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Naptime is every parent’s favorite time of day. It’s probably every daycare teacher’s as well. With my oldest, I sent a sheet, blanket, pillow, and pillowcase to daycare each week — but I inevitably forgot one thing or another.
The Urban Infant Tot Cot All-in-One keeps nap essentials all together. It includes a removable (and washable) pillow, attached blanket, and nametag. There’s even a pocket for your child’s favorite stuffie. It even fits standard preschool cots or floor mats. It also comes in countless patterns and is free of scary chemicals like fire retardants.
This Tot Cot All-in-One is $44.95 or $59.95 at Amazon depending on the pattern. It’s also available at Walmart for $44.95.
Sales of note for 11.28.23…
(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)
- Nordstrom – Black Friday deals have started! 1,800+ sale items! Shop designer, get bonus notes up to $1200. Markdowns include big deals on UGG, Natori, Barefoot Dreams, Marc Fisher LTD, Vionic and more!
- Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your purchase
- Banana Republic – 40% off your purchase, including cashmere; up to 60% off sale styles
- Banana Republic Factory – 60% off everything & extra 20% off purchase
- J.Crew – Up to 50% off almost everything; up to 50% off suiting & chinos; up to 40% off cashmere; extra 50% off sale styles
- Lands’ End – 50% off sitewide (readers love the cashmere)
- Summersalt – Up to 60% off (this reader favorite sweater blazer is down to $75)
- Stuart Weitzman – Extra 25% off full-price and sale styles with code
- Talbots – 50% off all markdowns and 30% off entire site — readers love this cashmere boatneck and this cashmere cardigan, as well as their sweater blazers in general
- Zappos – 29,000+ sale items (for women)! Check out these reader-favorite workwear brands on sale, and some of our favorite kid shoe brands on sale.
Kid/Family Sales
- BabyJogger – 25% off 3 items
- Crate & Kids – Up to 50% off everything plus free shipping sitewide; save 10% off full price items
- J.Crew Crewcuts – 50% off everything + free shipping
- ErgoBaby – 40% off Omni Breeze Carrier, 25% off Evolve 3-in-1 bouncer, $100 off Metro+Stroller
- Graco – Up to 30% off car seats
- Nordstrom – Big deals on CRANE BABY, Petunia Pickle Bottom, TWELVElittle and Posh Peanut
- Strolleria – 25% off Wonderfold wagons, and additional deals on dadada, Cybex, and Peg Perego
- Walmart – Savings on Maxi-Cosi car seats, adventure wagons, rocker recliners, security cameras and more!
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And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!
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- 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?
Anonanonanon says
This is what my daughter’s daycare provides/sends home every Friday for us to wash. It has held up very well so far.
anonymommy says
We got this and love it! We haven’t had it very long yet, but so far so good. Much better than digging around Sunday night for the pillow, blanket, sheet, and stuffed animal (ugh).
Speaking of daycare…WWYD? Daycare is still doing drop off/pickup outside because of covid, so we don’t see the teachers much and when we do it is rushed because the next kid is always there to enter/leave the building. We also started at this daycare during COVID. And, now that son is in preschool, we no longer get updates/messages via the app like we do for toddler sister. School email goes to young desk employee — there’s no specific teacher email that I know of.
So, yesterday his teacher tells Dad that Son was hitting others yesterday. We have a serious talk with our son last night, and this morning really emphasized the positive — that we know he is a kind friend and is going to treat his friends with respect. At drop off today, the teacher — in front of son — very angrily tells me he’s been hitting consistently, making other kids cry, etc. I’m so frustrated because it feels very out of the blue. No one has mentioned this until it clearly is at this teacher’s boiling point. I’ve got a call in to the director and plan to ask how we can touch base about his behavior more frequently so this doesn’t get out of hand.
I don’t want to sound like crazy parent. I believe that he really did this, and it needs to be addressed. But I also am concerned about the lack of communication and the hostility (especially in front of him) about this. Kids soak in what we say about them, and will take any kind of attention they get. I don’t want him labeled the “bad kid” for the next two years there.
Anon says
Oh wow. That is not ok for the teacher to react like this in front of him. Many kids hit others occasionally and part of being a teacher is keeping your cool about it.
