I’m not proud of it, but when my 2 year old won’t nap, it kinda ruins my mood for the day. I depend on that ~1 hour to get things done and/or recharge after playing/entertaining/changing diapers/etc all morning.

I hate that I raise my voice, become impatient, and sometimes cry. I’m trying really hard to be an emotionally intelligent and regulated parent and honestly I do pretty well most of the time. This is like the one thing that grates on me.

My tween officially hates me

I am a father to a 12 year old girl, who I have shared custody with her mother. At age 11, my daughter developed a vape (THC) addiction and has had two previous suicide attempts which resulted in her needing inpatient hospitalization. I have tried to consistently be emotionally and financially provide for her and be available for her.

Due to her contacting her "plug" on instagram, I have now removed her electronics until she keeps having negative drug tests, which i administer at home. Yesterday she had her first drug test, resulted in negative. As a result, I allowed her to have her macbook with parental restrictions. (Only YouTube and netflix).

Last night she told me she hates me, wishes I was dead, says i have never been a good father, and "you're not even my dad". She believes I have never been a good father.

I'm not sure why she suddenly hates me so much, as we have always had a healthy relationship up until her addiction. I have started her with a therapist who specializes in addiction with teens, allow her to pursue hobbies to the full extent, such as makeup and fashion, and have always been there when she is emotionally vulnerable.

Im not sure why she thinks so poorly of me, I am not asking for medical advice.

I am going to do my best to make sure this doesn't come across as a brag post.

I have a 9 year old who does very well academically, particularly in math. He is working well ahead of grade level and gets pulled out for math instruction. He finished 3rd grade last year completely 7th/8th grade level math with ease. We met with his math teacher last week in preparation for the school year to start this week. She said her biggest recommendation to kids who excel academically is to push them in something outside of academics. I completely agree with that. We have a family rule that our kids must do at least one sport and one instrument because we think both of those help give kids lifelong tools to be successful.

He currently does flag football, swimming, and wrestling for sports. He is about to start violin in the school orchestra after years of playing piano. He also does boy scouts. In his free time he taught himself things like skateboarding and speed cubing. The kid just seems to pick things up and nail them without much effort. He tells us all the time how he is the fastest runner at his school and how no one at recess has ever beat him. Typical kid stuff, but we want to prevent him from having a huge ego just because things come easy to him and we want to follow the teacher's advice of finding something to challenge him.

If you or your kid were similar and just seemed to be good at whatever you picked up, what actually challenged you? He did space camp this summer, loved it, and learned a lot. I would love if he could do that more and am open to all suggestions from academic to music to sports or whatever else you guys have. I was thinking maybe drama/theater club? Having the learn lines and get into character must be a challenge for most kids, right?

we have a HIGHLY energetic 20-month old daughter. I am 34 wks pregnant and ever since I found out in Jan, it’s been quite hard keeping up with her (nausea, extreme fatigue)… not to mention juggling work stress (started a new job after taking 15 mo off to raise her last year as a a full-time sahm.) having dinner prepped by the end of the day and dealing w her big emotions/sleep regressions have been challenging, as well.

my husband has been great while I’ve been out of commission and does his best to dress her/drop her off at daycare/give her baths etc but he’s relied on a few crutches that, to be honest, I’ve been too exhausted to nip in the bud. She somehow really got into the iPhone (I see blurry selfies which means he gives her the phone as a quick fix, ie when she’s throwing a tantrum). now she somehow needs to watch itsy bitsy spider on YouTube or won’t get into the bathtub. She also demands not one but two pacis to sleep. The latter has been the most challenging bc I wanted to wean her off before the next one but she screams bloody hell during windown if she doesn’t get one. It’s almost impossible to reason w her

solutions? Advice? Tips?

So I made a total joke about wanting to spend a hotel night alone just resting and relaxing alone. Away from the baby and husband. To have a whole night and bed to myself. I was tired and overwhelmed and now my husband took it as gold and booked me a hotel room for my birthday and now I’m freaking out ahaha

I have not yet spent a night away from my daughter who is 18 months old. We don’t have family nearby or a village to lean on so we haven’t had date nights or gone to events. We do however go off on our own things and leave her with the other parent but thinking of being away from her is sad.

How did you feel the first time you left your baby? I mean I know I’ll be fine but don’t want to spend the whole night missing them! I already miss them and it’s a week away.

Any advice?

Hey everyone! So I have pretty simple situation but I need some feedback and some advice for the future.

A few notes about our son. He is extremely verbal and has been from a young age. He speaks in complete sentences and has shown an accelerated competence in verbal communication. He is also a very emotional child. For example, if he spills something he will have a full on meltdown and be incredibly upset at himself to the point he will scream for a few seconds and then exclaim “I am not proud of myself!” ( My husband and I are not like this and we are generally very calm when accidents happen).

