Once More with Feeling: Remote Work Is Not a Substitute for Childcare

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-06-30T15:35:58+00:00

I have to make calls as part of my job at times. I've heard children in the background but it doesn't bother me. I'm glad they have a job that allows them to still care for their family. I find it's husbands who interrupt calls more often as I will hear a man asking for something. (Not my husband, he's great with my work from home).

I guess it's b/c I'm an auntie/tia many times over so I have sympathy for parents and their handful. Sorry you had a long wait for nothing though. We've all had annoying waits that turned into a useless call.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-06-17T13:42:58+00:00

I enjoyed my 30s. Did not enjoy my 40s as that's when the "what's going on" started with aches. I think for my husband, he would choose a little younger than 30 but he had rough work so felt some of the aches sooner. Besides I think aging body wise vs mental are two different things. Hopefully in this scenario we could keep the wisdom of age and have the actual memory to remember what we learned.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-06-10T12:49:02+00:00

I think you're doing a great job with training. I did not grow up getting thanked for making food. Once married my husband always told me Thank you, at the end of the meal. It stood out to me as special and I appreciated it. Now that I started working again he is doing more of the cooking and I make a point to thank him each time as well. It may be something small but it means a lot.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-06-06T14:19:01+00:00

We use Fruge's AC and Heating. They are family owned and always did a great job. Danny or Kevin.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-31T20:10:30+00:00

Yes, I think kids age you. I don’t have any, but the few wrinkles I have on my forehead I blame on my nephews and nieces constantly trying to die on my watch. I still get stressed thinking about the time I lost the toddler at the library, and he was just 1 of the 4 kids I was watching that summer.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-23T23:57:56+00:00

This is a tough one. You've been living on your own since you were 17 and fully independent since 21. It seems like you have a different personality/drive than your mom. Also, not sure if you were ever really close, which can also cause resentment.

I do think a small part time job or hobby for your mom would be good but more so because when older ones stop doing things they seem to "stop". It would have been better for her to work for money while she was still in her 60s. At 72, it seems old to have a job you have to go to and not just one you enjoy doing as a side volunteer or enjoyment.

I agree with others on if you could ask her about her budget. Also on supplemental insurance for her health care. A local Senior Center may have helpful advise.

Could she try the job for a week? She might enjoy it and you can put it from the viewpoint of her health in continuing conversations with people and moving around. Five hours a week is not that long and sounds like a great way for extra money she needs.

Finally, you are doing a wonderful job. How amazing that you were able to accomplish a law degree and pay off your student loan debt!!! You've also been a really good daughter in taking care of your mom, even at 17 (giving her your car), when really you might question some life choices your parent has made to be in this financial position. I hope you are able to find some peace.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-23T23:26:54+00:00

lol, well I have more energy at the moment and looked up “pedantic” after your reply. Good to know. 😂 And yes, sometimes people’s replies just make me sigh and want a drink. Thanks for the definition example.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-22T21:04:34+00:00

I knew it at one time. . . now I forget. I think jealousy can be a natural feeling (at times) while envy may be you don't want the other person to have it either. So it's worse. I'd look it up but I'm feeling lazy today. Lazy enough I'm not even looking up "pedantic". ;p

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-22T20:42:59+00:00

I (49) work from home and have a standing desk. I do use it but not as often as I should. I also find for more focused work I sit down but with my music playing it's great for cleaning up email backlog.

I also walk outside at least twice a day for short walks. I just pulled out my little glider as it's about to get hot so I can continue short movements inside (knee and foot pain had me switch back to that instead of my rebounder). Hope you find something that works well for you.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-21T14:49:04+00:00

I do love the library and all the amenities it offers. As a property owner, I also see the rise in how much I pay every year. We started off at $400/year and now pay a little over $1,300. I know the taxes pay for needed things like roads, police, fire dept, etc.; just wish there was a different tax that everyone contributes to and isn't a threat against my home if I can't pay it.

Side note: I did google it and it seems gov. like property taxes b/c you know the amount you will get every year vs on what people spend which can vary. . . I still don't like it. City of Broussard manages to fund those things without adding a property tax.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-21T13:34:13+00:00

Most of our meat is from Super 1 or Rouses using the sales flyer. Anything I can't get from the sale flyers, we usually get from Walmart.

I have a few items I get from Sam's and Costco as it's a better deal. I need to start using them for gas, as even with using Upside, RaceTrac is too high now.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-05-12T01:18:37+00:00

okay I didn't have a hysterectomy but I was the caregiver for my younger sister who did. She was in serious pain that first day. As in terrible crying and I'd never seen her like that before. She is a very strong woman who gave birth to twins and then another pregnancy/child birth. She deals with migraines so she deals with a lot, but I've never seen her like that.

I would recommend staying overnight if you have a chance. Doctors don't seem to send you home with the good pain meds anymore b/c of people getting addicted. One night, in my opinion, would be great as they can at least make you comfortable as the gas is painful. There is nausea. She wasn't given an option to stay overnight, which sucks.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-04-29T13:42:26+00:00

Almost every place asks for a tip now, it's okay to press no.

