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Q
Denver, CO
We have a 2 year old daughter who sleeps very well in her crib. She has never tried to crawl out or anything. I feel that she could handle moving into a "big girl" bed - the one we picked is a three sided day bed, so when the guard is up, it should feel like a large crib. My husband feels like if she is sleeping great in her crib, why "rock the boat?" He thinks it's too early, and we should wait. Who is right? Him or me? I am having a hard time answering this because I feel like we both have great points. I just don't want to wait too long...maybe making that transition earlier will make it easier? Advice from you moms would be great! Thanks
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Q
San Francisco, CA
Today may have been a particularly hard day with little sleep, no alone time, etc. but I've felt each of these thoughts before so I found it fitting to post. I am feeling totally inadequate with this whole parenting thing and being a SAHM I feel I should be appreciative but I am feeling these days like I'd rather be working just a little only to get some alone time. I have a 6-month adorable boy and a ten year stepson (he's with us fulltime so he's like a real son) and I feel I am so depleted of stuff that I am starting to feel guilty I'm not giving them more. Both were crying in their rooms tonight with their own separate issues (6 month would wake up every time I tried to lie him in his crib and 10 year old had a cramp in his leg and I honestly didn't feel the desire to help either of them. I am also feeling "angry" and jealous that my husband's life is no different than what it was before the baby was born. He is the bread winner so obviously he has to work and I should appreciate that to the fullest. I have had a job since I was 15 and feel that I've always enjoyed work and didn't think I would want children for fear of not being a good mom. So I feel that maybe my passion isn't parenting like some and when I go to playgroups I feel like NO ONE ever complains about their role as a mom and they make it seem so incredibly easy. Or is it just such taboo to speak of spiting your husband and his freedom and wanting to quit your job of motherhood? On the flipside I wake up and go to bed every day feeling so FULL of joy and happy of what I am surrounded with. I want to give only the best to my family which is why I'm so heart broken when I feel I can't do that. So I wonder whether I am one of those woman that should be in the workforce even as a mom. I met with a friends mom today who still after thirty five years cooks for her husband every night. I love to cook and love to give my family great and nutritious meals but that just doesn't seem how I would see myself after so many years. Any support or a kick in the pants (you can tell me I'm being a bit selfish!) is appreciated at this moment of feeling crazed.
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Q
Boston, MA
So here's a quick background of the situation before I get into my question. My sons father and I split up about 2 months ago. I moved out about a month ago..maybe a little more. We were engaged, never married. We haven't been getting along for sometime now.. almost since our son was born. I felt like he needed to grow up more.. with his partying, etc. I was also the bread-maker which also put a strain on the relationship. He did not have his license until recently & did not & still does not have a car.
So here's the situation. I we now live abotu 20mins away from eachother. He watches out son the 3 nights a week I work. I bring our son out to his house (which is in the complete opposite direction of where I work.. I leave my house, drive 20 mins to his house then another 50mins to work.. It only takes me about 35-40mins if i were to leave from my own house) I need him to watch our son since I work overnights. When i get out of work in the morning.. Ill sometimes just go to my own house & sleep or sometimes (if im not working again that night) go to his house & nap.. which then leaves him the car & saves me a 40 min trip back & forth to get my baby. He has a 6 yr old daughter who he picks up every tues & thurs from the bus @ noon. Sometimes I'm already there napping anyways, so He'll just use my car to get her. Even on days Im not there.. I would drive out to his house & allow him to pick up with daughter. However, this past week our relationship has just gotten intolerable. Im so fed up with him & fighting with him about every little thing. So last night I let him know i didnt think it was a good idea if I went to his house. He basically did what he usually does saying Im a terrible person blah blah. So this morning he calls me & I tell him again I'm not going there. I dont really want to be around him or at his house..There must be a point where he cant expect me to continue to do things for him. And I do feel back becuase Its not that I dont want to see his daughter & spend time with her & have her see her brother.. But he's used to just expecting people to do things for him, always & he doesnt deserve it & I dont think I should feel obligated. He's telling me this morning that basically threatening now things will get ugly (another one of his manipulative antics).
Am I wrong for not helping him see his daughter. I know I would be able to spend time with her without him & allow the kids to see eachother. They will also see eachother this weekend.. he will have both kids as its his weekend with his daughter & he will have our son thurs & friday nights.
Any input & point of view is appreciated! thanks :)
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Q
Kansas City, MO
Ok, so most of you know I run a daycare. I have for 20 years and my daughter knows full well that it's the major source of our income. Apparently, she decided to offer up my services for free to a boss of hers. When I was in the bathroom this morning this child was dropped off just that quick without me even talking to the mother. I assumed that the mother would come and talk with me before dropping her daughter off. I asked my daughter what's going on, why she left and why I wasn't paid. She said she was just offering as a friend.
Already this morning my daughter took off for 45 minutes or so with her grandmother to go and spend a little time with a friend that has a birthday today. She leaves this child with me. After I clean all morning long I sit down to eat my breakfast and it's after 10 which is usual for me. The child comes and tells me she is hungry so I tell her she is going to wait until I'm done. When I'm finished the child tells me that she hasn't had breakfast. So I tell her it's too close to lunch for her to eat much but she can have a banana. My mother comes home a few minutes later and tells me that the child told my daughter first thing this morning that she had already ate breakfast.
So now I have this child here that's lying to me about food, I'm not getting paid and the mother is thinking what? This woman knows I run a daycare. I'm not sure who I am thinking is more rude. What kind of mom just assumes that the mother of an employee of hers is going to take her daughter into her daycare without payment?
My daughter thinks I'm being rude and tells me that they all think I'm weired already because of the rules we have for our daughter. We don't like her working after 10 pm and we don't allow her to run the streets... Anyway, I'm digressing. That's another issue. My daughter should know better.
So we are still torn up in the backyard as the playground is being put in. I can't take the kids outside. I can't set up the moonwalk or pool in the driveway because of the builders and the materials in the driveway. I have a sleeping baby in the playroom. So I suggest my mother take the girls to blockbuster to rent a new playstation game. So what does my daughter say? She asks me if I'm paying for it?!
I've spent plenty of money on my daily drop in kids before. Normally I would never begrudge any child any amount of food, activities, entertainment etc. But I'm not even being paid for this child! And what if she was putting me over on kids?
Am I wrong for feeling like these two girls, both managers at McDonalds should have been mature enough to realize I wouldn't expect to do this for free? My daughter said not to worry (sarcastically of course), she is getting the money out of her bank account. I say good for her! It's bad enough that teenagers feel their parents are endless money bags. But she doesn't need to be volunteering my services for free and then expecting me to be spending money on entertainment as well.
S.
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Q
Reading, PA
Any suggestions on what to do when I am pushed beyond my patience and just freak out on my kids. I'm talking when I have already counted to 10, already given myself a time out in the garage and I'm still angry, the kids are still in my face, the house is still a mess and I haven't grown that third arm that would help me do the countless things that need to be done at that second. I've already upped my Vitamin B12 intake which has really helped but every once in a while I just seem to lose myself and say stupid things to the kids and throw things(not at anyone) and just get really angry. Then of course I just feel stupid. This all sounds stupid now but when I'm in it I'm just mad.
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Q
Los Angeles, CA
My husband and I have been debating another baby for quite some time. We already have a 2 and a 3 year old. I am curious to hear from other moms who have 3 or 4 kids. I am worried that the closeness of the two we have will be harmed by a new baby. At the same time I often think of having another (one or two). I was an only child and love the idea of a big family. Do you guys think it is better to stop at 2 or to further extend the family??? Thanks!
