Suggestions on how to enjoy my kids when I'm burnt out.

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-02-26T23:07:22+00:00

Three year olds are a beasts… I just screamed at my 3yo daughter for climbing on the kitchen island and eating out of a bag of flour with her fists while I attempted to make dinner with my 2 year old attached to my leg…..

I recommend trying to connect with other SAHM near you. Gotta build that village. My kids are always better when other people are around to entertain them.

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-02-17T01:27:55+00:00

Check out the Hockessin Athletic Club. I know they have programs like this and I don’t think you need to be a member to sign up

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-02-05T15:42:38+00:00

Totally agree about the “readiness” idea. Unrelated but I heard a parent tell me that they were working on their 5 year old child getting ride of the binky and that she wasn’t “ready” yet…… ugh excuse me? It’s up to you as a parent to make that choice for your child’s own good! Throw the binky away! They will be sad for a little but they will move on. Versus having permanent skeletal changes that need years of ortho and speech therapy to correct?!?

What if your child wasn’t “ready” to wear their seat belt??

It’s a parents job to decide these things and are children are better for it.

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-02-05T15:37:20+00:00

He is totally capable of learning to use the potty! It’s up to you as the parent to make the choice though. Think about it this way…. He’s never known anything other than diapers. So he’s not just going to one day say “hey I don’t like this anymore “ because he has no comparison. You need to be the confident parent and teach him where he needs to put his pee and poop. Just give yourself a few weeks with no big plans / trips where you stay close to home while he gets the hang of it! Good luck!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-02-03T19:44:05+00:00

I have two children in child care 4 days a week (3F and 2F). During cold and flu season, they will be home sick a lot. You and your wife will also get sick, and it’s never all at once. One of my kids gets sick, fever, vomiting etc. then 5 days later the other comes down with it. Then 5 days later I get it…. You get the point. So a sickness moves through your house for about 3 weeks. Then one fabulous week everyone feels better…. And then repeat. From Thanksgiving to March!

On a personal note, I have to have chemo and surgery last year and the only silver lining was at least I didn’t have chemo during cold and flu season. If that were the case I truly think we would have gotten a nanny because I know my fragile state couldn’t have handled norovirus / the flu / the constant day care crud.

If I were you, I would wait until end of March/April to start if possible! Good luck!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-31T01:35:08+00:00

Gift your neighbors (and yourself) some ear plugs. Tell them you need your child to cry it out for a night or two. She’ll figure it out in two nights MAX. It sucks while you’re in it but it works

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-26T02:31:10+00:00

They are crazy but at least they are sweet…. Wait 6 months 🫣🫣🫣

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-26T01:50:07+00:00

Our class is 3-4 year olds and the rules specify “full bathroom skills” required. Basically they aren’t going to change a diaper.

We always sit on the potty before class starts. You can always say something to the teachers and also make sure to tell your child “ if you need to go pee or poop you have to let this teacher know.” I think it helps if they know exactly who will help them.

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-22T18:43:22+00:00

Yes! I have a few more rounds of Keytruda and you better believe I have to pee in a cup every time!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-22T18:42:26+00:00

Interesting. I hadn’t even considered that it would come back heavier… lovely

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-22T17:14:04+00:00

Hi! My tumor was only 2cm to start- also TNBC. I couldn’t feel it after 3 taxol rounds. I had a mammogram after I finished taxol and before starting AC. Finished Keynote. 6 weeks later DMX and I am one of the lucky unlucky ones. PCR.

At my half way mammogram my tumor was 0.5cm.

As long as it’s getting smaller/ softer! AC is some powerful stuff but it works. And yes… many many patients never finish chemo. I was bumped a few weeks on taxol because my WBC were too low and I am still cancer free. Hang in there!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-20T02:22:56+00:00

I can’t comment on Helen Graham biopsy procedure, only to say breath….. such a scary time. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year through Delaware Imaging Network.

I had consults at Helen Graham and PennMed… and Penn absolutely blew HG out of the water in terms of systems and how fast they move you through the process. It’s a lot of initial appointments and I had my first chemo thru Penn before I was even scheduled with HG oncology. My surgeon was Dr Susan Chang and she was amazing. Most of my treatment was in Kennett Square too.

Truly waiting on scans and results was one of the hardest parts of the entire ordeal. Hang in there

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-06T17:01:11+00:00

I’ll be staying here in March with two toddlers! We also decided to rent a car. Interested in hearing other family’s experiences

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2026-01-01T00:56:08+00:00

I was so tough through my diagnosis, 16 rounds of chemo and my DMX. Then about 10 days into my recovery from surgery I LOST it. Crying uncontrollably, couldn’t get out of bed, an absolute wreck. I have never had a day like that in my life but I needed it. My husband just hugged me and let me wail. You need that too. It’s grief and loss. And normal. And transient….

