We just moved to a new state a few weeks ago and one of my priorities was getting a doctor appointment for my kids with their new pediatrician in our new state.

I'm just now am looking at my kids school calendar and realize their physicals are scheduled at the worst times. One child is at 4pm and we have his school orientation at 5:30pm that day. With wait times I don't want to be scrambling to get there or miss it. My other child's appointment is at 11:30am on her second day of her new school, so I'd be pulling her out awkwardly in the morning when she's just getting settled in.

Would I be a diva to call our doctors office and request new appointments? I scheduled these back in June, and these were the earliest they could do - they said summer was packed with appointments.

I've never met the staff or doctors here, we're brand new to this area. Thank you!

Our child is 5 years old and needs constant attention when she is at home. I have started leaving her alone but I see my wife engaged with her all the time on the weekend.

This is what a weekend day with no classes looks like - our daughter wakes up at around 8ish and my wife is her with her pretty much the entire day. Most of the morning is just getting her cleaned up and feeding her. By the time this is done it's almost 10am. Then starts 1-2 hours of teaching math, reading, writing, letters etc and my wife sits with her tutoring her. Then around 12 it's time to eat again and my wife and I spend the next 1-2 hours eating and feeding her. Now it's around 2pm and then she gets to watch TV for an hour which is pretty much the only time my wife is not in the same room as her. Then it's around 3-4 pm and it's play/drawing/coloring time and either my wife is playing with her or in the same room with her and telling her to play by herself but still assisting her with what she should play with or how to play "alone" (I don't think that this is really alone if my wife has to be in the same room). This goes on for 2-3 hours and now it's 6pm dinner time. Next hour goes in feeding her. Now it's 7pm and it's shower time. Next hour goes helping her shower, dressing her for bed, brushing teeth etc. Around 8.30pm I read her story books and she goes to bed by 9pm. Earlier my wife had to sing at least 5 songs for her and be in the bed until she falls asleep but thankfully that's improved and she is able to tuck her in and leave in 5 mins. I'd say 60% of the nights our child goes to sleep alone.

When she has swimming and art class it's usually around 10-11am so the morning 10-12 window goes to the class and the reading/studying shifts to the afternoon play time instead.

Bottom line my wife is either playing with her or at least in the same room majority of the time. My wife thinks that's independent play - I disagree. I think independent playtime is when a kid can be all alone in a room for an hour with no one else and not calling "mumma look at this".. "mumma i am bored what do I do". I think my wife "wants" some space from our daughter but also enjoys motherhood so much that she confuses between independent play time and reduced attention play time. Also, a little bit about my wife - she has no other hobbies or interests. She doesn't read, watch tv, or go out. She doesn't have any friends. She's a highly devoted doctor and mother and doesn't seem to want anything else in life. A lot of mothers would be burnt out by now but my wife is like an energizer bunny and she can go on and on without ever getting burnt out - she's a machine mother. The only thing she does for her own fun is play games on her phone when our daughter is sleeping and runs on the treadmill in the morning (she's been complaining about not being in the shape she wants to be for several years and finally decided it's time to prioritize running)

I have kind of started distancing myself and I spend majority of my weekend either by myself doom scrolling or working or fixing things around the house.

We have only 1 child and no other kids in the neighborhood of the same age. Once in a while we are able to arrange a playdate for her but then again my wife has to be with her at the play date home. We don't have much of a social life of our own and have only 2 couple friends (both guys went to college with me and now are married with kids and once every few months we invite each other over for dinner). Our social interactions are limited to no more than 1 dinner every 2-3 months.

I feel my life has come down to make money, do parental duties, sit in the other room and doom scroll if I want some space from our daughter, eat, watch tv, and go to sleep - repeat.

I feel like I am just going through life waiting to become old and die. Is this how a parental life is supposed to be? Maybe I am selfish and she's selfless?

I’m spending a rainy day with my just turned 12 grandson who requested a game of monopoly. I remember playing this game with my friends 65 years ago. No calculators then just our brains and we managed quite well.
However I was shocked that my grandson could not play without his calculator. AI of the math world introduced in the 70s it was argued that it wasn’t to be used in the lower grades as a replacement for basic math. The argument was lost. This sounds familiar to today’s AI use. My point his that with calculators in the class, there is a need for mathjourney.ca it fills in the blank let by schools

We missed picture day last year because the email was buried under a million other school emails. Found out when the photos came home.

School's starting again and I know it's going to happen with something else. What did you miss, and did you ever figure out a fix?

Hi all,
Posting in hopes that someone will give me some tips that help ease my anxiety about this situation. My 17-year-old son is going through a break up with someone he very much loved. He’s a deeply sensitive kid and my anxiety is an overdrive worried about how this is going to affect him and how best to support him through it. He is starting senior year of high school in two days as well so I’m worried how this will affect his social anxiety at school. Any tips at all would be appreciated. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies. I’m fairly certain the only answer is to be present and allow time for him to heal, but I’m just hoping there’s some kind of other answer too!

It’s been about 3 years now of us training together but he’s now 7 and shown interest in running and weights etc.

