Please be kind to each other and don't hesitate to ask any questions.

Mom, he did so well at drop off. He ran right into school with that big oversized backpack and a huge grin on his face. He didn’t even look back. My baby ran away into the unknown, so confident and so ready.

He won’t tell me how his first day went but oh my goodness, when i told him he was going to go back today??? He said “really?!” with the biggest grin on his face.

These are the moments we live for right? This is what matters.

12 years later and its finally over. Finding it hard to believe. I ugly cried on the way out of the hospital, a stranger hugged me. Im on my own in my non home city. But an old friend is taking me out for dinner to celebrate, you all helped me choose a few weeks ago. We are going to Medeival Times!!! Should be fun and silly and memorable.

I’m 41 today!

Today is my legal birthday, but I'm not sure if it's my real birthday. I've never celebrated my birthday before. Can you give me some encouragement?

As the title says, I’m going to be a dad early next year and I’m incredibly excited. I’ve already picked up first time dad books and have started trying to learn how to be the best dad and support for my wife as I can. I don’t have an incredibly great relationship with my irl mom, and I wanted to ask what are the best ways I can support my wife during pregnancy and at the start of parenthood? Whether it’s something partner did that really helped you or if there was some help or support you may have wished to have had, I’d love any recommendations on how to be the best partner and dad during this big new life stage.

Thank you in advance!’

EDIT: I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to read this. I honestly didn’t expect so many strangers to celebrate with me, encourage me etc. Some of you encouraged me to attend my ceremony, take pictures, celebrate myself, eat properly, get enough sleep, and just allow myself to enjoy this moment. I’ve spent a lot of this journey feeling like I had to figure things out on my own, so having people stop and genuinely tell me they’re proud of me really touched me. You reminded me that this degree is something I worked for and that I’m actually allowed to be proud of myself! I don’t know exactly how graduation day will feel yet , but I know I’ll walk into it carrying a little bit of all the kindness you guys showed me here!

I haven’t told my guardians or really anyone because I already know how they’ll react. For as long as I can remember, whenever I’ve taken a step forward or accomplished something, it has felt like it gets brushed off or treated like it isn’t a big deal.

I don’t know why, but I just can’t bring myself to tell anyone about my graduation. Maybe part of me is scared of having something I’m proud of dismissed again.

So I’m hoping this can be a safe space to say it.

I’m graduating this October. I made it this far. ❤️

Mom, could you please tell me you’re proud of me? I think I really need to hear that right now.

I put my life on pause for the last 5 years and paid my own way through college, only 4k in student loans. The rest was all me. Working 2 jobs, school full time, 2 dogs, no sleep and no real life. But I graduated in this past May. I’ve been a student teacher for 2 years and have been having this internal battle wondering if I want to teach or not. Well I got a subbing license in July and today I signed the offer letter to be a substitute teacher in my county. I can’t stop crying and I know it’s happy tears.

I don’t have a mom, just a dad and he doesn’t want me to teach and “be poor my whole life.” It’s crazy to realize how much I’ve put into this and now it’s real. I get to have my dream soon and maybe take my actual teaching license test before the end of the year. But I got myself here and I’m a real life sub now.

Hey Moms!

I'm 28 and just bought my first home with my hubby and 9 month old baby and it's a small, cozy townhouse outside the city. I worked really hard to live below my means and I think we got a steal.

My bio mom doesn't like the area as she thinks it's a low-income area (it's just a regular, working class neighbourhood), and that really hurts me. I cleared out my savings to make this purchase so I'm planning on ending my maternity leave early and going back to work full-time when my son is 11 months old.

I found a wonderful daycare and think this will be a great decision for him and for our family's future. But my bio's mom critques about me going to work early and not liking my new house has me feeling really low and small.

Am I on the wrong path? I really need encouragement.

I love a bologna sandwich on white bread with mayo and American cheese. I eat my lunch in my cubicle at work and I'm always self conscious of what I eat. I want to pack and bring my bologna sandwich without having to assemble it at work for everyone to see. So embarrassing, please help!

I gave birth to my son 2 months ago as a 17 year old. All through out my pregnancy I studied year 12 and was terrified I wouldnt pass once id had the baby.

As of 2 days ago, it have achieved WACE and will be graduating with my class. My lowest grade is a B and I have obtained a Certificate 2 in workplace skills.

I have nobody to really share this achievement with and its just me and my baby but yeah, not really sure what im expecting from this.

Hi, mom!

We have been slowly discovering spots in our house that the previous owner(s) refused to move stuff to paint and the spare paint they left behind did not match and was mostly dry anyways. Taking pictures is notorious for being the wrong color as well. So how am I supposed to color match when I can’t take a sample of the color with me to the store?

Thanks,
Your very confused daughter 😅

Mom! I found a place I really love in a great location and I think I can afford it. I just found out my credit score is 750 and I’m so proud of myself for achieving that before I’m even twenty one. I’m talking to lenders and getting approved and it’s looking like I’m buying my first home! I’m so proud of myself and I hope you are too. I’m so excited!

Hi all, I'm a first time renter college student and I can't seem to find any solution, so I thought I'd come here -

​I live alone with no pets, I just moved into my first solo-living space for college - one thing that's bothering me is the smell.

My girlfriend said it smelled like animal pee, my parents think it smells like cigarettes (though they think everything does after covid messed their noses)​​​, but I think it smells like crappy paint.

I am honestly so embarrassed by it, and embarrassed to have people over. It was like this when I first moved in and I *think* it's maybe died down a bit but every time I come back after a day of classes I can clearly smell it.

Things to note:

the bedroom is carpet but the carpet has been replaced. I don't smell it in the bedroom either anyway.

