Parenting Contents Archive

i regret taking my daughter to the zoo

We went to the Zoo today and my daughter had an absolute blast. I on the other hand regretted going each enclosure we went too. That was so damn depressing, half the animals looked …just broken. The elephants were kept inside since they are fixing the Elephant enclosure, but those elephants were clearly not doing well with that. One paced anxiously back and fourth, while the other keep rubbing and hiding his face in the corner. The spaces were small and not well kept. I guess as a child you don’t recognize the negatives just the animal. I do not remember it being like that as a kid but that was a long time ago. I don’t think we will be going back unless she asks, it almost feels wrong to support it.

What's your parenting tip that is specific to only your baby?

What's something that works for your baby that you're pretty sure is just a your baby thing?

Grandpa beat you??

Yesterday our 3yo looked at my husband with the saddest face and said, “Grandpa beat me.” We looked at each like, “wtf?” Her grandpa is currently in Texas and won’t be back to our northern state until mid-April. And she adores him. And he is the opposite of anyone who would ever beat a kid, soooo clearly, none of this made any sense. So we tried to figure out what she was REALLY attempting to say, and then the next three and a half minutes went like this: Us: beat you at a game? 3yo: no. He beat me. Us: what did he beat you at? 3yo: he just did it. He just beat me. Us: how did he beat you? When did this happen? 3yo: he did!! Us: 3yo, tell us how this happened. How did Grandpa beat you? 3yo: when we FaceTimed and he said I shouldn’t eat the chocolate carrot the Easter Bunny left me. Us: do you mean that he TEASED you? 3yo, perks up: yeah!! He teased me! That’s what I said, Mom!!! Clearly, we will need to have a preemptive chat with daycare. 🤦‍♀️

No one told me motherhood would...

This rings so true for me as I'm currently struggling with the 9-12 month phase and some days are still about surviving.

Pregnant at Embarrased

My husband (40) and I (37) just found out we are pregnant with our 5th child, and I’m absolutely mortified. We can afford another child. We have space for another child. We, really, have time for another child. But this was completely unplanned and the result of failed birth control (and my husband delaying a vasectomy). Our other children aren’t too much older, but please, someone tell me if I’m making the biggest fool of myself by having a FIFTH child, especially after swearing up and down we were done, and being these ages.

Having second thoughts about having a second kid, did anyone go from planning 2 to 1?

My wife and I both grew up with a sibling so naturally we were planning to have 2. If for no other reason than so that our first would have a family support system even when we're gone and have a friend growing up. However after the birth I find myself feeling like we are struggling with just 1, we both have demanding jobs and we both find ourselves feeling like we are taking a disproportionate amount of the responsibilities and not getting enough time to take care of ourselves. I'm worried our baby is already not getting the attention needed, what would it look like when there's 2? We do have other challenges at the moment that are making it worse but I am scared that we won't be able to handle another. Did anyone change their mind to have fewer kids? Do you regret it?

Education neglect

Not sure if this is the right sub, I just need advice about my niece. My sister has 3 kids ages 5, 3 and 1. She very openly discusses her decisions not to enroll her children in school yet shows no effort at all in educating them herself. I am especially concerned with the 5 year old who stays at home playing and watching movies all day. I feel she is already behind; has difficulty counting to 5 and such things like that. They’re not financially able to hire anyone for homeschooling and my mom and I are just frustrated at my sister lack of ambition. When we try to discuss this matter with my sister she immediately gets defensive and that is not our intention at all to offend her. I am just looking for a different approach or am I just being overly concerned and as my sisters says “should mind my own business”

I'm finally getting Adderall

After almost a year of doctor visits and trying everything but the kitchen sink; I am finally being prescribed Adderall. My husband and I had a serious conversation about how my executive dysfunction has taken a turn for the worse. The next day I was talking to my mom about the conversation in general and she said "Yeah, I'm glad y'all talked because me and your dad have been worried as well. Please call the doctor and make another follow up appointment. " So here we are. I'm honestly kind of shocked that it's finally happening.

My wife has only gained 17 pounds 8 months into pregnancy.

Her midwife ordered an ultrasound for tomorrow to check on the baby as she is worried about my wife's little weight gain. Any mom's out there who went through something similar? For reference my wife was about 134 pre pregnancy and the midwife said she would have liked my wife to have gained 26 by now. The baby is active and kicking and hiccuping. I keep telling me wife everything is fine and that she has only gained weight in her belly (duh) which is why her weight has increased drastically. Just looking for reassurance that others have experienced this and chances are everything will be ok.

Hot weather general rules/park etiquette

It's 80 degrees today 😅 the first really hot day of the year. I took my almost 3m old to the park and quickly realized I am sooo clueless on precautions for hot weather. Since she was born in Jan, I focused mainly on precautions for cold weather. Any tips? Things I should absolutely be doing to ensure she's safe in the heat. My pediatrician said no for sunscreen until she's 6 months. On another note, is there unspoken park rules for communicating with another persons kid? A little girl asked me to give her a push on the swing and so I did. She was alone for a good 5 minutes before her mom came over and she was small (about 3) so I just made sure she was ok and not scared. It wasn't until after I realized.. should I have done that? Her mom did come over and say thank you. But like.. should I have just told her to get her mom?

I like being on the opposite side of the country as my family & friends.

I know some would be so appreciative of being able to be closer to family. However, is anyone else like me? I’ve had visitors twice this past month and that was enough for me. Maybe it’s the FTM in me but I just don’t wanna share my kid. It’s just my husband, baby, three dogs and myself. I love our little family so much and having company has me second-thinking our potential move closer to my hometown. My husband said it’s ultimately up to me and that we will want the help with more kids. Maybe that’s true but I’m just comfortable with how things currently are. My parents leave tomorrow and I’m ready to get back to our typical routine. It’s hard to let people in when you’re so used to doing things yourself.

What do you guys think of switching to men’s deodorant to cover up postpartum smelly armpits?

Seriously considering switching to old spice and finding a scent that isn’t too manly. I’m sick of overpriced womens deodorants that don’t even last and I’m in desperate need for something that helps the PP stank

I owe my wife an apology

My son currently refuses to wear pants. He’s walking around the house repeating wiener (pronounced wee-nuh) over and over. I’m standing in the kitchen reading something then all of a sudden the boy is behind me rubbing his junk on my leg and starts yelling wiener… Apparently I owe my wife an apology. Apparently having someone come over and rub their junk on you *is not* an enjoyable experience. Who knew… 🤷‍♂️

Hot take: kids should be able to look out of the window of a moving vehicle.

We all did this growing up and it’s something I’ve instilled in my 2yo. Obviously plane rides or road trips are different, but our drives are always short and he hasn’t been on long flights yet. I guess I just have an issue with kids glued to iPads everywhere. My kid gets some screen time at home. I just have prioritized him being able to look at a book or play with a toy in restaurants, airports, car rides, etc. instead of needing a screen. What’s your hot take?

How not to be

Everyone else is too emotional Especially me It’s embarrassing You’re the only one who’s got it right Respect is earned And what have I It’s embarrassing You’re the only one who’s done it right Apathy is strength? It’s you who is weak Who has the time? It’s embarrassing For thoughts and feelings How selfish Human condition is pathetic Look at you Risen above We live inside our minds And if that’s the case You don’t exist