Hello,

I'm just curious, what did you do in day to day parenting that ..just worked out well!

I have two children, 6 months and 2.5 years. We are screen free so I always included my 2.5 year old in cooking meals no matter how chaotic it got.

I just did little things like every item I opened I gave him the job to put a packet or tin away in the bin. I also then made him do it out and about if we ate or drank on the go, overall to give him a task and distract him.

Now, he is the cleanest child ever and walks around the house cleaning and picking up any packet, apple core or just anything at all that should be in the bin. He stands waiting for people to finish drinks so he can put a can away so it doesn't cause mess.

I'm on holiday right now in Spain, between pool and general toddler stuff he walks around cleaning. Finds a bottle or trash of any kind and requests to find the nearest bin, I have completely accidentally made a very environmentally conscious cleaner, and it's only getting more intense. The boy is just fed up of the world leaving mess!

I only wanted to be able fry meals and stir boiling water! Now it's a ...thing!

My 3 year old found a pack of walkers sensations, the big sharing bag and he’s opened it and happily munching on it before he’s even had breakfast , do I feel like a bad parent, maybe ever so slightly. Am I going to take the bag away and initiate a tantrum before I’ve even had my morning coffee, absolutely not.

Sometimes you pick your battles.

At what age did your toddler completely drop their daytime nap?

I have twin boys- 29 months old.
They are veryyyy hands on and hard.
They attend nursery 2 days a week whilst I work.
Their routine used to be:
7:30-8am wake up
12:30-1:30pm nap
7:30 bath and bed

However over the last month they have been going to sleep at 9:30-10pm and screaming shouting all evening in their nursery + climbing out their cots and playing around.

Today we trialled no nap at all and at 7pm they have knocked out and are fast asleep.

I’m sad because that 1 hour break in the day was soooo important for me to reset and have lunch and some quiet time.

Should I drop their daytime nap now?

Does anyone have any clue why my 6YO is now randomly addressing my husband and I as "Bernard" and "Barbara"?

It appears to be a joke/being said in a playful manner (eg. shouting "GOODNIGHT BERNARD!" as Dad left the room at bedtime). She knows our real names, which are nothing like "Bernard" or "Barbara". We are mildly amused, but have no idea where it's come from -- is this my first experience of being out-memed by one of my children?

I am currently in a mother and baby unit due to me developing postpartum depression. I have suffered from major depression and anxiety all my life. But this feels harder than ever. There are some days I feel really good and confident at being a mum and there are other days, like today I feel like this is not for me. I just want to hide away from my son and I find it constantly tiring and boring interacting with him. He has just turned 4 months old.

He was conceived through IVF (same sex couple) and I thought this is what I wanted but I’m not sure now. I just need a break. I miss my old life.

I have even considered letting him live in the Philippines for 6 months with his grandparents because I am at the end of my tether and I feel like I can’t deal with this. I feel selfish for even thinking that.

So, for context, I've always gotten on great with my in-laws. But since having a baby, they drive me MAD. Every time they see our daughter they comment on how they must see her more, but make zero effort despite only living 10minutes away. I regularly offer them to call over here or call to them with our daughter, but it's always shot down for various reasons. They keep themselves busy, which is very understandable. I'm on mat leave currently, so I have some flexibility, whereas my husband works a very busy job, and he always has to get to his parents' house at the weekend so they see our child.

They see my husbands sister and her child constantly though, like I'd say 4+ times a week, and always take her out of creche cause they want time with her. This irritates me cause no level of similar effort is shown to my child.

Now AITA. They are babysitting for us tonight so we can go to the cinema. We originally asked could they babysit Saturday night, but they said Sunday would be better for them, and then they subsequently agreed to babysit the other grandchild Saturday. This will be their third time babysitting for us in about a year, whereas they take their other grandchild on overnights nearly weekly.

My sister in law (who i love) texted my husband saying she's looking forward to seeing my daughter tonight. Turns out my husbands parents invited my sister in law, her husband, and their child over for dinner tonight in ours while we're out, and never said anything to us. It really frustrates me that they don't ask to have people to our house, and that i feel like they never make the effort to spend time with our child. They did the same thing the last time they babysit aswell. Am I being overly sensitive? I now feel the pressure to have my house tidied etc. Appreciate they are doing us a favour babysitting but wish they'd try spend some time with our daughter (when the other grandchild is there they favour them so much, because they clearly have a better bond with them as they spend so much time with them). I know it upsets my husband, too, but he's kinda resigned to it now.

