Parenting Contents Archive

What do you miss most about your life before you had kids?

For me it's having unstructured evenings after work. Asides from having dinner, the evening was free for anything. A walk. Videogames. An *entire* movie. A book.

How the hell do you entertain a toddler all day WITHOUT TV?

seriously, like are we as parents supposed to just play for 10-12 hours with him?

My daughter has figured out kisses.

My 8 month old daughter has finally figured out kisses. Slobbery, open mouth, trying to bite, scream laughing, kisses. Today whenever she gets upsets, she's been grabbing my face and kissing my cheeks instead of crying. I always kiss her when she's upset, or when I am, and it is the absolute sweetest thing to see her connect the two. Being upset and being calmed by kisses. It's amazing to see her starting to figure out self regulating, and I'm so happy to know she feels loved and enjoys it enough to do it back to me!

Teenager wants her first job

My daughter is looking to enter the workforce. She is 16 and we have not had any luck with places. Apparently walking into places dressed nice and asking to speak to the hiring manager isn’t how things are done anymore lol. Things have certainly changed since looking for my first entry level job in the 90’s. Everything is online. Parents, what sites did your child use to land their first gig?

We learn the best while teaching others.🧠 Sketchnote by @tnvora, ideas by @BelleBCooper https://t.co/DnwOS64XBU

My baby just giggled for the first time…

…and now my heart is so full of love and pride I can’t stop the tears!

I really like this. https://t.co/CdsWhb8M5z

Light housework postpartum

Is there any harm in doing laundry, dishes, etc if I’m feeling up for it? How long did you wait before resuming light housework? I gave birth 4 days ago

Is my husband wrong or am I?

So the whole conversation started because my husband said he wanted to switch from organic milk to normal milk for our two year old. Then he said its good for her because he heard it helps girls boobs and butt to grow big ( because of the extra hormones). He said it’ll help her be more attractive to men and be more confident. I was and still am very weirded out by this. My argument is that a father should want his daughter to be fit and healthy ( which he agrees with too) not be thinking about how big her assets will be so men will be pleased with her look. So parents out there… am I weird for thinking this is weird or is he wrong?

Counting down the hours until bedtime

I have a 4 year old. Often, on the weekends, I find myself counting down the hours until bedtime. It’s especially excruciating when it’s cold, snowy, rainy, extra pandemicy and we have to stay in. I feel bad and sad, but spending 12+ hours of uninterrupted time with a four year old is like torture. Mine loves playing pretend and rarely plays on her own. I hate pretend play and crave alone time all the time. I guess I’m just screaming into the void- MAKE IT SUMMER! END THIS PANDEMIC! SOMEONE PLAY WITH MY KID FOR ME!

Ever get depressed when you realize the only thing you do in “free time” is chores?

I just openly admit it. I have no life beyond work and child rearing and no plans on the weekend ever. I used to have friends and now I just have piles and piles of laundry.

Advice for a middle income mom

Hi everyone! My (32F) son (4M) got in to an amazing private school. I applied not thinking he would get in but he did! The fees are exorbitant but I've managed to fit them in to my budget (and also picked up a few extra shifts) - if I'm going to spend money on anything, it's going to be my son's education. I've been very self conscious around the other moms (who are from a significantly higher tax bracket) tho and I just need advice on how to act normally or even just how to make sure my son isn't affected by my insecurities about wealth.

Am I crazy ? I resent my partner

There’s a lot of backstory that I won’t get into. But starting from this week. Me and my two sons got COVID. I asked my partner to stay home on Friday to help me with the kids but he went to work anyways. Burnt out already… he then tells me his boss invited him on a motorcycle ride on Saturday. I asked him nicely to please not go as I need help around the house and with the kids seeing as I’m still sick. Well he said he wouldn’t go. Then tells his boss that he’ll go on half the ride ! He’s been gone almost 3 hours. I’m so frustrated and feel like my feelings and wellbeing are so far from a priority to him. I also feel like a single mom. All he does is make money. Which I’m grateful for but he really doesn’t do much else but pay the bills.

About the #Diphtheria Vaccine via @ParentingPatch https://t.co/X8QWHErjYC #diphtheriavaccine

Caffeine alternatives to make it through the day

Does anyone have any alternatives to caffeine that I can try to get through the day? As a dad of a 10 month old it’s been extremely exhausting, and I have a sensitivity to all caffeine (including tea) that makes me nauseated and vomit throughout the day. Anything other parents are consuming to not feel tired all day with little one, especially through the tough phases of sleep regression? Posting here because other subreddits suggest sleeping more, which isn’t always a reliable option with a baby, so hoping other parents will understand and can offer alternative suggestions. Thank you