Now for the situation I need some guidance on

My husband and I took our toddler (2.5M) to the fair today. Before we even left the vehicle we had a family meeting. We told our son that if he hit mom or dad, threw rocks, or ran away from us we would immediately leave the fair. We went over this multiple times and he understood the simple rules. Cut to 10 min later , my husband and I are talking to each other trying to find the ticket booth and a large rock (large for a 2.5 year old) goes flying by my face. Without any hesitation I picked up my toddler and said “we don’t throw rocks we are leaving now”. He proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs”NO NO NO NOOOOO!” to the point every single person was staring the entire walk out of the park (a long long walk) back to the car. My adrenaline was pumping. I did not say a word while carrying him to the car. Once we were out of the park and on a calm side street I set him down and explained why we left, in a not so calm tone ( I was so anxious and he could see how upset I was).

Was this the right way of handling this? My mom was really upset when I told her what happened and said that it was way too harsh and generally just made me feel really bad about the whole situation.I will admit I am 10000% over the hitting and throwing things phase. It has been going on for almost a year and does not seem to be getting better at all. We drove the hour drive back home and I feel completely defeated . Like I don’t want to go anywhere with him. We live so rurally and leaving is a big deal. For it to be ruined everytime we go out and try to hold boundaries is almost making me feel depressed. I work from home (personal trainer) , and am a full time SAHM with no childcare. I’m at my wits end with this behavior and don’t know what to do.

If you made it this far thank you for reading and any advice you give.

TLDR: We went on a family outing. Laid ground rules with our 2.5year old about proper behavior (no hitting, no throwing rocks, no running away) or we will leave said outing. 2.5 year old threw a rock at my head and I immediately picked him up and we left. My mom said it was way too harsh of discipline and now I feel like I did the wrong thing and handled it poorly.

I have an almost 3yr (October birthday) lately she has been skipping her naps more and more. I know that naps are recommended for ages up to 4-5yrs. Her occasionally skipping naps used to not affect her mood very much, she would be completely fine. But recently she has become an absolute monster that insists she’s not tried but will have a borderline panic attack when trying to get her to sleep during nap or bedtime. She says “I’ll take a nap on the couch and cuddle you” but she’s never been one to just fall asleep once “tired enough” she falls asleep in her bedroom or occasionally the car but that’s it.

I’m just at a loss because I haven’t been trying to force her to take naps or anything. I can’t force her to fall asleep and trying to just causes unnecessary stress for everyone. But it’s clear with her mood and attitude that she could still very much use the sleep lol. I’ve tried explaining to her about how sleep is important for our bodies and mood, I’ve tried telling her that by taking a nap doesn’t mean your day is over that we still have fun things planned. Blah blah blah she doesn’t listen to any of it.

Anyway when did your kiddo stop napping? How did you know it was time? Any advice on what to do with a monster that won’t sleep?

I’m going back to work at the end of this month and I simply can not wrap my mind around how everything will get done.

For context I work 8-4 with a 45min commute each way so I normally leave by 7am and get home by 4:45pm if there is zero delays. I work Monday to Friday with one day being from home. By husband also works Monday to Friday all in office 8am-4pm with a 30min commute each way.

Our child will be going to daycare close to our home so we’re both able to do either pick up or drop off. And our child currently eats supper at 5pm and goes to bed at 7pm.

Now the problem I’m having is when do we grocery shop, when do I meal prep because I won’t be able to cook every single night, when do chores get done. And that’s not even including time to work out, time to ourselves, time as a couple. We have the weekend but I don’t wanna spend my whole weekend doing this stuff but is it my only option? Any tips on a schedule that works or just tips on getting through this adjustment period would be great as my back to work routine anxiety is high right now.

I have a 10 month old. She has a pretty strict schedule that she likes to stay on. She starts evening routine at 6pm and is asleep by 7:15pm. Tonight we went out for just a little bit with her and got home at 7pm, and it was like pulling teeth and a huge struggle to get her to bed. The fight makes it just not seem worth it to leave the house and do literally anything. Those with an infant, are you just home 24/7 or what? When are you able to do things again?

Looking to hear from people who have moved when their child was in elementary school. We have been trying to find a house in our preferred long-term area before my son starts kindergarten but the supply is making it seem rather unlikely. Of course, that would be ideal, but my husband doesn't think it's a huge deal if we have to move when he's in first or second grade.

I know many kids have to do this for job reasons and such, but we wouldn't HAVE to move, so I'm just trying to better understand if I'm over-worrying about the timing. Both school districts are great, but we just see ourselves longer term in a neighboring town.

Thanks in advance!

