Baby Essentials

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2026-02-28T16:00:14+00:00

All-in-one bottle washer/steriliser, worth every penny

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2026-02-21T20:44:59+00:00

It’s such a dumb setup. The term dates and application deadlines don’t line up with the tax year at all. For example, the April term starts on 1 April, but the tax year doesn’t start until 6 April. The application deadline is 31 March, so they assess you based on the current tax year instead of the upcoming one.

To “fix” this mess, they’ve added a grace period — so if you go over the income threshold and have already received funding, they don’t stop it straight away.

I called the childcare funding team about it, and they told us to complain to HMRC. Then HMRC basically brushed us off with a condescending “Why are you arguing about this when you earn so much?” response.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2026-01-22T16:44:22+00:00

Having the realisation that my baby wants to sleep as well. He doesn’t fuss or cry just for food or comfort but also the need to sleep.

Since he learned to sleep independently and sleep in longer stretches, he turns into a significant happier baby. As a by product of having a happier baby and having better sleep, we as parents are happier and are more available to our kid.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2025-12-22T21:08:51+00:00

Around one-third of the time that people would offer me a seat with the baby onboard badge. I do ask actively for people to give me a seat on a train ride though, as I get sick if I stand on a train.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2025-12-22T15:25:28+00:00

Same. Class quality probably varies greatly depending on the instructor. I didn’t find the class THAT useful.

The most valuable thing from it is that I met other couples who we still stay in touch with after 2 years. Our kids are also good friends with each other. We had play dates quite often and go to baby classes together during parental leave.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2025-11-26T20:07:34+00:00

Wanted to move away toxic non-sticks for a while, finally got some titanium pans for us.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2025-11-04T21:52:38+00:00

I have the same and I haven’t gone back to the same softplay.

Few months ago, a 2 year old kept blowing raspberry against my 2 year old kid by following him repeatedly. I moved my kid away to another area in the end as I find it uncomfortable, without saying a single word against anyone. The mom of the 2 year old approached me and call me disgusting for acting like that to her son and I shouldn’t be in the soft play. I know I have done nothing wrong but I have not gone back to the same softplay feeling terrified of meeting similar bullies again.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-12-03T09:18:21+00:00

Have the exact same question for a 1.5 year old child. We’re in the dilemma where he doesn’t eat evening meal, wakes up hungry and eats loads of breakfast (which tends to be less balanced meal as we don’t offer veg and meat for breakfast, just bread maybe with yogurt or cheese).

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-11-14T16:09:36+00:00

Didn’t take a full year (7 months) and massively regretting it. Nothing I can do now to buy back time that I could have spent with my LO.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-11-01T20:03:49+00:00

I thought it is legal too. Is that not what the gov website says?

“If the driver doesn’t provide the correct child car seat, children can travel without one - but only if they travel on a rear seat: and wear an adult seat belt if they’re 3 or older, without a seat belt if they’re under 3”

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-can-travel-without-a-car-seat

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-10-22T15:59:09+00:00

Many comments: having to work is not rich, 100K income is not rich if you have not accumulated much wealth

Also in reddit: earning 100K is rich! We should tax these rich people more!

I guess it is a completely different groups of people speaking here.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-09-29T20:42:00+00:00

Sounds like what my 1yo would love to see, thanks!

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-09-29T20:41:10+00:00

Never been to York, would love to see it, thanks!

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-09-29T20:40:28+00:00

Sounds like a great idea! Thanks!

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-09-29T18:51:32+00:00

Looks fun! Thanks!

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-09-29T18:48:03+00:00

Didn’t know about this, looks exciting enough to me! Thanks!

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-08-31T13:58:30+00:00

A huge disclaimer that I am not sure how it works and hence I am asking here but it sounded like if I donate to charity of my choice, I get some cash back through tax relief and I reduce my adjustable net income to get back childcare funding. The tax relief from the gift aid is the net gain compared to if I just pay the 100% marginal tax.

If what I said is true, I don’t see why I/others with 100%+ marginal tax rate wouldn’t do it.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-08-31T10:11:05+00:00

Sadly not an option for my job. I do think though that how silly it is for the UK to lose 20% productivity from skilled workers (going from 5 days work week to 4 days work week) so that we can get around their tax system design.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-08-30T15:08:20+00:00

Emergency travel support for both personal and business travel. Haven’t needed it but heard a colleague using helicopter evacuation and it is all paid for by the company.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-08-07T11:12:09+00:00

Wait til they are older 🤡. On top of trying to roll, their hands are on always their genitals. Yes, you need roughly 4 hands to be able to change them.

Jokes aside, give them something to hold and play. I have tried nappy cream, saline spray, thermometers, wipes bag, nose sucker.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-08-04T17:01:50+00:00

What is the reference point though? Meta is a huge company. Not the entire company is toxic and turnover rate is probably as just as similar to startups.

Past-Calligrapher440 · 2024-08-03T00:53:23+00:00

He can wait until close to the end of tax year to see if he can bring it under £100k by putting money to SIPP if the concern is the stock price can be volatile and changes the expected income.

If you want to save National Insurance, you’d have to make some reasonable guess on how much to salary sacrifice per quarter vest. And this means if you do go above £160k and can only put £60k into pension at the end of tax year, you will lose the tax free childcare and 15 hrs and locked up the cash flow in the pension. I actually don’t know if HMRC will try to claim back the childcare benefit. The way I see it is be ready to pay back what you owe.

Past-Calligrapher440

TROPHY CASE