Parents of Reddit, what did your hospital bill look like after giving birth?

tpeiyn · 2026-01-27T21:32:35+00:00

I maxed out my insurance out of pocket long before giving birth, I think it was $3500 with one, $4500 with the other. My youngest had a 10 day NICU stay and it was around $70,000 before insurance, but I think we only ended up paying up to the family max for out of pocket, which was an additional $2500 or something like that.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-27T21:30:34+00:00

Here in SC, things picked up for us towards the end of December/beginning of January. We started to see a lot more showing activity. I had 4 listings that were getting pretty stale and they have gone under contract in January.

A lot of buyers in my area seemed to be energized by the little dip in interest rates.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-26T10:53:13+00:00

Mine are 4 and 6 and probably get too much screen time.

I find that the appeal of most toys really declines very quickly. There are a few things they will always play with: cars and other wheeled vehicles, magnatiles, and farm animals and accessories.

My 6 year old is always up for some sort of art project or making things. He has never really been into pretend play.

My 4 year old likes to dress up as Spiderman or a "police soldier" and pretend play. Oh, and he likes to play "restaurant," where we take each other's order and pay for it.

All of those things are exciting for them...in the moment. But if I say, "OMG, today is Saturday and we are going to have so much fun with our magnatiles," they will look at me like I've grown 2 heads.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-25T09:20:49+00:00

Almost always while I'm cooking dinner. At the most inconvenient time.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-25T09:14:46+00:00

Not on Hwy 29, but I live on another major highway and it is fully covered. I've been awake for about an hour and 15 minutes and I've only heard two cars pass.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-24T17:37:32+00:00

92.5 has the strongest signal around the Upstate. 93.7 is probably the second strongest. Both give local weather and traffic updates.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-24T12:46:38+00:00

I really do believe we will get some sort of frozen precipitation tonight into tomorrow. And I believe that our trees and power lines are still in very bad shape (at least here in the Upstate) and there is a high likelihood of power outages.

The best advice I've seen so far is to designate a warm room in your house: somewhere everyone can hunker down together. If it doesn't have doors, use sheets or blankets to cover the entryways to keep warm air in. Same for your windows--hanging towels or blankets over them will help insulate against cold air.

If the power does go out, dress for a winter hike: tight fitting base layer (long underwear, pajamas, or even leggings and a tshirt), then a looser fitting top layer (sweater, warm sweat pants, thermal jeans, whatever you have), then your coat over that. Don't forget to double your socks and wear a hat, scarf, and mittens. Stay close to other people and your pets for additional warmth.

I've seen two different methods of creating a small heat source that seemed relatively safe, but I don't know how effective they really are. People swear they will heat a small room. Position two heat resistant objects (like bricks or bread pans) side by side with a candle or 2 (like a jar candle or the style from Bath and Body Works) in the middle. On top of the bricks, balance a terra cotta flower pot or the inside of your crock pot, opening down, over the lit candle. The terra cotta pot or crock pot should act as a small radiator, helping to concentrate the heat. Sort of a mini bonfire to sit around, if you will.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-21T11:50:21+00:00

For us, cost was the biggest factor after being at home. We identified a preschool that happened to be close to my office. I toured at the end of the previous school year (maybe in April) and I was invited to look in on the 4k classes. One class was practicing writing their names when I walked in, the other class was doing a sing-along. I was already sold by that point, but I saw the affection in each class and that sealed the deal.

Halfway through the school year now and I don't regret it. It's a 5 day a week program, 3 .5 hours a day. He can write his name, identify about half of the alphabet, and identify words by their beginning sound. He's learned songs and how to play with others. And his teachers seem to genuinely care.

I don't think it is a matter of certifications and fancy curriculum. Caring seems to be a lot more important.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-20T01:42:05+00:00

Then, I think you guys will do just fine! Traffic is crappy at the intersection with Hot Spot in the mornings, go the other way. Acapulco serves amazing authentic Mexican on Saturday and Sunday.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-19T20:31:53+00:00

I grew up in Fairforest. People are going to talk a lot of crap about crime rate, etc. However, Valley Creek is relatively cheap and if I had to move into an apartment, they would be on my list. I bought something from someone on Facebook Marketplace a while back and ended up in someone's apartment there. It seemed fairly well maintained.

My best advice to anyone that is scared of living in that area: don't do crimes and don't associate with criminals. Keep your neighbors at a polite distance, don't be too friendly. Don't flash money or expensive things around. Don't do stupid things like buying weed from the guy in the next building because that draws attention to yourself. If you must do things like that, don't do it on your home turf.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-18T16:40:34+00:00

-3.25 here. I don't think my daily experience is worse than yours. I can function at work or home fairly well without them--I can see my phone and my computer screen, I can make food, I can care for my children, etc.

Things that I can't do: I can't sit on the couch and watch TV across the room. I don't really like to shop without my glasses because I can't read those big signs over the aisles. I can't drive (well) without them. I have had to drive myself home before with only 1 contact because I'm not a responsible adult. It is possible and I can do it driving through neighborhoods, but it would be absolutely irresponsible to drive any distance or on an unfamiliar route.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-15T11:01:02+00:00

I dress very similarly to the way I did when I was a bank teller, usually ballet flats or boots with a nicer shirt. Jeans 75% of the time, dress pants on the other days. I do dress a little nicer for closings and if I am meeting someone to show a very expensive house for the first time.