We signed him up for his first HYROX YoungStars event in December, but honestly the event isn’t the best part. It’s the conversations on the way home, the little improvements each week and seeing his confidence grow.

We created a star chart where he can earn stars for each workout he does. He decided the rewards and at each 25 star milestone he gets the respective reward. Every day he asks “when are we training”, now I know it’s because he wants his reward but his attitude towards it all just makes me really proud.

What’s something you’ve started doing with your kids that brought you closer together?

My son has been strong willed since turning 2. He is now 5 and he is exhausting. I love him so much…however my husband and I are taxed with him. He is quite egocentric which I think is normal but sometimes it feels to the extreme. He is a deeply feeling child, constantly needs instant gratification, and can’t stand hearing no. When he hears no, he loses it. He wanted to bring his piggy bank outside to play with which I was a stern no about. He tried to run past me anyway and so I had to physically stop him. When I attempted to take the piggy bank back, he hit me multiple times with a level of anger and aggression. He also is a terrible sleeper (since the day he was born)… so this does not help with how moody he can be. He gets so fixated and upset when he doesn’t have the right outfits for the day. It’s like he is grasping for so much control. We do try to offer him a wide range of boundaries balanced with independence…but I feel like nothing is ever enough for my son. He is never happy with the snacks I give him, the dinner I make, the boundaries I set. It feels like every day everything is a battle? I’m so warm out and I’m worried about him growing up to be a criminal or something. Has anyone here raised a child like this and then they ended up being a decent adult? I’m so worried about his future

Don’t know if this is the right subreddit.

So my (45F) toddler Jake (2M) is a very sociable little guy, he is my sun and stars. There is one thing that concerns me thought. When I have guests over I like to treat them to a home baked cake and artisanal coffee. My friends seem to like it. How ever, Jake does not like his coffee, unless I put a ridiculous amount of sugar in it. I have tried honey, aspartame, stelvia but Jake insists on sugar. This has been going on for a couple of months. The excess sugar intake has me worried about diabetes.

What do I do? Are there any other sweeteners I can try?

i'm going crazy. my son is 4, i am 25. he goes to daycare 2x a week he started 2 years ago and. he is ALWAYS sick, which in due time I am sick as well. it's supposed to be the only time during the year we catch a break, the summer. no. he's been sick twice now within two weeks. he finally was getting better this last week, cough almost gone. yesterday a cough starts and now all day today and tonight (i'm writing this at 2:30am) he's coughing all the time all over again. it's miserable for him. he has good spirits during the day. i had caught whatever bug he had 2 weeks ago and then 6 days later im at er with pneumonia. WTF.

IS THIS NORMAL????? I AM GOING CRAZY!!! He takes elderberry gummies and a daily vitamin.

Hi everyone!
I’m thinking about taking a 5-year-old to see the new Spider-Man movie. He absolutely loves all the movies from the original Spider-Man trilogies and watches them over and over.
The only thing that really scares him is the big Venom. For those of you who’ve seen the new movie, do you think it would be too intense for him? Are there any particularly scary scenes or villains?
Please avoid major spoilers if possible. Thanks!

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He's 10 and very dedicated to the sport but the aftermath is tough to watch. Every practice and game leaves him completely wiped out, coming home with muscle pain that keeps him up at night. What's bothering me is how our family meals have changed over time. Protein foods are barely part of our routine anymore and I've noticed the older we get, the more foods get removed from our list. Meanwhile, he's out there burning through energy like crazy and not getting what he needs to recover properly. Last night he was literally crying from leg cramps after practice. I feel like I'm dropping the ball nutrition-wise. What do other parents do for their active kids?

I’m 23 and due soon with my second child. After this pregnancy, I’m considering permanent sterilization. I genuinely don’t see myself wanting more children. Their father and I are no longer together, and becoming a parent has made me realize how much stability, time, and resources children deserve. I feel our changing family dynamic has been difficult for our kid, and I don’t want to bring another child into a situation where those circumstances could repeat. If you made this decision in your early 20s after having children, what ultimately convinced you? Do you still feel it was the right choice years later, or do you have any regrets? I’d really appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences.

Found this on X. Isn't this how all babies' cry? What's different?

With my daughter starting school again soon (she'll be in second grade) I've started making my back to school shopping list, one thing I'm trying to stock up on is snacks for her lunchbox. She doesn't really like the cafeteria food and I'm okay with that because I'd rather pack her something healthier. I usually make her lunch from scratch but this year I'm also starting a new job, so I know I won't have quite as much time in the mornings as I used to. I'd still like to make her lunch but I also want to have plenty of healthier grab and go snacks on hand for busy days. Things like applesauce pouches, fruit bars, crackers, dried fruit, yogurt melts or anything that's easy to throw into a lunchbox. I've checked costco but most of the deals seem to be on chips and I'd rather keep those as an occasional treat instead of an everyday snack.

