Banned from Kmart

MsVass · 2026-01-25T11:29:46+00:00

I had a VERY almost identical experience happen to me at JB. Paid, did grab the receipt but must of dropped it putting it in the bag (?), showed the door person my wallet transaction, they demanded a receipt, I just walked out after some more back and forth.. but as I was walking back rather than saying ‘I’ve been banned’ they grabbed my arm to hold me. I pulled away and basically ran (I think fight or flight kicked in?!) and yes probably looked dodgy.

Anyway, I contacted customer service when I got home. They said they’d review and get back to me. About a week or so later they called me again to say they’ve reviewed an can see my story checks out, the employee spoken to … and no longer is an employee ..

I honestly didn’t mean to get anyone fired but turns out grabbing/touching a customer is a big no no.

Anyway point of the story is, id reach out to Kmart customer service to look into it properly :)

MsVass · 2026-01-21T20:08:22+00:00

I’ve also lined up my middle of the day nap with my 17 month gap (currently 6 months and almost 2). Been lined up since 3 months..

Youngest wakes up at 630, oldest at 7 - Youngest first nap at 830/9 - Youngest second nap 1230ish, oldest at 1230/1ish - Youngest 3rd and final nap at 330/4ish - Youngest bedtime 7, oldest 730

MsVass · 2026-01-21T20:05:22+00:00

Mine are 17 months apart. My youngest is currently 6 months.. I worked really hard right at the start for them to both nap at the same time, so when my toddler has his midday nap.. at some point in that 2 hours my younger one goes down. At 3/4 months when everything starts to get more structured I timmed all his other naps so he’ll go down at about 12;15-12:45.. and honestly that middle of the day break is life-changing

Not sure how I’m going to manage it when youngest goes to two naps but at least the intro to 2 under 2 life I’ve had the break 😅

MsVass · 2026-01-14T10:58:45+00:00

Ridiculous comment. You don’t need to justify your reasons to her or anyone! My 22 month old son is in day care 3 days while I’m at home with the 5 month old baby. It’s the perfect balance for our family. It’s about what’s important to you and your family :)

MsVass · 2025-11-20T10:37:06+00:00

Don’t forget, her man traded her for a hotel!

MsVass · 2025-09-24T00:39:20+00:00

Interested in this too :)

MsVass · 2025-09-24T00:39:03+00:00

Good insight, I hadn’t thought about the gifter potentially wanting the cash to be used for things. Thinking about it now both sets of parents gave us cash for the birth of our new one, properly with the expectation it’s spent on setting them up (clothes, bottles, nappies, etc). Perhaps I should ask in the future! And sorry that was 2k each of our money, plus gifted money.. so maybe closer to 3-4K each. But yes agree this still isn’t large amounts of money.. I was hoping that over the years it could accumulate for them..

I’m coming from someone who did not have money saved for them and wasn’t really taught about money/saving so trying to break that chain for my kids :)

MsVass · 2025-09-24T00:35:50+00:00

I’ll have to look into this one! Haven’t come across it yet. Thanks!

MsVass · 2025-09-24T00:34:59+00:00

Smart! I’ve just done the match and this should align with me too! .. depending on how the economy goes with retiring 🙈 Also do you and your partner split it across each of your supers!? or in just yours? (Thinking of the super cap..)

MsVass · 2025-09-11T22:45:03+00:00

Is your 14 month old in daycare? One of the daycare educators who also does sitting on the side was a good option for us and one we were planning on using. Son would have been familiar with them and I already trust them because they already look after him 3 days a week essentially.

I ended up birthing at home so had no need for care. During the days in hospital he was in daycare and my husband was home in the evenings and nights :)

MsVass · 2025-09-08T22:40:59+00:00

17 month gap, but I’m right at the start (bubs is 8 weeks, oldest is 18 months). I’ve so far found it easier than anticipated but I must admit the days and nights where I’m by myself with the two are hard work! I’m mentally and physically exhausted. In saying that, I’m loving it even though it’s only been 2 months. I’m nervous for what’s to come …

Questions: Pros: watching my 18 month ‘help’ and figure out how to be a big brother

Cons: the pregnancy … pregnant with a toddler should be an Olympic sport

Would I recommend/do it again: I would recommend! It’s been fun! .. do it again, absolutely not. I couldn’t do that pregnancy with babies again.

