1 00:00:02,720 --> 00:00:05,880 Speaker 1: Hi. This is Laura Vandercamp. I'm a mother of five, 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: an author, journalist, and speaker. And this is Sarah Hartunger. 3 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: I'm a mother of three, a practicing physician and blogger. 4 00:00:13,480 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: On the side, we are two working parents who love 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,320 Speaker 1: our careers and our families. Welcome to best of both worlds. 6 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: Here we talk about how real women manage work, family, 7 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:25,800 Speaker 1: and time for fun, from figuring out childcare to mapping 8 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:28,360 Speaker 1: out long term career goals. We want you to get 9 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 1: the most out of life. Welcome the best of both worlds. 10 00:00:34,080 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 1: This is Laura. This is episode two hundred and sixty four, 11 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: airing in late August of twenty twenty two. This is 12 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: our annual back to school extravaganza and acknowledging that many 13 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:51,120 Speaker 1: of our listeners are not headed back to school exactly yet, 14 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: I will say that this is going to be a 15 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 1: little bit more of Sarah's energy than my energy as 16 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:57,880 Speaker 1: we are recording this in mid August, because my kids 17 00:00:57,920 --> 00:01:02,720 Speaker 1: don't go back until September sixth, but yours are already back, 18 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:07,399 Speaker 1: right Sarah, Yes, minor back as of today. I know 19 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:09,679 Speaker 1: this is frustrating. It would be nice if everyone in 20 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: the entire country was in sync and we could all 21 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: experience the pleasure. We have internationals too, so then that 22 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: wouldn't that is true? Yeah, well, we'd never get one 23 00:01:19,880 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 1: time when everyone goes and some of it's I mean, 24 00:01:22,319 --> 00:01:24,960 Speaker 1: there's a number of districts that do the year round 25 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:26,960 Speaker 1: sort of thing. They have sort of a shorter, truncated 26 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:29,199 Speaker 1: summer and do longer breaks in the in the middle 27 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,640 Speaker 1: of the year. So yeah, we'd never get everyone. It's okay, 28 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: that is true. Well, if you are already in the 29 00:01:36,319 --> 00:01:38,200 Speaker 1: thick of things and have had your kids in school 30 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:40,720 Speaker 1: for two weeks when this airs, which is probably true 31 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 1: for some people, or if you're preparing for a couple 32 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,880 Speaker 1: of weeks from now, hopefully this proteins to at least 33 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 1: some of you, and hopefully I can get Laura's energy. 34 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: She is literally recording this from a beach vacation, so 35 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:55,720 Speaker 1: I can see why. You know, we're in a little 36 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: bit different places right now. We're in the middle of 37 00:01:57,600 --> 00:01:59,760 Speaker 1: a beach vacation and like, the kids don't start for 38 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:03,160 Speaker 1: three so it's just that the back to school energy 39 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: is kind of not there. But I'm going to channel it. 40 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: I'm going to do it. We've been back to school 41 00:02:07,480 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 1: a great many times, so I'm sure we'll have have 42 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: thoughts exactly. Okay, so where are we right now? My 43 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 1: children are going into pre K, third grade, and fifth grade, 44 00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: and as I've mentioned previously, my kids do go to 45 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: a private Montessori school that has the kids in different 46 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: classroom ages buckets that are combined per Montessori traditions. So 47 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: none of my kids are actually changing classrooms, and only 48 00:02:36,160 --> 00:02:39,200 Speaker 1: one of them is changing teachers because a much loved 49 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 1: teacher has retired, so Genevie will have to adjust to 50 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:46,080 Speaker 1: a new main teacher. But it actually is like a 51 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: big year of like not a lot of change for us. 52 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: We have really a lot of logistical advantages of one school, 53 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: one drop off, one pick up. Basically, they allow you 54 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,000 Speaker 1: to drop everybody off at the same time if you 55 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: have multiple kids, even though the starts are slightly staggered. 56 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 1: And I feel really lucky because I'm thinking about the 57 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:10,480 Speaker 1: logistical challenges that I know Laura is likely going to 58 00:03:10,520 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: be contending with. But I will say, to some extent, 59 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:16,840 Speaker 1: this was by design. And you know, not all my 60 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: kids necessarily need this different educational approach, but at least 61 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:23,359 Speaker 1: one or two of them seem to really really benefit 62 00:03:23,440 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 1: for it and from it, and therefore we kind of 63 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:31,079 Speaker 1: made the decision that the cost was worth making things 64 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 1: incredibly easy for our family. Yeah, totally makes sense, because, yes, 65 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:37,000 Speaker 1: one of the reasons I am not in the back 66 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,320 Speaker 1: to school mindset is I'm kind of pushing it forward 67 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:42,960 Speaker 1: the logistical hassles that this is going to entail. We 68 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 1: have five children in four different schools, so my oldest 69 00:03:49,480 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: is going into tenth grade in high school. Then we 70 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 1: have two children who are starting at our district's new 71 00:03:55,600 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 1: middle school, which is kind of exciting except for the 72 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: fact that our district's new middle schools to still be 73 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: a construction site three weeks before the opening of school. 74 00:04:05,080 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 1: Allegedly the certificate of occupancy is coming through in the 75 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: next week or two. We'll see, but they are starting 76 00:04:11,040 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: seventh and fifth grade there. This is a new thing 77 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: for our district to make middle school five six, seven, eight. 78 00:04:16,960 --> 00:04:20,919 Speaker 1: It was part of getting rid of some overcrowding and so, 79 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 1: you know, it's a kind of interesting study. How do 80 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,280 Speaker 1: you do that with the minimal amount of new building. 81 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 1: And so they built one new middle school. They had 82 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 1: two before. Now they will have three made middle school 83 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:35,400 Speaker 1: five through eight, and so that alleviates some of the 84 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:39,799 Speaker 1: elementary school crowding. But anyway, one child going into second 85 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 1: grade and one child starting preschool, which is very exciting 86 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:49,040 Speaker 1: for my little dude going to. It's also a Monesssori school, 87 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:53,600 Speaker 1: though not terribly hardcore Montessori. We've experimented with some other 88 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,719 Speaker 1: Montessori schools in the past, and this is not nearly 89 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:01,280 Speaker 1: as people who've done Montessori. No, there's different versions of 90 00:05:01,480 --> 00:05:05,720 Speaker 1: you know, gradations of how into it Europe. Anyway, it's great. 