Parenting Contents Archive

I don't enjoy being a mother anymore

My kids are teenagers and they are both fucking assholes all the damn time. Nobody lifts a finger to help me and I get nothing but shitty remarks, rudeness, and attitude. I'm done. No more nail appointments, no more snack delivery, no more expensive hair salons, no more video games, new iPhones or designer clothes. I'm providing the bare minimum that I'm legally required to provide - shelter, food, seasonally appropriate clothing, and medical care. Want to fuck around and not do your school work? Fine, fail out of school. Want to cause drama and get in fights at school? Great, they can kick you out and I won't rescue you if the police get involved. You can gtfo of my house when you turn 18 and figure it out for yourselves because you know so goddamn much. Pay for your own college or trade school or whatever, I'm not doing it. I am done.

What does sleep/sleep training look like in your culture/outside of the US?

I'm curious if "sleep training" is more of a US thing and what it looks like in other cultures.

9 year old daughter attacked for second time by same boy on bus

Hi All, I have a 9 year old daughter who has been punched and kicked by a boy on her bus twice. The first time, he was formally disciplined but now it has happened again. Each day, he calls her names such as “motherfucker” and today she called him “stupid” and at least one curse word in retort so he shoved her. She shoved him back and then he punched her in the eye, then tackled her, kicking her in the stomach. For my daughter’s part, she shouldn’t have chosen to sit near him as I expressly told her not to the last time this occurred. Edit: She also may antagonize him at other times as it sounds like they generally bicker and don’t get along. I don’t know the extent of it for sure. She has a big, loud, and sometimes grating personality so I can imagine that she gives it right back to him verbally. The principal gave them both the same punishment of having to sit in the front of the bus for the last week of school. What, if anything, should I do? Ty

Baby Acne Help

My 3 week old has developed what looks like severe baby acne all over his face in the course of one week. It is now spreading to the top of his head, ears, neck, and chest. I don’t know what to do, and I feel like waiting it out is making it worse. Any insight or thoughts?

It's finally happened... an oversharing.

I've always had very open communication with my kids. My 4 yr old doesn't care much but my 6 year old retains a lot of information. When I had my 4th year old, I also got a tubal ligation. My 6 year old is very aware of the fact because she asks a lot of questions. ​ Yesterday, we were at a supermarket. The cashier was pregnant and in making conversation she asked how many kids I had. The 6 yr old was with me (it's summer vacation for her) and she told the cashier, "It's just me and my little sister. Mommy got her uterus taken out!" ​ I had to explain that taking out a uterus and having a tubal ligation were not the same thing. But omg that oversharing ... -.-

First trip to the beach! What do I need?

Hey parents! We're embracing the heatwave this weekend and planning our first trip to the beach. Our son is 9 months old, he has a swimsuit that extends down his arms and legs so he will be covered up (+ a hat!). Our local beach has archways so if you get there early enough to snag one, you will have a nice amount of shade to retreat to if you get too hot. Food, drinks. Bottles for baby & food he can enjoy. Towels, spare clothes, sunscreen, swim nappies (never used them before but is there a huge difference between normal and swim nappies?). Am I forgetting anything obvious or is there something not commonly thought of but you found helpful? I always feel as though I'm forgetting something important lately, I just don't want to miss anything and have us suffering through or leaving earlier than intended.

Week 2 of summer and I don’t know how we’re going to afford months of this

7 year old DOES NOT STOP EATING. It’s 100% FOMO because the snacks are there and he doesn’t want to miss out on his share, but Jesus Christ…. In 2 weeks we have gone through a month’s worth of cereal, baby bel cheeses, apples, 2lbs of strawberries I bought for the whole family as a treat that he almost exclusively ate. I know he’s growing and i don’t want to deprive him of food but i don’t see how we can afford to match this level of eating for another 2 months….

