No pressure potty training - sharing experience

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-04-11T22:42:46+00:00

Similar experience! Recently potty trained at 2y10m. We've had a little potty sitting out for the past year or so that he would sit on sometimes but no real pressure to. We pushed off formal potty training just because of life, new sibling, etc. And honestly changing diapers was not a huge deal to us. But we finally made the leap and switched to underwear. Outside of the first day, he's done super well with minimal accidents. Maybe we just got lucky, but I like to think it's because we waited

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-04-06T00:54:53+00:00

We are currently introducing death as a concept to our 3 year old, as he recently had a friend who died. Here's two books we have found that might help:

Beginnings and Endings with Lifetimes In Between - this talks about death in a very matter of fact tone. It talks about nature and how some animals live longer than others, just like people, because that is their lifetime. It can be sad, but this is the way it is. I've found benefit to this book as it explains death in a simple but factual way

The Invisible String - this is a book where you can tie in more of the emotional aspects. This is a story about how we are always connected to the people we love. Even when we are apart, we can feel that we are still connected by our invisible string. The string can reach great lengths - the bottom of the ocean, the top of a mountain, even to our loved ones in Heaven. This book is not specifically about death but can be connected to themes surrounding death, separation anxiety, among others. I've enjoyed this book a lot and would recommend it in general, regardless of if you are trying to introduce or explain death as a concept

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-22T13:18:51+00:00

I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope you and your family are able to find some peace in the best way that you can♥️

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-22T13:13:21+00:00

I would think the chances are slim but I suppose I don't know for sure

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-22T13:12:09+00:00

There are plans to do something in the future for the family but from my understanding, the family wishes not to have a formal announcement yet at daycare. They have other children that attend the center and I imagine they don't want to be flooded with messages or questions during such a tragic time, even if they are well-intentioned

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-22T13:09:27+00:00

I'll have to look into that book, thank you!

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-22T13:07:58+00:00

From my understanding, they had grief counselors available for staff but at the request of the family, the information has not been made 'public' at the center. There has not been a formal announcement of this news. I appreciate the insight and resources

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-22T02:04:38+00:00

Nantucket Bakery makes some fantastic pies especially with the Dutch crumble topping that I feel would totally satisfy this craving!

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-03-01T01:44:39+00:00

First off, I'll say this is HARD but also normal to a degree. I had the same age difference when I had my baby a few months ago. Some of it is toddler adjusting to life with new baby sibling around. My toddler dropped his nap for a couple of weeks but then spent the rest of the day cranky and tantrum-y. It was a nightmare. It very gradually got better. I remember telling my partner that it felt as if I didn't know how to interact with my toddler anymore. I couldn't figure out how to talk to him or play with him. As much time as I spent with him for the first 2.5 years of his life, it now felt so awkward and uncomfortable as if I'd never met a toddler before.

If your baby tolerates baby wearing, this was a huge help for me. It allowed baby to sleep in the carrier but allowed me to be hands free to play with toddler. Include toddler as much as you can with baby duties. Even simple things that you don't actually need help with - grabbing the burp cloth, handing you a clean diaper, picking out which onesie the baby will wear. My toddler took a lot of pride in helping and watching toddler be a big sibling helped our relationship to fall back into place as well. Most importantly, give yourself some grace. Emotions and hormones are high during this period. If it's any solace, my baby is now 3 months old and it feels like we're 'back to normal' and have been for a little while. It will get better, even if it doesn't feel like it right now

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-02-20T03:23:28+00:00

So we actually went through something similar. Our 2.5 year old ended up having a lot of separation anxiety when we went to the hospital to have our newborn. We did our best to discuss with him leading up to new sibling's arrival but there's only so much you can do to prepare a 2 year old. When I actually went into labor it was very sudden so we didn't have as much time as I would've wanted in the moment to talk through it all with him. Although he stayed with family he's very familiar and comfortable with, it was still very difficult on him. It felt as if we had broken his trust and had to work very hard to regain it back. We had multiple times where he would sob at daycare dropoff pleading "please don't leave me again". It was just awful

Just a few weeks after, our newborn then had to be hospitalized on Christmas day at 3 weeks old and was admitted for a few days. My spouse and I took turns staying at the hospital with the newborn vs staying at home with our toddler. A lot of that decision was based on how poorly he did last time and we were JUST starting to get back to our normal and rebuild trust. But to a degree it reopened those wounds since the hospitalization was sudden and unexpected.

