Parenting Contents Archive

Am I overprotective or does anyone else not want anyone to watch their baby except for them and their partner?

I’m a stay at home mom so I spend 99% of my time with my 3 month old son. We live far away from family but we have talked about visiting and if we do I wouldn’t want to leave him with any of our parents… is this normal? I’ve left him alone with family to go to the bathroom or to just be in another room I just don’t feel comfortable leaving the house without him unless he’s with my husband. Is anyone else this way?

I napped for the first time in two years.

I napped for 2.5 hours. On top of that, it was 2.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. It was something I longed for for so long…. and God. I suddenly remember why I didn’t like napping before. I woke up so confused, drowsy, lazy. It felt like 10 minutes instead of 2.5 hours, my everything wanted to go unconscious for a little bit longer and be air or something, at least forget about having a physical body. + I drooled all over my cushion. Napping doesn’t refresh me or anything. It just turns me into a slot for the rest of the day. 🤣

What is a baby product you are shocked DOESN’T exist

I will start, and this comes from being big hikers/outdoor people 1. Sun shirt/UV onesies with the built in like fold over sleeves to protect the hands I like UV skins but they don’t have the little hand thing that would just make so much sense 2. A baby rain suit. Like the snow suits but for rain, including with feet and hand covers. I know we can get a rain cover for the Ergo but I like the idea of a full suit situation for if you take them out of the ergo Also if these exist - let me know!!! Our baby is 5 months currently

Potty training freaking sucks!!!

My daughter is two years and two months. We decided this would be a perfect time to potty train because she has signs of readiness. I also have extra free time because I graduated recently and have about a month before I start my job. We were trying the 3 day method but we broke. We did two full days and both days were a complete failure. She hates putting on the undies, refuses to pee on the toilet at all. We’re trying not to force her on the toilet so she doesn’t form a negative relationship with it but dang this is hard. The only way she wants to pee is by hiding behind the door or behind the shower curtains. She was so miserable and started with alittle cough overnight so we just took a break today. I’m planning to pick it up again tomorrow for the next couple of days…but if anyone has any advice or words of encouragement please send them my way

Do the 5am wake ups end?

My almost 4 year old is a perpetual early riser. Does this ever end? Her room is dark enough, she has white noise on and is warm enough in the early hours. She basically says ‘I’m not tired anymore’. Have recently started phasing out the lunch time nap as it was affecting how she went down at night, but she has been up between 5am - 6am (and even 4.30am at least once a month) for 2+ years now. Is there anything we can / should be doing or is this something we just need to ride out…? For context on the ‘no nap’ days she is asleep about 6.30pm and on the ‘nap’ days she is asleep around 8pm. This makes no difference to the morning wake up times, unfortunately. She is at preschool 2 x days a week.

My dad said I was a terrible person because I always say I’m tired from lack of sleep

LO is going through 6 months sleep regression. I haven’t been able to sleep for more than 4 hours at once for the last two weeks. I still need to get up in the morning to work full day. My dad asks how I do all the time, so I was being honest with him that I’m always tired. Today he snapped and told me that I chose to have this baby and I should not be complaining no matter how tired I am. Everyone with a child survived. And I am a terrible person by doing this. I don’t know what to say. I care for my LO with no complaints and I love her to pieces. I get up with her every night without a problem. But the truth is, I am exhausted all the time. But I guess I shouldn’t feel tired at all?

Pediatrician asked to pray with us

I took my 7 year-old to a new pediatrician for a general checkup. He was nice enough and I didn't get any bad vibes or anything. At the end of the checkup, literally less than 5 minutes after he was checking my son's testicles, he said he liked to pray with all his patients. I was caught off guard and politely said ok. But I wasn't really okay and I thought it was quite inappropriate. We're agnostic. And while I don't condemn prayer in any way, I just felt this was not right. How would you guys feel about this. I'm in the Bible belt, so I guess it's not absurd considering that fact. It just left me with a bad taste and we won't be returning.

You are NOT a parent just because you have a pet.

Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are for men and women who raise CHILDREN, not dogs, nor cats, nor chinchillas. An animal is absolutely not comparable to an actual human child. Do not degrade or disrespect real parents by calling yourself or anyone else a “pet parent”.

My MIL offered to watch my son, which was weird. Turns out she wanted to send him to vacation Bible school. We’re atheists.

I knew something was up when she offered to watch him. She couldn’t even handle him for one night when my husband was having CANCER SURGERY. My son said she hit him in the face when he came back. He’s 3, but I don’t think he was lying. But she tells everyone she’s such a good grandma and takes care of the kids all the time! It’s all over Facebook. She got mad when he was a newborn because I wouldn’t let her take my baby overnight, or at all. And after my son said she hit him she doesn’t get to see him alone ever. She was acting weird since then, and she doesn’t know I know. You can imagine all the other weird ass shit these people have tried. They try and force me to do what they want and it’s just pitiful. This is a new low. This woman can go straight to hell with her Tammy Faye Baker looking ass. God damn that felt good to get out.

The instilled fear of an overtired baby is over cautioned - hear me out.

LO is 4 mo, and up till last week I was over cautious when it came to his wake windows and sleepy cues. Like all new parents, I hawked him for the moment I spotted an early-tired cue and rushed him to his nursery like I was 911. Here’s the kicker: it then took FOR-EV-VER to put him down for his naps. He was fighting them! I did the Huckleberry trial and just humored their suggested wake windows, and oh my panda. He goes down within 10 minutes tops! The thought of pushing his wake window TERRIFIED me, as I thought it would derail my day. But it has made my life a whole lot easier! Anyone else feel this? **If you’re reading this, you’re doing great! :)

One of my students killed himself

He was 13 years old. I know this isn't about me but I'm absolutely beside myself and I needed to vent online. How the fuck does something like this happen? I'm so sad and so angry. Poor kid. His poor parents. I keep thinking about his mum, she found him. Fuck.

Toddler brushing teeth

It’s a struggle to brush my nephews teeth. He’s 2.5 and you have to pretty much hold him down to brush his teeth is what my brother is telling me. Any advice on how to make it easier?

I need to Rant. Poverty Hurts.

I had to take the 2 dollar toy out of my toddler's hand at the self check out because we had cents left in the bank account. 2 days after payday. I cant believe I forgot to check before we left. It's the only item we got at the store, it's the only reason we left the house. We both cried walking out of the store. I've never felt more like a failure of a mother. I never wanted this for my family. Thanks for coming to my pity party.

“You suck at being a mom”

Happy Father’s Day everyone! I’m having a fun day watching kids alone and getting yelled at. Good luck to you all!

My son hates the car. My MIL says I’ve just got to push through the screaming and he’ll get used to it. Is this right?

My 16 month old hates the car and cries if he has to sit in his seat for more than 25 mins. He never used to be this way but my MIL lives 2 hours away and asked if we would come for the day. Now my son will not sleep in the car and got so fed up and distressed that I don’t want to do the journey again. I have offered to meet her in the middle as a compromise but she’s pushing for us to come down to her regularly for the day. She says he’ll just have to get used to it but I can’t bare to see my little boy so upset. Do you think he will just get on with it eventually? I spent a lot of my childhood being made to do things to please other people and I don’t want to force him to do things just for the sake of other people. Am I overthinking this?