I’ve literally had someone ask me to be there before they wake up and stay until dinner time for two children and only want to give me $25 a day. PG&E does not accept finger paints as payment, Susan
Totally agree with everyone else about $10 being for kids you don't expect to have a car or even heat up fishsticks and $20+ being for adult professionals.
By which I mean I, like @lyse01, think a certain one of my jobs should consider paying ME that much.
@rennie1108 Have you heard of the Feed Baby app? It tracks sleeping, feedings and diaper changes. Plus you can sync it with your partner (in the pro version). I found it super helpful with my first and will be using it again!
I have it on my to do list to start looking at apps. I'll have to check that one out, thanks!
Valentines Day- it was a big deal for my family growing up. Husband's- not at all.
Two or three years ago we took a trip to Luray Caverns for Valentines Day. Another year, we worked on a house project. Last year, he gave me a funny card. This year, I think I'd like chicken nuggets and toquitos. 🙂 Momma's a hungry lady.
Side story: DH was gone on a business trip. When he came back we were talking about any bodily changes that happened over the week. I said, "I'm like 200 lbs. now! Not really, just kidding." His response: "You're gettin' pretty close." I laughed at how inappropriate the comment was, but I brought it up. Then he whispered, "How much do you weigh?" I told him (180). I'm probably going to hit 230 before this baby's out. Started out at 150.
@harveyisaboysname Ugh, $25/day is so disrespectful! It’s mind boggling how cheap people can be with other people’s labor. Also, who would want to hire a non-friend/relative who would watch their kid all day for that little? That’s sketch.
@MRDCle I keep getting ads on fb and insta about the bloom life contraction monitor. I think it’s $20 a week for a thing you can wear that tracks your contractions for you and transfers the data on their app. I’ve been contemplating about trying it out closer to my due date.
@harveyisaboysname My neighbors have 3 kids, and they wanted to pay my stepdaughter $5/hour to watch them. Granted, she IS a teenager, but these kids are extremely high maintenance! She did it once and then she was like, no way in hell will I watch them ever again haha. I don't blame her one bit! Like, these kids are little devil children with no manners. They like to throw sticks at our dog. Yeah, real peaches.
@rennie1108 what?!? It’s so ridiculous that so many people think their kids are all puppies and rainbows. Just be honest! Sure DD is well behaved at times, but fuck, she can be a real A-hole at 5 years old. I’m definitely paying someone a fair wage to deal with the shit she can pull. $5/hr is a joke, especially to watch 3 kids
If anyone is interested in the contraction tracking device through bloom life, they have a promo going on for a free week rental ( $20/wk). It’s FRIENDSGIVE20
Also if you have more than one email I think you can send yourself the get $20 give $20 promo and get a $20 amazon gift card plus a free week of renting the device.
* i don’t get anything from this, just trying to spread some savings.
I can’t believe how many people out there are trying to pay $5 an hour for babysitting, much less for multiple kids. I was making that babysitting in middle school in the 1990s. By high school I was getting $10, and by college $15/hr. I even pay my little sister in the $10-15 range (or if she’s just babysitting for an hour I might make her a nice dinner and buy her Starbucks). Who are these people who want someone to watch their kid for less than minimum wage?
@professormama the family I mentioned has 3 kids, is on WIC, and has openly shared with me that they struggle to spend within their means. I see it. In the few months I've been with them, they rewarded their 7 year old with $100 for a good report card and gave him a brand new Nintendo Switch system for good behavior. And just general lack of cutting costs. I would make different financial choices, but my area of struggle is not in budgeting necessarily. (I'm not perfect with our budget.)
This conversation about babysitting costs had me paranoid that I was being a miser, so I actually texted the main sitter I've had for about 2 years to ask. She reminded me that she quit a work study job that pays $7.25 an hour and a job at Talbot's that paid $8 to work for me, so I guess that's just the economy for college students here. Y'all still have me feeling like I should give her a raise, though...
Valentine's day: SO has something special planned I got him his favorite candy and a card. We'll go to a nice dinner. Babysitting: I am so lucky that I have a long list of people lined up to watch my baby. I agree tho that babysitters deserve a good wage. I did daycare at the YMCA it isn't fun. On a while nother note this app is becoming more trouble than its worth it takes me 10 minutes to load into tje community its ridic.
@mighty_montgomery I have all the thoughts about how badly we fail families in terms of childcare support, and how subsidized childcare is 100% essential - both in helping families get out of poverty, in improving gender equality, and in preventing the majority of childcare related deaths that largely happen in unlicensed and unregulated home facilities. But I guess this forum isn’t really the place/time. Let’s just say that I feel terrible for that family, and given the price of licensed childcare, even fabulous budgeting skills probably wouldn’t help them much if they qualify for WIC. That sucks.
I was planning on using this app's contraction counter. The Forum is glitchy, but I doubt there will be an issue with the simple stopwatch-timer. That's basically all it is.
