Parenting Contents Archive

FTM to be - what's up with all these "sensory" activities?

Please don't read any hate into this, I'm just confused by all the recommended content I'm getting about sensory activities for baby/toddler. My boy won't be here until June but The Algorithm has spoken. I thought that just existing was sufficient sensory stimulation, as long as you're letting them get messy sometimes? One video had a lady who shredded a zucchini, food colored it and hid some toys in it. Then baby goes on a play mat to mess around with the mixture. That feels like a lot of work to me. Am I missing something about child development, or can I skip these activities without regrets?

Do you think you would've been a better Mom if you had had a cleaning lady?

Or if you had one, do you agree or disagree? There was a tiktok thread on this very thing and just became curious. Hoping to hear more inputs on this topic! Edit: the argument for why it did make them a better mother was that it freed up a day on the weekend to take their kids outdoors, to the zoo, etc. And they were less stressed overall.

Is it normal to not feel any different after becoming a mom? I still feel like I’m the same person as I was.

I’ve read so many posts about people talking about how you become a different person when you become a parent. I feel like I don’t relate to that. Even though my life has changed quite a bit since I’m now caring for a baby 24/7, I don’t feel more maternal, I don’t feel more mature or responsible and I don’t feel any sense of empowerment . It didn’t feel like a magical shift in who I am as a person, it was more like I just adapted to a new life. I don’t feel like I’m struggling to connect or anything, I love my baby and I think I’m doing a pretty good job taking care of him, but I don’t feel like I went through any sort of transformation when becoming a parent. Is this normal? Or will it happen later when he’s a little older? He’s 4 months old.

Covid and quarantine - paying the nanny but she isn’t coming in - what is your experience?

Plain and simple - we got COVID and we are quarantining for 5 days which includes this Mon and Tue. I am ready to pay my nanny for these missed days because it is out of her control that she has to be off. My partner says that it can count to her sick days. How in the world is that fair? I’m not sure how he doesn’t understand that that is wildly unfair to expect someone to take sick days because YOU were sick. Also what would you do? What have you done in this situation? Curious to hear.

By explicitly teaching how to avoid distraction, combat procrastination and study effectively, educators entrust students with the necessary skills for educational challenges faced both virtually and in person. @carolinesmjth @DTWillingham https://t.co/wcZ3NsYsEZ

I need to share a win

My son is 10.5 months old. I’m a single mom with pretty bad depression. After getting the help I desperately needed, this week I have felt like I am finally enough for him. I’ve been (unknowingly) depressed for years but PPD is something else. And it feels amazing to see the light. I have no one who understands PPD to talk to in my life but damn, it feels good to enjoy my son.

If I had known this is how my life would turn out, I would choose to be alone forever

I would be able to travel the world, by myself. I would be able to enjoy this temporary place we are put in, ALONE. Maybe then I would love and value myself. Because I wouldn't have to walk on eggshells around anyone. I wouldn't be made to feel worthless by someone else. I wouldn't have to navigate around someone else's horrible mood swings. I wouldn't have to cry every weekend because of someone else's failure to manage their own emotions. I wouldn't have to live every single day being on the verge of losing my insanity. I wouldn't be stuck in this horrible reality, for which the only escape is death.

I wonder what happened..

I’m holding my 4 week old baby in my arms and I feel so much unconditional love for him. He’s wonderful and I can’t wait to help him grow up and face the world. It makes me feel at a loss when trying to reflect on my own childhood. How could my parents be so neglectful? Didn’t they have this same moment of bliss? Or did they feel this way in the beginning and lose interest along the way? I know the answers are impossible. Who’s been through this before and what helps you let go?

Ode to our Roomba

If you do not have a robot vacuum and it is within your power to obtain one, do so. We moved recently and just haven’t used ours lately, but we just set Ricky the Roomba free again, and I forgot how helpful he is. One less thing I need to physically do myself with a child hanging around. And my floor looks less disgusting. Thanks Ricky!

kids don't want to hang out with their dad at allll

Hi! I'm asking a question for my sister. My brother in law abandoned my sister when she was pregnant with their third kid. He's since tried to make amends, she isn't interested. When he asks her about seeing the kids, she's totally open but prefers that he doesn't come hang out at her house for obvious reasons. She wants him to take them to his house, take them out somewhere, anything that doesn't involve him in her house. He always ends up weaseling his way to just hang out at her house. The main problem with that is that he'll sit and focus on my sister the entire time, only sometimes acknowledging the kids. She isn't sure how to handle it. She makes it known to ex-husband that that is her space and he's not welcomed, but when it's in front of the kids she doesn't want to say anything that might make them see him as a bad guy, or show her true feelings lol Any advice is welcomed. And I know I'm short on details so if there's anything you're wondering for full advice just ask lol

Not sure what happened, could it have been a second incident?

Months back, I posted about my toddler being touched/kissed in an inappropriate place by his cousin. They haven’t been allowed to be alone together, as a matter of fact it’s been nearly every time I take my child to his grandmas that he’s alone there and no other kids are around. These last few days though he’s been talking about his cousin “touching his butthole”. Like nonstop. I’ll be on maternity leave any time, so I won’t have to deal with him going over there, but do y’all think this is from the first time or is it a separate incident? I’m honestly so pissed and confused and upset by it.

What sucks about being a parent?

I love my children to death. I couldn't see my life without them but being a parent can suck. Right now my boyfriend took four hours to do things on his motorcycle. I enjoy him doing things he wants to do don't get me wrong we all need a break. What's my break though from the children? Folding laundry. I have been cleaning and washing it all day. I'm also the one who woke up at 430am because the kids decided to get up that early. I'm currently on the 3rd shift so I don't get a nap today yay! I know it's like I'm complaining but I just want to vent and know that I'm not alone. I mean I know I'm not but it's hard when you have no one else to talk to. Does anyone else have something they think sucks about being a parent?

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Helping kids see world as a good place boosts #optimism & helps them thrive. #Parents think—incorrectly—that teaching their children that the world is a bad place is likely best for them https://t.co/CxNPbDg7gh.

Why is it so hard for you to do something!?

I got up changed my son, got him in day clothes, made breakfast, did laundry, did dishes, threw dinner in the crock pot, cleaned kitchen, replaced toilet and showered. What have you done?! Not a damn thing! Just laid on the couch with your phone! Why is it that you go from being mildly helpful to a damn sloth and I have to practically light a fire under your ass to get you to do ANYTHING!? And you wonder why I get bitchy 😤 Do something! And yes I could’ve asked him to replace the toilet but I wanted it done this year. Been waiting on him to do it for over a month.