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In waaay Before Times (as in before our second kid), we took our 16-month old daughter to Paris. Paris is great for babies — the food was perfect (she ate lots of cheese omelettes, bread, and soup) and everyone was so helpful. But, unlike here, high chairs (and changing tables) are hard to find.
So, we brought something similar to this portable high chair. It fits easily in a diaper bag or backpack, is easy to use (just slip the back of a chair, and tighten and click the tether strap), and features a five-point safety harness. It’s also machine washable, since babies are not tidiest diners. It was better than having our daughter sit on our laps for every meal.
It’s perfect for babies (and toddlers) on the go who are comfortable sitting up.
The Original Easy Seat Portable High Chair is $24.99 at Amazon. In addition to the gray chevron pattern, it comes in a few other patterns for the same price.
Sales of note for 4.18.24
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Ann Taylor – 50% off full-price dresses, jackets & shoes; $30 off pants & skirts; extra 50% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – Up to 50% off everything; extra 20% off purchase
- Eloquii – 50% off select styles; 60% off swim; up to 40% off everything else
- J.Crew – Mid-Season Sale: Extra 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off spring-to-summer styles
- Lands’ End – 30% off full-price styles
- Loft – Spring Mid-Season Sale: Up to 50% off 100s of styles
- Nordstrom: Free 2-day shipping for a limited time (eligible items)
- Talbots – Spring Sale: 40% off + extra 15% off all markdowns; 30% off new T by Talbots
- Zappos – 29,000+ 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 – Up to 70% off baby items; 50% off toddler & kid deals & 40% off everything else
- Hanna Andersson – Up to 50% off spring faves; 25% off new arrivals; up to 30% off spring
- J.Crew Crewcuts – Up to 60% off sale styles; up to 50% off kids’ spring-to-summer styles
- Old Navy – 30% off your purchase; up to 75% off clearance
- Target – Car Seat Trade-In Event (ends 4/27); BOGO 25% off select skincare products; up to 40% off indoor furniture; up to 20% off laptops & printers
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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
Aw we went to Paris when our daughter was the same age. Our last international trip BC. :/
https://www.reddit.com/r/DanielTigerConspiracy/ is hilarious if you haven’t seen it. My husband sent it to me this morning and we’ve been laughing for a solid half hour.
anon says
Haha! That thread also brings up the pants question. Why don’t Daniel and the Dad wear pants? The mom wears pants. Maybe she wears the pants in the family, literally.
Anon says
Yes, so weird!
Cb says
I realise that DT makes my kiddo more anxious about some things? But the “if you need a potty, stop, go right away” is one of the most valuable pieces of life advice.
We’ve been having long conversations about divers lately after the opening scenes of both Luca and Finding Nemo (both of which had to be turned off). And I finally realised, an hour in, that my kid thought they were like some sort of creature? Not humans in a suit?
No Face says
Haha, love the comment about divers. Kids have the most fascinating minds.
In my house, DT is a sometimes food.
OtterMom says
Reporting back from our Great Lakes trip! Airbnb townhouse was clutch, because we had a living room to hang out in. Unfortunately we did not have the best weather (unseasonably cold some days, such as a high of 63 degrees, sorry westerners to rub that in, and rainy some days) so we didn’t get much great beach time, but did a lot of small things and walked around, which was nice! For the person asking what we are so happy we brought: whoever suggested black garbage bags and painters tape was a genius; we did a clip on high chair that we borrowed from a family member that was clutch for the house, we brought a number of books (my LO loves books), just small plastic toys, and the big thing was an inflatable (easy to pack) baby pool and some plastic balls in a bag that we put together to make a mini ball pit that entertained her for hours. We actually didn’t bring anything that we did not use (other than beach tent, see weather above). The one thing I wish I would have done better is to have contingency plans for rainy days – most of our plans were outdoor, and in the town we were in a lot of indoor places were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (the days with bad weather) so we spent more time than we should have figuring out what we could do.
Anon says
Fun! Where did you go?