Valentine’s Day: DH and I usually make gifts for each other, but I asked specifically for him to buy me donuts this year. So I bought him a few picture books that are all about daddy (My Dad is Amazing, Just Me and My Dad, and I Love You, Daddy) for him to read to our son (which is something he already loves doing). Babysitters: I honestly have no idea how much babysitters run in our area, although I do have a couple of friends who have offered to sit. And we do have some family about 45 minutes away if we made big plans.
I found out last night that my dad had a massive heart attack last night. He’s in the ICU although he’s doing as well as can be expected. We’re 6 hours away and I’ve basically been a wreck for the last 24 hours so we’re driving up tomorrow after DH gets done with work to go be with my dad and stepmom. I’m hoping that being there will make me feel better than just sitting at home worrying, which is all I did today.
I haven’t been around much lately with everything going on but I’m hoping to be more active now that January is over! I’m considering February a re-do.
January was just rough. My uncle passed away from the same illness my Dad died from and then DS2 and DH ended up with the stomach bug at SIL’s wedding. We had no idea he was sick until he vomited and since it’s so ridiculously contagious ~8 other people ended up getting sick. Mom of the year over here.
But February has started off better! We celebrated DS2’s 3rd birthday on Super Bowl Sunday and we’re planning on getting the nursery started this weekend.
And since I finally caught up on this thread I have to say I’m super lucky because my Mom and sisters will babysit for free as do my in-laws for any date nights. We don’t go out often though. But I think the going rate is $10-15/hr in my area depending on number of kids and experience. My oldest sister is our babysitter during the week for DS2. I pay her $300/wk and if for some reason DH can’t get to DS1’s school in time for pick up she’ll help us out. I usually give an extra $30/day for that.
In my area, tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 75°! What the heck, February?? And Saturday is back down in the 30s (average winter temps). I can remember all those who said this year was going to be a very cold winter. Not in our area! I like snow. I miss snow. But I wouldn't want to be stuck in the freeze-out up north. Did you know 22 people have died from the cold up there?? Crazy.
Babysitting: Reading all your posts on babysitting is making me realize I have no idea about baby sitting, like even where to turn to find anyone or what it would cost. I have a feeling it would be hard to get anyone to do it period, especially if you don't pay them a lot. We have friends and family that have said they would be excited to help out with the babies, but that would probably be at most for a night if we want to go out for a dinner or something, otherwise we will be home with the kids until they're one and a half or so and can start public day care.
Valentines day: We normally try to go out for a nice dinner (like do a chef's tasting menue or something) but I'm not sure it will happen this year since I'm so pregnant and immobile and have a hard time sitting and enjoying a full dinner out in public. On Sunday we spent the day at an asian spa and stayed over night at the hotel that hosts it, so that felt like a bit of an early valentines
Also wanted to say thanks for peoples' messages this weekend, so far all seems to be just fine with the twins even though one is quite a bit smaller than the other. Blood flow looks good and now we just have to wait and see if they keep growing. There will be more checks for sure, but no urgent actions right now (I wrote more of an update in the MoM thread).
I'm WFH today because we have DS four year appointment and my weekly OB appointment. Not looking forward to it because I think he has multiple shots (yay) and I have to take him to my appointment which I'm sure he's gonna just LOVE. I've been trying to pump him up about hearing his brother's heartbeats but I really hope my doctor isn't running too late. I hate to bring his tablet because we really try to restrict that to just using it at home but I'm already tired and I've only been up 30 minutes, ha.
Oh! But I was SO HAPPY last night. I checked off so many things from my "Do some shit at home" list. I finished cleaning out our linen closet (which connects to our bathroom so it's like a huge linen closet/med closet combo), cleared out the desk in the living room, and pulled out the newborn cloth diapers and a handful of preemie/real small NB clothes to get washed and ready. The MFM said we're on track for them to each be about 5.5lbs so I don't want to get a TON of preemie stuff but with the margin of error on growth scans I'm torn between not buying/washing enough and doing too much.
Hugs to @jlklec19 and @tumblefluff. I'm so sorry that both of you have to deal with extra super hard stuff on top of being pregnant. Great to have you back, @tumblefluff, and keep us posted @jlklec19!
And I'm glad for your good news @honey_suckle. Hopefully this helps you feel like you can relax a little!
I can’t make this up! Our water heater went overnight so we ended up with water in our basement. The water was contained to our storage area only so the saving grace is everything is in plastic totes = no damage to our stuff. So much for Feb redo
I've basically been up since 4:15am (thanks pregnancy insomnia), and I have a "tea" with my dean late this afternoon. Soooooo fingers crossed that I survive that and don't make an ass out of myself due to sheer exhaustion.
Wow, I missed a lot. Been MIA this week since it's DH's week to be home before he wraps up his out of county project. He heads back out today and should return mid-March. So we have been moving. Its been a crazy busy stressful week, but I finally got to set up the nursery!!! Here is for hoping the next month goes really smoothly while DH is away.
On babysitting... I was a nanny for awhile and only paid about 8/hr. I think it totally depends on circumstance!
