but also all our friends and her daycare teachers. So today we walked in and my 2 year old was saying to her daycare teacher ‘Go (teacher)! Go, Go, Go (teacher!).
avocado says
So glad to hear you’ve finally got some help with the kids!
Clementine says
ME TOO.
Cb says
Aww, I was scribbling a list for myself this am and my son said “add loads of cuddles and playtime!”
Clementine says
How sweet! Yeah, my kid totally ‘tattled’ on me to my mom. Apparently, I’ve been skimpy with the cuddles (totally true because baby is a baby and toddler is going through a full on barnacle phase).
Anon says
I asked my child this morning why she didn’t stay in her bed (every. single. night.). She told me her bed was “too comfy.” I said, well, you sleep with Daddy here and Mommy will go sleep in your bed. And she said “NO! ev’body sleep ‘gether!” and my (exhausted, sleep-deprived) heart melted.
Boston Legal Eagle says
My older kid (will be 5 in April) wrote almost all of his Valentine’s Day cards for his pre-K classmates himself. He wrote their names, his name, To, From and decorated the envelopes. He can be really hard on himself when his writing is not perfect but he got through this (his choice!) with few meltdowns. I’m really impressed and proud.
He also has moments where he makes sure to let his younger brother know that taking turns is nice, pushing is not nice, etc. (little one… doesn’t quite get it).
Anon. says
My 3.5 yo was Very excited about putting together Valentine’s cards for his friends last night. Very particular about which card and which little dinosaur toy went to each friend. He was also adamant that the parents of his neighborhood friends also get toys.
Pogo says
Mine made me sign “From AND Mommy” because we made the cards together.
He got a friendship bracelet in one of his valentines and gave it to me because I’m his best friend (I mean, accurate, I do play with him every single day).
AnotherAnon says
It’s been foggy in the mornings this week. On Monday, on our way to day care, we crossed a small lake and kiddo said “Why can’t I see the trees or houses?” and so I (very poorly) explained to him what fog is: cold air from the north crashes into the warm air coming off the gulf and makes fog. Today as we crossed the lake he said “Mom! The cold air from da north is CRASHING into da warm air from da beach! Dat makes fog!” It was cute and I’m proud that he’s moving into synthesizing information.
Anonymous says
This is atrocious and I could never bang a man wearing it.
Screen time says
Does anyone else use the screen time feature on their phone for yourself (vs kids)? If so, how much do you normally clock in? I started a week or so ago and I’m embarrassed to admit how much time I spend on my phone!
Anonymous says
I do— hard limits on Instagram and Facebook, mostly. I try to do a mostly-no-phone day one day each weekend. I need to get better about totally putting it away in front of the kids.
I average about 4 hours a day, but I don’t consider all this “bad time”— much is on NYT Crosswords, Kindle, and messaging with my family.
Overall I’m working to lower social media use and overall pickups, which I view as a reflection of how often I instinctively turn to my phone when I feel the slightest bit of procrastination or boredom coming on.
Screen time says
Do you mind sharing what your social media limits are? I need to do this (and also get myself to stop clicking “ignore limit.”)
Anonymous says
Sure— I have 30m for both total, per day. I try to limit my “ignores” to 1-15m block and not “hour” or “all day.” The most helpful was when I forgot my screen time password and just couldn’t ask for more time…
Cb says
I do, I try to spend under 45 minutes, but it doesn’t count when things are running (Strava, Audible, PocketCast), just active screentime. I basically took everything fun off my phone (instagram, twitter, discord) so it’s very boring.
Screen time says
How do you exclude when things are running?
Cb says
I use yourtime for Android, and if the screen isn’t unlocked, it doesn’t “count” it in my overall limit. If I unlocked it, it does. I think you can also exclude apps (ie. kindle)
Clementine says
Mine counts EVERYTHING. Conference calls, Audible Books, podcasts, YouTube used for white noise… It regularly counts 4-5 hours of screentime. I try to make my ‘actual’ starting at my phone time more like 45 minutes a day.
Screen time says
Ohhh I wonder if this is what is getting me! I wish I could exclude FaceTime calls, phone calls, and audible somehow. Ugh!
Pogo says
I know, I hate that it counts “watching” my workout videos (which just stream in a browser).
TheElms says
I have an app timer on Instagram that I set for 30 minutes. I use my phone a ton for work calls, email, and then not much else other than Instagram. So that works for me. The reminder that I’ve hit 30 minutes usually pops up when I should be getting ready to go to sleep so its a good reminder to get off my phone.
