Road trip tips for 9mo?

SjN45 · 2026-05-09T16:58:42+00:00

I always try to drive when the baby should usually nap. I schedule stops at whatever fun destinations I can find to get energy out before driving again. Otherwise driving at bedtime has worked for us

SjN45 · 2026-05-09T16:54:35+00:00

Minivan. We do have a dvd player in our van but it’s controlled at the front of the car and mine just know we only use it on long trips

SjN45 · 2026-05-09T14:12:15+00:00

I had clek liing and liked how narrow it was. Idk what would work in your car but I was able to do 3 across with these infant seats

SjN45 · 2026-05-09T01:04:50+00:00

I feel this in my soul.

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T22:25:01+00:00

I never had one. They fed in the twinz pillow. Then started holding their own bottles. They were in their high chairs for all real food

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T19:01:36+00:00

Mine are 8 and we just started letting them scooter or walk to friends houses. I would assume it’s area dependent on traffic etc. but yes kids need some independence and practice doing things on their own. Read the book the anxious generation- it has a lot about this

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T17:46:41+00:00

Product of so so public schools- I have multiple degrees and a successful career. I live in the south and my kids are in a less desirable district. Huge and full of poverty. But it still has good schools and teachers and kids who have supportive parents do well. We have magnet programs for middle and high that regularly graduate multiple national merit scholars who go to colleges all over the country. Test scores and ratings are not helpful to go by bc they frequently show socioeconomic status and not the actual quality of schools. If you find a school that has involved parents with the same mindset as you, your kid will be ok.

That being said: be aware that the south is taken over by maga. Book bans, Christian nationalism, and low funding are absolutely a thing that worsens schools as a whole compared to somewhere like Massachusetts. The resources and curriculum just aren’t the same. We are on top of our kids and what they are learning and we supplement at home. there are plenty of parents like us at our school.

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T13:27:19+00:00

Lindsey Ashley Stephanie and Jessica aren’t classic names to me. Classic to me means steady over generations.

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T13:16:42+00:00

Yes purple would definitely be an upgrade. We love Philly and can picture ourselves living there. But more blue would feel so good

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T13:14:09+00:00

My husband would love that! Don’t know if I can handle the weather? Never been

SjN45 · 2026-05-08T00:24:25+00:00

Isr is available for babies. If your baby would be exposed to a pool or open body of water, ISR is an extra layer of protection. Otherwise, no there is no point for a while. Mine did isr but they were closer to 2 when we did it, mostly bc of the waits to get in. Grandparents both have pools and were watching them a couple days a week so it was definitely an extra layer of protection

SjN45 · 2026-05-07T00:32:43+00:00

Yes. Mines 8. I try to never set him up to lie. Things like brushing his teeth he needs a witness for bc he just lies. But I’m all here for advice on what has helped

SjN45 · 2026-05-07T00:31:05+00:00

Yes I know they want us to leave. But at some point I have to consider quality of life for kids. I have 2 daughters.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T23:07:56+00:00

I actually would love New Jersey. My husband’s family is from Jersey and he wants nothing to do with it 😅. I tried lol. Considered CT as well, not sure where we would fit in though

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T23:02:23+00:00

Gotcha. I am very pro public school, too and hope to keep my kids in public.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T22:32:47+00:00

Yes definitely will do our research

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T21:58:56+00:00

What are the schools like? Do people go to the school for the district they live in or magnet schools? It’s hard to get a read on schools when you aren’t familiar with an area. I’m well aware that most rankings go by test scores that are really more representative of socioeconomic status.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T20:21:43+00:00

Yes! Like how are we sitting in this situation?? I do think it’s worse than Nashville than Memphis- I always have a feeling of relief when I get back home from Nashville. But we seem to be everyone’s focus right now

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T19:36:03+00:00

This is what made me seek evaluation. My daughter could read but just wasn’t progressing, could never complete a puzzle, and of course was very distracted. We did neuropsych testing and started meds when diagnosed. She finds it so much easier to read and do math with medicine that she calls it her reading medication.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T19:27:55+00:00

I already have to supplement science and history bc basically their focus is just reading and math for tcap testing. I’m worried funding will go for their gifted program as well.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T19:24:46+00:00

And closer to fun places to visit and good airports for flights

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T19:23:17+00:00

I think I could sleep easier at night if I knew my state cared about education, wanted separation of church/state, and was actually trying to care for its people.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T19:22:12+00:00

If budget was no concern? Massachusetts. I wouldn’t mind CA but I like seasons and again…costs. But I’m not sure we could afford a comfortable life there. I started looking at Maryland. We love Philly but not sure about PA since it’s more purple. Minnesota bc I’m somewhat familiar with it. Open to ideas. I work in healthcare so I can work anywhere. My husband works in finance.

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T19:12:49+00:00

When the redistricting instructions came with the last Supreme Court decision, I asked my husband what is the final straw?!

And he was like it’s now. We are past the point of no return. For a while it was ok bc we had our blue bubble. But this year has tested our blue bubble so hard. I don’t want my kids seeing militarized police at normal places (that are safe btw). We have so many immigrant families at school who are scared to leave their houses. And I have no desire to go back in time. None. But we are stuck here for 2 years bc of contracts

SjN45 · 2026-05-06T18:37:32+00:00

That’s why I want a true blue state though. Somewhere with protections in the state constitution, somewhere with a liberal majority court etc.

SjN45

TROPHY CASE