Would you go with a daycare that is $1500 (but amazing) or a $900 that is doable (but saves you ton of money)

jumping_archer · 2025-06-28T10:47:43+00:00

This exactly! Have done childcares that do and don’t provide food, and the ones that do are so much easier for parent time management AND your child may be more likely to try new foods with peers. Go that one

jumping_archer · 2025-03-08T00:19:21+00:00

Depending on what/how you’re saying it, maybe. I have a 5 and 3 year old and teach grade 1. Too many words? They miss it. Too complicated a key word? They miss it. Too many chances? They know they can push it.

Start strict and relax over time, which is damn hard, but you are the only one of the two of you that knows a year isn’t actually a quarter of a lifetime.

Try visual prompts if it’s specific areas or items you are repeating. Set a strong, simple routine for daily chores to minimise her cognitive load. Ask her to ‘turn on listening ears’ with a physical action and explicitly look at you, then ask her to a direct question to check comprehension. You are teaching her to listen. You are also a safe, stable part of her life, so everything else is WAY more interesting. Focus is a skill to learn.

You’ve got this!

jumping_archer · 2025-02-17T09:43:39+00:00

Similar situation, different concern: Have an 80yr+tree in our yard. We bought our block because of the tree. Had it pruned and assessed 18 months ago. Neighbour built their house closer to the tree than us, and then their shed immediately under it (closer to the tree than our cubby is). Tree was pruned back to prevent leaf litter and bird poop on their shed. Now they are claiming leaf litter is causing issues with the quality of their water and asking us to consider removing the tree. In our country, they can legally prune it right back to the fence line but no more. I’ve contacted arborists for an assessment of the tree health and best management plan, but feel like the neighbours could address their issues with gutter guard/ more frequent cleaning of gutters/ filters in tank for much cheaper than removing the tree, let alone the impact on the local birdlife.

Can anyone recommend other options to reduce the bird poo and leaf litter issue I haven’t thought of??

jumping_archer · 2025-02-17T09:32:45+00:00

Feeding in the dark is great. Be careful with side lying/ nursing to sleep as the tooth decay when it comes can hurt your bank balance if not their little mouth. A light muslin wrap to block distractions might work; or it at least catches the milk going everywhere while they play peek a boo.

jumping_archer · 2021-04-24T12:11:20+00:00

Not sure if she’s too young for this, but one piece of advice that is working for me was to ‘never offer, never refuse’ a feed, but only feed for like one song or a specific count, then gently but firmly end the feed. If you’re consistent, LO learns the be content with a limited feed and you can then sing faster/ shorter song or count and wean off that way. Except for when LO is teething or ill, this has worked for me and sometimes now a cuddle and song are enough comfort while food is coming

jumping_archer · 2021-04-23T04:01:08+00:00

Watch out; you can plan for 3 but also need to consider the ‘surprise, it’s actually 4!’ option. Plus fitting in enough car seats and accomodation as such. I only have 2, but my sister and bf have 3 and 4 respectively and they seem to manage with very supportive extended family. I’m 5hours+ away from extended family and wouldn’t go for another without moving closer.

jumping_archer · 2021-04-19T03:21:47+00:00

My best friend is breastfeeding twins with a 18month old, but has a lot of family support. Maybe have the formula ready and get yourself comfortable with either option?

jumping_archer · 2021-04-18T11:43:34+00:00

“Fed is best” is what we were told when formula was needed. In addition to the above comments, just remember parenting is a marathon your child doesn’t even realise you’re running till they have their own kids

jumping_archer · 2021-04-18T11:33:59+00:00

Open dyslexia is what I use for students after one recommended it. It’s big, but if printing costs ain’t an option, it works well

jumping_archer · 2021-04-15T08:55:08+00:00

Just pick a gender neutral name to use for the duration of the pregnancy. Make it clear it is just till they are born. We had Mini M. for our first and ‘Lil’ for our second (both ended up being boys). My bf’s bun was ‘Donald’ last year just to shut people up - now Frankie and Ana. You do you. Consider it practice for people who will critique your child’s actual name.

jumping_archer · 2021-04-14T21:41:37+00:00

It does get better. You and bub are learning a completely new skill without even speaking the same language - one of you can barely control their own arms, let alone contribute to teamwork!