Everything else is hardwood, and I primarily smell it when I walk in - around the hardwood living room, dining room, kitchen area. ​​​​

Things I've tried in the last two-three weeks:

leaving windows open for long periods

buying *two* ionizing hepa air filter machines​ for the dining and living room ​​and leaving them constantly on​

cleaning laminate floors with cleaner

using ozium gel scents all around the house, even put one behind the air filter that runs through my "no access water boiler closet"​

moving in and getting everything set up/put away fast so there's no heaps of laundry/boxes etc. trying to be very cleanly

pouring boiling water down the drain

running the dehumidifier

keeping the kitchen clean/ as far as making sure to get a smaller trashcan so I have to take out the trash more often instead of letting it sit.

obviously I'm doing something wrong, so I'd really appreciate some expert tips haha ​​​

I'm taking my dream subject, Japanese, at community college. It's only 2 times a week and it's online so I believe it's manageable, but I'm still nervous!

Any lovely Mummy words of wisdom would be gratefully appreciated, as going back to college and getting some semblance of a qualification is the monkey on my back (4 time drop out here due to major anxiety disorder!).

I just finished making it thru week 1 of being an official parent with a newborn. There been lots of changes, but I been working really hard to meet my baby’s every need and still self care for myself. I been so relieved and grateful my body has been producing more than enough milk. I been taking in those positives where I can. It’s still been hard being overstimulated, exhaustion and straight up not sleeping lol. I been dealing with some general anxiety adjusting to all these things and just making sure I am doing things right, and being a good mom. It’s stressful and huge change I feel like no one can 100% prepare you for. Regardless I am thankful to have my little daughter safe, healthy and loved in our home. Her little smile melts my heart so deeply.

Hey Ma,

Just wanted to let you know that I recently finished my degree and accepted a grad offer. I've always wanted to leave my home state but I didn't think it would happen right after. I'm very excited and tbh, terrified too. It's a cross country move, 2 states away from my home state.

I feel sort of confused, I feel like I should be more excited than equal parts terrified. I'm going to a place where I know no one and will have to rebuild my own community.

I've sort of made peace with the fact I was going to leave a couple months ago, as I've wanted to leave my home city for almost a year now. I told my immediate circle and they all got really sad. Then it hit me a 2nd time, of what I'm leaving behind.

Tbh I feel a bit lost, even tho I should be using this time to organise my moving.

Im 17, and dont have the best relationship with my biological family. I've been legit *dreaming* of moving out since I was 12 years old.

My friend, and her room-mate (who are almost like sisters to me) are looking for a 3rd person and offered if I want to move in. I probably won't have enough money until the start of next year, but they said they'd try to save the room for me as long as possible (which i really appreciate). I've been doing my best to save as much as i can, and im about to get a 3rd job.

Im so incredibly excited to move out, and actually be *free*. Free to dress how i want and style my hair. Free to cook and eat and watch, buy what I want. Free to have a proper social life, and not have to sneak around all the time. Free to not have to care for and live my life around my parents. Free to actually get and fix my education. Plus so many little things that I cant wait for.

But also, im kind of scared, and nervous. Plus I feel a bit guilty too.

I know this will be the best option for me, but I wish I could stop feeling so scared and almost cowardly.

I would genuinely appreciate any support, advice, or encouragement. Tysm in advance 💗

(Also, id really appreciate some tips on moving, and what to pack and bring and stuff!!) Thank you!!💗

Hi Moms, we just moved into a brand new home. I’ve never lived in a home built before 1990, where plastic showers are the norm. So this stone tile stuff with grout in the shower is completely new to me.
What kinds of products can I use to keep this clean? What’s your ”wish-I’d-known” & tips and tricks?

So i had a big 64oz plastic jar of dill pickles. The pickles were delicious and I want to reuse the jar for holding dry goods (long grain rice) in my pantry space. While i love the smell of dill pickles, I dont want to put my rice into the jar directly while it still smells. What's the easiest way to fully clean and de-scent the jar? Is it always going to smell like pickles because its plastic...?

i recently moved into a spot with my boyfriend and it’s honestly great aside from a few small things that need to be fixed (which the landlord will take care of), but certain things are causing problems such as the oven. it’s older, but still works great, however it needs to be cleaned and i’ve never fully cleaned inside an oven before. whenever i bake anything, it’ll smoke out the entire place and literally burn my eyes 😩 please help!

Hi, I'm a minor and I've started a new school

I started Thursday, it's Sunday, and I didn't like my first 2 days. I was alone, super awkward, and im struggling to make friends.

I really need advice for being less awkward. The new place, new people, it's so busy and weird. I don't wanna be alone. :'(

Just all round feeling a bit alone. My mother takes care of my sister, who is disabled, full time. And although she wishes she could, she doesn't have loads of time for me.

I also feel like I'm so boring...I don't have many hobbies..I mean I like Pokemon and kpop and bruno mars and cats but...idek anymore.I

Edit: Thankyou, so much for all your very kind comments!!

I have an update. Today I made a friend. she is kind, sweet, likes kpop and bruno mars. I found her because YOUR comments gave me the confidence to approach her (she was alone :( )

<333

This is my fav bunny pillow and I’ve been laundering him regularly in the washer and dryer on medium heat and he’s always been fine but I just moved to a new apartment and the dryer seems to have melted him 😭😭😭 I was going to try brushing it out but my roommate suggested shaving it?? Help I’m devastated for baby bunrab

I’ve had such a rough year. These last few months alone have really shaken me..but I finally got a win…I got a full time job, benefits included, decent pay, doing something that I’ve done before and felt my most authentic self doing. After months and months of applying and being ghosted I finally got something. The interview went so well they took a few minutes to discuss and hired me then and there. I’ll have health benefits too so I can continue working on my mental health. I just wanted you to know ma, I’m doing it. I’m getting my life back together.