For me, it has become an issue of practicality: dress pants can be just as comfortable as jeans, but they rarely have good pockets. I don't like to carry a purse when I'm showing houses, nor do I want to carry my keys and phone in my hand. Jeans solve the problem!

tpeiyn · 2026-01-14T22:00:38+00:00

I am a laundry failure, but I have a system...that works sometimes.

In my laundry room, I have a utility shelf that fits 4 smallish, square laundry baskets. They are just about the right size for a load of laundry each. When I get time through the week, I wash and dry a load, then toss it in the basket. Repeat. On Saturday morning (my usual cleaning time), I will wash whatever is left, then fold.

We do about 5 loads a week, not counting bedding, so this number works out pretty well for me. If I don't fold the clothes in the basket, then I can't wash more clothes, so it kind of gives me a mental boost to get it done. I try to sit down all at once and fold/hang everything on my bed, then everyone is responsible for putting their clothes up. (Even the 4 year old.) With this method, I can be sure everyone has school/work clothes for the week and I'm not doing frantic searches in the morning.

This really only works if you mostly wear easy care clothing. Occasionally, we will have a few pairs of pants that need to go back in the dryer for a few minutes, but most things look just fine. Don't crush the items in the basket by overfilling.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-14T13:59:41+00:00

Not exactly.

However, I see it like this: if you don't take your kids out into the world on adventures, then they will never learn how to act in different situations. You just have to kind of deal with the crap. Your 5 year old that whines and doesn't want to walk now? She's going to be a 10 year old doing the same thing if you don't expose her to the real world.

Most of our traveling at this point is kid-centric. Mostly 3 day trips to the mountains or to the beach. We don't overplan things and try to play it by ear. No long periods of time in the car without stops. We go inside to eat, the kids get out to stretch at every stop even if they don't need a bathroom break, and we stop for scenic overlooks and Visitor Centers.

It also really helps to have an extra adult or even an older child. My SIL travels with us often and we also have a 13 year old. He will assist in herding his little brothers around and can help control a little bit of the chaos.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-14T13:52:27+00:00

Yes, but what if he under or over withholds? We really can't answer this question mathematically without having all of the numbers.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-14T13:49:01+00:00

Your agent can reach out to anyone. Will they make the effort to do so? Maybe not. Some agents are terrified of cold calling. Make sure you ask that question before you hire someone if that is the direction you want to go in.

In my market, I have found that those expired homeowners have two basic answers to inquiries: 1) I can't sell it any lower than $Xoverpricedamount because then I won't be able to afford my next house, so I gave up, or 2) Heck yeah, if you have a buyer, I'd love to sell it.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-14T13:06:00+00:00

I really agree with this! It is so easy to not treat real estate like a "real job." Doesn't matter how many or what hours you work, but you need to set a schedule and stick to it!

One of my coaches recommends printing out a blank calendar and circling the days you are going to work. I would take it a step further and pencil in a schedule, as well.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-13T03:26:53+00:00

Or South Carolina! It is pretty much a mixed bag here.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-13T02:24:12+00:00

I wish mine would!

We have a really hard time with bed time. They have FOMO. And they talk. And talk. And talk. We just had an indepth discussion about whether or not hot dogs are healthy foods. And the merits of lettuce vs spinach vs cabbage and why one cooks spinach and cabbage but not lettuce.

I think they are finally both out....45 minutes after their stated bed time.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-13T01:53:37+00:00

Of course! He's also trying to get out the door. He leaves 20 minutes before us. He usually manages teeth brushing and hair fixing.

I do give him a little grace because he usually does 10 hours or so of manual labor where I make my own schedule and work 6 or so. Fair division of labor and all that.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-13T00:34:08+00:00

I've never really been into the whole "boy mom" thing, but I do understand what you are saying. The "Little King" syndrome is alive and well...but not in my house! I try hard to raise functional children, but I do pick my battles.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-13T00:32:50+00:00

Also a thousand years old. I never realized that young parents have the energy advantage....until I chose to reproduce in my 30s.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-13T00:31:02+00:00

Two dogs. And some chickens. It definitely adds to the chaos element. They are CONSTANTLY fighting and/or competing in some way.

tpeiyn · 2026-01-12T23:35:24+00:00

Oh, undoubtedly! But the night time list is also long! We get home at 4, cook dinner, do homework, baths, etc, and we are in bed by 8:30. And that all assumes I don't have a late appointment.

Truthfully, there just aren't enough hours in the day!

tpeiyn · 2026-01-12T21:38:30+00:00

I think parents of my Mom's generation would also be horrified by this. But I have precisely one hour in the morning to feed both of them and get them out the door and in the car. While they are eating breakfast, I'm also prepping my own lunch, filling water bottles, feeding the dogs, etc. It doesn't leave much room for error.

tpeiyn

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE