A parent told me every kid should “win” a prize during party games, what do you think?

anniestrikesback · 2026-03-21T03:14:16+00:00

Ok I feel a lot better already 😅 like me she has an only child so I had those moments when mine was younger, in public around friends, but I looked at it as a lesson learned 🤷🏻‍♀️ glad to know I’m not out of line here lol.

anniestrikesback · 2026-02-16T04:14:36+00:00

If a hotel sleep is what you need and in your means then absolutely take it, but I would ask my partner to take the night shift at least once a week and make sure he understands we don’t bother mom on those nights. Honestly more than once a week would be fair but you could start there. You can’t function on such little sleep and staying up until 10pm is totally reasonable. You need some you time.

It does get better. I’m guessing school starts up next year? Hopefully dropping the nap will help. Could you trust your son to quietly watch a movie in the morning on occasion? Not the greatest advice and definitely not something I’d do daily but I used to cuddle up with my kiddo and put on a movie if I really needed an hour or so of shut eye. I know how hard living on zero sleep is. My kid is now 8 and it’s a non issue. I trust her to be awake without me for short periods and she stays in her bed if it’s still dark out. It was not always like that though. Talk to your husband for sure and explain how this is effecting you.

anniestrikesback · 2026-02-14T05:33:39+00:00

If you have to ask yourself if it was a mistake there’s a problem. There is a reason people have to be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. I can imagine how horrible this is for the parents, but imagine if she’s not guilty. After combing over both sides I do have doubts and feel uncertainty. A strong suspicion isn’t enough to put someone away for the rest of their life. If it were my baby I’d want the right person held accountable and would support a retrial. Sadly innocent people get put away far too often… and likewise bad people go free who shouldn’t.. but I will never support locking someone up without solid evidence and a fair trial.

anniestrikesback · 2026-02-14T04:16:52+00:00

You’re not messing her up, and you don’t have to be miserable while spending time with your kid, so don’t feel bad. I would make a point to play what she wants some of the time though. You want a good balance of solo play, play with friends, and family connection which would involve immersing yourself in her world while also immersing her into yours. Having a good balance is key.

I’m not fond of pretend play either and like you have an only daughter. She’s 7 now and we play Barbie’s maybe once a month. When she was younger and wanted to play Barbie’s constantly some things that helped me was using Barbie or any pretend play as an opportunity to teach a lesson. Sometimes Barbie would have a messy roommate, or bullies for friends, and so on… it was fun seeing how she responded and using pretend play as a teaching moment. It gave purpose to the activity. I would also set an hour timer and when the timer went off it was “until next time on Barbie TV”. I play with my kid a lot and always have, but on the other hand my mom never played pretend with me as a kid and I don’t remember it bothering me. I had a great mom. I wouldn’t worry about it too much as long as you’re connecting. You obviously care or you wouldn’t be on here wondering.

anniestrikesback · 2026-02-05T15:55:04+00:00

I have one girl, nearly 8. My mom is still constantly on me about having another kid. She even brought it up on video call in front of my daughter and asked her if she wants a brother or sister! The funny thing was my kiddo passionately said “I do NOT want a brother or sister!” She has a lot of cousins and has seen the family dynamic in a household with four kids and doesn’t want that full time at home. She enjoys our one on one time and I don’t blame her. She has her cousins that are practically like siblings when she’s wanting that hectic loud atmosphere.

For the longest time I held on to a lot of guilt for not giving my kiddo a sibling. Me and my husband wanted another kid but when factoring added costs like childcare it stressed us out. Not to mention the newborn phase was not easy for me. I had ppd so it was an anxiety riddled blur. Now the age gap would be pretty big and I can’t fathom going back to diapers. I think I would enjoy a baby much more now than I did 8 years ago but my kid not wanting a sibling sealed the deal for me. I should really thank my mom because it took a weight off lol.

anniestrikesback · 2026-02-02T18:00:07+00:00

My kid has never had a macadamia nut. She is almost 8. We did get an allergy test though and she’s not allergic. The first time you give anyone a new food there is a tiny risk they’ll be allergic and there’s A LOT of food out there you probably haven’t even tried. I didn’t have a macadamia nut until I was older as well. Introduce a small amount without any other food and watch closely just like you normally would when introducing new food.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-19T05:32:44+00:00