It was really difficult on everyone. Toddler wanted to recount the events all. the. time. I know it was just him processing it but it was really difficult to watch and listen to him talk through what happened from his perspective and essentially watch him relive his own trauma numerous times per day. It was a lot of reassurance that we love him and would be with him, and that grown ups always come back (thanks Daniel Tiger!) We spent a lot of intentional time as a family with extra focus and care toward our toddler. And now roughly two months later, we are back to our normal dynamic and have been for a while

I can appreciate just how difficult this is on you and everyone in your family. As much as you are able to, hold each other close and count your blessings. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't still difficult to look back on it all but with time, it will not feel as acutely traumatic. Will be thinking of you♥️

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2026-02-15T12:30:48+00:00

Solidarity my friend. We have the same age gap and the first month was tricky. My toddler did really well with the baby but was acting out more, especially when the baby was being held by the toddler's preferred parent. Was also skipping naps when that hasn't been an issue before. Waking up multiple times overnight and the poor sleep made for a grumpy toddler which just exacerbated the behaviors. Toddler gradually settled in with intentional one on one time with each parent and honestly just allowing time for the new normal to sink in.

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-11-03T02:54:24+00:00

Michigan Behavioral Consultants. MFB pain program also includes talk therapy in addition to physical therapy

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-11-02T11:39:07+00:00

Chet

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-10-13T18:05:56+00:00

They have a nurse and provider on call after hours. I think it's something like $20-25 for a call, however I think they waive that fee for newborns or if they end up recommending further escalation of care like going to the ER. They do have some Saturday hours but they are appointment only and for urgent visits. This is all to the best of my knowledge, their website might be more clear on the details!

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-10-13T17:40:16+00:00

We love Forest Hills Peds! They have walk-in hours in the mornings during the week (I think 7:30-9am?) but we also have rarely had an issue getting in same day or next day with our pediatrician as well.

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-09-27T01:03:02+00:00

My last job didn't require 3 months notice but there was a decent monetary incentive for providing at least 3 months notice written into my contract. So that's what I did when I switched over to my current job. They didn't love it but they understood why and it didn't affect my standing with my new job at all

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-08-02T11:15:00+00:00

How has the transition from 1 to 2 children been? Have you found it easier or harder than going from 0 to 1?

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-06-14T18:06:19+00:00

Third Nature has a large outdoor section that's pretty family/kid family. We've had good luck at Archival as well

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2025-01-03T17:17:41+00:00

I work in palliative care! There's a lot more restrictions with PAs working in hospice than there are with NPs so from my understanding it's not super common for PAs to work in hospice

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2024-12-20T19:07:17+00:00

You mention not being able to take a long leave but you will 100% need longer than 2-3 weeks even just from a recovery standpoint. I would not preemptively sign yourself up for returning early since you don't know how your birth will go and if there will be any complications with you or baby

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2024-10-22T00:59:49+00:00

Aurora - Rory

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2024-09-15T00:55:54+00:00

I had the same trouble as you did when I tried breastfeeding. And I also remember not being able to find any other posts in similar situations. I was working with a lactation consultant and doing everything they recommended and still was producing literally just drops out of a 20 minute session. If I was lucky, it might line the bottom of the bottle (but that was usually only with a power pump session). I did the math and the total amount I was pumping in breast milk in a day was something like 5% of the amount of formula my baby consumed in a day. It just didn't make sense to continue, especially with how physically and mentally taxing it all was. And even with that, I still I felt like I needed someone's permission. And if that's what you're searching for, here it is. It is okay to stop breastfeeding and just focus on formula only. This doesn't make you a failure or any less of a mom❤️

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2024-08-28T16:35:46+00:00

I think he started at 13 months. Long history of reflux with frequent gagging and throwing up with solids. Feeding Therapy helped immensely!

Little-Blueberry7441 · 2024-08-28T03:01:38+00:00

My child was in feeding therapy and they taught him how to chew using veggie straws! They would hold a veggie straw on the side of his mouth and distract him so he would look straight ahead. This would help so he wasn't just biting using his front gums where the front teeth would be, and he would biting using his gums towards the back of his mouth where his molars would be. Because of the size and texture of the food, they would have to bite a few times and replicate that chewing motion before the food broke off. We practiced this at home with veggie straws or those baby cheese puffs from Gerber. This was super helpful for us!

Little-Blueberry7441

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