DLC says
Yes! I started tracking a couple months ago and put in some limits. I find the data fascinating. Last week I averaged 3.5 hrs/ day.
My limits are set at: 15 mins for Facebook (if I need more than that – like to respond to something on a group- I sit down at the computer and log in)
25 mins for Feedly because reading blogs/ feeds is how I get sucked down internet rabbit holes.
Downtime from 10p- 7am where the only things that I can use are Libby, podcast, Audible, Phone, texting, photos, and notes.
Of course it is easy to override limits, and I often do- because I’m weak- but having the reminder that i’m At my limit does make me think twice about what I want to do with my next fifteen minutes.
I really need to set a limit for this site and Ask a Manager because they account for a lot of my scrolling too.
So Anon says
I’m exploring summer overnight camps for my daughter, who is 7. She is super excited, and I am as well, mostly. I think it would do amazing things for her self-confidence, independence and willingness to take risks. I am looking at 2 or 3.5 week camps. I did a few overnight camps when I was her age and younger, but not for the 2-3.5 week stretch. She is so excited, and I am too, but my heart aches a little bit. Like, this is her really growing into her own person. She needs this. I need this. (As a single parent, this would be a huge opportunity for me to catch my breath.) My mom is aghast that I am considering this. Did anyone do longer overnight camps in elementary school or has sent your daughter? I need support to move forward with this.
Anonymous says
3.5 would be too much for me. Why not one week to start? Or two max? 7 is so young, I really don’t think it’s necessary or wise to jump in at 3.5 weeks. Sorry. But I just don’t.
Anon says
1 week was more than enough for me at that age. Although even to this day while I am very independent and self-confident (decidedly risk averse though) I am still a homebody. I just like being home (even after 11 months of literally just being home).
avocado says
I started sending my daughter to camp when she was 6. It was definitely out of the norm in our social circle and raised a lot of eyebrows (most of her friends were not allowed to go to camp until they were 12), but it was absolutely the right choice for her. At the younger ages one week seemed to be the ideal session length, although when she was 7 we did send her for multiple one-week sessions with a break at home in between. I think 2 weeks is reasonable if it’s your best option, but 3.5 weeks is a lot for a first-time camper that young. If you are looking at a longer session for purposes of child care coverage, could you do two nonconsecutive 2-week sessions?
Another consideration is the level of structure and supervision. For very young campers, a very structured schedule with a high level of supervision works well. It keeps them busy so they don’t have time to get homesick, you can be confident that they won’t be able to conduct dangerous capers like sneaking off to the lake in the middle of the night, and showering and toothbrushing will be enforced. Girl Scout camps are generally very good at this. Camps with a lot of unstructured free time where kids roam more freely and pick many of their own activities are generally not as good a choice for the little ones.
avocado says
Also–I would not do a sleepaway camp this summer for a little kid who won’t be vaccinated, but your risk tolerance will obviously vary. My poor kid is going on her second summer stuck at home. Both of the camps we would have sent her to this summer are cancelled anyway.
Anonymous says
Yes we know. But many of us are not cloistering our children waiting for a vaccine that doesn’t exist yet, and clearly SoAnon has already decided she is fine with camp, generally.
Anon says
Oh lovely! Please let me know where to send funeral flowers.
Not for you or your kid of course. But the people you murder.
Realist says
With you, avocado. Different families have different health profiles and risk tolerance. It is not cloistering a child to make summer decisions based on camp availability and the child/family health risks for unvaccinated children.
anon a mouse says
I did sleepaway camps, but it was gradual. The first year I think I did one 3-day camp at the beginning of the summer and one 1-week camp toward the end. The next year I did 2 or 3 one-week camps. Then a 2-week camp. By the time I was finishing 8th grade I basically spent my whole summers at a camp. I loved it so much.
So Anon says
New England sleep away camps generally do not offer a 1 week option. The 2 week option is generally only allowed for 7-8 year olds, and then they cater to the half or full summer program.
The camps that I am looking at are very structured, and the counselor ratio is low, like 3:1 in the bunks.
Also, yes, I am fine sending my daughter before she is vaccinated. The camps I am looking at were able to open last summer, and should be able to do so again this summer. If she were not in overnight camp, she would be in 3-4 different day camps, so the exposure will likely be less.
