Parenting Contents Archive

I figured out what the little shirt-pockets on baby clothes are for

They’re for spit up. Baby threw up directly in her pocket today. Equal parts cute and gross.

For all the “just wait” trolls

I am a FTM 3 months PP and I just want to share positivity to all other FTM’s who I’m sure are hearing the same negative “just wait” comments that I heard and STILL hear. Becoming a mom has hands down been the best thing that has ever happened to me. As much as it is tiring it isn’t hard which surprised me. I am exhausted but I have never been happier or more in love in my life. It’s such an indescribable feeling I didn’t know existed until I had my baby. When I look at my baby honestly I feel the most calm. So here are some “just waits” to look forward to and it’s only been 3 months! Just wait: Until your baby smiles at the sight of you everytime they wake up Until your baby can spot you in a room full of people Until your baby instantly calms down in your arms Until you watch your baby sleep so peacefully in your arms Until you experience a love so great you can’t even imagine **share some just wait moments below!!!

Kids and leash backpacks

My fiance feels uncomfortable with me buying a leash for our toddler that runs off into the street at a blink of the eye. Is there any learning delay that could come with using the leash?

Is it odd to start cooking dinner right after lunch time while toddler naps and reheat..

We just moved to a new place and back in our old home it was my MIL who did all the cooking for us. Now that it's just us, I was thinking that the only time I have to not be bothered with a clingy toddler would be during his nap time. For example tonight I want to make steak and pasta. I could make the pasta sauce before hand and just do the noodles and steak right before dinner. Yesterday, I made some soy chicken. And technically dinner was already 3/4ths done by 3pm. I would just fully cook it right before dinner. So now I'm thinking, maybe this is something I could do everyday. I find it difficult to multitask with cooking and my son wanting to go play with me or wanting to drag me outside to play on his water table.

Sports Physical

I am new at being a sports mom, and my kid needs a sports physical. I called our doctor and they don't have any appointments available before the sport starts! We can't be the only family in this situation. Is there some sort of... hack? I feel like long time sports moms know all the stuff! Help!

Supplementing public school education?

So...we live in Florida and are having our first baby this year. It is not a great place or time to be having a child, but it is what it is. I would love to GTFO before school age, but we may be stuck here due to jobs and my in-laws requiring local support/assistance that we can't afford to outsource. I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations for ways to 'supplement' a public school education so that our child will still be able to learn about LGBTQ+ people (both of us are queer so there is that lol), diversity, accurate US history, etc.? Unfortunately I cannot homeschool and we will be entering the lotteries at progressive/non-religious charter schools but there's a good chance they will end up in public school. Thankfully our county is better than others but our new state laws still affect things. We are planning to order a ton of books on these subjects, but are there more progressive homeschool co-ops out there, or Zoom groups? I may cross-post this to local subs too.

Please help! My 9mo doesn’t like solids.

I’m still breastfeeding my 9mo baby but I’m feeding him with purées 2-3 times per day. The problem is that he only eats them if they’re very liquid I mean that I often have to add some additional water. If they’re dense or have some pieces, he just closes his mouth, keeps the food inside for like 10 minutes and then spits everything out. I heard that some other babies in the same age already eat bread slices, biscuits, pies and other food parts but for us it’s a struggle to make him eat even a semi liquid purée. I know that every baby has its own pace and I don’t want to force him but I just can’t imagine when and how he would start chewing and swallowing real solid food. Any similar experience and/or advices?

When did you first feel your babies move?

I’m only 13 weeks but I could have sworn I felt a tickle/flutter feeling. This is my first pregnancy so google is telling me “no” but I don’t know… I felt it twice so far and it’s a very specific sensation.

Nintendo Switch

Please tell me we won’t regret this!! And give me some advice. My daughter is turning 7 next month and we’ve been thinking of giving her a Nintendo Switch as her birthday present. I never grew up playing any video games so I don’t know anything about it haha! My husband did play a lot but stopped before we had her… thank god! I’ve seen him play and it’s annoying lol.. anyway, for about a year now my husband took out his good old Nintendo 64 and that’s what she’s been playing since… MarioKart and Zelda! And she enjoys it a lot. What are your guys rules with video games and to not be “addicted” to it?