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Q
Dallas, TX
I have a 3 1/2 old little girl right now. We are considering having another one w/in the next year. Im a little scared b/c she came at 24 weeks (1.8 pounds) and almost didnt make it. They have no reason why I had her so early my water just slowly leaked out. My doc said it was prob just a fluke and Im ok to have another and Im at the same risk as anyone else. Has anyone or know anyone who had a child early (and had no complications during pregnancy) and had another one after and it was completly fine. Im just nervous and would feel bad if it happened again and I wasnt as lucky this time and it didnt make it or had a lot of medical probs. Just would love some advice so I will know if Im making a good decison or not. Im a worry wort so this has been bothering me. Thankx
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Q
Boston, NH
I have a 2.5 year old who is showing NO interest in the potty. She wont sit or try and I hate to "force" her to try.I have tried bribery to get her to attempt, but she could care less! For the past 2 wks I have tried putting her in underware instead of diapers/pullups durind the day, but she just goes and makes accidents all over.Is she just not ready and I should try again later?
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Q
Dallas, TX
I recently found out I am expecting another baby in March of next year. My son is 31 months old. I am trying the underwear approach but he never is able to tell me when is needs to go. We goes in the potty the majority of the time but occasionally will refuse to go and then pee pee on the floor. I want him to be potty trained before the new baby gets here but I am a little apprehensive about it all.
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Q
Charleston, SC
I'm struggling with potty training. My daughter turned 3 in October. We have been potty training for 7 months. She will have a couple of days with no accidents then she will go through 3-5 pair of pants in a day. But we went on a week long road trip and she had only one accident the whole time. But when we are at home she has accidents. Before she would always poop in the potty, but she has constipation problems and has recently started pooping in her pants too. I have tried everything and I recently tried the m&m thing, but after the first day she started having accidents again. I know she knows what to do, but how do I get her to do it.
I have been reading all of the other requests, but nothing has specifically addressed this issue. Any help would be great. My husband and I talk about it all the time. We have tried ignoring it, praising when she goes, sticker charts, daily rewards, making her get her own clean pants, fancy underwear, etc. I ask her if she has to go and she just seems annoyed that I would ask. If only we were never home she would be fine.
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Q
Los Angeles, CA
Mt 6 month son has been sleeping through the night since his 2nd month. but in the last month he has been waking up around 4AM about every other day - and driving me batty. The doctor told me at his last appointment that if he wakes up not to feed him. So I haven't. Most times it's not a painful crying and he stops when I pick him up. But then he won't stop crying in his crib. I have been giving him a 1/2 dose of Tylanol (just in case his gums do hurt) and giving him a couple ounces of water and then putting him back in his crib. then he still wakes up at 7am. Monday I waited for him to go back to sleep but he was just hysterical for 20 minutes.
The water & medicine does work but I don't want him to be dependent on that either... is there another way to get him back to sleeping through the night?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
- S.
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Q
Chicago, IL
I'm now 27 weeks pregnant, so since I'm in my last 12 weeks (I'll have a c-section at 39 weeks) I think it's time to start trying to get my now 18 month old son accostomed to having a baby around.
When the baby comes, my son will be 20 months. Does anyone have any advice on how to get him ready for a baby? And any advice on how to handle a toddler and a newborn would be great too...I don't know exactly how we're going to do anything with 2 small children - but I know we're not the first people to do it!
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Q
San Francisco, CA
I'm needing a little support. We've moved to a new dept. this last year and I'm feeling rather isolated. Another baby on the way and husband always at work, the usual....
Our marriage is lovely and stable. It's just this boredom/isolation/monotony/being full time homemaker that can get to you!
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Q
Dallas, TX
My 2 year old daughter LOVES baby dolls, so I am looking for a good doll to help in the potty training process. I would really like one that drinks and wets. I have seen online Potty Patty and Corolle. Does anyone have any experience with either of these? I want a doll that my DD will really like and want to play with aside from the potty training aspect, but I definitely want it to be a functional "potty doll" as well. Thanks in advance for your input!
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Q
San Francisco, CA
My daughter just turned 12 and my son is 10 1/2. He tells me everything and we have a very open relationship. My daughter,on the other hand, is very guarded. We are close and get along well, but she doesn't want to talk about anything personal. She just started Middle School and has all new friends and teachers.It is hard for me to really know what is going on in her school life. Her mood fluctuates from minute to minute. I know things are bothering her, but she just doesn't want to talk about it. Any suggestions
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Q
Chicago, IL
I found a parenting book that I really like. Problem is DH won't even consider looking at it let alone read it. We have different parenting styles and we've both agreed we need to try a new approach...and be on the same page. I think this is a great resource, but he wants nothing to do with actually looking at it. He asked me to just tell him the key points, but that has always fallen on deaf ears in the past. I also think it would be beneficial for him to read all of it, not just the "what to do parts." I think it would be helpful to both of us to know the reasons WHY this could work and and how our current actions may not be good for our kids (self-esteem, encouraging more nagative behavior, etc.) I am very open to reading about different approaches and ways to make these years easier on all of us, but my husband just refuses to read any information. I'm not at all saying it's this approach or nothing, I'd just like him to be informed on this so we can decide together if this approach is a good fit for us.
Any thoughts???
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Q
Cleveland, OH
hello any suggestions to potty trained i bought my daughter pullupss she in day care they take her to the bathroom she goes but she goes on her pullupps I take her to the bath room at home she tries and just try to be patience
My daughter is 2 years old.
thank you and have a good day.
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Q
Pittsburgh, PA
Hi all,
I'm looking for support from someone who has adopted and successfully breastfed their adopted child. My first son is biological and I was able to breastfeed for 11 months, until he wanted to stop. We are unable to have another child and decided to adopt, but I know if I don't try to breastfeed, I will feel like I'm missing out on that time I had with Robbie. Any advice, websites to visit, people to contact would be helpful. Thanks
M.
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Q
Dallas, TX
This isn't really a request, but check out this article on breastfeeding I just saw on yahoo: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060804/od_afp/afplifestyleussocialbreastfeeding_060804023916
Sometimes people in this country make me nuts!
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Q
Dallas, TX
I am a mother of two beautiful girls, but my husband and I both would love to have a bigger family. However, after two c-sections (and two allergic reactions to epidural) and two long pregnancies (complicated by anemia), I am having a lot of anxiety about the prospect of getting pregnant again. I am so scared that something goes wrong, although i've been told that my fears are irrational. We sort of planned to have had another child by now, as the girls are now 6 and 7. Did anyone experience the same thing? How did you come to terms with the decision? Any words of wisdom? Thanks.
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Q
Chicago, IL
My sister just went to my 4 yr old niece's school conference and they said she does not talk in school. In fact they said she has a blank stare most of the time, although she does corroperate with activities. At home she is very expressive and talkative. My sister wants to make a video since the school could not believe she could be so much different. My sister was also very shy and eventualy stop talking in grammer school too (at the time they called her just shy). They are looking into selective mutism. Has anyone heard of this or what we can do to help her?
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Q
Chicago, IL
Hi there,
I'm pregnant for the first time and my husband and I are thinking about raising multilingual children. While he speaks several languages, I only speak English. From what I understand, it's best for me to speak English and for him to speak Russian. Once the child is 3, provided he or she has mastered the dual language, then we can introduce a 3rd language. Has anyone else had any experience with this and if so, please share. :) Thanks!
