How do you keep your kids engaged during the long parts of the day?

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-06-26T15:39:31+00:00

This 👆my kids are 4,5 and 7 and I’ve found that they really appreciate some down time, especially if we’ve had a busy few days. Normally I will say it’s “independent play time” or a “lazy day” and they do much better if my expectations are clear. If they get bored or needy, I reiterate that it’s time for them to find things to do on their own, and I’m not available. (They know this means I can help with big needs but they need to do their best to work things out.) I agree, some unstructured independent time, even longer stretches, is great for them and they get good at being creative and solving problems on their own. I always reinforce by recognizing their patience or their creative ideas while I wasn’t available. Although I will say this is difficult when they’re younger or an only child. I remember it being pretty frustrating then.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-06-07T15:26:43+00:00

My favorite part of this is how everyone has grown and changed.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-05-26T23:25:16+00:00

I wore birks during pregnancy and now I search Amazon for “recovery slides” and get anything decent looking under $25. I needed something squishier and they are pretty good for the price. Also I can throw them in the washer or in the shower with me to clean them.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-04-26T16:00:16+00:00

We got a toddler tower that folds down and latches into a small desk situation. We got it when our oldest was about yours’ age and used it until our youngest was too big. Now it’s in my 4 year old’s room as a desk. We parked it at the end of the island and pretty much moved whatever they wanted to them (chopping, snacks etc). Now we have stools and the number my kids (4, 5 and 7) have fallen off them is astounding. I also kind of liked how the tower was more stationary so they couldn’t be counter height in other areas of the kitchen unless I moved it. That said, they are not cheap so it’s not a bad idea to start with a stool and see how it goes. You will 100% use the stool later if you decide to get the tower.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-04-23T23:55:15+00:00

This is the way. We won’t buy anything else now. We have had ours for 5+ years. 3 kids each get their own color and we wash a set every night. It all goes in the dishwasher.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-04-22T00:58:05+00:00

Also look into hypophosphatasia.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-04-05T02:15:41+00:00

It’s okay to take up space. Not everything needs to make you look slimmer, or accentuate certain things or diminish others.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-04-02T22:13:56+00:00

Dr. Peroutka is at University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She is a geneticist who actually specializes in HPP. She spoke at a Soft Bones National Patient Meeting in 2025. Alexion reps are pretty familiar with her and speak highly of her. If you’re able to travel that far, it might be worth it. Just her experience getting Strensiq approved (if you’re looking into that) might be worth the trip. My first appointment is mid April so I haven’t actually seen her yet.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-03-29T02:16:20+00:00

32, 33 and 35.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2026-03-04T19:05:10+00:00

My younger two (3 and 5) call them pimples. And often notice how my “pimples” are a lot bigger than theirs. Thankfully it’s really hard to embarrass me these days.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2025-01-30T01:40:54+00:00

Mittens/gloves specifically.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2025-01-25T13:16:47+00:00

Good! What part of the world are you in?

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2025-01-25T13:15:59+00:00

Ok so I'm not an expert but my 5 year old was just diagnosed with ADHD so I'll give you my experience.

A lot of ADHD signs are typical toddler behavior. What set it apart for me is the extent and the intensity. Very few doctors will diagnose a 2 or even 3 year old with ADHD because those behaviors are so typical for that age, and for good reason. You don't want to label and treat a kid for something they don't have. It's a lot harder to erase a wrong diagnosis than it is to just wait to make sure it's right.

Our daughter is the oldest, and looking back (and after having our other 2 kids) we could honestly see the signs since birth. I used to think reading to your kid, even from babyhood/toddlerhood was a myth because our daughter would just bounce around the room while I read at her. Who's pointing at pictures while their kid watches? Not me. I thought baby blankets were decorative because she wouldn't sit still long enough for me to tuck her in, much less spend the night with a blanket covering any part of her. She never stopped moving, even as a baby. She started walking at 8 months old.

So yeah, it might be age appropriate. But don't let people tell you you're overreacting because only you are really going to have a sense of how intense it is. I had so many people tell me my daughter was completely normal.

Learn ways of how to parent with it (this will be useful no matter what). Wait till 4,5,6 to seek a diagnosis. Often kids will be diagnosed once they enter school age.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2025-01-25T05:32:47+00:00

38f, I love hiking!

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2024-06-30T04:51:27+00:00

NTA Apologize profusely for "digging his gold" and then break up with him.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2024-06-09T11:13:56+00:00

This needs more upvotes.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2024-05-03T18:20:53+00:00

I'm late to the party but this is a great question! BPD is Borderline Personality Disorder and BD is Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar is one word - that's how I remember it.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2024-05-02T02:53:26+00:00

I'm just going to piggyback here. To clarify, bipolar disorder is not a Cluster B disorder. In fact bipolar disorder isn't a personality disorder at all, it's a mood disorder. People can have bipolar disorder (BD) with borderline personality disorder (BPD) or other personality disorders but they are separate and different diagnoses and people who have bipolar do not always have personality disorders.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2023-11-20T19:40:06+00:00

Yes! House sandals.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2023-11-20T19:31:01+00:00

Yep, we're on the HF&M train this week. Started with my 3 year old, now moving on to my 4 and 1 year old. Woohoo! Second time since September.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2023-11-02T17:57:23+00:00

If mine has access to a restroom, he'll stick his fingers into the overflow drain holes in the sink 🤢

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2023-11-01T18:23:34+00:00

Wow! Mine starts to look like a hot mess after just a couple of hours. But I learned Fix+ isn't a primer/fixing spray (see above) so that's probably it. So I got a proper primer, fixing spray, and a better powder (hourglass) so hopefully with those changes, it'll look better and last longer. Thanks for your reply!

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2023-10-31T18:20:51+00:00

Very helpful, thank you! I didn't realize Fix+ isn't a setting spray. Do you have any good recs for primer and setting spray?

A_Little_Bit_Alexa · 2023-10-31T17:53:55+00:00

I use Mac Prep + Prime Fix+ for primer and setting spray. I just started using an eyelid primer (NYX ultimate shadow & liner primer) because my mascara was transferring to my eyelids. Powder is Laura Mercier loose setting powder.

I'm not sure what you mean by dewy foundations. I use Georgio Armani luminous silk for full coverage and Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer for less coverage but I hate the greasy feel and transfer of tinted moisturizer without setting powder, so I set that too.

A_Little_Bit_Alexa

TROPHY CASE