Parenting Contents Archive

Old woman told me I'm a "disgusting person" for kissing my daughter on the lips.

I'm 29 years old and I have a 4 year old daughter who is actually my niece whom I adopted after my older sister passed away during childbirth. It actually took me 3 years to adopt her. Growing up, I've always kissed my mother, father, and grandmother on the lips and I still kiss my father and grandmother on the lips to this day. I'm very comfortable with it, and in my opinion, only weirdos who are porn addicts will have a problem with it. The other day, I was in the store with my daughter and she wanted me to pick her up so I did and I kissed her on her lips and she giggled like she always does because she loves it. An old woman, probably in her late 60s, saw us and she made a face like she smelled a pile of shit and muttered "disgusting bitch". I was mad and was going to tell her something but I thought it wasn't worth my time or energy.

Contact naps

I don't care who says contact naps are bad or will spoil the baby. Honestly I need them, the warm little body that makes cute noises and holds onto everything was part of me for 39 weeks I need it as much as he does. I don't understand why ppl rush the newborn stage. And I don't understand why ppl judge other mothers so much for contact naps.

I thought I knew

I thought I knew what tired was BC (before children) because - are you ready for this - I had pulled *so many* all-nighters in college. I know realize that being a parent comes with an indescribable exhaustion. I had no idea what it would be like. Not a clue. What did you *think* you knew, that you now laugh at yourself for?

I'm terrified! Tell me some of the good things I have to look forward to.

My husband and I have been married almost 8 years and we found out I was pregnant in January. We had always been in the “happy having kids or happy if we don’t” camp with a slight leaning towards *maybe we will have kids*, but we were genuinely shocked when we found out. I had been off birth control almost a year at that point, but we were still avoiding unprotected sex around my ovulation... We knew if we did get pregnant we were in a great position to start a family, but that definitely doesn't erase the "shock" factor of it to some degree haha! Now that we are here and nearing my August due date I am truly freaking out. I feel completely unprepared and find myself focusing on a lot of negative aspects about having kids and starting a family. Can y’all help me out and tell me some of the good things coming my way??

What counts as a word??

Im trying to make a list of “words” my one year old is saying for our next appointment but i need clarification What do they count as words for 12-24?? Like if she sees out cat she will say “key-dee” or “key” trying to say kitty and then say meow very clearly. OR she will say “ah doe” for all done but is clearly indicating she is all done with something. So would i count that or no? Im very confused.

MIL appreciation post

I have a 2.5y and a 3 month old. Let's just say that gardening was at the bottom of my to-do list. I was doing the bare minimum. My MIL drove 2.5h today, with different plants/flowers in her car. She planted those and also weeded out my garden. She trimmed my bushes. Everything looks perfect and well-kept. AND she brought lunch. I love her so much. Any other awesome MILs around?

Going to Disney while pregnant and wondering why I can’t ride certain things while pregnant. No studies show that it is harmful, or safe.

I can’t find any studies that say whether or not riding rollercoasters for pregnant women is safe or not, probably because that would be a really hard study to conduct—who’s going to volunteer to go on a rollercoaster while pregnant if it isn’t known what will happen? Lol. But in the case of Disneyland, many of the “rollercoasters” in the park top out under 40 mph and don’t have any huge drops, etc. All suppositions that these could be harmful are related to what happens to pregnant people in car accidents, but a small coaster is not akin to car accident. Obviously since I’ll be 19 weeks pregnant when we go, I won’t be riding the big incredicoaster or anything too jerky or with a huge drop like Guardians, but what about other rides like Indiana Jones? It feels like bumpy turbulence, but it’s still recommended pregnant people don’t ride them, probably for liability.

How to respond to “my baby” “our baby” comments ?

