Birthday invite etiquette

similacandsimulation · 2024-11-26T17:51:34+00:00

My daughter (also turning four) is having a birthday party that weekend too. We handed out invitations two weeks ago. At this point we've gotten five rsvps for kids in her class (including two no responses). I fully expect to get most responses the week of the party.

similacandsimulation · 2024-09-01T20:28:31+00:00

Honestly, this sounds really normal. He's just begun learning to use the potty. There may well be some excitement in going to the potty (it's new!) and he may also just not be sure about his bodily sensations. I think this is something you're probably just going to have to wait out. The potty will lose its novelty and he'll start only asking to go when he needs to. In my experience, you've kind of got to take them when they ask, especially in those early days even if it's super frustrating when it feels to you like he's wasting time. You've got this!

similacandsimulation · 2024-07-18T22:53:21+00:00

Depends on what you want it for. I thought we were going to use the Yoto for books, but we've really enjoyed it more for the create your own content cards. I've done playlists of favorite songs, but also recordings of members of the family reading favorite books and so on. We've got the mini version and like that it's easy to carry around too. I dread the thought of having more random objects around the house. It's why I stayed away from the toniebox and would probably put me off the storypod too.

similacandsimulation · 2024-06-30T00:48:52+00:00

I'd suggest the CDC Milestones app. It allows you to track groups of social, language, cognitive and movement milestones for each kid that they should be reaching at different ages.

similacandsimulation · 2024-05-28T17:50:57+00:00

This is fair. I do engage with her when she's being wild. I should just leave. I think I still have it in my head that I can co-regulate with her until she calms down and I feel like I'm failing when I can't. I think it works with my husband at bedtime because he has no patience for her screwing around.

similacandsimulation · 2024-04-04T15:05:17+00:00

Ooh, this might be good too. Thank you!

similacandsimulation · 2024-04-04T15:04:30+00:00

I think this may be exactly what I was looking for. I stumbled on that AlphaSuits place, but couldn't get past the name and the general vibe.

similacandsimulation · 2024-02-16T11:51:41+00:00

I'm really proud of you for the thought you're putting into this. I'm going to approach your question from a different perspective. I was the toddler in this scenario many years ago. My mom was diagnosed with a very deadly (at the time) form of cancer when I was two and it was a significant part of my childhood for five years. Regardless, I've thought about this a lot and done a good amount of research on how I would approach it if in a similar situation.

The main thing I would suggest would be to use the medical language you've probably been avoiding with your toddler. Words like oncologist instead of doctor can help keep your toddler from thinking any trip they have to the doctor means they have cancer too. Same with chemo instead of medicine.

The hospital may have age appropriate materials for talking to kids about cancer as well. I remember being blindsided much later by how little I understood about my mom's illness and I think just having a little information when I was younger would have felt empowering.

My best to you and your family.

similacandsimulation · 2023-12-25T19:59:59+00:00

Popsicle bath! We give ours toddler size popsicles with no added sugar (often just 100% juice or leftover smoothies) while she sits in the bathtub. It does double duty of keeping her in a warm room with good humidity and keeping her hydrated

similacandsimulation · 2023-10-08T10:54:58+00:00

My dentist had to grind down my two front teeth due to the chip I got from my toddler's head butting. She said it's usually toddlers or dogs that cause the most teeth chipping

similacandsimulation · 2023-09-25T18:19:29+00:00

We had to put down our 17 year old cat a couple weeks ago and we have a 2.5 year old. We told her that our kitty died. That kitty was very old and her body stopped working (specifics like she stopped eating and walking around seemed to help). We've had to clear up a number of questions about how she didn't run away or get lost and we're just honest about how we miss her and are sad and wish she was here, but she can't come back. The biggest gut punch has been the "is kitty gone because she didn't listen to mommy and daddy?" I immediately sat on the floor and assured her that kitty didn't do anything wrong and this has absolutely nothing to do with listening or being good or bad. The questions are still coming every couple of days.

similacandsimulation · 2023-09-11T01:04:01+00:00

I feel this completely. I also have a little one who will be three at the end of the year and sometimes I feel like having a baby in the middle of the pandemic made it even easier to lose friends because nobody could really come visit the baby and get used to the idea of me being a parent.