91 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:07,960 Speaker 1: That's where all our other kids have gone to. It's 92 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:11,359 Speaker 1: a neighborhood preschool and so we're excited to be sending 93 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 1: him there too. But yeah, four different schools, different times, 94 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:19,599 Speaker 1: different buses. Like the kids will have activities, so that'll 95 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: be I just you know, there's going to be a 96 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:25,360 Speaker 1: lot of driving. I'm just sort of making myself okay 97 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 1: with that. One thing I have learned over the summer 98 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 1: is sort of how to plan days knowing that there's 99 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,719 Speaker 1: driving at the beginning and end, and how you can 100 00:05:35,839 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 1: organize your workflow with that, and you know, I won't 101 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,479 Speaker 1: be the only one driving hopefully obviously. That's we'll see 102 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:43,880 Speaker 1: how that goes too, But you know it'll work one 103 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 1: way or the other. There are buses as well, and 104 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: it might get easier after this year, because maybe your 105 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,479 Speaker 1: oldest will be driving the year after, so maybe this 106 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: will be the peak. So the curious part of this 107 00:05:56,880 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 1: is Pennsylvania various has these graduated licensing things, So I'm 108 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 1: not sure that as a teenager you can drive younger 109 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 1: children you can drive yourself. I would hope there'd be 110 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 1: an exception for your own siblings. I haven't looked into it. 111 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 1: I probably should, but yeah, one of the things they 112 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 1: do in order to keep you know, teenings from crashing 113 00:06:19,160 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: cars with other teens in them, is to sort of 114 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: limit what teen drivers can do. But yes, if you 115 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:27,880 Speaker 1: are the eldest of five kids, is nice if you 116 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 1: would be able to drive. So we'll see, we'll see 117 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:32,400 Speaker 1: how that all winds up working out. But yeah, no, 118 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:34,880 Speaker 1: a lot of logistics. The new middle school is farther 119 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:39,679 Speaker 1: from our house than the old middle school. The bus 120 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 1: is down at the bottom of our hill, which is 121 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 1: fine for the older kids. I do not want Alex 122 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:48,039 Speaker 1: waiting there on a busy street for the bus, so 123 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: he's going to need to get driven and drop you know, 124 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,920 Speaker 1: picked up many logistics. We've been signing up for activities. 125 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: I just the headache. I'm trying to push the headache forward, enjoy, 126 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 1: enjoy my hummer energy. I know you don't want to 127 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:03,800 Speaker 1: do it yet, but do you. I think in that case, 128 00:07:03,800 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 1: I would have to literally write it down to understand 129 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 1: like what a play by play would look like in 130 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: because it does sound like it will be complicated. I 131 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 1: think it will be complicated. And yes, there will be 132 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 1: a time when I get the bus schedules and all 133 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: that that I will actually sit down and do the logistics, 134 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 1: but at the moment just kind of putting it off, 135 00:07:24,240 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: putting it off. Awesome. Well, this is also our first 136 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: school year in the last three I guess twenty twenty, 137 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty one, and now twenty twenty two. That's pretty 138 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: much normal from an infectious disease standpoint, and I'm super 139 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: excited about that. My kids were like, oh, drop off 140 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: is going faster because they're not taking temperatures, which I 141 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: had like stopped noticing that they were taking temperatures, but 142 00:07:48,160 --> 00:07:51,520 Speaker 1: they were taking temperatures even through camp and now they're not, 143 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: and you know, obviously people feel different ways about different things. 144 00:07:55,920 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: But we are a family that is pretty happy to 145 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 1: be just normal and have any masks and activities are back, 146 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: and school lunch is back, and yes, we've all had 147 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:11,400 Speaker 1: COVID a couple of times, so it's all good. It's okay. Yeah, yeah, no, 148 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: I think I think we're fairly normal as well. They've 149 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:19,320 Speaker 1: stopped most of the mitigation things we'll see in the preschool, 150 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 1: I think because they just updated the guidance that people 151 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: who have been exposed don't need to quarantine. And I 152 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 1: think part of the preschool's guidance is that if you 153 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:29,640 Speaker 1: know your kid had been exposed, you were supposed to 154 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 1: keep them home, and now that, of course the CDC 155 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 1: guidance has changed. So anyway, we'll see. But here I'm 156 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: fingers crossed like that it's going to be just a normal, 157 00:08:38,840 --> 00:08:42,319 Speaker 1: great year kids get to go to school in person 158 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 1: the whole time. But let's hope for that. So, Sarah, 159 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 1: why don't we talk about backpacks? Yes, some of these 160 00:08:52,120 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: logistical material type things. Well, actually, we don't have very 161 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 1: much exciting news to report on the backpack front, except 162 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:02,200 Speaker 1: that I will say those classic Ell bean bags not 163 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:05,559 Speaker 1: a podcast sponser, but they really wear very well, so 164 00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 1: I bought one for each of my kids last year. 165 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:10,680 Speaker 1: We kind of go on in every two to three 166 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,000 Speaker 1: year cycle, I feel like for buying book bags, and 167 00:09:14,040 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: this year they looked great, so I didn't have to 168 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 1: purchase one for anyone and I didn't get any complainings, 169 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: so that was good. Yeah, we have two LLBean for 170 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:27,559 Speaker 1: the older two boys, and then the younger kids are 171 00:09:27,600 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: more into the expression that comes from various cheaper backpacks. 