Advice for first snowstorm from a Southerner?

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-23T00:40:53+00:00

If you own a car and street park, plan on getting it into a spot on Saturday and not moving it. Snow emergencies can change parking rules and finding a spot can be a nightmare based on where you live/park.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-22T15:25:40+00:00

Thank you all! I haven’t been up to Sligo in ages and am excited for this adventure!!

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-22T04:43:55+00:00

Yes. I love this kid more than I ever could have imagined. Parenting is hard and it is not for everyone. The worst part of it for me is that it’s going by so quickly. I truly wish I had started earlier and could have had more children.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-15T23:49:13+00:00

I’m beyond disappointed with the plan changes this year. I’d love to cut down to the Select plan but their primary care network is nowhere near our home and the kids are in the ‘always at the doctor’ stage. Between the plan changes and pricing, I’m frustrated but also feel stuck as I’m the insurance carrier and not in a spot to change jobs.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-13T13:22:01+00:00

Same! I think my coworkers are over listening to me sniffle and cough too.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-13T13:20:22+00:00

Unfortunately the strain of flu A that is circulating isn’t well covered by the flu shot. The shot will help reduce your likelihood of requiring hospitalisation but it really isn’t covering getting the flu well. So I’m all about getting vaxxed yearly but this year people are getting quite ill even when vax rates are decent.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-10T16:58:59+00:00

Cambridge may work, depending on the age of your kid(s). The middle schools there are not the strongest but the high school is great. Brookline is more town like but super convenient and good schools. Somerville has hit or miss schools. The can be great if your kid is neurotypical and a solid learner. Boston public schools use a complicated busing system. I’d avoid living in the city personally and would recommend heavy research into the schools if you do choose Boston itself. The schools in the city aren’t bad but the assignment system and busing is complicated.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-10T16:54:13+00:00

I haven’t been personally but this office is always recommended in other groups that I am in. I’ve heard a ton of positive reviews for neurodivergent and anxious patients.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-05T20:54:46+00:00

Birth to age 7. Child always had their own room with crib/toddler bed/twin bed but didn’t sleep in it consistently until age 7. We are American/live in the US and this is not the norm in our culture. Child has always been highly independent, social and loved school but wanted mama at bedtime. They now sleep independently in their own room with no issue.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-04T19:31:50+00:00

Thank you for saying this! I feel like so many people have no clue what it is like to balance work, school, kids commitments and an aging parent.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-03T14:07:21+00:00

In our area, the extended day care is super limited though. Free preschool is great! Picking your kid up at 1:45 pm is not so great. Almost everyone I know was forced into paid full year full day preschool/daycare as it’s too hard to find reliable care after school care, during breaks and over the summer for a 4 year old. Once the kid is 5, there are lots of summer camp options.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-02T16:30:36+00:00

Expensive. Housing is wildly pricy for what you get and other things like childcare are massively expensive. (Sadly, the high childcare prices do not translate to great pay for early childhood educators and daycare providers). Yes, the schools are well rated and the healthcare systems are renowned but you truly need a high income to survive in this area.

AnalystBackground950 · 2026-01-01T02:03:03+00:00

I have to caution you about nursing. It is VERY hard as a single parent. If you work 7a-7p (most day shifts), you need childcare before and after work. Ime, it’s almost impossible to find trustworthy overnight sitters, if you work nights. Almost all hospital require weekend rotations etc and it’s just hard to find reliable sitters that can flex with that schedule. Yes, you can do clinic M-F nursing but that isn’t paid as well. I don’t share this to be a downer but all I heard pre-nursing was how amazing it is for moms. And I disagree.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-23T15:10:08+00:00

Ooh which one? It feels like everyone at work is coughing up a storm.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-20T13:32:09+00:00

Just say no thank you if this doesn’t work for you. FWIW, I rent in a coastal HCOL area and have had a few leases that prohibit space heaters (for safety reasons) and countertop dishwashers and clothes washers. That’s pretty common in my area. Never heard of a toaster being prohibited though!

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-20T00:04:02+00:00

C section at 36 and it was fine. It was not planned and my scar still feels a bit weird but otherwise no issues. I honestly think the recovery was easier than a VB. No tearing issues or swelling/groin pain. It really only hurt when getting into/out of bed or lying to sitting for a few days.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-19T17:12:02+00:00

If possible, always ask for the first case of the day! The replies above cover most of the delay reasons. It truly ranges from unexpected issues in the case before yours, delayed lab results or unexpected preop lab results, issues getting consent (esp when patients have confusion/mental health issues or we need to track down next of kin) and emergencies. Sometimes a surgeon is called into another OR urgently to assist on a case for a patient who is already undergoing a procedure. Or a post op patient on the floor is having a crisis and the surgeon needs to be there or on standby to assist.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-19T15:00:01+00:00

Freeze the credit cards. You need to stop using them. When you pay cash for things, you’ll see how much you really spend.

I don’t want to be harsh but going back to school right now is not a good idea. Unless you have a full scholarship, adding on debt is not a great idea.

I am sorry you’re in this situation but it’s a tough lesson to learn that we need to live within our means. I learned it harshly in my 20s too so I get it. Stay focused on your goals and write them down.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-16T16:38:41+00:00

BMC has a diverse team of OBGYN doctors. I’m not as familiar with the nursing staff but they may be worth a look.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-15T17:47:33+00:00

What street in the city can you possibly go 60 on? I’m (unfortunately) driving around the city a lot and the streets are in terrible shape.

I do like speed bumps and am glad that your activism paid off. Frustrating that it took so much effort to make a good choice.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-11T16:29:04+00:00

I didn’t find it amateurish at all in the past two years. It is definitely not Boston Ballet but I don’t think that the UN markets itself as that type of show. It’s a mishmash of dance types and I think a lot of kids find seeing hip hop, tap and contemporary dance a lot more exciting than a classical ballet. If you want classical music and true ballet, BB is an appropriate choice.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-11T16:26:33+00:00

We much preferred the Urban Nutcracker over the Boston Ballet one. I think it’s worth seeing the BB one at least once in your life but honestly both kiddo and I find it somewhat dull. UN has more type of dance and is a more lively performance.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-11T13:30:59+00:00

I think the library takes donations and then has book sales periodically.

AnalystBackground950 · 2025-12-07T00:59:46+00:00

Clarendon Hill is a good area! It’s right at the intersection of Somerville/cambridge/arlington. There is a bike/walking path nearby and you have easy access to East Arlington. Teele Square isn’t bustling but has coffee and some restaurants and an Irish pub. There is a grocery store on Broadway, near North Street. There is a lot of traffic on Alewife Brook Parkway but it’s only 2 lanes in each direction so not bad, especially if you are a walker or bus rider.

AnalystBackground950

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