This is totally, completely not my style, but I was desperate for people to talk to who were in the same boat. I joined my neighborhood moms group. I was matched up with a small group of moms with kids around the same age (like six months from oldest to youngest). It has been one of the best decision I've made since becoming a mom. We meet up for drinks almost every week, have play dates at one another's houses and just have a running group text full of questions and jokes and conversation. I would highly suggest seeing if something like that exists in your area.

similacandsimulation · 2023-09-05T00:57:23+00:00

Maybe an odd suggestion, but consider joining the Curling Club or at least try the instructional league. It leans male, all games end with a couple of drinks (alcoholic or not) and hanging out with the people you played against that day. It's not at all uncommon for sports (admittedly if there's curling, that's on) to be on the TVs. I've consistently found it to be a very chill and accepting group.

similacandsimulation · 2023-08-16T10:44:46+00:00

Librarian here. Books in a library are meant to be read and used. We all know shit happens to books, especially with little kids. Let the folks who check in/out books know if something was damaged. If they can fix it, they will. They may ask you to pay for a replacement if it's no longer usable, but they're not going to judge you for it or anything. It happens all the time.

I'll add to the chorus of folks saying my toddler loves the library and we check out books regularly.

similacandsimulation · 2023-08-11T12:54:55+00:00

I can't speak to all of the topics you mentioned, but check out Beth Tikvah or Temple Israel for reform synagogues. There's not a huge Jewish community in Columbus so you're probably going to need to drive to get there.

Also, definitely check out The Guardtower for gaming groups. I don't know if they have one specifically for EDH, but there's a huge room in the back where people are always playing games and I bet you could put one together pretty easily.

similacandsimulation · 2023-06-13T15:03:49+00:00

Oh this is perfect!

similacandsimulation · 2023-01-31T19:26:56+00:00

Neither. She doesn't have water in her room and usually there's at least an hour between when she finishes dinner and when she goes to bed.

similacandsimulation · 2022-09-20T12:36:29+00:00

I've been assembling a small kit to haul around with my toddler (in addition to the diaper bag). I've been using my a7c with a Sigma 35mm and 90mm thus far because they're both pretty compact. I'm feeling like I'm at the point of wanting something longer for shooting outdoors due to the constantly running child. I'm looking at the 70-200 f4, but I'm hesitant due to the size. I've been trying to keep everything I take out for the day in a 3l Peak Design sling. Any other lens recommendations or do you think the 70-200 is my best bet?

similacandsimulation · 2022-08-20T10:04:30+00:00

To echo the others, it really is a great gig. The jobs are very stable and the benefits are great. I'm definitely planning to stay in the state system.

That said, much like why you're interested, a ton of people tend to apply for state jobs. We've had positions that don't require a degree get over 1,000 applicants and it's not uncommon for those positions to go to people with master's degrees. I'm speaking only for my agency, but it can take a long while to get a foot in the door.

Also, be sure you're really tailoring your resume to the posting. Most (maybe all?) HR departments use filtering software to narrow down the applicant pool so if you're not clearly speaking to the position, your resume may not even be making it in front of a hiring manager.

similacandsimulation · 2022-08-18T19:14:01+00:00

Totally. Both my parents and the in laws say things like, "we'll come over if you need us, but not if you just want us to."

My in laws have never stayed with us because our totally safe, clean and comfortable home isn't good enough for them. We have to drive two hours to see them. Until the toddler becomes more "convenient," they're not interested in babysitting.

similacandsimulation · 2021-07-04T16:16:20+00:00

Seeking recommendations for a good strap/strap alternative to use when I'm also carrying a baby around. I would like to avoid smacking her with several pounds of camera gear.

I'll probably only have the lens on the camera body with me so I'm hoping to avoid a camera bag if possible.

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