172 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: You know what Ruth's is like a fuzzy blue one 173 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: or something, and Alex's was camouflage or something. We may 174 00:09:40,960 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: wind up doing either because they'll need new ones because 175 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 1: of course those only last a year, but either the 176 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 1: llbeing for them, Ruth may be ready to graduate into 177 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:53,240 Speaker 1: the LLBean variety. I think Pottery Barn is another one 178 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 1: that does. I've seen good reviews on that they tend 179 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:01,920 Speaker 1: to last. Good Housekeeping actually had a write up and 180 00:10:01,960 --> 00:10:03,520 Speaker 1: I was going to pull that up because I took 181 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:05,840 Speaker 1: a picture of it if I can find it. We've 182 00:10:05,880 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 1: had a number of Pottery Barn backpacks. I think the 183 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:10,680 Speaker 1: backpacks are great. I'm not a huge fan of the 184 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 1: Pottery Barn lunchbacks because they are not machine washable, and 185 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:17,960 Speaker 1: my experience with any non machine watchable lunch bag is 186 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 1: it's absolutely disgusting in about a week. Yeah, maybe my 187 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:24,000 Speaker 1: kids are just really gross. I don't know, but yeah, 188 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 1: but their backpacks are really cute and they do have 189 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: a lot of different like patterns and for younger kids 190 00:10:28,880 --> 00:10:33,319 Speaker 1: like very cute designs. Yeah, Pottery Barn Kids, the Columbia, 191 00:10:33,640 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 1: so you know, the outdoor company that makes fleeces and stuff. 192 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 1: Obviously they make backpacks too, but they don't just make 193 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:43,080 Speaker 1: pack backpacks. They make academic backpacks too, so those are 194 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: recommended by Good Housekeeping as well and have good sturdy 195 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: laptop sleeves, so if you've got high schoolers, for instance, 196 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 1: increasingly middle schoolers and elementary schoolers too that have the 197 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,360 Speaker 1: one to one device programs. And then finally, their last 198 00:10:56,400 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 1: recommendation was the lands In Classmate back pack, which is 199 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 1: very lightweight and yet was still durable. So those are 200 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,520 Speaker 1: all the ones that were put through the Good house 201 00:11:08,559 --> 00:11:11,559 Speaker 1: Caving test. If you're in the market for a backpack, 202 00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 1: we'll see I probably am Henry is so excited. We 203 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:18,400 Speaker 1: have this old Lightning McQueen, tiny little backpack. You can't 204 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 1: even fit like a book in there. But it's just 205 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: so cute, and so we'll probably send him with that 206 00:11:24,840 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: just so he can feel excited about having a backpack 207 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:30,559 Speaker 1: as well. I love that my kids' backpacks are basically 208 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 1: the exact same design as the ones that I used 209 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: in the nineties. Like the fabrics, the prints have changed, 210 00:11:36,720 --> 00:11:39,319 Speaker 1: but the structure of it like they kept the same. 211 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: And it's probably because they know that the parents use 212 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 1: those backpacks thirty years ago and are excited to buy 213 00:11:44,559 --> 00:11:46,959 Speaker 1: them again. But I'm happy. Yeah, all right, Well let's 214 00:11:46,960 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 1: take a quick ad break and then we'll be right 215 00:11:48,640 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: back to talk about lunches. So we are here doing 216 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:07,440 Speaker 1: our back to school extravaganza. This is what episode number 217 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 1: five of back to School. It was almost like our 218 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 1: fifth anniversary too. I seem to recall that we launched 219 00:12:12,400 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 1: this podcast when I was at this beach house five 220 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:17,720 Speaker 1: years ago in twenty seventeen. So we'll put in a 221 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:22,560 Speaker 1: little happy five year anniversary to us. We're celebrated with 222 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:26,160 Speaker 1: our back to school extravaganza. So your kids are buying lunch. 223 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:30,160 Speaker 1: This is exciting. This is a development. Yeah, I don't 224 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: think my kids have had a bought lunch since, like 225 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:35,320 Speaker 1: ever Duke Daycare. I don't even think we did it 226 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: at the other school. Maybe I don't know, my memory 227 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,439 Speaker 1: is fading, but yeah, we have not done it in 228 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,040 Speaker 1: a long time. And then the school they go to 229 00:12:43,160 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: stopped offering purchase lunch during COVID, so it wasn't even 230 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:49,559 Speaker 1: an option, but they got a new vendor and the 231 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 1: kids wanted to try it, so it was really lovely 232 00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 1: not having to pack any lunchboxes. Our nanny does help 233 00:12:55,480 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 1: generally pack the lunchboxes during the week, but it's like 234 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 1: I have to do Monday obviously, so I could just 235 00:13:01,320 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 1: assure you my children are eating whatever the hot lunch 236 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 1: is every Monday for the whole year. That's good at 237 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:10,080 Speaker 1: the end, so it makes Monday easier. I got to say, 238 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:15,600 Speaker 1: we are. We have a general policy in the family 239 00:13:15,679 --> 00:13:19,359 Speaker 1: that if you are over age eight, you are responsible 240 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:24,760 Speaker 1: for your own lunch. Jasper and Sam purchase their lunches. 241 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: Ruth packs hers many a day. She has some we 242 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:32,080 Speaker 1: look at the lunch menu and order well during COVID times, 243 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 1: we would pre order for the days that she wanted it. 244 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 1: We'll see what it winds up looking like this year. 245 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:41,720 Speaker 1: But then she packs her own, and she gets into 246 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:44,720 Speaker 1: the little binto boxes and cool little like she's scoring 247 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:46,439 Speaker 1: the sides of her cucumber to make them look a 248 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: little bit more exciting. And then I pack Alex's, which 249 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:55,520 Speaker 1: is usually very modular because he only eats about five foods, 250 00:13:55,559 --> 00:13:58,160 Speaker 1: so it's not very challenging to put that one together. 251 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: But he will turn eight this year, so he will 252 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: need to learn to put that together himself. So very exciting. 253 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 1: I want lunch to not be my problem. I probably 254 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 1: if I didn't have the help, I would have been 255 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: more proactive with that. Annabelle does enjoy making her lunch 256 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: a lot of the time. The other two I feel 257 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: like it's not worth the trouble yet. But Cameron is eight, 258 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: so I don't know he needs to get on it anyway. 259 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: We've had the same containers actually that I just want 260 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: to give a shout out called lunch bots that I 261 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:34,120 Speaker 1: bought from Amazon like nine million years ago, and they 262 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 1: go through the dishwasher and they're shockingly like still pristine. 