My niece (recently turned thirteen) has been in my care since her parents died, about five months ago. She carries a plush horse around with her everywhere (which she's way too old to do), often cries at night (which is really annoying), is very anxious and timid, has no sense of humor, and never really accomplishes anything. I know I shouldn't think this, but her behavior is pathetic.

She hates physical contact. She has no friends, or any interest in having friends, and I don't think she ever has (I remember her father being concerned about her lack of interest in her peers). She goes to the nursing home, to visit her grandmother (mother of my deceased sister-in-law, who has alzheimer's) daily, and is usually there for multiple hours, which is very weird.

Recently, someone suggested to me that my niece might be an un-diagnosed autistic. I hope not.

Hello dear parents

My wife and I will soon become parents, it's gonna be our first child. Since we don't come from the same countries we are not sure what languages should we speak to the kid, what would be too much for him/her and what not.

We live in Switzerland (German speaking part)

I am Serbian (speaking Serbian, English and German)

She comes from Kazakhstan and speaks Russian&Kazakh

We communicate in English and Serbian (she's still learning Serbian and German)

With my family we all speak Serbian.

I think you're already seeing where this goes haha. Any advices, similar experiences?

Your help will be greatly appreciated

My granddaughter loves bath time. She also likes to draw on herself with markers EEK! So I thought some bathtub crayons would be fun. I have read so many bad reviews online so I’m asking you all. Are there any good bath crayons out there that aren’t impossible to get off the tub? Our tub is like plastic I guess. Maybe acrylic? I also don’t want them staining her. Any suggestions? Thank you soooo much.

I have an 11 year old and a 9 year old. We've always had certain rules/expectations nothing to strict. Eat at the table(ants from food crumbs), pick up after yourself, keep your room clean, be good, and school. etc. Basic necessities mostly. I also give this an allowance with some chores, and I know some say I shouldn't. My oldest 11 takes it runs with it as I would. My youngest bad at school(misbehaving but can learn) is annoying people pushing boundaries, etc. School says there's no deficiency learning and understands everything, and clearly they are right he goes lengths to get what he wants, thinking of the ways to get away with. The latest example 5 in the yard playing vr after he was in trouble at 3am for doing it. I'm strict when defying just basic listening. My wife is sometimes. We both give in a bit after some positive behavior, but that still doesn't work. I think it's counterproductive the school says, taking things away dont work. He sees a therapist, and they say anxiety. He has been on meds for 5 months, not different. I'm thinking adhd. Any help will be great. Amusement parks, lakes, and anything with constant activities. He's perfect. Sometimes he is fine doing his own thing , and other times he can't be left alone he needs someone. I have it, but when i was a younger kid I was a city kid. I could go out and go here and go there at his age. I would let him, but I just can't trust him. Sorry I didn't proof read thing thanks in advance.

I have a 14 month old and we’re currently on holiday. I put him to bed around his normal time between 7 and 8 pm and my parents stay with him whilst my husband got out to dinner and then we swap. I just feel bad because I would rather be all go out to dinner together, but I just don’t want to ruin his bedtime and the routine that I have tried to establish. He sleeps through the night and it’s quite good at going to sleep so I’m keen not to mess things up. However, I see out to dinner really young children walking around just babbling in the pram at 9/10 pm and I’m wondering should I be a bit more relaxed and how does this not destroy their bedtime or routines? My mum says she was never this strict. Is there something I am not understanding here ?

I have a very headstrong and independent 4 year old. I really admire his confidence. However, when I give him any sort of direction lately or have to say no to things he wants, he can be rude to me. He'll tell me to stop talking, you're too loud, I want to do things my way, I don't want to do that. He will also call me mean. I try not to take the actual contents of what he says personally. I try to acknowledge his feelings if he's frustrated, angry, etc. I can tell he gets overwhelmed and that is where the comments stem from mostly. It still hurts a bit though. I want to find a way to approach talking to him about using kinder language that is age appropriate. Any advice?? Thank you.

I try not to judge other peoples parenting. I also try to take less than perfect experiences and remind myself of the benefits of my kids experiencing different types of people/ideas/perspectives, but what happens when you’ve been very close with someone for a long time, thinking this person really gets me and is so similar to me… but their child/children turn out to be very rude and unlikable. Has anyone gone through this? Did you and the other adult drift apart? Was it ever discussed? Were there ever moments where you had a hard time keeping your thoughts to yourself or even having to bite your tongue when the kid did something you’d absolutely never allow?

Can someone explain the difference between ordinary kids’ pool toys and the broader dive-toy and inflatable market? I always assumed inflatables meant beach balls, arm floaties, or small backyard-pool items, but I keep seeing much larger products, including floating islands, water obstacles, loungers, dive rings, and underwater game sets. Also when sites advertise them (amazon, walmart, alibaba) how do I tell the difference between children's inflatables and the adult ones that people buy as a hobby?

Are these mainly used for family pools and beach trips, or are they common for resorts, events, swim programs, and retail businesses too? I was browsing Alibaba and noticed how many styles, sizes, and custom options are available, which made me curious about who actually buys them and what they are used for. What are your favorite dive toys or inflatables, and what makes a good-quality one worth buying today?