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Q
Missoula, MT
Hi! My 5 year old daughter is autistic...she can't really communicate except with a few signs. She isn't potty trained and has some behavior problems. She's a really cuddly girl once you get to know her though. The problem with me is that I feel like an absolutely horrible Mom because of the behavior issues. We went to Walmart once and she through herself on the floor, banging her head on the tile. I couldn't stop her without hurting her more. Tons of people are walking by and I can just imagine what they are thinking! things like 'why don't you make her stop?' and 'what does that girls parents do to make her act like that'? I think this is fueled on by my Mother who says 'don't LET her do that' when I'm trying not to let her eat dirt, she gets it in her mouth before I can do anything about it. Then there's my daughters TA who thinks she's spoiled because of her occasional screaming. She really said she thought she was spoiled. There was absolutely NOTHING I could do to stop her screaming for a couple of days. She cant tell me whats wrong cause she cant communcicate. Oh, before I realized she had autism I tried holding things back from her until she told me what she wanted. Well, she would and could go an entire day wanting a thing and not telling me she wanted it to get it. She never got it, she never talked. It's hard to find someone who really understands. I was just wondering if there was someone out there with my same situation. Thanks.
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Q
Dallas, TX
Hi! I am just wondering if anyone did anything special when their kiddos lost their first tooth? My 5yo daughter just discovered tonight that one of hers is loose - WE were so excited! What did ya'll do to make it a big deal??? I have seen the "tooth pillows" and stuff... also how much did everyone leave? My aunt said $5!!!! I always got some change - times have changed I guess - LOL! Any input is appreciated!!!
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Q
Cleveland, OH
First off let me apologize because this may be long. I need some much needed advice and I really have no one to turn to as it concerns most of my family.
Let me start off with a little childhood background. I am the middle child of 3 kids. Now I know people don't think there is a difference in what order you are born but I believe there is. It seemed to me growing up that I was always independent and made myself into the person I am today. My siblings were handed things to them on a silver platter. For example: my older sibling turned 16 and got a car for her birthday. Never paid for insurance or gas. I turned 16 and had to buy a car from my parents. I also had to have 6 months worth of insurance money before I could drive it. The youngest sibling turned 16 and got a car for his birthday. Not just any car - a new car. He also never paid for insurance or gas. I had to get a job when I turned 15 and contribute to the budget of the house. My siblings never worked until they graduated high school.
So here we are 15 years later and things have come full circle I guess you could say. Now my mother and step-father have long since divorced. We went 3 years without talking to our step-father. I decided that he should remain part of our family. My siblings wanted nothing to do with him for some time. But now I guess since they've learned that they still get everything handed to them on a silver platter everything is just wonderful. My brother recently went back to school and who paid his fees? Mom and step-dad. Anything he wants money for they hand it to him. And it's never a small amount. Just last week he got $500 from my mom just because he needed it.
My sister is even worse. It seems like my step-father works to support her and her family. When she had her 3rd child my step-father gave her a gift of $350. I had my 2nd child 5 months later and he never even came to the hospital. Just recently he took my sisters son to buy a bike because my sister didn't have the money. So he decides to take my daughter to the store to let her pick out a bike. Had I known he wasn't going to purchase it for her that day I never would have allowed it. He told her every week for 2 months that when he could afford it he would buy it. Okay so let him get some extra money. No big deal right? Wrong! I happened to be at my sisters and he shows up with a brand new filter and chemicals for her pool. So where did he all of a sudden get the extra money for that? So I bought the stupid bike myself and never said a word about it.
Now we are up to this weekend. My step-father was supposed to take the older 3 kids school clothes shopping. He was taking my sisters oldest 2 because she is "broke" and he's helping her out and taking my oldest to be fair. So he calls Sunday morning and says he needs to put off taking my oldest because he is going to take 3 of my sisters kids shopping instead of just the 2. So he comes today and he's telling me about how much he spent and it's going to take him awhile to get caught back up so maybe next month he'll be able to take my oldest but he isn't sure yet because my sisters kids need winter coats and thats coming up soon. So while he's giving me the sob story about how "broke" my sister is he tells me about her purchase of a $1200 dog. Confused? I am.
I feel like I am back in my childhood again. Do I have a right to feel like I am a nobody like I felt when I was a kid? It's not just me now though. I have 2 kids being treated the same way. Should I say something or just let it go and suck it up? I really need some advice because I am so tired of feeling the way I do and crying so much.
Thanks ladies and once again sorry this was so long.
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Q
Washington DC, VA
My daughter who just turned four in March is still wearing pull ups at night. Once in awhile she'll wake up dry but for the most part she's wet every morning.Yes, she is fully potty trained during the day, it's the night time thats the worst. And with her getting older the smell in the morning is awful. I need some good advice on how to get her to stop wetting herself at night. And what age should they stop wearing pull ups at night?
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Q
Atlanta, GA
I'd love to hear advice from Moms who have children with Auditory Discrimination Disorder...suggestions for home life, homework at home, recommended reading on the subject, use of an FM system at school, etc.
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Q
Tampa, FL
Hello been-there Moms, please spill on the pros and cons of having kids close in age or farther apart? I am not sure about a double stroller or two different sizes of diapers at the same time (I am determined to introduce "potty training" along with the walking ability) However, I definitely don't want my current baby gear to be out-of-date either. Your shared wisdom about highs and lows of having your little ones close together or farther apart will be greatly appreciated.
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Q
New York, NY
i am currently pregnant with my second son due in march and me and my husband cannot agree on a name. my first son is named james neil (james is my husbands middle name and neil was my fathers name)this baby will have eugene (was my father in laws name)as his middle name but we cant decide on a first name. i like more traditional like matthew and nicholas, my husband likes more trendy, any suggestions.
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Q
Chicago, IL
I would like to hear from other moms in regards to what age their baby went down to one nap a day. Just trying to figure out the change in sleep pattern with my daughter. Thanks so much!
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Q
Dallas, TX
I feel HORRIBLE. My 6 mo old baby rolled over and fell off our king bed today. The bedroom is carpeted but still... He cried something fierce for about 10 minutes but then seemed to be OK. Within 20 min, he was back to his happy self. He gave me QUITE a scare. I cried for over an hour, and 6 hrs later, I still get teary eyed when I think of it. I've been kissing and snuggling him all night b/c I feel so terrible. Has this happened to any of you? Will he be OK? He doesn't seem to be hurt but I can't be sure how hard he hit his head. Would I be overreacting if I took him to get checked(my boyfriend think I am)? Seeking reassurance. :(
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Q
Dallas, TX
My little sis is having a baby girl in Jan/Feb. She was talking about names today and gave me a few of their ideas. They want a name for a girl, but nothing to girlish. Something unique. Cody was one of their choices (which I like), but the other name they came up with was Jersey, yes Jersey as in football jersey. I almost fell out of my chair! Anyone have any good name suggestions that I can pass on to my sis?
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Q
Omaha, NE
i just got home from the doctor and he told me that my baby is sitting transverse(for those like me who didn't know what that means, baby is sitting with her feet at my pelvis, her head is on my right and her bottom is on my left) and he said she may move to head down on her own, if not by next appt, he will manually move her(it's called aversion) i am a little worried that if she doesn't move, she may poke a hole in my amniotic sac and i may have to have a c-section, has anyone been through this before that can offer me helpful advice? I'm scared to have a c-section!
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Q
Philadelphia, PA
Hey everyone, my son who is now 15 months old has never slept one day in his own crib!! I know I know my fault for letting him sleep with us in the first place... but now it is so hard.. I have tried everything I can think of and he just will not stay on his own. He falls asleep in our bed, we will then put him in his and within 3 hours he is up and will not go back to sleep unless he is next to us. if we let him cry he thorws up all over the place from getting so upset.. I am at my wits end...lol. Any advise would be great. Thanks
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Q
Dallas, TX
Potty training a boy. Sitting backwards towards the tank? or normal with back to the tank?? I have heard both, just curious if anyone has tried the backwards method and if it works????
