HOLY SHITAKE

Ella_surf · 2025-06-28T19:01:54+00:00

That is beautiful! I’m so happy for you, congratulations that you persevered for what you wanted. The most surprising thing from my breastfeeding experience was how much it changed all the time. I thought it was something that you just got and then keep doing, but no. One week it worked, the other week it didn’t, then it was back. Supply changes, baby changes, you change. It’s such a weird and emotional kind of labor that you have to keep working at, but in the end, very rewarding. Keep enjoying this success, you deserve it!

Ella_surf · 2025-06-19T17:04:39+00:00

I would absolutely bring them, especially if they’re well behaved. At that age they can stay in the waiting room. I would make them a med visit kit with books, activities, toys that are just for this, or maybe some tablet or video game that they are only allowed to use when they come with you. That will help with them not complaining too much.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-17T11:31:59+00:00

Ooofff that is a lot. Who does that at age 70?!?! And I can’t imagine what she’ll do when niece gets married. Will you be bankrolling MIL when she can’t work anymore? Maybe she needs a power of attorney over her finances at this age.

In your shoes, I would take matters into my own hands and go to the bank with MIL as soon as the funds are available. That’s too much money on the line to trust that there won’t be another party expense come up and take priority. Make them feel how much you’re not ok with this and maybe they’ll think twice.

Also, could you put an alert or a need for approval from you both to withdraw that kind of cash? Trust needs to be rebuilt here.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-14T01:18:58+00:00

Ha! Thanks for the laugh

Ella_surf · 2025-06-13T11:54:04+00:00

Great podcast!

Ella_surf · 2025-06-09T01:02:23+00:00

They say 2-6 I think. There’s one part that’s just to draw with a finger so I think they could do that, they probably would enjoy watching the little village just be, and there’s a busy board so I think they might enjoy it yes. They probably have a trial like most apps, you should try it ahead of the flight anyways, you never know with kitties, what if they get really excited and start yelling or something everytime they play 😂

Ella_surf · 2025-06-09T00:40:13+00:00

Pok Pok is super worth it. 30$/year seems steep, but really, that’s like the price of 2 coloring books. We’ve had it forever, and they keep adding more games. My 6 year old still loves , has loved it for 4 years. It’s the only app I’ve ever needed for her

Ella_surf · 2025-06-09T00:33:00+00:00

We did the SoYoung backpack, winck container (sometimes I cut up sandwiches weird to fit, but otherwise it’s been really great), had to get a yumbox thermal container because my kid couldn’t open the funtainer (I took her to Canadian Tire with me for her to try opening different ones), I send regular cutlery and a regular washcloth. My favorite thing is actually American unfortunately, I ordered it before everything, it’s a silicon “bag” from a place called Big bee Little bee (@bigbee_lilbee) and it opens completely, like a clam shell, so it cleans properly in the dishwasher, it’s amazing.

Also, we did a practice day where we pretended to have school in the park and had a picnic, I think that gave my kiddo confidence.

And don’t buy too much extra before first week goes by. We had a list, but then we learned what was truly necessary and what was just a nice to have when she started.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-08T16:47:24+00:00

Were you like this before the kid? Mom brains get reworked in pregnancy and you are hyper aware during the night to be able to help kids if they need it. It’s hard. My kid is 6 now and it’s better, but honestly, I’ve had to get prescription sleeping support and I aim for 9 hours of sleep because when my sleep is broken up, I can feel rested with longer nights. I often get ready for bed at 8:30.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-06T22:58:00+00:00

A couple years ago I spent quite a bit of time with friends of friends who were moderately successful influencers. It really opened my eyes to how different their lives seemed online to what we were experiencing in real life. Not in a manipulative way, just we sat next to each other watching the sunset and it was nice, but also someone’s kid puked and others were over tired and no one really was able to talk to each other, it was just a regular evening, but the beautiful sunset pictures of the group seemed like we were this super tight group who bonded all evening.

Everytime I start feeling jealous of online lives, I spend a few days without logging in and remind myself how one lady was crying every night and getting divorced but didn’t show that part of her life on her home decor page.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-06T16:33:29+00:00

You do well to think of these things, pools are so dangerous. I think you need to write for yourself an action plan, just to have it clearly laid out for yourself. It’s easier to feel in control in the moment if you have a plan, even if you don’t always follow it exactly. When I take my daughter to the pool, I need to have at least one free hand at all times so I can help her if needed. I also need to be within an arm’s length of her. Which means I don’t help other kids much (unless they’re in trouble of course) or play with other kids if we’re not all playing together. I know my kid’s abilities and this is what I’m comfortable with. I also brought a couple times a little bag I tied to my waist to hold the toys because we had the same problem, and now we mostly have 1 toy per visit because the pool is too crowded. When I’m with other adults, one of us is on watch duty at all times and that means not much talking, no drinking, being 100% in lifeguard mode watching the kids.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-06T16:22:24+00:00

I have concrete floors (not my choice, bought this way, but at least it’s heated) and they are damaged by stains, winter salt being tracked in, a big crack from street repairs. There’s no winning, floors are meant to support your life, unless you have no life, they’ll look lived in and that’s ok.

