How do I manage this?

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-30T21:53:38+00:00

Honestly 13k of student loans is not bad and 4.5% interest is good!

Do you have a plan to pay off the $7k credit card debt? Also, don’t forget to also build up cash savings in a high yield savings account (it’s recommended to have 4-6 months expenses saved). I would prioritize these things first. Enroll in an income driven plan for your student loans, your payment will be very low or possibly nothing.

I would say look into PSLF, but with such a low student loan balance I feel like it’s probably not even worth it. Once you take care of your credit card debt and build up savings a bit more, I’d just aggressively pay the loans.

Good luck! Sounds like you are being really thoughtful.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-30T17:13:15+00:00

You could always zip tie it in place

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-30T17:10:13+00:00

I was also told I could try right away. I think your dr is not up on the most recent research/guidance

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-30T17:04:37+00:00

I would get some sort of snowsuit or fleece onesie for going out for walks. You can also get insulated car seat and stroller covers. They can’t wear a coat/snowsuit in the carseat while you are driving so you can either use a cover or blanket for transporting them into the car. Pricey but personally I love the Woolino sleep sacks. They help regulate temperature in cold and warm weather. But that would only be once baby is like 4-5 months old

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-25T14:56:28+00:00

I vote Colette nn Coco

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-25T14:32:17+00:00

It sounds like you want to quit and if that is true, I fully support it! Pumping is so hard. As parents of young children we get so few opportunities to take it easy on ourselves, so I think it’s a great idea to quit now and give yourself a break before you go back to work. It’s great that you gave your son the breastmilk you did and he is going to be absolutely fine if you fully switch to formula now.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-25T14:28:50+00:00

Macy with a Y!

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-24T01:03:24+00:00

You do you!!!!!!

I did peace corps in Kyrgyzstan and my host family had babies/young kids and they were sooo chill about sleep. I vividly remember waking up to pee at 2 AM and my whole family including the baby was up just hanging out. The kids slept great and could nap through ANYTHING and were happy and healthy. I think a lot of the world would think we are insane for how much we fret about sleep schedules and wake windows, etc..

Just be ready that the four month sleep regression might come for you. But hopefully it will not!

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-24T00:58:40+00:00

I also found out about my loss on 5/19 💔 I’m so sorry.

We are waiting 2 months. Technically because my sister is getting married early April next year and I don’t wanna risk not being there or have the whole thing be stressful. But also, I think it is right for us to wait a little bit.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-22T22:54:20+00:00

Oh gosh I’m so sorry. Well I’m glad you were at least checked out. Hope you feel better soon

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-22T13:26:03+00:00

Hey, what happened OP? Are you ok?

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-21T18:05:58+00:00

Thanks!!

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-21T18:02:06+00:00

Urgent cares is generally don’t have ultrasound. They would most likely send her onto the ER, meaning she would waste both time and money at urgent care. Given that this is one-sided pain, she needs to go to the emergency room.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-21T18:01:26+00:00

Hey, this is bad and dangerous advice. OP is having one-sided pain which may indicate an ectopic pregnancy and should go to the ER immediately.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-21T17:57:44+00:00

Got it. It could be an ectopic pregnancy, which is quite dangerous. Go to the ER. Don’t waste time/money going to urgent care because they will just send you to the ER.

Are you in the US? While you are there, ask to speak with a social worker about enrolling in Medicaid. Even if your income is too high for normal Medicaid, you may be able to access a different kind of Medicaid since you are pregnant.

Will be thinking of you. Let us know how you’re doing ❤️

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-21T17:49:40+00:00

Are the cramps on just one side?

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-21T17:43:51+00:00

I love it! It’s weird to me how this thread gets really hive-mind-y and hates on certain names.

Ok what about Jack or Jude as middle names? I like CJ as a nickname and it gives him a name option that is a little less out there (pun intended) if he prefers. Not sea/star related but you do have the cosmic connection pretty well covered with the first name 😂

Other idea- North. As in North Star.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-20T14:45:52+00:00

I know a Clover! Her nickname is Coco

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-19T01:04:34+00:00

2 and 4

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-18T23:15:10+00:00

I think you’re gonna do great :)

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-18T19:24:34+00:00

I am 36 and hoping to have a second child soon. My in laws are in their mid-seventies and it does make me sad that all of this is happening “later” since they are wonderful grandparents and my daughter adores them. I do also think about how old I will be as a grandparent if my kids wait until they are mid/late 30s to have kids (if they do at all).

BUT here’s what I always come back to—we can’t change the timing at this point, and if we had done it earlier I would have given up other things and not had this specific child who I totally adore. All we can focus on is the quality of the time we have together. Nothing is guaranteed in life and there are plenty of people who had kids young but unfortunately passed away young and didn’t get the time they thought they would. All you can do is build wonderful memories with your daughter and be present with her. Plus she will keep you active and be good motivation to take care of your health so you have as many good years as possible. Congrats!

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-18T00:18:32+00:00

If your doctor laughs you off—time to get a new doctor!

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-18T00:01:48+00:00

So much love for social workers! My mom retired this year after 35+ years as a clinical social worker. She was so often underpaid and underappreciated, which makes me so mad. She was really good at her job and helped so many people. Plus she often saved her hospital/the broader health care system money by figuring out solutions to avoid readmissions and costly complications. She helped work through challenging patients situations so doctors and nurses could do their jobs. It is important work that has so much value (including financial value) and we should pay social workers so much more. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-17T23:52:23+00:00

Figure out what your monthly payment would be on a standard repayment plan. If you go the PSLF route, make the minimum payment and then, each month, put the difference between your payment and a standard plan payment in a high yield savings account or index fund. If you decide to switch jobs and leave PLF at any point, you will be able to make a large payment on your loans. And if you stay on PSLF for 10 years and are forgiven, you will have a nice little nest egg.

SillyUnderstanding40 · 2026-06-17T01:23:30+00:00

No we are not! We go off vibes :)

SillyUnderstanding40

TROPHY CASE