OtterMom says
Right outside of Erie, PA
Anonymous says
Aw, i’m glad you had a good trip. I spent so many summers near Erie at YMCA Camp Fitch. It’s such a chill little spot!
AnonATL says
Travel q somewhat related to this product. Any recommendations for privacy when your kid sleeps in a pack n play in your room during trips? When we stayed with my in-laws a couple months ago, my son would not sleep with us in the room. He wanted to play all night. Unfortunately with the setup of their house, we can’t put him in a closet or bathroom. The only other option would be a hallway which is equally disruptive.
I’m eyeing the slumberpod, but they are backordered. The next time we stay with them, he will be about 14 months and can already stand up.
Cb says
We use a Little Life tent, which seems to give our kiddo the darkness/contained feeling, but it is also big enough to get in with them if you need to lull them off to sleep. But I suspect things will change now that he’s a bit bigger?
Anon says
Can you put him to sleep first and sneak in later? My daughter is/was like this but we can now sneak in without waking her. She’s 3 though, I’m not sure it would have worked at 14 months. Or alternatively, this might sound crazy but can you give him the bedroom and sleep in a futon or air mattress somewhere else? We did that once in NYC when we couldn’t fit the PNP in the hotel bathroom.
anon says
This was always our strategy. Our kids never would have fallen asleep with us in the room, but if we snuck in after they were already asleep they’d be fine. Middle-of-the-night wakeups generally went okay because it was dark and they were tired; where we never found a good solution was early morning when it was light enough to see that their parents were in the same room and thus never wanted to go back to sleep.
Anonymous says
Like he would not go to sleep or would not stay asleep? At that age we added a comfier mattress pad to the pack n play so it would be cozier for sleeping. Usual stuffies and bedtime music. On vacation we’ll generally take turns staying in the dark room and singing to them until they fall asleep. Say if they stand up you have to leave. When you get to the door, say if they lay down again you can stay. Full disclosure: When we are visiting DH’s parent I generally do bedtime duty so I can avoid small talk with the inlaws after supper.
OP says
He wouldn’t stay asleep. So at 3am he would wake up and scream until we brought him into bed with us. I didn’t want to wake up the whole house so we complied. He’s fully sleep trained and we have no problems at home with this. It’s like he saw us in the room with him and thought oh mommy and daddy are here to play. That’s why I was thinking some sort of tent or cover might help.
Anonymous says
I would try a cozier sleeping surface, even a folded quilt in the bottom of the pack and play so hopefully he stays asleep.
We’ve used Kidco tents but basically all tent type things have mesh or openings for airflow so I think he’d still be able to see you. Maybe try putting the pack n play in a corner and then putting up a dark shower curtain when you go to bed using a couple command strips hooks to hold it up? Ideally positioned a bit back from the pack n play so it’s not in arms reach and with my kids you’d have to hook it up when you go to bed vs when they went to bed.
Allie says
So this sounds odd but we we’d put worn clothes in the pack n play on the sheet as soon as we got to the room, then we’d keep that laundry under the pack n play all night. I read the suggestion online and it worked for us — basically it’s very harsh for the baby to smell you more somewhere else in the room but if they smell you as much where they are they’re fine.
anonamama says
We have had to wrap our travel blackout curtains around the mesh of the crib for this. Or use the suction cups to attach curtain to the wall and drape it over the crib as a half-tent. (I really rely on these travel blackout curtains) We also double up on white noise and sneak in later. Even sleep trained, sometimes LO is just “off” when we travel somewhere new and wants to know we’re around (which is where that worn clothes tip could come in handy!)
sf says
slumberpod is also on amazon- maybe not backordered there?
Funny bathroom question says
We’re renovating bathrooms in a house with a 6,4 and 2 year old. Renovation will probably last a year. We’re also having a baby so will likely have a tub in baby’s room, would those of you with older kids even bother with tubs elsewhere or just go showers? At the moment they kind of go back and forth in their shower/tub combo. But we also throw a couple in the bath at the same time and I expect that phase will be short-lived as well!
