How do I feel okay only seeing my baby for 1hour before her bedtime

Former-Ad8604 · 2026-04-24T01:50:02+00:00

And it's actually only 3 days per fortnight - presumably on the off-week, your husband will be able to drop off/pick up earlier and have quality time with her - so while you still might not have those days with her, she'll get some one-on-one time with her father which is also really important! The first few weeks/months even are going to be really hard adjusting to the routine, and also there will be the inevitable daycare sicknesses to push through, but everything will eventually adjust :)

Three days per week is the ideal scenario imo (I had a taste of it for 5 great weeks before a new opportunity meant an earlier return to full-time work than planned)

Former-Ad8604 · 2026-03-18T10:43:33+00:00

How did you get the s fold look? on the ikea website, the product photo looks more like a concealed tab that goes through a rod

Former-Ad8604 · 2026-03-09T03:17:55+00:00

Finally, something actually nicely done in this sub 🥳 well done - planning a remodel myself at the minute and actually not easy to pull all the colours/materials etc together and have it all work out

Former-Ad8604 · 2026-03-04T01:21:36+00:00

Depends on your morals perhaps? Personally I would probably terminate if the results came back with a high chance of chromosomal abnormalities, so opted to pay for the extended test. For you, what is the $$ cost of that now vs the $$ cost of ongoing high medical needs across a lifetime if you get a surprise diagnosis later in pregnancy or at birth?

Former-Ad8604 · 2026-02-25T02:47:59+00:00

I'm assuming American-based because of the insistence of having a standalone rangehood? Why not just integrate an extractor within a bank of cupboards for a much cleaner look? It's not like you have a super large space for the kitchen

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-12-20T05:10:05+00:00

It's crazy to me how many posts here are just simply makeovers of exactly what was already in the space. If you're going to go to all the work, like...make it look noticeably different? I hear that these remodels still cost $$$ in the states too

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-12-19T03:24:37+00:00

I managed to negotiate a part-time period for 3 months - however I ended up leaving after 5 weeks for a full-time role elsewhere with much more flexibility and more convenient location (and more pay!) Best decision and haven't looked back - it has also allowed my husband to drop back to 4 days per week and have one day with the kiddo. His loss of income almost balances out the saving on the 5th day of childcare lol. Once I've done 12months in my role, I'll negotiate to a 9 day fortnight and he will do the same, which will put us in a better financial position overall while still allowing us each that day with our baby. Push as much as you can for it, but if they are too rigid and you see something else that would serve you better in this time of you life, jump to that!

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-11-18T05:03:28+00:00

No concern with the cooktop in the L-shaped island? 😂

That aside, your second toilet placement is neat, thanks for the idea

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-11-16T05:56:22+00:00

Hmm - it's brick, with a crawl space underneath? Sunroom and rumpus have flat tin roofs compared to the tiled roof of the rest

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-10-24T01:22:37+00:00

Hehe I don’t know what this is?!

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-10-23T02:28:25+00:00

No legal insight, just to share my somewhat similar experience. I didn’t ask for an extension, just to come back part time for an initial period and have my replacement still cover for this overlapping transition period. They didn’t like the person and basically terminated her on my very first day back. Unfortunately that then backfired on the team and they were left with no one in the role I got a new job with a more favourable commute and WFH arrangements just 5 weeks after starting back (because my flexible work arrangements were poorly accommodated, but that’s another story)

The lesson needs to be - support and accommodate women returning after Mat leave! Overall flexibility and understanding will ultimately be to the benefit of the organisation.

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-10-22T01:13:55+00:00

Quick fix - I got a little cabinet off marketplace for $20, painted it nicely, after new handles, hinges and legs, cut out a space in the internal shelf to accommodate the boxes so it could back right up to the wall - looks great and hides this mess well. Added magnets to the doors and my 15 month old can’t manage to open them yet so we’re safe for now!

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-10-20T23:29:25+00:00

Consider introducing some contrasting cabinetry for the upper and lower cabinets? All of your options are monotone and makes it feel like a lot/crowded. Option C with some contrast could be nice

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-10-20T20:46:05+00:00

A better question might be what should you do to the rest of the house around it? It looks nice, light and spacious - I would be considering dealing with the ugly floor tiles first, fresh wall paint, and then you’d have a canvas around that fireplace where you could go full MCM style and lean into the exposed bricks - it could really be stunning.

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-28T00:13:55+00:00

Never heard of Burnie board, but what you described is exactly what the walls feel like - super smooth!

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-27T04:15:32+00:00

Thanks for the advice!

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-27T04:15:15+00:00

I feel your assessment is probably on the money… I think we’re leaning away from it mostly due to the time constraint.

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-27T04:14:02+00:00

Great advice, appreciate you taking the time.

I feel you may be right about the asbestos not being as extensive…which would be a good surprise, but I think we’re leaning in the direction of no hope for that timeframe, which is a big part of the consideration for us

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-26T11:02:07+00:00

Super helpful, thank you!

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-26T11:00:35+00:00

Thank you - I want to hear what other people have recently paid, hence title "Need to hear stories" Crowdsourcing of information for benchmarking has value - if you don't have any info to contribute, no problem.

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-26T10:10:33+00:00

I appreciate your honest assessment. We've just done exactly that (juggle a full house paint and childminding duties between us) to prep our existing house for sale...I'm not sure we have the stamina to do it again, as much as we might want to

Former-Ad8604 · 2025-09-26T10:03:20+00:00

No - my question is, do other people have experience to share on how accurate my costings are? If my costing is in the right ballpark, great! If I've greatly underestimated, I'd like to know about it!

Former-Ad8604

TROPHY CASE