I am a mother of a 2 & 8 year old girls, I am very irritable & don't feel real good about myself lately, I don't know what's going on, but I don't like it, any suggestions or other moms had the same problem?
Read the entire question and 13 answersI'm feeling guilty about losing my patience with my daughter who is 15 months. I would never hit or harm her in any way ever, but sometimes I lose my patience and raise my voice at her. It is usually at times when she is tired, clingy, hungry and I'm trying my best to fix whatever need she has. Typically I just need a few minutes to finish, which she doesn't understand and just wants me to hold her and then things escalate from there. She starts crying louder and harder and my patience begins running out--fast. My question for all you moms out there is how do you handle these stressful situations and feeling guilty when you know you could of handled it differently?
Read the entire question and 20 answersI need some input from all of you on how I should be thinking about my 4 1/2 year old girl who still wears a pull-up to bed. Not only does she wear it, it is always SOAKED in the morning - nasty and heavy. I am still assuming that this is a developmental thing, but all of her little friends wear panties at the night and she is the only one I know still in pull-ups. She is beginning ot be aware of it and I've told her not to worry about it, when her body is ready, it will happen. We tried a few times to see if she could be ready, going right before bed, etc. and most nights she would wet the bed, so we went back to pull-ups. My daughter did have a very hard time with potty training in general; she was in daycare during that time and it was a LOOOONG process but she has been trained now for about 7 months, and still have occasional accidents but is fine most of the time. Help - do I continue to be patient or should I be taking some action?
Read the entire question and 9 answersHello! I'm new to the site, but I really enjoy it. I had a question for other mothers out there, maybe you can help. I am a mother of 2 girls....ages 6 and 3. I work a full time job and right now I have a seasonal job for extra cash for the christmas season. I have school starting in January and I have a full time boyfriend, who, yes is the father of the kids. I am having problems making time for everything. I know its the oldest question, but I really would like to be more involved with my children. Knowning that I have so much on my plate gives me little patience with them and what they want to do. I want to be able to spend as much time with them as they asked me too, but I just can't seem to work that out. These are the moments that my kids will remember, and I would just like them to be happy for them.....I don't want to keep telling them in a minute. If you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate them. Thanks!!!!
Read the entire question and 9 answersHi to all! I need some help. My son is 18 mos now. Was born 2 1/2 mos premature. He is not walking yet. We try to work with him, has bought him a push truck. He does walk, but always want to lean on or hold on to something or someone. He is afraid to stand. He does climb,crawl any everything else. He is home with me everyday- as I work from home. Please, please any suggestions. I also need to attend a playgroup for him. Any suggestions!! Otherwise he is doing well.
Read the entire question and 13 answersMy first grade son who is almost 7 years old is suddenly refusing to attend his once a week religious education class. It's very important to me that he goes, but I actually let him miss it last night because I didn't have the energy to fight him and neither did my sister who was supposed to drop him for me. Should I go the bribing route, the punishment route or sit down and explain why he has to go? I'm at a loss here.....
Read the entire question and 11 answersHi, Everyone is there any tips trying to get my 2 yr old to go from sippy cup to regular or is it to early to start that. also any potty training advice.
Read the entire question and 12 answersMy son will only speak to my husband. He will respond to him with the best he has to offer. when i talk to him he turns away like i said nothing. the only time he will respond to me is when i tell him NO. He will jabber away like he is back talking me. what can i do to get him to talk to me? has anyone had this problem?
Read the entire question and 11 answersMy five-year-old daughter has been saying mean things to her Daddy for a few weeks now. We were sitting at supper and she looked over at him while leaning into me and said, "Mommy, I don't like Daddy." She has said it a few times since and last night while I was at school she told him that she didn't want him in her family any more. He can usually let things slide but it's starting to get to him. They have a great relationship and usually he is the more lenient one and more fun one. She seems to be going through a Mommy kick at the moment. If there is one thing he is, it's an incredible father. Any advice, suggestions, related stories are very welcome. Thanks C.
Read the entire question and 8 answersMy oldest child recently started kindergarten. Although I still have a 3 year old and infant at home, the house feels so different! When I stopped working a 45+ hour week, I had great ideas about keeping the house in better order. HA! Just keeping my pre-schooler from loving the baby too hard (or feeding her rocks, or dragging/dancing with her, or whacking her with a book . .) takes most of my day. I think it was Rosanne Barr who said, "If all the kids are alive at the end of the day, I have done my job." I must admit that after keeping everyone else on track through the morning routine, I am ready to relax with a cup of coffee and the newspaper when we get back from the bus stop. What do you do after the kids go to school? (. . . before you tackle that endless pile of laundry.) Have a great Friday!
Read the entire question and 15 answersI preface my question with asking only those of you who are devout serious cosleepers to respond to my question. This is not to debate preferences or choices on the matter rather to get input from others in my situation or similiar. I am VERY pro-cosleeping and extended nursing and I currently co sleep with and nurse my two daughters - 14 months and almost 44 months (3 1/2 yrs old). We used to have things set up with the girls in a queen with me but the mattress isn't good on my back. So I sleep in a twin next to their shared bed (queen). My husband used to sleep in the room with us till I more recently moved into his bed due to my back issues. I keep on asking him if he is ok with the arrangement and he claims to be but I am not. As is, we already have marriage issues we are working on and I think its important that we share a room again. (PS - we are not intimate at this point in time, not cause of the cosleeping, just cause he's not there emotionally...) I am torn because I want to cosleep and I feel its so good for kids until they are ready to separate to their own beds but I also feel my husband should get his bed back. I am not sure how to make the transition positive and smooth for my 3 1/2 yr old without making her feel like she is being kicked out. Every time she is willing to sleep in her toddler bed in her room, she wakes up hysterical and crying and screaming in her sleep. I also am not sure I'll sleep too well with them away but that's just an adjustment for me as well. No big deal, in the scheme of things. As for the baby, I kind of would like to keep her with me still since I nurse in my sleep and don't have to get up and lose sleep. But I don't want our big girl to feel slighted. If it is healthier for them to both move out together then I will do it without hesitation. What worked for you in a similiar scenerio?