Anon says
So there will be no bathtubs for a year but you will have showers? I’m just confused because I’ve never heard of this kind of reno!
Anonymous says
Yeah this makes no sense? A tub in the baby’s room? Sounds wet
Anonymous says
Why wouldn’t you just use the baby tub in the shower?
Anonymous says
I think she is asking in a confusing way whether she will really need a tub when her kids are 7, 5, 3, and 1.
The answer to this question is yes. You always need at least one tub in the house for both practical reasons and resale value. Example of practical reasons: When I was pregnant, I felt like I was going to pass out if I stood up in the shower. I had to take cool baths for the first several months.
Anon says
I think not having a tub will really tank the resale value of your house too. So many people looking to buy have little kids or just like taking baths.
Anonymous says
Oh ok. Well yes. Definitely
Anonymous says
We have a tub shower combo in the kids bathroom because when they are teenagers I don’t want them asking to take long baths in my tub. I shower most of the time but we all enjoy baths for relaxation. Oldest is age 9 and they all still prefers baths and bath bombs to showers. Master bathroom has a separate tub/shower and basement guest bath also has a tub/shower combo.
Anonymous says
How on earth is renovating bathrooms going to take a year?!?
Anon says
Maybe they have like 4+ bathrooms and they’re renovating them in sequence for some reason? Because I agree, a bathroom renovation should take a month or two, tops.
Anonymous says
I’m assuming they are moving around some of the plumbing/bathroom locations and with kids you can’t do them all at the same time as you need a fully functioning bathroom so the sequencing will impact. But I still can’t understand how it can take more than 4-6 months? Maybe financial reasons?
TheElms says
So with respect to your original question about whether you need bathtubs in your renovated bathrooms. If space allows I would do a separate tub and shower in the master, a tub/shower combo in the bathroom that is the kid bathroom. For resale purposes if there are other bathrooms that would likely be kid bathrooms (even if you don’t use them that way) I would make those tub/shower combos. The rest of the bathrooms I would probably just do a shower since I find them more visually appealing than a tub/shower combo. Absolutely make sure there is at least one bathtub in the house for resale purposes and 2 is probably better.
No Face says
I admit that I had a hard time understanding the original question, but I think your interpretation is correct.
You definitely need at least one bathtub in the house. I take showers, but after an injury, warm epsom salt baths were very helpful. You want bathtubs for resale too.
Spirograph says
Exactly this. I would only choose a non-tub shower in what’s clearly a guest bathroom. I’m thinking like… when there’s a “den” separate from the rest of the bedrooms, and then a 3/4 bath instead of a powder room near it. Or the bathroom in a finished basement. Any bathrooms near the bedrooms and that will be regularly used by the family should have a tub, in my opinion.
OP says
Hm, interesting! This is helpful! We’re moving out for a year because we’re doing a full house Reno – the bathrooms are just part of it. There will be 4 bathrooms and 5 bedrooms. Master has separate tub and shower, baby’s room will have a combo tub/shower. Jack and Jill between two kids’ rooms will be just a shower and last kid bedroom will have a bathroom with a tub/shower combo. Was considering making that last one just a shower but sounds like consensus is more tubs is better!
Expressing myself badly, I’m on hour two of the three hour glucose test and haven’t eaten in a while.
Anonymous says
I’d switch it. Jack and Jill with tub for resale and last bathroom with no tub.
NYCer says
I agree with the previous Anonymous. I would do a tub/shower combo in the jack and jill bathroom, and a solo shower in the other bathroom.
Aunt Jamesina says
Eh, with that number of bathrooms I’d say you’re fine if either the J&J or the last bedroom have the tub. As long as a house has at least one tub (or two, for a home with 3+ bathrooms) you’re probably fine and I think it comes down to preference.
Anon says
as someone who is house hunting now. i agree with the tub combo in the jack and jill bathroom and either one other tub or no tubs in the other two bathrooms
TheElms says
Another vote for making the jack and jill a tub shower/combo. In our house the jack and jill also has a double sink which I think is a really nice touch.
