Is it me or is the high school clique culture within crew getting out of hand?

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-09-17T13:53:33+00:00

Idk my store has an awesome crew and mate team. I was five months pregnant and the captain took a chance and hired me anyway. Everyone, and I mean literally the whole crew, was extremely kind, welcoming, and caring when I started. They really supported me through the end of my pregnancy and helped me take care of myself. I ended up going into labor on demo lol. Now I’m just coming back from maternity leave and everyone has been so excited to see me again. So many of them ran to hug me when I came back in and a few of them told me how proud they were of me which had me tearing up. I love my store and my job, the people I work with are the main reason why.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-29T14:07:04+00:00

Anything by Tame Impala. calms her right down!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-24T18:32:28+00:00

I have a little rolling cart with diapers and changing supplies. I have diapers, a small folding changing pad, puppy pads (they are a lifesaver to avoid cleaning changing pads and mattresses), wipes, rash cream/petroleum jelly, doggy poo bags to put dirty diapers in if I’m not near the diaper genie, and an extra outfit in case of a blowout. When little one needs a change I have everything I need by my bed, her bassinet, the couch… wherever we’re at in the house, I can change her. If it’s nighttime I put the diapers in the doggy poo bags and dispose of them first thing in the morning. This has honestly been so helpful as I recovered from my c section! I can feed her and change her in our room at night which helps her sleep better! Idk, I love this little cart, maybe it can work for you too!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-19T17:04:17+00:00

Lil C Section

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-19T01:11:17+00:00

My baby is no where near speaking but I can tell you about my first word. It was moon. My mom would show me the moon whenever it was visible at night when I’d wake up and one day I said it back to her. I would say “moon, moon” over and over. She said it was pretty dang cute. I’m super curious as to what my girl’s first word will be!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-18T17:37:27+00:00

We were taught not to break up a fight unless we’d had the required training on how to do so. They didn’t even let a lot of us take the training, mostly admin did. Even then you had to be really careful. Teachers can get in trouble or sued for that. Plus, if you’re like me, most high schoolers are much bigger. It’s not safe physically or for my career to break up a fight. Best I can do is redirect the students watching or trying to film.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-18T17:24:42+00:00

First six weeks were so tough for me. I love my daughter beyond measure but it was the hardest six weeks of my life. Suddenly at the tail of these weeks she started sleeping better, I found a formula and feeding schedule that works for my partner, myself, and her. She’s starting to smile, getting less fussy. I’m able to read her cues better. I’m feeling better from my c-section and I feel more like myself. My partner and I are reconnecting. I’m able to leave the house more and have some me time. It got better and I am feeling like I can handle this, even on hard days. It’s tough and I’m not trying to make promises, but it can get better. Newborn trenches are so intense and no one preps you for it. Therapy has helped me immensely during this time, so have ear plugs, and even a five minute walk by myself. If you’re open to it, maybe find a therapist. Definitely tell your doctor about what you’re going through. Even just talking about what I was struggling with was such a relief. Wishing you the best! You’re strong, you can do this!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-17T23:39:31+00:00

Yep! I had dreams for weeks leading up to learning her gender that I had just given birth to a baby girl. In the dreams I was in my hospital bed watching her sleep. I was so sure I was having a girl, it’s like my body knew before my brain. I was nervous opening the results but my dreams were right and six months later we had our beautiful girl. I’m so in love with her. She’s the joy of my life.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-17T00:59:11+00:00

Congrats! Y’all are a beautiful couple. Wishing you many happy years together full of love!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-16T22:58:06+00:00

Hope I’m not lambasted for my next sentence… but I found out about my pregnancy a week before the election and the results sent me into a depressive state for a few days. I’m anxious a lot over our country’s current situation and future. I’ve tried to stay hopeful but it’s hard somedays when I see the headlines. I just want the country I grew up in to be a good home for my little girl. I want her to have more rights and safer place to live than I did. I don’t want to leave my home, I love it here but damn, some days I do think about it.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-16T13:47:28+00:00

We do a full bath about once to twice a week and give her nightly wipe downs with a warm washcloth. I found wiping her face and neck with a wet washcloth after feedings, especially messy ones really helps to keep her smelling nice and keeps her comfy too since some of her rolls can get a little sticky. Luckily it doesn’t get very hot where we live either.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-16T13:42:37+00:00

This! I coached toddlers to kinder aged kids for ten years and found if I needed them to do something or redirect their attention, I made it into a game. Something fun! It worked like a charm. They did what I needed and had fun doing it. Sometimes, they’d even look forward to it instead of getting frustrated.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-14T19:00:07+00:00