Read the entire question and 5 answersWhere do I start!! My 9 year old daughter is nearly perfect in every way...or so i feel of course!! ;) She has wonderful grades, she is loving to everyone she meets..especially me and her sisters. She is thoughtful..(notes around the house telling me she loves me, notes in my purse, text messages etc etc) Polite, respectful, courteous...I constantly get good comments from other parents and teachers about her...anyhow, how can I complain right???...she has chronic forgetfulness and it drives me insane!!! I often lose my patience with her. i will ask her to go get her hair brush before her shower, and she comes back with a book to read...not only did she forget the brush, she forgot she was supposed to be getting ready for the shower all together!!! last night I found a check I had written for her lunch account at school she was supposed to turn in…..in her pocket from MAY!!! All crumpled up from being washed so many times. lol!!! When I say chronic, I mean chronic. Every morning and evening her chore is to feed the cats and give them fresh water. And every morning and evening I have to remind her. Every night she has a notebook for school that has to be signed, and every night I have to remind her. Certain days during the week she has to take an additional bag to school for after school sports and she always forgets it. I can't count the amount of leotards I have had to run to the store to buy because her bag is at home across town. it doesn't help that she has a 10 year old sister that remembers everything...I work 40+ hours a week, and also have a 1 year old, so I try to remind her as much as possible but it gets really old and I get overwhelmed….She wanted the darn cats, not me!!! Her father and I have not been together since she was 9 months old, so we have our routine when we get home from school, but that goes out the door the days he picks her up. I try for consistency but he is just as bad as she is!!!! She lives with me so he drops her off after his evenings with her, but again...I say please go unpack your clothes from dads house and get ready for bed...and again, she is on her bed looking through a magazine for Halloween costumes!! I know there is this whole ADD thing, but she only do this at home, so I can’t for a second believe it is something like that. I ask her Dad (he and I are on very good terms and have been for years) does she do that at your house and he really wouldn’t know because he forgets everything also!! Not to mention she has no responsibilities at his house because the time is limited over there because she does live with me…so I can’t fault him for that. I feel just awful when I get impatient with her because she is so wonderful everywhere else. In every other aspect, she is a child you just dream for. I try to pick and choose my battles, but I just can’t take having to tell her to do something four and five times. Not exaggerating…really four and five times!!! I have tried chore charts, bribery, allowance, taking things away. Am I asking for too much? I feel like we lose out on quality time (which is especially precious to me as I have to share her with her Dad) because she has so much to do or it takes her so long because she gets side tracked. I am out of ideas and really would like her to learn responsibility and how to remember things. Does anyone have any ideas to help, or at least some reassurance that a lot of kids are like this and I am not a bad Mom for getting so frustrated with her!! My day to day seems to be a constant struggle with this and it’s wearing on our relationship. I don’t know what else to do….
Read the entire question and 9 answersMy son is 4 years old and out of nowhere about a month ago started putting his fingers in his mouth. Every time I look at him they are in his mouth. The Dr. told us to ignore it but that doesn't seem to work and we can't stand it. Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks
Read the entire question and 15 answersHello! My daughter just turned four months old and is waking several times throughout the night (anywhere from a few times to almost hourly). She was like this as an infant until we bought the Miracle Blanket swaddler. She then began sleeping through the night (10-hour stretches!). I've read that most babies should be weaned from swaddling around 3 to 4 months, so we stopped swaddling her, and she just does not sleep well without it. When she wakes, I give her her binky, and she'll fall back to sleep until the next waking. I do not pick her up or feed her because I know she is capable of sleeping through the night without feeding as she did with the swaddle for months. I think she is just restless and doesn't know what to do with her arms. Also she sleeps on an inclined sleep positioner. Is she old enough to discontinue this? Sometimes it seems like she can't get comfortable on it. Any help would be much appreciated--I thought we were over the sleep deprivation! Laury
Read the entire question and 15 answersMy new friend's husband announced last night that he doesn't want to be married anymore. He moved into a friend's house after his announcement. This is sudden and unexpected. They have 2 girls (almost 3 and almost 1). She is devestated and has no idea what to think or do right now. We live overseas and she will have to leave the country if he decides to get a divorce. She has no support here but me and another new friend. I am willing to do whatever I can to help her...but I don't know what to do to help! He apparently is not willing to talk about their problems and try to work things out. Please help me help my friend.
Read the entire question and 16 answersWe are moving in about two weeks and my daughter, who just turned two at the end of last October is still sleeping in her crib. I posted before about how she tells me she does not want to sleep in her bed yet and I have fully accepted that, she's happy in there, why push her ya know. But now since we are moving my family, husband, mother, mother in law, and father in law are all fighting with me over this issue. Telling me on a daily basis to just not bring the crib with us for the move and to force her into the new bed the first night we are there. I personally think that a move into a new place is enough for her to deal with at one time, and we should give her everything she has here so it is not too stressful on her. Everyone else is telling me how much easier it would be, one less thing to move, put together, and so on, but I don't care how easy it is, I care about my daughter's feelings, ya know. So any advice about how to explain this to them/opinions on whether this is a good idea or not, let me know please. I don't have a problem telling my mom and the in-laws no, it's not their kid, but my husband is totally siding with them and mad at me over this. Besides this issue, i really think the transition for her will be smooth, not to jinx myself, lol. I am prepared to introduce her to her room and sleep on the floor if I have to while she gets used to it, She is a very mature two year old in terms of adjusting to anything, but I don't think any two year old could handle a move from a crib to a bed and into a new house all in one night.
Read the entire question and 31 answersMy husband is a chaplain and deals with all sorts of terminally ill patients. I know he is tired when he gets home. I just want him to help out a bit more with our 6 month old son. He does not feed him, rarely changes him, does not bathe him at all, and only holds him when he feels like it, and hardly gets up during the night when the baby cries. I have asked him for help but he shoots back with "you wanted to be an at home mom, deal with it". When he does hold Peter he almost emmediately hands him off to his son(s). That really upsets me. During the week I have Peter on a schedule but on weekends I can't hold to it because my husband allows the boys in our bedroom to "talk" to him while he sits at his computer. His oldest son(18) does not know how to talk quietly and wakes the baby up every time. Then guess who has to deal with a cranky baby, ME! I have at many times had to hold Peter while I cook dinner because my husband can't do 2 things at once( sit in front of the computer and hold Peter). What can I do or how can I get him more involved with the baby and keep to a schedule during the weekend where I don't have to stress myself to keep the place clean, kids fed, and my husband happy?
Read the entire question and 11 answersI went back to work full time 3 months ago. I was lucky enough to stay at home till my daughter was 16 months. I have never been great at staying home and always loved to be back in a business environment. Now I am back at work am starting to feel guilty now for not having enough time to spend with my daughter. I work 40 hours and am constantly tired and when I come home I have no energy as have to cook clean iron etc etc. My husband still forget I work full time plus trying to give time to my very demanding toddler. My daughter has now started night waking and an early get up time of 5a.m. We also changed her daycare 1 month ago so she would be 5 minutes walk away from home as we were spending up to 2 hours each day in the car just to get to her. It's made life easier for us parents but know she is unsettled. I want the best for my daughter but selfishly want the best for me by working on my career. Should I feel guilty jack in my job and struggle on one income or maybe there are other working moms out there that could offer advice on how they cope with working full time and juggling life.
Read the entire question and 5 answersA parent of my husband's friend passed away late last week. We are debating if we should take our 7-year-old to the visitation and funeral. This would be her first. I'm sure each situation is different depending on the maturity of the child, but can you offer any rule of thumb or sound advice. Thanks.
Read the entire question and 26 answersI have tried the sour thumb stuff and it does not bother her. What else can I do to get her to stop before she goes to her new school.
Read the entire question and 5 answersYes, I know I let this go on, but I had good reason. LOL I have a 2yr old that has never slept much, so I started putting him in our bed when he was @ 1 yrs just so I could sleep. It has become horrible. He will only sleep in my bed. We can put him in his bed, but a couple of hours later he comes running into ours. My 8 yr old slept with us until 5 yrs. I just gave up fighting him and chose to sleep instead of fighting. I WANT MY BED BACK!! LOL Any ideas?
