Comments on: Best of Both Worlds podcast: What’s saving our lives right now

By: JMH

JMH — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 01:43:56 +0000

Spring break camp is saving my life right now. Both my kids and I have off this week but not my husband. Big sister is at camp, me and little guy are staycation tourists in SF. It’s so much more manageable for me to have one than two, and we’re all having a lot more fun. I wish I had signed little guy up for a day or two of camp too so I could enjoy a solo day. Childcare is always money well spent!

By: LDMN

LDMN — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 17:05:46 +0000

Regarding summer uniforms… I am a *huge* fan of skorts. I’ve gotten some from Athleta… look at the ones more for travel than for exercise. I actually got a couple of black ones from Costco that were cute last year, too. They can be dressed up or down easily and are very comfortable. Bonus — no worries of flashing anyone when you are chasing a toddler!

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 02:00:05 +0000

In reply to Amanda. Thank you so much for your response and the encouragement!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 23:11:09 +0000

In reply to Michele. Our cleaning lady would if asked but she only comes every 2 weeks. We do dinner dishes/load dishwasher ourselves at night and run overnight and then our nanny typically empties and reloads it while she’s here, which includes doing our breakfast dishes. It is actually kind of crazy how helpful this is. Our prior nanny did not do this (we didn’t ask) and it really makes a huge difference. If you can find a way to get help with this go for it!

By: Lisa of Lisa's Yarns

Lisa of Lisa's Yarns — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 18:17:01 +0000

I wish we could buy alcohol at our grocery stores/target/etc! The rules are so strict here in Minnesota. In the last year or so, they started to allow alcohol to be sold on Sundays! Prior to that off-sale liquor stores were closed on Sundays. With this change, you could buy alcohol at places like at target and a grocery store, but they need to have a separate exit so most places have not added a liquor store unless they had one already.

I’m also loving our gas fireplace! We converted our wood burning fireplace to gas in early January and that is the gift that keeps on giving. I’ve used it soo much! We also have a gas burning fireplace in our bedroom that I’ve used a decent amount. I have a comfy reading chair that reclines in front of it. I envision using it more in years to come when I’m less tired and can choose reading over napping on the weekend. Because right now, weekend naps are saving my life, too. The youngest (15m) is waking up at 5am right now and while we take turns getting up with him (another thing saving my life), I’m still feeling pretty tired so try to nap on Sat or Sun when the baby is napping and the 4yo gets screen time. The last thing I’ll mention is my kindle. 95% of my reading is on the kindle and I also use the ap, especially when our son asks us to stay in his room for several minutes after we finish reading while he tries to fall asleep. I feel more chill about being trapped in there when I can read on my kindle ap!

By: Michele

Michele — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 17:54:44 +0000

In reply to Amanda. This is such a good point. I'm curious if your cleaning lady or anyone else washes dishes? That is a huge issue for us and I'm tempted to pay someone to come wash them, which feels ridiculous. But I know it'd be a big help. Curious how others manage daily chores like these.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:43:31 +0000

Listened this morning and agree with you on a few good items!
1. Being able to buy beer at the grocery store – Ontario (Canada) was in a very similar boat and several years ago allowed beer and wine to be sold in the grocery store and it is delightful to have just one trip. Even though our local liquor store is very close but is still an extra trip!
2. Sizing up! Such a great thing just to let go and it is so much better to wear clothes that fit and look nice. It’s so true that no one really cares – and I do feel better – though i am a bit in between at the moment and experimenting with sizes to find the right fit, particularly in jeans. Work in progress.
3. Gas fireplace! Delightful (my favourite word lately) to flip a switch and have a lovely fire going and then to flip it and the fire is out. Particularly since we seem to be having an extended winter here too.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 14:47:48 +0000

I have an almost 4 week old and what’s saving my life is ALL the outsourcing. I’ve kept my full time childcare for my 3 year old who also does our grocery shopping, have a cleaning lady, started sending out laundry 1x/week, ordering lots of takeout, and we used paper plates up until this week! Sure these all cost $$ but when it’s only for a few weeks it is doable and has made my maternity leave so much nicer so far. Some days it almost feels like cheating, but my husband and I work hard for our income and this is how we’re using it right now. Would highly encourage others to do the same!