Parenting Contents Archive

What's something your parents did that you never "got" until you became one?

One of mine is calling my kids my babies. My dad still does it with his 30s-40s sons. My 6yo asked why I still call him baby and I said, "You're MY baby and you'll always be my baby." I get it now.

Anyone Else Hate Being Called Momma by Other Grown Adults?

25F. My first and last baby is now 7 weeks but from the L&D staff up until my MIL visiting this weekend, people call me momma and I find it cringeworthy. Just women. I'm not your mom. I don't say anything about it because it doesn't really matter I just let it go but why is that a thing? These women that call me Momma know my name which they were fine with calling me until now. Why did that need to change?

My one week old refuses to sleep unless his head is on the right side. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Worried about SIDS and flat head syndrome.

Am I withholding sex?

My husband can be possibly bordering emotionally abusive, I think. And he can be quite gross (burps and farts loudly all over the place). So I don't always feel like having sex and that can mean we're not intimate for weeks, sometimes months at a time. The longest stretch was around 18mo. I feel it's purely because I don't feel physically attracted to him, and exhausted by being put down. (He's literally pissed at me tonight because I'm taking antibiotics and won't take them at a time that suits him, and I can't give him a good enough reason to not take them at the times he said. I just want to take them every 6hrs like the label says). Is this considered withholding sex?

Is it okay to gift a used item to a toddler for their birthday?

I'm going to a boy's 2nd birthday party next weekend and I barely know his mom (but would like to become friends with her). I have a book that I bought used but it still has the original price tag on... It has some very light scuffing. I'm wondering if I can gift the book to the toddler or is this a big faux pas. The book itself is stunning but the (very) light wear around the edges will show the mom it's not brand new. Things are tight otherwise I'd buy a new gift 😩

Want info on pool safety

Hello all! I'm a first-time mom to an adorable 10-week-old baby. I tend to be anxious over any little thing. We just moved to Arizona and my family has a backyard pool. My partner and I would love to take baby for just a little dip, but don't know the safety. I'm worried about the chlorine, but my MIL says that it bakes off throughout the week and that's why they have to have it treated weekly. She thinks I'm too worried about it. I know he can't wear sunscreen until 6 months as per AAP recommendations, but I wouldn't have him out there for probably more than ten minutes. Other than the risk of sun exposure, how worried should I be (or not be!) about other stuff? TIA!

Can we just all decide together to respect professional boundaries?

My fucking LinkedIn literally says “remote work only” so why are you sending me 2 days mandatory in office jobs? *I can’t fucking do that*. And not only can I not do that, but I need flexible hours, Wobbles needs 4 therapies a fucking week. I take a break 9-10ish EVERY DAY for something to do with one of the kids. And that’s if I’m lucky, sometimes there’s an afternoon break too Fuck. Your company is not “family friendly”. Your company is some kind of family friendly for the American wet dream of a family. My kid isn’t nuero-typical. Fuck. Off.

Wiggly newborn

Our 11 day old wiggles his arms and legs all day long. I have a ergo baby swaddle that he wiggles his has out of and does not like. When we swaddle in the Muslin blankets he always works his way out of them. When I’m feeding him it’s difficult at the start to get him to settle/ restrain his hands as he’s Hungry but his hands get in his way. Has anyone experience with a baby whose wiggles stop them from settling, sleeping and make BFing challenging?

Am I being unreasonable?

My step kiddo had a therapy appointment with a new therapist today. Today my husband's ex-wife says she wants to take kiddo for dinner at 3:30 and is upset kiddo has appointment. I explain to husband that the appointment is one hour maybe even less. Ex wife wants it rescheduled. I had no idea it was her birthday. I wouldn't have scheduled the appointment for today. No I'm trying to figure out how to reschedule this appt while I'm at work. It's 1 hour literally had no idea it's was her birthday and was given no notice that she wanted kiddo after school today til husband called that she was upset.

A postal delivery tragedy

Sooo I'm having a shit day, my kid's not feeling well and I was really looking forward to a kid-free day off while she was at camp, but now I'll be home with her for a few days. It's been a trash morning but I was so excited to see a package I'd been waiting for was out for delivery! I waited and waited and then suddenly was notified they'd left a delivery notice- um ok you could have just left it behind but ok- plot twist, they didn't even leave a notice, just mail for my shitty ex who doesn't live here anymore. Ok fine, I guess I'll have to wait and call the post office and figure out where the fuck I can pick up my package, except I can't bring a sick kid with me anywhere... and the kicker is, I was really looking forward to it coming right to my door, and don't really want to ask anyone else to pick it up for me... in case they ask what it is, because the delivery was a new vibrator 😅

Unexpected pregnancy

Hello I am (27) F my boyfriend is (34) M. I am a mother to a 7 year old and recently found out I’m pregnant. We have been having a really hard year to say the least I’m currently in school to obtain my paralegal license and he is starting a new job at a new firm and the life of an attorney is very demanding. We both were being safe but things happen. So now I’m at the cross road of what to do. He thinks strongly of abortion but I’ve never considered it. He has made some excellent points but I personally don’t think I could live with myself, let alone look at him the same way if I were to go through with it. I’ve been very emotional and unable to think straight. Financially we would be fine. And I graduate long before the baby would even be here….Has anyone every been in this situation? Or have any advice that could help me make the best choice.TYIA

Mattress for the pack and play: Yay or any?

We are traveling soon and tested out our mini crib mattress in our graco pack and play. It is not the same size. There is about a 2 inch difference. So should we get a pack and play mattress? LO is 7 months old now for reference. This is our second trip with her. Last trip we tried using a travel bassinet and she was too big. Hated it. Mostly slept with us.

anybody successfully "retrained" a super slow eater?

My son (4) eats so painfully slow. It's not always that he's distracted and playing, or not hungry, or not à fan of the food. Those happen sometimes. Other times, he'll eat at a decent speed. But by and large, the average meal takes so long for him to complete. I'm really not trying to make mealtimes any more stressful than they have to be. I'm not trying to sow any eating disorders either. But sometimes it is so frustrating. He takes the absolute smallest bites and chews endlessly. It's not that he physically has a problem taking big bites or swallowing. As stated, there are times he does eat quick, when he feels like it. Part of my concern is when he's in elementary school and has less than 30 minutes to eat he's gonna be in for a tough time. Do i just try to drop the issue and eat at his own pace, expecting him to figure it out once he's in public school?

When/how do you find time to cook or bake?

Hi all! My little guy is 1 YO now, and I’ve been putting off all of the cooking/ baking I want to do because it’s nearly impossible to do while he’s awake! By the time he goes down for naps or bed, I’m exhausted! But...I do miss it and getting tired of quick meals every night. Thought I’d turn to this great community to see if anyone has recommendations for how to fit this into a busy day? Thanks!

Advice - Terrified that someone will drop my new born

I'm a brand new father. My son arrived a week ago and it's been bliss thus far but among other things, I have developed overprotective tendencies and have become extremely paranoid that when I hand him off to family/ friends, someone will drop him. My elderly mother in law with arthritis also lives with me and she wants to carry him all the time and it makes me so nervous. 1. Is this a normal fear to have? 2. Are there any steps I can take to reduce the anxiety associated with it? I know of people with babies who play hot potato with theirs and casually pass theirs around but here I am, getting sweaty palms when someone else carries him. Any advice is highly appreciated!