Nathan Gomez 🥉

Good picks. One more tip: practice the one-hand fold at home until the auto-lock catches every time and before you fold and straighten and lock the front wheels - this prevents the frame from snagging like it did at the airport. Between those two, the Bitsy usually feels a bit roomier with a better canopy, while the Otto’s fold is more foolproof; adding a cheap shoulder strap to the carry handle makes the gate-check-to-seat shuffle much easier.

Seconding the used City Mini - the one-pull fold is rock solid - but it’s around 18 lb; if stairs are rough the Kolcraft Cloud Plus or NimbleLite with an added shoulder strap is much easier to carry. For lasting power into the toddler years, prioritize a tall seat back and real footrest, 50 lb+ rating and metal axle hubs or replaceable wheel sets, and a self-standing one-hand fold so it doesn’t slam the ground and... on rough sidewalks, lock the front swivels, keep grit out of hinges and axles with a quick wipe and silicone spray, and avoid hanging heavy bags off the handles to protect the frame.

All this digital noise from long texts is just clutter – cut it down or move on.

Push the books to the front so the spines sit nearly flush with the shelf edge and keep them upright with no leaning which and yeah... try to adjust shelf heights so there is only a small gap above the top edges, since dust loves to settle there. Keep the case out of airflow from vents and away from windows that cause drafts. For cleaning, do a quick weekly pass. Wipe shelves and spines with a soft lint free cloth. Hold each book closed and brush from the spine toward the fore edge so debris is not pushed into the hinge. Use a barely damp cloth only on glossy jackets and dry immediately. Stick to dry methods on uncoated paper. Leather responds only to a very small amount of a gentle pH neutral leather cleaner and then a dry buff. Avoid alcohol, ammonia, bleach, and sprays. Works great.

It's probably overheating from heavy frozen loads or poor airflow. Thaw ingredients or add liquid and pulse and let it rest, keep it well ventilated, and contact the manufacturer if it keeps happening.

Hi Brian, Yes, it's very normal to want more alone time than your partner, and it does not mean you love them less. Think of it like an energy style difference rather than a compatibility flaw. Bring it up at a calm moment and lead with reassurance. Try something like, "I love being with you, and I show up as my best self when I get a little solo recharge. When I ask for time alone I'm not pulling away from you, I'm topping up so I can be more present." Then get concrete: "Most days after work I need 30 minutes by myself," or "Could we plan one evening a week where we do our own thing and then reconnect?" Suggest a structure that meets both needs, such as putting your solo blocks and couple time on a shared calendar so it feels predictable and safe. Offer alternatives for their connection need, like a standing check-in text during your alone time or a set cuddle-and-chat before you go do your separate thing. If it helps, frame it as quality over quantity, and invite their input: "What would help you feel connected while I recharge?" Follow through by returning when you say you will and re-engaging intentionally so the pattern reinforces trust. If they hear "space" as rejection, try different language like "recharge time" or "focus time," and consider some parallel play options where you are in the same room doing different things.

Love this question because alone time is the secret sauce. I tell friends I'm on kid chaos mode after 6 and I do solo recharge blocks so I can be a better hang later. It actually made plans smoother because they know Fridays are my yes-night. Throw in something fun like let's do tacos Saturday at 1, I'll be human again. People generally cheer you on when you frame it as refueling.

Everything costs more and somehow friends turn into interest‑free lenders. Groceries went up, rent went up, streaming went up, and now you're floating someone else's vacation months later. It's not rude to ask; it's rude they let it ride this long. Be direct with numbers and a date. 'Hey, following up on the trip—your share is $125. Can you send by Friday?' If they stall, 'If needed, split it over the next two Fridays.' Attach the request in-app so it's frictionless. If they truly can't pay, they can say so; silence isn't an option. Timeline: one nudge after 7 days, one firm message after 14. After that, I label it a loss and stop covering them for anything. Next time they ask, 'Can't front it—still waiting on the last one.' Vent over.

Quick way to get it right every time. Open both manuals your car and your car seat to confirm which seating spots allow lower anchors and what the LATCH weight limits are. Set the seat to the correct recline for rear or forward facing and use the seat's level indicator if it has one. Attach the lower anchors, make sure the strap is flat, then press your body weight into the seat while pulling the LATCH strap tight. Check for movement only at the belt path and aim for under one inch side to side or front to back. If forward facing, always connect and snug the top tether. Use either LATCH or the seat belt, not both, and switch to a seat belt install once your child or the seat hits the stated LATCH weight limit. A quick check with a certified child passenger safety technician is worth it for peace of mind. If you want something that makes LATCH especially straightforward, consider Clek Foonf. Its rigid LATCH for forward facing gives a near foolproof click-in install, and the built-in recline helps you dial in the proper angle. It is on the heavy side, but the rock-solid install and ease of use are excellent.