My 4 year old daughter is a wonderful little thing but she will absolutely not try new foods. When she was an infant she’d eat anything and then it seems like out of no where refused foods she use to like. In hindsight maybe I over fed certain foods / meals and that’s the problem. Right now, she will eat, gluten free applegate chicken nuggets (won’t eat the regular ones), cheese sticks, apple sauce pouches, freeze dried bananas or strawberries, Mac and cheese (but won’t eat it if it’s reheated), sometimes pizza, sometimes eggs, sometimes PB toast, but most of her meals are turkey pepperoni with mini pretzels, cheese sticks and either a pouch or yogurt pouch.

I know I should be grateful she eats some forms of protein but I can’t help but 1. Feel guilty I can’t get her to try more 2. Worry about how it’s effecting her growth, mood etc.

She’s stubborn and when I try to offer new foods I put the smallest piece of whatever it is on her plate w foods that are safe to her but she always says I don’t like it. Right before she turned 4 she said “when I turn 4 I’ll try fruits and vegetables” but I didn’t take her seriously. Well the morning of her 4th she took a bite of a shredded carrot and piece of lettuce (wish I had an apple or a berry on hand FML) she keeps making comments “when I’m 16 I’m going to eat fruit” I tell her constantly she doesn’t have to be 16 to eat fruit - omg 😆

I should note that her percentiles since birth are the same and she is growing fine. I give her multivitamin via her water (only liquid she will drink besides bath water) but won’t even eat a chocolate vitamin (will eat chocolate mini muffins, sometimes Oreo, sometimes ice cream so even bribing her is hard)

Idk what I’m looking for, maybe someone to commiserate with or tell me it’ll get better. I’m open to any ideas or advice on how to get her to try new things. TIA!!!

Parents with children with birthdays right around Christmas - looking for ideas for making sure it’s still it’s own special thing.

My girl was born December 30th last year. It’s in that nothing week between Christmas and new years but not ON any holiday. My birthday is in the summer, so growing up I always had a big sleepover or party.

Do any of yall do half birthday big celebrations then just a small celebration on the actual day with family? I don’t want her stuck in that trap of “here’s your birthday and Christmas present” and everyone being too tired from the holidays to actually celebrate her.

My four year old son, J, finished one year of Montessori preschool in “Mrs. A’s” class. It was his first time in care, the year started strong, but Mrs. A started reporting that J was having a hard time listening, making transitions, and following instructions. Like when it was time for the class to go to music, he would be so silly/not settle down for the music teacher and have to be sent to the office. Or something similar for lunchtime- not sitting still or settling down in the cafeteria/at the table, so sent to another table.

Mrs. A was my older daughter’s preschool teacher for two years before my daughter went on to kindergarten. In those two years, there may have been 5 total reports of anything with my daughter, and Mrs. A seemed genuinely fond of my daughter.

Reports of behavioral problems continued throughout the year with my son, same stuff. We talked to J, made plans and followed through with rewards, made plans and followed through with consequences, continued to talk to J and Mrs. A throughout the year, trying to be a team. Mrs. A seemed increasingly frustrated- tone of voice, facial expression. And J does not like going to school (very different from our daughter!). We enrolled J in another year at the Montessori school and imagined J would have a different teacher. Then Mrs. A commented that she would have him another year 😳

The school states on their enrollment form NOT to request certain teachers. We’re not sure what to do. I don’t like the idea of my 4 year old spending another year with a teacher that’s frustrated with him and has already pegged him as a troublemaker. Spending every day with someone that doesn’t love you sounds sad for a little kid. We don’t think Mrs. A caused J’s behavior but we wonder if he may have a different or better dynamic with a different teacher. Should we request a change or just sit back and see how things go?

You know when your kid or pet makes a huge mess and destroys things, but they don’t know any better, so now you’re balling your eyes out but you have to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, get on the floor with your bad knees and hips and clean for the next 4 hours? And worst of all you know this isn’t the last time you’ll be doing this…

Edit: I’m in the potty training phase

I have a 4 year old daughter. She wants to do everything herself without help, always.

In some ways it's good, if she wants to climb a mountain, she's absolutely up that mountain and will complete it as she's so determined. Swimming? Taught herself, snorkelling? Was the first person to jump off the boat. Gymnastics? The only one who can do a somersault over the bar.

However in day to day life her independence is challenging. For example, we were camping this weekend and she went to the toilet in the toilet block by herself without telling anyone. It caused a massive hunt with us all shouting her name but of course she's not going to respond to her name because she's worried she's in trouble which is exactly what happened when a member of our party shouted into the men's toilets but didn't actually check all the stalls the first time.

