Parenting Contents Archive

Best 80s movies for kids?

My 9yo wants to watch movies from when I was a little kid. Joke's on her, I wasn't allowed to watch TV as a kid! Any recommendations for kid-appropriate 80s movies?

My baby’s favorite new game!

It’s called “Bassinet is Lava.” It’s super fun! Babies, any time mom goes to put you in the bassinet, scream like you’re slowly being lowered into a pit of lava. That’s it! Bonus points if you immediately fall back asleep the second mom picks you up.

When do you put presents under the tree?

For thos who celebrate Christmas (or those who don't but have input), how early do you put the presents under the tree? Our tree has been up for a couple weeks. The kids know the presents are in a closet and to stay away, but as an extra "safety measure" I've also wrapped them; it's easier to tell if they've tampered with wrapping paper than peeked inside a box. Since the presents are wrapped I was going to put them under the tree in the living room, but my mom said that was mean and just tempting them to mess with them since they'll see them constantly. I see what she's saying but they also know they're in the closet so it's not like they couldn't find them anyway. So, parents, when do you/would you put presents under the tree?

Baby sitting up

So my 9 month old baby has been able to sit unsupported for a while now, probably since 6-7 months, but she still can’t get into the position on her own. She is great on the floor with rolling and she’s showing a real interest in moving, going forward onto her hands while sitting, bending a leg underneath her and rocking backwards and forwards trying to figure out the crawling thing. I’m not concerned that she has any developmental delays, as she’s so alert and keen to get going, and hitting other physical milestones. I’m just wondering when I can expect her to sit up from lying down. What has everyone else’s experience been with this, is there anything I can do to help her learn how? Thanks!

How do you schedule marriage counseling with a baby?

Our marriage has been rough since having our baby in January. We've never been the best at communicating - I think because we are high school sweethearts, we sometimes feel stuck in the teenage mindset. I think we would benefit from counseling but I don't know how you plan around a baby. I guess you need to get a regular sitter for every appointment? I just want to know if any of you have found a solution that isn't the obvious "get a sitter every week." Our baby is almost 11 months and does not sit still or quietly, so there's no way we could just let him hang out during a zoom appointment or anything.

Parents of Homeschoolers

My first is finally in kinder, with my last two in tow consecutive years following. I'd like to have a system at home where I can homeschool my children as our lifestyle consists of traveling a lot for family (since they're all dispersed over our state) and in general; and possibly looking in to graduating early in the far future for them. My kindergardner is ahead of the class and being forced to slow down - we did a lot of preschool/early learning at home (but not consistent) and so I'd like to start looking into possible homeschooling to match his progression/learning speed. Homeschooling parents, what is it like? Do you need to constantly supervise them? What is your daily schedule like? Do you WFH? Early graduation possible for them? Do you guys have socializing extracurricular activities for them (dance, sports, etc)? Sorry for all the questions! If there's any resources available so I can start my research, that'd be greatly appreciated!

Transitioning to the bottle - how to keep milk warm?

My little one is exclusively breastfed at the moment, with some purée food. We’d like to start transitioning to the bottle, but he doesn’t want it. We’re guessing that the only way is to (painfully) wait till he’s hungry enough and then he’ll drink it. However, it means the whole process of making a bottle, then he doesn’t take it, then trying again, and again, etc. It’s a whole process to keep warming up the milk again and again. I was thinking of just making a big batch and then putting it into a thermos. Would this work? And then if he doesn’t drink it, I pour it back into the thermos, and it keeps warm, and then I just pour it back into the bottle again when we’re / he’s ready to try again. Any advice appreciated. We’re new parents and think bringing him to the bottle now would especially start giving my partner her life back a bit! Hopefully enabling better sleep (she wakes every like 2 hrs to feed at the moment) and I can look after him as he won’t rely on mum for milk.

Can’t wait to wake up tomorrow and do it all again. Via Twitter.com/pallavigunalan

Painkillers after c-section??

