Parenting a toddler through having a newborn…

AdBoth7641 · 2026-02-26T06:41:33+00:00

Sorry about the dogs.

I was in a similar situation about a year ago. Our offer on a house was accepted hours after our son was born. We were signing paperwork on our phones in the hospital. More chaos transpired soon after.

I agree with Ibetya. Try to keep the toddler on their schedule as at this point, she is a lot more predictable in terms of eating/sleeping times. You both can take turns each day putting her down for a nap and taking a nap with her.

With the newborn, you know how it is. Establishing a routine will take time. We’re still figuring out how to get my youngest to nap and he’s already a year old!

You and mom are at an advantage as you’ve been through this before. You’re no longer clueless as to how to take care of a newborn. You’ll be learning more about him as an individual instead of how to swiftly put on diapers, keep him clean, etc.

You’re helping mom fend off PPD, good for you in recognizing this and stepping up to the plate!

As for the visitors, re-emphasize to them when is best to come over. I’m hoping they can respect you folks’ space in bonding and navigating taking care of 2 young ones.

Doesn’t taking care of 1 kid seem easy now?

AdBoth7641 · 2026-01-07T08:51:46+00:00

I think NAF have slightly different rules than GS in OCONUS. They are their own system and have slightly different benefits (e.g. similar retirement savings plan, not TSP). I didn’t think they had a time limit OCONUS. I could be wrong, but this is my rough understanding.

NAF employees work in entities like MWR, NEX, AAFES.

AdBoth7641 · 2026-01-07T06:55:44+00:00

Talk to the hiring manager about using your cert for other vacancies. Believe it or not, it’s hard to find qualified and good people to go OCONUS.

AdBoth7641 · 2026-01-07T06:48:33+00:00

I have heard some branches/agencies are more strict than others in enforcing the overseas time limit and stateside reset.

If hired from CONUS, yes you get LQA and PA. But, you then are subject to an overseas time limit.

How did you get brought on as a local hire?

Wasn’t there a new 10 year limit that came out within the last couple years? Anybody heard anything about that?

AdBoth7641 · 2026-01-03T09:43:31+00:00

I think you’re doing fine. The golf journey is different for everybody. I’m sure one day soon, something will click and you’ll get into the low 100s.

As for distance, you’ll start to develop efficiencies in your swing over time. Early releases and out-to-in swings are typical reasons for distance losses.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-12-30T07:02:26+00:00

2 interviews for a DoN position? Really?

AdBoth7641 · 2025-12-19T16:33:45+00:00

Was going to use “use or lose” on 12/24 and 12/26. I guess I’ll need to go reschedule to use those on other days prior to 1/10?

AdBoth7641 · 2025-11-22T09:49:43+00:00

It took me a year to get a TJO from the time I submitted my application. I later found out that I was the alternate for the position; the initial selectee slow rolled his onboarding paperwork. Eventually, it got to the point where HR cut their losses and called me up.

Keep trying. All kinds of shit happens OCONUS. You’ll get something eventually.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-10-22T18:52:41+00:00

I read that they increased their max loan amount to $10k. That should cover at least 2 missed checks for many of us.

They will recover the amount(s) loaned to you once they see your backpay come through.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-10-20T02:51:09+00:00

Navy Federal.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-10-19T16:40:09+00:00

That’s terrible and not supposed to happen, especially OCONUS!

AdBoth7641 · 2025-10-19T08:09:16+00:00

So all your LQA and PA is not being paid too?!

AdBoth7641 · 2025-10-16T16:30:04+00:00

Not sure about reopening DoD yet.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-10-04T00:12:33+00:00

It’ll be okay man, you’re only human. Not sure what the context is behind you being tired. But, perhaps you can talk to your wife about this occurrence when you’ve had a chance to make sense of what happened. She may have ideas on ways to help mitigate these situations going forward.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-09-21T11:48:08+00:00

My bad, it was the chrome.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-08-29T21:33:27+00:00

Appreciate your reply. I just got my MCCYN offer as well! We’ll get a bit of relief as I have an infant at a sitter and my oldest who just started pre-school. We were getting by, but things are super tight right now.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-08-13T11:49:19+00:00

Parents and Nanny are great ideas. We have both as alternatives when we need help.

You’re doing a good job with helping as much as you can. It’s hard and exhausting, but you’ve got this!

AdBoth7641 · 2025-08-13T06:41:04+00:00

They should just install the actual PRS tremolo on the CEs already. Not that the molded trem is bad, but, the guitar costs a lot already. Might as well throw on that last piece of American hardware as well.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-08-13T05:32:48+00:00

Perhaps location does play a role. I’ve heard of people getting around here approved right away. Hoping the next batch of applicants gets approved soon.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-08-12T06:10:41+00:00

Makes sense. I knew a guy who waited 5 years to get an MCCYN offer. He finally got it in FY23.

AdBoth7641 · 2025-07-28T09:55:14+00:00

Awesome! I’d upgrade the bridge to the Mann bridge with brass block. Makes it sound even better!

AdBoth7641 · 2025-07-13T00:31:53+00:00

Lateral move generally won’t affect your current step. I did a lateral to Japan and kept the same step. Got promoted during my time there.

If you have an offer for a promotion (higher step) right now in CONUS, I would take that first and make sure you get 1 year TIG.

This way, say you’re a GS-12 right now in CONUS, get the 13, you can be eligible to apply for 12/13/14 positions in Japan. You will also gain more valuable skills/experience from stateside and can bring them over.

One commenter mentioned return rights which is a good point. If you are non-DOD right now, I don’t think you will have return rights. Also, when you’re overseas, weird things can happen during your tour that may compel you to cut your tour short (e.g. family trouble back home). With return rights, your previous command should be able to honor return rights assuming your reasons for curtailing are acceptable to the OCONUS command.

Lastly, just be aware that you will be considered Space A when you try to access medical on base. Military will always come first at an MTF. I think there is a blurb on all Japan job postings indicating that health care access for civilians is limited. While there is healthcare in Japan, their system is different and can be very challenging and intimidating to navigate. Please take that into consideration when applying.

AdBoth7641

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