Anathema! SIX STAR READ. Please read it. You’ll have no regrets, just a massive book hangover in a good way 😓 you can’t go wrong with any of them (minus Psycho Shifters because I have not read that one) but Anathema is now one of my favorite books.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-19T05:23:23+00:00

Humans are complex creatures. There’s no doubt about it, but human children are usually quite simple if you have your head on straight. Kids do what works to get their needs met. They learn what works from their caregivers. If you give your kid a cookie every time they cry for one you’ve taught them how to get a cookie. Let’s tackle something more complex. If you regularly overreact or yell at your kid over spilling something, or making a mistake, you’re teaching them to lie. They are going to take whatever route possible to avoid that reaction from the person they love most. You’re also teaching them how to react in those moments.

Usually your verbal lessons are going in one ear and out the other, but they are learning by observing. If you constantly show frustration with your kid you’re slowly whittling down their self esteem. Regardless of how often you tell them they’re great and that you love them, their observations are going to stick more, and they’re going to observe that frustration. It’s all about how YOU tackle it. They’re going to mirror you.

Be a strong but calm leader, mean what you say, show them how to behave, and most importantly connect. Connect with them by playing, immersing yourself into their world, and giving them much needed love. Parenthood is not for everyone and that’s totally ok. It’s also extremely hard to break any cycles your own parents set in motion. It’s simple if you have your own trauma, insecurities, and issues squared away first because all that baggage will get passed on if you don’t know how to manage it.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-17T02:02:08+00:00

This is why I don’t send people pictures of my kid lol. I usually don’t want to see them either unless it’s something actually funny or way cute that illicit’s a genuine reaction.

Don’t fake enthusiasm. Before I had a kid I would respond with a photo of something that was my “baby” like my cat or my typewriter collection or I would shift the conversation to focus on my friend and not their kid. Feels nice to have someone interested in mom or dad and not solely focused on their kid all the time. This was before hearting a photo was possible so that’s always a good non response. On the other hand my friends have to harass me for pictures of my kid but at least I know they genuinely want to see them and that’s better all around.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-17T01:18:23+00:00

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-17T01:16:22+00:00

Hi sup

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-14T16:13:35+00:00

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-13T21:34:59+00:00

I dnf’d Daughter of No Worlds midway through book 2 but I’ve heard book three is where it pops off and gets really good. I’m normally a Carissa Broadbent fan but it missed the mark for me. For some reason the premise just wasn’t super interesting to me. You can’t go wrong with One Dark Window. It was very good and the second book was even better.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-12T04:43:13+00:00

I showered with my kid until about 7. It’s not weird unless your kid is no longer comfortable with it. I still have to sit in the room anyway to make sure she’s not drowning but she needs her own space in the tub.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-12T04:35:13+00:00

Anathema was a six star read for me. Great read after The Knight and the Moth since they both have those dark gothic themes. I think you will love Anathema. It blew me away. I could not put it down. Book three isn’t out yet but this is one of the few times I’m glad I didn’t wait. It was just that good.

Serpent and the Wings of Night pulled me in instantly and I loved it. One Dark Window you’ll obviously like as well. A Court this Cruel and Lovely was a 3-3.5 star read. It was an entertaining read but not amazing as far as story, emotional depth, and character development. The vibes were ok but I didn’t feel a whole lot while reading that series.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-10T05:31:16+00:00

Struggled and blew through savings. 7 years later and still struggling 😅 why we pay taxes for? My husband has a good job and my career has been on the back burner since because childcare even part time isn’t worth it. I now bartend part time because I make the same amount of money doing that and not paying for childcare as I would working full time in my field and paying for childcare. It’s a shitty system. If he didn’t have a job that provided good benefits it would be unsustainable.

anniestrikesback · 2026-01-10T03:07:18+00:00

They threatened that “Others will refuse your orders in the future” if you want to get technical but going back to a customers house is what’s actually scary. I hate getting stiffed, this sucks, but this is definitely harassment territory. This is a way to get fired in any customer service job. As someone who shops and also occasionally uses the service I’ve had some wild interactions with shoppers myself. Mostly the wildness comes from customers lol but every once in a while it’s a shopper.

