[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by John 070

Not sure if this was mentioned, but once the baby is born, you're gonna have doctors stopping by and congratulating you, and then leaving their business card, as they want your baby as a patient.

I've never heard of this in my life! What part of the country do you live in? When our kids were born they just asked us which pediatrician we use and they called them for us (Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich CT).



Regarding the Bumbo - We were given one for free and used it one time. Both of us thought it looked unsafe and we never used it again.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I've never heard of this in my life! What part of the country do you live in? When our kids were born they just asked us which pediatrician we use and they called them for us (Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich CT).



Regarding the Bumbo - We were given one for free and used it one time. Both of us thought it looked unsafe and we never used it again.

haha this was in the Philly area...I believe these are the doctors who are on-call and check on the babies right after they are born.

btw I was kidding about the Range Rover Autobiography, we don't own such a fine motor vehicle!

But it is important to feel you can trust your pediatrician, and that it is in a location that's convenient for you. For real, ours is in a really wealthy area, and I don't mind that because they seem to treat people in a certain way. But the location is a bit inconvenient--only 7 miles, but that can be 40 minutes during rush hour. However, they ALWAYS have returned phone calls even out of hours so as a child gets older, you don't have to go as often, and we prefer to keep the doctor(s)....not to mention they are close to the Ferrari dealership so we can kill 2 birds with one stone!

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by John 070

But it is important to feel you can trust your pediatrician, and that it is in a location that's convenient for you. For real, ours is in a really wealthy area, and I don't mind that because they seem to treat people in a certain way. But the location is a bit inconvenient--only 7 miles, but that can be 40 minutes during rush hour. However, they ALWAYS have returned phone calls even out of hours so as a child gets older, you don't have to go as often, and we prefer to keep the doctor(s)....not to mention they are close to the Ferrari dealership so we can kill 2 birds with one stone!

Yeah I'm in the same exact situation. Ours is halfway between my office and my house in a rich town (same mileage and traffic situation as well). The problem I have is that they can be super late for routine checkups because they make time for emergencies. It's great when there's a real problem but it fucking sucks to sit there waiting for a half hour for anything routine if they squeezed an emergency in. I get mad then I see the other side and I get it. What they should really do is have two doctors on appointments and a third exclusively on walk-ins. Maybe I should suggest that...

[John 070]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Yeah I'm in the same exact situation. Ours is halfway between my office and my house in a rich town (same mileage and traffic situation as well). The problem I have is that they can be super late for routine checkups because they make time for emergencies. It's great when there's a real problem but it fucking sucks to sit there waiting for a half hour for anything routine if they squeezed an emergency in. I get mad then I see the other side and I get it. What they should really do is have two doctors on appointments and a third exclusively on walk-ins. Maybe I should suggest that...

This is a true story....the "owner" of the practice, the first time we were there, told us to take the diaper with us, don't leave it there. HUH?

My wife then asked the nurse, is there any place to throw this away? She said, of course, took it, and threw it in the garbage.

Another time, when I was not at the appointment, my wife said the doctor told a father he cannot use the bathroom, it is only for patients. LOL She said the dad said I'm using the bathroom, my son is a patient, and he did just that.

Now the above is totally weird, I can't explain it. But, the first time we freaked out because my son had a fever (he was probably 4 mos. old), we called 5 AM, they paged the doctor, and she called back about 15 min. later. She said we did not have to go in for an appt., just keep an eye on things and if it went above xxx degrees, then come in without an appointment.

As we got to know the staff, we did find that we really did not prefer to see two of the doctors including the owner for regular appointments--I think most parents will and should feel the office out. You want to feel someone is "enthusiastic" about seeing your kid. Maybe it's not the dude from Johns Hopkins, but the one from Brown, or even the one from the state U. All depends.

I mentioned this on another thread, one of the doctors said my son was, "the cutest baby in the world." These types with the good beside manners make you feel ok about having them treat your child.

Along the same lines, 3 mos. ago at that famous hospital (where conjoined twins were flown in from Poland and separated), the pediatrician told us our son is quote, "Insanely cute." Again, I hope he doesn't outgrow that, he might, who knows....

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by John 070

This is a true story....the "owner" of the practice, the first time we were there, told us to take the diaper with us, don't leave it there. HUH?

My wife then asked the nurse, is there any place to throw this away? She said, of course, took it, and threw it in the garbage.

Another time, when I was not at the appointment, my wife said the doctor told a father he cannot use the bathroom, it is only for patients. LOL She said the dad said I'm using the bathroom, my son is a patient, and he did just that.

Now the above is totally weird, I can't explain it. But, the first time we freaked out because my son had a fever (he was probably 4 mos. old), we called 5 AM, they paged the doctor, and she called back about 15 min. later. She said we did not have to go in for an appt., just keep an eye on things and if it went above xxx degrees, then come in without an appointment.

As we got to know the staff, we did find that we really did not prefer to see two of the doctors including the owner for regular appointments--I think most parents will and should feel the office out. You want to feel someone is "enthusiastic" about seeing your kid. Maybe it's not the dude from Johns Hopkins, but the one from Brown, or even the one from the state U. All depends.

