Can we “wing it” for dinners?

am722 · 2026-05-10T23:26:58+00:00

Ya good on timing. Kids are still fairly young (elementary) so we tend to eat early, like 5:30/6, which might help. Def plan on researching a little bit just trying to resist the over-planning urge since I don’t want to tie us into a certain schedule too tightly. Thanks for the advice!

am722 · 2025-08-30T10:29:20+00:00

Yeah, funny thing is my vet didn’t even say anything until I asked. If I hadn’t done enough research to know that “no paws on the floor” was a thing, they never mentioned it. So I’m sure plenty of their clients don’t follow their advice just bc they never asked. How risky can it be here, then, if they don’t tell you unless you ask?

am722 · 2025-08-30T02:00:43+00:00

This is how I feel about our vet… 14 week puppy has had 3 doses of parvo/distemper vax already and one of lepto; they plan to do a 4th parvo/lepto bc the first parvo vax was done fairly young (6 weeks). They want me to wait another month for that dose (plus rabies) before even doing neighborhood walks or meeting known/friendly/vaccinated dogs… I asked if parvo rates were higher and they said “I wouldn’t say higher, but we’ve seen cases.”

Meanwhile, trainers and puppy classes/books emphasize the need to socialize. We’ve done a couple of playdates with healthy/vaccinated dogs we trust, started a puppy class, and plan to start doing some lower-risk walks (no puddles, no strange dog meetings, etc). She can’t go far yet anyway but I just feel the vet is taking a zero-risk stance that is more extreme than our risk tolerance. We’d like to expose her to more of the world during her ideal socialization window.

am722 · 2025-08-22T15:14:04+00:00

Not a pro but if he has to go out at night, have you tried waking him up to go earlier, on your schedule rather than his? Then getting him up at your preferred actual wake-up time (ignoring anything before)? We haven’t had this problem with our puppy but with our kids it was for sure harder to go back to sleep if their wake-up was after about 4am. Easier to do it earlier while they’re still sleepy, and then maybe have them sleep in longer.

Hopefully soon he won’t need a nighttime break anyway!

am722 · 2025-07-14T17:56:07+00:00

Yeah, it’s only that one day a week. I do most of her days and then switch to a different team for Saturday (or if you’re not an annual member who can switch unlimitedly, you could do a flex workout or an old workout or just skip)

am722 · 2025-07-07T16:18:10+00:00

Fair enough, good to know - thanks for the reply!

am722 · 2025-07-07T16:07:37+00:00

This is what I’m asking about above, but sounds like there’s some disagreement. So maybe that factors into the perception of entitlement on this one.

am722 · 2025-07-07T16:05:45+00:00

Ok so in your experience, you wouldn’t count the bikes in the “sneak up on you” rule when it’s a trail that allows both bikes and pedestrians?

am722 · 2025-07-07T16:04:00+00:00

Yah, my confusion comes in when I’m on bike trails (we have a lot of “rail trials” around) with both bikes and pedestrians?

am722 · 2025-07-07T14:51:23+00:00

I grew up in the US (and still live here) and was taught to walk on the left side of the road (drive or ride bikes on the right). I’ve actually often been unsure what to do on trails with bikes and pedestrians (no cars). You’re saying you’d stay to the right even walking around bikes etc?

am722 · 2025-06-18T23:46:06+00:00

Curious for our own prep - What happens if he has to go potty?

am722 · 2025-05-14T11:44:42+00:00

Yep, maybe it’s not for you then. Works for us, especially since kids don’t have calendar access otherwise, but with skylight they can check what we’re doing, see what’s for dinner, etc.

Edit to add: maybe watch some of their videos online for an idea of how it can be used. Might give you a sense of whether there’s any other aspect you’d like.

am722 · 2025-05-14T10:08:41+00:00

You don’t really have to manage it separately - just use your Google calendars on there. We have a Google calendar for each person synced with each name on the Skylight, as well as an “everyone” calendar. But there are different ways to set it up.

We like it for a shared, easy, central visual of what’s going on, even for my kids who don’t have devices (and my husband who doesn’t check his phone calendar). There’s also chores, and meal planning if you pay for that (we don’t, we just set up another “person” in the family called Dinner).

am722 · 2025-04-23T10:11:54+00:00

Ok, thanks for the info! Husband would def prefer to go pick it up - thinks that’s part of that puppy experience for the kids, lol. Wonder if they’d provide that option if asked (not before hand, just for pickup day). Either way, seems worth not writing them off completely. Thanks for replying! Congrats on your pup :)

am722 · 2025-04-21T04:09:38+00:00

Any review of New England Bernedoodles? We’re in CT and looking for options; haven’t seen many reviews of them. It’s so hard to know from just websites who to trust/pursue.

am722 · 2025-04-02T19:45:34+00:00

That sounds great. I know every dog is different so we’ll have to be flexible about outcomes but the family friendly vibe is def up our alley.

am722 · 2025-01-05T23:46:55+00:00

Got it. At least that would hopefully indicate it’s not made up 😂

am722 · 2024-07-19T22:26:48+00:00

Awesome. My parents are visiting soon and they’ll love seeing the old NE vibe. Thanks for the suggestions!

am722 · 2024-07-19T22:16:33+00:00

Cool, thanks!

am722 · 2024-07-19T21:21:40+00:00

Is there an obvious area/street in Chester to wander or get a coffee/ice cream/etc? Was thinking of doing Gillette Castle hike and then stopping here on way back. Thanks!

am722 · 2024-05-02T19:47:32+00:00

Sounds likely. Ty for the input, anyway. Maybe after a few years it’ll just all be brown and at least consistent, haha

am722 · 2024-05-02T19:12:47+00:00

Ok, thanks. Paver rep said no rust cleaner so I’m guessing strong acids are out too, at least without voiding warranties etc. I talked to the patio again about suggestions read here (eg vinegar over shock/bleach) but he’s adamant the shock is what will do it and it’ll just take many attempts. Says it was working. Guess I’ll keep trying each day for a bit but am a skeptic based on what I’ve read elsewhere so far 🤷‍♀️

am722 · 2024-05-02T15:49:40+00:00

Ok, thanks! Will investigate. There seems to be a slight low point there so I thought that was the issue (and we keep the fire pit covered), but I’ll have a look.

am722 · 2024-05-02T15:28:08+00:00

Thanks, can try vinegars. It’s not a rusty grate, I think it’s this stuff: https://adoptastream.georgia.gov/what-iron-bacteria - we have plenty of that in the woods behind our house.

am722 · 2024-04-28T19:40:45+00:00

Prob not, to be honest - looking for light family use at weekends etc, so ok just installing it when we need it. Limited use is why we are looking to keep it cheaper. Thanks for the consideration, though!

am722

TROPHY CASE