Anonanonanon says
It seems like you’re approaching this very reasonably. I would say almost what you said here: “Son’s teacher told us quite emphatically in front of him yesterday that he is hitting kids and making them cry. I believe her account, but she seemed quite exasperated, and I was slightly taken aback because this is the first time we’ve heard this feedback. We want to do whatever we can to support his success at school at home, but we can’t do that if we don’t know about problems before the teacher is overwhelmed. How can we find out how long this particular problem has been going on, and get more consistent updates in the future?” Maybe I’m passive-aggressive, but I think the subtext there is clear
anonymommy says
Thank you both. This is a great way to word it. I’m sure I’m being defensive and sensitive because it’s my kid (and of course I get frustrated with him too sometimes!). I just want him to have a good relationship with the teacher and not one that’s constantly negative! This approach is very polite and will hopefully avoid me sounding mean and/or crying on the phone! Parenting…it really brings out all. the. emotions.
Anon says
For what it’s worth – we experienced something very similar with our almost 3 year old and it led us to uncover some major issues with the daycare that we’d otherwise been happy with until then — long story short we’re moving him soon to another center. Not saying that’s what’s happening in yours – but I wouldn’t be afraid to dig ! Trust your instincts.
anonymommy says
I sooo hope not, but you’re right that I should be concerned. We’ve liked the center so much so far. Any other red flags to look for?
(Also, can we talk about how we saw childcare pre-kids? I want to slap childless, 20 yo me for thinking my friend with a kid was rude for not hanging out more and thought “just find a sitter!!” UGH it’s SO hard.)
SC says
This sounds perfect and pretty direct. I wouldn’t label it passive aggressive.
Pogo says
Agree. We had some hitting recently (our son hitting other kids with toys, also some sand throwing – both of which I’ve seen him do, so I totally believe it) and it was touched on immediately directly from his teacher in a note (bc COVID). We responded in the same way (because we can’t talk to the teacher directly, sent a note), and waited to see. Just reiterated we are working on it at home as well. We decided to wait to set up a conference because it was isolated and the director said we’d be getting report cards soon. His report card indicated his emotional/social stuff all as “meeting milestones” so that really helped me understand that he’s still in the range of normal for this. We still plan to set up a conference now that we have the report, because while we are happy he’s developmentally appropriate, he is challenging and we want to help him learn to emotionally regulate.
I would probably have started crying if I got that kind of talking to from a teacher in front of my kid and potentially other parents.
I would also question that you don’t have the director’s email and cell # – I’m in contact with ours constantly. We don’t have our teacher’s email, but the director will put us in contact if we ask. Calling the front desk gets you whoever – like you mention w/ your school’s email – but I only do that if I’m like, outside and just need to get in. If I need immediate assistance, I text the director.
I’m sorry. It’s so hard.
AwayEmily says
Wow, no specific advice but I think you are absolutely right to be pissed about the teacher talking that way in front of him — totally inappropriate. Your poor kiddo.
Hmmm says
+1
Anonymous says
That’s not okay at all. The teacher needed to address this is in a calm way with you the first time it was an issue. You can completely believe your kid is doing this but also find how the school has dealt with it to be unacceptable.
You also need to look at why it is happening. If it’s a new behavior and you are not seeing it at home, I would want to know more about what is happening in the classroom dynamics to promote it.
Anonymous says
I think you are handling it the right way. Honestly the teacher needs to have a plan to deal with this – there is not a whole lot you can do when you aren’t there. It sounds like the teacher needs help, and you alerting the director may make that more likely.
The only other thing I would do is talk to your husband (if he normally does pick up) to make sure there haven’t been other comments or communications you are not aware of.
EDAnon says
There was a kid at our child care who was great except that he bit other kids all the time (all the time!). The teachers worked with him and were very kind (even when they were a bit exasperated). We only know because our kid was on the receiving end of the bites a lot (and could talk so would tell us who did it).
That is all to say that the teacher sounds like she was in the wrong. You seem on the right track. My center does parent teacher conferences and, minimally, they should do that. With this, I would insist on checking in regularly for awhile to figure out what’s going on (closer to the time of the incident). Our center actively encourages call in during nap so that you can get those check-ins we lost during COVID.