263 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,680 Speaker 1: And I think it's probably four or five years ago 264 00:14:40,760 --> 00:14:43,480 Speaker 1: that we bought them with everyday use because my kids 265 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 1: were not buying lunch. I guess during when they were 266 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: home for those few months they didn't get used, but 267 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,640 Speaker 1: otherwise they got used. And the only issue with them 268 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:52,400 Speaker 1: is that my bigger kids are starting to age out 269 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:53,800 Speaker 1: of the size of them, because they're like more for 270 00:14:53,880 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: younger kids. But I feel like it's easier when they're 271 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: going to bring lunch to just like add extra items 272 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: rather than to buy a bigger container. Yeah, we bought 273 00:15:02,560 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 1: a few of those, Yeah, padded lunchboks. I don't know. 274 00:15:05,040 --> 00:15:06,840 Speaker 1: I wipe them down. I can't say that I throw 275 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: them in the lunch in the washing machine or anything. 276 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: Maybe my well, given that we only have two kids 277 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: using them, but uh, yeah, I don't know. Maybe my 278 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: tolerance for grossness is incredibly high or something that could 279 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 1: be what it is. I don't know. I haven't put 280 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: a whole lot of thought into it. We do wipe out, 281 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: we'd wash out the Bento box. It's like, you know, right, No, 282 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:31,040 Speaker 1: I was talking about the metal the bench. Well, ours 283 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:32,400 Speaker 1: is kind of like a Bento box, but it's like 284 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 1: a metal container that goes in the neoprene lunch bag. Okay, gotcha, gotcha. 285 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,720 Speaker 1: The metal container goes in the dishwasher, The neoprene lunch 286 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: bag goes in the washing machine weekly because yeah, I 287 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: don't know. Again, maybe I it could be low tolerance 288 00:15:44,880 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 1: or it could just be very messy children, one or 289 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: the other. So tell me about school supplies. How did 290 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: the school supply shopping go? Yes, we did a pretty 291 00:15:52,680 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 1: seamless day. We just went to Target and Annabel. The 292 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 1: only kid who had like a longish list was Annabel, 293 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: and the other two lists were so minimal. But I 294 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 1: knew from last year and they did it again where 295 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: they gave this minimal list and then on the day 296 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 1: before school starting, they were like, actually, we want all 297 00:16:07,640 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: this stuff, and since I remembered it, I just got 298 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: a bunch of extra stuff. So Animal and Cameron picked 299 00:16:12,760 --> 00:16:15,200 Speaker 1: out their own stuff, Genevieve picked out a few things 300 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: they didn't require that much, and then I filled in 301 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: a couple of gaps via Amazon. It was very low key, 302 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:21,720 Speaker 1: I got to say. So I had to make up 303 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,120 Speaker 1: for that by buying myself a lot of school support, 304 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,720 Speaker 1: like a lot. I think I made two jet Pens 305 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: orders in the last two weeks. And I don't know. 306 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,880 Speaker 1: I think it's just the fall energy. And also I 307 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: was watching some very enticing YouTube videos that Jetpens puts 308 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:42,720 Speaker 1: out while I was on vacation, and I was like, oh, 309 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 1: I want to try that. I want to try that. 310 00:16:44,440 --> 00:16:46,920 Speaker 1: I want to try that. And I have best laid plans, 311 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:48,920 Speaker 1: which feels kind of like an enabler because if I 312 00:16:48,920 --> 00:16:51,480 Speaker 1: get something cool, I can review it. And anyway, my 313 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:56,160 Speaker 1: favorite things that I got are a binder notebook by 314 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:59,680 Speaker 1: the brand Maruman. It's Japanese. It has like rings that 315 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:01,520 Speaker 1: look like spiral bound, but there's a little lever on 316 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: the bottom so they open up so it's like a 317 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,240 Speaker 1: spiral notebook where you could like move the pages around. 318 00:17:05,400 --> 00:17:06,880 Speaker 1: I just thought that was the coolest thing, and it's 319 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:10,479 Speaker 1: just very aesthetically pleasing. It sounds better that I'm describing it. 320 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:15,080 Speaker 1: And then I also got a set of these amusing 321 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:19,159 Speaker 1: one right now Zebra click art felt tip pens, which 322 00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:23,120 Speaker 1: are a unique product because generally felt tip pens are 323 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: not clickable pens. They have caps that my children lose 324 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: and throw everywhere, So this is pretty cool and they're 325 00:17:28,840 --> 00:17:30,679 Speaker 1: supposed to really not dry out for at least a 326 00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:34,399 Speaker 1: year or so, and so yeah, I'm enjoying it. My 327 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:38,239 Speaker 1: own back to school completely unnecessary school supplies. I think 328 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:41,679 Speaker 1: it's a requirement you know. I think if you're shopping 329 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 1: for your kids and you see cool notebooks and pens, 330 00:17:43,800 --> 00:17:45,400 Speaker 1: like you got to have it too. I mean really, 331 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,960 Speaker 1: it's just there's no other way to do it. I'm 332 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:49,800 Speaker 1: sure I will succomme as well. I'll be getting cool 333 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:53,199 Speaker 1: little notebooks from Target and Pens because I need them, definitely. 334 00:17:53,200 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: I need them, just like I need the ten other 335 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 1: unopened notebooks I have in my desk for that are 336 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 1: just no longer as cool I would throw out there. 337 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,520 Speaker 1: If people are looking for new calendars planners, you should 338 00:18:03,560 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 1: check out Best Like Plans, Sarah's other podcast. Now is 339 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 1: a good time of year to start ordering those things, 340 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,440 Speaker 1: just because if you haven't already, you're going to start 341 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 1: in the next like three weeks getting things that start 342 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:18,640 Speaker 1: happening in January to need to put on your calendar. 343 00:18:18,760 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 1: And so when you are just sort of writing it 344 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,199 Speaker 1: scribbling in the back of your current calendar or whatever 345 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: your current planner, you might lose track of it. So 346 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,000 Speaker 1: probably in the next few weeks it's the time to 347 00:18:28,520 --> 00:18:30,920 Speaker 1: order whatever product you are getting for the next year. 348 00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: And Sarah has tons of reviews up, tons of suggestions. 349 00:18:34,680 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 1: Yes so or send me an email if you have specifics, 350 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 1: sometimes I will do a planner match me. That sounds good. 351 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: So are your kids doing laptops then at school? Like, 352 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 1: how does that work for you guys? Yeah? So for technology, actually, 353 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,199 Speaker 1: this is the last year. I think that none of 354 00:18:50,200 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: them will have like a school laptop or chromebook or 355 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:56,359 Speaker 1: anything like that. Annabo's homework is generally on the computer, 356 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 1: and I think they do a lot of computer stuff 357 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:00,399 Speaker 1: at school, but not to the point where you have 358 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:02,919 Speaker 1: to bring a laptop or everyone has their own dedicated laptop. 