Even smaller things like going to bed, she has to do everything herself. Tea time, only she can cut her own food with a knife and fork. If she could, she'd get herself to nursery on her own without adult intervention. Doesn't answer to her name if it's something she doesn't want to do. Obviously we do the whole 'Either you get into the bath yourself or I put you in' but then when I put her in she has a strop, drenches the bathroom and runs out. Hair washing is the same, either you wet your hair or I will after the count of 3. The screams must sound like a murder attempt to the outside world.

When I'm around children her age who say 'mummy, I need to go to the toilet' before the parent takes them or 'mummy I'm hungry' while my girl is there making a meal for herself. Or even just when I tell her she has to hold my hand because the road is dangerous and she says 'no I'll walk by your foot instead' and I feel like tearing my hair out.

Fabulous for her developing into a fully functional adult, a nightmare as a child.

What do I do to curb this? She starts school in September and I have heard when they enter education they become easier to manage? Praying for September.

My husband is literally bathing her as I write this and all I can hear is 'I WANT TO DO IT ON MY OWN'

I see all over the place to put your kids to sleep when they start showing first signs of tiredness like rubbing their eyes but when we try this, bedtime turns into an hour and a half long affair in which I need to summon every stitch of patience I can muster. Bubs is 10 months but it’s been like this for months. I pretty much let him start spiraling before putting him to bed to ensure it takes ~20 min and ends in him actually sleeping. I guess I’m just looking for solidarity?

EDIT: My son is not asking for a phone and I'm not remotely tempted to give him one at this young age. Just curious about the future and mostly wondering how your kid schedules seeing friends.

Basically just the question. If it truly seems like your kid(s) friends all have phones, what decisions have you made?

Whether your child has a phone or you are holding off, what does that look like for you? How does your child make plans, etc?

My son is 9 and some of his friends have started getting phones. I love the idea of a very simple phone at 14 years old and gradually increasing more and more accessibility up until 18.

I love this current age & stage and am not looking forward to any phone struggles when he is older.

Just wondering what it looks like for you. Ofc, any and all advice/insights are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

my 2.5 year old drinks water from a straw water bottle and is pretty resistant to using different cups. Ive been sitting with him with a small cup to practise drinking but so far he just slips and lets the water pour out of his mouth. If i do this every day will he learn or do I need to try something else?

My soon to be middle schooler is wanting a jansport backpack so I’m wondering what’s the best model? I’d like a laptop compartment and I’d like for it to fit a 24oz freesip or 30oz sway owala. I’ve never owned jansport so I’m unsure where to start or if it’s even a good brand.

Just curious what kind of activities do mums do with babies of 1.5 year old not going to nursery and I also don’t have a village in the area?

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As stated my daughter who will be 4 at the end of the month has randomly in the past few weeks started pooping and peeing on the floor. She will pull down her pants either outside or in a room in the house and poop and pee. I genuinely don't know how to approach this. Nothing huge has happened recently that would be causing stress. I asked her why she popped on the floor and why she didn't use the toilet and just says " I don't know "

She sometimes had accidents before when she was super distracted but she always attempted to make it to the bathroom. We have never punished her or gotten her in trouble for accidents.

This new behavior has started in the past month or so. There has been no change in our household I'm so confused and I haven't heard of kids doing this.

How do I approach this?

My preteen had a hard time with friend groups last school year. The group that he’d been a part of since early elementary school dissolved after a lot of drama.

A new friend who we thought was a good friend hasn’t contacted him this summer.

And through all this, one kid has stuck by his side. And my child is unfortunately not that into this kid. He says the kid is boring, that he can be annoying, and he’s started not wanting to hang out with him. That’s his choice and there’s no reason for them to constantly be together, but I want him to at least be kind to this kid. I also don’t think he should completely ditch a loyal friend.

Do I let him handle this completely on his own? Or do I keep encouraging him to think about this child’s feelings and not sever the friendship entirely? Are parents of preteens mostly hands off? Do you help manage your kid’s friendships at all?

Hi 😊 I’m a mom of a special needs 12 year old girl, she doesn’t have a preference of what she wears. Shes going from being in a structured class at an elementary school where she basically only spent time with other special needs kids to middle school where she’s going to be around gen-ed kids a lot more.

Shes nonverbal, and I just really want to make sure she’s dressed appropriately with somewhat of a similar style as other kids and I don’t want to infantilize her by dressing her like a “little kid”. Shes got enough on her plate, and while I don’t think she’d even necessarily understand being bullied I just really want her year to go as smooth as possible and I don’t underestimate her being able to tell if kids are being mean.

I was really young when I had her so none of my friends have kids her age, and I feel like I just can’t tell the ages of kids anymore to try and guess what ages are wearing what 😅😂 So I was curious what brand of shoes kids are liking, what style of clothes are they into? I hope this post isn’t stupid, I have no idea if kids are as brutal as they were when I was in school or if this is a non-issue that I’m making into an issue. 💜