life Parenting

5 on a Friday: Challenges + Choices Edition

March 8, 2024

1- Freakonomics: “Are You Caught in a Social Media Trap”? This isn’t entirely what it sounds like but rather the concept that there are products that people wish didn’t exist but buy/use anyway (social media being one example). Interesting! I can think of some other things that go into this category . . .

2- My own social-media situation. Kae and I have been accountability buddies this week and I had to admit to her that I succumbed to Reddit one night. (Oops). That led us to discuss whether a more situational rule might serve me better (example: look at it ONLY when waiting for a kid and you have less than 15 min). I am torn because truthfully I felt better when I never scrolled at all (January and part of Feb)! That said, maybe I *didn’t* scroll BECAUSE I felt better so . . . this is complicated. (PS, I never post on Reddit. I just scroll.)

3- School comparison shopping continues for next year (one kid planning to switch). This has been mildly stressful but I can tell the kid looking to change schools is looking forward to changing things up. While I can’t wait to get things settled/decided I’m really trying to just take things one step at a time and not ruminate TOOOOO much.

4- Another tough choice: I just made the decision to skip my usual pediatric endocrinology conference this year. I love these conferences because as someone who does not work in academic, I feel they are really good for staying up to date. AND I get to hang out with old friends from my fellowship days! The conflict was a gymnastics showcase. This is actually the first one they’ve ever done and both girls really wanted me to be there. I thought about it and also wasn’t entirely excited about taking that whole weekend and one of my non-clinical weekdays for work (our conferences are Thurs – Sunday) so . . . I’m going to sit this one out.

(The only other big endo conference I’d be interested in attending this year is during the DANCE showcase which is also only once/year so . . not doing that either. Ahh well! I am committed to making one work in 2025!)

5- BLP Live is 2/3 full and our lower early registrant price ends 3/10/24 (will go up $150) so if you plan on coming I definitely encourage you to sign up today or tomorrow!

We have a PAAAAAACKED weekend and Josh is on call. The following are on deck, starting from Friday night:

  • 16 mi long run (will do early to be done by ~8:30)
  • soccer game #1 (C)
  • tennis (for G, her first time!)
  • gymnastics (A)
  • soccer game #2 (C)
  • birthday party (G)
  • piano (G)
  • family party (everyone though not sure Josh bc he’s on call)
  • trip to outlet mall (all kids + A’s friend + me)

Wish us luck. Also, I think this will be a good week for grocery delivery . . .

8 Comments

  • Reply ptrish March 8, 2024 at 2:47 pm

    How do you handle childcare when you do a long run when Josh is on call? A babysitter, or do you stay close enough that you can go home if he gets called in?

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm

      I’m always in the neighborhood (I do loops on my long run) and I could get back quickly if needed. He almost never gets called in this early hours so generally not an issue.

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 8, 2024 at 3:02 pm

      And generally we don’t need or use weekend childcare unless it’s for a date night at this point.

  • Reply Daria March 8, 2024 at 3:28 pm

    Thanks for the podcast rec- listening to it now 🙂

  • Reply Lisa’s Yarns March 8, 2024 at 7:36 pm

    I’m curious what you end up reading on Reddit? I am such an elder millennial so have never used it. I am an abstainer, though, so having rules around usage would not work for me, but I believe you are a moderator – expect maybe not for social media? My downtime filler is reading and commenting on blogs which I suppose could be viewed as social media but I think of them differently since they are more of a tool for connecting with others!

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 8, 2024 at 9:34 pm

      A page that is basically gossip about influencers and the advanced running page. Not the worst but not great either … both just too addictive and never make me feel good in the end. often the hobonichi page too 🙂 that one I don’t mind!

  • Reply Kate March 9, 2024 at 12:35 am

    Re Reddit, I wonder if you made the self imposed rule that any time you looked at it you must post something- a comment etc. That would be enough to put me off!

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 9, 2024 at 12:10 pm

      Haha yes it would … but then I might want to go back and see the replies and it would backfire!

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