359 00:19:02,960 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 1: They use Google Classroom, they use a number of different apps. 360 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 1: She is far better than me at PowerPoint, Like seriously, 361 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 1: she's like very good. So she does a lot of 362 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:15,719 Speaker 1: things online, but she doesn't have like a dedicated device. 363 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:18,440 Speaker 1: Cameron's class is a mix. I would say it's like 364 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: more like half and half, maybe skewed more towards paper. 365 00:19:21,320 --> 00:19:24,800 Speaker 1: And then Genevieve's early childhood classroom there's no screens at all, 366 00:19:24,880 --> 00:19:27,439 Speaker 1: so it's kind of gradated. And I'm sure next year 367 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 1: when Anibo goes to middle school, I think pretty much 368 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:34,200 Speaker 1: everything is electronic based. Yeah, our kids, our district has 369 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:38,640 Speaker 1: a one to one device program now, and so Dasper 370 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:44,760 Speaker 1: had a laptop. They have either chromebooks or iPads or 371 00:19:44,760 --> 00:19:48,400 Speaker 1: something for the different the different ages, but yeah, all 372 00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 1: four of them keep track of them and sometimes better 373 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 1: than others. We've had a few broken ones or lost chargers, 374 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:58,720 Speaker 1: but there's required to buy the insurance, so I guess 375 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 1: that's why so far we've managed to deal with it. 376 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:04,359 Speaker 1: But it makes it easy if they do close for snow, 377 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 1: for instance, they can just go virtual and everyone already 378 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:10,280 Speaker 1: has the device. So however, it does make the back 379 00:20:10,359 --> 00:20:13,199 Speaker 1: packs kind of heavy, which could be kind of a 380 00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: problem if you're taking it back and forth every day. 381 00:20:15,680 --> 00:20:19,000 Speaker 1: Are you getting Annabella phone by the way, Yeah, I'm 382 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:21,640 Speaker 1: I'm trying to like figure out why she would really 383 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:25,640 Speaker 1: need a phone. The only activity that she does where 384 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:27,440 Speaker 1: she's kind of alone and gets picked up as her 385 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:31,359 Speaker 1: theater class. Everything else is so close by or there's 386 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:34,760 Speaker 1: like a parent staying there, but for theater she'll get 387 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:36,760 Speaker 1: dropped off, and for tennis, I'm hoping to coordinate some 388 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:39,119 Speaker 1: kind of drop off situation. So I am leaning towards 389 00:20:39,119 --> 00:20:41,200 Speaker 1: actually just getting her a gab phone to start with, 390 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 1: which is like she actually I think once the watch 391 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:45,840 Speaker 1: version you can call, you can text, but it really 392 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:47,760 Speaker 1: doesn't do anything else fun, so it can't really be 393 00:20:47,800 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: a distraction at school. I don't have you know, I 394 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:53,400 Speaker 1: don't have a specific age where I'm planning to get 395 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: her one. It's more of a matter of need. But 396 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:57,880 Speaker 1: I guess I do want to put off the temptation 397 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,399 Speaker 1: of like, you know, kids get to a certain in 398 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 1: like seventh and eighth grade, where like you see them 399 00:21:02,119 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 1: in a cluster and like no one's looking at anybody 400 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: else anymore. I also don't want to be her, to 401 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:08,480 Speaker 1: be like the only one without a phone and nobody 402 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: looking at her. So you know, you got to straddle 403 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:13,280 Speaker 1: that boundary. I guess, Yeah, I don't know. I think. 404 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:15,399 Speaker 1: I mean, everyone has them, and they use it to 405 00:21:15,800 --> 00:21:18,560 Speaker 1: manage their friendships. So yes, you will intact cut your 406 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:20,879 Speaker 1: children off from everyone else if you are that parent 407 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:24,919 Speaker 1: who refuses to. But yeah, no, we've decided age eleven 408 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: is our family policy. So Ruth will turn eleven this fall, 409 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:32,280 Speaker 1: and so she will get hers. Jasper and Sam both 410 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:35,120 Speaker 1: got phones at eleven, and as far as I can tell, 411 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,200 Speaker 1: seem to be managing it all right. I mean, yes, 412 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,480 Speaker 1: they spend a lot of time on it, but it's 413 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 1: also helpful just for like, I do have a reasonable 414 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:47,199 Speaker 1: amount of parenting by text, and so particularly with teenagers, 415 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,119 Speaker 1: that's that's how you do it. They're out in a situation, 416 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,880 Speaker 1: want mom's input if you give it to them, and 417 00:21:53,000 --> 00:21:55,639 Speaker 1: you know, it's a way to reach them. The funny 418 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:57,520 Speaker 1: thing is we already do a lot. So that's the thing. 419 00:21:57,560 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 1: Like she has a phone that has Wi Fi and 420 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 1: has an iPad that can texts and message and everything, 421 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 1: So like that's a funny distinction there is, like in 422 00:22:06,040 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 1: some ways I feel like we're just already there. Yeah, yeah, 423 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 1: she just couldn't take a iPad really with her to 424 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:14,880 Speaker 1: the mall in her pocket or something, right, correct, But yeah, 425 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 1: I do text her, actually I'll be and you know, 426 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 1: we've started doing very brief stints of her being home 427 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 1: alone and stuff, and it's helpful for her to be 428 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:24,040 Speaker 1: able to be TechEd. Well, that is, honestly. So it's 429 00:22:24,119 --> 00:22:27,040 Speaker 1: partly because Jasper and Sam both have phones that I 430 00:22:27,040 --> 00:22:29,159 Speaker 1: can leave them and in fact can leave them with 431 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:31,719 Speaker 1: the other kids. And I was thinking, well, I do 432 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: not believe that Ruth is less really mature than them, 433 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:41,880 Speaker 1: even if she is younger. I think her babysitting instincts 434 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: are strong, and so it's like, once she has the phone, 435 00:22:45,000 --> 00:22:47,200 Speaker 1: I think I will feel even more comfortable with leaving 436 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 1: her home alone or leaving her with you know, Alex 437 00:22:49,600 --> 00:22:52,239 Speaker 1: for forty five minutes or something if I know she 438 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: can reach me in And she has an iPad too, 439 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:55,960 Speaker 1: and so it's the problem is it just doesn't I 440 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 1: have to figure out how to have it show up 441 00:22:57,640 --> 00:23:00,719 Speaker 1: on my phone as because it's me, right, my number, 442 00:23:01,040 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 1: so it doesn't. She has doesn't look right, Annabel has 443 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:07,040 Speaker 1: her Gmail link to icokay, so when she texts me, 444 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:09,680 