Anonymous says
There are absolutely camps for one week in NE. You’re looking at a very specific group of camps which is fine, she’s your kid, but zero to 3.5 weeks isn’t necessary and I don’t understand why any parent would choose it instead of one or two weeks to start.
Anon says
4H camp? I don’t know what’s being offered or if that’s of interest to your daughter, but they had one week options when I was growing up (also in New England). My sister did one week every summer
anon says
I don’t know if Girl Scout camps are running this summer, but they have 1 week (or sometimes only 4 days/3 nights) sessions. They’re also usually way cheaper than other overnight camps.
Anonymous says
Lots of New England sleepaway camps offer a 1 week option in general. Maybe this year is different because of the pandemic but my husband and all his friends went to camp in Maine (it’s A Thing for Jewish NYers) and it was normal to do only 1 week your first year.
This website lets you filter and if you select 1 week, overnight and girls or co-ed there are lots of options:
https://mainecamps.org/find-a-camp/
Anonymous says
I think I first went to sleepaway camp when I was 8 or 9. I did 1 week the first year, then 2 weeks the second year (the camp turned over every week, but I had a friend do 2 weeks with me so we stayed cabinmates the whole time). I think that age is fine, I didn’t get homesick but other girls in my cabin did. Not sure about 7 though. Also, agree with other commenters that starting with 1 week is a good idea.
anon says
Honestly, 2.5 to 3 weeks seems like a long time for a 7-year-old, but I am not from the summer camp culture, so YMMV.
Anonymous says
I agree with recommendations to find a 1 week camp. 7 is awfully young. My husband is really independent and he went for the first time at 8 and only did one week. He went back at 9 for three weeks.
NYCer says
Tbh, I would not send my 7 year old to sleep away camp at all. But like a previous poster, I am not from the summer camp culture, so if you really want to do it, I would start with one week this summer. Does she have a friend who could go with her?
cbackson says
I started sleepaway camp at 7, but only 1 week was an option. I loved it and would gladly have done 2 weeks if it were offered. Longer than that would have been too much for the first few years.
Anon says
My husband and I actually met at summer camp, so we *are* very much in the summer camp culture, and I would also not send a 7 year old for more than 1 week. Our camp’s age minimum is entering third grade (which is 8 for most kids, including ours) and even that feels very young for me. I did not go until I was 10 and only did two weeks my first time, although my husband went at 8 and stayed for all 6 weeks. We are taking a wait and see approach for our daughter, but right now I am disinclined to send her even at 8. I feel like you have your whole childhood to go to summer camp – it’s so much fun even for angsty tweens and teens – and the window of time when you like your parents and want to hang out with them is so short that I don’t really want to send away a kid who still likes hanging out with me! I We’ll see though. If she asks to go, we’ll certainly give her preferences weight.
mascot says
My son’s camp markets one of its sessions as a “starter session” and it attracts a slightly younger set of kids. The shortest session they offer is 13 days (include opening and closing days so really 11 full days of camp). Their philosophy is that it takes everyone a couple of days to find their camp groove and adjust so if they have to go home at the end of a week, they really didn’t get the full experience and growth opportunity that comes from a longer session. Our son was just under 9 when he went for the first time- he absolutely loved it and asked to go back for the 3 week session the next year. So no, I don’t think that a mature 7 year old is too young for the right camp. I would talk to camps about their schedule- they have some long days and some kids just may not be ready to go from 7:30am until 9pm every day at age 7. Also, if they have internal policies setting an age minimum for activities you might want to know that- like our camp doesn’t allow the youngest kids to take riflery and they can’t do off-camp overnight hikes until a certain age.
We also did overnight camp last summer and will do it again this year. Some camps were really able to pivot to be able to safely operate in the pandemic.
Another pumping question says
Yesterday someone commented that they stopped pumping when they got less than 5 oz total per session. This got me wondering what is normal! I have a 6 month old and lately I am regularly getting 3-4 oz during the day, if that. It’s frustrating and I wonder if I’m doing something wrong! I pump three times a day at work.
Anon says
Have you gotten your period back yet? It could be a sign that it’s coming.
Another pumping question says
Yes, at like 3 months postpartum
Same says
Same for me. I read on Kelly mom that 0.5 to 2 oz total per session is normal. I very rarely got more than that. I am ready to fully give up with 6 month old twins that are too distracted to nurse even when very hungry.
anon says
3-4 oz a session was very normal for me, also pumping 3x/day.
