My baby was sick yesterday and then slammed her hand in a door (nothing broken! only owies) so you have an open thread today. Tomorrow will be extra-special great, for the both of us, as Dewey Cox’s younger brother said.
Just over a year ago an Victorian (Australia) jury found a catholic cardinal to be guilty of a historical child sexual abuse crime. This set off a trigger and I finally admitted my own past where I was sexually abused at age 7 - nearly 26 years ago. I’ve been in therapy since but suffered from PTSD. Today the high court of Australia overturned that and I am very sensitive and upset about it. I don’t know why I am writing this here, except to say to fellow victims, as the premier of Vic said, you are seen and you are believed.
I'm so sorry Mel. I see you, I hear you and I believe you. The news of his appeal being successful sent me to bed yesterday afternoon. Sending much love.
Welp, I just cried on camera during our virtual staff meeting! Quarantine achievement unlocked, maybe? I don't think I realized how stressed I was until it was my turn to talk about how things were going. /sigh
I'm in a pretty terrible work sitch (I'm on stress leave it was so bad, which I recognize I am immensely privileged to even be able to do) and I'm trying very hard to find something else.
I've been interviewing and interviewing and I'm starting to lose faith anything is gonna land. "why don't they love me and want me?" I think, as I turn into the girl I was trying to find a boy, any boy, in her 20s. There's no real feedback from interviews, obviously. So warm thoughts are appreciated and if you have any magical tips on how to dazzle them, I am all ears.
The job opportunities are also drying up, for obvious world reasons, but I'll panic about that at a later date.
They would be so lucky to have you. They don't understand your true worth. I hope it turns around for you immediately and that you are able to squelch any anxiety with surprising ease.
Yikes! Our baby decided Sunday was the day that he was just going to keep walking off the edge of the couch no matter how many times we did, or DID NOT, get there in time to catch him. Lucky for us it was just owies too. He does have a rambunctious older brother so he's kind of 15 months of adamantium at this point.
Something in the water, I think. This week our toddler has been jumping and sliding off of things and landing head first more or less all the time? Just owies but like, cause and effect, kid!
Yup. My 3 year old has decided that our home is his personal parkour course and spends all his time running around bouncing off every padded surface he can find 🤦🏼♀️
Could use some virtual hugs today. I'm stressed and upset because my beloved social-butterfly grandma, who I'm very close to, is refusing to take social distancing seriously. She's offended that several of us told her she should *not* meet multiple friends for a birthday lunch. I'm scared for her, angry that she isn't taking more precautions, and worried because if she gets sick she won't be able to take care of herself and risks getting other family members sick too. And I'm a plane ride away and wouldn't be able to visit.
Of course this is hypothetical and hopefully she will stay healthy but jeez, I'm scared of getting sick myself, even though I'm not in a high-risk group, so I don't know why it hasn't sunk in for her.
Meanwhile I'm on edge, bitchy to my patient husband, impatient with baby fussing, and trying to get work done in between all the upset feelings and baby care and whew, it's been a long week already.
Sharing good news: A kiddo we know is officially adopted as of this morning. The judge held the ceremony via webex. Which is far from ideal, but it still made me cry happy tears.
I am having A BAD DAY. I am not super productive at work and screwed up a thing. It got caught, it’s fine, but I don’t wanna be the fuckup when the company is hanging on. And a distant family member died of corona and they closed all the parks in my town, which I know is sensible but my daily dog park trip was the best thing in my day and I feel like all the regulars were being sensible and I just feel huffy and petulant and like I need to go meet a friend for hugs and maybe a kick ass cocktail. Ugh. Pandemics suck, huh?
Today is the first birthday of the daughter of our closest neighborhood friends. Max was doing some part-time nannying for them. We've really been missing seeing them (especially because we used to share a two-family so could have just isolated as a unit) in general, but it's particularly bad today. We've spent so much time with Sylvie in her first year, and it sucks to not be able to celebrate her today.
I have to have a lot of difficult conversations this week and I'm not looking forward to any of them and at the same time my brain is literally broken and can do nothing
OK, I just now decided to check the actual website, I did not get an email today. Which is odd. Considering I specifically look for, open, and sometimes star these.
Anyway, hi everyone. Nicky, I'm so sorry your baby wasn't feeling well.
I have been having SO MANY stress dreams. Last night I dreamed that almost all the faculty at my university were laid off, and as I was coming back from my last class (teaching Russian, which I do not teach), I saw a big sign for a Goodbye to the Students party and realized that they were Not Socially Distancing At All. Ugh. What about you all?
