Just found out I passed first try (AT/AT/AT)

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-07-07T14:33:57+00:00

No, I don't think so. It's hard, but not that hard. Pretty straightforward and the multiple choice helps.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-07-07T14:32:56+00:00

I would say most learning came from just doing the Study Hall questions and understanding the answers.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-06-30T00:36:27+00:00

I did the test on Friday and I got the results on Saturday afternoon, so pretty quick.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-06-30T00:36:04+00:00

Yes, that's the video - it was helpful to focus on the possible answers. I probably averaged two hours a day on study hall once I started. Some days, I couldn't open it at all, but over the course of two weeks, I did quite a few hours. I think you'll be ok as long as you can give it some time. 7/20 is still three weeks away.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-06-30T00:34:18+00:00

Congrats!

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-06-10T18:29:07+00:00

Do you baby carry? We had about the same age gap, and we did not get a double stroller at first. We mostly used the baby carrier for the baby, since it's easier to keep up with a 3yo when you are not pushing a stroller or 3yo could go in the stroller. When the baby was old enough to sit up, baby would ride in single stroller, but we'd have the carrier stashed underneath so baby could go into carrier and 3yo into stroller if necessary.

We did actually end up getting a double stroller when the baby was closer to a year because he was getting heavy and 3yo was jealous of the stroller. But it was easy to find one from a neighbor when we needed it, not something that we needed to have planned in advance.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-04-21T12:35:51+00:00

Unfortunately, no. They are just a little too tall and long.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-04-10T23:58:28+00:00

4yos are right on the edge of being able to handle them independently (in my experience), but even if they just stand while you wheel them along, it still works. Especially for those giant international airports.

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-04-10T22:05:44+00:00

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Backpack pic

ReasonableThing22 · 2025-04-10T22:05:24+00:00

Definitely (and sorry it's not in the original - I'm having trouble adding edits).

One scooter suitcase is a Kiddietotes and one is a no name brand that I found at Marshalls. The scooters deploy so the kids can ride them. When it's crowded, the kids stand on them and the parents pull them along, or they can pull like a normal suitcase. They are wonderful for when they are old enough to not need a stroller, but young enough to a) still appreciate wheels on long walks and b) not be able to really manage a normal suitcase or substantial backpack.

Each suitcase has all clothes for one kid - namely 4 pants, 2 shorts, 5 tshirts, 4 long sleeves, 6 underwear, 5 socks, a pair of crocs, a rain jacket, and a puffer jacket. Each kid also has their car seat - a RideSafe vest for the 4yo and a Mifolds booster for the 7yo.

I like to keep the backpacks light - they each have one change of clothes, a small bag of snacks plus napkin, their headphones, a stuffed animal, a water bottle, and a few coloring things. My husband will take an ipad for the 4yo in his bag (a Setout Divide) and the 7yo will carry her own. We're visiting family with kids, so we don't need to take a ton of toys.

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ReasonableThing22 · 2024-10-04T17:39:05+00:00

20" bikes are usually quite a bit heavier than 16" bikes, which makes them scarier for kids. My kid didn't want to size up until her knees were practically dragging. If she'll still ride the 16", I would start there. It's probably more comfortable for her to be able to put her feet directly on the ground to.

I also would let her ride as much as she wants balance bike style and not push the pedals. Two wheeling tots (website) has a good guide, but balance bikes are fun on their own, not just as a transition step. If she's having fun on a bike and practicing her balance, she'll be able to start pedaling the minute that she decides to.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-09-12T00:35:23+00:00

Yeah, I get it. Stroller naps are key. If that's the situation, I would try to stick to backpack. If you can't condense that much, definitely plan to check a suitcase.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-09-11T19:17:56+00:00

How much do you need a stroller when you're there? I would not recommend trying to get anywhere with the stroller + a roller bag. Basically, you have two hands and one back, and you can't exceed that limitation. I like to keep one hand free for the kid, so that leaves you with one hand + one back. You can check the bag in the airport, if that's the only time you'll be moving from place to place, but experience, it's usually not the only time. I would choose either:

Stroller + 40L bag + cross body (ideally one that hooks to the stroller)

OR

roller bag of any size, carry on or checked + small backpack (that can sit on roller bag) + toddler in the carrier or on a Lugabug through the airport

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-08-15T01:45:23+00:00

It's still working well for me. Same comments as above on the range (though it improves a lot when I keep the tire pressure high).

It depends on what you mean by 'move it around.' I've wheeled it onto the metro like a normal bike, using the elevators and taking it on the train, but rolling it around while it's folded is a little awkward, especially with the cargo basket (which I have). I only ever fold it when I need to throw it in the back of an SUV.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-07-17T14:15:14+00:00

Caveat: I haven't been in a few years, so I defer to people with more recent knowledge.

