Collapsible tent! Fits no larger than a windshield screen and makes a great instant space anyway for the kid to have a private/clean surface and place to be.
We can read books in there or play with any brought toys, and they stay contained to the tent instead of getting on the floor wherever we are. Link below for the set I got, I usually only pack the tent and a few pieces he can pick out for the day.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087GDG2GT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_D19-FbEKG02XP
We have a travel potty that folds up and can be kept in a diaper bag. The one we have also folds out and can be an adapter for a normal toilet seat on the go.
OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty - Teal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0771FFJ22/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BV2B26YCBX7BYKKPFGQ3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This is the one we use too for all the feeding and diaper changes. As well as growth and temperature/medicine.
It has a pretty good widget if you are on Android
Play store link.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nighp.babytracker_android
And then we use huckleberry exclusively for naps and sleep.
Both of them have a sync feature which was super important to us.
Rotary nail file may make it easier than the scissor ones, or clippers. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Zooawa-Electric-Grooming-Clippers-Fingernails/dp/B078H9263H/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1OKBU00GUX6J6&dchild=1&keywords=baby+rotary+nail+file&qid=1619989005&sprefix=baby+rotary%2Caps%2C275&sr=8-16
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It may not make it easier, but at least there's no worry about nipping fingertips.
I wear regular clothes because they have the right pockets for my tools. Knife, light, and Leatherman.
Sometimes I wear something like this
Soon to be exactly that, because I just ordered it
Definitely a double stroller. I loved the stacked Britax.
Get a few memberships to things you can take them to like the zoo or indoor playgrounds (great for rainy days).
A good thermos should keep water warm enough through the day. I also had a sectioned out container that made making a bottle on the go really easy. Something like this
Munchkin Formula Dispenser, Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXN2PCP/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_SN18P2AAYQ276S1YAEXN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
A really good swaddling blanket is a must too.
When they get a little older those walkers with the trays on them are amazing.
That's kind of lame. Do you get the impression she doesn't prepare/think about your gift until the last minute, or she just doesn't think it through?
I was generally lucky, my parents were active with church couples and had access to a good amount of resources. Funnily enough I think my wife had more to do with my emotional development than they did though, I had some bad habits. There was a series I remember, I don't have any idea how well it's aged but it was called "hidden keys to loving relationships." It looks like it's on YouTube.
Anyway- I'll link the two books that I think were most influential. The second is more geared to mediating, but the general ideas are still really helpful to figure out what can work for you. It's hard to keep in mind, but remind yourself that in theory, you both want the same thing. To be in a high functioning, healthy relationship that's supporting each other as well as molding well rounded, healthy, offspring.
Fighting Fair for Families (Illustrated Guide) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1878227262/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_E1B9CD2952QCWSRR35D2
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BG7PNFS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_DMS32H9437BK96NXDF27
I never played with the name brand ones so I can’t compare the two but we got this set and they work great. They’re durable and work like they’re supposed to 🤷🏻♂️
Ergobaby carriers are the business. Stick them in those suckers and your hands are free to do stuff. When your doing stuff you can chat to your bub about that stuff. Breaks up the carrying with your hands and arms. Highly recommend!
Chucked a link in below so you can see what I mean but you can also grab them second hand no probs. They are really well made.
nPlayer ~~for all of your porny secret video needs~~ to protect the children.
FYI, it does occasionally drop in price. Check Appshopper for updates or subscribe and they'll notify you. Of course, you might not want to wait for this particular app. ;-)
This is what we use, and I think it covers all your requests. I know it's available on both os, you can create rooms by using "categories" (which you can also use as a filter to see tasks for one category at a time), it shows timestamps of completed tasks, and you can set them recur in various ways. You can also assign points to each task and set up a reward shop. There's also a grocery list, but we use another app for that instead.
Thank you so much for sharing your testimonial- I’m learning a lot from everyone’s system. Not all literature is practical but this book I’m reading seems to be prepping his young minds comprehension and appreciation for Potty-fundamentals: it teaches a lot more than just potty training. This lady is over-qualified in her field and teaches people from 1.5years to 70yo to potty. We’re doing the “before the 3-days” prepping atm. But I’ll be coming back to this idea of yours once we’re at that phase. Cheers 🍻
Potty Training in 3 Days: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623157900?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Dude, check this book out, in fact EVERYONE WITH A CHILD 5 and under. It doesn’t just teach “how to train them in 3-day” this book right here?!! Re-boots and updates all parenting styles and shows how to speak to your child while the child learns how to communicate, behave, and rebuilds their confidence. I was doubting and having trouble but today, all of a sudden, he’s not insecure or shy, he’s speaking and saying things as opposed to just “making noises and grunts plus no tantrums. I mean, I’ve reconstructed my whole approach to everything based off this authors gift in knowing the very thing that sets children however they are. Great read and he’s finally progressing. We have t even began the 3-days, which if you read the book, you’ll know the reference. But I implore y’all (and I never “implore” lol. Check out the link.