I slept terribly and need to figure out how to get a refill of my anti depressants given my partner's EXTREME (and given that they are at risk, reasonable) concerns about my getting to the pharmacy even though it's down the street to get them so working on alternatives. Even though I really just want to get them because we're both terrified of my dealing with lexapro withdrawal (I have two days worth of pills left, hoping capsule will come through for me today).
I hope she's feeling better today! I am currently really struggling with a knitting pattern that's working as sort of a focus for my otherwise free floating feelings of helpless dread and rage. This has been helpful for me because I have faith that eventually I will conquer it and have a pretty baby sweater (and never buy from that pattern writer again).
I have a pressing question that's maybe more timely now than usual: do you folks "air" your beds before you make them? Ofc this is a practice that is best if you aren't rushing out the door in the morning.
I've started to do it. I'll report back if it Changes My Life.
I do. Not always a full all the covers tossed back but I do wait a bit between tossing the covers back when I get up and making the bed. My mom told me she read an article saying this was a good way to keep from getting bedbugs as they like the warmth so airing the bed breaks that up. I have no idea if that is true but it makes sense to me so why not do it. The fun is in finding the line between cooling down the sheets and making the bed before the cat sheds all over them.
Yes! I start out cold when I get in bed but sweat during the night so it seems like good idea. Turn it down when we get up and make it when I get home from work. Of course now there is no "get home from work" because I'm home all day. We now make it after it's aired for a couple of hours so cats can be allowed to lie on it.
Not purposely. Sometimes the covers get pulled back up, sometimes they don't. Occasionally I will Febreze the whole lot if it's been a sweaty night but it's not quite laundry day.
Hoping to pick the brains of parents/people who hand out with kids:
I am doing a couple-of-times a week hour-or-so long zoom hang out with the big kid (3rd grade) in the family I nanny for so the mom can do a little homeschooling with the little kids. I think we'll get a solid couple of days out of her recapping the movies she's seen, but will definitely need some activities eventually.
Me reading out-loud is an option (my kids book collection is a little dismal, unfortunately) and her reading to me is too, but I think that's not going to be super appealing. Any other suggestions? Things that relatives/friends have been doing on video calls with your kids that have been fun? Things you've done on video calls with the kids in your life?
My third grader just wants to chat - about what she's up to in Animal Crossing, what she did today, who else she talked to on FaceTime, etc. She also likes carry the phone around and show people her room, her art, etc. and see what other people are up to. If yours hasn't been to your home before, she might be curious about where you live, what's out your window, what's in your fridge, if you're willing to share.
Riddles/kid jokes are also a big hit. And you can see if your library has digital kid books available, if reading aloud does turn out to work. My kid also likes 20 questions. Maybe also drawing pictures and trying to get the other to guess what it is?
I'd also keep in mind that third graders are still little kids in some ways (at least mine is), and virtual activities can turn into work for the IRL adult quickly (finding things, answering questions, etc.). So if you do do something that requires supplies, maybe email with the parents ahead of time?
Digital books is a great idea! We read a little today but when I was reading it was hard to show her the pictures and when she read it was hard for me to help if we ran into a new word. Being able to screen share would help a lot!
Card games like Go Fish or Crazy Eights? A memory game like a is for apple b is for broccoli c is for carrot and you have to remember as many as possible? Singalongs? Dance parties to music she picks? Art projects (something simple -- you both draw the same thing and then show it to each other) or collage from magazines? Would You Rather?
My 56 year old mother works at grocery store in Connecticut and yesterday some asshole COUGHED on her on PURPOSE because she asked them to maintain social distancing in her line. I am beyond furious. I'm so worried about her and there's nothing I can do.
It was a young, white woman in her early twenties! I'm not sure what happened after. I know the manager looked her up, by mother left right afterwards to go take a shower and fume. I hope, at the very least, she is banned from shopping there.
Like!!! What on earth would compel you to do that? Even if, let's say, somehow you don't believe the pandemic is real, why would you want to intentionally terrify someone doing their job. Maintaining 6 feet of distance isn't a huge deal!
Just over a year ago an Victorian (Australia) jury found a catholic cardinal to be guilty of a historical child sexual abuse crime. This set off a trigger and I finally admitted my own past where I was sexually abused at age 7 - nearly 26 years ago. I’ve been in therapy since but suffered from PTSD. Today the high court of Australia overturned that and I am very sensitive and upset about it. I don’t know why I am writing this here, except to say to fellow victims, as the premier of Vic said, you are seen and you are believed.
Oh, Mel, I’m so sorry.
I'm so sorry. That's just the worst a. Please know that we see you and we believe you here too <3
This sucks and I'm so so sorry ;-(
I'm so sorry Mel. I see you, I hear you and I believe you. The news of his appeal being successful sent me to bed yesterday afternoon. Sending much love.
