Parenting Contents Archive

Nashville School Shooting; How Are You Processing It?

I have a 20 month-old and another on the way and I am completely terrified of them attending school. It feels like nothing is safe. Universities, high-schools, middle schools, and today a religious elementary school for pre-k to 6th. I had thought maybe a private school when time, or a religious school to try and keep some form of security - but now that seems completely useless. It’s just a cycle of a shooting followed by “thoughts and prayers” and it makes me wonder if home-schooling is something we need to consider or a small home-schooling co-op. The question I have for our community here is, how are you feeling about it?

I don’t want to live in this country

We moved back to the continental US after being away for 5 years. I’m from the Nashville area originally. Another fucking school shooting. These poor babies. They deserve so much more than a country that doesn’t want to change. I miss being in a country where I don’t know worry about being in public places. My son is about to be 3 and I should be excited for the milestone of going to preschool. Instead I’m terrified.

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Grounded my kid from her phone but I lost the phone

But maybe if she had not gone drinking and stayed out all night, I would not have had to confiscate it. Personally I think I really don't care because a 16 year old shouldnt be drinking at all, & she can use my old phone. But damn! I've turned this house upside down & can't find her phone

Prep school vs public school

Which would you choose: Send my kids to one of the top prep schools in the country where they are exposed to better learning opportunities and resources( and maybe chances of college scholarships and getting into the best universities) BUT leave very little money for their college education so they may need to get student loans to support them. OR Send them to a mediocre public school where resources and opportunities are limited thus making it harder for them to know and attain what they want to pursue BUT have enough money saved for whatever college they would want to go to without needing to worry about student loans. For context, my kids are 9, 7 and 5. Getting them into prep school involves moving to another state.

Early Allergy exposure questions

My baby is nearly 8 months and we’re doing BLW. I’m continuously trying to give exposure to allergens but some are harder than others. Like shellfish. I don’t cook them often. The easiest to cook, shrimp is very choke-y… if I made a shrimp scampi pasta, would the baby have enough exposure from just the sauce’s shrimp ambiance? Or do I need to blend a shrimp and incorporate somehow (that sounds annoying to me lol). Or if I did canned clam pasta, same question with the sauce vs eating an actual clam. For skin allergies like grass, does early exposure also work? Lastly, did you come up with any clever ways to incorporate more allergens easily in your young babies life? Obviously wheat, milk, pb, tofu are easy but struggling with shellfish and tree nuts.

How have the parents of US haven’t done mass protesting? Sincere questions

I’m from the UK, mother of 2, and I just saw on the news yet another mass shooting in Nashville. As a parent I can’t imagine the anxiety and fear of it all sending my child to school where mass shootings is likely to happen, so I’m asking US parents how do you cope with fear and anxiety of school shootings? How there hasn’t been be any mass protesting of more tougher gun control laws?

At least three children and three adults are dead after this country's latest school shooting in Nashville. Your kids may have questions. Here's how you can talk them through this tragedy. 💔 https://t.co/EjNx5Vq0pY

Newborn’s skin is dry / peeling. Baby is 7 days old, and this started today. What can I do?

Baby Not Eating

My little guy is 4 months and I thought we were through the sleep regression except last night he was up 3 times to eat. He ate heartily each time (BF) and if we attempted to put him back to sleep without feeding, he'd fuss until he ate. Today daycare told me he's had 4 ounces all day (usually has three 5 ounce bottles). He's not fussy or crying, he just pushes the bottle out every time they try to give it to him. Any ideas of what's going on or what to try? If he eating too much at night? I don't even know what I'm looking for; I'm just tired.

Ideas for sharing LO prog w family

LO is 4 days old, and realize I can't spam the family and friend chats forever. Does anyone have platforms or concepts to easily post text and media updates for those wanting them? (Not something public like FB, or something requiring much registration and tech knowledge so oldies can access). I've hear a mailchimp newsletter can work. What else??

Question about girls' swimsuits

I just found out I'm expecting a girl after 2 boys. I was looking online for some girls' swimsuits and I was so confused. Why are little girls in bikinis? Why do so many of the swimsuits have long sleeves and then cut off on the legs? That makes no sense if the long sleeves are for sun protection? Or are these supposed to be worn with shorts. I'm not a prude but I'm big into sun protection, I always have my boys wear rash guards when they swim. I guess I never noticed before I started looking for my own child how skimpy a lot of the girls' swimsuits are. Our kids tend to be fair skinned and I don't want them to burn, we live at a high altitude so it's important to be conscious of sun exposure. What do you all put your girls in to swim?

Mom shamed for the 1st time by some old lady

Ugh gotta vent. Today I is 65 degrees where I'm at and I had my son in a short sleeve and pants. He runs around a lot and gets sweaty. Anyways, while my son was having his speech therapy session at a little park (mind you, the sun was facing the playground, even I was sweating like????), some old lady walks by and mutters, "ugh! It's so freezing". Fine, whatever. I thought she was muttering to herself. Until she came back AGAIN and muttered the same thing with a passive aggressive tone. I was seeeeething yall. If the therapist wasn't there, I would've said something. As the lady walked away I said "I dont think its freezing. I know my kid, we are in the sun". The therapist shook her head like she knew this lady was crazy, too. I know its not that bad compared to other stories on here but like???? I know what I'm doing, I'm with my kid 24/7, it's none of her business. AND SHE CAME BACK TWICE? Ugh.

Give it to me straight: antidepressants

I'd very much like to hear your experiences with antidepressants. I feel like I need them. My depression has lasted too long for this to just be a slump. Things are not getting better, but I'm afraid to take that leap. I wish I could put my finger on why I'm so hesitant, but I'm hoping hearing about you guys' experiences might help me. Good and bad. Lay it on me. Thank you!

Why won't my kid sit and watch TV????

I'm going insane. Every 30 seconds, my child asks me a question, asks me for something, runs around, grabs my phone, whines, bothers the pets, etc. Whatever is going on in the cartoon, she wants to do that thing *right now* I have to tell her to WATCH. THE. DAMN. TV. What is up with these child development experts trying to tell me that screen time "replaces" time spent on exercise, connection, etc. Because that's what I want. And that is not happening.