Read the entire question and 8 answersI admit my husband and I slipped as it relates to allowing our first born sleep with us until she turned a year then we buckled down to get her on a schedule and get her to sleep in her own room. We started out putting her to bed at 10pm and it was rocky at first b/c she would cry and then we succeeded. However she would not always sleep through the night. Then we decided we needed to change the time to something earlier so we could have more time to spend together so we decided to put her down at 8 and literally its been so hard. Our daughter hates going to bed and we have a routine bathtime, story time, prayers and bed & she fine until we put her in her bed, she cries and cries herself to sleep. So fustrating. Then ever blue moon we will put her down and she will go right to sleep and sleep all night. Then there are times we put her down and she starts off in her bed then wakes up and we try to put her down and its late and its like putting her down the first time. So we end up just getting her and putting her in our bed. Wrong I know but I don't know what else to do. I think that she would love sleeping in her room but for some reason we can't seem to get it to work. PLEASE HELP! Not to mention I have another baby on the way in a matter of days.
Read the entire question and 19 answersI have a 22yr old daughter that has her own 2yr. old son. I have been trying to tell this child of mine that it is time to live her own life in her own place. I feel that it's time for me to live MY life now that they are all grown. I would like my home to myself and be given the chance to 'miss' them whenever I see them. I know this is selfish, but I am almost 50 now and would like to be a bit more free to enjoy the rest of my life. I love my children and have done maybe too much for them. I want them to be independent and have a good life. Our relationship is getting strained. Any suggestions?
Read the entire question and 6 answersMy son is 5 years old. It is a constant battle to get his teeth brushed. He still doesn't like to brush for himself and doesn't like to spit it out. So I use the safe to swallow toothpaste but fear that he is not getting enough protection. I have tried taking away his favorite toy (playstation), this worked for awhile but he is very stubborn and doesn't care what I take away. I have tried a sticker chart this too worked for a while but then the toys became to expensive. Does anyone have any great suggestions? Other then just sitting on him and forcing him to brush.
Read the entire question and 9 answersMy son is great at clearing his dishes, putting his clothes in the dirty basket, and wiping up after his own spills however, I seem to have to constantly be standing over my 5 year old to get him to pick up his toys when he's done playing. I have tried bribery(doesn't work) and I am tired of nagging, any other ideas?
Read the entire question and 30 answersI am living with my boyfriend with our 5 year old son. I can't get my son's dad involved in activities that my son likes. My son is about to start baseball for the first time. His dad went and bought a t ball set with baseballs, gloves, and a bat and has yet to try and practice with him. I get out in the back yard and do it myself, but to me that is a father/son thing. Mind you that my boyfriend has no ailments to keep him from being active nor is he overweight--he just plainly shows no interet. He himself played baseball for many years when he was a child. And then there is the park issue...he's only been 2 times with us and I go constantly by myself or with my mom along with my son. To me he just seems to be nothing but lazy. What should I say or do to get him to be more active outside with our son?
Read the entire question and 7 answersHello moms! I have a very active 2 1/2 year old who is not falling asleep until 10:30 pm or 11:00 pm. How can I get her in bed by 9:00 pm. I feel like she is not getting enough sleep. Please help!!!
Read the entire question and 9 answersHello I hope someone has some ideas for me - every night is a problem. My 4 year old son will not go to sleep in his bed. We have tried reading him books in his bed and then sitting with him until he falls asleep and calling it quiet time. We have sat outside his room, I have sat outside on the couch and watched a movie and keep telling him I was there. He has a night light and we use monster spray at night to keep the monsters away - he just doesnt want to be alone. His 2 year old sister is no problem. If we leave him in his bed he screams and wakes up the whole house. Every night it takes hours for him to go to bed - we have a strict routine. Its read me a book then read me another then dont leave. I am a stay at home mom and I can not get 5 minutes alone - and now it stresses me out that I cant even have the night to be alone. We tried to put a blow up mattress on our floor but he wants me to sleep in it with him. I cant even go to me room and watch tv as he wants to come with me. The problem is now he fights us from 8 until like 10 pm when he finally gets so tired - I dont think this is healthy and I dont think he is getting enough sleep. If anyone has any ideas please let me know... I think one problem is our bedroom is upstairs and the childrens are downstairs...
Read the entire question and 11 answersI'm having a hard time getting my 5 year old son to open up and talk to us about his day at school or what's going on with him (his behavior). I don't know what to do? I feel like me asking 50 million questions is only turning him away even more. I've tried to wait till we sit down and eat dinner but get the same response "I don't know" or "I don't remember". I get frustrated very easily and am trying my best to relax I've been this way for years even before I had kids. HELP. any advise is appriciated. Thanks S.
Read the entire question and 9 answersMy best friend is 4 months pregnant with her second child, her first daughter just turned two. They are having trouble getting the 2 yr old to give up the binky if you have any advice I can pass on to her that would be great thanks.
Read the entire question and 7 answersHi My son will be 2 in November he says about 10 words all the time but I know he can say more (we have heard him say them) But for some reason when you ask him somthing like "can you say milk" or "can you say dog" or even will you say milk or will you say dog the only responce he will give me is yes like yes I can say it but i'm not going to. Am I just pushing it on his speach? Any ideas on how to help him along?
Read the entire question and 11 answersI am sooo tired! Recently my two-year old quit sleeping through the night. For the past few days, he has cried for an hour before taking his nap, (even though I know he's exhausted,) an hour before bed, and get this...two and a half hours straight last night! He's a VERY persistent little guy. Interestingly, it's always about 4AM when he wakes up. I'm just not sure what to do. Do you think if I let him "cry it out" for a few days then he'll learn to put himself back to sleep? Let me know what you have done that has worked.
Read the entire question and 12 answersHello there. I am a mom to a beautiful 18 month old little girl. We are expecting our second child in April of 2009. We are thrilled that our daughter is going to be a big sister and that our family is growing, but also are a little overwhelmed with the idea of another little person in our family. I'm sure this is normal and when the baby comes, we'll figure it out, but I was hoping to hear from some of the other mom's of two out there. Do you have any words of wisdom on how to go from one to two? Any advice or tips? How did you manage the first month or so when you're completely exhausted? What has your experience been like since you've had two? Thanks!
Read the entire question and 18 answersMy son just turned 5 last week. He insists that he's a big boy and no longer needs to wear a pull up. He has been potty trained since he was 3.5, with only one accident that I can remember in all of this time. His problem is he very rarely can make it through the night. The other problem is he doesn't even wake up when he pees. Any advice? He is very strong willed. We have been going through this for the past 6 - 8 months. We stop wearing pull ups and make it through a few nights and then he's back to a wet bed in the morning. Frankly, I'm sick of the laundry!
Read the entire question and 6 answersSo my question is two fold....My 23 month old has mono and we are back to waking up multiple times throughout the night. We were doing good with sleeping until this recent bout with an ear infection and then discovered that he has mono and has likely had it for a little while and now we are back to waking up 4-5 times a night. It is never for a long time and most of the time we don't even have to pick him up, but it is exhausting for myself (being 8 months pregnant) and my husband. I woudl also like to kick the binky habit since I really think that is part of the reason he wakes up at night. I think he loses his binky and can't find it so he cries for us. Anyway, I am not sure where to start and where to draw the line between being firm and him not feeling well and just needing us a little more. I am open to any suggestions. I was think that if we were going to do it we may as well do it all and get it over with, but I am not sure.....please help!!!