Thank-you Wendy. I hope you are doing better - self care is so important x
I'm so sorry.
Welp, I just cried on camera during our virtual staff meeting! Quarantine achievement unlocked, maybe? I don't think I realized how stressed I was until it was my turn to talk about how things were going. /sigh
maybe that will help some others unlock some of their own feelings.
I use the levels unlocking too! Tina moaning on floor. Managing to take a hot bath. Boom. Double level.
I'm in a pretty terrible work sitch (I'm on stress leave it was so bad, which I recognize I am immensely privileged to even be able to do) and I'm trying very hard to find something else.
I've been interviewing and interviewing and I'm starting to lose faith anything is gonna land. "why don't they love me and want me?" I think, as I turn into the girl I was trying to find a boy, any boy, in her 20s. There's no real feedback from interviews, obviously. So warm thoughts are appreciated and if you have any magical tips on how to dazzle them, I am all ears.
The job opportunities are also drying up, for obvious world reasons, but I'll panic about that at a later date.
They would be so lucky to have you. They don't understand your true worth. I hope it turns around for you immediately and that you are able to squelch any anxiety with surprising ease.
Yikes! Our baby decided Sunday was the day that he was just going to keep walking off the edge of the couch no matter how many times we did, or DID NOT, get there in time to catch him. Lucky for us it was just owies too. He does have a rambunctious older brother so he's kind of 15 months of adamantium at this point.
Something in the water, I think. This week our toddler has been jumping and sliding off of things and landing head first more or less all the time? Just owies but like, cause and effect, kid!
Yup. My 3 year old has decided that our home is his personal parkour course and spends all his time running around bouncing off every padded surface he can find 🤦🏼♀️
Oh good, it's not just mine. He learned to use the small trampoline to jump over the back of the recliner in a flip and land sitting? He is 2?
Could use some virtual hugs today. I'm stressed and upset because my beloved social-butterfly grandma, who I'm very close to, is refusing to take social distancing seriously. She's offended that several of us told her she should *not* meet multiple friends for a birthday lunch. I'm scared for her, angry that she isn't taking more precautions, and worried because if she gets sick she won't be able to take care of herself and risks getting other family members sick too. And I'm a plane ride away and wouldn't be able to visit.
Of course this is hypothetical and hopefully she will stay healthy but jeez, I'm scared of getting sick myself, even though I'm not in a high-risk group, so I don't know why it hasn't sunk in for her.
Meanwhile I'm on edge, bitchy to my patient husband, impatient with baby fussing, and trying to get work done in between all the upset feelings and baby care and whew, it's been a long week already.
You are doing the very best you can. Hugs and grace to you!
Sharing good news: A kiddo we know is officially adopted as of this morning. The judge held the ceremony via webex. Which is far from ideal, but it still made me cry happy tears.
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
I am having A BAD DAY. I am not super productive at work and screwed up a thing. It got caught, it’s fine, but I don’t wanna be the fuckup when the company is hanging on. And a distant family member died of corona and they closed all the parks in my town, which I know is sensible but my daily dog park trip was the best thing in my day and I feel like all the regulars were being sensible and I just feel huffy and petulant and like I need to go meet a friend for hugs and maybe a kick ass cocktail. Ugh. Pandemics suck, huh?
Hope she's feeling better all around.
Today is the first birthday of the daughter of our closest neighborhood friends. Max was doing some part-time nannying for them. We've really been missing seeing them (especially because we used to share a two-family so could have just isolated as a unit) in general, but it's particularly bad today. We've spent so much time with Sylvie in her first year, and it sucks to not be able to celebrate her today.
Poor baby! I hope she feels better today.
I have to have a lot of difficult conversations this week and I'm not looking forward to any of them and at the same time my brain is literally broken and can do nothing
That sounds so hard. My love to you
OK, I just now decided to check the actual website, I did not get an email today. Which is odd. Considering I specifically look for, open, and sometimes star these.
Anyway, hi everyone. Nicky, I'm so sorry your baby wasn't feeling well.
I'm listening to a lot of José González today. It's nice.
I have been having SO MANY stress dreams. Last night I dreamed that almost all the faculty at my university were laid off, and as I was coming back from my last class (teaching Russian, which I do not teach), I saw a big sign for a Goodbye to the Students party and realized that they were Not Socially Distancing At All. Ugh. What about you all?
I slept terribly and need to figure out how to get a refill of my anti depressants given my partner's EXTREME (and given that they are at risk, reasonable) concerns about my getting to the pharmacy even though it's down the street to get them so working on alternatives. Even though I really just want to get them because we're both terrified of my dealing with lexapro withdrawal (I have two days worth of pills left, hoping capsule will come through for me today).