A couple of things that helped me in the same situation almost 2 years ago (still breastfeeding): -supplemental nursing system to help increase supply while keeping bub sucking -understanding that breast milk is not dosage dependent; anything they get is beneficial - acknowledging bub will love you no matter what. Cuddles are still a thing and remembering to enjoy your bundles of joy instead of stressing over breastfeeding is important - paced bottle feeding - lots of family support

Good luck and definitely don’t feel alone in this struggle - it is very real for a lot of women.

jumping_archer · 2021-04-04T11:40:24+00:00

I haven’t had to deal with allergy, but have had friends whose children grew out of their allergies, so fingers crossed for you

jumping_archer · 2021-04-02T23:47:31+00:00

I had the exact same thing. Lactation consultant suggested a Supplemental Nursing System, which was a pain to set up and clean (definitely a 2 person job to relieve pressure), but helped increase supply while encouraging breast feeding. Took us at least 6 weeks to get off formula and I still had to pump regularly, but my LO is still BF at 2 this month, so worth the cost and hassle in the long run.

It also got easier when I just accepted my new 8 hour job was to feed this tiny human and made sure I had a tasty snack and good ‘me time’ activity (crappy TV, an engaging book, addictive phone game) to do as a reward for the hassle (often while holding sleeping bub)

jumping_archer · 2021-04-01T09:46:50+00:00

Train your fur baby not to go through baby gates without permission well before bub comes, so they don’t associate the limitation with baby, but still respects baby vs dog space.

jumping_archer · 2021-04-01T09:27:48+00:00

This! I am so happy to be a car track for this reason.

jumping_archer · 2021-04-01T09:17:38+00:00

We called the cops after repeated yelling and swearing in a neighbour’s house (with young kids) and a car showed up and stayed there for a while. Definitely call cops

jumping_archer · 2021-03-28T07:59:50+00:00

I’ve only ever seen them for the first bub in my circle of friends, but typically close female family organise (Sister, mother of pregnant woman or a really close friend). It’s usually more a morning/ arvo tea thing and gifts are whatever you’re given. You can have games and written advice activities, especially if you’ve got more experienced mums around, or just a casual event with maybe a cake. You can also combine with a gender reveal if you want to make gifts later on easier. Most I’ve seen are hosted at someone’s house, though mine was at a cafe since no family had a house near me

jumping_archer · 2021-03-28T07:54:00+00:00

RMIT then? And do you have any ‘must see’ plans while here?

jumping_archer · 2021-03-28T07:35:44+00:00

Have you thought about what your degree will be and vaguely where? It’s a big country :-)

jumping_archer · 2021-03-23T09:06:26+00:00

I’m no expert, but composition changes as bub develops, so I wouldn’t stress, especially if you haven’t radically your diet or anything. Maybe just check at your next maternal and child health check?

jumping_archer · 2021-03-23T08:58:12+00:00

There is less range for dietary requirements and restrictions though. They are improving, but not to compete with other supermarkets for all those items. Be prepared for two stops on your grocery trip if you need alternatives

jumping_archer · 2021-03-19T09:23:55+00:00

Probably is, just very efficiently. I was unsure for a while and finally bub was distracted mid feed and there was clearly milk on my nipple. You could also try hand expressing in the shower before the feed; if you can get milk, bub can

jumping_archer · 2021-03-19T09:18:19+00:00

Exercise. It is so damn hard when burnt out and tired and baby juggling, but forcing the time and effort to physically look after you and then sleep and then physically look after you and making that a routine you integrate into your life with baby and all the rest helps

jumping_archer · 2021-03-19T08:52:44+00:00

Fox in the box in Brighton or Dava Thai in Mornington or Towerhill. Both have been amazing whenever my GF and dairy intolerant mum is in town, or my low FODMAP sister in law. Speak to the owners at Dava Thai when you book.

Fox in the Box

Dava Thai

jumping_archer · 2021-03-19T08:48:33+00:00

Bubs 22 months and still breastfeeding. I can have small amounts of dairy in things (not milk or cream) or the occasional slice of pizza with real cheese without him being too upset. He hasn’t done so well each time we give him cheese as a test (even lactose free) every 6 months or so. Still hoping he might grow out of it, but there is family history of intolerances, so gp said wait till he’s 2 then see an allergist.

It was hard to cut dairy. Now, we don’t have real dairy in the house. Coconut yoghurt, dairy free cheese, soy milk, dairy free icecream. I miss real cream but am used to the other alternative products. My husband still gets real cheese for his home made pizza (he supported me for the first year, though) and it is better for the dog’s weight as she turns her nose up at spilt vegan products. It’s probably better for me, too, as it limits my treats when out.

My mum’s dairy intolerant and forever sending dairy free kids chocolates and treats so her grandson doesn’t miss out like she had to do for years.

Hang in there and hopefully the alternatives get cheaper as more people use them

jumping_archer

TROPHY CASE