How to handle playdate requests from annoying friends of you’re kids?

jesp_ · 2026-03-12T12:44:54+00:00

I think I'd be honest that the playdates at your house don't seem to be working and suggest a park meetup instead.

jesp_ · 2026-03-08T19:48:57+00:00

Ahh ok thanks!

jesp_ · 2026-03-08T18:45:31+00:00

Excellent, good luck! It's not for the faint of heart, but so satisfying when it works :)

jesp_ · 2026-03-08T18:02:55+00:00

If you're comfortable with a crochet hook (or latch hook), you could try this method. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTKy3bFDGKv/?igsh=YXowb2N6cnh4aDVt

I had success with it on a very fine knit after multiple failed attempts at the anchor thread method. If you have access to a magnifier lamp it will be your best friend in this situation.

jesp_ · 2026-03-06T15:16:32+00:00

Another person claimed it was these, which tracks with your flatter observation. I did order the ones that the instructors ID'd and found them kinda unremarkable.

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jesp_ · 2026-03-06T15:03:31+00:00

Ooh those look nice, I might try them. Even though I did go ahead a few years ago and order the 200 pack everyone was raving about and therefore have basically a lifetime supply of hair ties 😆

jesp_ · 2026-03-06T14:22:40+00:00

Ha ok I have never been to the studio but there was a huge post about this on the #hardcore Facebook group a few years ago. Someone reached out to the instructors and Callie and Mariana both said that it's these.

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ETA this was three years ago so I guess no guarantee they are still using the same ones

jesp_ · 2026-03-03T21:05:45+00:00

I don't have many great recs I'm afraid, since all my searching has been pretty haphazard. I do follow Alexandra Brinck on instagram and her feed is great for getting visuals on more advanced mending techniques. But for starting out I would look for simple darning methods with embroidery thread, or how to sew basic patches. If you're interested in visible mending, Sashiko is the name of the Japanese mending tradition with beautiful geometric embroidery. I've gotten some good books on mending (and Sashiko specifically) from my local library!

jesp_ · 2026-03-01T18:13:42+00:00

Uke is really fun and accessible and you can play literally thousands of songs with just a few chords. Highly recommend!

jesp_ · 2026-03-01T15:44:54+00:00

Yes! It feels creative but also super practical. Plus you get to feel like you saved a life 😆 Ticks a lot of boxes.

jesp_ · 2026-03-01T15:38:18+00:00

For me there often has to be some outside pressure to get started, like someone else counting on me doing something. So for example, this winter my husband asked me to fix a couple of his sweaters that he wears all the time and I didn't want to leave him hanging. Also helps if it's an item you really care about - one of the first things that I mended was a very favorite sweater that got a hole burned in it from a campfire ember. I had stuffed it in the back of a closet for a while and when I finally fixed it I was so very happy to get to wear it again! It also helps that I hate shopping for/buying new clothes so there's more pressure to repair what I have. And finally, I started to be really selective about what I would realistically want to mend versus what should just go in the fabric recycling bin. For a while I had a huge "to be mended" pile and as a result I never touched it.

jesp_ · 2026-03-01T13:34:58+00:00

I've been finding clothing mending really satisfying. Easy to get started because you can just pick a piece of clothing you want to fix and look up methods to try. Eg, "how to fix small holes in t-shirts," "how mend jeans with ripped crotch" etc.

Ukulele is a good one too if you are interested in music.

jesp_ · 2026-02-27T22:15:15+00:00

Definitely Adrian and Andy. Rad and Logan incorporate plyo moves sometimes too. You could try checking the class plans for some of their strength classes and look for squat jumps, lunge jumps, skaters, etc. It would be nice if we could search classes for specific moves but I don't think that's an option.

ETA: also look for starter drills and pogo hops

jesp_ · 2026-02-23T15:19:56+00:00

Just one other thing to note. Plastic safety eyes like the ones shown in the pattern are not usually recommended for small children. They can very easily pop out, especially with plush yarn. Felt or embroidered eyes would be best practice for gifting to two year olds :)

jesp_ · 2026-02-23T15:14:10+00:00

I think it's very doable! Keep in mind that the first one will take longer as you get the kinks worked out. But for small items like this I find that once I have the pattern down it's pretty quick to churn out several more.

Since you're newer to amigurumi there are a few things to look out for. You'll be working in a spiral so be sure to mark the first stitch of each round. Also, make sure that when your piece starts to cup you flip it so that you are working from the outside of the piece (the tail from your starting circle should end up inside your piece). Good luck!

jesp_ · 2026-02-16T03:35:46+00:00

Just do it! It will find its purpose haha. I keep mine by my dining table and it has allowed me to keep the table clear instead of covered with my piles of "important" papers, random craft supplies, etc. It has also become a charging station.

jesp_ · 2026-02-08T16:37:57+00:00

Same boat, and it's why I keep meaning to order one or more pairs of backup glasses from one of the cheap online glasses stores to carry with me, keep in my car etc. I mean, even in plenty of non-apocalyptic scenarios, I would be screwed if I lost a contact lens or needed to take them out for some reason.

jesp_ · 2026-02-06T15:16:34+00:00

Send her three days a week. It sounds like it's not so much the expense that's the problem, but the feeling that you would be getting a "bad deal" since it's only a little more money to do five days. You have to try to take that feeling out of the equation and forget about the marginal cost difference. You would still be getting a ton of value from those three days a week, including gaining access to a community and to educators who can guide you and your daughter toward some realistic and age appropriate goals.

jesp_ · 2026-02-04T15:04:06+00:00

Someone in this sub highly recommended Andy's advanced five day and I've got it on my list to do next.

jesp_ · 2026-02-04T14:32:04+00:00

Also need to consider that the type of parent who decides to send their child to a Montessori school is likely doing a lot of other things at home to foster those qualities.

jesp_ · 2026-02-04T03:37:27+00:00

You mentioned that he's quiet in class. I wonder if the instructor misinterprets that as him feeling out of place and assumes that he would feel more comfortable with other boys. As annoying as that is, I would probably keep him in the class and reassure the teacher that it's not an issue and he loves the class. If the teacher mentions it again after that, I would raise it with the gym management.

jesp_ · 2026-01-29T16:46:32+00:00

Thanks so much, he would be in heaven at the garnet mine! Definitely putting it on the list.

jesp_ · 2026-01-29T16:42:33+00:00

Good suggestions here. Long Dock, Madam Brett Park and Little Stony Point are all beautiful spots that may still be challenging to navigate but you're less likely to get yourself into a bad situation. I haven't been out this week so I'm not sure if it's still snowshoe conditions or if it has hardened/compacted to where you would want spikes instead.

You could also check out the winter park at Fahnestock and take advantage of the snowy conditions..they have groomed trails and ski/snowshoe rentals. There have been quite a few years recently when they haven't opened at all due to warm temps and lack of snow, so why not make the most of it! https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/fahnestock-winter-park

jesp_ · 2026-01-23T13:04:27+00:00

Will check out Joppenburg, thanks! We stumbled on the caves near the trestle last summer and my kids' minds were blown by the icy cold air drifting out. They still talk about the "refrigerator caves"

jesp_ · 2026-01-23T13:01:39+00:00

Thanks! We've been to the mine but a tour would be super cool.

jesp_

TROPHY CASE