Parenting Contents Archive

Do all parents think their baby is the cutest baby that has ever existed on Earth?

Every time I look at him I’m STUNNED.

Is it wrong of me not to encourage my teenager to go to college?

For sure I would support him if it's what he wants to but I don't think it would be the right choice for him. He's only 14 and a lot could still change but he really doesn't do school settings well, it's too abstract for him, and if he can't see if being useful the won't pay attention. He's really more of a hands-on learner and he likes making/fixing things. I think trade school/apprenticeship would be a far better fit for him. My younger son's father says I'm a crap parent because I'm not planning to push him into something requiring college.

What countercultural stuff have you implemented in your house?

I have a toddler and WAS planning on homeschooling him, at least until I felt he was excited about learning. I want to get him off on the right foot. Other people say that's dumb and the opposite of what you do for your kid to start off well. I have a few years to make a final decision, but that's my "countercultural" thing. I also don't plan on giving my children smart phones. I truly don't know how kids are supposed to concentrate nowadays. Sure, my son will be exposed to stuff from other people, but at least it wouldn't be his whole world. Are you limiting TV time? No phones? Delaying phones? No social media? Anything that your friends and family think is totally bizarre but you know it's for the best? I'm interested to read through these and get ideas on how to parent beyond toddler years in this day and age. Thanks!

Do you forget?

I had my baby 3 month ago. Me and my husband always said we wanted two kids ideally but now we cannot imagine to ever go through this again. Our baby is a dream, when she laughs and babbles my heart hurts because I love her so very much, she's a great sleeper and very strong generally. But it's still so much and taking things day by day is not our preferred way of living, I miss my work, I miss my slow weekends and frankly, I miss my husband even though we're together 24/7 atm. Also, I hated being pregnant, the birth was traumatic and both of us were emotionally numb for the first few days after. Why do people do it all again after the first kid? Do you really forget the physical pain and the emotional challenges or am I just different? To be honest, I'm pretty afraid of forgetting and then being pregnant again and remembering how I actually hated it when it's too late.

Sometimes I wish I can be like one of Bluey’s parents who actually plays with them

Mom of three and currently working. Today as I was feeding my kids, I watched an episode of Bluey with them. It was very entertaining and my kids really loved it. But then I realized, would they actually want us to be like them too? Juggling household chores, work and parenting is already consuming our day. I hope I can find some time to sit down and play with them.

Is it entitled to expect a present?

So today was my son's 4th birthday. We (his dad and I) obviously got him son gifts and his grandparents on his dad's side got him a gift (they live quite far so didn't visit). My brother and his wife got my son some gifts...but my mum didn't get him anything. She lives around the corner, has plenty of money, sees him often. But nothing. We went round for a pre-planned meal (which we brought and cooked) so it's not like she forgot. He's her oldest grandchild. I haven't said anything to her, and he's too young and occupied by other presents to notice, but it bothered me. I asked her if I missed him opening her gift and she just said no she didn't get him anything. Am I wrong for feeling hurt? Am I an entitled A-hole?

Being the non-custodial parent sucks

It sucks mainly because I never know what I don't know. My ex and I are civil, but unless I ask the exact right question, there are just endless times I could've helped, or given advice, or helped make a decision, etc., that I'll never even know about. It's depressing.

Social worker after giving birth

Social worker came and asked me some questions regarding my past with depression (back in high school). Is this something I should be worried about when I get home? Has anyone else experienced this? Worried cps is going to show up at my house or something along those lines.

Do you outsource domestic work such as house cleaning or laundry services?

I'm pretty terrible at keeping up with cleaning especially laundry. I'm okay about putting the stuff in the machines but when it comes to folding and putting away I am 100% not on top of it. We live out of laundry baskets for the most part until I get a hyperfocus bug and tackle it all at once. This happens with other house cleaning chores too.Sure, I know what I can do to make it more manageable I just don't do it. So I want to outsource some tasks. What xan I expect from a cleaning service, so you have someone do laundry. Also, and here's the big question, why do I feel so judged when I mention this to my family or friends. How do I get passed that. For instance I'll tell my mil I want to hire someone with my tip money to clean my house and she will rattle off how easy it is to just do it and joke that I can pay her to do it but it never actually an offer.

How do you do it?

Other moms. How do you do it? I'm cleaning my daughters walker that she hasn't used in months because she's walking now. Knowing that I have to let it go hurts so much. I still have her first bassinet. The only one that she would sleep in because is vibrated. I don't want to let it go. I don't plan on having more kids because of my mental stability but it hurts so much. I don't want to let it go

Where is your mobile baby while you cook or not actively supervising them?

DH and I love cooking together. Our baby isn't mobile yet, so we usually keep him on his bassinet in the living room or crib when he's chill enough for both of us to cook. However, we're starting to realize that this might not work anymore once he becomes mobile. We were thinking of investing in a big play pen that can be put instead of the breakfast nook so we can let the baby explore and play on the floor while we're both in the kitchen. I read an old post about the playpens and someone mentioned it's not good to confine a toddler into one space. And if he's not confine into one space when not actively supervising, how can you know they're not getting into trouble? Where do you keep them?

My 3 1/2 year old daughter still wont talk. What do I do?

As my title suggests, my daughter is 3, almost 4 years old but just cannot communicate verbally at all. She'll say stuff and maybe mimic other things. Like for example every night when I put her to bed we'll say "Night night!" "Love you!" and "Potato!" ( cause it's so cute when she says it ). But I feel like she only says these things to mimic? I don't know. Occasionally she'll mimic words, sometimes she'll say them unprovoked but commuciation is just non-existent. She wont tell me shes not hungry, she wont say she wants down, she wont say she wants to stay up or anything. Shes currently going to pre-school for speech therapy but it just doesn't seem like its doing anything if not just the bare minimum. She makes it pretty obvious that she understands a lot of what we say. She doesn't seem to have autistic traits. Shes very happy, loves to hug strangers, huge personality. Does anyone have any suggestions or been through this as well? I'm starting to get super worried. Thank you.

One Week Old Exclusively BF, Shifts

Any tips/ideas for creating shifts overnight for an exclusively breastfeeding one week old? We have survived this far, but it would be NICE to get some uninterrupted sleep, even for 4 hours or so at a time at night.

2 days without pooping

My 3m old is EBF. Last bowel movement was early Friday morning around 1-2am. Normal amount of wet diapers. She eats a lot, a cluster feeder all day, everyday. Burping and passing gas all normal and her mood is normal too. Happy and not agitated. She's never gone this long without and I'm worried I have a supply dip. Maybe she's not eating as much but wouldn't that directly affect wet diaper output as well? I'm about to pump and give her a bottle so I know she's getting enough. 🤞🏼 My pediatrician is closed on Sundays and she actually has her 3m visit tomorrow .. but hoping my fellow redditors can assure me this is normal and ok :)

My kid is worse around me than her dad

And I feel like the worst mother ever. I had to work this morning, so my husband was in charge of my child. She was so good for him. But the second I come through the door, she starts acting up and demanding shit. Then screams bloody murder when I give her a consequence. My husband made sure i felt bad about it and told me i have to figure out why shes worse around me and that i need to calm down. I'm outside crying my eyes out. I'm so hurt. I feel like the worst mom. On top of that, I screamed at her. I suck at being calm with her. She deserves a better mom. Ugh.