Parenting Contents Archive

I absolutely hate my life

I have a 2 year and and a 5 year old, and I have been pushed as far as a mentally can. I told my husband today that I would 100% either move out and pay child support, that or just end it all. I am dead serious and my husband just thinks im being dramatic. I’m afraid of what I can do to myself or my kids if this situation doesn’t change.

Recall for potential listeria

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/22/health/frozen-fruit-recall/index.html

Is r/toddler gone?

I know reddit has been going through some turmoil, so I was wondering if something happened to r/toddlers or am I just a complete idiot? I really loved this subreddit, so I'm hoping it's not completely gone.

Self Defense Products/Tips When You Have A Kid

I just had a scary incident. Nothing too serious, I was eating outside on a picnic bench, street side with my 5 year old daughter. Across from her (maybe that was a mistake?) A guy stopped, got a close to her, and stared like he was going to confront either one of us. I was on edge waiting to see what he was going to say/do—& trying to figure out my move if he came closer, touched her, tried to pick her up. He didn’t, just stared at us angrily, I glared back and he left. I live in a place with a lot of drug issues. I have lived in/near big cities my entire life. I know how to handle myself for the most part. I’ve never needed/wanted a gun and feel like it would be more dangerous for me to have one. I now want pepper spray but I’m afraid she’ll get ahold of it and spray it. She’s fast and smart. Same with loud alarms (not sure if those are even helpful.) Anyone have tips for self defense too?

Accidental shaken baby?

I often stand and quickly rock my 6 week old and jiggle her in my arms- one of only ways she will fall asleep. Seems to relax her- but wondering, can you give a baby shaken baby on accident this way? It hadn’t occurred to me until now…. Help

He said “I shouldn’t have to tell you to do these things, you should just be doing them” to our five year old.

And he said it with a straight face while I swept the floor that he ignored, put away all the end of school papers that have sat on the counter for the last week, and picked up the ninety pieces of kids clothing that have littered the den for days. It was very hard to stifle that laugh.

My friend just went into spontaneous labour and I'm reminded I feel bad that I never did

I am in therapy. I'm just sad today. I developed preeclampsia at 37 weeks. Had to be induced at 38, emergency c-section at 38 and 1 when labour didn't start and baby developed complications. Baby and I are both fine a year later. I never even dilated 2 cm. I just feel guilty that my body never did the thing it was supposed to do. My doctor wouldn't even talk to me about what to expect with labour, as though SHE never expected me to go into labour. It seemed like she blamed me for getting preeclampsia because I was overweight. I even managed to lose weight before getting pregnant, but it wasn't enough. I've heard other moms get told by their doctors that they are so good at having babies, they could have as many as they want. I've heard other moms get told they did an amazing job for pushing and getting through labour. Nobody told me I did a good job. I wish I could have done a better job. I wish I was good at having babies.

Any scientific explanation for “witching hour”?

I see it everywhere, babies unsettled between 8-11pm. My antenatal class group, bump group, mine and my friends babies… Why are so many, otherwise chill, babies seemingly unsettled at this same time each night? Is there any suggestion or theories? It doesn’t seem to correlate with how much she has slept that day/night prior

Waiting two hours after a meal to give a bath?

My friend just asked me if I ever bathe my baby after a meal, because she read that you should wait 1-2 hours. I have never heard this and I feel like I have read all of the AAP guidelines front to back 😂 (we’re in the US). Has anyone heard this or know why this is the recommendation according to someone? Is it for newborns? Our babes are 7-8 months and Ive never had any issues putting the baby in the bath after a messy meal lol. Looking for science based info but will take any insight into this claim.

Day three of a fever and my kid is drenched in sweat during the night - how to manage?

My son (3M) is by nature on the sweatier side when he’s very active, but this fever has him and his sheets literally drenched in sweat while sleeping. He wanted his covers on him and now his shirt, the mattress, his pillow, everything is wet. I just wanna know how other parents handle this. Would you wake him to change the sheets or let him sleep? If I wake him I could probably do this at least twice in a night. What do you do with your sweaty kids at night?

Breastfeeding advice

Im overdue and doing research on breastfeeding, to be prepared. Im overwhelmed with how much info is out there! I want to exclusively breastfeed, knowing things sometimes don’t go according to plan but im so confused about how to do it Some of my friends would feed from one boob, then change their baby, then feed from other boob. Some say they would feed from one boob, collect some of the milk that falls out of the other boob in a collector, then feed the baby with that milk in the collector. I’m just beyond confused. I know each baby is different but I’m looking for tips to start out and then will probably get the hang of what my baby needs

What silly thing makes your baby start crying?

My 9 month old cries every time we spell her name out loud 🤣🤣

Father of two babies, 2 and 1.

My two year old has been an absolute dream. My one year old essentially has no personality outside of "I must be eating, you cannot give anyone else attention, or I scream" She. Screams. All. Day. I don't even understand how it's the same genetics that made these two kids. I have a fucking degree in education and another in child psychologist. I'm FAR from a fucking up. The stark difference between these two little humans is demoralizing and I'm losing it. Hot do I not resent this demon who has taken the form of Hunan flesh in the shell of my daughter?

How to handle sibling left out of invitations?

I have two boys, 10 &12. The 12yo gets invited to friends' houses and parties and the 10yo doesn't. The 10yo is on the borderline autism spectrum, and has trouble making friends and playing appropriately with peers. Hence, he doesn't get invited to things. He has kids he plays with at school, but never gets invited to do things with them outside of school. I don't know the other parents to even text and try and set something up at our house. He likes his brother's friends, but doesn't always get invited to their houses to hang out. I can't afford to treat him every time this happens. When he does get invited, I feel obligated to stay to monitor the 10yo's behavior. I don't know how to help him handle the rejection.

My husband is the KING of NO DO! I do everything!

Hi Everyone - My frustration is growing every single day. I feel like my husband does not do SHIT! He is all TALK and NOT DO ANYTHING! And everything is increasingly frustrating. I have to CONSTANTLY clean up after him. I have to remind him to do crap. I have to pay delinquent notices that appear in the mail. I am constantly cooking, cleaning, dropping / picking up our kid, doing all of the housework, reminding him to do stuff, and it is EXHAUSTING. He gives me attitude about it. I want to scream. I am so frustrated!