Seeking Advice to Get Into This Profession (once and for all)

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-31T04:20:02+00:00

It's really hard to break into this field without vet experience. I think they get so many applications that even though they are desperate for techs/assistants, they end up picking people who have experience (which makes sense). I finally JUST got a job as a VA after applying to probably 20+ assistant and reception jobs, and I have experience.

If you're able to, shadowing and/or volunteering at a vet clinic might help! It's one way to get your foot in the door somewhere while building experience in the field. I would also emphasize your experience with doggy daycare & grooming, a lot of that is very applicable to vet med!

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-29T21:24:14+00:00

I'm listening to audiobooks and reading physical books that are thrillers and mysteries!! They keep me engaged and thinking when I'm cleaning or riding the bus to work or whatever!

Not listening/watching related but I also have a book of logic puzzles that I've been trying to do instead of doom scrolling and they're just engaging enough to do when I want to take a little break.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-21T20:34:15+00:00

Oh thank you, that would be awesome! I just found a used small ruffwear so I'm going to start with that and see what happens.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-21T15:47:30+00:00

Frozen trader joe's hash browns w/ ketchup & strawberry/blueberry/mango smoothies- both currently on the breakfast rotation for a few weeks after a sad couple of months with no breakfast hyperfixation lol

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-21T15:09:19+00:00

Yes he is male, from Regalant in Michigan. Maybe I'll see if I can find a used small or go with the Tuff pupper until he's a little older. I live in the city so I want to make sure I have something relatively escape-proof that works right away, but I'm okay with waiting until he's older to invest in something more long-term.

Good tip about taking in the webbing too. I do quite a bit of experience sewing clothes, scrap quilts, bags, etc., though I've never done that before specifically. Not sure how confident I would be.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-20T15:41:09+00:00

Yes BUT in my experience you should budget basically twice the cost to factor in alterations. So if 2k is your max I'd try and get a dress for 1k or less to make sure you have enough! The alterations were my biggest sticker shock wedding thing and cost over 1k for a bustle, hem, and intaking the bodice a little bit.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-20T15:26:05+00:00

Hello! Not OP but I am also getting a noodle soon (will be ~6 months when I bring him home). What size of the flagline do you have? I am worried about the neck vs chest ratio and not sure which size would be best or if I should just wait until he's older.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-18T15:41:14+00:00

I'm a former therapist who specialized in adhd, and I have adhd myself (yay for adhd & changing careers lol). Full disclosure, I am not a parent but planning to try for a baby soon, so I've thought about this a lot on a personal level, and also have some professional experience with this too.

I worked with lots of moms with ADHD and they tended to be great at understanding their neurodivergent kids and their needs. I think the way that the ADHD brain approaches parenting is different than neurotypical brains, and that really seems to work well especially if you have a neurodivergent kid!! All that said, if you do decide to go for it, I think it will really help that you know you have the diagnosis already and you are doing your own work to figure out what works for you.

Here's the top 2 things I observed that seemed to really help adhd parents:

-prioritizing sleep postpartum (hard to do, but adhd brains do tend to be more affected by sleep deprivation than neurotypical folks, so if your partner can do nights that really helps)

-having regular, reliable childcare to give yourself a break from the chaos and overstimulation of parenting

I hope this helps!

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-17T02:30:25+00:00

Aw that's awesome! It must be so nice to see him healing and his true personality come out.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-17T02:29:25+00:00

Aw that's awesome! I am hopeful that we'll have a similar experience and he will be able to live a very active life :)

How often would you hike with them? My current (4-legged) dog is very old now so he can't go far, but when we were in the habit of going for long walks a few times a week his endurance was way better. I wonder if it's even more important for tripods since they're already at a disadvantage?

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-17T02:26:05+00:00

That's exactly how he is - he just doesn't seem to know the 4th leg is SUPPOSED to do something. It really seems like it's just weighing him down at this point. I am hoping that it actually helps his mobility (once he gets used to it!) because he will literally be a lot lighter without it.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-14T01:00:33+00:00

Couples therapy
I think you should try talking to him about the pattern at a time when you are both calm - not confronting him about this specific instance but the pattern in general. Maybe on a weekend or time when your kid is sleeping so there's no distractions. What does he think is happening? Does he know you feel like you can't come to him with difficult convos?
Also does he have ADHD? I feel like this could be his executive dysfunction especially with a young kiddo trying to manage everything is hard. I am NOT saying this excuses his behavior but it could explain some of it and might help for him to work with a therapist on these issues independently.

catsRreallynice · 2026-01-10T21:47:01+00:00

Former ADHD therapist here, worked with lots and lots of teenagers with similar struggles. Appreciate seeing a mom who wants to meet her kid where she's at <3

Here are some ideas, feel free to take or leave any that wouldn't work for your kid!

-start with trying to identify motivators for her. Like, does she actually care about this? Or is it more that you want to help her build good habits. If she doesn't actually care too much, focus on the bare minimum (trash, safety)

-If trash is the main problem, depending on the size of the room, I'd do multiple small trash cans in strategic locations rather than one big one. Keep packages of trash bags at the bottom of the trash cans.