Speaker 1: it just comes from Annabel Unger at gmail dot com. 445 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 1: So it works just like it's a fun I got 446 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 1: on my phone because it looks like it's just my number, 447 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:16,040 Speaker 1: I guess, So I don't see it unless I'm like 448 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 1: scrolling through and I'm like, oh wait, there's a new 449 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,440 Speaker 1: message down here. You know. So anyway, long story with 450 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,880 Speaker 1: people that need to hear about night technology problems. But yes, 451 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,720 Speaker 1: she will be getting a phone this fall, and you 452 00:23:26,760 --> 00:23:28,480 Speaker 1: know we'll be in a lot of activities too, I'm sure. 453 00:23:28,520 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 1: So it was helpful for picking up what are you 454 00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:32,800 Speaker 1: what are you guys doing in terms of activities? Oh, 455 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:34,879 Speaker 1: my gosh, I'm so relieved of what we're not doing 456 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:39,159 Speaker 1: all like starting to this dance class and it was 457 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,120 Speaker 1: at seven pm and I was like, oh my god, 458 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:44,600 Speaker 1: really like okay, fine, whatever, and we prepped to do 459 00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:46,240 Speaker 1: it and then she went to a trial and she 460 00:23:46,359 --> 00:23:49,040 Speaker 1: was like never mind, and I was like, Praise the Lord. 461 00:23:49,080 --> 00:23:50,639 Speaker 1: I feel like I got out of jail. That's like 462 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:53,000 Speaker 1: so happy, awesome. I mean, I'm sorry for the ballet 463 00:23:53,000 --> 00:23:55,119 Speaker 1: studio that they offered the trial class and like, so 464 00:23:55,240 --> 00:23:57,400 Speaker 1: then don't get the tuition because you guys are out, 465 00:23:57,480 --> 00:23:59,760 Speaker 1: but like it, you know, good for you guys that 466 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:04,080 Speaker 1: you tried it. And now no, yes, no, I was thrilled. 467 00:24:04,119 --> 00:24:09,119 Speaker 1: So we're doing. Everything's pretty logistically easy all three kids. 468 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 1: Cameron has decided he wants to chry gymnastics again, so 469 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:13,760 Speaker 1: that'll be cool. They're all going to do it at 470 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:15,920 Speaker 1: the same exact time on Saturdays, so like low key, 471 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 1: not intense gymnastics like you think of with like kids 472 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:21,359 Speaker 1: doing many many hours a week or anything. One class 473 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 1: a week, all three kids. Animal's doing theater once a week. 474 00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:26,600 Speaker 1: Cameron and of all do tennis at the same time 475 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 1: once a week. Annabell is continuing horseback riding, and then Cameron, 476 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 1: I think it's going to do soccer through our community league. 477 00:24:32,560 --> 00:24:34,240 Speaker 1: I think that's actually going to be the most pain 478 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:37,400 Speaker 1: in the butt involved thing of everything, but he really 479 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:39,960 Speaker 1: wants to do it, so whatever. And then I think 480 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:42,000 Speaker 1: we're going to do piano in a very low key 481 00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:44,520 Speaker 1: way and have somebody come to the house and do 482 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:47,680 Speaker 1: some restarting with the big kids. And starting with Genevieve, 483 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:50,399 Speaker 1: we got all messed up the kids. We're doing piano 484 00:24:50,560 --> 00:24:52,439 Speaker 1: in Miami Beach, and then we did it here and 485 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:55,440 Speaker 1: then COVID and it's really amazing that it's taken like 486 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:59,959 Speaker 1: two years to bring some things back, but it has. Yeah, 487 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:05,240 Speaker 1: our activity schedule is going to be somewhat intense. Apparently, 488 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:08,359 Speaker 1: it's just that, you know, Alex, for instance, like lots 489 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:11,680 Speaker 1: of different activities, and in general, it's good for him 490 00:25:11,720 --> 00:25:16,880 Speaker 1: to be outdoing activities versus sitting at home getting into 491 00:25:17,040 --> 00:25:19,600 Speaker 1: trouble or if you know, being on screens constantly. It's 492 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:21,560 Speaker 1: something it's a way for him to be out doing stuff. 493 00:25:21,600 --> 00:25:25,199 Speaker 1: So he's actually I know, we just signed him up 494 00:25:25,200 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 1: for swim lessons. He's doing a flag football league, he's 495 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:32,679 Speaker 1: doing rock climbing, he's doing Parkore. He's doing this ninja 496 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 1: class with Raith, and that's if he keeps going with 497 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:38,640 Speaker 1: karate too. That's another one we'll see because he needs 498 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:40,560 Speaker 1: he probably should start doing it more often, and I 499 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:42,280 Speaker 1: don't know if that'll happen with all the other stuff. 500 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:46,040 Speaker 1: But yeah, we just registered for YMCA swim classes this morning. 501 00:25:46,359 --> 00:25:48,719 Speaker 1: Apparently it opened at six am, and Michael and I 502 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:51,120 Speaker 1: were up at like six point thirty with the toddler 503 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:54,320 Speaker 1: here on vacation as you are, so got to sign 504 00:25:54,400 --> 00:25:58,560 Speaker 1: up with the classes not full humorously, my husband was 505 00:25:58,960 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 1: pretty excited about trying to find swim classes on Sunday 506 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 1: morning conveniently at church time. I thought you were going 507 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:08,240 Speaker 1: to say, like, while he could work out, and you're like, 508 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:13,160 Speaker 1: no, no no, no, that's funny. So we're working on that, 509 00:26:13,760 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 1: you know. I guess I don't really care. That's fine 510 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 1: as long as I get to go and sing. I 511 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:21,720 Speaker 1: will drag some of the other people with me, or 512 00:26:21,840 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: they can babysit for Henry if we decide that he 513 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: doesn't need to go too. But yeah, I mean he's 514 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:30,880 Speaker 1: the one with the most intense activity schedule. I mean, 515 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:33,960 Speaker 1: the older kids do music lessons, I said, you know, 516 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:35,879 Speaker 1: the older ones, Hey, I'll have to do something musical, 517 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: something physical. So Sam's doing Alto Saxon fencing, Jasper's doing 518 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 1: tennis and his honors choir at school. Ruth does trumpet 519 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:47,840 Speaker 1: and is doing the ninja class. We'll see what else 520 00:26:47,880 --> 00:26:50,399 Speaker 1: she winds up doing. We're kind of leaving her schedule 521 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:52,320 Speaker 1: a little open because I think she's really going to 522 00:26:52,400 --> 00:26:55,680 Speaker 1: want to get involved in some of the middle school activities, 523 00:26:56,400 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 1: and so if you pack it all full before that, 524 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:01,000 Speaker 1: then you don't have the space to try out for 525 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:02,959 Speaker 1: the school musical or whatever it is that she's going 526 00:27:03,000 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 1: to want to do. So we're kind of leaving her 527 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:08,440 Speaker 1: open and seeing what she wants to do. But yeah, 528 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:11,359 Speaker 1: it's it's just gonna be a lot of stuff. I 529 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:16,639 Speaker 1: probably need to get on hiring another driver. That's what 530 00:27:16,680 --> 00:27:19,840 Speaker 1: it will wind up coming to. But you know, because 531 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:21,840 Speaker 1: everyone needs to be in a different place. It's better 532 00:27:21,880 --> 