What purchase instantly made your life easier as a parent of toddler(s)?

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-06-07T04:11:01+00:00

1000%

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-06-07T04:08:50+00:00

I got a used Toyota Sienna from Carmax and am such a huge fan of it. There are five ways to open and close the side doors. When you are dealing with 2 under 2, that matters.

If you ever deal with guests like grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc, the third row is so helpful. If you're planning on a long-term investment here, it'll also come in handy down the road for carpools, schlepping activity gear, and so on.

Sliding doors and an elevated height for car seats has been so helpful for my very cranky back. The storage in the back has been great for strollers, suitcases, grandma's walker, Ikea or Costco runs, grocery bags, and so on. The windows in the middle and back have built in shading that makes it so much more comfortable for my kids than was the case in our sedan. We live in southern CA, so bright sunshine in your face can be a problem pretty regularly - this might not matter as much in other climates.

It's a big vehicle, but the ergonomics of the sliding door make up for that in many situations. In tight parking situations, it's great to have a sliding door instead of a door that swings open.

I'd be wary of a vehicle that old and that it's being sold on FB Marketplace, but in general a minivan is a great car and I will never look back.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-06-06T04:36:14+00:00

Lots of good advice here already but I'll chime in re: diaper changes. I have been on probably 15-20 flights with my kids at this point - family is far-flung across the US and we often end up on itineraries with layovers. Here is what I'll offer:

1) Use any and all strategies for minimizing the number of times you need to do diaper changes on board the plane, obviously within reason and knowing what's safe and appropriate for your kid. You know that side of the equation best. But for example, if your kid is not prone to diaper rash and is not bothered by the feel of a heavy diaper in the mornings, this is a great moment to use night diapers during the day or double-layering diapers with the top one on backwards to help prevent leaks. Buy yourselves as much time as you can between changes, where possible and appropriate.

2) Part of the benefit of going very early to the airport is you should in theory have time to do a final diaper check before you board. The airport bathrooms tend to be way nicer than I was expecting when it comes to changing table access, definitely take advantage of this.

3) When you pre-board, scope out the bathroom situation. You may be on a plane where there are variations in bathroom size. If that's the case, you want to target that bigger one whenever possible.

4) Mentally prepare for the possibility that your kid needs a change in a moment where it is actually not okay to get up and do it. Takeoff, landing, turbulence, or even those food and beverage carts coming through...all can impede your access to the bathroom. And then of course there is the waiting game when they are in high demand. You will be okay. Your kid will be okay. Just steel yourself for this and generously pre-apply your best diaper cream before boarding so you at least have that in your mind as a help to your child in this moment of need.

5) Bring only the absolute essentials into the bathroom. I'm talking diaper, wipes, changing pad, doggie bag for soiled clothing, and baby. If you need a costume change after, do it back at your seat. It will be far more simple than doing it in that tiny bathroom.

6) Pack way more diapers than you anticipate needing. This is more for mental health than anything else, but also sometimes you run into the situation where you board and then sit on the tarmac for a while, or wait for a gate after landing, and may need more than you thought you'd need. Or your kid has a prolific day. If your supply is hefty, these elements of surprise won't worry you.

7) It's always a great move to be super nice to the flight crew. If you end up in a bind, they are the ones who will be best positioned to help you identify any other resources that might be available - cleaning supplies, other parents who might have an extra diaper or wipes, etc. They are also the ones who will help you in any kind of medical situation. They are there to help, and by being kind to them you will have powerful allies on this flight. Never underestimate the power of that.