With my first kiddo, I started running “low” around 10 months and ended up supplementing with weekend morning pumps (where I would nurse one side, pump the other) with the thought that it’s a weekend and kiddo could always nurse when needed.
Never had that issue with second kiddo, but did get mastitis from starting pumping way too early (and then having an oversupply… ugh).
Anon Lawyer says
I doubt you’re doing anything wrong. I think for a lot of women, pumping yields just plummet at a certain point. I got my period back at around 7 months and noticed a big decline around my period after that and then a permanent decline at around 11 months. (I quit pumping at that point and just nursed in the morning and at night because at a certain point you wonder why am i going through this.)
anon says
4.5 was a really good session for me. It was usually closer to 3. There was always more than enough milk when nursing (we ran some pre and post feed weight experiments and found out he could easily get 6+ ounces). I just never responded well to the pump after trying two different ones and third party parts and all sorts of things. It’s just how it was.
anon says
I got ~ 4 oz per time, 3 times per day. My kids always drank 4 oz bottles, so it was fine.
Anonymous says
I have a four month old. When I pumped three times a day, the total from each side would be about 4 oz, or closer to 3 for the late afternoon/last pump. Daycare just asked for bigger bottles, and I realized I’d be miserable trying to get to 15 oz a day, so I cut back to two pumps a day and get about 6 oz for the first pump and 4ish for the second. I’m working through freezer stash to keep kiddo fed and then will switch to formula.
Leatty says
I think it varies a lot. With my first, I did one 40 minute session and consistently pumped at least 18 oz during that time. She usually drank four 4 oz bottles. This time around (5 months in), I pump twice a day and typically get around 20 oz a day (usually 15 oz in 25 minutes in the morning and 5oz in 15 minutes in the afternoon). My son usually drinks three 5 oz bottles + 3 oz in his oatmeal.
As an aside, DH taught our 3 year old to say “moo” while I’m pumping. Apparently I complain about feeling like a cow more often than I realize.
Pogo says
with my first (low to normal supply): 3-5oz/session
my my current (oversupply): 6-9 oz/session
I think it varies widely.
Anonymous says
My daughter drinks 3 5-oz bottles at daycare (she’s 5 months old), and I am getting about 4 oz per pumping session (3 per day). Daycare specifically asked for her to have 5 oz bottles because they said she was mad about 4 oz bottles not being enough. After a terrible week last week (work wise and supply wise_, I am focusing on trying to up my supply with better hydration, food, and sleep, but I’m not sure how sustainable that is if I am still unable to keep up and depleting my freezer supply. I am considering power pumping for four days, but also trying to think through how much I am willing to go through in terms of all the time pumping during work hours etc. Also, I have had two periods so far, so that could be affecting my supply as well.
Yes! says
I feel all of this so much! I starting supplement with formula when needed once we hit 6 months and it has been a big relief. Maybe I should try a power pump but … ugh!
Anon Lawyer says
Formula is FINE. You’re doing great!
GCA says
Ugh, hang in there. 5 to 6 months was peak ‘help, my pumped supply isn’t enough’ period for me – at this age they are really growing a lot and drinking more but haven’t started or aren’t well established on solids yet. I started supplementing with one or two bottles of formula at daycare (out of 3-4x5oz feeds). I pumped whatever I pumped (2-3x/ day) and sent that, but gave myself permission not to stress about it.
Anonymous says
That was me and usually filled a 5oz bottle (or more!) on each side for the first 6 months or so when I pumped twice a day during the work day. It started dropping after that until I was ready to give up around 9-10 months. I sent four 5oz (ish) bottles to daycare and they drank them all. I had very hungry babies.
Anon says
With my first baby, I would get 3 oz total with a 25 minute pumping session. That dwindled down to 2 oz, and I stopped pumping and supplemented with formula instead.
With my second baby, I get more, around 6 oz in much less time with a good pumping session. I really hope that continues.
By the way, power pumping never helped me.
Pogo says
I’m so f-ing over being at home constantly and doing nothing but work and sleep and chores. Apparently last night while I was putting the preschooler to bed my husband did the baby’s laundry, but then left it in the hamper unfolded in the same spot I had left it, so I assumed it was still dirty and just re-washed. We are both in the house all day but rarely see each other because when one person is working the other is with the kids or when one person is doing chores the other is with the kids or whatever. We just had five minutes to catch up over “lunch” (frantically grabbing food between meetings) and that’s when we realized the laundry snafu.