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Q
Tallahassee, FL
Hello, My now 17 month old little boy is always in a bad mood. He is always crying if he does not get his way, and even when he gets his way he still cries. NOTHING seems to make him happy. He goes to day care and when he comes home all of his needs are met (like diaper change, a fresh change of clothes, food, water, etc) but he still acts out. He wants me to pick him up, and when I do he cries to get back down, and when I do the process starts all over again. This has been going on for about two months now. I've tried ignoring him when he does this but it seems to make him more upset!!! I even took him to the doctor thinking that there might be something phisically wrong, like and ear infection or a sore throat, but he cheks out just fine. has anybody gone through this??? what did you do???
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Q
Dallas, TX
Wondering at what age a Daddy should stop taking baths with his daughter? Would appreciate any opinions. Thanks so much!
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Q
Detroit, MI
Hi, any thoughts and suggestions would be helpful. My husband and I (who don't have children of our own yet) became guardians of 3 children not long ago. The Mother is a relative in the area and still living with the one who caused the children to be removed last year. Our home is the 2nd place they have been. They are each doing great and learning they do have a voice and respect for themselves and others. The Mother has supervised visits only at this time. The mother passed a note secretly to them while at school thru someone else and is now wanting to come to the school open houses etc. What are we to do...the man still lives in her house and seems she is choosing him over the children.
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Q
Cleveland, OH
I have 2 children, a girl that is 6 1/2 yrs and a boy that is 3 1/2 yrs old; I just recenlty got laid off from my job and my husband and I both have decided to that I should be an at home mom this summer. I'm scared to death because I have always worked and just don't know what to do or expect. The only time that I had this amount of time off was when I had both of them, in which I only stayed home a few weeks and then went back to work. As I stated before, I'm scared to death and just don't know what to do with them this summer; any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!
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Q
Sacramento, CA
The nightmare started my son turned 2 and discovered he could climb out of the crib. He used to ask to go to sleep; now you mention night night and the screaming begins. He would climb out as soon as I would turn my back. So we turned the crib into a toddler bed for safety. All last week I would sit in his room and the moment he put a foot on the floor I would put it right back up on the bed. We would fight for 2 or more hours each night until he exhausted himself and would pass out. After a week of this I gave in and now I lay down with him on the queen size spare bed until he falls sleep (with no crying) and when he wakes up in the middle of the night I lay back down with him again until he falls asleep. Any advice on how to get him to sooth himself to sleep without having to lay down with him?
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Q
San Antonio, TX
I am having a hard time juggling my kiddos at bed time. My children are 6, 4 and 2. We currently have a bedtime ritual, but it seems like I am always getting frustrated. There has to be something I can do better to make this time calm and enjoyable. Currently, I put my daughters in the bath together (6 and 2 year olds) and put my son in his bathtub also. I am running back and forth between the bathrooms to make sure they are okay and to get them clean. Next, I get my daughters into thier PJs (my oldest dresses herself, but has ADD and has to be prompted a lot to complete any task)and then they run around while I get my son dried off and dressed. By then everyone is wound up. Next I read to them in thier rooms (daughters first then son). I also have to give them breathing treatments right before bed during allergy season (aka right now). This process takes an hour and a half, so if I want them asleep by 8, I have to start it at 6:30. My husband is usually at work during this time, so I am on my own. Does anyone have a better bed time process? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Q
Boca Raton, FL
I have a pre teen that still wets the bed. We have been to the doctor several times to see if it is a medical problem. It is not. We have to buy her diapers for her to wear to bed. During the day she is fine but at night she just does not get up. We have restricted liquid and wake her up during the night. We have even gone through a company that has a pad that goes on the bed that rings when wet. Nothing works. Any suggestions?
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Q
Tampa, FL
I have a five-year old that was using pull-ups at night up until just a couple of months ago. I decided to just stop cold turkey and make it a point to wake him up around 2 or 3 to use the bathroom so he doesn't wet the bed. I have a 9 month old at home so it's not that big of a deal getting up. I'm looking for advice on how to get him to get used to feeling or noticing the urge when he's asleep so he can get up on his own and use the bathroom. I let him sleep through a few nights and one or two of them he was fine but there were about three times that he wet his bed. (FYI - I put special hospital pads underneath so it doesn't wet the bed at all). FYI: He is not allowed liquids after 7 p.m. and he does use the bathroom before he goes to bed which is 9 p.m. Also, when he wets his bed, I make him take a shower no matter what time it is and than he goes back to bed. Any suggestions? Thanks.
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Q
Panama City, FL
Our 5 1/2 has been really good at not wetting the bed but this past week she has almost every day this week. Any ideas on whats going on?? She has a bathroom next to her room and light, nothing new has been going on, she gets up to let us know but not before then and we even wake her up at night to go. Strange as I never had this problem with our other 3 kids.
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Q
Minneapolis, MN
My daughter (4yrs.old) has been potty trained for 2 yrs. now and NEVER had accidents in bed ever. Recently she's had about 3 in the night and not a big deal except for the one time she was in my bed. I took the sheets off and scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed, used Tide laundry soap and let it air dry a few days later I poured frebreeze directly on the spot and let it air dry again. I am looking for advise on how to get the stain out and how to get rid of the odor? And if anyone else would have any advise on why she's wetting all of sudden and never did before.
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Q
Steubenville, WV
I have 3 boys ages 5,3, and 2. When it comes to bedtime I have 1 out of the 3 who doesn't listen. My 3 year old. They have had the same bedtime routine for the whole length of their time being alive. When I put them in bed the easiest is the 2 year old he goes right to bed and I don't hear from him until 9 am the next morning. The 5 year old is the same way only he uses the bathroom as his excuse to get out of the bed. Anyway, my 3 year old will go to bed but around 10 minutes later he comes in our room and when we tell him to go back to bed he cries and says you don't like me. I still send him back to his bed and tell him to go to sleep. I have tried everything I can think of and I am hoping that someone out their can please please help me :(
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Q
Lincoln, NE
Advice on getting her to go to sleep at night. Its usually 8-830pm when she goes to her room, but she's usually up for at least another hour. I realized that is part of her problem when it comes to not getting up in the morning. Some advice on getting up in the mornings too! We struggle EVERY morning to get up, dressed and out the door to make the bus in time. PLEASE HELP!
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Q
Denver, CO
I would love new ideas on how to put my little one to bed. It always ends up in a nightmare. I look for signs of tiredness... rubbing eyes, irritability, etc.
We have darkened the room, and have a schedule of things that I ususally do. Change diapers, read a story, and put in bed and close the door. I check on him seven minutes and then lengthen to 15 minutes. He is 11 months olds and wakes up about four times in the middle of the night! Help. Oh, I have tried smoothing music also
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Q
Chicago, IL
Hi.
I have two quick questions. The first is about my 4.5 year old daughter who potty trained easily at 2.5 years old but still wears pull ups at night. She still naps great and wears undies then, but at nighttime she wets her pull up almost through. We tried to limit her liquid intake at night but she doesn't seem effected by it. Should I be worried about this? Should I be doing any kind of training to get her in undies at night? I could wake her in the night when I'm up with the baby but I hate to drag her out of bed if it's not necessary. What do you think?
Also, wondering if there are any international adoptive mom's out there or any ethnically diverse groups that are interested in meeting. Our second child is a three year old boy from India and the other four of us are white. We LOVE all things Indian (and all ethnicities!), but since moving here a year ago, can't seem to find any groups that aren't all white or any groups that include adoptees. Do any of you know how I can help my son meet some more people like himself? We read that it's important for him to be raised with other people he can relate to ethnically and others who are adopted...but how do we do that?
Thanks!