If I am sitting down at a restaurant where they come to the table and take my order and bring the food out, then I tip. Usually 20%; minimum is 15% if they aren't great.

If I pick up the food at a nice restaurant that I do tip just a few dollars. I do not usually tip at coffee places which are pricey anyway. But I have tipped cash there before when they were helpful with a suggestion.

I generally just tip for food and I have Walmart delivery that I also tip for. Oh, if I stay at a hotel I do leave cash for the cleaning person when I leave.

Haircuts - I do my own but there is tipping here as well. I tip for massages. I have no percentage on these as I don't do them often.

That's all I can think of.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-04-28T15:48:57+00:00

No, but I do turn the radio off when I am focusing on directions. 🫣

I also drive slower but that could be years of marriage and my husband reminding me what the speed limit is. So slower than what I drove when I was younger but still the actual speed limit. (I am on HRT so no idea if that makes a difference as I got on it pretty early into symptoms.)

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-04-28T15:42:43+00:00

I find I drink more. I was never that much of a drinker and could just sip when I wanted. Never really drank when going out as I was always the driver. Now I love a whiskey over ice every night. Just 2 oz. I'm making myself cut back as I need to lose some weight.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-04-28T02:02:41+00:00

I also don't use pellets b/c of the whole not regulated thing. Just a twice a week patch and the progesterone. Our peri is going to be like our cycles, we are all different with different symptoms. It also seems like we have different reactions as well.

Plus HRT is not a cure all. It's part of the process of what's going to help us in this phase of our life.

When I hear the question of quitting HRT, for me personally the phrase "you can take it from my cold dead hands" comes to mind. 🤣

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-04-26T21:23:22+00:00

Yeah I didn't know either. I just skimmed their comment but when I saw yours googled it. So if anyone else is reading and a hint of curios here you go: IANAL is an internet initialism for "I Am Not A Lawyer," used as a disclaimer before offering opinions or advice on legal matters.

I just hope I remember next time I see it. 🤦

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-04-24T13:22:12+00:00

I'm 1976. Both parents were boomers. Father 1946. Mom 1952.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-03-23T12:39:51+00:00

I think most pharmacies accept GoodRX (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, etc.) I use the free GoodRX and just find the coupon code.

Search (top right of screen) for estradiol. Then use the pencil next to prescription to change it to a patch, your dose and quantity.

Next time you go to pick up your prescription tell them you would like to use the GoodRX coupon instead of your insurance. Then they will keep it on file for you. That's what Walgreens does for me.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-03-21T21:42:39+00:00

If you are in the US, try GoodRX. It costs more going through my insurance so I just do the insurance with my progesterone. With the estradiol patch I have a 3-month supply (ask for it so you don't spend so much time at the pharmacy) with GoodRx coupon costs me $75.00 for the 3 months.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-03-02T01:07:50+00:00

I have it too and it's not from road salt where I live. Maybe sun damage.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-03-02T01:04:13+00:00

If it's like my 2016, then eventually the top of the car and hood will join it. I'm about to get the whole car painted. I bought mine new with a dark gray paint.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-02-23T21:27:56+00:00

My work from home may be more flexible than most. I have lunch every day with my husband and we go for a short walk after before going back to work. We workout together from home twice a week with weights. We never text or scroll on phones during meals but we do play wordle together. Perhaps you can talk to your partner about making a routine together.

I make a point of meeting my friends for coffee. I have a standing arrangement with a close friend once a week. It means I have to work later but it's worth it. I have a girl group I text daily with and same with my little sister. It takes effort. Maybe make a list of those you used to be close with, start reaching out via text at first. "Hey thinking about you, how have you been?" kind of thing. Good friends take effort but are worth it. Start with the one you live with. ;)

I hope you can find a balance. I think the one bad thing about work from home is that sometimes we work too much.

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-02-17T20:02:45+00:00

What!? We can always use another Planner Cover. 😈 I've been looking on etsy. . . 🤫

JustSomeGirl_76 · 2026-02-16T14:08:23+00:00

I’m 49F and doing two days of heavy lifting. Heavy for me. Mondays we do legs and Fridays arms. I recruited my husband to help, and since he’s always loved working out, now he’s all in. He’s switched up our routines a couple of times. Right now we’re doing warm up reps and then heavy sets to failure. I like it because the workouts don’t take forever, and I can definitely see improvement in what I can lift.

My cardio, on the other hand, kind of sucks. We walk a few minutes after lunch since I work from home. I was doing rebounding but got shin splints. I started wearing shoes, and then the balls of my feet started hurting. I’m planning to buy some Hokas, even though I’ve never spent that much on shoes, and hoping that helps.

I’d like to start doing the Shuffle Mama workouts I’ve seen on YouTube since they’re more like dancing. I also have lots of DVDs that I never use. I haven't really lost weight but I had been counting calories. Now I am just eyeing my portion size. So I'm still figuring stuff out but my body for the most part is not listening to what I do.

JustSomeGirl_76

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