Anonymous says
Agree – jack and Jill will almost certainly be kids rooms long term – but bath there and do shower only on one of the other bath.
Ultimately if you are going to live in that house for literally 25 years then do the house exactly how you see it being best!! Bathrooms will get redone at sale anyways
AnotherAnon says
+1 to all this. Before we had kids we lived in a rental had had one bathroom with a shower only and it was a miserable six month rental period. You need at least one tub: preferably a fancy one in the master and tub shower combo in other bathrooms.
Anonymous says
Eh, we have two showers upstairs where the bedrooms are and a tub in the basement bathroom. We use the tub like twice a year. It’s nice to have occasionally but I don’t understand all this fuss about having so many tubs. We and the kids take showers.
Anonymous says
That’s fine if it works for your family, but it will make things more difficult when you go to sell. Most people want a convenient tub option, and the lack of tubs will make your house less appealing especially if comparable homes all have tubs.
Aunt Jamesina says
OP has four bathrooms, three of which will have a tub. I think she’s fine.
Anonymous says
Yeah, OP will be fine but it would be better to put the tub in the Jack-and-Jill and the shower without tub in what could be a guest bathroom. This poster’s house is weird with a tub in the basement.
Boston Legal Eagle says
I agree with others that a house with tubs in what’s meant to be the kids’ bathroom will sell better. I don’t know of anyone who gave their babies/young toddlers showers (maybe a sink bath?) so at least for the first few years, a bathtub is key.
Anonymous says
We have always done showers ! Even as a baby once outgrew the baby tub. We did this even where we had an easily accessible tub.
Anonymous says
Proximity is key to usage.
Our old house had a similar situation where the bathtub was on a different level and we never used it (took first kiddo into shower with us after the sink bath stage). But new house’s tubs are on the same level as bedrooms and they get so much use with two kids.
Anon4This says
Need a morale boost, advice, anything.
My boss gave me some feedback yesterday about not being at the top of my license/role. We’re going to work on improvements monthly-ish, no formal HR involvement, and she will report out progress to our SVP in ~6 months. Worst case, I’d be reclassified/demoted, but she doesn’t think it will come to that. She thinks it’s more course correction than anything else. I like my job a lot. It’s a LOT of work, and while I accepted the feedback, I also work all the time so this was frustrating (but it’s probably time to work smarter vs. harder).
I got back from Mat Leave with #2 in April. I lost a beloved parent in November (and gave birth a month later). Last year I almost lost my marriage. And we also lost a beloved family pet. This is in addition to the sh*tstorm that was 2020. I just cannot.
Anonymous says
How about a hug from an internet stranger? You’re not even a year postpartum and post-loss of parent. You are doing amazing! Hang in there and focus on working smarter not more. And don’t be afraid to manage up on issues – eg clarify tasks/deadlines etc.
Honestly I’m offended for you with all that going on and you only back to work two months that they have started this process.
Anon says
yea this seems a bit absurd to me. you’ve literally been back for two months! do you have a baby still not sleeping through the night? i lost a parent in the end of 2019 and honestly still have rough days. not trying to add to your to do list, but are you doing anything to take care of yourself? is there anything additional you can outsource at home?
OP says
Thank you.
Baby is 6 months and sleeping through the night. I do a dreamfeed before I go to bed, but will likely drop that soon as I don’t know how much he “needs” it.
My living parent is local and provides a TON of hands on and moral support; they basically live here and go back/forth between our family home as needed. The energy is also fantastic having them around, and kids love having a grandparent around.
DH is Counsel in BigLaw, so we outsource a bit between the both of us (e.g. cleaning, grocery delivery, etc.) but I do handle most of the kid-related stuff, food prep, etc. so anything that isn’t currently on my plate, I will ask him to own moving forward. I’ll also SIMPLIFY my meal prep, I guess? I don’t make anything too complicated but could make it even more simple.