Read the entire question and 20 answersMy 6 year old boy is such a hard sleeper that he will not wake up at night when he has to pee! I try waking him 2 or 3 times a night but he still pees in bed! I stopped letting him wear pullups at night but now I have to wash blankets and pjs everyday!! Is there something that I can do to help him? Should I keep him in pullups? I don't know what I should do! Should I even be worried about it? Thanks, L.
Read the entire question and 9 answersI have a 17mo.old who will not sleep thru the night. I've tried almost everything from letting him eat a lot before bedtime,to keeping the room cooler than usual, to warming it up, to trying to let him cry it out but he'll continue to cry for hours until i eventually pick him up. I don't know what to do at this point. He sleeps in the same room as me and I know this could be a factor. I have even tried having him sleep in my bed just so he knows that im there and hes safe but it didn't work. Can anyone help me? And he's going to be 2 soon and I need this to stop.
Read the entire question and 9 answersHello! I am going to see my friend and her baby this weekend and I am wondering if you have any suggestions as to a great gift for new parents. I know that I really appreciated when people brought dinner, but is there anything else? My husband felt left out a lot when everyone oohed and aahed over the baby and me and not him, so I'd like something for the new dad, too. Ideas?
Read the entire question and 8 answersOur son is going to be 1 in a week and still wakes up for a bottle in the middle of the night. I thought for awhile it was because he was still hungry-he's in the 95% for size-but I think it might be just a habit because it is generally alway between 1-3am, and he takes the bottle and goes right back to sleep. I really don't want to make him cry it out, we have had to do that very little. Part of me doesn't mind it and thinks he will outgrow it...?
Read the entire question and 13 answersI wanted to know if anyone has some advise on how to get rid of my 3yr olds pacifier? I could use some good ideas, we are thinking of doing it pretty soon. Thanks N.
Read the entire question and 19 answersI know no-one can make this decision for me, but am looking for opinions/advice on whether to go for a 2nd child or not. I'm 38 and my daughter is 19 months old. We were married 10 years before she was born, we were unsure for a long time if we wanted children - of course, now I believe that she is the best thing that ever happened in my life. She is perfect, literally, we are truly blessed. She has slept through the night since 8 weeks old, is an angel (most of the time), likes to sleep 12 hours a night!! I know we are extremely lucky! It took us 2 years to get pregnant (fertility issues) and so we are starting to consider whether or not we should try for a 2nd or not. I love being a mom, but I work full time outside of the home, which I find challenging. It's hard to get one ready in the morning, and get out the door on time! I already feel like I don't have enough time with my daughter and am concerned that a 2nd will just make me feel more out of control. My husband would like a 2nd, but he is concerned that we may not be so lucky next time. He's worried that what if the next one doesn't sleep well, or isn't nearly as easy going etc. I keep reminding him that there are no certainty's and you just deal with what life hands you. I've talked to lots of friends who have two children, and frequently they tell me that it's way more challenging than they anticipated. I've even had a couple tell me if they had known they wouldn't have had a second. Whereas as the couple of people that I know that have an only child are still delighfully happy. I had one sibling and we fought from age 8 until my brother left for college. My husband was an only child, so is used to getting his own way, although he did feel like he missed out because he didn't have a sibling. I'm so lost and just don't know how to make this decision! Advice?
Read the entire question and 15 answersRecently, I had my second little boy and am still on maternity leave from teaching. Since I do not want to put my children in daycare, I decided to take a year leave from my job for next year. Everything sounds good on paper, but I'm going crazy being at home! I absolutely love teaching and miss my school, coworkers, and students so much. All I ever seem to do at home is housework, yelling at my toddler for getting into everything and not listening, feeding the baby, changing diapers, snapping at my husband, and more housework! I hate it. I try to get out and go places with the kids, but it is difficult for me to juggle the two kids, especially since my toddler is in the middle of the "terrible twos". I am hoping it will get easier soon, but I feel so overwhelmed. Is it just my lack of sleep or do I need professional help? Has anyone felt like this before? I'd love to hear any advice from you stay-at-home or working part-time outside of the home moms.
Read the entire question and 16 answersHi Ladies- I have a 8 yr old son..What is a good time for him to go to sleep and what is a good time in the morning..he has to be to schoo by 8am...I would like to get into a routine however, it never happens :) Thanx
Read the entire question and 4 answersI am a single mom of a one year old and so far everything has been fabulous but I know that those terrible twos are coming and all kinds of other fun stuff. I have read a little of Touchpoints by Dr. Brazelton but would like to find some good parenting books just to see what is out there regarding advice. I would go to Parenting for the Long run classes only I would need a babysitter for that every week and so that part is hard. So I thought maybe I could find some good books from the libary. Have you read any that you liked?
Read the entire question and 8 answersHi ladies, I hate to even write this, but it might help me to amdit it out loud. I have a wonderful 2.5 year old, he's the typical toddler, stubborn, indpendent, dependent, repetitive, etc. I stay home part time with him now and am expecting #2 later this year. My husband has taken on a second job to help lesson our financial burdens. All of the above has begun to take it's tole on me. I have become very impatient, and hate to admit but the person I never wanted to become (my mother). I feel like all I do is yell at my son, my behavior I know is rubbing off on him (he's in time outs a lot more frequently, has tantrums a lot), and it has also rubbed off on my husband, whom used to be a very patient, easy going guy. I feel like I need to fix myself first, before I can do anything with my child. Are there any good books that I might be able to read to help relieve what I am feeling (exhausted, overwhelmed, frustrated, impatient)? I've thought about getting a yoga video that might help me lighten up a bit, but im looking for other ideas, I don't think this will be a quick fix (i.e. massage or weekend away), it might take time and I want to be prepared when baby #2 comes into the world.
Read the entire question and 13 answersMy daughter (2 1/2) is very fair-skinned and blonde. Yesterday she came home from the sitters with a sunburn on her scalp. I'm sure that her sitter didn't even think about her head. I'm not sure if I should try to force her to wear a hat all the time or if there is a good sunscreen that I can apply to her head (maybe a spray on) but I don't want her hair to be all greasy. Help! It's only April!!
Read the entire question and 6 answersI am so tired of depending on my mother to watch my 5 year old daughter on Saturdays when I work! My mother has been living alone since my daughter was a little over 1 year old, which is the same time I went back to work. (My dad is in the Army and has been either overseas or somewhere else ever since Feb. 2004) Anyways, it seems my mom uses my daughter as her outlet to life, with no regard to the real world. It's bad enough that she spoils the heck out of her, but the worse part is her lack of judgment. Too many times my daughter has been getting sick, and my mother still takes her places like the water park!! She doesn't seem willing to spend a quiet afternoon at home. It's so frustrating to not be able to trust your own mother's judgment. This happened this past weekend, and now my daughter has a fever of 101.7 degrees. On top of that she is very controlling of spending the weekend with my daughter. If I make plans for her to be with my husband's mother, or with her cousins, my mother gets very offended. I feel like I shouldn't work Saturdays anymore and just take matters into my own hands.
Read the entire question and 12 answersI have my 16 yr. old grandson living with me due to a situation at his home. I became his court apointed guardian. He could go home now, but wants to stay with me to continue in the school he is in. It is much better than the school at his home. He is an honors student, has been accepted to go to Europe with People to People, Student Ambassadors and is really a good kid. My problem is he cannot accept anything he is told on faith or acceptance of experiential learning. He wants a black and white answer and will continue to push for it until I am about ready to pull my hair out. How can I squelch him without making him feel I don't care about how he feels?