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Q
Detroit, MI
I have a 14 1/2 month old daughter and she has always been a good sleeper and gone to bed easy. About 3 weeks ago all of a sudden she fights me at bedtime and wakes up thru out the night. It use to take 15 min. tops to get her down for bed and now it takes an hour, sometimes more. I have tried the cry yourself to sleep method, but I don't want to do that to her, she will cry forever if i let her. I do let her cry & I don't rushin & pick her up, so I don't understand why she is doing this.I can handle the waking up at night because she is pretty good at going back to sleep by herself, it's getting her to bed that i am having sooo much trouble with. We have the same bedtime routine(bath,bottle & bed). Any help would be great. Thanks.
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Q
Salt Lake City, UT
I have a 2 year old who will not stay in her bed! All was well until she was moved from her crib to a bunk bed, and now it's a game for her to get out over and over again. We have tried shutting the door, but her 31/2 year old sister freaks out with it shut. The 31/2 year old starts yelling for us as soon as the 2 year old gets out of bed, making for a very noisy, frustrating, prolonged bedtime. We have tried time-outs, even tried motiviating them with stickers. The real problem is that we need to move our 6-month old into the room with them, and I'm afraid she will lose sleep with the chaos they create. Any ideas would help!
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Q
St. Louis, MO
i have a 2 1/2 year old..and a 9 month old..and they both stay up to all hours of the night...and i am guessing that me and their father is part of that problem...because we are usually up very late too...but it is getting a bit out of hand now..my dad just tells me to put them in their bed and let them cry it out..but i dont think i could do that to them...so i guess i am needing advice on how to start getting my kids to bed at a decent time?...any ideas i would appreciate tremondously...thanks a bunch...
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Q
Oklahoma City, OK
Can anyone give me input on bedwetting. I know a 12 year old that still wets the bed almost everynight. This is becoming a serious problem for her, she doesn't want to spend the night with friends etc. Does anyone know anything about this subject?
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Q
New York, CT
Does anyone have any tips for curing a bedwetter??? My daughter is 7 and still cannot make it through the night dry. It is sad because her 3 year old sister just stopped wearing pullups to bed at night and she feels terrible that she can't stop. I have tried everything from not letting her drink after a certain time to waking her up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I cannot break her bedwetting habit. They said she would grow out of it but that was 3 years ago. It is really starting to bother her becuase she cannot have sleep overs with her friends. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.
Thanks!
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Q
San Francisco, CA
My son is alost 8 and still wets the bed almost everynight. We have had him in pull-ups at night for years now and my 3yr old son the same situation because they share a room (I think he wants to be like his brother he doesnt do it everynight) Is there any MAGICAL way to get him over this ASAP? It seems as though we have tried so many different things that havent worked and I'm tired of the smell of urine and buying pull-ups. The Dr says nothing is wrong with him medically and I had him evaluated by a physchiatrist and she said he is normal mentaly aside form the oppositional defiance disorder. HELP!!
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Q
Detroit, MI
I was just thinking this morning that men never think about anything but themselves. Who got the kids winter coats,boots,Christmas presents,Christmas dress,and wakes up every morning. ME!!ME!!! I work a full job and so does my husband I just feel overwhelmed sometimes.
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Q
Springfield, MO
I have a beautiful 18mo. little girl and I'm scheduled for a c-sec for twin boys in 2 weeks. Needless to say I'm getting a bit nrevous. I will have help from my mom and mother-in-law for about a month. It is after that time that makes me nervous. What is the best advice you have for me?
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Q
Boston, MA
My best friend and godmother of my child buys gifts for everything, birthdays, holidays, etc. We go to the same b-day parties for other children and she goes above and beyond. My problem is I feel like I have to do the same for her child and/or other children. I don't want to look like the cheap mom. I spend about $10-30.00 per child and can't spend anymore. Should I feel guilty about not going above and beyond? Will she think I'm cheap if I don't buy her child things all the time?
PS I tell her all the time that there is no need to buy my daughter gifts for St. Pats day etc.
Thoughts...
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Q
Minneapolis, MN
My three year old daughter has been very stubborn about everything in her life. She is very strong willed and has been difficult to potty train. I have two boys who were potty trained by age 2. Molly turned three in June and still wanted nothing to do with it. When my four year old started preschool a couple weeks ago, she so badly wanted to stay and be apart of the class. I told her she had to wear big girl panties if she wanted to go to school. After dropping him off we came home and she went straight to her dresser and wanted to put them on. As soon as she got them on she wanted me to take her to school:) I had to tell her that she needed to go potty in the potty chair all the time and keep her big girl panites clean first. I bought her a sticker chart and tried that out. She got a holdof the stickers and filled it up before being successful on the potty. To make a long story short, she now uses the potty everyday, and has no accidents. BUT, she hates wearing the big girl panties. She has trouble pulling them up and down and gets upset when she sees any streaks in them. She will run around the house naked and run to her potty whenever she has to go, but when I put her pants on because people are coming over or we are running an errand she cries and throws a temper tantrum. I have given in and put diapers on for long outings, and every time we get home she gets upset again when I take the diaper off. She is so attached to wearing a diaper! I only let her wear one at night for the most part. My question is: How do I ease her into wearing her panties? Do I have to just wait it out, as I know eventually she will get used to it, but she'll take off her clothes to go to the bathroom and when there are people here it gets embarrasing to have a little girl running around naked or screaming when you put her clothes back on. What would you do to help her want to wear them? She has picked out her panites so they have the charaters she likes on them, They are comfortable so I know that it is not because they don't feel good, she gets treats when she goes potty and when she lets me put the panties on..... Any suggestions?
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Q
Houston, TX
My three year old is finally very potty trained and has been for a while now but she will only use the little potty seat that sits on top of the regular "big" potty. Which is fine with me I understand why she likes it because her little but doesn't fall in it. We take it everywhere we go now in a bag because store and other pottys are huge and she will try to hold it in for hours rather than sit or hover over one. My problem is that she is starting her first daycare (drop in)and they looked at me like I was crazy to ask if they had a potty seat there or if I should leave hers in her bag with her. Which they don't and they didn't seem to think I should bring hers because it was like a pacifier or something but if she has an accident she will need to wear diapers. she and I both don't want that. should I just insist that it stays in her bag in case she needs it? How do I teach her to sit without falling in?
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Q
Washington DC, MD
I have a almost one year old son, and my husband and I just found out we are having another baby. What in the world am i gonna do. I have so many mixed emotions. (were defintly keeping the baby, abortion is not an option)
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Q
Jackson, TN
My grandchildren are biracial the 4 yr old girl goes to a pre-k that mostly white. Her mother is white and of course her father is black. I am white and been married to ablack man for over 10 yrs. I have a 26 yr old son who is white and engaged to a white girl. Lots of the little girls have blond hair and blue eyes and she told me the other day she wanted to be white. She has told me in the past that she was white and I would tell her that god made her a special color he took a little of mamas color and a little of dadys color and made a beautiful color that he painted her with and thats what makes her special. But she has beautiful hair she talks about how she wants to wear hers like so and so blond. Any suggestions on how to make my grandchildren proud of who they are? I want them to be proud of being black as well as white. I dont want them to think because they are part black they dont add up. My husband and her daddy both work at ups and her mother is a nurse so she sees she comes from succses. Any advice or books that might help her understand.
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Q
Bakersfield, CA
I was wondering what is a good age to talk to little girls about the birds and the bees? My girls are 7 and nearly 10 and I have began wondering how to go about this whole thing, I feel it is important to discuss these things with them, but don't want to introduce this to early. What do you think?
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Q
Washington DC, VA
I have a 17 month old boy and I just started using a blanket in his crib since he didn't seem to be staying warm enough in his footed pj's at night. He seems to really like to ball up the blanket and lay on it like a pillow though. Is he old enough to have a pillow in his crib? I've avoided both for a long time because I've been worried about them but he seemed ready for the blanket. But I don't know if it is too early to let him have a pillow.