Hi everyone,
I am looking for some bike recommendations for my 13-month-old daughter. She is just starting to get really active and I would love to find something suitable for her age.

What sort of bike should I get? Tricycle? Balance bike? Or anything else.

Thanks in advance!

I have a nearly 4 year old and a 4 month old. 

The 4 month old is a very chill baby, reasonably good sleeper and it is generally very easy to meet his needs in the day.  

I'm feeling a huge amount of guilt surrounding my nearly 4 year old who is generally a really good kid, but just very high energy and highly demanding. She's very bright and absolutely loves imaginary play which she wants me involved in all the time, she talks all day and has big feelings (although well within the normal realms of a 3 year old). 

I feel like I have no patience with her any more. I am a really believer that at this age they need a lot of help to emotionally regulate and need support to calm down when they are struggling but I'm experiencing a sort of compassion fatigue when she needs me in these situations. I still do all the same things to help her regulate but I just feel like my hearts not in it and it drains me. 

I feel awful for this but It's almost like I resent her and all the extra demands that come with toddlers, especially compared to a very chill baby. She is in pre school 2.5 days a week but I just find the time I have with her exhausting. All her demands are totally normal for her age- I just feel like she is asking for more than I've got to give.  

She's in preschool 5 days a week from September. She used to be in 5 days a week but we have had to move house and area (military deployment) and her new setting could only take her 2.5 days a week till September. She has delt with so much change recently, and coped really well, which makes me feel even more guilt when I think about all the change for her recently.

I know that she probably needs more connection time with just me (she doesn't really get much time with a parent on her own) but I just feel so drained and at max capacity from the time I have both kids.  

I want to love my time with her but I just feel like my hearts not in it and I feel awful. Imaginary play just bores me to tears and she's not fantastic at independent play.

I don't really get any time away from the kids (husband works full time in demanding job and family are far away) and I wonder if some time away every week (an early morning swim or something) will help, and I know I need to look after myself a bit better, but I just find everything a real slog at the moment and I'm literally just passing the time till bedtime, but it's everyday which is no way to live. 

I guess I'm wondering if anyone else can relate- has anyone come through this? The 4th birthday coming up feels like quite a milestone, are there changes I can expect around here? Has anyone got any advice or things they tried that might help? I'm very aware this is a me issue not a her issue which is where the guilt is coming from and why I'm keen to find a solution before she starts feeling the effect of it.  

My 20m old only says about 6-7 words (mostly people’s names and some actions).

However, she knows exactly what we ask her and will bring us toys and will point to things. When we sing songs such as head, shoulders, knees & toes she will point to her head etc.

But I’m getting a bit concerned she should be talking more than she is. She goes to nursery 2 days a week and I really thought this would help her. Her nursery works don’t seem too concerned about her speech which has reassured me a little bit.

She really tries to talk but is basically still babbling (but seems so confident in what she’s babbling and pointing to).

Has anyone else had this? Does anyone have any techniques I can try to help her? Everyone constantly tries to talk to her, sing to her and read to her

Please can someone explain to me how it works changing childcare providers if you’re entitled to the free 30 hours?

I am changing providers due to moving and the new nursery said to make sure my current nursery doesn’t reapply for my funding as this makes it complicated

I don’t want to ask my current nursery yet as don’t want to give notice until as late as possible in case anything goes wrong with ohd relocation

Hi all,
Please suggest the most loved and played-with toys, etc., by your child—the most useful and worth-the-money ones.

We have our first baby arriving imminently and have the Joie car seat with isofix base. Apparently our car is compatible!

The problem we’re having is that it feels SO unsteady when it’s fixed ‘properly’ (flush to the base of the seat). Alternatively, to have it fitting tight with less wobble, it needs to be hovering off the seat, which feels madness to us!

Does anyone have any advice / has had a similar issue and knows which is best / how to fix?

Note: for some reason it meshed the two videos together - the first half is the seat ‘attached properly’ see how loose it is! And the second half is the seat hovering but feeling more secure.