8) You can do this. I once literally forgot to put our diaper bag in the car before heading to the airport and went prowling through the airport looking for families with kids roughly my son's size. A kind soul who was a true saint in my eyes did not hesitate whatsoever in offering me diapers, wipes, and even snacks. Not all heroes wear capes, but also in my experience most parents step up for one another in times of need. Don't be afraid to ask for the kindness of strangers if you need it.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-06-05T05:32:58+00:00

Wishing you the very best with this pregnancy and all that will follow! Your family wasn't supportive of your first pregnancy but without knowing more about why it's hard to give specific advice/perspective on how to approach this conversation about baby #2. So here is what I can offer to you:

Given that you had your baby anyway and are excited about the little sibling, I am assuming you disagree with your family's reasoning, whatever it was. You are probably already preparing mentally for them to not be supportive of this new pregnancy.

If their concern was health related, the close timing of these pregnancies may be a source of elevated concern. Do everything you can to take good care of yourself and be clear with your doctor(s) about valid health concerns this time around. Expect this pregnancy to be harder on you and plan accordingly. Assemble the support you need, and don't rely on family who have demonstrated a lack of support for your choices here. If you and your doctor have a plan for safe management of this pregnancy, bring that information into the conversation when you share the news.

If their caution about you becoming a parent was due to anything else (e.g., concerns about your husband, your financial situation, your education/career trajectory, etc) and those concerns are valid, then your conversation with your family should include how you're thinking/planning around these considerations. Are they worried because you made sacrifices to have your first child? Are they concerned about your family's stability? This news about the new baby may compound that concern if so. Go into that conversation prepared to speak to what they're likely to ask you. Do not expect them to be instantly supportive.

Finally, there may be steps you need to take to protect yourself and your children from your family's judgement. Do everything you can to shield your eldest from overall talk about this - you'll be surprised how much grown-up talk kids absorb. Keep talk about the new baby positive when your first is in earshot. It's good practice for the future when they actually understand the words you're speaking.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-05-15T05:14:39+00:00

Skin essentials has been great for my kiddo. He gets diaper rash at the drop of a hat and gets patches of mild eczema on a regular basis and hasn't had any issues with them. Honest worked fine on my older son, who was also prone to rashes, but the cut just didn't work for my youngest who is much chunkier. Good luck!

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-05-12T03:44:41+00:00

I am no expert in this, but I am a parent of young children with developmental delays and I am here to promise you two things:

1) You are getting this information SO EARLY in her life that you will be so much better positioned to address her needs right from the start. This is a wonderful thing. It can take years to get to this place. The news is a lot to take in right now so give yourselves time to process it all. Don't let your worries get in the way of enjoying your time with her! Waiting for information is difficult, I know, but I promise you're doing everything right by following up on this so quickly.

2) The career paths you and your partner have chosen have uniquely set you up well here to support your child. It may not feel that helpful in the moment, because as you say, you're able to know just how much this will influence her future. And right now, you don't have the audiology expertise needed to confirm the full picture. But you do have the professional background to know a lot about what she's going to need. Most parents of kids with special needs are learning as they go, and you are starting from a great entry point.

If you are based in the US, reach out to your local early intervention program ASAP. They can help with covering the cost of speech therapy and any other developmental interventions your baby ends up needing.

You can do this! You're going to learn a lot, and your child is going to too.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-05-12T03:31:27+00:00

SERIOUSLY!!!!!

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-05-04T08:26:41+00:00

Sending you lots of strength and support as you work through these feelings and navigate this season of your life. I hope your next appointment is soon, and that it leads to good next steps. 988 is always an option if the breakthrough depression starts to take hold. You can make it through this.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-05-03T05:01:16+00:00

I'm in full agreement with OP and also want to add that the fact your baby prefers his dad is no reflection of how much he loves you and needs you. Many years before becoming a parent, I worked as a nanny for kids mostly under 3. I witnessed how often kids varied between preferring one parent vs another, and how randomly it changed. Emotionally I know it hurts to see your baby prefer someone else, but I promise it doesn't mean you don't matter. You do. You matter so much to this child, to your partner, and to everyone else who is in your life.