I hope she's feeling better today! I am currently really struggling with a knitting pattern that's working as sort of a focus for my otherwise free floating feelings of helpless dread and rage. This has been helpful for me because I have faith that eventually I will conquer it and have a pretty baby sweater (and never buy from that pattern writer again).
I sympathize! My son also slammed his hand in a door yesterday! Also nothing broken. Hooray for flexible kid bones.
I have a pressing question that's maybe more timely now than usual: do you folks "air" your beds before you make them? Ofc this is a practice that is best if you aren't rushing out the door in the morning.
I've started to do it. I'll report back if it Changes My Life.
I do. Not always a full all the covers tossed back but I do wait a bit between tossing the covers back when I get up and making the bed. My mom told me she read an article saying this was a good way to keep from getting bedbugs as they like the warmth so airing the bed breaks that up. I have no idea if that is true but it makes sense to me so why not do it. The fun is in finding the line between cooling down the sheets and making the bed before the cat sheds all over them.
I am being very lazy and hardly ever making my bed right now... so it’s constantly being aired??
Yes! I start out cold when I get in bed but sweat during the night so it seems like good idea. Turn it down when we get up and make it when I get home from work. Of course now there is no "get home from work" because I'm home all day. We now make it after it's aired for a couple of hours so cats can be allowed to lie on it.
Not purposely. Sometimes the covers get pulled back up, sometimes they don't. Occasionally I will Febreze the whole lot if it's been a sweaty night but it's not quite laundry day.
What is this? I am intrigued.
Hope the baby feels better today! (And that the rest of the family is safe and healthy!)
Nicole, it's beautiful.
Ohh sad, it really sucks, but I bet she forget about her sickness when he slammed her hand in a door.
https://celebleatherjackets.com/
*Go to sleep little babe* (Sung to your wee one in an O Brother Where Art Thou voice)
Babies...amiright? Sweet babies.
Hoping to pick the brains of parents/people who hand out with kids:
I am doing a couple-of-times a week hour-or-so long zoom hang out with the big kid (3rd grade) in the family I nanny for so the mom can do a little homeschooling with the little kids. I think we'll get a solid couple of days out of her recapping the movies she's seen, but will definitely need some activities eventually.
Me reading out-loud is an option (my kids book collection is a little dismal, unfortunately) and her reading to me is too, but I think that's not going to be super appealing. Any other suggestions? Things that relatives/friends have been doing on video calls with your kids that have been fun? Things you've done on video calls with the kids in your life?
My third grader just wants to chat - about what she's up to in Animal Crossing, what she did today, who else she talked to on FaceTime, etc. She also likes carry the phone around and show people her room, her art, etc. and see what other people are up to. If yours hasn't been to your home before, she might be curious about where you live, what's out your window, what's in your fridge, if you're willing to share.
Riddles/kid jokes are also a big hit. And you can see if your library has digital kid books available, if reading aloud does turn out to work. My kid also likes 20 questions. Maybe also drawing pictures and trying to get the other to guess what it is?
I'd also keep in mind that third graders are still little kids in some ways (at least mine is), and virtual activities can turn into work for the IRL adult quickly (finding things, answering questions, etc.). So if you do do something that requires supplies, maybe email with the parents ahead of time?
Digital books is a great idea! We read a little today but when I was reading it was hard to show her the pictures and when she read it was hard for me to help if we ran into a new word. Being able to screen share would help a lot!
Card games like Go Fish or Crazy Eights? A memory game like a is for apple b is for broccoli c is for carrot and you have to remember as many as possible? Singalongs? Dance parties to music she picks? Art projects (something simple -- you both draw the same thing and then show it to each other) or collage from magazines? Would You Rather?
Ooh these are great ideas. I'd love to figure out how to make card games work - I wonder if there's an online platform for that.
My 56 year old mother works at grocery store in Connecticut and yesterday some asshole COUGHED on her on PURPOSE because she asked them to maintain social distancing in her line. I am beyond furious. I'm so worried about her and there's nothing I can do.
Did he get arrested? They did that in NJ. I’m so sorry. What compels people to break the rules and then act like that?
It was a young, white woman in her early twenties! I'm not sure what happened after. I know the manager looked her up, by mother left right afterwards to go take a shower and fume. I hope, at the very least, she is banned from shopping there.
Wow I hadn't even realized I wrote he! Honestly, what an asshole.
Like!!! What on earth would compel you to do that? Even if, let's say, somehow you don't believe the pandemic is real, why would you want to intentionally terrify someone doing their job. Maintaining 6 feet of distance isn't a huge deal!
What are people even. That's just horrible. Peace to you and your mother in these times.