It really pisses me off when people call my baby their baby. Specifically my parents (mostly my father) and his mother (my grand mother). It’s extremely annoying and I cringe. He’s not your baby, he’s not the “family’s baby”, he’s my baby. How do I respond to texts and comments like “how is my baby?” “How is our baby?” And finally when they say he’s the “family’s baby”. When i correct my father he gets offended, if I dare to correct my grand mother it’s gonna be a whole other thing. Old school Italian families are the absolute worst when it comes to boundaries. How do you all handle it? Am I over reacting? I feel like I’m not because I’ve seen SO many posts/comments about new mothers who get irritated at comments like these. I guess I just want to feel reassured. I also need back up for when I show them I’m not the only one!!!! Please comment with your advice, feelings or your own experiences! I’m begging you haha

I kinda hate how socially unacceptable it is to be even temporarily unhappy in your marriage these days

Like don’t get me wrong, I am fucking ECSTATIC that women are able to leave their unhappy marriages in the modern era. Truly, more power to everyone who does. But I’ve noticed this weird thing where I literally can’t voice it to anyone, even closer friends (or anonymous internet spaces), when I’m going through a rough patch with my husband because the immediate Greek chorus of “leave him!!!” starts going haywire. I don’t say a damn word to anyone anymore because apparently it’s not a respectable or feminist choice for me to think through my options and decide I’d rather work it out. And it really sucks having nobody to talk to other than my husband, aka: the problem itself, or my therapist. Like damn, can’t a girl *vent* sometimes? (And that’s why I love it here)

Talk me out of getting bangs

Yes, this is a petty post. I've got an 8 month old and work in an office full time. It's been over a decade since I had bangs, but I keep seeing people with them and thinking, "Wow, I need bangs again." I'm getting my hair cut soon. Remind me how much of a pain they are to maintain.

I never thought I’d be one of those parents who gives their baby their phone…

But over the last couple of days I’ve pressed play on “8 Hours Female Voice Shhh Sound to Put a Baby to Sleep the Whole Night: Shhh Black Screen”, propped it next to my baby’s bassinet, set a 5 minute timer on my watch, walked away, and watched on the monitor as her eyes drift closed. 5 minutes later I collect my phone, and my baby naps on 🤩 I’ve also played it in the car using the Bluetooth, and she stopped crying! It works even better than Caspar Babypants!

The thing that gets me these days about toddler parenting is the inability to enjoy my own thoughts and day dreams…my headspace…

I mean I love my toddler… duh…and it’s wonderful what she brings into life. And being SAHM is also nice. But man I miss having my own headspace. As soon as I drift off into a nice thought bubble …”MOMMY!!! Hello mommy! Let’s play. Come on. I’m hungry. I need this or that”, etc. you know how it goes…and I know it won’t get easier with number 2 on the way…lol Anyone else feel this? I guess it’s time to start scheduling my own me time…

4 weeks old baby always crying when awake. What could it be?

At first I thought she had colics because she was fussy and crying at night only but now it’s all day long. Morning, afternoon and at night … We started probiotics recently but I doubt this could be the cause? Also, she never want to sleep in her bassinet, like 15min max. Only contact naps and as soon as she wake up she cries.. Thoughts?

How do y’all fit in snacks with 3 meals a day plus milk?

My baby is 10 months and we had our well check today, and the doctor said he should be getting 3 meals a day plus 2 snacks and his formula. Currently he eats 3 meals a day, a bottle when he wakes up from each nap and a bottle before he goes down for nap/bedtime. His wake windows are usually only 2-2.5 hours before he’s fussing and ready to go down then he’s typically asleep for a couple of hours, and he goes to bed early usually between 5-6, so where am I supposed to fit in snacks??

Concerned about babies weight

Hi everyone! The clue is in the title I guess.. My little boy was born at 36+3 weighing 6lb 2oz. He is currently just over 8 weeks old. The health visitor has seen him today due to concerns regarding developmental delay (smiling/reaching) and has mentioned he’s very big for his age. He currently weighs 12lb 2oz and is on the 98th centile (UK). She said whilst it isn’t an issue at the moment it’s something I need to get on top of now. My question is; how on earth am I supposed to do this?! I can’t exactly ignore his hunger cues, if I do - he cries! It feels too cruel. He’s on a comfort milk for reflux so can’t be switched to a hungry baby milk or anything. Sorry if this is a stupid question, first time parents here!