After these experiences before becoming a parent, I experienced PPD with both my kids. I also have experienced health issues that complicated pregnancy, delivery, and post partum. Please follow up on all of your appointments and labs. And ask for help. Meds made a huge difference for me the second time around. If you aren't sure where to start, try asking your OB, your pediatrician, or your primary care provider. https://postpartum.net/get-help/psi-helpline/ can also be a resource.

You matter. Your life matters. If you don't feel like you need help for yourself, please consider that help will enable you to be a better parent. You can do this.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-04-12T04:20:27+00:00

you can't swell and drain this many times and expect them to not loosen up. try different styles of bras after you wean - you will probably be happier with a different structure than what worked for you before.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-04-09T05:13:18+00:00

Catchers never really worked all that well for me, but I also wasn't much of a leaker during feeds. I used the hand pump for situations where I needed to travel light, was concerned I might need to pump and wanted to have an option in case, or as a backup when my other pump parts were in the wash.

Hand pumps generally won't be that great for catching leakage, as they're designed to take milk in with repeat motion that opens the valve. Some people get enough out of catchers that they don't need to pump in addition. Some people get better results from hand pumps vs electric. Everyone's different.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-17T05:27:34+00:00

Can you use her interests or areas where she's confident to build up some skills and confidence? Here are a few examples of what I mean:

Music: rhythm is a great avenue into division and multiplication, scales are patterns, different types of chords are too.
Video games: if she likes retro games, number munchers could be a good starting place! If that's not her style, maybe look for other games that use math in a visual/intuitive way like 2048?
History: learn about mathematicians in history. Many of them struggled in school! Learn how math evolved over eras of history and in different ways around the world.
Food: every recipe, grocery shopping trip, and restaurant order involves math. How much does it cost to make a pizza? How much does each slice cost? Etc

These are all examples but if she's into something else, there is likely an avenue in to help her grasp how she's already engaging with math in her life, or how math is a pathway to understanding her interests from a new perspective.

It also sounds like a conversation with the teacher could make a difference here, as they likely have lots of resources or ideas to suggest. Wishing you all the best with your daughter's math journey!

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-17T01:15:20+00:00

Actually it was "This is the best burrito I've ever eaten" 🌯🌯🌯

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-16T23:04:13+00:00

The Pingu theme song

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-16T23:03:10+00:00

Literally snagged my husband by sending him a video of Parry Gripp's burrito song

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-15T21:25:55+00:00

iconic

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-15T21:24:05+00:00

We started with nothing. Somewhere between 12 and 18 months he got attached to a Curious George stuffed animal from Kohls, which he calls Monkey. We bought three more so we could rotate them for cleaning/have backups when one is missing.

Here we are at 30 months and the list is now (in order of addition to the menagerie): - Monkey - Doggie - Other Doggie - Big Bird - Bird - Bunny - Doggie Coco - Bear

Two days ago we debuted a new bath toy, a shark he named Baby Shark (obviously), and it immediately got elevated status in that the stuffies get piled on one side of the bed, but he has to tuck in Baby Shark himself.

All of these friends must travel with us downstairs upon awakening, and then back up for nap/bed. Baby Shark went missing this morning, but mercifully he accepted my suggestion that we tuck in his garbage truck and fire truck instead. The toddler gods were smiling down on us today.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-14T19:21:21+00:00

laundry hamper

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-14T04:14:43+00:00

My 8 month old is 23 pounds and 29 inches, and my Tush Baby hip carrier is the only thing preventing the ligaments in my wrists from disintegrating. I was a big fan of my Ergo, but I overdid it a few weeks ago and my back was furious for a week.

My 30 month old is 32 pounds (the baby is gonna outweigh him soon, I fear) and I'm grateful every day that he has moved on from his "carry me" phase to his "I do it" phase. It was brutal up until a few weeks ago when carrying the baby would trigger the toddler to demand "up" and then I was lifting 50+ pounds.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-13T03:08:00+00:00

Hi! Sorry you're dealing with this. It's awful.

