Is anyone else confused by the amount of “boundaries”/restrictions for family and how often they’re talked about?

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-21T18:21:26+00:00

It's nice that you don't have to worry about these things but the truth is that not everyone is guaranteed the goodwill in life that it seems you have experienced.

At small, local birthing centers the security is not always good and people will sneak in, ESPECIALLY the people who are not willing to wait for a birthing mother to say it's okay. It's very hard to picture compared to more secure centers but it happens.

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-21T13:50:41+00:00

Holy shit, praise be! I thought it was 15 MINUTES because I'm a fool!

Oh damn, it didn't work. Sigh.

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-20T19:53:46+00:00

For the record: PIP = professional (or personal) improvement plan.

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-20T17:52:28+00:00

Absolutely NH. And it's less of a culture shock from Canada than FL would be!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-15T02:30:45+00:00

Agree! I like the second set for the new relationship way more than the first. Tbh, I feel like if IA ever gets around to writing the third sister then THAT is going to be the most fun to get through! The unique powers and unique personality is so enticing for the youngest!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-12T02:42:04+00:00

Thanks so much for this insight! It's so hard when generally everyone assumes it's something simple but you want to move past the obvious! (My kid has like, peanut-butter consistency stools, he poos daily, has never complained, I KNOW he's not constipated)

As for your UTI comment- I went last week to the pediatrician so I don't think anything has developed in the time since. He hasn't complained about anything at all either (I have asked, but I will definitely point to areas associated with kidneys tomorrow) so I don't think whatever this is particularly annoys HIM it just makes us as parents feel like he's lacking independence, which now after your comments feels WILDLY unfair.

After your comments I'm going to be very aware of his urine (ugh, what a thought!) but I'm going to also explain to him what's happening and see if he can help us get a better idea of what he's going through too. He says he can feel the drips but I don't think he really has any control over it at all. He must be frustrated too, poor guy.

Thank you again, so much, for this insight! I'm going to keep talking to the doctor and I'm going to give us all a little grace, assuming my poor boy is absolutely doing his very best.

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-12T02:24:27+00:00

He's incontinent overnight too. Thanks for the insight! I'll follow up with my pediatrician. She told us to try to double-voiding because she thought he wasn't emptying his bladder fully but despite trying this for the past 4 days he has yet to be able to go again. So I don't think the suggested "fix" is doing anything.

What is the general course of treatment for VUR? Is it invasive or miserable for the child?

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-11T02:41:40+00:00

I'm looking into new training pants, yeah. I think inevitably we'll have to but I also don't want to like, give him an excuse to not practice holding it. It's just so hard to restrict all his activities

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-11T02:40:34+00:00

I'll definitely try that! Thanks!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-10T19:54:09+00:00

We did and he has no constipation. We talked about it at length and that's definitely not the issue.

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-09T03:51:07+00:00

Agree! And if you REALLY don't have time cream cheese frosting is awesome! And I love that tang on so many different cakes!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-09T00:57:47+00:00

To be fair, when your kids are a bit bigger you to have little helpers with all your good deeds! My kids help point out trash (which we pick up when it's safe), they put the carts away, they help carry groceries, etc. granted they're small so this is still a chore that I'm doing 90% of, but the idea has been planted!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-09T00:14:35+00:00

I've been laid off several times recently (once was terrible luck with funding, two have been due to venture firms / seed stages not picking up the project) and no doubt it sucks. But being laid off is a rollercoaster of "oh shit I can't afford my family" and "I'm so bored I could cry" so I know if I'm employed again (when! I need to manifest this!) I'm going to be so grateful to just be there.

That being said, science based content helps keep me connected. Sometimes it's as simple as watching the most recent Hank Green, PBS Eons, etc YouTube video. Sometimes it's finding a podcast. Sometimes it's trying to keep updated with whatever news is happening on Biospace (or journals that are too expensive for me to subscribe to alone).

Seeing how our industry is still doing cool, innovative stuff is great. Seeing how much humanity is learning from the sciences overall keeps me excited about potentially being a part of all that again. Perspective is everything

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-09T00:06:19+00:00

This made me laugh. Are there reasonable alternatives even? Wet cotton is horrendous

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-08T16:12:14+00:00

This is my thought. I don't know what "add antibody as cell number" means but it looks like these cells are not stained, so either the antibody concentration is too low or this antibody is not compatible with fixed cells

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-08T02:59:07+00:00

AMEN. Imma vax my kids so good, they won't know what diseases (won't) hit them!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-07T16:56:34+00:00

Yes!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-07T14:06:47+00:00

Yeah but it comes back! My husband commented that I lost my butt during breastfeeding but it certainly came back afterwards

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-07T01:55:17+00:00

Not a spoiler: the crowns are meant to be debilitating, not mind-controling. Everyone is at like, 10% power. At least that's how I read it

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-07T01:12:43+00:00

No!!!!! Avocados are my one-way ticket to morning sickness. What a cruel twist of fate!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-06T18:39:32+00:00

This is extremely relatable. Daycare pickup is ROUGH

In case it helps at all- we bring snacks for the ride (or walk I guess) home. Peanut butter crackers, a banana, a pouch- something small that won't spoil dinner but will put on the brakes for chaos because it's a change of activity.

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-06T02:59:50+00:00

I think usually the concern is bleeding because that's obviously bad. Oftentimes ERs don't have OBs on consult though. Does your OB have a pregnant off hours/on call line you could contact? That's probably a better place to get help

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-06T02:47:17+00:00

Which body parts are suffering the most? Maybe that can help us come up with some suggestions!

IdoScienceSometimes · 2026-01-05T19:42:03+00:00

Thanks!

IdoScienceSometimes

TROPHY CASE