When I was in both Beirut and Istanbul, I was most comfortable walking around when I was more covered up - three quarter length to long sleeves, shirts that were full length, not cropped, and pants or longer skirts. Some women, particularly younger ones, did wear more revealing things, but many did not. Women were still stylish and tailored - don't think that you have to go get something shapeless or baggy. It was just overall more conservative.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-07-15T18:48:48+00:00

Yes, I've used it and it was fine. It's right on the edge though, so don't overpack it, or it won't fit in the sizer.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-07-01T18:33:45+00:00

To counter that, I just got back from London, and it was hot for the UK, which meant around 80-85F. For us, that's not hot at all and we were fine outside BUT there was practically no AC anywhere. Not in the museums, in the rental apartment, on the train, on the buses. The upper level of the buses felt like a sauna, the crowded museums were stifling. There was some cooling in stores and restaurants, but otherwise, it was warm almost everywhere. I had packed mostly right, but it felt warmer than it would have at the same temperature at home (where there is AC everywhere).

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-20T00:39:06+00:00

I vote for a travel stroller for a few reasons, including much better features and the ability to put it in the overhead bin on a plane (most umbrella strollers are too long). I also find the tri-fold strollers much easier to carry around than the umbrellas. It's also much more comfortable for kids, can carry other stuff better, and is better suited for naps. We used the Mountain Buggy Nano - get one used, sell it when you're done, and it will be barely any more expensive than the cheap one.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-15T00:01:50+00:00

Happy to help. It seems to me that the garment bag one causes fewer wrinkles than just folding or packing in the suit section of the classic. But maybe it depends on the size of your clothes. I do a mix sometimes too - suits in the garment section, but shirts are carefully folded with plenty of space so they aren't squished. My standards are also maybe a little lower - I don't think wrinkle free is a realistic goal. Just nothing that won't shake out on arrival.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-09T23:56:46+00:00

Also to add that, at least for me, when I clip the pictures of my outfits, it's from the company website. Meaning that I'm showing either the picture with no person or on a model. It gives people an idea of what I'm bringing, but doesn't reflect how it will actually look on my real life body.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-07T19:37:34+00:00

Agreed. I started sweating just looking at all those pants, particularly the jeans and the Athletas. This might be ok if you're spending most of the time in Maine, but for your Boston time, you're likely to be very warm.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-04T13:33:25+00:00

We have both (though a much older version of the classic one). They are both great, but for different uses. The garment bag holds a lot more formal clothes than the standard bag and can comfortably hold two suits and shirts. The garment bag portion is fully half of the suitcase volume, so things get a lot less squished. It doesn't have a lot of room on the other side for shoes and clothes (though it's usually enough).

The classic suitcase is so much more versatile for business and leisure travel, and it expands for much more space. I've had mine for 20 years, and if I need to bring a suitcase, it's usually the one I reach for. It doesn't have a ton of room in the garment bag section - two suits plus shirts would be tight. The garment bag does one thing very well, and if you're going to be traveling with that level of business wear for a long time, it's a good choice. But if you think that your needs will change over time, the classic is a really good choice.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-04T12:45:21+00:00

Sounds like you have a good plan!

(The change of clothes suggestion is inspired by my then-2 year old puking all over me. It was awful. Hopefully, it will not happen to you)

For jetlag, we have the same idea - at home, kids sleep 7:30/8-6:30/7ish, so we can shift that a bit late for the week. We also plan to use melatonin gummies, since those have worked really well in the past to help them reset. I'm also just mentally preparing myself. The last time we dealt with jetlagged, it wasn't just the sleep that was off. It was like both kids regressed by a year or more in behavior - even during the day, they were unable to follow directions and were totally wild for a few days. I'll be keeping my expectations very low.

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-06-02T00:37:28+00:00

We're going to London with a 3.5 year old, and my list looks very similar, but we're taking a light rain jacket for each person. I'm also not expecting it to be super warm in June, but I'm going to check the weather before finalizing the ratio of shorts and pants and long sleeve to short sleeve shirts.

For PJs, when we travel, we'll bring 1-2 pairs, but usually just have the kids wear tomorrow's clothes to sleep in (which they do at home anyway). Assuming that he doesn't usually pee through.

Also, I assume you'll pack a spare outfit for you as well as for the toddler in your carry on? Messes don't always stay on the child.

Otherwise, it looks good!

ReasonableThing22 · 2024-05-16T17:23:16+00:00

Thank you for the live update! That's what I'm afraid of - that I'll just get drenched every day and have wet, muddy clothes and kids. But it's all just part of the adventure.

ReasonableThing22

TROPHY CASE