Anonymous says
What did you say back to the teacher? Frankly this would make me go full on mama bear and pull my kid out.
anonymommy says
It was awkward because drop off is rushed (covid=outdoor drop off/temperature checks) and I had been under the impression it was a one-day issue. So I pressed her on whether this was ongoing or one day, told her we had already had a serious convo about it, and then it quickly turned back to temperature checks and which bag was which etc etc as the next kids were in line. I was stewing the whole way home. Left a voicemail but still no call back from the Center. DH and I both going to do pick-up to see if we can get a second one-on-one out of son’s earshot. I’m really glad I’m not the only one who feels like this wasn’t handled correctly by the teacher. He’s only been at this daycare about 8 months, his sister loves it, and he does not like change, so I really don’t want to have to leave unless it’s necessary.
govtattymom says
Any ideas for something really fun to do with my daughter this summer? My daughter starts kindergarten in the fall and I’d really like to do something special with her before school starts but options are somewhat limited. Things like the beach, waterparks, etc. are out because I have lupus and significant sun exposure can cause flares. I also have a 4 month-old and don’t want to be away from her for longer than an overnight. Thank you in advance for the ideas!!!
AwayEmily says
Following! I just realized we have a one-week break between end of daycare and start of kindergarten, and while I considered putting my daughter in a day camp I figure maybe I should instead plan some fun one-on-one time (well, and supplement with grandparent care so I can also get some work done).
Anon says
I think an overnight trip to a nearby city would be super fun. Is something like the zoo out too because of the sun? YMMV but I find that I can actually cover up a lot more at the beach/waterpark than other outdoor destinations. I don’t have lupus but have very fair skin that freckles/tans super easily and I actually wear much more clothing (long sleeve rashguard and swim leggings) at the beach or waterpark than I do to non-water places. I look absurd but I don’t care, I want to protect my skin and the warmer clothing is tolerable because I get wet and that keeps me cool. Can’t really wear long sleeves and long pants to traipse around a zoo in 80+ degrees ;)
NYCer says
Where do you live? Can you do an overnight just the two of you in a “fancy” (kid definition of fancy, doesn’t actually have to be fancy) hotel in a nearby city or vacation destination? You could get manicures/pedicures (if you like those things), go shopping, go out a fun dinner, get ice cream, have room service breakfast, etc.
anon says
Overnight at a local hotel with an indoor pool?
Anonymous says
This is what I would do. Pizza place for dinner, ice cream shop for dessert, hotel with in-room movie and popcorn overnight. Room service for breakfast in the morning, swim, check out.
anon says
Depends on your COVID risk level, but Great Wolf Lodge is an indoor waterpark (no sun) that is perfect for a 5 yo.
Anonymous says
This was my first thought. Great Wolf Lodge weekends are all the rage among families with kids in that age group where we live. Kids who haven’t been (like mine because I can’t bring myself to spend that much money to be tortured) complain about being left out. If you can tolerate it and are less cheap than I am, I’d do it.
Anonymous says
I’d combine an overnight away at a fun hotel with some school shopping.
Mary Moo Cow says
Little fun things like a manicure/pedicure, tea or brunch at a fancy hotel (I live in a city with an old hotel that is famous for its afternoon tea), randomly picking only her up early from childcare and getting ice cream (no guilt! splurge on the fancy sundae!), an art museum (our city’s is very child friendly), natural history museum, etc. Anywhere near you with a carousel? My newly 6 year old loved it — what a novelty! You don’t have to be away overnight for any of these, but she would get a lot of one-on-one time with you. Have fun!
Spirograph says
I’d ask her for some ideas, too. Kids get a kick out of the most mundane things sometime. DH and I each promised the kids a special one on one day over the summer. My rising 1st grade daughter asked to do arts and crafts, read Harry Potter, and get ice cream, so we have shopping at Michaels, plus Color Me Mine and ice cream break in the park with a book on the way home.
Overnight hotel stay with a pool and either restaurant or room service, depending on which she thinks is more exciting, also sounds perfect.
FP says
I don’t know where you are located but in Nashville there is the Gaylord Opryland with an indoor waterpark, and I believe there are two other locations (Orlando and somewhere in TX?) with similar setups. What about an aquarium trip?
Looking for third trimester footwear to get me through the summer says
In my last 2 months of pregnancy with due date at end of August and my sneakers are starting to feel really tight and uncomfortable, pinching my feet when I go for a walk. I have been wearing flip flops, but going on walks with them isn’t great either. Any advise on footwear to get me through these last couple of months?
