u/Persephone7654

Any ideas for a really good dressing gown? Was gifted one for baby 1 and it was amazingly warm and cozy when I was up overnight in winter feeding baby. But also cheap, tacky and now disintegrating. So I want to treat myself to a replacement for baby 2 this winter.

I’d love something that is soft, cozy and really warm, so below knee length and with a hood.

But also not white (don’t want to see every single crumb spilt on it), is very washable without falling apart. And definitely not animal print… but also not just plain black?

Perhaps I should be looking for a unicorn robe…

Looking for perspectives from others who may have ended up in a different financial position from their friends/family over time.

My partner and I are in our late 30s in London. Through a mixture of career progression, luck and timing, our household income has increased quite a lot over the last few years. We don't particularly live a flashy lifestyle, but we're aware we're now in a very different position to most of our wider social circle and extended family.

Recently a close friend was made redundant. They're actively looking for work and will be fine eventually, but in the short term I know finances are tight. They had a family holiday booked before the redundancy and I suspect it's become quite stressful financially.

We're in a position where covering some of the cost (say £1000) wouldn't make a meaningful difference to us, but it would make a significant difference to them. The complication is that I don't know they'd accept help if it came directly from us, and I worry it could change the dynamic of the relationship.

Has anyone ever given financial help anonymously in a situation like this? Did it work, or did it just create confusion? Alternatively, is it better to be open and risk an awkward conversation?

More broadly, how do people navigate long-term friendships when incomes diverge substantially? In our 20s and early 30s it felt like everyone was broadly in the same boat and money was discussed quite openly. Now it feels harder to have honest conversations without creating discomfort, embarrassment or resentment on either side.

Interested in hearing how others have approached it.