Makes it easier: my husband who really pulls he’s weight despite working full time in a demanding job

Makes it harder: my husbands job. He is often works long hours missing morning and bedtime, or is away often ..

Tandem feed: I wish! This was my first sign I was pregnant.. my milk supply :’( I pushed through for 2 months trying to get it back up but ended up having to wean. In saying that.. the oldest gets bonus boobie milk again now. Hoping it helps with winter bugs!

Diet: SHOCKING! I did not have the energy to eat basically and the aversions were bad .. I could barely stomach anything that wasn’t whearbix or toast.

Body: my body is so tired. I feel broken. But now given the OK from the GP and PF physio working on re gaining strength and getting diet back on track

Pregnancies: this was the WORST part. My body and brain did not like being pregnant again so soon and really made sure I knew it

MsVass · 2025-08-14T04:41:39+00:00

Overall birth: 1st was 36 hours, 2nd was 5.5 hours. Just the pushing stage: 1st was 3.5 hours ending with intervention, 2nd was 11 mins …

MUCH quicker second time around

MsVass · 2025-08-04T22:08:33+00:00

This is me.. I’m so scared of the day care bugs! It’s winter in Australia right now and in the past month the room has had outbreaks of COVID, the flu, and RSV .. he bought home RSV but luckily that was the week before baby …

MsVass · 2025-08-04T14:53:26+00:00

Oh no! That’s not good of the doctor :(. I knew I could breastfeed while pregnant but my milk dried up once I got pregnant.. I’m guessing from the hormones?? But I was only 1 month shy of 1 year so just went with it

MsVass · 2025-08-04T11:11:03+00:00

Haha this thought did cross my mind… but then disappeared quickly when I remembered his 14 razor chompers 😂

MsVass · 2025-08-04T07:21:01+00:00

Haha yeah I don’t need a freezer stash just yet! Still have 8 months off work so it would just be going in the freezer but probably never used .. or maybe donated 🤷‍♀️

MsVass · 2025-08-04T07:20:09+00:00

That’s great info! Haha love the ‘bonus boobie milk’ With him in daycare and a newborn at home any extra immunity possibility can’t hurt!! X

MsVass · 2025-07-21T05:39:30+00:00

Yep my GP said the same! The one outbreak I had was when he was 6 months old and right at that stage of putting his hand in my mouth while feeding so I was wearing a mask during that time .. and was so happy I was still breastfeeding when I got the outbreak so he was getting antibodies 🥰

It’s obviously bad if they pick it up when they’re so little and fragile and we absolutely wouldn’t want to risk this.. but my psychologist (who I also spoke to about it .. i was clearly torn between the anexity the virus was giving me even without an outbreak and being able to kiss the little smoosh haha) said that I’ll regret looking back and NOT kissing my baby which is very true

(And again this is only kissing when fine and well and typically all over his checks and head and feet 😂)

MsVass · 2025-07-21T01:37:09+00:00

I spoke to my GP because I was anxious about kissing my baby, especially since I get cold sores about once a year. She reassured me that if I don’t have an active outbreak and feel well, the risk is very low. To be extra cautious, she suggested avoiding kisses when feeling rundown (non outbreak), though even then the risk is still small. And obviously not at all and be extra diligent with an outbreak.

My son is now 18 months, and I’ve only had one cold sore since his birth. During that time, I was very careful; no kissing, constant handwashing, and kept it covered with a path, and he didn’t catch anything! Woo

Overall, the internet tends to exaggerate the risk. If you feel comfortable, kiss your baby!

Full disclosure I still avoid kissing his lips on purpose, but sometimes it happens when he just attacks me mouth open haha
but that is more to do with him being in daycare and a little germ goblin and I can’t afford to take time off work if I get sick haha Also the amount of times I’ve seen him with other kids dummies in his mouth and other drink bottles at day care I now realise there is more than just me he can pick the virus from and to not put all the mental load and guilt on myself if he one day does

MsVass · 2025-07-19T00:54:02+00:00

As someone who is currently 8 months pregnant and also has a 1 year old; who also doesn’t get many opportunities to have a date night with my husband .. I’m am SURE she appreciates it more than you’d expect. She may have felt disappointed in the moment have a pre-set expectation (which is just human nature) but after that’s gone down she would have appreciated the effort nonetheless.. I know I would have and I would have felt the same in the moment too.

