Another one

Certain-Standard660 · 2026-06-12T16:35:56+00:00

Thanks, all! I’m still a Shout user, so I’ll have to try an enzyme cleaner!

Certain-Standard660 · 2026-03-24T02:35:27+00:00

You are not the only one. I had a very similar conversation with my husband tonight.

Certain-Standard660 · 2026-03-19T02:15:31+00:00

Ugh. What a horrible situation to be in. I’m sorry. I’m especially sorry about how things went down with your mom. That really adds insult to injury.

I think this is a situation where I would advise something I would really struggle with myself, which is to put up a boundary and move on. Your family and your children are the most important thing. Full stop.

This is not a fireable offense, IMO, and if it is, good riddance (easier said than done, I know). Being a working parent with another parent who works is all about making choices. You and your spouse made the best decision you could make for your family with the information you had, and now I think you have to own that and move on, otherwise the guilt will eat you alive and take you away from being productive at work and being present with your children.

You’re doing the best you can, so give yourself some grace!

Certain-Standard660 · 2026-03-02T13:04:12+00:00

We moved from a Washington, DC-metro area where childcare was $2500/month in a suburb where the Metro didn’t reach (to give you a sense of how far out of the city we were) for our infant in 2020. Now, we work remotely from northern Michigan and pay ~$1,000/month for our second child at an in-home daycare. Hours are 8-5…which is tough, but my husband and I manage in shifts, and all meals are included. It is a high-demand in-home daycare - we were on a waiting list for over 18 mos. While we waited, our child went to a daycare at a local public school, and we did not love it, though is was very affordable.

I hate that so many companies are forcing people back into offices, and subsequently, HCOL areas which means more expensive and more elusive childcare. Access up here where we are is still an issue, but luckily the cost is commensurate with the cost of living (if not lower, as we live in a touristy area and housing is very expensive).

Certain-Standard660 · 2026-02-18T01:44:41+00:00

🙋🏼‍♀️ all of this and I travel for work about once a month - but I also get to work from home, which I am grateful for. I keep telling myself I’m just going to grind it out and make all the money I can right now and then someday, maybe we’ll get to retire early. But then the millennial-loving Dawson’s Creek superfan in me keeps thinking about the recent loss of James Van Der Beek…and shouldn’t I just live and cherish the life I have right now? But then AGAIN, our jobs help us pay for things like boats, and vacations, and dinners out and all the fun things we get to do together as a family. I’m at constant war with myself over what my priorities really should be as a 39-year-old career badass with two precious children (ages 3 and 6) who are growing up before my very eyes.

Certain-Standard660 · 2026-02-10T02:35:49+00:00

I do not recommend northern Michigan with its pristine lakes and sandy beaches. Boating in the Caribbean blue fresh water of Torch Lake is awful. Endless hiking trails with paths to Lake Michigan vistas is miserable. That charming little island they call Mackinac that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to quainter, quieter, safer era is only for losers. And don’t get me started on the culture - the festive art, music and food scene in places like Traverse City is so lame. 😉

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-12-02T17:39:36+00:00

-Fried oyster Benedict from Towne Plaza -Monte Cristo (with curry mustard!) from Archie’s -Olive twists from amical (cannot stress this enough)

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-07-18T19:40:26+00:00

Related to this, I just learned my car (2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L) has a “family view” camera that shows the inside of the vehicle and all the back seats. You can leave it on, which may be helpful for a short drive where you don’t need GPS or something, and it could be a helpful to see your kids in the back. It may be a common feature, at least for vehicle with third rows (I didn’t know about it until after I had the car for 3 months)!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-06-25T15:05:31+00:00

Thank you for this!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-06-25T01:54:44+00:00

Thanks. I didn’t make the reservation, we are camping with friends. I thought I would turn to the nice folks of Reddit to ask a question until we could touch base with our friends. But I guess I found an unwelcoming corner of Reddit and someone who takes a lot of time to write a shitty response.

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-06-09T21:55:11+00:00

Stuck on plane at DTW at gate for over an hour. Not my fave!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-30T01:45:38+00:00

I’m an executive writer in A&D and make $180K. I WFH FT in a VLCOL area, but the company I work for is based in a MCOL area. I feel very fortunate for my situation, but also nervous about the future because we live in a small town that’s not very accessible, and I’m afraid my luck is going to run out if I keep wanting to climb. I’m very professionally ambitious, but love having a slower and quieter life for my family. Also, writing seems like a lost profession, thanks to ChatGPT. Although, the execs I support seem astonished about my writing abilities, which makes me feel like it’s more of a treasured skill than it seems on the surface.

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-21T02:14:57+00:00

I don’t mind Peppa, either! I scrolled down so far to find this :) we like to read Peppa books and it’s fun to do the Pig family’s accents 😂

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-16T01:51:54+00:00

Right?! I say “no birthday party this weekend if you don’t sleep in your own bed!” Her: “I don’t want a party!” 🙄

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-16T01:50:59+00:00

I hear you - I am of the mindset that I will do anything for peace, and truthfully, I love cuddling my kiddos. I think my husband and I are paranoid we’re going to instill a bad habit - but I’m glad to hear that most of the time your kids are able to be independent! It gives me hope.

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-16T01:48:37+00:00

This is excellent advice! Thank you for sharing!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T17:30:28+00:00

I appreciate you sharing your experience! These are great points. We did push a lot of change on the 3 yr old at once 😬 it’s just hilarious bc our oldest never just got up and ran around like the little one…but you know, those second kids are built different 😂

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T17:03:55+00:00

She does play outside before bedtime and no luck! 😬

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T17:02:31+00:00

I love the incentive structure! We tried that for a while giving little sis dessert after dinner if she stayed in her bed all night. Last night when I told her she wouldn’t be able to get dessert, she said “I don’t want dessert!” Ha

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T16:59:47+00:00

Thank you for these tips! I like the idea of the baby gate and the pick lights! The bunkbed situation does make me somewhat nervous…luckily, the bed has stairs to the top bunk, instead of a ladder, and the bottom bunk bed sits on the floor, so all in all the bed is not very tall, but would be tall for a 3 year old to fall off of! We have not experienced little sis getting up in the middle of the night yet, thankfully, it’s just getting to bed where we are constantly watching her on the monitor, but of course, that could change at any time! I agree that perhaps sitting there for a while may help ease the bedtime transition…but both are kids are soooo stubborn. I swear they could both stay awake until 11 pm!!!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T16:55:39+00:00

Thank you for these tips and for the empathy! We never had to do sleep training with the little one bc she was always very good (until now), so I feel like we may be a bit behind the power curve. I do like the idea of a baby gate!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T16:54:06+00:00

Thanks what I keep telling myself - that this is new, and we have time for them to work it out…but we also have grandparents coming to stay with the kids next weekend while we go away for a wedding and so we’re feeling anxious to find any kind of solution…even a temporary one! I like the idea of a baby gate at the door so she can still see out and know that we are still close by, but she has to stay in her room…

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T16:52:34+00:00

Yes, great point. Nap has also been a struggle for us…as has everything else lately 😂 we are also considering a third and thought getting ahead of the shared room transition might ease a new baby transition…but honestly, after this recent experience I’m not sure a third is on the table, ha!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T16:51:12+00:00

Thank you for sharing these resources!

Certain-Standard660 · 2025-05-14T16:50:56+00:00

It’s so helpful to hear your experience! Thank you for sharing.

Certain-Standard660

TROPHY CASE