Any advice/books/articles regarding parenting with a hx of childhood trauma?

Hey y'all, first just want to say how much I truly appreciate the folks in here! My little spirit is due in July and I am beyond excited! She is gonna be such a weird little nerd and I can't wait for all the adventures that await our little family :D I do have concerns about how I might react under the extreme stress of being a new parent, though. I suffered from some pretty severe abuse in childhood and have come a very long way in terms of coping mechanisms and working through my trauma in therapy. There is definitely a part of my brain that is terrified that some of those formative years may impact my parenting skills and my ability to be their for my partner. I want the entire world for my little one and my wife and I am willing to do anything to make sure I am their rock and their safe place. Any studies or books that come to mind to aid me in this? Any similar experiences and advice for me?

Shaken baby syndrome?

My baby is 4 weeks old. She kept waking up after I put her down and cry so I picked her up each time, put her in my arms and sway her back and forth. Her head is in my arms, supported the whole time. She seems to quiet down if I do it fast, so I was swinging my arms rally fast. She became very unsettled, upset and won't calm down until my husband took her over. She nursing okay after he calmed her, looking normal the day after. Is it possible if I might have damaged her brain by swinging too fast? Please advise 😭

Spiraling. Paranoid about toddler getting Toxoplasmosis from our Cats?

Hi everyone. Maybe it's my PPA but I have 2 cats, a toddler, and baby. We have a self cleaning litter robot. My toddler looooves to pet the cats, chase after them, and cuddle them. I'm now worried that maybe his touching could cause toxoplamosis?? I'm probably just paranoid lol. I try to have him wash his hands after petting the cats but sometimes he'll play on the ground and the cars may walk on the same ground with their paws etc. Any other moms have cats and toddlers and them being ok????

Speaking to teacher or principal

My son is in 8th grade and came home yesterday saying that his history teacher casually dropped in some conspiracy theory history facts. This is a teacher I’ve previously had a good rapport with and enjoyed seeing her at school events and talking to her. We spent time on a fundraiser together and I really liked her overall. I originally wanted to email the principal anonymously, not to have her in trouble; but just so they know how serious it could be to mention things like this in a class. For reference point it wasn’t to analyze this point, she said that no one could really know if a certain death really happened. I’m not sure of what to do. If this wasn’t the comment maybe I’d reach out to her, but it feels like a bit much and that potentially I should email the principal about it.

Anyone else who would like a separate tag/flair for the breaking wife?

Hey ladies! Loving this community of mamas.. I couldn’t help but notice there is a lot (like massive amount) of posts where it’s specifically complaining/rants about husbands.. curious if anyone else would find a “breaking wife” tag or flair to be helpful? I want to encourage other struggling moms the best way I can… personally, knowing the difference between whether a post is a “mom rant” or a “wife rant” before going into it would be helpful, just seeing if anyone else feels the same? (I will be transparent here, I can’t relate to people in relationships and don’t feel anything I have to say would be adequate.. wondering if it’s just me) Please correct me if I am out of place, or if this post doesn’t belong here, but to a suggestion box of some sort. I’m just happy to be here and support, I certainly need some myself!

How do you know when you’re done having kids?

Had my 3rd baby 15 months ago and I just can’t help shake the feeling that I want a 4th. I’ve never had the “I’m done” feeling. I absolutely adore being a mom and feel like this is my calling. I stay at home and we are able to provide for our children and give them everything they need. The only caveat is I am now 38 and with my last I developed PP preeclampsia (very mild case) so I am taking this into consideration. My doctor had said I am ok to have another pregnancy although there’s a possibility of pre eclampsia again so I will be monitored closely. Seeing is that we have the means and I have help from my mom 3 days a week and I have a supportive husband is there any good reason not to? Would love feedback from moms that have 3+ kids on your experience or for those with less how did you decide to be done??