We normally have a lot of fun traditions for Valentine's, but since DH will be gone, I'll probably just tuck in with some ice cream and a good movie🤷🏼♀️
Re: Randoms w/o 2/4
On Valentines Day....it is also DHs birthday so we usually go out to dinner. But he gets to pick the restaurant
@kangstadt I usually rely on Pinterest for holiday crafts
Totally agree with everyone else about $10 being for kids you don't expect to have a car or even heat up fishsticks and $20+ being for adult professionals.
By which I mean I, like @lyse01, think a certain one of my jobs should consider paying ME that much.
Two or three years ago we took a trip to Luray Caverns for Valentines Day. Another year, we worked on a house project. Last year, he gave me a funny card. This year, I think I'd like chicken nuggets and toquitos. 🙂 Momma's a hungry lady.
Side story: DH was gone on a business trip. When he came back we were talking about any bodily changes that happened over the week. I said, "I'm like 200 lbs. now! Not really, just kidding."
His response: "You're gettin' pretty close."
I laughed at how inappropriate the comment was, but I brought it up.
Then he whispered, "How much do you weigh?"
I told him (180). I'm probably going to hit 230 before this baby's out. Started out at 150.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Also if you have more than one email I think you can send yourself the get $20 give $20 promo and get a $20 amazon gift card plus a free week of renting the device.
* i don’t get anything from this, just trying to spread some savings.
Babysitting: I am so lucky that I have a long list of people lined up to watch my baby. I agree tho that babysitters deserve a good wage. I did daycare at the YMCA it isn't fun.
On a while nother note this app is becoming more trouble than its worth it takes me 10 minutes to load into tje community its ridic.
Babysitters: I honestly have no idea how much babysitters run in our area, although I do have a couple of friends who have offered to sit. And we do have some family about 45 minutes away if we made big plans.
I found out last night that my dad had a massive heart attack last night. He’s in the ICU although he’s doing as well as can be expected. We’re 6 hours away and I’ve basically been a wreck for the last 24 hours so we’re driving up tomorrow after DH gets done with work to go be with my dad and stepmom. I’m hoping that being there will make me feel better than just sitting at home worrying, which is all I did today.
@jlklec19 driving up sounds like a good plan. It’ll help you to help your stepmom, and vice versa, if nothing else.
January was just rough. My uncle passed away from the same illness my Dad died from and then DS2 and DH ended up with the stomach bug at SIL’s wedding. We had no idea he was sick until he vomited and since it’s so ridiculously contagious ~8 other people ended up getting sick. Mom of the year over here.
But February has started off better! We celebrated DS2’s 3rd birthday on Super Bowl Sunday and we’re planning on getting the nursery started this weekend.
And since I finally caught up on this thread I have to say I’m super lucky because my Mom and sisters will babysit for free as do my in-laws for any date nights. We don’t go out often though. But I think the going rate is $10-15/hr in my area depending on number of kids and experience. My oldest sister is our babysitter during the week for DS2. I pay her $300/wk and if for some reason DH can’t get to DS1’s school in time for pick up she’ll help us out. I usually give an extra $30/day for that.
I can remember all those who said this year was going to be a very cold winter. Not in our area! I like snow. I miss snow. But I wouldn't want to be stuck in the freeze-out up north. Did you know 22 people have died from the cold up there?? Crazy.
Valentines day: We normally try to go out for a nice dinner (like do a chef's tasting menue or something) but I'm not sure it will happen this year since I'm so pregnant and immobile and have a hard time sitting and enjoying a full dinner out in public. On Sunday we spent the day at an asian spa and stayed over night at the hotel that hosts it, so that felt like a bit of an early valentines
Also wanted to say thanks for peoples' messages this weekend, so far all seems to be just fine with the twins even though one is quite a bit smaller than the other. Blood flow looks good and now we just have to wait and see if they keep growing. There will be more checks for sure, but no urgent actions right now (I wrote more of an update in the MoM thread).
@honey_suckle I'm so glad that everything is looking up
@mrdcle hooray for getting shit done! I was able to cross a couple things off the to do list last night too!
And I'm glad for your good news @honey_suckle. Hopefully this helps you feel like you can relax a little!
@MRDCle hooray for crossing things off the list!
I've basically been up since 4:15am (thanks pregnancy insomnia), and I have a "tea" with my dean late this afternoon. Soooooo fingers crossed that I survive that and don't make an ass out of myself due to sheer exhaustion.
H: 36
L & N twin girls: 3yo. Born at 30 weeks. 2 month NICU stay
BFP Aug 2018: EDD April 2019
DD born: 3/31/19
On babysitting... I was a nanny for awhile and only paid about 8/hr. I think it totally depends on circumstance!
We normally have a lot of fun traditions for Valentine's, but since DH will be gone, I'll probably just tuck in with some ice cream and a good movie🤷🏼♀️
Hugs for @jlklec19 and @tumblefluff!! Here is for hoping things turn around soon!