58 Comments
Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I spend an hour commuting with my kids in the car each day (30 min each way). This is far from ideal. I started checking out audio books from the library. We went through the entire Harry Potter series and are now moved on to Narnia. There is no realistic option to make our commute shorter now, but at least I can tell myself it’s the same amount of time I would spend reading out loud to my kids except with better voices. Also I stuff the backseats with a rotation of science comics and graphic novels. Art supplies used to be there but they usually break and make a mess. Origami paper and a how to guide have worked for one kid. The half hour from school to home is now their “settle down time” where they listen to the audiobook and have a snack. Frequently they ask me to pause it so they can tell me about their day or similar. Between novels there are some amazing kids podcasts out there like Greeking Out.

The other hack that has worked for us is at the dinner table I would ask the kids to tell me two truths and a lie. This has been more informative about their days than just asking or doing the rose/thorn thing. Really recommend!

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founding

A dinner table hack that has worked for us - my kids buy lunch at school, so I pull up the menu online and my husband and I each try to guess which options they chose. It's a small silly thing, but it gets them talking about their day.

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I tried two truths and a lie with my daughter tonight and it worked! Thanks for the suggestion!

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Oct 27, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I tried it the other night and both my kids liked it so much that they asked to do it again the next night. Thank you for the great idea!

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Oct 26, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

me too!

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I live in Minnesota, and my neighbor who was wearing her snow pants and full long down jacket in 40 degrees who just said "why be cold?" changed my whole perspective on when to break out the winter gear and how heavy to dress. Toughing out the cold in shorts and sandals is for teens, as an adult with disposable income I buy the good stuff and now wear it early and often. Wisdom for the ages.

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I love this! I live in Texas and for a while it felt like I had no idea how to dress for cold weather because I was just going from my car to the school where I worked and it didn't feel worth it to wear a coat. Well, now I have kids and they want to be outside all the time (as do I!) so last year I finally got my poop in a group and got some warm boots and started wearing my good coat. It's not worth it to be uncomfortable!

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Oct 26, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I came back here to say thank you for the reminder of "why be cold?" I live in Seattle and we have finally gone from 80 degrees with horrible sickening wildfire smoke (aka hell) to 45-50 degrees and raining (aka what Seattle is supposed to be like in the fall/winter), and I have been absolutely freezing. I wore my giant Eddie Bauer parka - meant for like 30 below zero - to school dropoff today and I am very happy with the decision. Do I feel silly next to people in sweaters? Kind of. Do I feel a million times happier because I'm warm? Definitely. 😂

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Oct 26, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Yes! Go forth and be warm!

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I am lol ing because I also live in MN, and am one of those who can't get over people walking around in Uggs and Canada Goose the moment there's a hint of Fall in the air. Don't get me wrong, I pull out my lightweight puffer (doesn't everyone have several levels of winter coat, lol?) and I've made sure I have at least two pair of gloves ready to go, but I'm going to be living in my long Lands End coat for months, can't bear to start in October!

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Hello Pam and Rebecca can we do a MN witches meetup, that would be delightful. :)

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Sure! I'm in Plymouth, not sure where you both are. Not sure how to take offline, let me know!

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Ha, I hear you! I bought the perfect fall coat this year, it's a softshell with a huge hood and cozy cuffs and it's been absolutely the best for the suddenly cold and rainy stuff that blows in. Love the right coat for the job. (I have my winter puff and my seriously eff this bullshit cold extra long ginormious down thing that I only wear when the high is, like, maybe 15)

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I want to more about this perfect fall coat, please

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It's a Columbia softshell I got on Poshmark for a song because it's embroidered with the logo of my alma mater, I've searched every number on the tag but can't figure out what model it was. But key points are softshell, big hood, knit cuffs and a soft knit collar so the surprise wind doesn't get in and I'm protected from surprise rain.

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My very favorite Land's End Coat is finally at the end of its life and--of course--they don't make the same coat any more. I would love some warm coat recommendations!

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I have one similar to this one from Columbia (a few years old so I don't see the exact style anymore) and it is VERY warm; even up here in Boston it's too warm for all but the coldest days -- but on those days you REALLY need it!! A few of my girlfriends have similar ones and also love them, I guess the key is the shiny reflective lining? https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-little-si-omni-heat-infinity-insulated-parka-1957691.html?dwvar_1957691_color=397

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Shiny reflective lining is A+ warm

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I’m not sure this would work for everyone but someone recommended our local buy nothing group for getting rid of stuff. I am trying to be more mindful of keeping stuff we don’t use and love the idea of a neighbor getting something they need for free. Anyway it’s been wonderful. Post it in the group, put it on the porch, gone. Goodbye stuff! You live in someone else’s house now. They can dust and/or trip over you.