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Q
El Paso, NM
I was wondering at what age and how you taught your kiddos how to blow their noses? My son hates that nose bulb!
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Q
York, PA
Hello,
I hope I can get some help. I am having problems bonding with my 2 year old little girl. It seems that she wants nothing to do with me...I know they go through stages but this has been going on for awhile. When my hushand is around she tells me to go away, I don't like you (same when his mom is around). She hits me and we just can't seem to have much fun together.
I am in need of some advice on how to change this and bond with her so we can have a good relationship.
Thanks so much!
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Q
Tucson, AZ
Hi Everyone, I am looking for some good books on the topic of dying loved ones appropriate for kids (in this case a grandparent but it could be about a pet, etc.) . My daughters are ages 6 and 3.
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Q
Chicago, IL
I am heading back to work in a week after being home on maternity leave. One way I'd like to help my 3 year old daughter with this transition is by reading stories with moms who go back to work or are working. One we enjoyed is When Mama Comes Home Tonight by Eileen Spinelli.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks!
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Q
Philadelphia, PA
I am a stay at home mom with a 14 month old daughter, but I work 20 hours a week from home, which means during my daughter's naps I have no free time to myself since I have to make sure I'm putting in hours for work. When she's not napping (and now that she's getting older, those naps are getting shorter, or she's phasing out one of them!), I'm totally at a loss for what to do to keep her entertained, and to keep myself from going crazy. I'm a big stressful mess when my husband gets home, and I feel guilty dumping her on him the second he walks in the door.
So here's what we've been doing--We read books, then she gets bored with that. We play with toys, then she gets bored. I bring her around the house as I put away clothes, or put in laundry, explaining to her what I'm doing, and that works for a little while.
I feel like I'm resorting to sticking her in front of the Disney Channel way more than I'd like to, partly because I just don't know what to do to keep her from getting really fussy because she's bored, and partly so I can have some time to get chores done that I couldn't do during the naps.
It's way too cold to go on a walk (she loves going outdoors in the nice weather), and we just moved (west of Coatesville near Parkesburg), so most of my mommy friends are at least a half hour away.
Anyone have any advice of how to keep a 14 month old entertained without plopping them in front of the TV all day? Or know of good play groups or attractions in the Downingtown/Parkesburg area? How I can keep from going crazy on these cold winter days? Help!
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Q
Abilene, TX
I am 32 weeks pregnant with b/g twins and have just been diagnosed with preeclampsia. The doctor has put me on bed rest and wants to wait at least another two weeks before she takes the babies but has said that I could go as long as 36 to 37 weeks. I am already bored and restless, does anybody have any ideas of ways to keep boredom and irritability at bay? I enjoy reading and crocheting but am already burnt out on it. Please Help!
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Q
Atlanta, GA
After my daughetr was born I resigned from my full-time career as an accountant. Currently, my daughter is 3 months old, but I still am not comfortable putting her into daycare. I have sought part-time work from home--to no avail. I am so grateful that we can afford to do this right now, but I have to admit that I am bored out of my mind. To make matters worse, I am paranoid about driving around with her in the car, so I rarely get out during the day. My husband is awesome about relieving me in the evenings, but by then I'm to tired to go out. Any advice on how to keep from going stir crazy?
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Q
New York, CT
Hi there. My 16 month old is off of her bottle for almost a week now. Yes, there have been plenty of tears but she adjusts of she is redirected...however she won't drink milk, (i've tired even chocolate milk )from a sippy cup and won't drink as much water as she used to (but she will use sippy cup for water)....will she grow out of this soon? is she done with milk for good? She gets so mad when i try to give her milk in the sippy cup...and yes i've tried every kind of cup there is...
any advice?
thanks
M.
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Q
San Francisco, CA
Almost 10 years ago I left San Francisco where I had my first child and moved to the suburbs. When I was in SF I was friends with some women I had met at a mommy and me group. We continued to stay in touch since I moved, though through the years we have seen each other less and less and communicated less. One friend has an annual event at her house. My children are not really interested in going anymore. They don't feel as if they know my fiend's children any more and, for some reason, the kids don't interact much in the group setting. Since the SF kids see each other more frequently they knew each better. I completely understand how my daughter's feel and am OK with ceasing to attend. I do not know how to tell my friend. I can just tell her we can't make it but since it's a tradition she might want to change the date to accommodate us. I would love to continue my relationship with the mom's but the relationship among the kids just isn't there. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Q
Washington DC, MD
Our 15 month old daughter wakes up frequently at night and we have gotten in the habit of bringing her to bed with us. Working full time and being a full time mom and student, it was also common to lay down with her in the afternoon for a family nap before leaving for my evenings classes. During our naps together, she started holding my ear and it has quickly become a habit where now she can't go to sleep without it. It seems to calm and relax her. The issue is: as time has gone by, she is pulling and tugging at it harder and harder; and she now can't go to sleep without it. I was wondering if anyone had some ideas on how to break her out of that without too much drama. The last few time I have tried, she has cried for hours. She refuses to do it to anyone else, it has to be me.
We also need to figure out how to get her to:
1. relax before bed (I have tried bath, and reading to her but that's not enough)
2. get to sleep all night
3. get to fall asleep on her own.
Any advice?
Thanks,
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Q
Austin, TX
My daughter is 25 months old. Here's the scoop. I read a sleep habits book that I loved. It suggested I break bad sleep habits one by one so that my daughter will finally learn to fall asleep on her own. It said Binky first then bottle must go and finally I have to stop being in her bed with her while she falls asleep.
I took her Binky away over a month ago. All is well there. She still falls asleep with a bottle in her mouth though. I realize that's not healthy for her teeth or sleep habits. So I'm ready to do the deed and tackle the bottle.
Here's the question, to wean or not to wean? Do I read to her in the rocker and let her have a bottle and then put her down with out the bottle? Wow she's gonna hate not having something in her mouth to suck on!!!
OR do I go cold turkey and take the bottle away all together? The only time during the day she gets one now is nap and bed time.
Thoughts? Suggestions? What did any of you do?
Thanks for your help! I'm not looking forward to this. I can't imagine all the crying that will be involved. I'm not even sure how to comfort her other than hold her until she cries herself to sleep UGH
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Q
Los Angeles, CA
I have a daughter who will be 2 next month and one on the way in July. I desparately want to break her of her pacifier addiction before the baby comes. I was thinking about just doing a "no pacififier" boot camp over spring break! Any ideas out there would be greatly appreciated!
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Q
Tampa, FL
My son who is now 14 months old has always been in our room. We have been remodeling our house since he was born so he has never had a place of his own. We had to move out temporarily to my parents house so he is still in our room. I normally lay down with him everyday at nap time and snuggle with him until he falls asleep then I place him in his bed. Most of the time he stays sleeping sometimes he wakes up and i have to lay with him for his entire nap. At night we do the same thing he lays in bed with us then I put him in his bed he normally will sleep from 9-7 then get in our bed and go back to sleep for 2 hours. With not a whole lot of time on my hands and another baby on the way it is time to break this habit. Yesterday i layed him down and let him cry for 5 minutes then went in the room to console him then left again and he fell asleep shortly after. Today it isn't working he has been crying for 45 min and I have been going in every so often to let him know it is okay. After an hour I plan on getting him up. It is very hard to listen to him cry and I also miss my snuggling time with him. Please help is there a good book I should read or an easier method I can try? When i go in there to rub his back he pushes me away and he is crying saying mommy mommy. I feel like he is mad at me for doing this to him.