I had a c-section two weeks ago and was prescribed oxycodone. I stopped that after a few days and have been using Tylenol and Motrin. Switching between the two about every 3 hours. It's been two weeks and was wondering if I have been taking them too long. I still get really sore if I forget to take them. How long did you take pain medication after birth?

The end of naptime has arrived for my two year old

This Thanksgiving break, we had a full three days (divorced families) of Thanksgiving. In that time, our two year old didn’t nap. She did great and only got cranky near bedtime, then crashed and slept through the night (a full 11 hours)! I tried to put her down for a nap yesterday, and it just didn’t happen. So I sat with her and had her “rest” for about 20-30 minutes. She was up last night a bit, but she’s also getting her molars. I’m thinking of cutting the nap and changing it to quiet time instead. Anyone successfully switch their young toddlers to quiet time?

Dairy free baby

Looking for science based advice here. Baby had evidence of milk intolerance at 2 months (blood in diapers). On advice of pediatrician we began dairy free diet for mom and baby (breastfed). Baby is one year now and we’re trying a dairy ladder form of reintroduction. Unsure how baby did first week because night wakings definitely increased but he is mastering the skill of crawling and standing currently which is new. Just feeling completely lost at this point. Have I failed my baby and destined him for a milk free life?

Bed sharing but not getting sleep?

Long story short we bedshare with our 8 month old. I thought this would be the solution to us getting sleep (our spirited baby has never been a “good” sleeper, 2-3 hours stretches are the longest we ever get). However it keeps getting worse. She is on the boob all night, rolling around, waking a lot. Has anyone else had this experience? I feel like when people talk about bed sharing they say it’s helped with sleep so much. I love having my daughter close but she doesn’t sleep and I am losing it 🫠 anyone tips and tricks to making bed sharing more successful? Side note: not interested in hearing about how bed sharing is unsafe. It’s a parenting decision and we do it in the safest way possible.

If you had the gift of time travel would you waste it on a chance to go back and see how great of a mother your MIL was to her kids? Or do you have a healthy relationship with your in-laws

My in-laws have been here for a week and we have three more nights to go. I was given different dates when we agreed to host Thanksgiving but a bait and switch is nothing new with this family. It’s cold & rainy today and my husband is out having fun with his dad for the second day in a row. I say grilled cheese for lunch, MIL thinks PB&J would be better. I say 12:30 for nap time, hmmm she thinks 1 would be better. Well today I can’t keep my cool, the kids are fighting, the house is a mess. Tablets are a life saver right now. But there’s little remarks about how that show seems inappropriate (Gabby’s Dollhouse) or maybe finger painting would be a better use of their time, more productive! There’s no reason to yell or lose my cool, it all works out. So she’s saying she was June Cleaver 24/7? Because she’s implying it.

Baby HATES Shoes - Help!

Hello Reddit, my 14 month old has just started walking fairly confidently and it's time to get him wearing shoes for outings. However, he absolutely hates them. He goes into full meltdown mode (that's if he even lets me get them on). Has anyone else been through this, what did you do to make this easier on your child and how long did it take them to come around? It's getting colder here too so going to the park in his socks is really not an option anymore. I should add that I am very confident that the shoes aren't hurting him and that they are the right size. We got him measured in a shoe shop (which he also melted down about). He's really not a big tantrum guy but this shoe situation is really stressing everyone out!

Idk how any of you guys have even a slight schedule for your babies

I have a 7.5 month old who wreaks haveck and refuses any naps. These days im lucky if i get her to nap on me. Never in the crib. As soon as i set her down shes awake. Then i just become so over it i keep her up and waitvfor her next nap time. Im focusing on her getting enough sleep i cant even think about getting her on a schedule. It used to be so much better. Now its terribleeee. Same with night time. We usually emd up co sleeping after i have the worst night of my life trying to get her to bed for hours on hours. Forget any type of me time or relaxing night. I dont even get her dad involved cause it just stresses me out more. Tell me it gets better!!!!!!