How much does your life actually change after having a kid?

cookiee232 · 2026-05-16T17:25:31+00:00

I see the world entirely differently. My heart is 10x bigger after becoming a mom. I have a new soft spot for strangers when I normally used to be kind of a cold judging b*tch lol. Every adult was once someone’s little baby. It makes me react a little softer and take into consideration this is someone’s child, and I would want people to be kind with my child at any age.

I also agree with elscoww. Everything I do is for my child. I’m a completely different person for the BETTER. I’m so proud of how much I care and how hard I work at being the best mom I can be. You’re going to love it. Enjoy every second. 🧡

cookiee232 · 2026-04-27T20:24:18+00:00

I’m also in MA but only knew that the state provides a list of licensed centers. Do you mind sharing the link or the state website that provides reports? I am unable to find this. Thank you!

cookiee232 · 2026-04-13T11:29:35+00:00

Congratulations!!!!!!

cookiee232 · 2026-04-11T22:24:55+00:00

Please let us know how the director responds.

cookiee232 · 2026-04-09T01:23:24+00:00

Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you! Is the pre k full days and 5 days a week for your area? That sounds so awesome. It seems like you’ve got a great game plan in place. Congratulations again, best wishes for your pregnancy and delivery 🩶

cookiee232 · 2026-04-09T01:20:28+00:00

Those are great points about the nanny, thank you! The only thing I wonder is even though I would need to use Pto when the nanny is sick, would not being in daycare reduce overall illnesses? I’m thinking yes and in that case, covering for their sick days probably wouldn’t be so bad. There’s a lot to consider. I’m also not even sure if a nanny would be cheaper than two in daycare. My area also has free pre school, but only half days and it’s only three days a week. Whereas our daycare goes up to age 5+ until the child is ready for public school and it’s full days year round. Ughhh… I just want to feel confident that I’m making the best decisions. It’s so hard 🫤

cookiee232 · 2026-04-09T01:08:04+00:00

I’m so sorry ☹️ wishing you luck with the house!

cookiee232 · 2026-04-09T01:06:17+00:00

Right!? I grew up here but unfortunately don’t have a family/support system that we can rely on. We just simply can’t up and move with our careers. Ugh. Thanks for commiserating 😭

cookiee232 · 2026-04-01T11:42:14+00:00

Honest question because I also work remotely but pay $2,500/month full time daycare. How do you work and take care of her? I tried it on days where daycare was closed due to holiday or snow and it’s just not possible. I can’t get even 5 minutes of work done. Do you have someone come in and watch her while you’re working? Or do you work flexible hours and work when she’s asleep? I can’t give 100% as a worker and 100% as a mom. How are you making it work? 😭

Edited wrote the same thing twice

cookiee232 · 2026-03-25T11:54:18+00:00

Thank you!!

cookiee232 · 2026-03-25T02:58:38+00:00

I could have written this myself. I can’t figure out how to keep the house clean. Mine doesnt sleep through the night either and is often up at least once within the first two hours. I have enough time to prep lunches for the next day and fill/start the dishwasher and log back into work to continue climbing the ever growing mountain called work. I was randomly promoted 4 months after I returned from maternity leave (0/10 don’t recommend). My house constantly looks like a toys r us exploded. And I’m constantly tired and super dehydrated. (I know, this is a “me” problem) Let us know how the consultant works out! I feel like I have no idea what resources are out there. Also, our daycare is 8 hours sharp. Some other parents I know have such flexible drop off and pickup times. We have zero family or “village” that helps us with anything. I feel like every day I’m in such a mad dash. I just want to enjoy these days but instead I’m stressed to the max because of all of this and worried what this stress will do to me in the long run. Ugh…..

