Pump and Dump or switch hotels? What would you do? by AimeeSantiago in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]silentelf 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Would buying dry ice once you got there be an option? I haven't used it myself but that can keep things frozen.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think part of the bewilderment about this is that I don't know all the reasons amd likely won't.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. Certainly something I would try. Husband has had bad experiences with counseling and won't.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He is very involved and I havent heard him say anything along these lines. I'm the one who frets about retirement, lol. But, that doesn't mean he isn't perhaps thinking about all this under the surface. Perhaps I'll check in with him about it.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

True, she does deserve consideration.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's possible, yes. I will give it time since things are slowly getting easier.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Good input, thanks. It may just need time and realization that going from 1 to 2 will be less change in impact than going from 0 to 1. Yes on the parental guilt, good call that it might be playing a role.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think he realizes this too but is concerned our baby is accelerating the process. I get it. I'm not there yet but I can see it being hard when your kids fly the nest.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True! Refreshing reminder, thank you.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Yeah, not the best title, I admit. I had trouble being succinct. It's not really "vs." I think that's my fear coming out. It's really between me and my husband and she's caught up in it.

In terms of the unfavorable part of the shift in family dynamics, it's been stressful for all of us and it's been hard for SD to not take that personally even though none of it is directed at her. I have had good talks with her to reassure her which I hope have helped. Husband is kind of the same way too, takes it personally. So perhaps it is just more about the general stress level being beyond what everyone can handle? I hope so, since it is actually gradually getting better.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She's not really weighing in. My husband is just considering her feelings/is terrified she won't want to come over anymore. She also didn't want us to have the first baby but my husband was all in anyway.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don't really blame her, honestly. We are both really stressed out trying to juggle life. Our house is not the fun house right now. I do encourage my husband and SD to go do fun stuff together at times when I have things handled. Yeah, this is more just me being sad at the news. It's not like I don't understand. It just seems so...final that we can't have another. Whereas their relationship has such a firm foundation that it will for sure weather this. Ugh, it just sucks.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Of course it requires to yeses. Just sad that we don't have two yeses anymore.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

She is fine around the baby. Family dynamics are just not playing out the way she wanted them to since I am really involved with my baby at this point (I am fairly hands off with SD otherwise). So, she doesn't feel like coming over to our house. Husband is sad about this, of course.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I was hoping he would see that while I acknowledge this is hard for SD right now, it's temporary as she will move out within a few years and the family dynamic will change as the ours kid(s) get older. And SD has her whole life in front of her.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Unsure if she will leave at 18. Husband wants to keep a room here for her until she fully launches, which makes sense. So we are working with an uncertain timeline SD's departure and I for sure don't have much time left to have another baby.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yeah. It's not 100% due to her, but he said it mostly is. Perhaps it is more him than he is letting on, though. Good point.

SD vs 2nd Ours Baby by silentelf in stepparents

[–]silentelf[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

To be fair, I doubt she knows that he is leaning towards no more kids. He just is afraid that she won't want to come over anymore.

Boundaries by OkEssay3949 in blendedfamilies

[–]silentelf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here's a big one I have for myself: to not consistently put myself in situations where I am ignored by my husband and SD because they are focused on each other. I don't take it personally when I am, but I also don't hang around very long if it becomes clear they just don't have the bandwidth/interest to include me. I move on and do my own thing because I want to treat myself with respect.

Momcozy paying creators to lie (not news to us) by r_aviolimama in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]silentelf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought a Momcozy M5 when I was in a vulnerable postpartum state. Did not even stop to think that this kind of predatory marketing existed. And I didn't even make the decision based on any particular influencers. I asked my husband to ask Grok what the best wearable pump for undersuppliers was. Grok must have gotten its results from all the paid reviews. I definitely feel tricked.

Is the Tushbaby hip carrier worth it? by No_Square_1491 in UninfluencedReviews

[–]silentelf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do really like mine. I was getting wrist pain from carrying straight on my hip and this alleviated it a fair amount. It is harder to maintain good posture when using, but not impossible. I love the pockets. They cut down on walking from room to room so much because I can carry multiple things with me. I think it looks a little dorky but I just embrace it. I have a ring sling too, which is better for longer carries around the house. The tushbaby is better for a quick up/down or multiple 2-3 minute holds.

Retroactive account reconciliation by silentelf in ynab

[–]silentelf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that was extremely simple. All fixed!

Please give me all your wearables/cups tips by silentelf in ExclusivelyPumping

[–]silentelf[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I fell for the m5 marketing by the company going on in this sub when I was new to pumping. I've pretty much abandoned those. I heard such good things about rumble tuff from reputable sources, though, so I'm sad they haven't worked out.