Parenting Contents Archive

Leaving a teen home and going on vacation?

We brought our child on vacation for most of her life. She is 17.5 years old. Recently since she's been 16 she just doesn't want to stuff us, stays in the room, and either sleeps or watches videos. We have left her home alone for a few hours at a time starting when she was 14. We are contemplating leaving her home alone for a weekend. Logically it seems to make sense. She doesn't want to do anything so why spend money on her. She has a car and money so she can take care of an emergency if she needed to. It means we don't have to put the dog in a kennel saving us money and making both dog and kid happy. She can cook for herself. It all makes logical sense and would be very convenient. I just don't feel great about the prospect or her safety. What do others think?

Sleep training doesn’t work and my 7 mo wakes up 8 times a night

So this is just kind of a rant but maybe someone has some advice but my 7 mo still wakes up like 8 times a night. Of course some nights vary- sometimes it’s less sometimes it’s more but he never usually goes 2 hours without waking. We tried sleep training…Ferber, CIO, weaning from the breast…etc. we have been at this since month four trying to troubleshoot and figure this shit out. Nothing helps. Nothing. I’m just praying one day it changes. I feel super defeated and just tired as hell. Also wanted to add we watch daytime wake windows and keep a routine but it still hasn’t helped. I’ve spent money on books and sleep guides only to be disappointed in the money I threw down the drain.

Ex demands I drive far for kids, don’t pay CS?

My ex is a trucker who frequently quits jobs or gets fired. He quits bc he “won’t allow” the state to “steal his money”. He moved over 100 miles away with his gf without notifying the CS bureau as he agreed to. Now, he expects me to drive 1-2 hours to exchange the kids. He’s not paid CS in a month. The state was garnishing his wages $120 for both kids weekly. I’ve told him he’s got to pay multiple times and he ignores me. I don’t think I have to drive that far with no money no gas when he’s the one not paying (the charity had to donate clothing and school supplies bc he refused to contribute “unless it was free”. The CS bureau says they don’t incarcerate non paying dads anymore and all they can do is send letters and make calls. Am I required to drive that far when he’s not paying and broke the rules by moving 2 hours away?

Kids are refusing to go to their dads.

My boys (9 & 4) are supposed to go to their dads Friday-Sunday according to our separation agreement. But every single Friday it turns into me begging and pleading with them to go. Their dad has never cared much to have a relationship with them and isn’t necessarily a bad dad, just minimally involved. Since we have separated he stays in a one bedroom apartment with nothing at all for the boys. I have to pack them a bag for their belongings and it comes back with them every Sunday. When they are there I get multiple calls that they’re bored and I don’t really blame them. He doesn’t do much with them - they often will call me to tell me he’s napping and they’re sitting on the couch. When he does do things with them it’s mostly an excuse for him to hang out with his friends while they play with his friends children. It’s gotten to the point that I dread the Friday fight to get them to go.

She broke up with our family

Yeah… I know. She was dating my son, not us. But she was part of our family for 5 years, and they talked about marriage. This week she told my son she no longer was in love with him. We treated her like a daughter. Her family life sucks, so we treated her like our own. She lived here at one point. We bought her clothes, plane tickets… gave her money for groceries at school. So while I know she broke up with my son and had no obligation to us, it still hurts because we treated her like a daughter.

“And most parents agree that mental health days—when students take the day off from school as they would a sick day, but to preserve their mental health—can help.” https://t.co/itqt9CG1yo

It’s not uncommon for a child to be hesitant about participating in a new sport. The first step in addressing it is to figure out the why. Here's what might be holding them back from diving into a sport and 13 ways to help them overcome that hesitancy! https://t.co/1qHVtSY03w https://t.co/RAPD1M0xiF

Parents who are concerned about the virus may also be relieved to know that many pandemic precautions and behaviors can be repurposed to protect children against monkeypox. @KnvulS @cdpearson @nytimeswell https://t.co/QEDB93uVaq

What's your child's favorite name for you? Mine's is mama bear. https://t.co/1njVrYkCeo

so my kid is 4 and can read .

My son is 4 years old and can read ! Not just small words but full sentences with complicated words for a 4 year old ! He also understands what it is he is reading and what it means ! I don't know if this is normal but he seems well ahead of other kids of his age! Does anybody have experience with this ? Any advice on nurturing ? Thanks .

Respect for myself, respect for others, and understanding your own boundaries - Elaine Byrnes has practical advice and tips for #parents on talking to their teenager about respectful communication online. #OnlineSafety @EByrnes_DCU https://t.co/zRtBRdlqRE

Splash pads are a great alternative to paddling pools this summer. https://t.co/Ec58ApH2oc

Why are naps so hard?

That’s it. That’s the post. He’s 7 months and I can’t figure it out STILL. Only naps for 20-30 minutes at a time. Send help.

dental xrays before bfp?

5 days ago my pregnancy test was negative.. so i had xrays done to my mouth to have fillings and wisdom tooth removed.. today my period is late and i have a positive test.. im freaking out .. help 😨😨😞

The services that students expect from a university has grown considerably. To meet this demand, public universities are showing an interest in public-private partnership agreements that bring profit motives into the public sector. @dtmollenkamp @EdSurge https://t.co/erUtwb0X4T