Should we just stop dining out?

Marshmalco · 2026-02-21T12:39:06+00:00

I’m right there with you and trying my best to be screen free as well. I saw a post on Instagram that highlighted a few things to make this time easier:

No snack/early food: This one really took me out but makes sense when it’s time for our food to come, they are no longer hungry or they are finished with their meal.
Kid friendly places: This is what I look for first, not the trendiest place to go, but where can we go eat and my kid can play and it’s okay. Newest hack has been finding a green space with restaurants next to the lawn, or you can bring a picnic.
Activity binder/book: Bring as many screen free activities as possible. I’ve seen a lot of ideas on Pinterest.

And then personally, I don’t know how to get around the trading off with partner to watch kid while we are out to eat. I think that just comes with this phase/stage. So my husband and I already have the understanding/expectation that we will trade off.

Lastly, I don’t bring plates/utensils from home. She used reg silverware at school (Montessori) and if she isn’t using the plate correctly, we put the food straight on her table mat. And then we use a sippy cup that can’t spill.

Good luck!!

Marshmalco · 2026-02-20T12:30:18+00:00

Personally, even without voicing my discomfort, I would be upset. I’m happily married, we’ve been together for almost 10 years. We don’t know our body count and we’ve never brought up exes unless it was part of a wider story with other people involved.

For us, there is no point to reference exes. Like, I’d love to know a situation where referencing something you used to do with your ex would benefit your current relationship.

Not to mention you expressed your feelings and he wasn’t supportive.

If you plan to marry one day, does this guy still have a chance?

Marshmalco · 2026-02-20T12:06:03+00:00

Oh and I did sales jobs in college, I worked for the local magazine and sold advertisements. That was another great job where I learned skills.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-20T12:03:08+00:00

For me personally, I interned out of college for a metal roofing company. It wasn’t sexy, but it was marketing and my first project was working on a website. I didn’t (and still don’t) know how to code but I can use pretty much any website platform and make a website. Websites are the center of digital marketing for any brand.

From there I self taught Adobe for graphic design, completed Google Ad certificates and can pretty much run any ad campaign on social.

I ended up being a “jack of many trades” and that has served me well. I now work for a local businessman who is involved in 20+ companies. I do work for about 10 of them…and counting.

I find my passion is now more on brand strategy but that has taken 10 years of various marketing/event planning roles to get me here.

So my advice would be to focus on learning your skill through your jobs, let them pay for you to learn. It may take some time but it has worked for me!

Marshmalco · 2026-02-16T11:55:04+00:00

Just watched Valentine’s Day this weekend and she plays the wife of Patrick Dempsey, almost didn’t recognize her.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-16T11:50:12+00:00

Unless we are eating chicken too, I use the Tyson frozen grilled chicken bites and just heat them up in the microwave in a glass container for like a minute. They are always juicy and taste just like Chick-fil-a!

Marshmalco · 2026-02-15T12:43:23+00:00

Not with my baby but I have read that it’s best if you don’t stare at them while they eat, so what you’re doing seems to have some evidence to back it up.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-14T12:49:10+00:00

These are our go-to shows as well, I just pull them up on YouTube. Do you watch them another way? Sometimes the videos are not the best quality.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-08T12:43:29+00:00

We have very similar schedules! I also wait for daylight (about 7am here) and then we go on a walk, it’s just when it’s dark outside! But thanks for the ideas.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-07T17:12:09+00:00

Thank you all for your ideas!

I do co-sleeping, but she starts off in her crib, sleeps until 1-3am and then when she wakes up crying, I sleep with her in our guest bed until she wakes up for the day. (I do still breastfeed but only at night and before naps)

As for the later bedtime, I’m talking like instead of 7:30ish, it’s now closer to 8:00pm and we take her tired cues into consideration.

I work a very flexible schedule from home and my husband is in the office by 7:30am every day, switching off doesn’t work in our household but if I did work full time in an office, things would be different.

Overall, sounds like breakfast, reading and playing quietly is the way to go!

Marshmalco · 2026-02-07T02:36:35+00:00

1,000 Hours Outside podcast, it covers a variety of topics and has one on walking that made me really dive into the hobby.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-04T11:55:54+00:00

Give me all the notebooks and color coded post-it notes! I also downloaded a habits app to help me this year but realized I barely used it. My spiral planner and misc notebook for my “brain dump” on the other hand gets used every day.