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To piggy back off of this idea, I have 3 small children and we take their clothing to a trade in store where they give you credits to buy second hand stuff in their store. They have everything from maternity clothing, to books, to toys and children’s clothing from newborn to size 12/14. Buying kids clothing is getting so expensive and they grow out of it so fast so I like this secondhand idea!

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Oct 26, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Yes, I love this too! Especially with the kids' stuff that just didn't get much use for whatever reason. I'm in the Chicago 'burbs and the best option around here seems to be our Freecycle group--just wanted to throw that name out there in case people are googling.

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I heartily second this! I give away kids clothes and toys, mostly. It's nice to know that people in my neighborhood will actually be using this stuff--and it makes it a little easier to give away sentimental items.

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Completely agree! When I was in the second hand store this last time, just as I was checking out a woman brought in a Radio Flyer tricycle to trade in and I bought it right on the spot! She said she was torn with the idea of giving it away because all of her daughters have used it but she was grateful someone wanted it right away!

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Easy way to keep your shower/bathtub clean:

1. Get one of those pot scrubbers with a soap dispenser

2. Fill the dispenser 1:1 with white vinegar and Dawn dish soap.

3. Keep it in the bathroom. Before getting out of the shower/bath scrub down the surfaces and rinse.

It takes 5 minutes at the most.

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

My mind is blown.

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founding
Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

(1) The recommendation I’m going to take next week is the “weekday me-day.” Take a weekday while the kid is at school off or mostly off from work. Go to the high end spa, book a massage and read a book. That way I’m not taking away from kid time but I’m still getting a break. Brilliant suggestion from a friend

(2) the “awesome” suggestion from me is commissioning art. Turns out you can commission things at normal price tags as well as thousands and thousands of dollars. I have a kick ass vase coming just for me from amyraehill.com.

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My spouse and I do the same, we call them "day dates" - work until about 2pm, meet for lunch, sometimes head back home for some us time and then go get the kids from after school. It's only a few hours off work and it's SO GOOD. Plus no expense for babysitting offsets the date :)

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Period panties. Bambody from amazon is my favorite (get them 2 sizes larger than you think you need). They do not stink. They are no more gross than a pad or a tampon. They are so comfortable. They wash up perfectly. yes, this is better for the planet but more importantly they make being on my period so much less uncomfortable - especially since in my 40's I sometimes get really big bleeds that even a super tampon can't stop.

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I can also recommend Period Co and Modibodi brands. I’ve had some from both for about a year and I couldn’t be happier. Also, I got reimbursed for them from my FSA.

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I've now added these to my Amazon cart. I've looked at period panties a few times -- haven't really wanted to spend the money though without knowing how they work. Love seeing 2 witchy recs here! (esp. b/c I'm one of those perimenopausal women who struggles w heavy flows. Hey -- if I click "buy" on period panties, my period will probably stop, right? 'cause me deciding to spend money on this is exactly the kind of thing that might make my ovaries decide to finally cease function)

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Totally seconding this one - I bought two pairs during a Black Friday sale last year and am going to have to get more this year. I have two heavy days and three or four light days and on those heavy days, those panties are a godsend! Mine are Modibody, and I also suggest getting at least one size up.

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I've been in a lunch rut lately and finally reached out to a local mom group I'm a part of for suggestions. And boy did they! My favorite suggestion has been making myself really good sandwiches with sourdough, fancy mayonnaise, the good deli cheese and meat, and pickles. It's really nice to tell myself that I can have the "good" stuff and not just settle for leftovers (which are also delicious but frankly not what I need right now)

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Look up your dishwasher model and google/amazon "(your dishwasher model) silverware basket" and buy an extra silverware basket for your dishwasher. That way if you, like me, don't always immediately unload your clean dishwasher, you can throw dirty silverware into the extra basket and then put it right into the dishwasher once you do get around to unloading it. I learned this from KC Davis/domesticblisters on tiktok and I'm not exaggerating when I say it has CHANGED MY LIFE. I am a total evangelist for extra dishwasher basket. It will be my default housewarming present from now on.

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author

I love this silverware idea!!! I totally get caught in silverware limbo.

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Oct 24, 2022·edited Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Oooh when the kids were younger a mom friend mentioned that some kid gyms have a parents night out where you can drop your kid off on a Friday or Saturday night and they have your kid climb walls and tucker them out, feed them pizza, etc for a few hours while you can go out for your own grown up dinner. Once you pick your kids up they are exhausted and ready for bed. Everyone wins! We got a package to a gym relatively close by and were able to milk it for several date nights.

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My kid’s best friend’s mom just told us about Snapology, which is a national franchise that does Lego camps for kids. We just did a parents night out there this weekend and went out to dinner as a couple for the first time since before the pandemic started. And our kid got to do Legos with an enthusiastic adult who was not us! Incredible!