Read the entire question and 6 answersI am a first time mom of an amazing 18 mo. old boy. He has been blessed by both sets of grandparents that love and adore him. Oddly that is where the problem lies. My mom has been requesting for quite some time to take him overnight at her home. I don't have any worries about his care while there. She is an excellent grandmother, but her and my father live an hours drive from us in another town and I am just feeling like 18 mo. is way to soon. My husband feels the same way, but I'm wondering if I'm just being a paranoid first time mom, or if 18 mo is definately too soon. I don't want to hurt my moms feelings by always telling her no, she will eventually get to take him and love on him for a weekend but I feel that maybe she is the only one who is actually ready. Has anyone else encountered this kind of thing? Thanks!
Read the entire question and 62 answersIs there any other grandmother's out there that have their grandchildren living with them? I would love to connect and share this experience.
Read the entire question and 14 answersI was wandering if there are any grandmothers out there that would be interested in changing info regarding adult daughters and their children
Read the entire question and 13 answersI am seeking support from other ladies who care for their grandchildren full time. My situation has been going on for 2 1/2 years with no end in sight. I hope to find someone walking in my shoes to talk with. God bless you and all you love.
Read the entire question and 8 answersHI MOMS, I am wondering if there is a good cleaner...preferably natural to clean walls :) I may have posted this before....I would appreciate assistance. I have rings on wood tables, and also icky stuff from toddler hands on the walls :) Thanks in advance! Blessings, Katherine
Read the entire question and 5 answersHello! I am enjoying my (some what) free time this summer and like to search the internet when I have a chance. Besides mamsource (which is GREAT)are there any other websites you recommend for parenting advice, true stories, art projects, etc?
Read the entire question and 7 answersHi Moms, When my son was in diapers we used gdiapers (flushable). At night, gdiapers weren't enough so we always used pull-ups. My son still uses pull-ups at naps and nights. He is not ready to not wear them. I am not willing to wash sheets every day. What do y'all use at night that's not so destructive to our environment? Is there anything similar to a pull-up and less diaperish? Thanks! P.S. I belong to several social networking sites. This one I use and enjoy the most. Thanks to everyone!
Read the entire question and 7 answersMy 15 year old daughter's father passed away November of last year. This Father's Day will be the first Father's Day without him here. We heard a commercial yesterday about Father's Day that triggered her grief. I am not sure what I can do for her or to help her. I have an 8 year old son who still has his father, so I can't just ignore the holiday. Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Read the entire question and 6 answersMy almost 2 year old has been using the potty for bowel movements for some time, but only infrequently will use the potty for urination and usually only when prompted. I haven't forced the issue, but I am little unsure of how/when to proceed. Anyone have a similar situation or just some advice? Maybe he just isn't ready for the 2nd half?
Read the entire question and 6 answersMy 23 month old kicks his blankets off at night. He also pulls his socks off too. We go into his room a few times a night to cover him back up but he still wakes up with his hands and feet ice cold. My question is this harmful at all? I mean does he have a greater chance of getting sick because of it? We keep a heater in his room in the cold months but it is still too warm right now for that. Does anyone else have this problem and what did you do about it? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Read the entire question and 20 answersSo, I recently found out I'm pregnant again. We're very happy, we wanted this...and yet, I'm also freaking out. With #1, we were diagnosed with unxplained infertility. They found out my FSH was elevated, which would potentially indicate premature ovulatory failure. It took 18 months for our girl to come along. This time around, it took 4 month of the good old fashioned way. I'm definitely happy, and scared. I'm scared of the sleepless nights, that I might have post partum depression again, that this child will be like my girl and scream and cry for 8 weeks straight, that we will need a bigger home, that we wont be able to juggle everything, that it'll tap out our budget, that our family with swing out of control with all the extra things to do, that my husband and I will have no time for ourselves, on and on and on. Is this normal? I also feel guilty. I feel like I'm betraying my first born..like she'll feel like we felt she wasn't enough or something. Ugh, tell me is the pregnancy hormones making me nuts!! I feel a little crazy.
Read the entire question and 27 answersI am torn I don't feel I am done with having more children but my husband says we are done. I know in my heart a big family is what I want. What kind of issues come with a bigger family and and how much should I press the issue with my husband?
Read the entire question and 9 answersI am having trouble juggling my family, working full time at a job i do not like and going to school for what i would love to do. I go to work at 8am-4:30pm, then i go to school from 6pm-11pm and i get home at 11:30pm. By which time my 5 year old and four month old is sleep. Both of my kids are sleep when i leave in the morning and when i get home. My husband is doing majority of the work with the girls and sometimes even coming to pick me up from school late at night, when i feel too tired to drive 30 mintues by myself. I am starting to think i am trying to do too much at one time.My husband told me i can quit working and just go to school; but the way i was raised my parents taught my sister and me to be able to support our family at all times, because you never know when a person can walk out on you. I am having trouble letting him take over and taking a step back . I need some advice.
Read the entire question and 19 answersWe recently found out a few months ago that my husband's previous wife had a little girl, and as it turns out, she's his. She is 6, and a great child, but I'm kind-of having a little trouble with the situation. Her parents worked out visitation for every other weekend, and it was fine for a while, but we haven't had her overnight now for about 2 months. He has contacted his attorney to handle it legally, but the reason we found out she was upset last time she left our house is because I got onto our 2-year-old son for not listening. She said that he always gets in trouble, which is incorrect. I've also grown very attached to her and I'm struggling with her being gone and not being able to talk to her. Is this normal and how do I handle the whole situation?
Read the entire question and 7 answersI have a sweet, beautiful 7 year old boy who almost always has something in his mouth! it is really about to drive me crazy. it could be his shirt, a toy, his fingers, whatever... when he was younger I thought that it was just a phase (I rarely have to clip his fingernails for the biting) and that he would grow out of it. this school year he has gotten pneumonia and streap throat and all I see now are germs! He doesn't seem nervous just board and sometimes he doesn't even realize he's doing it. I guess from about the age of 2 I have told him only food and drinks go in your mouth. but do yall have any ideas? I have thought about putting stuff on his fingers but I don't know what and its not really just his hands... thanks mammas D.