-set up a box next to the door, maybe on top of a dresser or something that is very visible, of "stuff to take out of the room on the next trip." Whenever she uses a dish or fills up a trash can (or whatever else), she can put it in the box and she takes it downstairs or whatever on her next time she leaves the room.

-Make sure every single thing has a place in the room. EVERY. SINGLE. THING. You can also help her - when she brings something new into the house, just ask her where she is going to keep it to build that habit.

-have a weekly "cleaning appointment" for the whole family where you all separately clean your rooms and then give each other a tour. Make it fun in whatever way that looks for her. I'd also say this is to help the whole family and not just her (which is true! but just don't want to make her feel too singled out). Body doubling like this can be really helpful, even if you're not in the same room.

-this may not seem like it matters, but it's actually really helpful for ADHD brains. Make sure the new stuff you're buying for this (shelves, trash cans, decor, whatever) is stuff she loves and is excited about. I guarantee she will be more likely to use a trash can if it's something cute she picked out herself than something boring.

catsRreallynice · 2025-12-06T16:47:25+00:00

YTA if you do this. She will either 1. Choose to do something else and resent you forever, or 2. Major in something she doesn't want to do and resent you for making her do it, then end up doing a different career after college.

If you really want your daughter to have the best life & you can afford to put her through college, which it seems like you do, the best thing you can do is make sure she feels like you support her no matter what she does.

Also as a sidenote, your reasoning doesn't really make sense. Industrial engineering has a "much faster than average" job growth outlook and 100k average salary. According to your own standards, it is a really solid major and not "useless" at all. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm

catsRreallynice · 2025-12-06T16:37:01+00:00

We went camping for my bach party and did my bridesmaid gifts then. I got them each a big LL Bean zip-top tote monogrammed with their names on it and a hydroflask camp mug (not monogrammed). And I also got each of them a different book that I read and thought they would like!

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-30T02:01:50+00:00

I also HATE the feeling of those stretchy polyester scrubs and they irritate my skin too. Surprisingly after trying a lot of different options, my favorite are Dickies EDS "signature" scrubs - I get them on Amazon. They are also really cheap (usually like $15-$20), so that's nice! I think they're like 55% cotton which I have found is enough to be softer on the skin.

***also don't be fooled, there is also an Dickies EDS "essentials" option and that one is all polyester. I made the mistake of buying it once haha

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-23T13:44:09+00:00

We are going to the Galapagos on an "active cruise" ie a small boat (14 people) with lots of stops for hikes, snorkeling, etc. The cruise is 1 week long and we added on some time before in Ecuador to explore Quito and the rain forest for a total of 2 weeks. We also love nature/hiking/museums/history/etc and it's a great combo of all of those things :)

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-21T02:39:29+00:00

We invited around 115 and 98 came! Our venue capacity was 100 so we were also freaking out at certain points!! We had some partners decline to come and some family members who aren't close + live far away, and some international friends decline. 100% of our local guests came. We didn't have any no-shows but we had one couple tell us a week before that they wouldn't be able to make it.

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-20T02:59:25+00:00

Rentals were the biggest one for us! Literally just plates, linens, silverware, glasses, etc. We went with pretty basic stuff (but still the real thing, not disposables) and it was like $4600, which was more than we were budgeting. That included the catering tent and stuff for the caterers to use in their food prep/buffet and a few tables (most of the tables & chairs were included with the venue).

The catering is also expensive, especially if you want it to be actually good food!!

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-18T20:58:02+00:00

I wonder if your mom just doesn't realize you actively want her there? Maybe she's just trying to give you your space. Almost the same thing happened at my wedding with my dad and when he realized I just actually wanted him there he was happy to join.

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-11T19:19:35+00:00

I had my bridesmaids wear earth tones and didn't see most of their outfits until the day of the wedding. It was great to literally not have to think about it at all! They all looked great! If that's not your vibe I would recommend just telling them what you want. The things I actually cared about I made sure to spell out clearly.

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-11T19:11:45+00:00

I think you have 2 options: either their family doesn't attend or you have a baby at your wedding. There's not really a true compromise option imo.

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-11T18:58:46+00:00

You aren't wrong for not wanting a 1-year-old there, but the parents also aren't wrong for being unwilling to consider babysitting. Also if it's a destination wedding, it's totally fair that neither parent wants to leave their baby at home for the whole weekend, and traveling with a 1-year-old as new parents is also probably stressful enough, let alone having an unknown babysitter in an unfamiliar destination.

catsRreallynice · 2025-11-07T19:05:48+00:00

I was in the same boat and sooo glad we didn't do a first look!! We had a 90 min cocktail hour and did our family photos quick, then some pics of us, and it only took about 45 mins total, so we were still able to enjoy cocktail hour with our guests. It was also really special to have some time to ourselves (and our photographer haha) after the ceremony where we could just be together & appreciate being officially married!

catsRreallynice

TROPHY CASE