Parenting Contents Archive

Among the challenges: There are fewer resources for teaching English learners remotely, and many English learners are less likely to have access to technology. @KavithaCardoza https://t.co/gagy1XKUk1

Parents who skipped on getting a crib, what was your sleep arrangement?

Hi parents! I’m expecting, and I’m not convinced that we need a crib. I’m tempted to go from side-car bed (something right next to us in our bedroom for the early early times) and then move to something else and skip getting a crib. I’m not sure what would be the best option for non-crib sleep place once baby is too big for the side-car bed. So, parents who didn’t get a crib, what did you use? Did you like it? Any advice? Thanks from an anxious first-time-mom-to-be!

Update: my husband doesn’t want to watch the kids

First of all I did not expect to get so many replies. I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming support you gave me. There were so many replies that I didn’t get to answer all of them, but I’ve read everything. I did go today to my fathers house. It was extremely difficult to clean out and worry about the kids at the same time. I was away for 5 hours (shorter then expected). I will spare you the things he said, that will only confirm many many comments, but let me assure everybody that the children were absolutely fine. I have much to think about. At the moment I don’t feel capable of making big decisions since grieve is clouding everything. But I will keep everything in mind when grieve is not so overwhelming anymore. Thank you all.

How do we tell Child we're taking them to a counselor?

Help. We've made an appt for our 12 yo, mostly related to telling them about some serious issues with their birth-parents, who they've met (and also some relatively minor -- now, but could escalate if not addressed -- behaviors). Child is very sensitive to perceived criticism and we worry that they'll hear it as a message **there's something "wrong" with them**. How have or would you give this news??

I do not understand how people with young children want to have sex

What the title says. People with young kids who have a sex life, why? How? I mean to be fair, I’ve never been the type of person who had sex more than 1-2x a week. That was the peak of my sex life with my husband pre-kids. But after having kids and the tiredness, lack of hygiene, mental drain that comes along with every single day… how on earth do you get into bed after a long, frustrating, exhausting day and think, you know what I really want right now? Taking off all my clothes and having someone touch me even more. I feel bad for my husband because I know he’s always up for it and it rarely happens anymore. And I do miss the days when sex was relaxing and appealing. But it’s not anymore and I get really jealous/insecure when I hear that other parents don’t seem to feel that way. Sigh.

Do infant deaths still get mislabeled as SIDS when they’re actually suffocation or other results of unsafe sleep? (Trigger warning)

In my due date Facebook group, there’s a mother who sadly lost her 12 month old last year. She swears that a very popular (and reportedly very safe) sleep sack is to blame. She has even said: “The cause of death is listed as SIDS, but I know that it was actually the fabric from the sleep sack.” Obviously I feel like a jerk if I question her further. But her daughter was 12 months old and many sources seem to say that even a blanket is fine by then. Additionally, she admits that the COD is officially SIDS. I have used this particular sleep sack and plan to use it again, but this is something that’s going to nag at me. I’m all for safe sleep, but I think her claim is more trauma based (very understandably) than evidence based.

Used car seat?

Would you ever use one? From a stranger on Craigslist, not a friend. My gut says no bc you never know if it’s been in an accident, but is that silly?

Just a rant on bad cop good cop parenting

I am the bad cop. My husband is good cop. I was just told I am throwing a tantrum when i asked my dd who is 7 to grab a coat before going out with her dad and brother. She lies that she is then my husband who was waiting for her in the car comes back to say he has to go grab her a long sleeve. I said she lied so she needs to stay home. My husband says it is ok she can go. He then says i am acting childish. He always says this to me. He encourages my kids to be sneaky about electronics, not brushing their teeth, not cleaning their rooms etc. When I ask them to he says no one wants to do that. Stop being mean. Wooow. This is my life as good cop. Oh and he encourages eating candy for all meals. Just disgusting but i get told i am the bad guy if i say anything.

4 days old baby girl

I have been feeding my baby formula since my breast milk has been low..i have been feeding her 1 oz of formula. The pediatrician told me that is not enough and I need to feed her 2oz every 2 hours instead of 1 oz. Now I tried to wake her and she wanted to stay sleep..we are approaching 4 hours. I will wake her up. But its so confusing. How often do you feed your baby?? Im a first time parent

Almost 4 year old not wanting to answer questions?

Hi everyone, Just wondering if this is normal. My son will be 4 in April. If I ask him something like “what is dad doing?” He will say “he is upstairs.” Which is fine, but then if I probe a bit like “yes but what is he doing..? Is he laying in bed?” My son will furrow his brows and frown and say “I don’t want to answer!!” He does this a lot, and I don’t push it because I don’t want to upset him but I also don’t want him to be unable to communicate effectively and am not sure what the best approach to take is. Is this normal? Any feedback or advice welcome. Edit: I should include that we spoke our native language for the first 3 or so years of his life and he’s been speaking solely English at full time daycare the last 3 months. So I do try asking in both languages in case he feels more comfortable answering in one over the other.

Car seat help - Graco Extend2fit. See comments for explanation.

I'm so sorry for all moms that have no support from the father (or other mom).

All in title. Everyday I see at least one post from a mom that can't take it anymore and is SO tired with PPD. Everytime the dad is mentioned, he acts like a complete dick. As a recent dad, I CANNOT wrap my head around that. You SHOULD be supportive of your SO, what the hell is wrong with you dads? Spending all your time at work, away from your baby, and then telling the mom that taking care of the baby is basically nothing. Assholes.

Chunks of hair falling out. HELP

I'm 4 month PP and chunks of my hair is falling out. I find strands everywhere including wrapped around my baby. Does anyone have any advice on how to prevent or even just lessen this hair loss? I'm still taking prenatal because I'm breastfeeding so I'm not sure why I'm loosing so much. Any advice is much appreciated!

#Resilience comes from the inside out. #Helicoptering robs kids from agency or developing an “I GOT IT” mindset.Make your mantra “Never do for your kids what they can do for themselves.” It’s the 1st step to boosting self-efficacy & raising #thrivers. #parenting https://t.co/qOwiaEeSt6

Age to first show movies? How often? I love movies but want to limit screen time.

I think the first time I saw a movie was when I was 1 or so, and it was in a theater. Movies were a huge part of my childhood - dancing to music and acting out scenes. It wasn’t passive for me because I was so engaged. I want my future child to love movies too, but I am very concerned about screen time. Screens are so ubiquitous, the world isn’t like how it was when I was a kid. I know tinies can be hypnotized by a screen. And they can become addicted to watching shows. And and hour and a half for a tiny is a much longer time than for an adult. So my question is, how often do you let a tiny watch a movie? What age would you start showing them?