Parenting Contents Archive

I forgot some parents actually use belts on their kids. That’s bat shit insane to me.

I’m picking up dirty clothes, and I pulled my belt out of my pants. I did that little snap thing when you half it up and pull it to make it slap. if you had a parent or step parent that used belts, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Anyways, my kid asked me what that was I was doing. And I realized that I’ve never used belts or anything like that. We don’t spank in this house. And the idea of spanking with a belt makes me sick. The concept is so fucked up that I never even once thought about using a belt on her. I explained that some parents do that to their kids to intimidate them. She was shocked. She’s 4 and even at her age she understands how wrong it is. She told me that I was a good parent and skipped off. Made me happy but made me sad knowing there are parents like that. I dunno. Mini rant. Have a good day.

What are some ‘long game’ projects you’re doing for/with your baby? (Yearly pictures in the same shirt, etc. )

I have no ideas yet, hoping to hear some inspiring ideas! And if you’re a few years along, what do you wish you did differently?

Got a call from the principal...

Apparently my 5th grader was going to have a fake wedding with her new boyfriend today. It caused quite the stir. The school doesn't allow fake weddings. So I get to have that conversation with her today...

Easy bake oven

Bought my daughter an easy bake oven for her bday. And have to buy the packages separately!!!! And each package is like $20. That’s insane!! Can we use regular cake mixes? How do you know a good knock off brand?

Teaching baby sign language - yay or nay? And how!

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this... Are you teaching your babies sign language? Why or why not? Any resources you love??

Baby activities

What are some things I should be doing with my 1-2 month old?? We do tummy time and he has his floor mat and some noise making hand toys. I just feel like we sit and stare at each other a lot! Which isn’t bad, I love his face but I want to do what’s best for him developmentally

Getting baby to drink enough… anyone else?

Starving baby

I really need help my baby is starving she doesn’t latch on breast for more than 2 minutes anymore on either breast I’m not producing milk anymore and I’ve tried to give her formula so many times and wasting loads of money on different formula and she just refuses it. Can anyone help as to why, what to do or anything?

need help with my daughter who suffered from my alcoholism

I need help. I destroyed my relationship with my first wife because of alcoholism. I am 5 years sober and my daughter is now 13. I fully know that I have traumatized both my ex and my daughter and will never stop regretting hurting them. I am now remarried and have two younger kids. A son and a daughter. I only have EOW custody of my daughter and every Wednesday evening-Thursday morning I really want to be a good dad to my daughter after all that I put her through The look in her eyes killed me when she saw me playing with my younger daughter last night. My wife is very close to her and considers her to be her daughter too and I know she will be upset with me for what I did to my daughter. My ex and wife communicate since my ex doesn’t want to be near me. Is there anything I can do to help. My daughter shut down completely last night and my wife had to sleep with her. I want my daughter to be safe and happy

Siblings too close in age?

For those of you that had children close together...how close in age and what was/is your experience? I currently have a 6.5 month old and just found out I'm due again first week of May!

Is This Behaviour Normal for a 3-Year-old? Advice?

My 3-year-old is horribly mean to my 1-year-old. He bullies him constantly. Every day, all day. He doesn't play nice at all, ever. He pushes him over, hits him, deliberately coughs in his face, steals his toys, smacks him, bites him, pushes his eyes in, & runs his toys into him. I don't know where he's getting it from or why he's acting like this, it started long before he ever went to daycare. We try to show him how to play, & to share but he just refuses, he's extremely possessive over his toys. Unfortunately, the 1-year-old doesn't want to play with toys for 1-year-olds, he wants to play with his big brother's toys so we can't really separate them like that. He just won't share, he'll scream & cry if the baby even touches his toys. Is this normal? How can we change this behaviour? I always feel so awful for our 1-year-old, he so badly just wants to play with his brother & is just constantly bullied.

How long until you got your first period?

I’m breastfeeding and was wondering when I would get my first period. Or would I even get it at all?

Behind development?

So, I'm feeling a bit discouraged because my son is almost 7 weeks old and all of my parenting apps and websites suggest that he should be smiling regularly by now, cooing, and starting to sleep longer stretches, like 6 to 7 hours. My son is definitely not giving me huge grins. Sometimes he gives what looks like a small smile, but I still can't tell if it's just a gas smile or not. He coos every once in a while but not regularly. He's still only sleeping 2 to 3 hour stretches. I know, I know. Every baby's different. I can't help but worry, though. He was born at 37 weeks, could he be 3 weeks behind developmentally because of this? Should I be concerned?

Welp. Guess that is that.

Today is day 1 of trying to gently wean my baby off of nursing to sleep/ gentle cry it out. I was holding a screaming baby, open the door to get an Amazon package. My dog ran out the door, first time ever. He came back to the porch after I tried to lure him with cheese for 15 minutes, though at this point the baby did stop screaming. He won't come in the house. Guess we don't have a dog anymore. Edit to add: I got the dog back.

Is it okay to get siblings new things at different times?

Like, if one happens to be at Target with me and we see a cute shirt she could use, we might get one and the other will come home from school and be annoyed she didn’t get one. However, the next day she might get an Amazon something I ordered her and not her sister , so it seems to even out to me. Is this mean? Should I always be sure to make things more even? For reference, they are mostly needed items that I am checking off my mental list while they are fresh in my mind Thanks