It was so stupid but I almost started crying. I really need a good cry/primal scream but I have five hours of meetings left today.
Clementine says
That sucks. This sucks.
I vote you order takeout, phone it in for the rest of the night, and let your kid watch Daniel Tiger at the dinner table (Fun Friday night treat!) so you can sit back and have a glass of wine/seltzer/tea and take a breath.
Anonymous says
I was in a funk last week and I told DH we HAD to get out. Took the kids to a faraway but very cool playground (masked, and masking is near 100% in our area even on 2yos) and then went to a brewery that has table heaters and ate outside. You order directly from your phone and don’t interact otherwise. Can you shake things up with a trip to a cool outdoor park?
Anonymous says
Could have written this post (and I think you and I have similar age kids). This article really resonated with me, as a fellow Taco Tuesday devotee: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/pandemic-wall-covid-vaccines-variant-winter/2021/02/08/d48e0722-6599-11eb-886d-5264d4ceb46d_story.html
Pogo says
Thank you for this. This is exactly it.
AwayEmily says
I feel this so much. I’m working so hard and still behind on everything and so sick of my husband (we have nothing left to talk about) and sick of my kids fighting because they get no one-on-one time because we are all stuck in our house together and it’s six degrees outside, and sick of not being able to see my mom, and I’m just so sad and tired.
anon says
Yep, f-ing over it is my mood this week. It’s -2 (-20 something with the wind chill), so the weather is making things extra miserable because there’s no escaping to the park or anything. I mean, I suppose we technically could, but the idea is not appealing in the least.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I hear you. I am so over it. Work is busy, it’s freezing out there and no indoor options and I’m constantly worried that the kids are going to be sent home for mild illnesses or quarantine. And all those tips of self-care like couples dates or massage or time away? Just not possible now. Sure, it could be worse, but this is still a pretty subpar existence right now.
Anonymous says
Massage therapists are healthcare workers in my state and mine is now fully vaccinated. I know some people might still not be comfortable with getting a massage, but I think with that extra layer of protection it’s very safe (we obviously still both wear masks).
SC says
Yep. I spent about 24 hours of last weekend doing work around the house (some big projects, not just normal chores). This weekend, I told DH that I don’t want to work. It’s cold and rainy, Mardi Gras is canceled, it’s Valentine’s Day, and our contractor just wrapped up our kitchen remodel–I’m envisioning books, movies, blankets, snuggles, and playing in the kitchen.
Anonymous says
Any suggestions for ways to make a 3rd birthday celebration special in these times other than presents and food? My daughter isn’t sad about not having a party but she is very disappointed about my MIL, who visited for all her previous birthdays, not being able to come. She’s going to school that day but being picked up early (her request). I thought about getting her a balloon but we got one at the grocery store a couple weeks ago that’s still floating so I think that might not be terribly exciting. It’s an arctic blast here, so indoor activities only.
I know she won’t remember this birthday when she’s older but this is the first year she really understands what a birthday is and I’m sad things aren’t normal and want to make it as special as I can.
Anonymous says
If you can get a bunch of balloons, I’ve seen people do something where they fill their kid’s room with helium balloons overnight so they wake up to a room full of balloons. I think this would be easiest if you get a helium tank. Definitely try to zoom with MIL. Can you do a scavenger hunt where MIL is involved in giving clues or something? Like maybe she finds a phone and then MIL calls to give her the next clue?
Anonymous says
We hang streamers around the house (Sometimes just crepe paper, last year it was planet streamers), tie a big bday sign to b-day kid’s breakfast chair. We have also blown up Mylar balloons (of astronauts—there was an outer space theme) and hung them. Hung a happy birthday streamer over the dining room wall. One day last year I put stick on googly eyes from a pack from target on all the kids breakfast dishes and bananas. The kids loved it. I have them make a bday crown too, but if she’s going to school that may happen there.
Basically, we go silly and decorated, which is all mine really want.
anon says
YMMV, but kids at our daycare have been doing some extra celebrating there instead in lieu of parties. I ordered some animal masks (kiddo turned 3 and is going through an “animal” phase) and sent them in, others have done special food, party hats, favors, etc. Not sure if your daycare will play along.
In terms of making home special, I would hide (/throw away) her sad balloon now and get her a new one – or five, and consider playing some fun family games (one that my 3 yo likes is to race matchbox cars across our table – the person who gets furthest without it falling off wins). Another winner of a game is “spies”, which they do at daycare – playing the mission impossible theme while hiding. That’s the game. I also bought plates, napkins, party hats, and party blowers in the theme (“jungle”).