Thanks!
Anonymous says
Birkenstocks.
Anon says
+1 I just got Arizonas and they’re super comfy.
Mary Moo Cow says
+2. I wore them with both my end-of-May and August babies.
anon says
Don’t be afraid to buy slip ons that are a size up or in wide. I ended up needing new shoes because of the swelling/spreading.
Anonymous says
Try Fitflop sandals.
keenfamily says
Flip flops are horrible for my knees, and definitely at the end of pregnancy. Definitely worth getting something comfortable! What about Keen sandals? Not the cutest, but for walks with the kids during summer they’re great. (If you aren’t sure you’ll like them, ebay often has gently used ones for a fraction of the price!)
Anon says
Sneakers in a bigger size/width to fit your current feet.
Anonymous says
I second this. Sneakers are better for walking than anything else. My feet permanently grew after my first pregnancy, so buying bigger shoes was not a waste of money.
Pregnancy sciatica says
FTM Anyone have advice on how to get relief from pregnancy sciatica? I am at 31w, and it has gotten substantially worse, especially at night when it wakes me from sleeping. I have tried walking, warm baths, and yoga before bed, but it still persists. Is this something I’m just going to have to have grit my teeth through until end of pregnancy?
Cb says
I know chiropractors are controversial, but I saw one who specialised in pregnancy, and it made a huge difference in my sciatica. No neck adjustments, just gentle adjustments around my hips and pelvis which really helped. And she had a table with a belly shaped hole in it so I could lie on my front for a bit, which felt so nice as a natural stomach sleeper.
octagon says
+1 my chiropractor combined light adjustments on my hips with massage and active release and it made all the difference.
I also slept with one of those giant snoogle pillows, including between my legs — I’m a side sleeper so it elevated the top leg to relieve the pressure on my hips.
I also used a TENS unit pretty frequently from week 30 onward.
The good news is the pain pretty much disappeared after delivery. Hang in there!
anon says
I had terrible pain at 30 weeks, but it was gone by 34 weeks. The baby must have shifted or something, but overnight it was just gone. I wouldn’t assume it will last through the end. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t.
AnonATL says
Have you tried foam rolling? I had some bad hip and butt pain late in my pregnancy and a foam roller helped a lot.
Anonymous says
Physiotherapy really helped mine.
rakma says
Ice was the best for my pregnancy sciatica. A flexible ice pack worked best, I’d either sit or lay on it.
Anonymous says
I’m working at a coffee shop for the first time since pre-Covid. It is so great.
Anon says
Bliss!
Pogo says
I saw someone at our starbucks the other day and I was like..wait…I could do that…
AnonMom says
I’m sending my 3 year old to camp 9-12 each morning. I just found out that snack (which I have to provide) will be at 11:30. Am I crazy or is this a terrible time for lunch for 2-3 year olds? All the little ones in our circle have snack mid-morning and eat lunch around 12.
SC says
Is this supposed to be snack or lunch? I don’t think 11:30 vs. 12:00 for lunch matters that much in the scheme of things. But if the time and setup don’t really work for a full lunch, it’s an awkward time for a snack. I would probably pack a half-lunch–a piece of fruit and some dip with carrots and/or crackers. Then offer a little more at home before nap time.
Anon says
I think it’s fairly normal? Our daycare has always served morning snack at 9/9:15ish and lunch at 11:30. The kids clean up/potty at noon and are supposed to be napping by 12:30. My daughter is a weirdo who frequently sleeps past 8 am so this schedule isn’t optimal for her (even when she napped consistently it was hard for her to be asleep before 1 pm because of how late she wakes up) but most toddlers wake up much earlier and so it seems like a pretty logical schedule to me. If you’re eating your breakfast at 6:30 you would be ready for a snack around 9:30, or at least I would!
OP says
This is snack, not lunch. They won’t serve anything between drop off at 9 and 11:30. So I’ll turn snack into lunch (they bring snack), but it’s hard to get him to eat snack before 8:30 when we have to leave for camp. Seems odd to me.
GCA says
Could you get him to eat a really solid breakfast to last all the way through to 11.30? Then a hefty snack-lunch (with 3-year-olds, I am guessing that 11.30 snack will segue straight into pickup time) and a lighter ‘lunch snack’ that will get him through to dinner?