Read the entire question and 8 answersMy little boy, 19mo, has started head butting (the floor, walls, doors, sometimes toys but not usually me unless I am the only thing in his path)and somtimes hits himself on the head. I have read many "factual" articles about this being normal, common, a stage, etc. I am just wondering if anyone has any advice about how to emotionally handle watching him do this to himself. His little forehead is so bruised it makes me sad and I hate hearing him cry when his head hurts from doing it. I try to put my hand between his head and whatever he is trying to hit to stop it when I can. I know what sets him off but sometimes it is unavoidable; for example, he can't stay outside all evening, he can't walk into the street without me, he's not allowed to put his hand in the toilet, etc. I don't think these are unusual rules but if he is being deterred from what he wants he gets upset. He doesn't respond to reasoning yet and I don't think he is being bad...he just can't express himself any other way. If I sit and hold him for a minute he calms down but may still try to do whatever got him upset/in trouble in the first place and we start all over. Also he does it when he is unsure of what else to do or he is excited/nervous. Sometimes when he is happily playing with our dog he gets excited and hits his head on the floor and keeps going. Thanks for any advice or suggestions, Angela
Read the entire question and 7 answersI am a sahm of four - I can't believe I have to ask for help but I just can't figure it out!! I have three boys and my youngest is a girl and she will not sleep in her own bed at night unless I lay in bed with her, so she can feel me next to her. I get up and go to my own bed after she falls asleep but, pretty soon she's right in bed with me - now in my bed !! I can not even begin to tell you all the ways I have tried to accomplish this but to no avail... any one have any ideas that I could try -- it would be real nice to sleep with my husband. I would appreciate it greatly !! K. L
Read the entire question and 17 answersHi , Most of you know my situation and some don't but to briefly inform those who doesn't . I recently became a single mom in Nov 2006 . My hubby and I split and ever since him leaving my 7 yrd old and 9 mth old won't get out of my bed . Its almost 3 mths and it was cute in the beginning but I want my own bed back. I downsized from a queen to a full to see if the bed was smaller would they sleep in their own beds and that did not work . I DO NOT want to downsize to a twin :) Some one please help me get these kids into their own beds . Both rooms are very relaxing to be in , I decorated it to their likings and still at nights they want to sleep with me lol.
Read the entire question and 9 answersHello out there in Mama land! After waking at 5 a.m. this morning and trying to comfort my 1 1/2 year old to no success, I thought I would turn to the wealth of experience you all have! My biggest problem is that he is a "self soother" and puts himself to sleep. He does not have a "lovie" or stuffed toy or blankie that he is attached to, no pacifer, no nothing! When he wakes like this, I have NO way of comforting him. I try to rub his back, rock him, sing, nothing works. Any suggestions?? Thanks in advance, J.
Read the entire question and 5 answersHi i hoping someone can recommend a good peditirician in my area or surrounding areas. I live in old bridge my old doctor was in colts neck so i don't mind traveling a little. I have a two year girl and another on the way. I am looking for a doctor who has good patient relations. Also looking for a doctor that isn't looking to medicate for every little thing. I'm not big on antibiotics and medicine being used for everything. If anyone knows of a doctor who is open minded and kind, that would be great. My second child will be born in three months. Thanks N.
Read the entire question and 6 answersHello Moms, I am asking for some advice for my sister-in-law. She has a 2.5 year old daughter that has always slept with her and was nursed for night wakings until her little brother was born 6 months ago (I think she stopped nursing a few months before the baby was born, but continued to sleep in the same bed). Now the 2.5 year old sleeps with Daddy while my sister-in-law sleeps with the baby and takes care of him through the night. My sister-in-law would like to try to get her daughter to sleep on her own. Her daughter still does not sleep through the night, either. I have 3 year old and 2 year old sons, and I am happy to share my experience with her, but I trained mine since they were babies to sleep on their own. I'm not sure how to start it with a toddler, or how to handle the night wakings (I haven't dealt with that). I would love some tips from any of you who have been through this so I can share it with her. Thank you!
Read the entire question and 7 answersAnyone have any suggestions on how to put a 5 month old down to sleep without her screaming. And what to do when she wakes up every hour during the night!
Read the entire question and 7 answersHello~ My son, Gabe recently discovered he could climb out of his crib, so off came the front (lifetime bed) and on went the railing. He is very excited and loves his new bed...it's so cute! I was staying with the routine we had....read 2 books, I sing 2 songs and then I rock him till he is very sleppy and lay him in bed. I love this time with him! Well he decided he doesn't need to be rocked, he says.."bed" and I lay him down, if he wants to rock he will say "mama rock". However once he is layed down he thinks it's play time and wants to jump and play. At first I stayed right by the bed in my chair singing until he was just about asleep. I realized I need to leave after I place him down, because otherwise I am in there forever and I am due on his birthday with a babyboy..Dec. 27th! Anyway the past several nights we do the rountine minus the rocking and I leave, well here he comes out of the bed and into the living room. He thinks it's a game and it takes forever to finally get him to stay in his bed! Any suggestions? Thanks for the help, M.
Read the entire question and 11 answersMy almost 18 month old son will fall asleep quickly on his own but around 11 pm wakes up screaming and gasey. He was pretty good for a little while once we found out that he was allergic to dairy, soy, and wheat but it has started again. When he wakes up he generally curls up on his stomach and he will grab me hand place it right under his belly and will fidgit fidgit fidgit and finally fall asleep only to wake up scream 10 minutes later and this continues until 5am when he wakes up for the day. Its beginning to take a toll on me I am so tired during the day that I tend to fall asleep when he takes a nap instead of doing housework. Its also taking a toll on me son too. He walks around with big dark circles under his eyes and is cranky from the poor nights sleep. He has an appt. with his ped. on wed. but any ideas to help until then would be great. Thanks.
Read the entire question and 10 answersO.K., I know it's early, but I'd like to know if anyone has suggestions on getting my 3 month old to sleep longer at night. He goes to bed at 11-11:30 and sleeps until about 5 or 5:30. Sometimes he wakes up earlier, but this is usually the norm. My 2.5 year old was sleeping 8 or more hours a night from 4 weeks on, so we never really had to try anything with him. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Read the entire question and 12 answersMy 4 yr old daughter is horrible to get her to go to bed and then to sleep when we do. She always had the "I'm hungry, or I'm thirsty, or I have to go potty" requests when we would try to get her to bed. We started a bedtime routine and that has gotten alittle better. We have laid in bed and read books which she loves. When they are done and it is time to go to sleep is usually when the requests start. If they don't she will just lay there and ask questions. She always wants me to lay with her. I have tried laying with her for a few minutes and then making an excuse to do something and come back to try to limit the time I'm laying with her. We have tried the reward thing, stickers on her chart every night she is good, so many stickers later she gets a reward. That works maybe one night out of five. She is so tired and cranky all the time, she takes a nap at daycare and I've asked that she doesn't take a long one, but she is sometimes worse then. I'm out of ideas, any help would be greatly appreciated!
Read the entire question and 11 answersMy son just turned two and he is very attached to his "passe." Actually several passes. Our pediatrician is strongly encouraging us to get rid of it and she suggests going cold turkey. She said it will be hard for a couple of days and he will forget about it. My question is...should we in fact go cold turkey and if so how ceremonious should we make the tossing of the coveted passes? Thanks for your help!
Read the entire question and 13 answersHi, I have a wonderful 14 month old son who has, so far, successfully weened off his daytime bottles. He goes to daycare and does not take them there, he lays on a cot and they pat his back until he goes to sleep. At home, he is still taking a bottle in the evening. He does not use a pacifier and began using the bottle as comfort when he had terrible reflux and could not move on to fast flow nipples. He still uses a slow nipple. Using the slow nipple relaxed him and he started using that to settle down for bed. I would like to find a way to take him off his last bottle. He has a frog he holds on to when going to sleep but is very active and nothing seems to help him settle but the bottle. We have a nightly routine of bath, no rough play, reading books, etc., but he continues to go full force until he has a bottle. He may wake up in the middle of the night, but groans, may cry a minute and goes back to sleep. Also, if I just leave him in his crib, he will cry until he is hysterical and gagging because he is so upset. I am not going to "just let him cry it out". Any help would be appreciated.