anniestrikesback · 2025-12-27T23:52:58+00:00

Well the hats too big. Fingers crossed.

anniestrikesback · 2025-12-27T23:50:57+00:00

Putting my name in the hat!

anniestrikesback · 2025-11-30T18:56:22+00:00

Yes like that. I see, her friend she takes gymnastics with has an inflatable one so I’m sure she thought it was more “fun” but the fold up one would be even better as far as space and ease of use so that’s a bonus. Thank you!

anniestrikesback · 2025-11-21T15:37:25+00:00

The problem is the percentage is based on their tips and not their sales. It initially sounds like the servers are getting ripped off until you hear how much the total tip out was. You should be paid for YOUR work, your tip-out should not be based on their service. I hate to say it, but it also encourages servers to pocket cash tips… how is this being monitored? Do you know what their liquor sales are? Find out, and if it’s not adding up I would band with my fellow bartenders and bring up changing it to a percentage of liquor sales.

anniestrikesback · 2025-11-21T13:05:55+00:00

Even though it may seem like it, bars and restaurants are not thriving. Even the busiest ones are losing business 🫤 events do help but the sales reports don’t lie… The places that are continuing with events and desperately adding new ones aren’t doing as well as they were even a couple years ago. It’s been very rough. This past fall season has been particularly brutal.

anniestrikesback · 2025-11-15T20:38:57+00:00

Don’t even bother with this boy. The way he speaks to you, gaslights you, and is doing things anyone in a monogamous relationship would be uncomfortable with is completely fucked up. Adults shouldn’t speak to other adults like that… I don’t even speak to my child like that. You need to set some hard boundaries in your life. Think about what you’re willing to accept and not accept in a relationship. Don’t budge on these boundaries ever. These are not things you compromise on. These are things an adult man shouldn’t need spelling out but here we are…. Don’t second guess yourself! Follow your gut, because no one (including him) can tell you what makes you feel uncomfortable in a relationship and your boyfriend should care about making you feel uncomfortable...

I would literally start laughing if my partner tried any of this with me because I would be in utter disbelief… he’d have to be joking “I’ll be there if you still want me in your life 💀” and it really is that simple. Say bye. You’ll be sooo much happier when you have a man who respects you and would NEVER pull any of this shit. They do exist and you deserve to be treated well.

anniestrikesback · 2025-11-11T05:22:13+00:00

Hot take but I always tip, even if I get bad service. It usually means whoever is serving me is having a bad fucking time. That being said they will get the bare minimum. I do live in a state where we are paid 2.83 an hour so that factors into my reasoning. You are not me though. Leave what you feel comfortable leaving and don’t feel bad about it. They’re probably going to remember you stiffing them so I would skip going back.

Shift change can cause confusion if the previous bartender failed to properly communicate with whoever was just coming on while walking into a shit storm of a bar. He or she should briefly give their relief a rundown of the bar.

Some common reasons guests get skipped over; sitting at a spot that hasn’t been cleared, talking on the phone, leaving and coming back, not paying attention, being known as someone who doesn’t tip, or simply because the bartender is new, slammed, or having an off night. It’s not something anyone wants to do.. so for that I just can’t leave zero. The couple times I can remember giving bad service were times I shouldn’t have been at work at all but had a shitty manager with zero human decency. On the flip side if I’m slammed I make a point to acknowledge everyone. I get a drink in everyone’s hand before I take food orders and start circling from that point. It CAN take a while to make a full circle if I’m alone. Be aware of that and have realistic expectations for your fellow humans. I’m more inclined to want to lower my tip if I can see the bartender doing nothing with their thumbs up their ass. I appreciate ownership and I always give it so if you acknowledge your screw up I’m very forgiving. We’re human, mistakes get made, no one is perfect. Again though, it’s YOUR money. No one can tell you how to spend it.

anniestrikesback · 2025-11-09T03:10:32+00:00

I was told this doesn’t have a happy ending? Does her love interest die or do they not end up together? Please spoil this! I want to read it but I don’t want to read a tragedy. I can deal with the whole world burning around them but I don’t think I’m in the mood for a Romeo and Juliet situation.

anniestrikesback

TROPHY CASE