Anonymous says
Oh honey, you are doing so much better than you give yourself credit for! I was barely holding it together at 6 months postpartum with DH working a very 9-5 govt job and having two local parents available to help.
Outsource all your meal prep – get an evening nanny to wash and fold the kids laundry and prep dinner or help at bedtime at least 2-3 times a week. The extra 9 hours of housework will be a minimal cost and hugely helpful. With high school finishing, you might find a lot of students on care dot com or similar looking for part time jobs.
Cb says
Me too! It’s so soon after you’ve returned and life is still weird!
Anonymous says
I’m so sorry you’re right it’s too much
No Face says
So there was a global pandemic, you just got back from maternity leave, AND you lost a parent, and your boss is criticizing you? At every firm I’ve ever worked at, no one really expected top performance within a couple of months from returning for maternity leave.
Personally, I would start job searching and aim to give myself a full month off between jobs.
Spirograph says
I’m sorry, you’ve had a really tough year+ and the timing of that feedback is unfortunate. No one is at their best after a year like that, and it’s unreasonable to expect it! For the sake of reframing, though: I don’t know your boss, but is it possible she’s doing this *because* you like your job and she wants to help you work smarter vs harder?
I recently finished Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People and there was a line about a character who saw her boss role as more of a teaching position than a supervisory position, to the point that her employees didn’t realize they worked “for” her until she thanked them for their work at her retirement ceremony. It was a lovely way to think about it, even if I’m not sure how practical that is.
OP says
Thank you. I do think this is where my boss is coming from. She’s very thoughtful and empathetic. It just feels…blah.
Boston Legal Eagle says
Yes, from my outsider perspective, it sounds like she expects someone at your level to do more high level work than just “worker bee” tasks that should delegated down, and is hopefully trying to help you get there? If you find yourself working all the time, it may be that you’re taking on tasks that are taking up your time but not your full potential.
Although two months post-partum, not to mention everything else you’ve gone through, is a tough time to bring this up, but I hope that is what your boss meant and it can be a collective strategy vs. something like a PIP.
EDAnon says
That is rough! You’re doing amazingly after such a difficult year by showing up at all! I wouldn’t beat yourself up too much. I am sure your boss is working to make sure you get where you need to be because it’s a lot and she knows you had a hard year. The fact that it isn’t formal with HR is a good sign.
I do think a few months post maternity leave is a weird time to do it! I had an employee (who is great!) come back from maternity leave during COVID. She struggled for a few months – like really bad. I have her some feedback and cut her some slack and she’s back killing it. We promoted her a month ago (about a year after she returned from leave). Maternity leave is not long enough in the US to expect people to be 100% as soon as they return.
Anon says
Sometimes it is not possible to excel in every area of your life when you have extenuating circumstances like a baby, grief, and recent marriage troubles. Each one of those things is a very big deal.
At some point when you feel less blah, I would reflect on what is possible to improve and maybe share those ideas with your manager to see if you are on the right track but also cut yourself some serious slack. Tell yourself “I am doing my best” when it seems like too much and remember that is all you can do. You are not superhuman. Talented people struggle in their careers from time to time and it is not a reflection of you as a person. Your personal life and home life matter too. Your sanity matters.
Anon says
Genuine question: does your boss have kids?
Anon says
Is it normal for a 3-4 year old to not really have any specific friends? My kiddo is in full time daycares and her teachers don’t seem to have any concerns about her behavior at school, but she can’t identify any kids she’s friends with and just tells me she plays with everyone in her class. No other families have reached out to us, which makes me think other kids aren’t identifying her as a friend to their parents either. With Covid there aren’t birthday parties (at least not that we’ve been invited to) or casual conversations at drop-off, and I just don’t really know how much she should be developing “close” friendships at this age.
Anonymous says
This is 100% normal. I have three kids and never scheduled playdates when they were in daycare.
They see their friends all day long and we have so little family time. Evenings and weekends are for family time not more playing with their friends. Plus we live in a super kid friendly neighborhood so any playdates would
just be meeting up with the neighbors when we happen to be at the park behind our houses at the same time.