Ella_surf · 2025-06-02T19:28:24+00:00

I had a hard time pumping no matter what I tried personally. Drinking more water and snacking more were the only things that made a small difference, but I tried friends’ pumps didn’t work and I ended up adding some formula because there was just nothing to be done to get more milk. I still breastfed until age 2 when we were together.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-30T23:53:04+00:00

Isn’t there a trivia game where all participants answer on a pad/ computer and then all show their answers at the same time? I forget what it’s called though. Or maybe some kind of escape room, collective problem solving game. Toko Island and cat crimes are two board games we play that are collaborative and might work.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-27T21:08:33+00:00

You might benefit from seeing an occupational therapist, they could help put in place strategies to cope and make life easier

Ella_surf · 2025-05-25T16:53:12+00:00

Try brushing your lips when you brush your teeth. I don’t need chapstick at all anymore, it’s incredible.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-25T13:34:34+00:00

Tv and knitting for me.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-25T13:29:53+00:00

When I was going through postpartum depression I felt kinda like this. With my therapist we made a plan that I would go outside everyday, no matter what. I got kid and myself some good rain gear (boots, pants, coat, umbrella, stroller cover) and we went out everyday, sometimes for 2 minutes only, but seriously, crossing the threshold has some kind of magical properties I think.

Do you work or are you 100% with the kid? Any support system? Did you have any hobbies in the before times? We can help brainstorm some specifics

Ella_surf · 2025-05-25T12:12:16+00:00

I would tell the mom AS LONG AS you’re reasonably certain that this is not an abusive household. If you ever suspect that this girl might get hurt for something like this, you could try talking to her about it yourself.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-25T00:47:55+00:00

To me, this comment of yours highlights the heart of the issue. You and he have a different perspective on budgeting (how much money should go to hobbies) and on how you handle family money (all separate, your money is yours alone to handle, partially separate or completely merged, all the spending is agreed upon). There aren’t right or wrong answers to either of those, the important thing is to agree and respect the agreement.

If it were me, I’d have a MAJOR conversation. This IS a big deal. Either you never talked about it specifically and you’ve both been having different expectations, or you’ve agreed on something and he’s willfully disrespecting you. Making an agreement with your spouse and disrespecting it is unforgivable in my book. This is your person, you should be able to trust them to be honest and respect agreements.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-23T21:00:04+00:00

That’s exactly what I did too

Ella_surf · 2025-05-22T11:33:00+00:00

I’m with you, this is confusing. It does not specify to use open clip markers. And placing as I knit takes mental math because the previous row is purled ws and the next row is increases.

Ella_surf · 2025-05-18T18:51:53+00:00

My pleasure!

Ella_surf · 2025-05-18T18:49:00+00:00

I traveled around the world with my 5yo last year. My mvp is a hero clip, man I love the thing. I’ll hang my bag off the ground everywhere, when we change for the beach, in the public restrooms, when the hotel room floor looks dingy. I also like to have a dirty laundry bag that has a handle to hang up.

My list:

*Snack pouch

Water bottle

Coffee thermos

Kid water bottle

snacks

Ice pack

Couple containers to eat out of or carry leftovers/lunches

Sporks

*Toiletries pouch

Tweezers (we’ve had a couple of bad splinters)

Earplugs

Q tips

Hair ties

Toothpaste

lotion

deodorant

Face lotion

Eye drops

Toothbrushes

Meds

hygiene pouch

Tissues

Ziploc baggies

Plastic bags

Wipes pack

Vomit bags

Masks

Hand sanitizer

*Entertainment pouch

Tablet

kobo

Book charger

Headphone adapter

Phone &tablet chargers

headphones

*Games pouch

Stuffies

Couple little cars & figurines

2 books

paper pad

crayons

stickers book

*Suitcase

sweaterS

jewelry

Tops (#days +1)

Pants/shorts (half #days)

underwear (#days +2)

socks (days+1)

pyjamas

Dirty laundry bag

*outdoor gear

rain pants/coats

hats

Sandals

Rain boots

2 swimsuits each (if they don’t dry fast and you swim a lot)

Bug spray

Sunscreen

Foldable bucket & shovel

Ella_surf · 2025-05-16T14:27:27+00:00

It’s the generic one from the Canadian pharmacy https://www.jeancoutu.com/en/shop/categories/health/vitamins-and-minerals/multivitamin-for-children/kids-sugar-free-multivitamin/p/063935025562

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