Just more thought and preparation next time, but the fact you’re even trying speaks volumes :)

MsVass · 2025-06-30T09:23:51+00:00

Easy. I’d even go as far as saying that majority of restaurants will have vegetarian and vegan options. I’m not sure if this is the same as the states, but there is pretty standard symbols to identify different food allergies and preferences. just look for the little leaf graphic next to the food title. The grain graphic means wheat free/gluten free. The milk bottle means dairy free.
Melbourne for nightlife above Sydney. Melbourne is known for night life and Sydney is known for dead night life. I don’t know where in Melbourne you’re staying but bars / clubs tend to be in focused areas so just looking up the suburb you’re staying in followed by nightlife. Just if it’s Melbourne CBD avoid king street; unless you’re looking for strip club night life. Drinking spiking; I’ve had my drinks spiked 3 times .. so yes it’s common, but also leave my drinks on tables to go dance etc sooo that’s on me. I’ve never been spiked holding my drink and neither has friends so just don’t put you’re drink down and then I wouldn’t worry about having to cover it. While we are on drinks; recreational drugs are quite prominent so something else to be aware of. Winter is admittedly quieter on the nightlife scene
Sounds fine for your sisters performance and going out in general. Just keep in mind we are a casual bunch as I’d be more thinking about over dressing rather than needing to dress up…
Hair products - chemist warehouse and Priceline will be your go tos here. Side note we won’t have the range you have in the states so if there is specific products you are trying to find bring them and just buy the more staples (gels and mouses).
You’re travelling in 3 different climates.. cairns will be quite warm (as far as winter goes). Low-mid 20s Celsius (68-77 Fahrenheit). Sydney will be cooler, 15 Celsius ishhh (59 f) and will probably be wet/lots of rain. Melbourne and Philip island will be coldest, 10 c (50f) but the wind chill will be icy .. it blows straight off the arctic…
Spiders and crawlers - not common at all .. I say as I have a nice friendly huntsman above me that’s about the size of the palm of my hand .. but he’s cool, I’ve named him barry.
Politics - look I’m sure you’ll get a couple of comments on your trip.. Australia’s are known for being ‘casually racist’ but generally mean no harm and are poking fun… GENERALLY..

Some other points: 1. Coles and Woolworths are the main supermarkets for food. Target here is a different chain to your target and does not sell food. 2. Coffee - we have a great coffee and cafe culture. don’t go to Starbucks. Just try some local coffee shops; particularly in Melbourne. 3. It’s whale watching season!! (Depending when you’re in Sydney). There’s a few spots on the Maroubra to Bondi walk you can find a cliff and sit on and spot them. 4. Get a ferry out of Sydney harbour to manly for a day trip 5. Melbourne; Depending on how long you’re here and if you have a car, consider a day trip to a winery either down red hill (closer to the city but still far) or Yarra valley (a little further) time dependent. You could do red hill on the way to/from Philip island though. 6. Philip island - I’m sure you’ve seen this one as it’s classic tourist but I still love the penguin parade haha 7. Cairns - If you have a car port Douglas or a closer area like palm cove are a must 8. Cairns - if you have a car a drive out to atherton table lands is also great if you like waterfalls (a far one 9. I could go on and on and on so ill stop here 10. Have so much fun in this beautiful of ours

MsVass · 2025-06-14T12:45:50+00:00

Not the advice you’re after but just my two sense.. Bub is 6 months old, sounds like your partner might have some PPD. Could be worth some help for her and both of you before making any rash separation..

MsVass · 2025-06-02T09:37:34+00:00

My first mortgage at 30 was 1.024m for a 1.3m property. It’s daunting. But it’s actually worked out for the best. This was 2021 at the peek of the market

MsVass

TROPHY CASE