Parenting Contents Archive

Looking for graphic novels with a nicer message than Dogman or Captain Underpants.

My son is reading a lot of Dogman, Captain Underpants, and Diary of a Wimpy kid and he’s repeating things he reads. He’s calling people morons, screaming things said in Dogman, constant poop talk, ect. Are there any graphic novels with a better message? I’m not the moral police, but just want something a little more positive.

Stay At Home Parents, What Do You Do In Your Free Time Once Your Child Reaches School Age?

My daughter is 2.5 years old so she’ll be starting preschool soon. I feel guilty that I’ll have so much free time during her school hours. We have a small home so the cleaning gets done pretty fast. I guess I can get a part time job but I don’t really want to work nor do I need to. So I feel guilty about that too.

Kicked out of Macy's

I was just kicked out of Macy's for trying to help my preteen daughter by her first real bra. I was told by the associate that I, as a man, had no business being in that section of the store. My daughter is 10. She is not going by herself and doesn't know what to look for. WTF is she supposed to do. I was told I was making the associate uncomfortable by being there. When I asked what I was doing, she said it was because I was male.

First time you did an adult thing with your kid

I dont mean partying. But you know the saying. First time you had a beer with them. Coming of age sort of thing. How did that go for you? Was it enlightening? Or didn’t go as expected?

Quit job- back lash from people

My husband made the choice to quit his job today and while I’m so happy - everyone is making me feel stupid. I carry the healthcare and truly enjoy my job- working remote 3 days a week. My husband worked nights doing strenuous construction work that left him sleeping 4 mornings a week and gone 15 hours nights. We have a savings and hope to spend a year raising our daughter this way and just budgeting ! But his mom and my aunt are like pissed because he doesn’t have anything lined up and I’m like - ummm we’d be spending it in daycare and cleaning ladies - why not jsut have him do it if he is willing esp for our first daughter first year?!

10 y/o home alone

We have my bonus daughter for summer and I found some txts with her mom over the last few months where mom isn’t home multiple times. I understand maybe a few hours here and there are normal, but my SD was txting at midnight asking when she was coming home… Am I overthinking that this is unacceptable for a 10y/o to be home alone at least once a week for a whole day or in the middle of the night?? She also plays Roblox online with strangers and my mind just goes so many places where things can go wrong 😩

Diaper Rash

My 2 week old daughter has such bad diaper rash it’s starting to bleed. It started with the introduction of formula because my wife is not producing enough, she was going twice for every one time she ate. We switched to the gentle version of enfamil and it seems like it cut down on the frequency. We use water wipes which seem to be gentle. We apply cream every change and it is not getting any better. I feel so bad for her and she screams during every change. If anyone has any suggestions please share.

5 month old doesn't want to sleep on his back anymore. Now what?

He used to be fine sleeping on his back, but the past 2 nights he is not. If he is on his back he wakes up within minutes crying loudly. He will happily go to sleep on his front, but it is not SIDS safe. Anyone with similar experience? What did you do?

Living with ex

My ex and I have 2 kids (4 and 6), we purchased a house before splitting up which I'd like to eventually buy her out of the mortgage. I'm finding it really hard to live with her now and I'm at the point where I'm sleeping on the sofa every night (before a while we both still slept in the same bed) and she is becoming very negative towards me. To save a long post I'll just put the questions out there: - I wanted to look at a 50/50 schedule when the time eventually comes, one week on and one week off but I'm not sure how this would work because she doesn't drive and is always working late -how do I live with her for the time being? I'm loosing my mind now and it wouldn't be fair to buy her out so soon (she might not want to do this as we have planned to do the house up, add value and split the proceeds). Just not sure how to deal with this anymore, thought it'd be alright 😕

Girl moms - what are some important life lessons you teach your daughters?

I am teaching my girls independence and financial responsibility as they grow up (single mom and these are 2 of my top items to teach them). Aside from daily basics, like cooking and cleaning, etc. What are some of the best life lessons you have taught or will teach your girls? Side note, I also want to teach them red flags when they start dating, but we aren't there yet.

Parents of teens: The kids are not all right?

Parents of young teenagers: How are your kids faring? Our 14 y/o is in the thick of serious mental health issues…and we’ve heard we’re not alone. Covid, for us, hit in 5th grade which was the worst time possible because he had just qualified for a host of special Ed services which he didn’t start receiving until 7th grade. And missing at least a year and a half of “normal” socialization is proving catastrophic. He’s a kid that would have greatly benefit from some form of social support and to learn some skills is a smaller elementary school environment. Middle school has been a disaster and we have no idea what high school will bring. How’s everyone else doing?

Grandpa said “She’ll be a beautiful teenager”. Is that inappropriate or am I overreacting?

Is this weird: father in law said “When she grows up, she is going to be a beautiful teenager”. My girl is 1 year old. Is is inappropriate for Grandpa to make a comment about teenage beauty or am I totally overreacting? I feel mixed. Curious what others feel.

How long did your children sleep in their cribs?

I just want a general consensus on how long parents had their kids stay sleeping in their cribs. My almost 3.5 year old still sleeps in her crib and doesn’t whine or complain or try to escape it at all, but everyone I know with kids in similar age already moved into toddler beds or full beds. Is there really any big benefit to moving to a bed? (Obviously I know for when they’re potty trained through the night but we aren’t close to that point yet) What’s the longest you’ve kept your kids in their cribs? TIA 🙂

When Did You Ditch The Change Table?

I like it because it holds all the diapers and things. However, I've been finding I've been changing my 16 month on on the floor recently. She's 22lbs and the table is good for 30. I'm not sure if her alligator rolling and desire to stand up and pitch herself off the table is a sign to toss is and get a futon or play couch. Thanks!

What fun stuff can I put in a travel pack for 8 yr. old on long flight?

My son is going with his father and grandmother to Finland on a long flight from the US. I won’t be able to go with them but I want to make a small care pack for him so it can be more special for him. What stuff can I make up for him that would be a fun surprise or make the long flight exciting? Trying to think outside of just candy and iPad, need ideas!