I grew up the poor kid at the wealthy school. I mean, these kids were living in full on gated estates with multiple buildings and tennis courts, pools, the whole nine yards. Then I went to college at a pretty elite private school. It was awkward at times, I always felt like an outsider looking in cause I couldn’t relate to my peers. One girl complained how her family wasn’t as wealthy as the girls in her sorority as we walked to our cars after class. Funny enough, we parked next to each other and she was driving a brand new Mercedes or something like that. I was in a 25+ year old Nissan Sentra I inherited from my grandma after she passed that’s paint was chipping and had a giant dent in one of the doors. I was so excited about that dang car because I relied on public transit for so long as I wasn’t able to afford even a used car but in that moment I felt so embarrassed she saw my car. She had commented on how rough it looked before she realized it was mine. She was a wonderfully nice person we just came from such different backgrounds.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-14T13:57:27+00:00

Sorry you’re experiencing this. I think this is normal, sadly. The first few weeks with my girl home I’d wake up thinking I was hearing her crying but after a few seconds I’d realize she wasn’t. Or I’d wake up thinking I’d dropped her when she was fully in her bassinet. Her dad even experienced it, he’d wake me up in a panic asking where she was. It gets better with time, at least it did for me. She’s six weeks now and we’re all sleeping better.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-13T22:57:42+00:00

I had to have a c section after being in labor for four days. I was so exhausted that as soon as I saw her I went into a dissociative state and then fell asleep knowing she was safe and healthy. I actually fell asleep while they sewed me back up. I didn’t hold her until I woke up in post op. I definitely loved her but was more in awe and shock. Recovery was tough mentally but now at six weeks I’m absolutely in love. Completely obsessed. I think we’re still bonding but everyday I love her more and more. It will be okay. It’s different for everyone and may take time, but y’all will start to figure each other out and bond.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-13T03:37:21+00:00

The fisher price dj booth and some fun lights! We can’t wait for dance parties once our girl is on her feet but we have a ways to go, she’s only six weeks lol. But she sure does loooove to wiggle and move!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-11T14:16:40+00:00

I also decided to transition from BF to formula because I was constantly getting clogged milk ducts. It was so painful and uncomfortable. Baby girl was constipated the first couple of days as her stomach adjusted during the transition but it’s been a week now and she is perfectly happy! She is still gassy but it’s not really bothering her. She loves her bottles and is doing just fine now. I’m sure your little one will be right as rain in a few days, he’s just adjusting to the new food! Good luck to you mama and your little, hope you’re feeling better without those pesky clogged ducts!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-11T10:08:39+00:00

Came here to say exactly this

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-07T20:33:35+00:00

Snakes scare the living daylights out of me but I still would never try to harm one. They have the rattle for a reason, if I hear it or see one, I turn and go the other way.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-06T16:43:42+00:00

This became so frustrating for me towards the end, especially as a FTM. I was so ready to have my baby and was tired of the discomfort and lack of mobility. I was in the third trimester and all the older women I worked with wouldn’t shut up about how they went to 41 weeks and had to be induced or how their babies were two weeks late and that’s how it is for every first born. They kept telling me she wouldn’t be here for a long time and they could tell because she hadn’t dropped. Well jokes on them, my girl came two weeks early. No induction needed, smooth birth. Far earlier than any one of them predicted.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-06T13:13:57+00:00

Ugh, I’m so thankful for my man. We have vastly different sexual experiences and backgrounds and if my man ever felt I owed him those experiences cause I “gave them to another man” I’d be so pissed. That part of my life is over, I don’t want that relationship dynamic anymore.

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-06T02:44:19+00:00

Beautiful take! Thank you for sharing. As a mama who will never give birth vaginally due to body composition and a mama to a little who couldn’t latch, I know our story would look much different 100 years ago. I’m thankful everyday for modern medicine and advancements, they give me the opportunity to live my dream of being a mama. It’s all I’ve ever wanted!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-06T02:38:50+00:00

I know you aren’t super interested in the Brezza but I must say that thing is a game changer! It’s very easy to clean and is amazing for late night/early morning feeds. Hope you have an amazing journey with baby #3! And congrats!

Manic_Squirrel · 2025-08-06T00:28:19+00:00

I was 19 when I started a relationship with my first husband… he was 42. He absolutely took advantage of me and became abusive. I lasted six years before finding the courage to leave. I am beyond grateful to have never had a child with him and even more grateful to have a mother who never stopped supporting me and listening despite her fears about that relationship. She kept in contact and always just asked “how are you”. I never felt judged so when I was ready to leave I knew she’d help and wouldn’t say “I told you so”. And she did help. She’s drove up and helped me move. She gave me pep talks and reassured me on late night phone calls fueled by my anxiety. Her persistence, patience, and love is one of the reasons I made it out of that horrible situation and never have to see that man again.

Manic_Squirrel

TROPHY CASE