We used flats and covers for our kids. DS(7 months) still uses flats and covers. Flats are a large square of fabric that you can fold any way. They are truly the only one sized diaper. I use a snappi to secure it under the cover. We chose flats because we live in an apartment and we line dry our clothes. It is very easy to get them completely clean since they are not a bunch of layers and they air dry in only a couple hours even on a damp / cold day (MN here too). We have saved a lot of money. The flats and covers were about $60 and disposable diapers here on sale are about 32 cents each. It increases our electricity by about $5-7 per month for washing. BTW....CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You did great. You are doing GREAT. When going through the same thing, this is a book that changed my life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EF5L2VW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 It is expensive (in my world) for a Kindle book, but if you have a Kindle, PM me and I can lend it to you so you can read it for free.

We had this exact issue one year with DH's ex-wife. We simply filed the paper return and we included a letter stating why we were claiming the dependents that we did. We also included a copy of the divorce decree with the language highlighted so it was easy to find. Our return was accepted with no problems and later that year, the IRS required the ex-wife to return part of her refund since she did not properly claim the dependents. HTH. It was annoying, but not too difficult.

Definitely buy it on Craigslist.

Here's the one we have: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JSC012M?ref=emc_b_5_i&th=1 I like all the seating options (with or without the carseat, forward or rear facing, etc.). We walk to get our groceries frequently. When we do, I wear DS6mos and (with the carseat installed), I can fit two weeks of groceries in the basket and top. Even with all the groceries, it still moves really easily with the three wheels. For us, we do most of our errands by walking so a stroller is really important. When it just holds DS, he is comfortable and it's handy not to have to wake him up. We can just wheel him into our apartment and he can finish his nap in the stroller. ETA: We only paid about $150-$175 at TRU for ours because it was hot pink and was the last one :) DS doesn't care....

You have always been in my heart, Rose. I'm so glad for the update. You are a warrior and the mom I wish I had. Take good care of you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

I PM'd you Jan :)

Great point!! :)

Thanks for all the comments, I am definitely considering everything you are saying. It was lost at our bakery in the customer side. He asked to read on it and I said yes. Instead of putting it back in the school bag where it belongs, he thinks he put it on a nearby bookshelf. No one has found it or turned it in - so we are fairly certain it is gone. I like the idea of adding it to my Christmas list and trying to find a refurbished one for less. My first one was used, so that part is no problem. I like the idea that he could then pitch in if he wanted to.

Thanks for the replies, I think you all are on the same page as what I was thinking. We've already done a pretty extensive search. He is so careful with things, we were both surprised when it was gone and he realized it was lost. In my family of origin, the legalistic side would always win - as in making him pay without considering his heart or mine. I do appreciate his offer, but I think I will just tell him he owes me in hugs :) Thanks for the great advice,

I have a little issue that I wanted the Hive's perspective on. DS11 and I use a Kindle Fire and a Kindle Paperwhite for schoolwork each day. You need to know I LOVE my Kindle Paperwhite. It is the one thing I'd save in a house fire after people and pets. I always have it with me and use it many times a day. DS11 lost it. He feels terrible because he knows I really liked it. He has said he would help pay for a new one. I really don't feel like he should pay for the whole thing because 1) we still have the Kindle Fire and I can use the Kindle app on my phone (so it isn't technically needed), 2) originally a dear friend gave it to me, so I didn't pay for it, and 3) the replacement cost is $120 so it would wipe out any savings DS11 has (which we've always encouraged). On the other hand, he did lose it so it makes me think he should do something to make it right. My heart wants to let it go and just deal. What would you do?

We've lived in an apartment (different ones) for the last 10 years (our youngest is 10.5). The apartments that were great were usually (slightly) more expensive. Most people are gone during the day. If it is well-built, you won't have as much noise from your family or others. If you are on a corner you will likely share a wall with a laundry room or garbage chute (both good things). Good apartment policies on smoking, noise, etc. are worth a lot especially when the management is present each day (like in an onsite office). There also might be periods of having louder neighbors who move away, to be replaced with quieter ones. When we moved to our current, wonderful apartment, we watched the grounds, management, etc. for about a year to see how it was (how quickly snow was plowed, how often vacancies were occurring, how clean the grounds stayed - especially since this place allows pets / dogs). A bit of research, reading the resident handbook/policies, and several tours at different times of day can tell you a lot about a place before you sign a lease. HTH. Honestly, if we could stay in our apartment forever it would so great. I love it here.

We are all supporting you as you do the right thing and support this girl. I have BTDT myself. Therapy and deep intervention was the only "cure". You can do this.

I had this problem at the beginning. One thing I did was to rotate the subjects so that the kindle was not used for every single thing. I also ensured that each reading was short / age appropriate with discussion / written work in between. Finally for the more challenging books (challenging to the specific child), we'd "buddy read" taking turns by page or by paragraph until they got into the book more.

Two flour sack towels layered. They dry quick and when the dishes are put away the counter is clean and cleared off entirely.