I mentioned this on another thread, one of the doctors said my son was, "the cutest baby in the world." These types with the good beside manners make you feel ok about having them treat your child.

Along the same lines, 3 mos. ago at that famous hospital (where conjoined twins were flown in from Poland and separated), the pediatrician told us our son is quote, "Insanely cute." Again, I hope he doesn't outgrow that, he might, who knows....

Oh God... You want Mikes, cuz this is how you get Mike. s. I'm not saying it's not true, I'm just saying be careful!

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by John 070

This is a true story....the "owner" of the practice, the first time we were there, told us to take the diaper with us, don't leave it there. HUH?

My wife then asked the nurse, is there any place to throw this away? She said, of course, took it, and threw it in the garbage.

Another time, when I was not at the appointment, my wife said the doctor told a father he cannot use the bathroom, it is only for patients. LOL She said the dad said I'm using the bathroom, my son is a patient, and he did just that.

Now the above is totally weird, I can't explain it. But, the first time we freaked out because my son had a fever (he was probably 4 mos. old), we called 5 AM, they paged the doctor, and she called back about 15 min. later. She said we did not have to go in for an appt., just keep an eye on things and if it went above xxx degrees, then come in without an appointment.

As we got to know the staff, we did find that we really did not prefer to see two of the doctors including the owner for regular appointments--I think most parents will and should feel the office out. You want to feel someone is "enthusiastic" about seeing your kid. Maybe it's not the dude from Johns Hopkins, but the one from Brown, or even the one from the state U. All depends.

I mentioned this on another thread, one of the doctors said my son was, "the cutest baby in the world." These types with the good beside manners make you feel ok about having them treat your child.

Along the same lines, 3 mos. ago at that famous hospital (where conjoined twins were flown in from Poland and separated), the pediatrician told us our son is quote, "Insanely cute." Again, I hope he doesn't outgrow that, he might, who knows....

In speaking with my friends with kids, we found it an incredible coincidence that we ALL have the cutest kids in the world, according to their pediatricians. Must be something in the water.

I will also add that while appointments can be annoying, if we call their answering service they ALWAYS call back within a couple of minutes and are very realistic in their prognoses. They are frank about the thresholds for being alarmed and about bringing them in. They tell us often that you don't want to bring a barely sick kid to an office full of really sick kids. It's not worth it. If a kid has a cold, you can't do much about it anyway and it will work itself out in a few days.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

In speaking with my friends with kids, we found it an incredible coincidence that we ALL have the cutest kids in the world, according to their pediatricians. Must be something in the water.

I will also add that while appointments can be annoying, if we call their answering service they ALWAYS call back within a couple of minutes and are very realistic in their prognoses. They are frank about the thresholds for being alarmed and about bringing them in. They tell us often that you don't want to bring a barely sick kid to an office full of really sick kids. It's not worth it. If a kid has a cold, you can't do much about it anyway and it will work itself out in a few days.

Yep, in reality, there is no cure for a cold anyway, child or adult....

Well with both doctors I cut them off and asked them why they made the comment, seeing as it's their job to see kids all day long.

The one from the famous hospital said all of our kids are cute (she probably thought I had a hidden camera), but your son is over the top. And no smile, very clinical (that's why she earns the big bucks).

My wife said she can tell if a kid is cute or not, many are, many aren't, and she thinks our son is cute, but still wonders why the comments are made everywhere we go....I'd like to think he is, but if he's anything like me, he'll outgrow it....wish I could make bank for every comment made. This dude at work went to Wisconsin (noticed his avatar on IM). I said you were a badger, huh? He goes, you too? I said no but here's my kid in a badger jersey playing hockey (he was like 22 mos. at the time), and what do you think the coworker said...yep

I'm thinking, we're men. We don't go and say someone else's kid is good looking etc., not normally....or maybe it's me....meaning I'm not gonna say your kid is cute if he's not, and even if he is, I probably won't say anything.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So OP, hopefully your kid will be one good-looking kid, it helps in life!

[sea6speed]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

We're thinking about going the au pair route in the coming months. Childcare is prohibitively expensive in our area once you surpass the 2 kid mark (think $1,200/wk). In contrast, an au pair is $200/wk and they can work up to 45 hours. We have a 4br house so we currently have the space but we'll have to reevaluate a bit if we do go for a third.

You think that's bad. Au pairs here are double that. Decent nannys get $17+/hr for 1 kid.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by sea6speed

You think that's bad. Au pairs here are double that. Decent nannys get $17+/hr for 1 kid.

Au Pairs are <$200/wk and that is through national agencies who train them and transport them. They're the same price in Seattle as they are in Detroit.

I do think that $1,200/wk is outrageous to take care of three kids. That's nearly a post-tax $100k salary. Hell, we pay right around $700 for two kids and that's fairly reasonable for the area. Nannies, especially American ones, command $20+/hr. When we were looking initially, I told my wife that if you can clearly understand what they're saying, just hang up and move to the next one.

[UglyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

Baby checklist. What is necessary what is excess? What have you bought and brands do you recommend?

Boring topic but worth the ask!

Macallan 18 y/o Scotch is a must for the rest of your life.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Au Pairs are <$200/wk and that is through national agencies who train them and transport them. They're the same price in Seattle as they are in Detroit.

That is so cheap (we need to check into it but my wife has not returned to work yet)....the neighbor across the street had one from Sweden...I kind of don't get why a western European person would do it if it's that cheap. maybe it wasn't and she cost more. I mean Tiger Woods' wife was an au pair if I remember the story...

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by John 070

That is so cheap (we need to check into it but my wife has not returned to work yet)....the neighbor across the street had one from Sweden...I kind of don't get why a western European person would do it if it's that cheap. maybe it wasn't and she cost more. I mean Tiger Woods' wife was an au pair if I remember the story...

Yeah... and THAT ended well...

As far as why they do it, I don't speak from experience, but you do get to live in the US and get paid to do it. It is a good way to get some adventure.

[Lups]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

Baby checklist. What is necessary what is excess? What have you bought and brands do you recommend?

Boring topic but worth the ask!

Lol!

I bought so much stuff I never used...

Diapers and some formula (lactating takes a few days) are a must but other than that you need a bottle, a carrier (I had mine in a 40 dollar sarf never in the 1200 bucks horrible thing with wheels), a car seat and a few clothes.

The kid for the six first months needs only you. Don't make it harder for yourself to be there by spending money on shit he/ she doesn't need or want.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by John 070

That is so cheap (we need to check into it but my wife has not returned to work yet)....the neighbor across the street had one from Sweden...I kind of don't get why a western European person would do it if it's that cheap. maybe it wasn't and she cost more. I mean Tiger Woods' wife was an au pair if I remember the story...

Cultural Care and AuPair America are the two big ones.

They do it because they want to experience the culture and many of them come from smaller towns as opposed to larger cities. Many also don't speak much English so it's immersive learning in that respect. They also must achieve a certain amount of school credit while here (the bar on that is set SUPER low).

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Cultural Care and AuPair America are the two big ones.

They do it because they want to experience the culture and many of them come from smaller towns as opposed to larger cities. Many also don't speak much English so it's immersive learning in that respect. They also must achieve a certain amount of school credit while here (the bar on that is set SUPER low).

to be fair, most international people visiting are on some sort of "student visa" lol

[KingOfJericho]

Yup, it's a J-1 visa.

[sea6speed]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Au Pairs are <$200/wk and that is through national agencies who train them and transport them. They're the same price in Seattle as they are in Detroit.

I do think that $1,200/wk is outrageous to take care of three kids. That's nearly a post-tax $100k salary. Hell, we pay right around $700 for two kids and that's fairly reasonable for the area. Nannies, especially American ones, command $20+/hr. When we were looking initially, I told my wife that if you can clearly understand what they're saying, just hang up and move to the next one.

Au Pair's aren't exempt from local minimum wage laws. Here, the minimum wage is 80% higher than the federal level. That has a huge effect on our child care costs. Whatever the case, hardly anyone uses au pairs here. Everyone has nannys. Once you figure in the additional cost of a bedroom they're about the same (each bedroom adds about $150K-200K to the cost of the house. Adding a bedroom+bath if you don't already have the space for it is around $200K) Even a modest house with an au pair suite is around $1M.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by sea6speed

Au Pair's aren't exempt from local minimum wage laws. Here, the minimum wage is 80% higher than the federal level. That has a huge effect on our child care costs. Whatever the case, hardly anyone uses au pairs here. Everyone has nannys. Once you figure in the additional cost of a bedroom they're about the same (each bedroom adds about $150K-200K to the cost of the house. Adding a bedroom+bath if you don't already have the space for it is around $200K) Even a modest house with an au pair suite is around $1M.

I stand corrected. In Seattle, it is about $350/wk ($7.77/hr). Still half of what I currently pay and far less than the cost of a nanny. I prefer to have a live-in as call-outs have become a real nightmare for many of my coworkers.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Cultural Care and AuPair America are the two big ones.

They do it because they want to experience the culture and many of them come from smaller towns as opposed to larger cities. Many also don't speak much English so it's immersive learning in that respect. They also must achieve a certain amount of school credit while here (the bar on that is set SUPER low).

I know this is totally inappropriate, but would it be in our best interests to choose one that is unattractive? Who needs yet another distraction?

[Sara]

Sign up for childcare NOW. I waited until after my daughter was born, thinking there would be availability. Most day cares have waiting lists that are 1-2 years long.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by John 070

I know this is totally inappropriate, but would it be in our best interests to choose one that is unattractive? Who needs yet another distraction?

Tell Ahnold that. Wait. That didn't work.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

Tell Ahnold that. Wait. That didn't work.

Excellent point! I guess then we should go with our instinct and choose one that has the qualifications first and foremost, and not worry about if they are attractive as well.