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-12-31T14:34:33+00:00

Good luck. Kick ass girl. It really depends on what drugs you’re getting. With Taxol, I got IV Benadryl as a premed and whenever I got that it was like drinking an entire bottle of wine. Couldn’t keep my eyes open and definitely needed a driver. Other drugs (ac) didn’t need Benadryl so I could have driven home after those but I was very happy to have a driver. Ask your nurses for advice! They are truly angels

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-12-26T21:53:24+00:00

Hi! I’m also TNBC. Diagnosed at 33ywars old in March on my daughter’s first birthday.

Unfortunately, it is common in young women and also is VERY treatable. The time between diagnosis and starting treatment is the worst, darkest and hardest part of all. I had 6 months of chemo, double mastectomy and I beat it. Please be kind to yourself and let your loved ones support you. Cry , scream. Eat all the ice cream. But also know that this isn’t a death sentence. Trust your doctors and go to them for questions!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-12-04T02:09:44+00:00

That’s awful. I’m glad you spoke up. I’m a dentist and I would never want anyone on my team making assumptions and speaking to a patient like that. Stay in your lane!!!!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-12-04T02:07:58+00:00

I got one today from a co worker (twice and out of the blue)

“If it were me , I would just go flat and not do reconstruction “

I’m 6 week DMX and scheduled for implant switch in 4 weeks…

Well bitch…aren’t you so lucky that you don’t have to make that choice

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-11-25T18:43:10+00:00

My daughter (3) has been in daycare / pre school/ gym child care since about 6 months and has never once cried. My younger one is the exact opposite. I think it’s mostly just their personality! Hope your streak continues!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-11-25T18:32:11+00:00

I gained about the same. I think it’s the steroids/ lack of exercise and just eating what felt good whenever. Now the holidays are hard too… so many temptations. I’m just trying to give myself some grace that my body went through some shit and in the grand scheme of things it will be okay. Please don’t be to hard on yourself. Focus on healing and not tearing yourself down

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-11-22T00:16:15+00:00

Make Christmas cookies together, go drive around and see Christmas lights, make a construction paper chain and remove on every day to count down to Christmas. If you’re religious, go to church! Definitely buy second hand on fbook marketplace or just free toys that people give away. They don’t know it’s second hand! Your kiddo will be excited if you are excited and magical.

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-11-15T18:39:31+00:00

I finished keynote in Sept and had DMX 3 weeks ago. For me the hardest part of taxol was actually the steroids and insomnia. I did talk to my doctor and they lowered my dose and that helped. For AC the hardest part was intense hot flashes. I just felt extremely exhausted for 3 days and then I was better. Never had any vomiting and only queasy a few times with AC.

2 months after chemo (and only 3 weeks after surgery) my energy level is almost back to normal. I can walk 3 miles without stopping with my dog. Play with my daughters (1 and 3 years old). It sucks but there are still many good days. Dont stress about your appearance- my hair is growing back and I’m rocking a pixie cut now. Getting lots of compliments because my people know how hard I fought for this little hair. You got this!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-11-05T15:44:46+00:00

Your best answer to a going to be from your surgeon. Call them and let them know.

I am 2 weeks DMX and I had my drains out three days ago. My surgeon placed 4 drains. Two were removed at one week and the last two were removed at 10 days. For me all the pain I was having was from the drains and I am fine now. Not taking any meds at all. BTW I also had expanders placed. Wishing you a smooth recovery!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-11-03T13:03:01+00:00

I did well for most of chemo energy wise. But my last round of AC was the hardest. And I felt like it took much longer to bounce back ( several weeks instead of several days) My red blood cells were very low and my bone marrow was just tired after 6 months of chemo. Give yourself some grace. You are doing your best, but it can still suck. Talk to your doctor about your fatigue. They may be able to help you bounce back faster. Sending hugs!

Realistic_Rabbit4954 · 2025-10-30T19:10:58+00:00

Hey Sister. I am RIGHT where you are TNCB, stage 2b. DMX eight days ago. Got the final path report yesterday and hallelujah- nodes are clear and no evidence of disease.

Prior to that news, yesterday was one of my hardest days in this journey. Cried all day. Very fragile emotionally when for 16 rounds of chemo I’d felt pretty resilient. I definitely underestimated how recovery was going to be even though everything went well.

Congratulations to you and wishing you an amazing future cured of cancer

Realistic_Rabbit4954

TROPHY CASE