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Q
Sacramento, CA
I'm in the process of weaning my toddler, and I'm grateful for all the responses I got to my question on weaning. Now I'm wondering what's the best way to break the nursing to sleep habit. When my 2.5-year-old is with me, he refuses to nap/sleep until I nurse him to sleep --- a bad habit from when he was a baby. How do I break this habit and help him to fall asleep w/o the breast? It sometimes helps when my husband puts him to sleep but that isn't often since he's a f/t student. My son and I have discussed weaning him at age 3 (in 4 mos.), but I fear that he won't be able to fall asleep easily w/o nursing. He is a strong-willed little guy and will whine, cry or scream until he nurses! Any advice from someone who's been able to get their nursing dependent child to transition to sleeping on his/her own would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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Q
Fort Myers, FL
My 2 year old daughter is a pacifier baby. She loves it dearly, however, I believe we are reaching the point to break her from it. I really think she is getting to big to have that in her mouth, plus, she talks nonstop, but always with the pacifier (bubby) in her mouth. Does anyone have any good ideas that wont send her into heartbreak hotel?
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Q
San Diego, CA
I have a four week old baby, he is using me as his pacifier. I'll feed him and shortly after I unlatch him he'll start to cry. The only way to get him to stop is to latch him on and he'll eventually fall asleep. Do I let this go on until he's a little older and if not what would you mom's advise me to do?
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Q
Albuquerque, NM
Hello!
I am still breastfeeding my 21 month old daughter, and I have to stop. Tomorrow (4-17) I am having a Nuclear Stress Test and the Dr. said that I will not be able to breastfeed afterwards for a week!
I am panicking, and I know that it will be hell for her (and me). She has never had a bottle or a pacifier, but does drink from a cup. The breast is mainly at nap time and bedtime for comfort, but I do still have milk. I don't pump and never have, it just doesn't work well for me. Another problem is that she co-sleeps with us so I am always there next to her in the night.
Hopefully some of you have been there and can give me some advice! I'm on edge about the whole stress test, and worrying about my "baby" is just adding to that!
Thanks!
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Q
Sarasota, FL
I have begun to wean my son off the breast, he just turned 1 and feel its time becuse he is really attached and I'm just to that point of being done. I'm also home with him all day so it makes it a bit more difficult since he is super attached. I first started weaning and was giving it to him once in the morning and once before bed it was going really well he would ask and I would just say all gone. He would get a little upset but take his cup and be okay, but then he came down with a stomach virus and the doctor said (andI felt)that since he wasn't feeling well and needed to stay hydrated to give him breast milk just like before. So that what we did and now that he is better I've started with the weaning again but it is really difficult because I refuses the cup of milk for the most part and spends a big part of his days very upset and cranky I still give him the breast before bed, when he wakes, and once in the afternoon just because my nerves couldn't take all day and I hate to see him soo upset. Any advice anyone can give me on weaning from the breast. He takes his water and everything in a cup but still refusing milk. Just need something to break up tantrums, oh yes and he is also teething so extra cranky and only his fourth one so we have a ways to go!! PLease any advice will be very much appreciated even just another story so I know i'm not the only one struggling with this!!!
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Q
San Antonio, TX
A few weeks ago, my brother and his girlfriend were over at my house. Ash' got a phone call and I overheard ( not trying tobut was right next to her ) I heard her make a referance to coke, and in my head there was a yellow flag. However, I thought it was just me being critical or over pertective. My younger brother and I are close, and through the years I have been kind of a second (cooler) parent.
Then yesterday we had a family gathering and she was acting odd. she then fell asleep on my dinner table,head down ( which is no biggie on the whole) she goes to the car for what I thought was a smoke, an hour later perkie, talka'tive and eyes just as red a pot smoker just she did not smell like pot. Some how I wish that was all it was....then she tells my husband something in the reguard of drugs( she must have been high). I do not feel that she should have been doing drugs or better yet under the influence of an illegeal one at my house, its not same and embrasing ( as the rest of our family was here too) The first reaction I had in my head was to beat her up but I am not that kind of person and my brother seems to be co-depent. ( They broke up one year for a few months and I was really concerned about him then)
This is why I am asking for the advice part. In my short term on the earth and being married,have come to the conclussion that often what one person does in a relationship the other does too. I see to ways to approch this and niether seems to be easy. 1) say nothing and except her and possiablly his, fearing that he might stop coming over. 2) Confront him about Ash' and his possiable use. Either one of these things seems very hard. I sat down after everyone left and looked through family pictures, started crying, it was me about 16ish holding him at age 8 in a beach towel. I rember that day it was getting cold and my mom was not paying attention. I went and wrapped him up and my mom took picture. I wish it was that simple now.....am I my brother's keeper or his friend....any advice or help is very welcomed...thanks
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Q
Boston, MA
I'll try to make this as short as possible. I met a women who lives a block away about one year ago. Our girls are now over a year old, we love taking walks with them. My problem is we have very different views regarding everything. Which is fine but now I dread walking with her because she has an opinion about everything I say, especially everything needs to be organic & vaccinating your child is wrong. I've introduced her to neighbors/new friends of mine and it seems like she tries to one up me all of the time. I've also found that she lies to all of them, which irritates me. My husband wants me to stand up to her but I can't and I feel bad when I go for a walk and see them and make up an excuse why I didn't call her. Our daughters will be going to school together one day and now that I've introduced her to other moms I feel bad if I ask one of them to do something and she finds out. What do I do from this point on? Do I suck it or do I have a talk with her or am I over reacting? PS she makes jokes about my husband while walking (which is so far from the truth), she also won't get off my back about asking me if I'm pregnant and throwing it back into my face when I tell her it hasn't happened.
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Q
Tampa, FL
Hey Moms,
I guess I really don't have a specific question to ask all of you. I just would like to hear your thoughts.
I have a 3 1/2 yr old son and a 20 month old daughter. I love them dearly, obviously. And I truly love being a SAH mom, but lately I have felt incredibly overwhelmed. I feel burned out physically, mentally, and emotionally. There is nothing wrong with my kids or my home situation, at least nothing out of the ordinary. I know of women and moms who have much much worse situations.
We moved down here to FL because my husband received a promotion, about 4 months ago. None of my family lives here, and my husband works alot. I have joined a mommys group and it's a great one, I have met some friends there, but of course it's not the same as family. I'm sure this is just me, but all the moms there look like they really got it together. (maybe some would say the same of me) I don't know how they do it. I know as moms we all have bad days, "it comes with the job," but those bad days never overwhelmed me like they seem to now. I'm at a loss, and looking for some other mommy wisdom.
Thank you!
J.
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Q
Pittsburgh, PA
My daughter just turned two on Sept 18th. I have the hardest time getting her to go to sleep. Some nights she dont go to bed until 2 or 3 in the morning. She has never put herself to sleep I have always had to hold her to go to sleep. She also will not sleep in her bed. I have run out of ideas on what to do. So if there is any moms out there that have suggestions I am willing to listen.
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Q
Washington DC, MD
I am blessed to be able to stay at home with my 2 boys, ages 2 and 4 (soon to be 5 next month). I take my role as a parent very seriously and I try my best to really be involved in their childhood experience. I try to expose them to different activities at the library, the playground, etc... I sometimes do arts/crafts at home with them and just spend quality time engaging with them throughout the day. I monitor how much t.v. their watching and what they're eating- all the things that moms do. But sometimes I feel WORN OUT! I have times where I'm just not motivated to do anything beyond providing their basic needs (i.e. feeding, dressing, bathing, etc...) All day, everyday my mind is constantly going, thinking about what they need next. And they always need something! I can barely get in 2 minutes of uninterrupted time to myself. Many times I'm just not enjoying motherhood. My boys are happy and healthy and I am truly thankful for them, but sometimes I just want to scream "Calgon, take me away!" I'm just venting- can anyone else relate?