Read the entire question and 10 answersWell we are going thru the terrible twos with a capital T. My son is 2 1/2 yrs old and I love him to death, however he keeps pulling his diaper off today. He has being doing it and we put big boy pants on him and then he stops. Well not today he has done it like 5 times. It doesnt matter if he has a little wet diaper or he has pooped He usually takes them off when he poops now. I know this is a sign, however the sign isnt in his mind i guess, because he would rather take it off and run around and not listen to me. Please tell me someone else is going thru this. I am in desperate need of help, do i discipline him or just keep loosing my mind
Read the entire question and 7 answersHi, My little one just got a big girl bed, because she kept climbling out of her crib. Now she gets up around 1am and plays with all of her stuff and falls asleep on the floor. Every night she gets up around the same time and she knocks on the door wanting out then she trashes her room. Any suggestions?
Read the entire question and 14 answersI need some help. I just moved to the East Alton area from Bloomington, IL. I am kind of down in the dumps because I cannot find a job for some reason and really don't know anyone. My husband works with his family. Which his family is nice and great but I get tired of being around them. I have a five year old son who just started Kindergarten and the schools are different around here too. Which I expected but I kind of feel like once I take my child to school I cannot get in to see for myself what they do in class because the school is on lockdown. What is that about? Other then that I am really homesick because I lived in Bloomington all my 32 years and now moved here to help the family but I really don't want to be here. I am trying to be tough for my child but my husband really doesn't care how I am feeling or what I am feeling. I am down in the dumps all the time and I would like someone to talk to even if it is just online or something.
Read the entire question and 7 answersI would like a little advice on getting my toddler out of our Bed! Ok First of all it's my fault I know..ANd I still don't mind "really" (except that it "obviuosly interferres" with the intamacy between my Husband and I) Other than that we don't mind. Have you ever heard the song "Let Them be LIttle" by Lonestar? Let them be Little Let them sleep in the middle" I am trying to Savor the time with him..I have 2 grown Daughters 18 and 20 years old... I am trying to make the most out of this one! sooo he is probably too spoiled... ANY WAY we got him his own bed and tried "Your a big boy now" Big Boy Bed no more crib.. but we weren't consistant (I know) He wants us to lay down with him (our Bed) ....so It's hard to get him to sleep at a decent hour..because he ends up sleeping when we go to sleep 10:00- 10:30 sometimes That's toooo late! then we are all late in the morning cuz we don't want to wake him up! It is a vicious cycle...DO I cut him off cold turkey and let the screaming begin? Typically it takes about a week?? It's been 15 years since I had to deal with this ..I don't remember it being a problem with my girls.?? But my son seems like he will be so devestated when we finally kick him out of our room...I don't think I am ready for that But I know I need to get him out soon too....ANy one just go through that recently or going thru it the same? I would love some Ideas and feedback,.. I know I can't be the only one? Thanks ladies! M.
Read the entire question and 9 answersthis is my first and only child. I don't have anyone to help me. My boyfriend's mom and my mom both died in 2005. We've tried everything to get him to go on the potty chair. Briving him to the cheerio's. He doesn't want anything to do with it. He has gotten on it a couple of times and gone pee in it a couple of times. But most of the time he tells us NO!!!!! I'm sooo frustrated with him. Right now I don't have a job, but I am looking and when I do get a job I do want him to go to preschool but they won't take him because he's in dipers. What can I do??? Any suggestions???
Read the entire question and 13 answersMy little man s 9 mos old and he is not sleeping in his own bed at all I am trying the let him cry it out....:( but it is not working he has been crying for and hour and half! I know he is tired and when I go in he just screams and gets so upset when he sees me !! I am going out of my mind, at night he sleeps with me and gets up so I figured we can work on the day while everyone is away but it isnt working how long do I let him cry what if he doesnt fall alseep? HELP PLEASE my other munchkins did not do this!!!! I had them all in there own rooms from birth but this baby has been in my room since so I think that is why but now I dont know what to do he had a bottle and breakfast so I know he is not hungry I want to pick him up, but I want hi to go to sleep in his own more and sleep by hisself !!!! I feel so lost !!!
Read the entire question and 10 answersMy hubby is getting really fruastrated and down because whenever i am not home and he has the baby, He just strats crying and crying. The baby only does that with james. Our baby is not a crier. James is starting to think the baby doesn't like him because of it. I think our son is just not used to me being gone for work yet. Its strange though because he only does it with james not with either of our parents. Its always like an hour before i am supposed to be home too. What can i do and how can i console james and let him know that the baby doesn't hate him?
Read the entire question and 12 answersFor about 6 momths now my 8 year old is very affraid that someone is going to break into our home. He is scared to even be left alone in his room if there is only two of us in the house and I have something to do on the other side of the house. Me and my husband reassure him that he is safe and even point out that we have a dog in the house with us at night. Nothing has seemed to help him. Does anyone have any advice?
Read the entire question and 12 answersMy oldest son has just recently came to live with me full time after living with my grandmother for 8 years. Of course i know that they have a connection she doesn't have with the other great grand kids but here's the problem. Before when he didn't live here she took him to festivals and disney world and movies and all kinds of other places (hes extremely spoiled) and it was easy to hide from my 6 year old because he didn't live here but now that he does when she picks him up every other weekend my 6yo gets upset because she never takes him. Then my son comes home talking about all this fun stuff they did and he gets even more upset. The 22mo doesn't know any different so it's ok there although it does make me mad that she disculdes him too but the worst part is she includes my brothers kids two girls 4 and 7yr's old. I've tried to talk to her and even let my 6yo tell her how he feels but she jumped all over him!!! Now when i bring it up she hangs up on me or leaves and says she's not talking about it. All i've asked is that she include him EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.Worse yet i can't get MY mother to help out b/c it's her mother she tries to stay out of it or agrees with me but won't say anything to her mom. Plus she's not involved with any of the grand kids unless she has to be. Would it be wrong of me to stop letting my 9yo go there every other weekend? I guess I'm just scared b/c i feel like if i tell her no she can't have him she'll try to take me to court and i don't have the resources to fight a legal battle like she does. She knows what she's doing and so does my grandpa that's what's so bad about it. My son would be hurt but i think he'd be ok he even told me that if he calls me alot this weekend it's cuz he's gonna miss me and he's never done that. I understand they feel like his parents partly cuz they've raised him but they've got other grand kids too so i'm so nervous and kinda stumped about how to go about doing this.I guess part of it is they help raise me too and i kinda feel betrayed b/c i used to be so close to them but when i got off on the wrong path they treated me like a lepar. It hasn't been the same since. They also like to try to "help out" with things like picture money for school and buying clothes and stuff and they're even considering getting me a car till tax time(mine broke down..which was actually theirs)i feel trapped but i know this much..no car or ammount of money or"help" is worth this.But what should I do? HELP!!!!!