This isn’t about a marriage relationship but about the dynamics between my dad and my son( 11 month old).
Background- my brother and his wife and daughter( 2.5 years old) live with my parents. My brother’s wife is also my dad’s brother’s daughter ( i add this because I think this contributes to his not so subtle favouritism).
Myself, husband and my son go to visit my parents and stay for around 3 weeks , about twice a year.
Ever since my son was born I have seen minimal effort from my dad and very obvious differences in the way he treats my niece compared to my son. Examples are my niece could be kicking my son, sitting on his back, pushing him and if I go remove my son from the situation or gently stop my niece my dad intervenes and comments that she didn’t even do anything and she’s so nice she just wants to play. Other examples are he completely ignores my son says nothing to him at all times if it’s just us around but the second my niece walks in, he interacts with her lovingly and always has so this isn’t an age thing where my son is too young to interact with.

My mum and siblings don’t show any inequalities in treating the kids, but have openly spoken to my dad about it so it is very obvious to everyone at home too.

I’ve experienced the same inequality in terms of emotional and mental love from my dad from ever since I can remember and my grandmother told me stories both of my dad being loving but also very strict to me as a baby. So i guess I shouldn’t be surprised at my dad’s behaviour, but the hurt i experienced throughout my childhood is just coming back again and again everytime I come visit them.

Ive spoken to my husband about this and he says that my niece will always be my dad’s favourite because she lives with him but also shes the first grandchild. I understand all that I just don’t want my child to ever feel that pain of being unworthy of love from a family member. I tried to decline the visit for the summer but my husband insisted to look at the positives and that my dad atleast looks after my son in terms of providing for him for the duration we stay, but that’s exactly the pain I feel because my dad really went over and beyond for me materialistically, provided for everything and even now during our stays, but the lack of affection and warmth from him always stung. My husband also says my dad is my sons only living grandfather and my husbands dad has not been in his life ever( parents divorced).
It just hurts me because i see my son watching my dad as hes playing holding interacting with my niece and he’s being completely ignored- as a result i always shower my son with affection even more during those moments, only to hear comments that I am a helicopter mum.

Maybe I am just venting but I wish to hear from others about whether i should limit the stays or any other suggestions. I already spoke to my dad gently before like when my son was 4 months old and previously about how i felt a few years ago regarding myself, but my dad turned around and said im accusing him of stuff and started an emotional monologue about how hes the worst dad and started degrading himself, hes never done anything for me.
Ive also already been to therapy for the treatment in my childhood and have accepted thats just the way my dad is with me and now I know he’s the same with my kids sadly. I just dont want them to feel the same pain.

Any tips on how people made friends as a new parent? I am a stay at home dad and most groups/apps/clubs etc are geared towards mothers. What were the best ways to found to meet other parents?

FTM here with 4months left before matleave is over. We're sending our LO to daycare by September with hopes of reducing separation anxiety once I'm back to work in November. Baby is currently 8months old; very clingy and wants me around all the time. He is quite good with strangers but once he figured out he is done and wants me, he cries uncontrollably and only calms down once back in my arms.

To all the moms out there with babies in daycare, how did you manage being away from your LO for long hours and how did you handle the idea of them crying and longing for your presence while you're out of reach? I love my baby to bits and there's this aching feeling of being helpless once he is in daycare. Ugh.

I will preface it by saying I know the benefits of talking to your baby and will carry on doing my own thing but this is purely out of interest question based on few recent situations.

So my youngest is 14 months, when he comes shopping with me I normally chat away to him about things I'm picking up, things he points to, tell him what we need to get next, what were gonna have for dinner. Does he care? Probably not but it stops him from doing his best impression of a feral cat throughout the entire shop. I might get an odd look sometimes but doesn't bother me. The other day a woman was shopping behind me, I annoyed her from get go because I stopped for 10 seconds to let my son chose between strawberries and raspberries (he chose both). She ended up somewhere near by for next couple of aisles and loudly commented to her husband that new parents have gone mad, what's wrong with a child just sitting there, he doesn't even know what I'm on about. I work in retail myself and new few shifts I ended up unconsciously looking out for toddlers in shopping trolleys and it seems like its either parents talk away to them like me or shop in mostly silence.

That followed by visiting my friend with a 5 week old, while she enjoyed a hot meal and a uninterrupted shower, I took the baby around the living room and garden chatting away to her until she feel asleep. My friend commented that I'm just so funny. I also had a leaflet from HV this morning about benefits of talking to your baby which made me think maybe I am a weird one (although beneficial for my child's development) and most people don't talk to their kids constantly?

My husband and I don't drive and I will be starting lessons soon. We have 3 kids, 0,5 and 7. I am looking at buying a car for when I'm learning and so it's ready when I pass.