Potty Training in 3 Days: The... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623157900?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I think we used a small hand mirror. Then, after they’d done a couple attempts, they’d hop down and squat to see how it went.
But my middle kid...man I was still checking and rewiping past kindergarten. That lasted until we got this bidet add-on. I’m dead serious when I tell everyone to get one. It got that kid self-sufficient right away. A squirt or two cleans them off and then they just pat dry for the most part.
I’ve bought at least six for friends and family. The benefit to the potty training aside, as a hairy man it’s saved me thousands of hours per year on the can :)
Does the kid wear hats?
I started w a face shield telling my kid it was a cool hat. After a few months of wearing it we transitioned into a mask. But yeah it's a difficult process.
Don't give me too much credit man it took me 20 months lol. But I have the exact same experiences as you. Just make sure to carefully block out the lights. Mine woke up the other night from the smallest liver shining between the tape. Don't know how she could see it if her eyes were closed but she found a way
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074RYRX52?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
This book is an amazing alternative/ cost-effective way for couples therapy
Yeah definitely. Those baby Bjorn ones are very adjustable. If I remember correctly, that one has two snaps to extend for guys, as we have longer torsos than women. It also converts to your back once they have the neck strength for it.
I covered hundreds of miles with one at 5'10 190lb. You can always send it back, but my buddy is quite overweight and it worked for him too. My brother is 6'2" and he's the one who gave it to me after he was done with it.
When they got larger, I got this one. For maybe four months I had my oldest on my back and my second on my front. I guess at 3 my son could do maybe 4 miles and my daughter 2, so I'd wear the pack and carry her for the last half. Even a bit later I'd wear when traveling so I could throw one on my back if they were tired or needed to get one out of the way. I think it's good up to ~40 pounds or so.
Typically a kid can walk there age in miles, starting around two; a bit more if they do it regularly. It's always been a big part of their day, makes sleeping and everything far easier. With those bone conduction headphones, its easily my favorite part of the day. We're lucky in that we back up to a forest with trails though, I know it isn't an option for everyone.
My daughter is six right now, and I was (and still am) the main stay at home/work from home parent ever since my wife’s maternity leave ended when she was five months old.
I’ve long called her “chaos with a pony tail”. She was sprinting soon after walking, and at times on the playground I felt like the word I was saying most to her was “Careful!” She’s had tons of spills and I always felt like my reaction to those spills would teach her how to react to scrapes and falls, etc. I likened her falling down to a coin that landed on its edge, and whatever I did in that moment would dictate which way it would fall.
Now she’s in kindergarten, and has had a ton of scrapes during recess. Visits to the nurse are common for her, but nothing too serious, we usually only hear about them from her that night. One time just two weeks into her school year I got a call from the nurse, as she had collided with another kid by accident and ended up landing in a shrub with her neck getting scratched. After I talked with my daughter during the call (who told me she didn’t want to get picked up, and wanted to finish the day, bus ride home and all), the nurse got on and assured me that she’d be fine to continue at school but remarked that she was One Tough Little Girl.
She definitely loves dresses and princesses and pink sparkly girly stuff, but she also flips over rocks and revels in finding bugs we’d rather she avoid, like grubs and slugs. Her aunt gave her the book Not All Princess Dress in Pink, but she didn’t need to be taught that from a book. She figured that out on her own.
Our favorite was Joanna Cole's I'm a Big Brother. It will be too young for your 5yo, but probably about right for your 3yo. The language is pretty simple, but it introduces the sorts of things babies do and don't do, and what big brother can do and how to treat the baby.
yeah our little guy was late as well. We went in to be induced, stayed the night, and then the next morning shit got real fast and they had to do an emergency c-section. I was freaking out cause I wasn't sure what was going on and if my wife and/or unborn baby were going to be ok. On the plus side everything went fine and we didn't have to do any labor.
As others have said day 1 is awesome. The baby is super sleepy and you can just cuddle them. The following days are a bit crazy cause baby is hungry and mom's milk is still slowly coming in.
Also if y'all are breastfeeding, whenever you start introducing bottles avoid any of the ones that claim they are like a boob or good for breast feeding. The ones that best for breastfed babies are the cheap ones like these https://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Feeding-Classic-Tinted-Bottles/dp/B00N9X4YZW
The reason why is that they allow the baby to latch on like the breast(our lactation consultant informed us after we had already bought all those other bottles. Doh!) Also Gerber bottles and Dr. Brown bottles with the same nipples work as well, but Dr. Brown is rather expensive. Ok I'll shut up now. Good luck I hope all goes well! Keep me posted!