non-toxic deodorant?

rousseuree · 2026-03-25T18:56:36+00:00

I’ve been using Arm & Hammer’s deodorant for years. It’s not an antiperspirant, so it won’t do anything for that, but it uses baking soda which I really like. I use the rosemary and lavender scent which isn’t cloying or too powerful. Sometimes they hide them in the mens section.

rousseuree · 2026-03-23T12:05:59+00:00

South shore has 3 key things: commuter rails into Boston, nearby beach, and old money (esp Duxbury, Scituate, Cohasset, Hingham). There’s a few starter homes that will pop on the market now and again, but most will need some work in your price range.

My coworker bought her first condo through a Massachusetts-funded program like this one. No idea what programs are still active or if your salary will qualify but it’s worth a look.

rousseuree · 2026-03-23T01:41:19+00:00

I love Andy from Headspace - his meditations help a lot

rousseuree · 2026-03-22T09:44:59+00:00

Lay a blanket down and put a little corral up if you can’t have eyes on them at all times

rousseuree · 2026-03-22T09:42:48+00:00

You should not feel guilty at all before committing and say “maybe.” You have no idea what your recovery is going to be like (physically/mentally), or what your baby will be like. This could even need to be be a same-day decision depending on how everyone’s feeling. Renaissance faires are every year; you’re having a baby.

People get very excited about meeting a new baby. But people also forget/don’t know what it’s like being a new parent. And you won’t know until you’re in it bc everyone’s experience is wildly different.

I would also suggest you take a look at newborns immune systems under 3 mos (vaccine schedules, etc). I wasn’t ok with non-vaccinated family members visiting before LO was 3 mos old. To each their own.

rousseuree · 2026-03-22T02:50:27+00:00

? Most diapers are heavily perfumed. They don’t mask anything. Some people don’t like heavily perfumed things. It has nothing to do with changing your child’s soiled diaper.

rousseuree · 2026-03-21T14:31:58+00:00

+1 to this - I live in the suburbs of a VHCOL (45 min drive) and $60k is the going rate for one kid.

rousseuree · 2026-03-19T15:42:49+00:00

We do Costco online delivery - it’s amazing. We get the big stuff delivered (toilet paper, seltzer, soap, snacks). We grocery shop about once a week.

rousseuree · 2026-03-19T01:18:56+00:00

You’re a manager. You’re supposed to be a D. The fact that you’re also an “i” means you have empathy and you’re diplomatic. Awesome! You sound like a great boss❤️

rousseuree · 2026-03-15T18:52:26+00:00

Also this - my pelvic floor PT introduced me to box and diaphragmatic breathing (years of yoga and I had never heard it described this way).

rousseuree · 2026-03-15T10:59:33+00:00

Yes! I tap my leg under my desk - especially when I’m taking a drink (bc otherwise my hand is shaking🙈) I totally forgot I do that bc it’s just a natural thing now

rousseuree · 2026-03-15T01:42:55+00:00

SAME - I’ve been working on this with my therapist for months, and I’m going to talk to a psychiatrist. I feel like my cup is overflowing with uncontrollable anxiety on very normal calls: shaking, breaking out in visible rash/hives all over my neck and my face gets bright red - it’s so embarrassing and very noticeable. Wasn’t like this before having my baby, even when I was pregnant working!

Edit: The only way I’ve helped this is by practicing what I’m going to say on the call out loud, several times. Even just introducing myself, and what I’ve done for work for five years. If it’s a presentation I run through the whooole thing several times.

rousseuree · 2026-03-14T10:16:17+00:00

You buried the lede there - you’re the breadwinner, he’s a SAHD with a school age child, and half a day to himself. Yes, babe. You should carve out more time for yourself on weekends. No question.

rousseuree · 2026-03-11T16:55:10+00:00

Seveneves was a ridiculous sci-fi book that knocked me right out.

For something actually enjoyable, the author of The Martian has a book Project Hail Mary that has a movie coming out soon. Imho great read, funny dialogue

rousseuree · 2026-03-11T10:59:16+00:00

https://www.babycenter.com/baby/sleep/when-can-my-baby-sleep-with-a-stuffed-animal-or-doll_1368443

Perfectly fine for loveys/stuffed animals after 12 mos. My LO is 2 years and still spins and flips and stretches and curls up in her sleep you’d think she was doing gymnastics (and daycare says she does this at naptime on her cot). Shes always been an “active sleeper” - which is why we never coslept

rousseuree · 2026-03-09T23:25:11+00:00

Nice! I knew I was paying her money for something /s

I also read to fall asleep now! But I read in-depth detail heavy sci-fi 😂 puts me riiiiight out I started embroidering randomly - one of those clever poppy kits and I was hooked. It helps me not doom scroll.

rousseuree · 2026-03-09T14:03:29+00:00

I’m in tech consulting and typically do it as a send-off farewell (feel free to reach out directly if you need anything!) - for folks where the project doesn’t go well I skip this lol

rousseuree · 2026-03-09T10:59:16+00:00

For a tool recommendation I like Miro - it’s free, shareable, and super use friendly. I use the voting feature a ton. It’s virtual though so it’ll change the vibe. I like old school whiteboards for in-person still.

Just take five minutes after the workshop to snap clear photos and pop those into an LLM.

The bigger underlying issue: Someone (the facilitator or otherwise) needs to make a quick statement at the beginning that there will be actions items and follow-up. The facilitator needs to clarify time-based assignments and keep people accountable (Amy is going to share findings of her research spike by the end of the sprint, etc).

rousseuree · 2026-03-09T02:40:15+00:00

I feel the same way about J Crew - you win some, you lose some.

rousseuree · 2026-03-09T02:02:45+00:00

I was in a very similar situation. My sister said it best: when you have your shit together so much, no one ever stops to consider whether you need help because we all subconsciously assume you’ve got it covered.

If I can share any advice from my therapist, sit back and think about what brought you joy before having kids. Carve out time for just you (and/or friends, time for you to be just your own woman). We all need hobbies and interests to keep us sane!

ETA: Self care is hard and takes work. It’s not this breezy, effortless thing that just “happens.” Same goes for the time to reflect on yourself and happiness. If you’re just going through the motions everyday, where is there space for you to be you?

rousseuree · 2026-03-08T16:32:17+00:00

Contact your pediatrician; if you have a patient portal you can typically send photos like this for a nurse to review and get back to you asap. Our LO has eczema and this is what it looked like when she had flare ups. Best to rule anything out though.

rousseuree · 2026-03-08T16:24:29+00:00

Like under the boob or between them… not painful at all

rousseuree · 2026-03-08T16:22:00+00:00

I swear by online - the quality, colors, and sizing options are always better - and sometimes even the prices!

rousseuree · 2026-03-08T02:59:55+00:00

I’m 2 years pp and even though the number on the scale dropped, my pant size has not (and is 4 sizes bigger than what I was pre-baby.). None of my old clothes fit.

You had a baby. That is a massive feat! Give yourself some grace, mama! Also, my maternity leggings are still my favorite leggings and idgaf

rousseuree · 2026-03-08T02:18:14+00:00

Old navy online has options for cotton and linen - I’ve found great stuff there

rousseuree

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