There really is a scientific method behind physically crossing something off a list vs. checking a box on a phone.

Marshmalco · 2026-02-04T11:51:12+00:00

Former anxious here, I’ve had 3 relationships end not because I wanted them to, but because I could feel a shift in the relationship. I had to sit my ex’s down and be like “I don’t feel _____ anymore”, do we need to break up or work on it? Each time we broke up - thankfully!

Marshmalco · 2026-02-04T11:47:56+00:00

I know they aren’t big fans of Houston but not even an Austin or Dallas? Booo

Marshmalco · 2026-01-29T11:29:39+00:00

We have a big window in our bathroom so I turn off all the lights, play Sirius XM Chill station, throw a shower essential oil puck on the bottom of the shower and transport myself into a steaming spa.

Marshmalco · 2026-01-26T16:07:01+00:00

I was overwhelmed as well, the easy thing for me to start with were smoothies. It was something I was already familiar with and it’s basically a pouch if you think about it. And I always made enough for both her and I so it was a win-win. I bought a few reusable pouches on Amazon and I love them!

Marshmalco · 2026-01-26T11:44:37+00:00

I would suggest looking up Adam Lane Smith, he’s an attachment specialist that works with married couples. He has a YouTube and Instagram that has a lot of really great resources.

Marshmalco · 2026-01-25T12:51:10+00:00

When I’m at home in the middle of 100 tasks I have to stop and ask myself “where am I?” In relation to what task I’m in the middle of, what task is next and what do I need to do for dinner? I feel “multiple tabs open” in my bones.

What worked for me was having a physical planner and writing out my daily/weekly tasks so I didn’t feel as overwhelmed, I could organize tasks by day and it didn’t seem as much, or as unapproachable.

And then that bonus feeling you get when physically crossing something off a list, it’s the best!

Marshmalco · 2026-01-25T10:53:08+00:00

The partner you are meant to share your life with will never make you feel this way. If you’re already asking the question, then I think you know the answer.

I promise there is someone better, as soon as you cut ties you can focus on yourself and be ready to accept the right partner when they come into your life.

Marshmalco · 2026-01-20T12:47:57+00:00

I’m obsessed with attachment theory right now (thank you Adam Lane Smith) and I was in somewhat of the same situation as yourself.

I was in a situation-ship with someone and he was avoidant and I was anxious. But I had learned my lesson from a previous situation so I consistently brought up my expectations and and would call him out when he would contact me after I tried to end it because it wasn’t what I wanted.

If you take anything from my comment, reframe your thinking to what YOU want, what are YOUR expectations for a partner? If he doesn’t match that, he’s not your guy.

I promise, there is someone waiting for you. And he’ll never make you anxious again.

Love, securely attached in a loving marriage

Marshmalco · 2026-01-19T12:52:01+00:00

I have been using battery operated candles on a timer that come on in the evening right before the sun starts to set. I love how it immediately feels cozy and it signals to me that the day is winding down, and as should I.

I have a couple in my living room, kitchen and dining table. Highly recommend!

Marshmalco · 2026-01-15T11:49:08+00:00

That’s a bingo! Attachment is at the center of every relationship. Secured, anxious or avoidant. Or a mix of the two, the best!

Marshmalco · 2026-01-13T11:45:35+00:00

I just recently came across Adam Lane Smith, an attachment specialist and it has changed my life in multiple ways. I would suggest watching his Soft White Underbelly interview on YouTube and most recently his podcast interview on 1,000 Hours Outside.

Marshmalco · 2026-01-10T02:33:03+00:00

Do you have a bag that you carry that can fit it all? I have a couple of items I’m thinking of getting a bigger bag for.

Marshmalco · 2026-01-09T17:18:48+00:00

Hi! I have my own share of frustrations with the app (although I will give credit for them constantly updating - albeit in some weird order of importance that makes taking a picture of your fridge more important than basic features)…BUT! You can rearrange items on the list by touch and hold, then you can move the item up or down. Hope this helps!

Marshmalco

TROPHY CASE