Parenting Contents Archive

What am I supposed to say once I've given birth and the baby is placed on me?

Honestly though, it's such a huge moment and I feel like I'm going to say something dumb like "wow I feel so much relief! Like the day after you visit a buffet!" Because I like to make jokes. I am also worried I'd be so exhausted that I just lay there with no emotion. I want to make it a special moment for me, my partner and family who will be there for support but I guarantee if I say something dumb like "oh no did I poop myself" they'll joke about it forever.

How can I help my teenage daughter with her sweating/BO?

My daughter is 13 and so self conscious of sweating and BO. She wears deodorant daily. Showers daily. And even applies the deodorant multiple times a day. She’s very active (she’s in a few sports) but she was crying to me about how she constantly smells and the sweat shows through her shirts. I feel helpless and don’t know how to help her. We have tried several deodorants. Any suggestions for a good deodorant for her? Or ways to help?

Does speaking multiple languages to kids delay their speech?

My wife said to me she would rather me not talk to our son in Spanish or put any music or shows in Spanish because it is going to delay his speech and confuse him. I am fluent in both English and Spanish never had any problem with speech! I only spoke Spanish at home and everything else I learned in English. I did learn how to read and write in Spanish up to like 2nd grade I think and then remember everything else being in English. I told her "That isn't going to delay his speech, but I did read an article about how excessive screen time delays speech" and both of my SK's have trouble with speech and they only get spoken to in English. I know kids are like sponges and absorb everything fairly well and language is one of them. I am going to continue doing what I am doing because why not have my son learn two languages. Anyone else talk to their kids in multiple languages and how has it with them?

No one prepared me

For the amount of hand and toe lint I’d be cleaning off my baby on a regular basis. It’s like she’s collecting them to make a sweater one day or something!

Stocking the Fridge

Hello! I’m expecting my first baby in just over 5 weeks and trying to prepare my kitchen for those first few weeks after baby comes. I’m anticipating that my husband and I won’t want to be cooking very much at the beginning and everyone says make ahead freezer meals are the way to go, but the problem is I’m pretty picky about frozen food if that makes sense. I’m not picky in general, I’ll try anything and like most foods. But something about making a lasagna for the freezer and thawing it later just isn’t for me. I’m hoping some of you have easy dinner suggestions for me! Thanks in advance!!

Have you had to tell other close family to back off?

I've come to realize that some of my close family have gotten comfortable being around our family, which is great. However, I find they are more 'anal' about most things (ie. my 4yr old son was playing with a butter kife while sitting at the dinner table) and they often feel compelled to 'intervene' before nothing happens. It doesn't help that my 4yr old is the oldest of his 4 other siblings and cousins... so he often gets treated as a toddler. What have you guys done to diplomatically, or rather amicably, tell your family to back off?

Help poop my breastfeed baby (5mo).

She hasn’t pooped for a week and is extremely gassy. We have done bicycle circles, massages etc and nothing is working. Would love any advice!

shame of not being able to provide for family?

I am married and have 4 month old girl. I don't want to bore you with my finances but let's just say we depend on government support. I work as security guard and also as a cleaner. Unfortunately it isn't enough I feel like I am a lesser man because of this. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you weren't man enough to do x or y?

Washington State University New Moms Sleep Study

POSTPARTUM SLEEP STUDY WSU Spokane Sleep and Performance Research Center Must be 18+ years old, a first-time mom OR partner/caregiver of a first-time mom also enrolled in the study AND using a wearable device to track sleep. Call (509) 358-7751 or email: [spok.sleep@wsu.edu](mailto:spok.sleep@wsu.edu) or visit: [https://labs.wsu.edu/sprc/research-volunteers/](https://labs.wsu.edu/sprc/research-volunteers/)

Update- husband is gone

Thank you so much brooms for all.of your support. You really helped me see that I was not over reacting and helped me make the right decision for my kids. I was granted the order of protection and my husband has been removed from our home. I currently have full custody of my kids with him having supervised visitation. I am hoping this is the wake up call he needs to seek therapy and work through his issues. My babies are doing amazing, I had no idea how much this situation was affecting them. We definitely all need therapy. Thanks brooks. Couldn't have done it without you 😊

Soon to be new parents.

I am in my third trimester of pregnancy and the topic of spanking came up between my partner and I. We both are on the fence about spanking or swatting our baby, and I quite honestly don’t know if I could even bring myself do it. And before anyone freaks out I’m not talking about newborn babies, Im talking about toddlers+. With that being said how do you punish or teach an older toddler to listen? I want to be a great mother and I’ve seen some conversations about gentle parenting but I’ve also seen that go very sideways where parents are allowing unacceptable behaviors from their children. I don’t want to be a passive adult, and I haven’t been around kids much so it worries me. I’m just stressing out about the future, you know, first time mom stuff lol.

Things people say

My mom knows I’ve been doing baby led weaning and I told her recently my daughter tried broccoli. She then lectures me that broccoli is too harsh and I should be doing purées of fruit and veggies she thinks are best. The other day we met family out at a restaurant. It happen to be right at my daughter’s nap time. Of course I know she would be able to make it a bit longer than normal but then she would be exhausted and would need to sleep. But alas, we went anyway and exactly what I predicted happened and we had to leave a little early. A family member later says we have secluded our daughter to our small world only and that’s why she isn’t able to do well around others. Sigh. That’s all, just venting because I’m so annoyed.

Barely a week into this and I don’t know how to adjust to baby’s sleep patterns.

FTD here. Since my wife went in for induction two Saturday’s ago, I’m pretty sure I have averaged maybe 4 hours of sleep per day. My wife is recovering from the cesarian so I am picking up the slack where she can’t. We are exclusively bottle feeding and our LC told us to pump every time our LO feeds. So we’re both up during feeding times and we can’t really take shifts. I know this is temporary but dear lord this is hard. And the middle of the night fuss sessions are damn near impossible. I know I’m preaching to the choir so thanks for listening. Peace and love.

When do I stop looking pregnant? (fourth trimester)

What the title says! I’m currently 6 weeks pp and my stomach still out here looking all pregnant. I’m 34 years old so I’m sure the process takes bit longer, but dang hoping by this point would look more normalish. Please someone tell me there is a light at the end of this very long tunnel!

Birthday Party Etiquette

My sons 9th birthday snuck up on me. The local trampoline park does a party package for up to 10 kids for $199. I’m afraid to book it and no one show up. The same place also offers walk in parties where I can bring in cupcakes and balloons but the guest would pay their way in. If I state on the invite that their presence is the present, that we wouldn’t expect gifts, is that still tacky? They would still be paying to attend a party. Thanks in advance for the opinions. 💗