Parenting Contents Archive

Isn't it absolutely WILD to be a parent?

Does anyone else have these brief flashes of shock that you are a parent and that you're responsible for these little people? I'm fully willing to admit that I may just be immature but as I was buckling my son into his car seat to drive back home from his checkup with his pediatrician I had the strongest sense of shock wash over me: I'm taking care of this child! I'm teaching him words and dancing to the beat of a song and how to throw a ball and how to eat different foods. I wipe his poop and boogers. Literally four years ago i couldn't keep my own room clean. AND you wouldn't catch me within 25 ft of a swimming pool unless it was over 100 degrees outside because I'm an absolutely pathetic wimp about cold water. Now I go into the OCEAN on 60 degree days because my son loves it. What IS THIS MADNESS? Parenting is surreal, man. Or is this just me?

Let my girl go on a trip to Dachau, at age 12???

So my girl has an opportunity to go on a trip to Europe. She is 12, and will be with girls ages 11-15, for 10 days, supervised by a European history tour guide and educator. Honestly the whole trip sounds so kick ass, adventurous, educational, and like an extreme bonding situation for these girls. All except for 1 day where they will visit Dachau. I have been to this place, and I was in my early/mid 20's, and I was a different person when I came out, than when I walked in there. It is hard to process at the very moment you are standing there, but it stayed with me ever since that time. It is mind-numbingly gut-wrenching. And I also did not see any other children there, but I did see high schoolers from all over the World, in the main building. I am aware it is optional to go in those buildings, but my daughter will choose to go in there if left to her own devices... So let me ask you: Would you let your 12 year old visit Dachau?

Mommies (and daddies) we all need suggestions on what to get for Father's day...

I'm getting the fisher price pack and play song lyrics printed by this [etsy shop](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1029099274/custom-record-player-song-lyrics-art). But that's all I can think of. What are you all doing?

☀️During the summer holidays children and teens may spend more time online. 💡Here are 6 tips to help your child to have a safe and positive experience, and to strike a healthy balance. ⤵️ #OnlineSafety

As the pandemic progresses, professors are sharing stories about what feels to them like widespread student disengagement. In their anecdotes, fewer students are showing up to class and turning work in on time (or at all). @becky_koenig @EdSurge https://t.co/YDgd7cQoCX

Tips for romancing the wife with 2 kids under 2?

We have a 4-month old and an toddler. We live in a new city and have no friends and no babysitters available right now. But I want to just inject some damn romance into our relationship. Trying to figure out a way to like get all gussied up for the wife and make things romantic. I'm already the cook and I already make damn good food everyday so just making dinner from scratch wouldn't be that exciting for her. All you guys who never cook and then make a homemade pizza have it easy :P The trick is I need free time to basically setup something romantic, but it doesn't exist lol. We both basically always have a baby or are working.

Colic... Colic... COLIC 😮‍💨

To all the mothers out there who have dealt with colic with their child, were you told that colic was even a thing in any pre pregnancy classes you took or by anyone? I was not aware of this condition until my baby started exhibiting it one night and I finally had to look up what was wrong on the internet 😤. Now, it's just a daily routine of "getting through it". Edit - I know they said colic doesn't start until 3-4 months later but I'm convinced my baby has it now

9yr old thinks he is always right and parents don't know better

9 year old boy thinks he is always right and disregards any advice from us parents. He was cleaning up his hover board, told him to not put water on it as it has battery inside. He said ok and started wiping. After I walked away, I see he is washing it with water hose. This is not an isolated incident. He is academically stellar, scoring top grades all the time, so it seems he is definitely not dumb and overall a smart kid. But absolutely does not take any advice. I clearly told him that water will permanently damage battery and he acknowledged and still went ahead with watering What can we do to make him realize that others can know more and better than him ?

This is interesting! Why crawling might be good for big kids: https://t.co/wbxUR2FNpY https://t.co/MsO6BaRl1n

I’m being blamed for my son’s delays

I’m being blamed for my son’s delays. Not by his doctor, but by parents whose children were average or met milestones early. His delays are seen as a failure of my mothering (not a failure of my husband’s fathering, so at least he gets cut a break), if only I were a *good enough* mother, he would be a normal baby and not a delayed one. Clearly, the only feasible explanation is that I don’t meet his needs and provide him with opportunities to develop motor skills, language skills and social skills. Clearly, I must be lying and exaggerating about the things I do. There’s literally no other explanation! He’s in the 90th percentile for size, he’s assumed to be older than he is and that doesn’t help the situation either. It’s like there’s a height and weight requirement on being a late bloomer, wtf I’m just trying to find playmates for my baby in fb parenting groups and it’s so damn stressful. Thankfully, he’s too young to be aware of any of this. But still, yikes.

Crippling anxiety when toddler is sick

My two year old has been sick just about every month now since starting daycare. I get crippling anxiety to the point where I get nauseous and get diarrhea. I completely lose my appetite and forget to drink water. Anyone else? What has helped you? Background, I do suffer form anxiety and depression already and have been on an ssri for about 10 years. Thanks!

Being tied to the wall while pumping is such a joy.

I’m only 10 minutes into pumping when baby starts crying, dogs start barking at god knows what and of course right after I started I realize I have to poop while being incredibly sleep deprived. All this every 3 hours (at least) until further notice. Not to mention all the washing of the parts-every single time. Honestly pumping may be my least favorite part of all this. My baby is great, diapers are whatever and I don’t even mind all the baby laundry! Thanks for listening to my rant. I ordered a wearable pump that gets here tomorrow. I’m praying it works for me and I don’t have to sit here for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours with all the chaos around me for the foreseeable future.

How to add enrichment without daycare

My son just turned 2. I’m a SAHM. I keep hearing how daycare is so good for them. We’re planning for daycare in the future. In the meantime, how can I add enrichment to my child’s life? We read a few times a day, go out for walks/parks, play together and him independently. What is lacking in home-care, besides socialization with peers his age? He eats and sleeps well, is on track with his milestones. I feel like he might lack behind if I don’t send him to daycare and I feel guilty if so. What do daycare do that is different than what a SAHP can do? I guess- I just feel like “I’M” not enough.

I LOVE watching toddlers just do their thing. And it's so important for their minds, bodies, and feelings to have this kind of time. https://t.co/eyHZ7ojdPC

Would adding a dream feed make sense?

10w old baby Generally sleeps between 8-8:30pm, then wakes to feed anytime between midnight to 1am, then again around 4-5am. Would adding a dream feed around 10pm make sense? If I understand correctly, the idea is to “eliminate” this midnight feed so baby would wake for the 4am feed only. Did you have success with the dream feed? We are EBF so I’m not even sure I can wake him enough to feed and not just comfort nurse!