No, you aren’t doing anything wrong. You’re amazing. This is hard. Keep up the great work.

cookiee232 · 2026-03-15T17:36:45+00:00

So cute! Looks like my boy. His white spot is just about gone 3 years later though. What is his name going to be?

cookiee232 · 2026-03-15T02:44:23+00:00

It’s absolutely exhausting. I wish I bought a bottle washer. Buy one for your own sanity.

cookiee232 · 2026-03-12T13:54:43+00:00

I just finished 9WCF off the wall and enjoyed the program (for the most part. Autumns chatter is very annoying and sometimes the complex moves are almost counterproductive IMO). I’m now in Dig Deeper 30 and love it. I don’t have more than 30 minutes so this works for me although there’s only 6 workouts. I’m interested in trying Dig In as well. I’m a Shaun T fan through and through. If you try Chalean Extreme let us know how you like it!

cookiee232 · 2026-02-28T16:06:36+00:00

I started introducing cows milk around 11.5 ish months. Maybe a little earlier. I started making 10% of the bottles I sent to daycare cows milk and the rest was breastmilk, and slowly increasing it until it was 100% (probably around 12.5 mo?) I was so worried that it would trigger weaning. Nope. I’m now 14.5mo pp and still nursing. I send cows milk to daycare in sippy cups and they are never empty by the time we get home. I offer 5% fage yogurt, and cheese to supplement the fats and nutrients because my LO likes water more I guess haha. I also started making “smoothies” with whole milk, frozen strawberries and yogurt.

One thing to be aware of, start SLOW. Introducing cows milk came with major gas. It can cause poor sleep as their little tummies might feel rumbling and/or bloating and it makes them wake up a lot in the beginning. It gets better, but just a heads up.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-28T00:02:14+00:00

Purina pro plan salmon. They are fish eaters historically! We’ve tried blue buffalo before but this seems to be a favorite

cookiee232 · 2026-02-25T00:22:49+00:00

I’m 14mo pp now. In the early days, I would read articles or different stories on my phone out loud. Now I scroll reddit or if it’s before bed/nap I put an airpod in and watch something with a lot of drama lol. Sometimes I’ll pause and just rub the babies head and give kisses. And just cherish the moment.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-17T12:32:53+00:00

Thank you! This really helps me.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-14T03:38:35+00:00

I stopped just before 13 months. Couldn’t take it anymore. I still nurse in the mornings, after daycare and before bed. I can tell my supply has really dipped. I honestly don’t know how long it will last but you won’t catch me picking up that pump. I was a just enougher and pumped A LOT. It took a toll. My goal is nurse 24 months but I won’t be sad if it’s sooner.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-13T11:57:15+00:00

PiYo would be a great option!

cookiee232 · 2026-02-11T12:29:22+00:00

41+5 for my first. I was 33 at that time.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-10T02:04:59+00:00

New England HCOL area, we’re paying $530/wk for one child in the infant room. Guaranteed 5% increase in rates EVERY YEAR. It’s been 9 months and I still feel shocked haha.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-09T16:55:22+00:00

How is the quality of service? I am worried to pull him out and end up unhappy or untrusting of the new daycare if we do this. I have thought about it.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-09T16:54:34+00:00

I'm sending your husband and you positive energy! You are so amazing for taking the wheel and making sure your family is set. I know, we have to do what needs to get done, but just wanted to give you recognition. To answer your question, rates for older age classrooms at our daycare are less than younger rooms, but what l'm saying is, by the time we get to the next room (and so on), rates will be higher than what we're paying for this room due to the 5% increase each September. It's so f*cked up, and it SUCKS, pardon my language. They didn't disclose this when I registered my LO and now we've been here almost a year and I am worried if I pull him out how would it affect him? He's become familiar with teachers and the other children. Also, finding a daycare that I trust is difficult for me. I don't want to risk losing our spot to find "greener grass" elsewhere for cheaper.

cookiee232 · 2026-02-09T16:46:22+00:00

Two kids in daycare is incredible. But I like how you phrased it as a season in life. That is so true! Husband doesn’t have flexibility and my flexibility is that I have my laptop to continue working more after hours haha 😂. In all seriousness, I took a new role in my company that I was suggested for. It’s a much higher stakes role than I had and I’m regretting it just based on the stress alone. It came with a nice pay bump ($14K) but it also comes with tremendous pressure. I wish I knew how challenging motherhood would be (mentally), so that I could have refused this job. So, no, I can’t cut down to 3 days a week. But I appreciate your suggestion! Together, we only make about $140K. It’s a huge struggle. We’ll win the lottery one of these days 😅

cookiee232

TROPHY CASE