At most, we made an effort to attend daycare friends birthday parties and met other parents there a bit.
Anon says
Yeah I guess my worry is less about the lack of playdates and more that other kids are forming small groups or pairs at school and she’s left out because she doesn’t seem to have bestie. But maybe they’re too young for that and they really do all play together?
Anonymous says
They are too young for that and I would be worried about being super shy if my kid was only playing with a couple other kids.
avocado says
They really do all play together. At that age “best friends” are very often the kids of moms who are best friends so they spend a lot of time together, and these kids tend to grow apart when they hit elementary school and develop their own interests. In preschool my daughter had a few kids she was closer to and a few she definitely did not like because they were bossy or mean, but they don’t really start forming more stable friend groups/cliques until elementary school.
Spirograph says
I don’t think this is a problem. IME, kids are not very discriminating at that age — they’re just happy to have a similar-age kid to play with, even a total stranger they met for the first time when they got to the playground that day. Playing with everyone is a good thing! My kids *did* have a couple favorite friends in preK, but they scattered to the winds for different elementary schools and we haven’t kept in touch well. Unless your preK is associated with your elementary school, your daughter will make all new friends in K anyway.
Cb says
Totally normal judging by the responses to genius-gate. My kiddo is nearly 4 and just in the last few months (and after a fair amount of anxiety on my part) started playing with other kids, much less talking about them. Now he has a crew of little pals. We do dropoff playdates with a nearby nursery pal, but that’s more a way of exchanging childcare than something the kids need.
Spirograph says
lol @ genius gate :)
Cb says
Sometimes I watch T be a total doofus, and think “and people on the internet think you’re a genius!”
AnotherAnon says
I hope this doesn’t sound mean, but this is actually one of my favorite aspects of being a parent. My mom thinks my 4 y/o is a genius, and I just keep my mouth shut and watch him be a doofus on the regular. I love him and think he’s a wonderful little human of average intelligence – which is great! He’s still a cute, sweet little person. He just figuring out life and I love watching him grow.
Cb says
Yes, definitely, my mom is convinced he is super smart. And I think it might be a case of good vocabulary and accent? Like how men with posh British accents are always more attractive? He’s a cheerful, inquisitive little guy and I love exploring the world with him.
Anonymous says
You know, I’m not sure. My oldest had a pack of friends from PK. She loved preschool and was invited to playdates, bday parties, etc. all the time and entered K with 2 BFFs (one of which went to her school, one did not). She’d come home and report what she “and the girls” did at school all day.
My middle kiddo is about to enter K and while she’s had two years of PK, one was during the pandemic, and due to the pandemic her second year of PK was a class of 9 kids total. She seems to play with kids, but not really be close buddies with any one kid. She didn’t do a lot of playdates because of the pandemic. She’s really young for her class which I think is part of it. I asked her teachers about it and they seemed to agree she was not as social as other kids but attributed it to age and needing more playdates (which they said in the same breath wasn’t possible due to COVID). She has mentioned before that she wishes she had a best friend. She’s doing a few camps this summer and I’m hopeful she’ll make some friends there.
My youngest is friendly and engaging and started PK camp yesterday and already has “three best friends, but not Millie because she didn’t like my purple shoes.”
FVNC says
My daughter just finished second grade, and this is the first year I’ve heard her talk about specific friends and kids that she enjoys playing with. Prior to this year, she would happily play with anyone her age and didn’t seem particularly partial to any classmates. My 4 year old son, in contrast, has definite preferences and one little bestie. So I don’t know whether one is more normal than the other, but interaction with other friends at that age does seem quite variable.
anon says
It’s mosquito season in the SEUS and my 18 month toddler is a scratcher. He pulls off any bandaids we put on. Cortisone helps but doesn’t keep him from scratching. With pants he just pulls up the leg and scratches. The last one got infected and we’ve got a new one that is on its way to that. Ideas on how to keep a bandaid on him or to prevent the scratching?
