Parenting Contents Archive

Epidurals. Why does it matter to some whether you got one or not?

Anyone else have relatives that are super judgemental about getting an epidural? I got the epidural for all 3 of my labors & have no regrets. At the time when i was pregnant w my first, i got a lot of flack from my inlaws for getting the epidural. They cared so much about my decision to get one. BIL even made a comment saying "It's not real labor if you get an epidural." Anyway, 6 years later, SIL had her baby (no epidural) & MIL is gloating about it. Haven't been to see baby yet, but just want some advice on how to respond once MIL ( bc im sure she will) gloats about her daughter not getting one. Any feedback, advice would be appreciated, thanks!

This is the nonsense I resort to so I can keep the cats away from the baby's stuff.

How to deal with weaponized incompetence?

I often read about weaponized incompetence on this sub, and boy, do I have to deal with that shit too. On a daily basis. I'm so sick of it, I can't even put it into words. So a question to my fellow moms. How do you deal with this behavior from your partner? Any advice will be great! I don't care if it's flat out manipulative. So is weaponized incompetence. One thing that works for me, is in his presence mentioning it to people outside the household, that "no, he can NOT change a diaper. He simply can't figure it out." Then of course, he has to show that he can. But you don't always have that opportunity and it doesn't change anything in the long run. I'd really like to know how you deal with it mentally and how you handle it. Have you found anything that works?

Peditcian says son has non speaking autism but my son does speak

My 3 year old son just crys when he is at the doctors because he waits in the waiting room for so long he gets upset and bored and starts throwing a cry fit. Happens every time. Now the doctor says he has non speaking autism because my son didnt talk when he was trying to get him to speak. The doctor was told he talks but reffered us to a specialist. Is it in my right to not take him to the specialist because I KNOW he talks? Should I start recording him talking? He repeats words perfectly, he can say short sentences, he was even learning mulitple languages from watching youtube videos..

Is a new polyester rug ok for my baby to crawl on?

I bought a really comfortable 8’x10’ 100% polyester rug from Costco to go in the living room over our hard floors. That area will be where my baby will spend most of her playtime. After buying it though, I found out that synthetic rugs shed microplastics and that buying new rugs or synthetic rugs isn’t recommended because of the toxic fire-retardant chemicals on them. My baby is 4 months old and usually plays on a blanket on the rug, but eventually will be crawling on the rug and having her face and hands in it. Should I get rid of this huge rug and replace it with a cotton or wool rug?? I have wool rugs in other rooms and they are not comfortable or very padded, and I’d definitely want something cushiony for her to play on. Cotton rugs also seem to be very thin. I’m not sure what to buy and don’t know if I’m being over dramatic and worrying too much about this.

Neighbors little shit

I used to be so nice to my neighbors child. He was a nice kid but once he started going to school he turned into such a little a hole. He began bullying my kids (hes 6, mine are 4 and 5).. calling my son with a speech delay stupid and making him cry, and doing other things that just werent so nice. He is always throwing balls and toys over into my yard. We live in a rental where they do yard inspections and we get fined if theres toys all over the yard. I used to throw them back over the fence but now I just throw them in the trash 🗑 🙃 That's all. I just wanted to get that off my chest today.

How do people do this?

Our newborn boy came three weeks early and we didn’t have a chance to fully prep. It’s day 4 home from the hospital and I’m losing my mind. Every day is a struggle right now. Every night is a terror. I keep planning to sleep but there’s just so much to do. His mom is amazing but we have no family nearby and I’m doing everything I can to help her and the baby but I just feel weak and powerless.

He got a sucker.

So hubby went for bloodwork yesterday. And he got a sucker. He literally went to a clinic to get blood drawn and was given a lollipop to make him feel better. He has a little, wee bruise on his arm. Holy fuck, I need wine.

House rules from parents of teenagers

If you are a parent to teenagers, please share examples of your house rules. I don't want to be too granular but also don't want to miss anything important. I'm about to have a teenager join my household and I've never parented teens before so I'm nervous and want to avoid any dumb mistakes if I can.

Is it ok that I stayed in my car while my son watches his crush play volleyball at school?

My son is 12 almost 13. He’s in the 6th grade. His crush who is in 5th grade plays volleyball against other schools. He kept begging and begging me to take him. He told his crush that HE WOULD BE at her next game. Now I try to be comfortable, but I have anxiety. Been diagnosed. I felt uncomfortable about the idea of me(37m) watching a bunch of elementary school girls play volleyball having no relations to any of them. I mean the thought of other parents pointing at me wondering who “this guy” is if none of the girls knew him. I wish I wasn’t anxious like that, but I am. So this is my son’s school so he’s completely familiar with it. I walked him to the doors and told him to come to the car as soon as the game is over. I can clearly see the doors from the spot I parked in. How awful of an idea is that?

Only want one baby

Did anyone only have one child and not regret it? I have one baby and she is the absolute best thing to ever happen to us but i can’t picture us having any more. my husband and i agreed we’d only have one baby. everyone i know is always commenting on how 2 is better than 1 and i’ll change my mind.. did anyone only have 1 and feel confident in the decision? maybe it’s my hormones playing with me but i’m so certain that we were meant to have one child and people have me doubting myself. mom guilt is real and thinking i’ll deprive my child of a sibling. i come from a family of 6 kids and honestly, i didn’t get enough time with my parents. i want to give my baby everything and more. i know having just one child, we can do that.

How do I tell my son his dad doesn’t want to be in his life?

Hi ladies, looking for advice. My sons dad doesn’t want to be a part of his life. He is only a baby now but it worries me what I should tell him when he’s older and starts asking. Any tips? I don’t ever want to lie to my son but wondering how I can word it so he’s not mentally scared for life that his daddy didn’t want him.

Response to RSVP that included a sibling?

First time throwing a birthday party for my kiddo with school friends; gave out basic invites to the class with party info. I got a response from one parent today including a sibling in their head count. I’m fine with responding that the room we’ve reserved only has enough space for the number of kids in the class, but the actual venue has plenty of space for more people (laser tag, mini golf, games) - I’m trying to figure out a way to say best?

Sending your kid to prek

How does everyone get over the fear of sending your kid to school in the setting of gun violence? We have two kids, paying for double daycare. We entered a state lottery for a free prek3/4 school that has about 300 kids. I have an overwhelming fear and unsettling fear of sending my eldest to prek3 in a actual school. I know that we will not homeschool K-12, but I feel guilty and anxious sending him to school 2 years before he actually needs to and put him at risk for a school shooting. In this country, we can’t really say “oh school shootings happen”. It’s not guaranteed anymore. My husband disagrees and says this could happen at daycare as well. He’s a little desensitized to this as he’s a school counselor. I worry for him too but I definitely think he would respond better in a emergency situation than my 3 year old. How are parents overcoming their fear/guilt of sending their kids to school?

how do you get your kid to focus?

My 6 year old is a great kid. She is smart, silly, and well mannered. Basically, the average 6 year old. But her teacher is constantly reporting that she is not finishing her work in class. At school they have math and reading labs they do on iReady and almost every day she comes home with it incomplete. Today, her teacher left me a note saying she is playing with anything she gets her hands on and falling out of her chair during class time. She can do the work. When I have her do it at home, she can get it done in less than 30 minutes. And we talk daily about how we can refocus ourselves when we get distracted (deep breathing, 20/20/20 rule, etc) and some days it works, but I need some new ideas. Does anyone have any tips and tricks?