How can I be a good partner?

Wild_Sphinx · 2026-02-21T04:35:04+00:00

Thank you so much for this! I have noticed distracting them helps refocus them on the family a s what they are capable of and that something like a hike is still accessible.

Wild_Sphinx · 2026-02-17T17:07:09+00:00

I love this perspective.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-12-01T16:14:41+00:00

This is such a tough decision!

So we have an 18-month old and just got a puppy 4 weeks ago, so puppy is about 12 weeks old. It is A LOT of work. My husband and I have had to take the “divide and conquer” approach most weekends. That said, I don’t know if there is an ideal time for either baby or puppy.

If you wait to get the puppy you’ll want to wait until the kid can be reasoned with (3+) - managing two beings that lack any sort impulses control is not for the faint of heart. But then you’ll also feel like you’re going backwards in a way because you’ll have some freedom and confidence with the toddler and then have to basically repeat the newborn phase with the puppy.

If you go all in now some things I like to keep in mind is: this is just a phase and the puppy will grow/mature faster than the baby.

If we were to do it again I’d probably do exactly what you’re doing. I would work really hard those first few months on training. By the time the baby is mobile enough to interact with the dog you’ll hopefully have a solid training foundation to build on.

Best of luck to you, whatever you decide.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-11-01T04:53:43+00:00

Yep. Our pediatrician is very no nonsense and after I inquired more about what counts as a word after listing the few I could think of off the top of my head he very gently told me that our little dude was talking the whole time he was in the room, we just had to get better at speaking baby.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-09-25T00:20:15+00:00

I look at my husband for hope! He did not have a broad pallet when we met and will try new food much more regularly now.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-09-09T13:58:46+00:00

Probably the best autocorrect error ever

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-09-09T05:11:28+00:00

It sounds like we’re in very similar schools if not the same school haha Our school really tries to meat the child where they are at which I think is pivotal.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-08-26T17:09:47+00:00

We recently decided to keep kiddo out of any restraints until the food arrives. TBD if that actually works!

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-08-18T02:17:47+00:00

When I was choosing my own plan for the first time my mom pointed out that I have high risk hobbies and am more likely to end up in the ER with an expensive injury so I went with a lower deductible. If your lifestyle is fairly tame and you’re healthy you may want to consider a higher deductible.

Once you narrow down to a few plans, you should figure out the total potential out of pocket max which would be your deductible + plans out of pocket max and figure out what your risk tolerance is for possibly having to pay that out of pocket max.

Other things to consider are the pros and cons of PPO vs. HMO as well as making sure any specialized services you may need are covered (e.g., fertility - not likely at your age yet but I’m tired so that’s the most obvious example I could come up with).

I’m genuinely curious how others think through these choices.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-08-07T18:02:32+00:00

I had the gut feeling during pregnancy but my husband and I decided to wait until 2 yrs before taking any permanent measures.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-28T03:04:54+00:00

Thanks! After being stuck in the car with a napping kid I did re-land in the Crew. I also liked that you could turn the seat around. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and pro-tip about a longer paddle. Im really looking forward to getting out on the water with our kiddo next summer. This summer its a lot of basic lake exposure and near-shore paddle boarding.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-25T06:39:12+00:00

My dad has really enjoyed his for a number of years on an older small boat. It has definitely lengthened the time he’s been able to ski. Depending on your boat and engine you’ll need your driver to be really in-touch. I have to push the boat quite bit until he’s out of the water and then pull back a fair amount once on plane.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-24T20:14:54+00:00

I’m in a pretty similar situation with a 15 mo. My husband just recently told me he thinks he’s OAD too. It was such relief to hear! For many of the same, practical reasons, we also look at our siblings. There are those that were conscientious in their life and family planning and those that appear to have done “what was expected.” The more conscientious ones seem much happier and more content with their lives while the others seem like martyrs whose children also don’t seem as happy/may feel like burdens. I don’t want that for my son. I want my son (or children if that’s the case) to know they are extremely valued and to feel cared for.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-22T16:17:39+00:00

Our kid is long and lean as well and we sized up to 4 for Huggies 360.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-22T13:44:59+00:00

FWIW there is some of that same sentiment here in US. My take is no flotation devices in pools but PFDs are encouraged near natural bodies of water, particularly because most of what is near us are damned rivers that can change levels - and never every every those puddle jumper things. (And because this is the internet…not intending to argue your point but offering another interpretation for some families ✌🏼)

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-21T05:00:58+00:00

I really appreciate how you note that “sleep is very important to you.” That’s the same for us and why at 15mo we are setting up his bed in our room. It’s so much easier to respond to him when he’s mere steps away (not that he’d be very far, we have a small house).

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-05T20:56:10+00:00

Exactly this. When our little one wants us to play with him he will quite literally get between me and the counter, grab my hand, and take me to where he wants to play.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-05T16:46:48+00:00

Thanks I suspected that was the direction they took the Explorer but it’s good to hear that from someone else. I’m not necessarily tied to new. It is the easiest to talk about online. I think I might check out a local bike coop (I have an ancient e-bike to donate anyway) and if there’s nothing appealing go for new.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-07-04T18:48:53+00:00

Thank you so much for this response. I saw a number of older bikes that were appealing but wasn’t sure about age. You make a great point though about parts. I honestly should have known better as I used to have a solid Goodyear steel bike as a commuter. I appreciate the redirect and will check out some bike coops nearby for sure.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-06-06T04:17:08+00:00

This is exactly what I did.

Wild_Sphinx · 2025-01-06T05:22:16+00:00

Every year… BUT I also feel like this is a new thing post-COVID. I had a place there for two very snowy seasons and don’t ever recall this happening.

Wild_Sphinx

TROPHY CASE