00:27:25,040 Speaker 1: to have kids doing stuff than not doing stuff. In 533 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:28,080 Speaker 1: my mind, I totally agree, especially if they want to 534 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:30,679 Speaker 1: want to do it, do them. I mean, if it's 535 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,159 Speaker 1: a matter of dragging them. I mean, I've been in 536 00:27:33,160 --> 00:27:36,320 Speaker 1: that position before and I hate it. I hate that 537 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:38,639 Speaker 1: as a parent, like, come on, I signed you up 538 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:40,040 Speaker 1: for this, you wanted to do it, and you get 539 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:43,200 Speaker 1: in that fight. But if they actually want to do it, 540 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:45,760 Speaker 1: which I think pretty much everything my kids are doing 541 00:27:45,800 --> 00:27:50,080 Speaker 1: now they're excited about and will remain at least excited 542 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,399 Speaker 1: enough about throughout that I think it's worth it. So 543 00:27:53,440 --> 00:27:54,879 Speaker 1: it's just a matter of you know, as you and 544 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:57,840 Speaker 1: I know, we're trying to organize our schedules to get 545 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:03,440 Speaker 1: our work done in the time. That is, even if 546 00:28:03,480 --> 00:28:05,679 Speaker 1: you do have driving help, you wind up doing a 547 00:28:05,680 --> 00:28:07,800 Speaker 1: reasonable number of stuff. And so I've just sort of said, 548 00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:10,160 Speaker 1: I try to do the bulk of my work between 549 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:14,760 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's eight thirty and three. The elementary 550 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:17,760 Speaker 1: school kids will leave at about eight thirty. You know, 551 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:20,639 Speaker 1: Jasper comes home at three, but often he won't because 552 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,080 Speaker 1: he'll have activities too, and so you know, it's like 553 00:28:23,119 --> 00:28:26,200 Speaker 1: eight thirty to three thirty. And if I consider that 554 00:28:26,359 --> 00:28:29,040 Speaker 1: my core work hours and I'm like focused on getting 555 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:31,119 Speaker 1: my work done, I mean, that's seven hours per work day, 556 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:32,760 Speaker 1: and it won't be perfect, but like I think I 557 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:37,399 Speaker 1: can get thirty to thirty five hours during normal working hours. 558 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,720 Speaker 1: And then you know, as we do, we have five 559 00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:42,680 Speaker 1: hours in the evening and on weekends or whatever and 560 00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:45,040 Speaker 1: hit my hit my thirty five to forty. At least 561 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,080 Speaker 1: that's the goal. So we'll see how it goes. I 562 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:50,080 Speaker 1: think you'll be able to do it. I think so. 563 00:28:50,800 --> 00:28:53,520 Speaker 1: All right, So what else do we have on our 564 00:28:53,560 --> 00:28:58,640 Speaker 1: back to school? Oh, just that first morning. Again, our 565 00:28:58,680 --> 00:29:01,640 Speaker 1: logistics are not that challenge. But I do feel like 566 00:29:01,720 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 1: it kind of helped, especially with my bigger kids who 567 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:09,840 Speaker 1: have been sleeping in and kind of like not having 568 00:29:09,920 --> 00:29:11,880 Speaker 1: any kind of routine in the morning and haven't gone 569 00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:14,120 Speaker 1: to camp or done anything for a few weeks. Plus 570 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:16,800 Speaker 1: we just got back from vacation. So I wrote out 571 00:29:16,840 --> 00:29:19,120 Speaker 1: a schedule, I posted it on the fridge. I reviewed 572 00:29:19,160 --> 00:29:21,479 Speaker 1: it in detail, and they seem to be like, oh okay, 573 00:29:21,680 --> 00:29:25,000 Speaker 1: Like I think they actually needed that to remember, like 574 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:27,280 Speaker 1: this is when we have to be eating breakfast, this 575 00:29:27,320 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 1: is when you have to get dressed or whatever. We 576 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:34,240 Speaker 1: even had donuts that fortuitously, like somebody gave my husband 577 00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:35,880 Speaker 1: a box of donuts, someone at work. I don't know. 578 00:29:35,920 --> 00:29:38,240 Speaker 1: Normally I would have been like no, but I was like, oh, 579 00:29:38,320 --> 00:29:42,800 Speaker 1: first day of school, donuts. That will be popular, highly motivational, 580 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:46,000 Speaker 1: and so I got to say this was probably like 581 00:29:46,160 --> 00:29:48,960 Speaker 1: this was like a smooth, smooth back to school. Tomorrow's 582 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:50,920 Speaker 1: going to be harder because that thing was back to school. 583 00:29:50,960 --> 00:29:53,240 Speaker 1: That happens is that, like you think it's one day, like, oh, 584 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:54,640 Speaker 1: we did it now, and then you're like, oh, no, 585 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 1: we got to do it on any more times exactly, 586 00:29:59,480 --> 00:30:02,320 Speaker 1: and then wears off and everyone gets tired. But today 587 00:30:02,840 --> 00:30:05,960 Speaker 1: was awesome. Well that's good. So congrats to Sarah on 588 00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:08,680 Speaker 1: getting everyone out the door this morning. You can all 589 00:30:08,720 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 1: wish me luck for three weeks from well when we're 590 00:30:11,680 --> 00:30:13,280 Speaker 1: they're recording this, it'll only be like two weeks from 591 00:30:13,280 --> 00:30:16,880 Speaker 1: when it airs, but yeah, it'll be something we'll report 592 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:20,080 Speaker 1: back on how it goes. And congrats to everyone who 593 00:30:20,080 --> 00:30:22,560 Speaker 1: has successfully launched their kids on new school years, and 594 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:25,520 Speaker 1: best wishes to everyone who will be doing so over 595 00:30:25,560 --> 00:30:28,760 Speaker 1: the next few weeks as well. So our question this 596 00:30:28,840 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 1: week comes from a listener who is taking her first 597 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:37,440 Speaker 1: trip without children since becoming parents. Oh my goodness, Well, 598 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:39,400 Speaker 1: her kids are young, but she said the only night 599 00:30:39,480 --> 00:30:41,320 Speaker 1: she's spent away from her oldest was two nights in 600 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:43,560 Speaker 1: the hospital when she was having her youngest, so not 601 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:47,640 Speaker 1: exactly a getaway they are leaving the kids with their 602 00:30:47,680 --> 00:30:50,920 Speaker 1: parents for four nights while they go out of the country. 603 00:30:51,440 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 1: Do you have any advice for your first trip away 604 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:55,960 Speaker 1: from the kids. We didn't intend to wait four years 605 00:30:56,000 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 1: to go away, but the pandemic put any travel plans 606 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 1: on pause. We wanted to wait until our youngest was 607 00:31:01,040 --> 00:31:04,320 Speaker 1: a manageable age for her older parents. She says. Her 608 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:07,200 Speaker 1: older parents raised tons of kids, so she's not actually 609 00:31:07,200 --> 00:31:10,720 Speaker 1: worried about their being able to handle the children, and 610 00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:12,920 Speaker 1: it's exciting that they can bond, but she wants to 611 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:17,960 Speaker 1: know any tips on managing being away. So Sarah, first 612 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,640 Speaker 1: couple of times, I think, Yeah, your setup sounds wonderful. 613 00:31:21,840 --> 00:31:26,000 Speaker 1: Your parents are super experienced, and I do think sometimes 614 00:31:26,560 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 1: you can feel guilty about having your kids stay. Well, 615 00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:31,560 Speaker 1: you shouldn't, but I sometimes feel guilty about having my 616 00:31:31,600 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 1: kids stay with a hired caregiver. But I never feel 617 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:36,840 Speaker 1: guilty about grandparent time like that's. Hey, it's a gift 618 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:38,560 Speaker 1: to the kids as well, So try to remember that 619 00:31:38,680 --> 00:31:41,640 Speaker 1: this is a wonderful way for your parents to get 620 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:44,440 Speaker 1: to know your kids, and vice versa. I would definitely 621 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:46,720 Speaker 1: try not to micromanage. I think that's the one thing 622 00:31:46,760 --> 00:31:50,040 Speaker 1: I've like seen people try to do that can go 623 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:53,000 Speaker 1: awry and lead to battles that are probably not necessary, 624 00:31:53,520 --> 00:31:56,240 Speaker 1: like strict boundaries around food. I mean, unless it's something 625 00:31:56,280 --> 00:31:59,080 Speaker 1: that's going to truly make a kid sick, you know, 626 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:02,360 Speaker 1: letting your parents to use their judgment or strict nap schedules. 