Anon says
I see what you’re saying about the kids not being hungry for lunch, but I think it’s a smart time – after all the other activities are done and they are winding down and won’t be a hangry mess for pickup. I’d give your kid a filling breakfast and then pack a healthy snack that can be considered part of her lunch, and feed her the rest at home. A kid should certainly be able to go 8:30-11:30 before needing a snack
Anonymous says
I tend to agree with you…but kiddo will probably be so excited with all the activities going on that kiddo will forget about snack/being hungry.
Anonymous says
Why would they bother with snack at the end of a 3-hour camp? It might make sense to have snack at 10:30 so the kids wouldn’t get cranky, but 1/2 hour before the end of camp seems pointless and like it would definitely interfere with lunch. Could it be a typo in the schedule?
CPA Lady says
I may be an outlier, but my kid’s daycare did not do morning snack at all. So neither she nor any of her friends ever ate a morning snack. They had breakfast and 8:30, lunch at 11:30, and snack at 3.
If you’re extremely worried, I’d try to feed your kid a solid breakfast and then allow him or her to keep eating a cup of cheerios or something on the drive over there. And then pack something lunch adjacent for “snack”, like the toddler version of a charcuterie board w cheese, crackers, meats, and cut up fruit. Or pack a whole sandwich. Whatever you kid normally eats for lunch.
Anon. says
This is our daycare feeding schedule. We do breakfast at 7:15ish and they get to daycare at 8 – so really they’re getting an extended breakfast.
Anon says
We had all our summer weekends booked solid with visitors but then my dad had a surgery and a post-surgical complication. He’ll be fine but my parents have to miss a planned visit and we suddenly have the next three weekends, including the holiday weekend, totally open – the first free weekends we’ve had since April. Any suggestions for ways to fill the time with a preschooler that are Covid safe (i.e., outdoors)? She doesn’t enjoy pools/water and we have really hit our limit with the local zoo and playgrounds. Does mini golf work with an uncoordinated 3 year old? We will almost certainly take a day trip to the beach but need to fill a bunch of other days.
AwayEmily says
Hiking, going to elementary school playgrounds that you can’t normally go to during the school year, letting her play with a water table or hose in the yard, scooting or tricycling around an empty college campus, visiting farmers markets and then having a picnic.
Anonymous says
Are you guys always on the go? Your preschooler may just enjoy a full day of playing at home without an agenda. Bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sprinkler, etc… we hike a lot. But I’m actually amazed by how many people on this board are lost on how to spend time with their kids.
Anon says
I mean, it’s not so much that I don’t know how to spend time with her (that’s kinda rude) but moreseo that we’re all much happier when we get out and do something active instead of sitting at home all day. Covid (at least for our risk tolerance) has removed a lot of stuff we normally do on weekends, like the library, Target runs, kids museum, indoor playplaces, etc. and it’s been 15 months now of mostly limiting ourselves to outdoor stuff, so I could use some fresh ideas.
anon says
haha yes, that was rude and self-righteous.
Anonymous says
I would not do mini golf with a 3-year-old. She will take forever and will get mad if you make her pick up her ball and move on to the next hole before she’s hit it in. It will cause a backup and you will have to let a lot of people play through.
Spirograph says
Mini golf works with a 3 year old as long as 1. You have very low expectations and no illusions about following the rules or keeping score. 2. The course is not crowded.
Other ideas:
Picnic + kicking a soccer ball at a park.
Canoeing, kayaking or tubing (life jacket required, obvs)
Kite flying
Hiking, biking, etc exploring regional parks and trails. Look for bugs, don’t try to cover much distance. Play in the creeks.
Pogo says
I just spent the last 1.5 hours on a call with a vibrator pressed to my b00b to dislodge a clogged duct, while my cleaning lady hopefully did not think I was in here using it for its other purpose lol.
Anon says
Lol!!! What a funny story. An electric toothbrush serves the same purpose if you’re worried about what your cleaning lady thinks, but really who cares. ;) I actually had the most luck with clogged ducts by sticking my breast in a pot of hot water, leaning over (nip pointing down) and massaging. I got a clog out that way when I found myself in rural Maine without a pump and baby didn’t want to nurse that side.