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Q
Terre Haute, IL
My 3rd child has been the worst about sleeping through the night. She often wakes up crying and in a panic. Sometimes I hear her saying things like "No! No! I don't want to go to the Doctor!" and "I don't like that babydoll!" and "Mommy! I want my Mommy!" I will go to calm her down and most of the time she is fast asleep. She rarely gets to the point of waking up, but when she does, she wants comforted. The things she talks about in her sleep are very real fears for her and she just sounds so terrified that I rush to her room when I hear her. I hate that she is going through this. She doesn't seem to remember it in the morning when she hears us talking about it. It is not ever at the same times and it occassionally occurs at naptime too. We have a bed-time routine of bath with lavender wash, brushing teeth, reading book, saying prayers and tucking in. We have always had a night light in her room. I am worried about her and my husband and I are very ready to be able to sleep through the whole night. Is there anything I can do?
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Q
Philadelphia, PA
I have a 4yr old son who has been out of pull-up during the day for over a year but still uses them at night. He did have an intense constipation issue for over 6mos and the doctor said that his bladder relaxes at night from being tight all day which results in his need for pull-ups. My son has been on medicine which has significantly helped his constipation but now I think my son is just so used to going in the pull-up that he doesn't care to wake at night. We've even tried having him go before bed and go without the pull-up thinking that that he would feel the wetness and learn but he just sleeps right thought it and wakes up soaked. Please, please let me know if you have any ideas!
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Q
Los Angeles, CA
Our twins will be two in a few days and I am beside myself as they still do not sleep through the night. Instead of getting better, it's become worse. We now have one with us for most of the night and the other is wailing for Mommy or Daddy hourly. Do I simply ignore the crying, purchase ear plugs, and hope that in three to four nights they receive the message that we will not be eating or rocking at all hours of the night? HELP!
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Q
Tampa, FL
I have a 35 pound 3 1/2 year old son. He is just about ready for a new carseat. I was wondering if one was better than the other when it comes to the highback lap belt booster seats vs. the five point harness seats. What do you think?
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Q
Houston, TX
I have a 2yr old who loves her crib. She never tries to escape and she always goes to sleep soon after we lay her down. But I was wondering if I should go ahead and put her in her toddler bed now or wait until she starts trying to get out of her crib. I feel like I want her to stay in her crib as long as possible because If I put her in a toddler bed that just means she is getting that much older. She is going to be my last child so I want to prolong these years as much as I can. Or, should I just quit hanging on to the baby stage?
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Q
Las Vegas, NV
I have a 6 month old baby boy who when sleeping rolls over on his stomache and sleeps with his left side of his face on the matress, he also sucks a pacifier at night, and every moring when he gets up his face is all red and seems to be chapped. I am not sure how to solve this problem. I lay him down to sleep on his back but he just rolls over, he likes to sleep on his tummy.
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Q
Atlanta, GA
I'm moving next month, so I can't do a birthday party in my home because there will be boxes everywhere in the next two weeks. I am trying to find something extremely reasonable for my 4 year old who has been worrying me about a birthday party for a MONTH EVERYDAY! Any suggestions?
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Q
Chicago, IL
Hi, so I have a 2 year old but still consider myself somewhat new at this sometimes! We were just invited to what I think is our first kids' party. This is for a neighborhood child who is a little older - turning probably 8 or 9 and this will be held at Chuck E Cheese. It's at 2pm which is naptime, so I assuming this is not the type of party you can just come to when your child is up in 1-2 hours. The party will probably be over by then. But were they intending to invite us parents along with our toddler? And if we don't go, do you still bring a gift over? Not sure on the etiquette, and I'd hate to assume we were invited if its just for kids. I mean obviously she's little enough that they know we're not going to drop her off, but I wouldn't want to assume that they should just pay for our pizza or whatever too.
Thanks :)
K.
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Q
Tampa, FL
I am the mother of a little boy who will be three on Jan 7. I am very concerned because he does not even say one word yet. Just a bunch of jibber jabber. I know he understands things I say but will not talk. He is getting speach therapy through the state but I truly don't think it's going to help and I cringe the whole time she is here. I have a feeling he will not even begin to talk for another year or so. Is anyone else experiencing this?? What if he never talks!!!!
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Q
Killeen, TX
My cousin and her three children are coming to visit for about a week this month. She told me that I need to child proof my home before she gets here. I never "child proofed" my home for my children. I was so over protective of my children, that I wouldn't let them out of my site to get into anything they were not supposed to be in. Once they got older, they just knew what they could or could not play in.
So I did some checking online to see what "child proofing" was. Here are my results. All of my outlets are covered by furniture, so I'm not worried about those. There was something about locks for cabinet doors, and taking everything off the shelves they can be reached, and making sure that all this little stuff is not on the Christmas Tree, and things of that nature. I have a lot of figurines that are on shelves, my coffee table, my end tables, and just all around my house. My daughter's collects horses and has lots of horse figurines on her shelves, as well as breakables on her dresser and vanity. We are having to pack all of that up and putting it in storage while they are here. We are not what you call "child proofed" at all.
With the economy what it is, I can not afford to buy all of these items to child proof my home. Is there anything that people have tried at home that worked without buying all of this stuff. It's hard enough having her and her three children staying here for free since she's not working and basically staying with different family members. (Although she told me a week, her own sister told me that she will be here much longer than that.) I'm looking at the fact that I can child proof my home to keep her children safe, or I can make sure they have food to eat. Can someone please help me on this one. I don't want her children getting hurt, but at the same time, it's has come to pay the water bill or spend money on the items needed. If you have any ideas of how to keep them out of harmful areas and spending as little as possible please share that with me. Of course when I'm home I will be watching them closely. However, when I'm not home I'm a little worried. From what I have been told by other family members, she does NOT watch her children. Help Me Please.......
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Q
Albany, NY
How far apart did all you moms space your children? My kids are ages 8, 6, 2 and 1. The last two are 11 months apart and I had all four kids by c-section.
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Q
Harrisburg, PA
Hello everyone. My daughter who is 14 months has been consistenly sleeping through the night for over a month now thanks to all of the responses from one of my requests. This past few weeks, she has been getting teeth, and I am sure that that has alot to do with the waking up screaming, but not all of it. She is waking up two and three times a night and sitting up screaming. I know she is not hungry, I know she not thirsty. Her diaper is clean. Before bed, I have been giving her motrin, or tylenol, and orajel. No temp, although her diapers tell me she is teething"diarrhea". Not every poop is like that just so you arent freaking...It is not watery, just thin peanut butter texture.LOL..I dont believe that it is just teeth, or that she has gone back to her old habits"waking up wanting a bottle", I actually think she is having nightmares, and or withdrawl from me, and want to know that I am still here. Nothing in her schedule has changed except that I have had some trouble getting her to take a nap during the day, although she does nap. The only other thing that is different is that her daddy has been working ALOT lately,"7am-2pm, and then 4pm-midnight" to make extra money for the holidays. Do you think that is a big part of this behavior? I just dont want to be ignoring something serious.
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Q
Cincinnati, OH
I am just wondering why my daughter who just turned one on the 5th of january of this year is now starting to cry and scream almost all day long. She is the youngest of 4 children ... 2, 3 and 6 yrs are the older siblings. It has been very dificult as it is and she was a very fussy baby but then grew out of it after like 5 months and now she is startin back up with screaming for no reason, I cant hold her all the time and i am a working mother while my husband who is disabled stays home with they children. I only work part time so its not too much but im gettin so stressed lately and feel like im yellin at everyone all the time because of the screaming and crying nonstop for no reason... please help me lol...
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