Breastfeeding positions for bigger/older baby

Hi all, My LO is almost 4 months and growing fast! Breastfeeding directly is starting to become a literal pain in my back. He’s starting to be too long for our normal hold (modified cradle position).Also, I’m not incredibly attached to feeding directly. If I need to switch to bottled breast milk, I can do so no problem. Are there other comfortable positions for feeding bigger babies on the breast? If you switched to exclusive bottle feeding, when did you do so?

Children at funerals

Unfortunately I had both grandparents' funerals last year and it got me thinking. Is there any studies into the effects of attending a funeral at a young age? Would you take your children? If yes, why? If no, what age would you? I didn't take my children (5, 8), my sister did (2, 4). There's not point scoring or anything like that between us, I stand by my decision, she stands by hers. But it's interesting that two people, with very similar upbringings, have polarised opinions about this. UK if it makes a difference.

Hair products?!

I have an almost 4 year old girl, her hair is almost to her butt and it's not fine but not thick either, in the middle I'd say but leaning closer to finer than just even middle, and I swear all this child has to do is THINK about getting a rats nest in her hair and it happens. I put her hair up but never fails that she will take it down shortly after, unlike me..she would rather have her hair down. I've got 2 questions..what detangling products for in bath and out work the best? I've always used Suave detangling spray even on my hair and WET brushes, detangling brushes/combs so I use those with her as well, I've also used the "oh so soft" spray from Walmart after a bath and the RAW kids leave in conditioner from Target along with the whole line of bath time products. Is there anything better for everything? And how do I get her to keep her hair up when it's necessary?! Send help before I pull my own hair out while brushing hers 🤣

Trader Joe's must-haves

I will be driving a ways from home on Monday to take my son to a doctor's appt. There is a Trader Joe's near the town I am going to. I love TJ's but go very rarely. Would any of you be willing to share some of your very favorite must-have's from TJ's? I would love to make a list so I don't miss anything!

Pediatrician suggested seeing a cardiologist after hearing heart murmurs at her first appointment. Is this common?

Pediatrician said she heard heart murmurs and recommended we see a cardiologist. She didn’t seem too concerned, but hearing that as a new father to a 4 day old is worrisome. Heart murmurs I read are common amongst newborns, and I know the pediatrician wants to be as safe as possible, but just hearing to the point of needing to see a cardiologist is giving me anxiety. I made an appointment, but just need some perspective on how common this is. Obviously not looking for medical advice, just a little assurance that this is common.

The struggle

I’m super tired of struggling. I feel like over the years the ups and downs of life have been getting bigger, like the pendulum swings are becoming extreme. It’s so hard to plan when you are literally figuring out how to survive day to day. This month has been especially tough and I haven’t been this broke in a while. I’m literally selling things to make $5-$10 to buy food each day to keep my kids fed. I know it will lighten up next month as I got a raise and that will kick in but good god, I’m tired. When I’m in this type of ‘scramble to survive’ situation it’s like I shut down and can’t see the forest for the trees. I’m hyper focused on the day but also in a bit of a standstill and feel I can’t do anything else but try to figure out the next dollar and meal. I’m behind on laundry (out of detergent) and I have so many things I have to get done but I can’t seem to focus on those tasks. Any advice for how to break through this mental block?

I love Bluey more than my kid

There's my confession in the title. 🙃 Anyone else have a kids show/ activity that you clearly like doing more than your kiddo??

13 month old with 5AM wake ups

My 13 month old daughter has been waking up at 5AM for the last 5-6 months. We have tried everything we can think of. Earlier bedtimes/later bedtimes, shorter vs longer naps, more naps/less naps, delaying dinner time, leaving her in her crib until 6AM… nothing gives. She recently started refusing her second nap, so we transitioned to one nap and it didn’t seem to make any difference to her wake time. Her current schedule: 5AM-5:30AM: wake up ( try to keep her in her crib until 6AM unless she’s really fussy) 11:30AM-1:30PM: nap 7PM bedtime Any recommendations?