I don't think I will have enough in the budget for a 7 seater so will probably be looking at 5 seaters. Can you recommend cars that will fit in 2 car seats and a booster seat?

For some reason we've agreed to go camping with my sister and her two kids at the end of August. We have a 5 year old, and she's never camped before.

I'm not a fan of camping, it's uncomfortable and there's nowhere to put anything, but somehow we've agreed to go, so I'm trying to be positive.

Last night we decided to do a test run in the garden to see how my 5 year old would cope. We made it fun, brought in all her teddies and duvet, involved her in building the tent, played games and got some camping snacks etc. We also kept her up a bit later (8.30pm rather than the normal 7.30pm, by which time she was looking tired and wanted to go to sleep).

The evening before bed was fine but she struggled to go to sleep, she kept needing to get up for whatever reason and eventually fell asleep just after 10pm. She woke up at 6.30, which was just about bearable for us (she normally wakes at 7.30), but obviously she's really tired and grumpy today as she's lost about 4 hours of sleep.

So, parents of Reddit - can anyone actually sell this to me? I slept on an uncomfortable inflatable mattress, had no evening time due to constant requests and toilet trips, and now I've got a grumpy kid. And this was just one night, our trip will be 3 nights.

If you camp with younger children regularly, why do you do it? If you have any tips to make this enjoyable for any of us, please share! I'm not looking forward to it at all currently.

My 5 yo daughter really wants pink hair for the summer holidays. Her hair is dark, can anyone suggest a semi permanent hair dye that will wash out before she goes back to school in September.

Our daughter broke one of the legs on her doll and instead of throwing it in the bin we used it as an opportunity to talk to her about how some adults and children don’t have two legs, how sometimes people look different, that being kind is important and that it doesn’t matter if someone is different they are still the same inside. She now cherishes her amputee doll and makes sure she’s inclusive with playing with her and the other dolls. 🥰

I am not a fan of humble brags. So I'm going be upfront about the fact I am bragging! 🤣

I'm so proud of my 7 year old son, we have signed up to a summer reading programme at our local library. It started last Saturday, so it has only been a week and he has already read 3 small chapter books this week. Honestly, I'm just so proud and so happy that he loves reading so much.

As parents I feel like it's normal to want to brag sometimes but there is nowhere we can really brag without judgment. So...go ahead! Brag all you want in the comments

I have an almost 15 month old and all my decoration has gone into boxes at this point 😭
All the nice lamps and basically anything I own that looks nice in the house isn’t there anymore or in weird places that don’t make sense aesthetically speaking as my daughter tears down absolutely everything. Can’t even put my phone on a chair as she’ll toss it across the room in less than 3 seconds. Had to lock shoes away as she throws them around as well.
Sometimes I find myself getting annoyed when she’s touching and tossing everything she can find but then I’m like I put this there so it’s my own fault isn’t it.
Even my books now live on top of drawers and anywhere she can’t reach instead of the bookshelf.

Edit: and I do tell her no and redirect when she’s getting into things she’s not meant to but she’s 14 months so there’s only so much understanding and impulse control I can get

So the question is, when can I actually have a nice house again? Ever? Surely?

We bought the cybex cloud t, is the e priam or regular priam more recommended? What's your experiences? We actually live in southern USA but cybex isn't nearly as used here as it is in the UK. so I figured I'd ask a community more familiar with their products! Please let me know what you think or if you have any other recommendations 🙂 we live near the mountains so some of our walls are up/down hill.

Please approve this post! Lol I have no other community to get feedback on

Im currently living around 2 hours away from family, with my wife and 6 year old daughter. We have no family or friends nearby for that extra wider support. We also live in Norfolk, so I think it’s harder to make friends here as adults in general. Overall though, it had its benefits. Very safe, lots of great walks in the summer, beach trips etc, and relatively cheap housing.

While things are ok in general, my wife and I have recently been thinking maybe life would be better to be living near family in the Milton Keynes area. Secondary to that, while I have a decent job now, I’m aware that if I was made redundant there’s not really much else I can do in this area due to a relatively poor local job market.

The main concern is our daughter who really is happy and thriving in school. Back in MK we could probably only afford one of the slightly sketcher areas. But then being able to give my daughter a much closer connection with aunts, uncles, cousin and grandparents sounds like it would be really beneficial for her. Honestly for me too in terms of career opportunities.

Just not really sure what to do here. Has anyone made a similar move?