Parenting Contents Archive

Are you happy with your decision to have a child?

My husband and I have been together for 9 years, and we have an incredibly full and happy life. I’m 34 and it’s now or never in terms of kids but I can’t help but wonder if having kids will ruin our lives. So many parents hate being parents, it puts so much stress on romantic relationships and it’s unrelenting. Parents look miserable and part of me wonders if we’re all just lying to ourselves and there really is nothing joyful about kids. I But I also would love to share my life with kids, and care for someone else and see the growth and development of a child and live for someone other than myself or my husband and have cool adults kids as friends in the future. So I’m conflicted. Are you happy you had kids, has it been worth the sacrifice that has come with it?

This. It is so easy to criticize them BECAUSE most of us have a self criticism voice (we've been so criticized). It's worth breaking up with criticizing our children. And ourselves. https://t.co/egSvh8ATrl

Eye tracking data shows that babies understand more of what is said than previously thought! https://t.co/DKaMyvsXqW #braindevelopment #research

Making #Math Engaging with the #HappyCalc Elementary Maths Space Theme Puzzle from #FunComet via @ParentingPatch https://t.co/AA37R89kgR #numbers #puzzles

We then become witnesses to the development of the human soul; the emergence of the New Man, who will no longer be the victim of events but, thanks to his clarity of vision, will become able to direct and to mould the future of mankind. -Montessori, #parentalsage

Diaper recommendations?

I have had a subscription for Honest since my 6 mo was born and I love their prints. He started peeing through their overnight diapers, so after changing halfway through the night and still waking up wet, I switched to pampers for overnight. During the day, he has started blowing out the diapers every single time he poops. Every day I pick him up from daycare, he’s wearing different clothes than I dropped him off in. Sometimes this poo-splosion occurs on the way there, so I know it’s legitimate. He’s not even 18 pounds and in size 3, so I don’t think the size is a problem (they say up to 28 pounds). He is tall (90%) but about 50% for weight if that makes a difference. He is EBF, just now introducing some solids. Are honest diapers worse for containing poo? Or is it just my son? What brand do you recommend? Cloth diapering is unfortunately not an option for us because of dual-working parents and daycare restrictions. Appreciate the advice!

Is it normal for me to HATE when people hold my newborn?

I love my mom and my MIL but they have been over so much this week and I feel like I can’t ask for my baby back. When I have asked they say no and I feel obligated to let them hold him when they come over. He’s one week old. Every time they want to hold him it makes me want to cry and I hate it. Is that normal? I’m trying to not be selfish but I can’t help but feel this way.

Tips to stop toddler from running away

I have a pandemic toddler who hasn't had much exposure to the outside world. He is very fast and runs away from us immediately when outside or at a store. I'm interested in running errands where he needs to not run away from me. What did you do to teach your kids when it's okay to run and when it's not? My first never did this.

I can’t lay my baby down at all during the day

My LO will be 6 weeks Monday. I’m at home all day by myself and I cannot lay her down at all without her immediately waking up and crying. Like I just had to make a decision for her to either wake up, or me pee my pants. Everyone acts like I should just love the snuggles and i do, but it would be nice to be able to go to the bathroom or feed myself. I usually give up and put her in a wrap on me so I can get at least a few things done or go on a walk. I think being alone dealing with it isn’t helping. My husband is great and super helpful when he’s home. We have also established a bedtime routine and for the past 2 weeks she will sleep in her bassinet only waking once overnight to feed, so I feel like I really shouldn’t complain. I just wonder how long this will go on.

At what age do you allow your kids to go swimming alone at the public pool?

I have a bunch of preteen boys here ranging from 10 - 12 and they all want to go swimming but I do not. The pool in question is heavily lifeguarded, and has 3 pools only 1 of which has a deep end. To go in the deep end you have to pass a swim test. Their skills range from competitive swimmer to doggy paddler. I remember my mom dropping us off at the pool alone when we were very young, but times are different and I am nervous as I have never done this before.

“Essien hit on the idea of sending support staff -- adults who don’t have teaching roles, like the social worker, deans, academic adviser -- into the classroom to help when a situation arose. He calls it ‘push-in’…” https://t.co/59v1NNiTs9 https://t.co/dNPwSN2eoj

Flu vaccine

My just turned 2 year old is due to start nursery this month. Should I get him his flu shot before he starts, or wait until we approach winter and peak flu season? I want to protect him now but I don’t want him to be vulnerable when it is at the worst! I’m in the UK and it’s not offered until 2 years of age, which is why he hasn’t already had it.

Egg allergy?

Hey everyone, my 9 month old had eggs for the first time 2 weeks ago and ended up vomiting later that night. The stomach bug was going around daycare, I had it too so we assumed it was the bug. This morning, he had a couple more bites of eggs and threw up a couple times a few hours later. He also has some blotchiness on his face, so my googling is making me think it might be a reaction to the eggs? Does anyone have any idea how long this usually lasts if it is the eggs? I can’t find any information on how long it takes to get out of the system. My tank is on E as it is…I’m not sure I can take more puke/sleepless nights.

How much time do you get alone as a sahm?

Just curious! I get enough time to shower and eat when my partner gets off work then it’s bedtime since he works so late and my mom keeps my daughter once a week ( overnight ) so we can have a date night. How much time do you get alone as a sahm? * I’m incredibly thankful for the time I get to myself * I get naps and after bedtime too but I don’t count that, when I say alone time I mean time that someone else is caring for baby!

When do you let a child quit a sport?

I have a 5 yr old who we have had in karate and he seems low energy when he’s there. Sometimes he says he likes it and sometimes he doesn’t (that’s the same for a lot kids that I have seen so far). He goes to tournaments and places very low often. I’m worried about what affect that will have on his psyche. I don’t berate him for losing or anything like that and try to be supportive. He has an older brother 7 who does karate and seems to do well and flourishes. Part of me feels like we need to keep at it since at 5 I don’t think he’s likely to be really enthusiastic about other things either since he gets bored easily. Also I don’t want to just quit things when there’s a rough patch, life lesson being that forging ahead on things when they aren’t fun; but worthwhile, will have long term pay offs. The other part wants to shelter him from developing a complex that he’s just a loser. No idea what to do here.