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

My friend just told me that for christmas, get the kids a play kitchen from Craigslist if possible, because that way it comes ALREADY ASSEMBLED. My mind was blown. Of course. Craigslist. I won't have to *set it up*. Last year I was up until four am building a little tikes ice cream truck. This year I know better.

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And this is a great gift that keeps on giving because you will be doing someone a favor by taking theirs off their hands

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

So many!

-When you get a kids prescription, tape masking tape to the side and draw circles / days of week so you can keep track of doses.

- send your kids outside and tell them they should come in "when they are ready to clean their rooms" (proceed to not see them for hours)

- inspired by the "Shamu saved my marriage" Modern Love essay, I often think "put the food where I want their bodies to be" (sometimes this is outside, sometimes it's in the basement, rarely it's in the kitchen where I am)

- from my sister "if you say bored, you get a chore"

also PS DOWN WITH FOLDING CLOTHES, it's a scam!

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author

stop the folding madness indeed especially PAJAMAS

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Oct 27, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

I have written about this for Romper I HAVE OPINIONS https://www.romper.com/life/folding-clothes-is-a-scam-laundry-chores

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author

you know what's been good about this advice is that I no longer have to make my kid fold his clothes either.

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Oct 28, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

EXACTLY. it's an exponential time saver

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author

it makes me hate laundry much less!

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When u take your kids’ temperature or give meds take a photo on your phone. That way you know the temperature & time of day and when you last gave them their mess. Meds. Typo stays🤣😂

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

1. At my baby shower (2014), a former colleague/friend with a toddler brought a large bottle of Mustela No Rinse Cleansing Water for Face and Diaper Area for Baby. She was like, someone gave me this and it is the best, so here. It IS the best. It smells delicious but mildly so, and on a wipe, it instantly cleans lingering poo film/spit up residue /all baby crevice cheese and related smells. It can get to you through when a bath is not feasible or possible, like blowouts. It looks like a euro extra fussy baby item, but was CRUCIAL. Now it is what I bring to all parents-to-be. Also, the first bottle, even with almost daily use, lasted me till she was about 9 months old, when I promptly replaced it.

2. Oxy Clean, even for already-washed and dried grease stains (looking at you, milk and formula.) And now just--all child-related stains.

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Another wearable blanket option that gets me through the winter: Venustas Wearable Blanket Hoodie on Amazon - currently about $34 and worth every penny.

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For any UK-based witches, I got mine from M&S and *everyone* in the family is obsessed with it. It's big enough that my 4-y/o uses it as a "house", and cats are irresistibly drawn to my lap when I'm wearing it.

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1) I am absolutely obsessed with this salt: Amabito No Moshio (Seaweed Salt). It adds a subtle umami flavor to whatever you're working with. Totally worth upgrading from your basic table or sea salt.

2) If you like fidget toys or want to keep your hands busy, may I recommend the best fidget toy I've ever interacted with: PILPOC theFube Infinity Cube Fidget Desk Toy. Make sure it looks like you're getting one of colored metal. These ones have a weight to them that is soooo satisfying, and they'll hold up longer.

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founding

Oooh, my desk fidget of a pillaged magnetic backing from a high end name tag is finally dying and this might be the satisfying thing I need.

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Thank you! I usually stick a fidget toy in every year as a stocking stuffer and this looks great.

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Oh - The PROPER way to open a can (this was LIFE CHANGING )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVYrWJqxejU&ab_channel=40%2F29News

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Oct 24, 2022Liked by Claire Zulkey

Claire, I am here in Victoria with my brother Den and new sister-in-law Cala as Den almost died last week. Anyway last night we were cleaning the bathroom together, getting ready to bring Den home from open heart surgery, and she came out of her bedroom wearing this gorgeous faux-fur cape thing. Apparently it is a Christmas tree skirt she bought for $15 last Christmas. She wore it all the time for a couple of months and got compliments constantly. I will send you a pic later.

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author

I love this

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This isn't a product recommendation but I recently finished The Empress on Netflix and LOVED IT. I watched most of it on a plane traveling to a work conference. If you like Victoria or The Crown, take some time for yourself and check it out. (Keep in mind that it is in German; I couldn't watch while suffering a terrible headache post COVID booster.)

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My life was changed when my neighbor recommended just going to Supercuts once a week and having them wash and blow out my hair. My hair is very frizzy/curly and hard to manage--I was spending a ton of money on products/tools/special conditioners anyways, and so honestly I feel like the cost kind of works out! Plus I get to sit in a chair and read for an hour. I did make some cuts in other parts of the budget to make it work--no more fancy coffees in my life lol.

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That wearable throw looks awesome! I have a big blanket like that and yes, I try working with it wrapped around me sometimes, but the wearable throw looks like it'd work so much better. WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS WHILE I STILL HAD KIDS PLAYING FALL SOCCER ??

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I have an electric heated throw from Target that I use all day while working. But I want the wearable throw anyway!

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