Anonymous says
Benadryl and preventing bites to begin with
Mary Moo Cow says
No advice on the scratching because I have the same issue with my kids. However, I do have prevention advice: the Buzz Patch works well on my kids and me (northern SEUS.) The trick is to remember to put them on every day. I’ve also ordered the bug bite suction thing for when I forget.
Realist says
Try Bug Bite thing. It really seems to work if you get to the bites early. I’m not sure how early they recommend the permethrin treated clothes, but I would look into those items if they are safe for your toddler.
Cb says
Any good space/planet book recs for the birthday list? Peak elder millenial parenting, got this question last week “Mummy, when will Pluto become a proper planet?”
Cb says
Also, for clarity, my kid is in possession of the most mixed up Scotland/London/California accent, thus the mummy appellation.
AwayEmily says
Mousetronaut! By Mark Kelly, former astronaut and current U.S. Senator.
It has a sequel, too, but the sequel isn’t quite as good.
It’s weird that there aren’t more young kids chapter books about space. Surfeit of dragons, dearth of planets.
Anon Lawyer says
Hahah, my brother is writing one right now for this reason! Stay tuned!
AwayEmily says
At first I read this as that your brother is writing a space book because he’s going to run for Senate! Then I realized what you actually meant. That’s fantastic!
Anon Lawyer says
Lol, I love my brother and am very proud of him but I definitely think he’s cut out to be a writer, not a Senator.
Anonymous says
Huh. Somehow as a 37 year old bibliophile, I had never before added surfeit to my vocabulary. Synonym I didn’t know I needed until just now. Thanks, AwayEmily!
Anon Lawyer, I hope you’ll report back when your brother’s book is published! Space sci fi is one of my favorite genres, and there’s nowhere near enough of it for kids.
Anonymous says
My kids love the Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System book. I think Pluto is still a planet in that one, so he might like that!
GCA says
I have a space and aviation-obsessed kid! He’s graduated to fighter jets now, but enjoyed leafing through the book Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System (bonus: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock actually does present The Sky At Night on BBC). Also, Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System is pretty good.
GCA says
Oh! Also, Mae Among the Stars. (Mae Jemison is my kids’ favorite astronaut.)
Anonymous says
My kids are loving Rocket Looks Up lately.
DLC says
We recently read Your Place in the Universe by Jason Chin. It’s perhaps a little on the dense side – a lot of text – but I love that Chin really lays out the scale of things so kids can really start to see the mindblowing vastness of the Universe.
Allie says
Counting on Katherine!
SC says
I’ll add in Neil Degrasse Tyson’s book Look Up With Me and Hayley Barrett’s book What Ms. Mitchell Saw. They’re both part biography and part space. Also, ABCs from Space is a cool book–it’s photos of Earth taken from space, and each image looks like a letter (like a hurricane looks like the letter “G”).
Anon says
I know this has been asked before but tips on telling a 7 and 5 year old their grandmother died? I don’t have the energy to search. They understand she was quite old – unfortunately they hadn’t gotten to visit her since pre-COVID.
A says
I’m sorry for your loss. My mom died recently, and the best approach with my six year old was to be as fact-based as possible. She knew that my mom had been sick, so I told her that grandma’s body had stopped working and she died. I avoided using any euphemistic language (“going to sleep,” “in a better place,” etc.), and also tried not to overdo it with information. After giving her the new initially, I’ve tried to let my daughter bring it up when she wants to talk about it.
Grieving around kids is hard, and while I think it is beneficial for them to see their parents having feelings, I’ve also spent a lot of days white knuckling my way through because I don’t really have a choice to stay in bed and cry all day. Sending peace to you and yours during a tough time.
EDAnon says
We had a non-parent death and also focused on being matter of fact. We also were sad (cried) in front of our kids which led to a lot of good questions about death and grief.
My son was younger though.
Book rec says
So sorry for your loss. I have this book saved but have not utilized it- The Invisible String by Patrice Karst