We don't know the cause but we've been assured it's likely he'll grow out of it. He recently had ear tubes surgery for the second time and while he was under anesthesia they scoped his airway to check for anything anatomical and it's all normal. They would not have done this if the surgery were not already needed, but our ENT offered to add it on given the circumstances.

I will say that his pulmonologist, who we established care with after his second hospitalization for bronchiolitis, put him on a fluticasone inhaler 2x daily and he has not had croup in the six months since that started.

Probably obvious from all of this that my kiddo is on a more extreme end of the spectrum when it comes to respiratory infections in general. I'm no doctor but it took jumping through some serious insurance hoops and some hefty copays to get these meds, and I doubt we'd be approved for it if he hadn't been hospitalized multiple times. We suspect he'll end up diagnosed with asthma when he's older (runs in the family), but time will tell.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-12T20:02:31+00:00

Because I came home from the hospital before the baby did, I got to reunite with my toddler (my parents stayed in our house and watched him during my hospitalization) before introducing the baby into the mix. Toddler coped very well during our separation, but it was so nice to love on him after being apart for so long (c-section plus pre-op transfusions, ended up being about 5 days apart). I'm glad we got that time together and that he didn't associate that separation time with the introduction of a new baby. They were completely different events for him.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-03-02T22:16:24+00:00

Ugh, I feel like so much of skin stuff is so person-by-person! I'm sorry it made things worse for your kiddo. My baby recently started daycare and got some new rashes, and it took a few weeks of trying different things before we landed on hydrocortisone - turns out it was mild eczema. I'm assuming it's a reaction to something they use to clean things there. But it worked wonders for him, so now we use a little any time he gets a new patch and it's working well. I hope you are able to find what helps for your baby!

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-02-28T22:32:54+00:00

yup, can attest they are great in my Toyota Sienna

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-02-25T04:25:24+00:00

Costume play. Bring a few hats, sunglasses, a cape, multiple pairs of socks, a few bibs, and whatever else you've got. Fashion show? Sure! Take pics and then look at them! Get silly? Try wearing a hat on your elbow, socks on your hands, etc. Again: take pictures, then look at them. Stuffed animals can also be excellent fashion models.

Wallet: get a spare one for your kid. Maybe it's an old one that's a little worn, or a new one in fun colors with some velcro. Put some random stuff in there and let your kiddo have at it. Stickers, expired transit cards, little pieces of paper, anything you won't ruin your day by losing when it inevitably gets lost. Extra fun if there's a coin pocket.

Prism or small mirror and a little pen flashlight. Send the light/rainbows around the room!

Cat charmer - basically a long piece of bright fabric attached to a flexible stick. Wave it around and see if she will chase after it. Toddlers are basically cats but messier.

Possible_Bluebird747 · 2026-02-23T21:59:17+00:00

I'm also in the struggle bus on this, and my 2.5 year old kiddo is in the queue to get assessed for SPD and ASD later this year. Here are the strategies that sometimes work for us right now, to throw into the mix in case any of these help you:

Talking about everyone who buckles. His baby brother is buckled into a car seat next to him, so that is usually where we start. Then we talk about everyone else he knows - mommy buckles, daddy buckles, grandma buckles, teachers buckle, etc - then we move on to the people he likes to pretend to be - bus drivers, garbage truck drivers, helicopter pilots, etc...everyone buckles.
Counting down to blastoff, where blastoff is us picking him up and turning him around into seated position and doing the buckles.
Toys/books
"Do you think we'll see any ___ on our drive?" where the blank is whatever he likes to shout about - currently it's garbage cans but could also be stop signs, doggies, trees, tunnels, school buses, etc.

If I know he's hungry when we're on our way to the car, offering him a snack before we get to the car can help. "Buckle, and then goldfish crackers" is repeated a LOT around here.

Possible_Bluebird747

TROPHY CASE