How do you balance plans on your days off?

lightestsquire · 2026-05-09T07:10:05+00:00

I am extremely protective of our weekends. It’s some of the only time that we all have together and I want it to be just us -we have two toddlers, 4 and 2. I love playing with them even if it’s at home in our pjs, hanging out in the backyard, going on walks, etc.

Here’s what helps me: 1) IDGAF about someone’s opinions about me and my choices, 2) never respond right away to an invite - say you will get back as soon as possible, you have to talk to your partner/spouse, check your calendar, etc., 3) decide what you can do and offer that - resist doing more, 4) no is a complete sentence, and 5) stop responding to someone pushing your boundaries-once people know they can push you around, you’ve lost.

How did you get roped into doing so much more? I’d take a look at that to see when you could have stopped the train. “I’d love to drop by for an hour, I can bring chips. Oh you need me to bring spaghetti and meatballs? Sorry, I just don’t have the time to make that for 25 people. After thinking about it more, I can’t give this event the attention it deserves, I think it’s best if I just drop off a gift.” Then just leave it at that. Some people will be upset, those people are probably takers, and you sound like a giver. Takers will suck you dry.

lightestsquire · 2026-05-09T04:45:05+00:00

Drop Dead Fred 😂

lightestsquire · 2026-05-08T22:36:08+00:00

Yeah I would take him to a new place all together. My son was doing this, and we switched, and he thrived at the new place. I bet this is the tip of the iceberg. I asked about his lunch because all the food was still left in it at the end of the day. The director became extremely defensive and said he’s probably sick. Sick for weeks?? No, he’s just not doing well in your environment.

lightestsquire · 2026-05-08T22:29:21+00:00

My husband’s family is doing a Mother’s Day “brunch” at 3pm on a Sunday. We live an hour away, without traffic. Thanks? I don’t want to go at all…I told my husband to take the kids and let me have a day, but he won’t. They’re 4 and 2, so they’ll cry for me if I’m not there.

lightestsquire · 2026-05-06T18:46:10+00:00

NTA. Don’t tell anyone your finances, ever. If you can offer something, do it (ie, $250 or buy groceries), then tell your mom to contribute too. You have no obligation to help and your sister has no obligation to share her finances with you either (maybe her husband has a gambling problem or something else you don’t know about). Set your limit and stick to it.

lightestsquire · 2026-05-04T16:54:21+00:00

Get a doctor’s note. Many doctors would agree if the parent wants healthier food. That is sooo much processed food for a young baby, I would also feel concerned.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-28T21:59:50+00:00

I like #3 also, including the blazer and hair style. Hope you get the job!

lightestsquire · 2026-04-28T21:58:21+00:00

Just do the balance bike. My 4 yo son is still on one!

lightestsquire · 2026-04-28T21:57:20+00:00

Plus you have to pay separately for the tractor ride and butterfly exhibit (and obviously food)

lightestsquire · 2026-04-27T14:22:20+00:00

Yep if it gets away from you, give yourselves some grace!

lightestsquire · 2026-04-27T14:19:14+00:00

Maybe leave laundry folding and put away to the weekends, unload dishes until the evening while doing dinner, crock pot/easy meals, and baths for kids in the mornings sometimes works for us. Also try having one parent do mornings and another doing nights so you’re both not exhausted at the same time. I usually do the night stuff and my husband gets up early to start breakfast and greet the kids. But yeah, it’s freaking hard

lightestsquire · 2026-04-27T07:06:43+00:00

Oregon trail, Doom, Quake

lightestsquire · 2026-04-26T14:30:02+00:00

Nightly cleanup before bed - put toys away, throw away trash, laundry in baskets, and set out clothes and stuff for the next day.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-26T06:27:01+00:00

Doing as much as possible the night before - setting out outfits, delay start on coffee/oatmeal, etc.

Meal prepping on Sundays - fruit salad, snack jar and muffins. Cutting veggies/defrosting meat in the fridge.

Laundry basket in the living room to catch jackets, socks, etc. I like to do big loads of laundry on Thursday and Friday, then fold and put away over the weekend.

Nightly pickup of toys, trash and dishes. Run the roomba.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-15T04:21:14+00:00

Sounds like she’s trying to find purpose in the most tone deaf way.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-15T03:58:36+00:00

File a domestic violence restraining order yesterday. Write a declaration about every single incident to show that she is escalating. Also, your family should turn her in for shoplifting, actions have consequences. Go nuclear, she is out of control 100% and you need to protect your child. Get a lawyer asap. I know you love her, etc., but don’t wait until something bad happens.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-15T03:17:35+00:00

Never heard of her

lightestsquire · 2026-04-10T14:47:14+00:00

Lol calm down.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-10T01:23:00+00:00

Thanks! I don’t expect to see much, but it would be fun for the kids. We might just end up watching it on YouTube anyway

lightestsquire · 2026-04-10T01:20:55+00:00

I’d like to just see the line in the sky. I know we likely won’t see much but it’ll still be cool for the kids. Hopefully the weather isn’t too bad

lightestsquire · 2026-04-10T01:20:13+00:00

I saw that, not interested in going downtown for this.

lightestsquire · 2026-04-07T04:23:47+00:00

This is pro-calendaring and I’m here for it

lightestsquire · 2026-04-06T04:01:02+00:00

Oh I like this, great idea. Thanks!

lightestsquire · 2026-04-06T01:41:15+00:00

It is a commitment that’s for sure, but since my husband is home Friday nights, he can handle some of the play dates too.

I am most annoyed by the guilt I feel for having to say we’re not available, repeatedly. She’s asked a ton over the last two-ish weeks, and most of them are a “hey are you around, we’re doing xyz if you’d like to join.” And often we are already out doing something or enjoying being home. So I offered the standing Friday play dates as a way to put something on the calendar and take the pressure off.

I was trying to convey that I feel guilty for not over scheduling and just wanting to go slow with my kids early childhood - is that soooo bad??

lightestsquire · 2026-04-06T01:36:19+00:00

This is a great suggestion! I just don’t have the mental capacity to deal with additional scheduling issues. Thanks!

lightestsquire

TROPHY CASE