Parenting Contents Archive

Our 5 year old asks black people why they are black. What do we do?

Today my 5yr old son asked a black person why shy was black, firstly she blanked it but he insisted and asked again. My wife got so embarrassed she didn't know what to say (English isn't our first language and quick,sensible,smart come backs aren't our best skills). She took him in a changing cubicle and broke down in tears. This was the second time he was interested in person's skin colour out loud. We don't know how to deal with it. I think he is genuinely interested and there is no malicious nor racist intend. My wife and I have plenty of friends of all colours and ethnicities and we love them all regardless of their appearance. Even one of his best and longest friends in nursery is black. How do we address this with him? How do we apologize to that person next time we see them if at all (we will see them, they have swimming lessons together)? Thank you!

Why most people don't want kids anymore IMO

I'm convinced younger women and men don't want children because they've watched their own mothers lose their minds single handedly wheeling the responsibilities of raising a child and have first hand experience. And it's been a passed down viscious cycle from generation to generation. The narrative for generations, GENERATIONS, has not changed. I fucking hate picking up after everyone. Why the fucking crumbs everywhere? Do you know what happens when you leave dirty dishes in the sink, food crumbs on the counter, on the floor? You get bugs. And when you don't wash clothes, they get filthy, smelly with dirt encrusted. Why is this only my task? Why has it only been our task? I can totally see why so many women speak out about not wanting "this" life. How many times am I going to do the same thing over and over again before I lose my fucking mind

Stay At Home Parents: What Do You Do When You Need A Sick Day?

Stay at home mom here--just feeling a little rugged & run down today & it got me wondering what others do when they are sick & need a day off? Do you hire a sitter to come over while you recover? Ask your partner to take the day off? Power through?

A growing proportion of 4th and 8th graders read at the lowest level on national tests. Experts are working to understand why. @educationweek @SarahDSparks https://t.co/oelGmMToLJ

Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have diverse histories, traditions, and cultures—as well as games! Here are 5 Indigenous games to play with your kids. They're a great way for non-Indigenous kids to learn more about the culture! https://t.co/muFvWiv9Od https://t.co/XUCP8kSjKa

Tips and advice on travelling with a toddler under 2?

Long story short; my FIL is slowly dying and it is my husband's wish that we fly out (we live at the other side of the country) and have our daughter meet him before he passes and she loses the opportunity. He has yet to meet her, COVID has seen to that unfortunate circumstance. I have suffered from pretty extreme post partum anxiety since her birth, which has not been aided by the pandemic. The thought of flying with my extremely hyper toddler stresses me out to no end. She has never even left our town, let alone flown across the country. I haven't the faintest idea how we are going to get her to stay seated for several hours and not suffer through continuous angry outbursts. Does anyone have expericne travelling with an (almost) 2 year? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! .

Packing daycare breakfast and lunch - Bento Boxes?

So I'm probably overthinking this but how do you daycare parents pack both breakfast and lunch for your toddlers? We are switching to a daycare where we will need to pack breakfast / lunch for my daughter and I'm just trying to (over)plan how this going to go. We bought a bento box set for her lunch with multiple little compartments for food. For breakfast though, do you pack a separate bento box? Pack just tupperware? Feed them at home? How do you guys do it?

How do you 'self-regulate' when you are at the end of your rope?

I have three kids 4 and under. We're really just 'in the thick of it'. I try very hard not to yell at my kids, and I do a decent job 90% of the time. Lately, I've been having harder and harder days, though, where I yell. I am having a hard time regulating myself. I get so angry, or so frustrated, or so overwhelmed. I know my kids NEED me to be the regulated one so they can do it themselves, but I have such a hard time!!!!! Please, don't say things like 'self-care' and 'make time for yourself' etc. I know this, but with three kids, household chores, dinner, parents with full time jobs, etc., it just doesn't work out that either myself or my husband make time for ourselves. We get a few hours after kids go to bed, and that's all we're able to "afford" (time wise) right now. Can you provide other advice? Unless of course you have a Time Turner from harry potter to sell me.

I’m exclusively pumping and sometimes I feel inadequate.

Baby has jaundice so it was important for us to keep up on feedings. He latched on fine at first but then started to fight the boob and in desperation, we started bottle feeding him breast milk. Now 1 week later even with nipple shields etc, he only wants the bottle. The truth is, It works so well for us because 1. I get help feeding him 2. I can track how much he eats easier 3. We’ll he’s fed!!? 4. I have a huge supply But sometimes I feel like what makes me different than a nanny? Or his daddy? I feel like I’m missing out on something so special. I also feel like “why couldn’t it be as easy for me as so and so” I guess what I’m looking for isn’t really BF tips but validation for EPing …. Idk. I just sometimes feel super sad about it. I plan to keep trying to BP, but I need to be okay with EPing if he won’t latch after all…. I hope I’m not alone :(

How many activities do your kids participate in?

Now that life is getting back to normal, My 6yo would LOVE to be in every single activity that our community offers. Lacrosse, football, chess, dance, lego club, etc- he doesn’t care, he wants to join! I don’t mind driving him from one activity to the next, but I also don’t want to over schedule him! So how many seems reasonable? (Ps I do have another child, but she has just a couple activities she wants to be apart of)

Late Talker Because of Pandemic or something more

14 month old precious bb girl. No outside world for her except Walgreens, dentist, and doctor's appointment lol No visitors, we visit gparents maybe 1/2x a month. 3 or 4 visitors in her lifetime and 3 others at daycare. She is speaking no words. She babbles a lot, "sings" when i sing the ABCs ("ba ba ba" in her light airy singy voice) she dances, she smiles, she loves peek-a-boo. Early to sit-up, stand, and walk. Affectionate, smiles at me when I smile at her. But shy, uninterested in talking, uninterested in others, social anxiety, and doesn't play well with many others but my close friends. ​ Ped is worried about delay, asked questions about whether she "waves hello or goodbye." I've NEVER waved to anyone in her lifetime lol we just don't go anywhere. Anyone else's pandemic baby slow to talk but hit every other emotional/motor skill?

We put so much emphasis on GPA & scores & overlook what science says helps them thrive in an uncertain world: skills that develops kids’ #character strengths. They’re teachable & don’t take fancy programs: just intentionality. #thrivers https://t.co/ngmjxN90bB https://t.co/bqt3QJb8fA

Starting 5 month old on solids, please help

Hi everyone, My husband and I are thinking of starting our beautiful rainbow baby on solids as a first time parent, im lost in the sauce lol the babies doctor said we can start feeding her solids at 5 months so we got a recipe for purees book and the proper stuff to do it all, was ready to go then I realized I have no idea how often I should feed her solids?or bottles? My husband and I alternate going in to her appointments since it's only 1 parent with the baby and I like to avoid being there when she gets shots. He forgot to ask how often and online I can't find anything that really answers my questions. How often did you feed your baby? Is there a scheduled I should be following? Thanks for your help😊

Why I #love CIO – Cuddle it out https://t.co/lT91nAdbsD #cryitout

Having a tough time choosing between two names for your daughter? Why not choose both. https://t.co/nJlsaLRNmR