627 00:32:02,360 --> 00:32:03,560 Speaker 1: I mean, they're the ones who are going to have 628 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:05,880 Speaker 1: to deal with the consequences while they're with the kids. 629 00:32:06,400 --> 00:32:08,880 Speaker 1: And yes, the kids may be a little keyed up 630 00:32:08,880 --> 00:32:11,240 Speaker 1: when they get back to you. That's definitely been our experience. 631 00:32:11,320 --> 00:32:13,760 Speaker 1: But I mean that's to me kind of like the 632 00:32:13,840 --> 00:32:16,800 Speaker 1: price you pay and it's it's worth it. But at 633 00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:21,479 Speaker 1: the same time, without like dictating and or judging, you 634 00:32:21,560 --> 00:32:23,440 Speaker 1: could put in writing like hey, this is what they 635 00:32:23,520 --> 00:32:25,920 Speaker 1: usually do. You totally don't have to, but you know, 636 00:32:25,960 --> 00:32:27,720 Speaker 1: if you want to have an understanding of like what 637 00:32:27,760 --> 00:32:29,840 Speaker 1: their schedule is, if that makes things easier for you, 638 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:31,880 Speaker 1: or like this is what they usually have for meals, 639 00:32:32,120 --> 00:32:34,600 Speaker 1: I think that helps. And I do think especially with 640 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:38,200 Speaker 1: older adults, like writing things down is always good because 641 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:41,800 Speaker 1: you know that way, it's like it's there, it's in writing, 642 00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:43,480 Speaker 1: it can be referred to at any time. You don't 643 00:32:43,480 --> 00:32:45,880 Speaker 1: have to rely on memory or anything like that. And 644 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:47,800 Speaker 1: I think if I were a caregiver in taking someone's 645 00:32:47,880 --> 00:32:50,000 Speaker 1: kids even now, I would love to have like a 646 00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:54,120 Speaker 1: little cheat sheet document of like what they normally do. Yeah, now, 647 00:32:54,160 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 1: I think that's great, you know, just broad generally guidelines 648 00:32:57,440 --> 00:32:59,120 Speaker 1: and what their schedule tends to be. But you know, 649 00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:01,240 Speaker 1: it sounds like the older child is you know, capable 650 00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:03,560 Speaker 1: at least of talking as well to you know, share 651 00:33:04,040 --> 00:33:06,840 Speaker 1: sort of how things happen, and you know, likes and 652 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:11,080 Speaker 1: dislikes with the grandparents. And then you know, for our listener, 653 00:33:11,120 --> 00:33:14,840 Speaker 1: I think she should just relax and enjoy it. Try 654 00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:17,560 Speaker 1: not to check in too frequently. Like the whole point 655 00:33:17,680 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 1: is that you want to get away for a little 656 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:21,800 Speaker 1: bit because it may be another year. I mean, let's 657 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:23,680 Speaker 1: hope not, but it could be a while before you 658 00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:25,840 Speaker 1: go away again. Like those four days are going to 659 00:33:25,880 --> 00:33:29,040 Speaker 1: fly by, so don't spend much of them obsessing over 660 00:33:29,120 --> 00:33:32,440 Speaker 1: how things are going at home. Just try to do 661 00:33:32,520 --> 00:33:35,960 Speaker 1: some stuff that you and your husband would find more 662 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:40,400 Speaker 1: challenging with children around, so you know, eating at restaurants 663 00:33:40,680 --> 00:33:45,280 Speaker 1: with no kids menus, you know, do something like when 664 00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:47,600 Speaker 1: Sarah and I had our little retreat together that we 665 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:50,440 Speaker 1: were told there was an hour wait, We're like, we'll 666 00:33:50,480 --> 00:33:56,680 Speaker 1: take it. We'll sit at the bar. Great, we are unincumbered. 667 00:33:56,760 --> 00:33:59,080 Speaker 1: We don't have to drag out the crayons and the 668 00:33:59,320 --> 00:34:02,200 Speaker 1: you know, for our kids to entertain themselves for an hour. 669 00:34:02,400 --> 00:34:04,120 Speaker 1: So I think you should do that, like try to 670 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:09,319 Speaker 1: sleep in, you know, do you know, even like it's 671 00:34:09,320 --> 00:34:11,400 Speaker 1: fine to have an anchor event or too, but sometimes 672 00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:13,319 Speaker 1: it's nice just to like do what you feel like 673 00:34:13,400 --> 00:34:16,759 Speaker 1: in the moment without having to worry too much about 674 00:34:16,800 --> 00:34:19,120 Speaker 1: you know, you're not packing diaper bags, you're not doing 675 00:34:19,160 --> 00:34:21,440 Speaker 1: anything else. It's okay if it takes a little longer. So, 676 00:34:22,200 --> 00:34:24,520 Speaker 1: you know, if there's things you truly want to do together, 677 00:34:24,640 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 1: a special dinner somewhere, visiting something that you're seeing, that's great. 678 00:34:28,600 --> 00:34:31,480 Speaker 1: But you can also just enjoy time as it comes 679 00:34:31,520 --> 00:34:34,440 Speaker 1: and enjoy each other and being a little bit spontaneous 680 00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:37,279 Speaker 1: in a way. That's slightly harder with small children. And 681 00:34:37,360 --> 00:34:39,279 Speaker 1: I do tend to promise my kids a gift when 682 00:34:39,280 --> 00:34:41,720 Speaker 1: I get home, and if they're like a little upset 683 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:45,640 Speaker 1: about me leaving, as silly as it is, usually that helps. Yeah, 684 00:34:45,920 --> 00:34:48,440 Speaker 1: I'm going to bring you a Prisent. Okay, bye, Yeah. 685 00:34:48,600 --> 00:34:51,160 Speaker 1: Now my husband brings back those Kinder surprise eggs from 686 00:34:51,160 --> 00:34:54,439 Speaker 1: Europe every single time. It's like they're exciting thing about it. Yeah, 687 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:57,600 Speaker 1: so all right, love of the week, Sarah, what's your 688 00:34:57,640 --> 00:34:59,920 Speaker 1: what's your love of the week. I'm going to give 689 00:34:59,920 --> 00:35:02,320 Speaker 1: a shout out to the jet Pens school supply videos. 690 00:35:02,440 --> 00:35:05,680 Speaker 1: Everyone should watch them. They are calming and pleasing and 691 00:35:06,360 --> 00:35:11,080 Speaker 1: full of enticing trinkets from overseas. Sounds good. I'm gonna 692 00:35:11,080 --> 00:35:14,719 Speaker 1: say I actually like starting school after Labor Day because 693 00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:17,680 Speaker 1: there's something just kind of fun about still being on 694 00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:20,680 Speaker 1: summer break in September. I think a number of years 695 00:35:20,719 --> 00:35:23,880 Speaker 1: we've been on vacation into September and it's like the 696 00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:27,319 Speaker 1: crowds tend to be disappearing by that point. You know, 697 00:35:27,360 --> 00:35:29,839 Speaker 1: it's like, wow, summer and it's already feeling like some 698 00:35:29,880 --> 00:35:31,880 Speaker 1: of these places are tilting toward fall. I remember a 699 00:35:31,880 --> 00:35:34,440 Speaker 1: couple of years ago we were in Colorado and September 700 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:37,480 Speaker 1: first and second because they weren't starting until a couple 701 00:35:37,440 --> 00:35:40,000 Speaker 1: of days later, and it's just always there's already like 702 00:35:40,040 --> 00:35:42,319 Speaker 1: a little bite to fall in the mountain air and 703 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:44,840 Speaker 1: it's like, but we're still in summer. I love the 704 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:49,239 Speaker 1: concept of lingering a little longer in these things, so 705 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:53,000 Speaker 1: here's to a long summer, even though we started later too, 706 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:54,440 Speaker 1: so I guess it all comes out in the wash, 707 00:35:54,440 --> 00:35:57,000 Speaker 1: but it's fun to have it in September. Still all right? Well, 708 00:35:57,040 --> 00:35:59,040 Speaker 1: this has been best of both worlds Our Back to 709 00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:01,840 Speaker 1: School Spectacle Killer. We will be back next week with 710 00:36:01,880 --> 00:36:06,400 Speaker 1: more on making work and life fit together. Thanks for listening. 711 00:36:06,640 --> 00:36:09,719 Speaker 1: You can find me Sarah at the shoebox dot com 712 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:13,600 Speaker 1: or at the Underscore Shoebox on Instagram, and you can 713 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:17,920 Speaker 1: find me Laura at Laura vandercam dot com. This has 714 00:36:17,960 --> 00:36:21,200 Speaker 1: been the best of both worlds podcasts. Please join us 715 00:36:21,280 --> 00:36:24,640 Speaker 1: next time for more on making work and life work together.