Anonymous says
We can’t send anything to school because of Covid. I hope they will at least sing happy birthday to her there, but honestly I’m not even sure if they’re going to do that. She hasn’t mentioned anything about any other kids birthdays this year.
Anonymous says
Balloons, special birthday breakfast (we sing and blow out candles at breakfast and dinner, because why not?),she gets to pick the dinner, decorations everywhere- our kids love running around and finding them.
Anonymous says
We did a “happy birthday” letter balloon set from Target and bunches of confetti balloons, all inflated with air. It was a big hit. You could also play a game like Taboo or SkribbleHeads with Grandma over FaceTime.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Oh yes, balloons! So many balloons! In her favorite color, or all the colors. Playing with balloons on their birthdays is my kids’ favorite thing to do. (Remember the Bill Clinton balloon thing? That’s my kids) We also do a special breakfast and cake for dessert.
Anonymous says
This will be my DDs second pandemic birthday. Ugh. Canceled her third birthday party because we “had a cold”. Which ped thought was probably COVID considering how sick she got. Anyways, I’ll be decorating downstairs overnight and putting out presents. We are surprising her with a trip to the (outdoor only) wildlife park. Getting her ears pierced. The upside is that I’m hoping we can do a big blow out somewhere nice for 5.
Anon says
It’s cute that she is so disappointed about MIL not being able to come, but if she is only turning 3 it can’t be like she has that many years of memories…could you plan a little craft for her abd MIL to do at the same time over zoom? Or send MIL a bday hat and ask MIL to to get a cupcake and they can celebrate together over zoom?
Anonymous says
She’s not actually close to my MIL (she’s way closer to my parents). She just likes her routines and she remembers MIL came for her birthday last year (and knows MIL was here for previous birthdays from photos) and is confused/sad the same thing isn’t happening this year. We’ll Skype my in-laws but it’s not going to be a big treat for her, she doesn’t really know them and has a very hard time engaging with them over the computer. Even with my parents she usually just plays with her toys and tells herself stories while they watch her and cheer her on. She doesn’t have the attention span to do an activity or have a conversation over the screen.
Anonymous says
Do you have a build a bear near you? We took my kid to celebrate her 4th over the summer. It was by spot only and the store and the entire mall were basically empty.
Can you rent out a movie theater? Around here it’s $75-99. We did this as a family outing in November.
anon says
Any recommendations for little kids’ graphic tees (size 6-7)? The ones I’ve bought at Carter’s and ON have been terrible during the past couple of seasons. Cheap fabric with lots of shrinkage/twisting after laundering.
Anonymous says
Peek
AwayEmily says
Maybe Tea Collection?
Anon says
Gap and Hanna hold up well for us since they’re a little thicker
octagon says
Boden, Tea, Hanna Anderson, Childrens Place.
Anonymous says
+1 for Boden
Arts and crafts for 7 year old? says
Late in the day question – self directed activities for 7 year old? I’d like to send a sick friend a care package that includes activities a 7 year old can do independently (to give mom a break w/o more screen time.) there’s a barely walking toddler in the house too so trying to avoid small pieces. (I’ve got a similar age kid do have some ideas for that one …not that a young toddler really ever self entertains). maze books? Dot to dot? Crayons/pencils and paper? Crafts? Hit me up with your best ideas. Have never met kid so no idea if into particular characters.
Anonymous says
Paint by sticker books are good for that age. A friend sent some to my then 2 year old and they didn’t work for her at all (obviously) so I gave them to a friend with a 6 year old and he enjoyed them.
Anonymous says
My 7 year old would be happy with a new Ivy and Bean or Dogman book, or a new pack of crayola smelly markers and some plain paper. There’s also a Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus Activity Book that I’ve heard good things about.
Anonymous says
My 7 year old loves the random craft kits. Go to TJMaxx or Target. Things like friendship bracelet kits, making bath bombs, candles, etc. assuming she’s in 2nd grade she can totally do that stuff solo. My kid is in 1st but she can do all those kits just fine with no adult help. She is currently “sewing” a llama purse as I type this.
Or, Legos. More expensive but an easy win that eats up hours. Get one with at least 300 pieces.
Anonymous says
Word search, easy crossword, new gel pens or markers and a cool notebook, a new book (ivy & bean, clementine, something like that).
Arts and crafts op says
Thank you all!