Read the entire question and 13 answersMy son has never gone on the potty and refuses to sit on the potty. He screams no its to big, have no idea why he is saying this. After holloween i decided to tell him that everytime he goes on the potty he can have a piece of candy. So far it has not worked. I ask him if he wants a piece of candy he says yes so I say ok lets go potty. again he screams no I not go potty. I need some ideas on how to get him to want to go potty, he is interested in flushing the potty. He runs in after me and and always says I flush. But he doesn't want to sit on it its like he is scared of it. He climbs on it to sit or stand to brush his teeth so I don't think he is scared of it. I have a potty chair but I don't keep it out, should I be keeping it out and let him play with it? The candy isn't in his view niether should it be? I really haven't been trying to potty train that hard but just recently I have been at least wanting him to sit on it but he wont even do that. Please help i am afraid he is going to be one of those kids that still aren't potty trained at 5. Help.
Read the entire question and 6 answersI think my daughter and I are finally ready to tackle toilet training. I was wondering if any of you had techniques or books that made this process easier for you. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Read the entire question and 5 answersOkay my 12mo old won't stop. Maybe she's a bit spoiled, maybe its her teeth, (she's getting in the 2 top molars just past the eye teeth)could it be the shots that happened last week. I'm totally at my wits end with this. Oh not to mention we have totally stopped formula and went to milk, she's eating well, not well enough I'm sure. I just need some support from some moms I suppose. Should I hold her more? talk to her more? All I seem to do is tell her to STOP and yelling isn't working. **sigh** any advise??
Read the entire question and 5 answersMy son stays at my mother-in-laws while my husband and I work. He does spend quite a bit of time there especially now because of me working mandatory overtime and my husband working overtime. He is to the point while he is at home crying for "Mawmaw" and saying "I go nite nite with mawmaw" and "I need mawmaw" and throwing himself of the floor because he doesn't get his way. Help! I am at my wits end and I don't know how to change it. I don't want him to go anywhere else becuase I know she takes good care of him and right now quitting my job is not an option (even though I wish I could and just stay at home). I just want him to know and realize that mommy and daddy love him too.
Read the entire question and 12 answersI have a 23 month old son who's never been a great sleeper but not too horrible either. however for the last 3 weeks he's been waking up EVERY hour. he doesn't cry or fuss he just walks to our room to get us then walks back to his room and climbs in bed to be tucked in and falls asleep again. we can't figure out why he's waking up, he goes to sleep easily and there haven't been any changes to our routine or life so far. i'm 7 months pregnant though and i can't keep waking up like this! if anyone has any ideas on what to do i'd really like to hear from you! thanks in advance, A.
Read the entire question and 17 answersMy daughter is 20 months old and she will only drink milk out of a bottle. Does anyone know of someone that has had this problem? We have tried squirt bottles, sippy cups.....you name it. Now juice, water.... she drinks out of a cup with no problem. Some believe she will get rid of it in her own time but it just seems odd that she does this. I had no problem with my 1st child who is now 14. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Read the entire question and 13 answersStarting training her last week. Day three she went on the potty 5 times and really seemed to be getting the hang of it. Then she went poop in the potty and it seemed to really scare her. Now I can't get her back into it- she keeps having accidents and does not enjoy sitting on the potty anymore. Can anyone offer suggestions on what to do? Is this normal?
Read the entire question and 13 answerseMy boyfriends sister is pregnant and about to have a baby, only thing is she has notrecieved any prenantal care. I tried to talk tp her before when she was forst pregnant but she really didnt like me and thought that I was just out to steal my boyfriends money (inheritance). Now she is 9 months pregnant and she has no one in her life (her mom passed away when she was young grandparents died to ) so theres no one. She is calling me everyday for food and of course I take her all the food I can, and took her some clothes and nice things to fix her new apartment up....when it comes to going o the docter she changes the subject and I dont want to push her away so I dont pry on why she hasnt gone. She finally called me today and wanted to know about adoption. Thank God! But where do I start to find the right agency. What do I do if she goes into labor and whom and how do I get there? where? Please any help would be wonderful and encouraging as I am going to be more hurt saying goodbye tothe baby I feel.
Read the entire question and 7 answersHi, Can anyone help? My daughter has been scared in her room for the past 3-4 weeks. No matter what we do to comfort her, she is up again within 20 minutes or so and my husband, myself and her have not slept much in all this time. She started Kindergarten in September and we moved in October so I know these are major life changes. We just don't know what else to do. Letting her sleep with us will not break the fear problem in her own room. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Read the entire question and 9 answersMy nine year old yelled at me this morning. She said there is no Santa and If I don't tell her the truth, she will tell her friends at school and they will tell their moms and their moms will tell them the truth. She says Santa doesn't bring the presents, her mom and dad do. I told her i believe in the spirt of santa and christmas. I didn't tell her he wasn't real or fake (as she says). But I was saved by the bus coming. I am really sad and don't know what to do. Please help.
Read the entire question and 13 answersMy 3 1/2 year old has suddenly become my shadow. He insists on sleeping in my bed, always wants me in the room, and in fact refuses to move as I'm typing this. He had a traumatic reaction when sleeping over at his dad's the other night and has been acting this way ever since. He doesn't really talk yet (which is another problem!) so I can't ask why. He wakes up during the night with night terrors quite frequently. I'd like to get him into a play group to get him socialized and hopefully talking. I would appreciate any sort of feedback or advice. HELP!!
Read the entire question and 11 answersI have a 2 year old daughter who is really attached to me. This wouldn't really bother me, except she has taken to screaming and crying when my husband tries to come near her while I'm around. I've tried telling her that it hurts his feelings and that he loves her too, but she's too young to really understand this. Any ideas on how I can get over this behavior?
Read the entire question and 15 answersI would like to know if anyone else has this problem. My girls (4y and 21mo) only want me to do everything for or with them. I work from home 3 days a week and go into my office 2 days. My work is flexible so when I am at home I get to spend a time with them. We have an au pair who lives with us to help me but I still do most things with them so it is not that they do not get to spend enough time with me. We go to ballet, gymnastics (mommy&me for the little one), go swimming, I color, play and read with them all the time. If I am not there they are fine but if I am home I have to put their shoes on or put them to bed, help them brush their teeth, even watch tv with them. When I can't or don't they get upset. They are very well behaved girls but when they do this it hurts my husband's feelings and can just wear me out. When I drop them off at school or grandparents' they are always fine. It is only if I am around. My poor husband likes to take them up to bed and play with them and I feel so bad for him when they start with the "Mommy do it" stuff. If anyone else has gone through this I would like to know how you handled it.
Read the entire question and 13 answersMy daughter is 7 years old. She has struggled with waiting too long to go to the restroom & often has "accidents" at school or where ver we are. I've tried everything I can think of to resolve this issue & help her. I've taken her to the doctors to make sure it is not a medical problem. She is a healthy, happy active 7 year ols who WON"T STOP PEEING IN HER PANTS!!! Any suggestions???? :)
Read the entire question and 5 answersI have 17 yr old son who has some issues. My first husband was very verbally abusive and I know that this has taken a toll on my son. He has been through counseling and was placed on effexor. However I am remarried now and he is trying to handle too much and cant do it. I cant get him to understand how important it is for him to remain on this medication. He just choses to take himself off of it and it is not healthy for him to do that. I have tried to let him read articles on it however its like i get no response. He has failed a class due to this. THe place he was getting counseling from has basically dropped him due to an error on their part but they wont admit it. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP I WANT MY SON BACK the way he used to be. He is a good kid and I am afraid something is going to happen to him.
Read the entire question and 16 answers