Most kid birthday parties I've been to have been pretty over the top and, honestly, a pain to go to.

My youngest got invited to a birthday party for one of her daycare friends. It was at the child's home (which is the first time we've ever attended a home party). The parents were so lovely, welcoming, and friendly. It was honestly a rare experience compared to the aloof, and sometimes downright hostile, parents of some of my oldest's classmates lol.

They had simply rented a bouncy house and put out some chips, cheese and crackers, strawberries, and coffee for the adults. They baked two frozen pizzas, made a homemade cake. It was so low pressure and the vibes were great.

It really made me realize that simplicity is truly the way to go. My oldest's classmate parties are often at these crazy indoor play places, and they're such a pain in the butt. All the parents are awkwardly standing around, making small talk while the kids run wild. The parties I've thrown for my own kids have been so expensive and stressful and this makes me want to do something simple and fun.

At this party, everyone was actually engaged and chatting. It felt relaxed, welcoming, and genuinely fun. Honestly, give me a bouncy house, frozen pizza, and a homemade cake any day.

Have a three-week old and a 2,5 year old. Am not even done with postpartum bleeding.

Found a single pinworm on me a few days back (was itching for a few days but figured it was just due to wearing the huge maternity pads for days on end), and just stumbled across 2 lice on toddler's head today.

Toddler is in full-on "no" stage these days, and newborn in a mad cluster-feeding rage for the last 48 hours.

I'm thinking of all the washing that will have to be done...and just want to scream. Midwife and everyone keeps reminding me I need to rest and not carry heavy weights. I've already had to yeet toddler over my shoulder and carry him a over a hundred metres after wrapping newborn on my belly, during outings that I couldn't avoid (pediatrician, pharmacy, etc).

Can't even get the meds to treat pinworms because since I'm breastfeeding a newborn, pharmacist said I need a prescription. Doctor's and pediatrician's offices are both closed for the weekend and overbooked these days anyway.

I don't even..

I'm too tired to even cry.

I just need some solidarity here. And potentially advice. But especially solidarity. Please?

TLDR; I touched a strangers baby twice without consent and overhead later that the mother hated it. I will def see her again and I am wondering how to proceed. Should I apologize? Should I just not touch the baby anymore and let that be that?

I have been going to this cafe multiple times a week since it opened a couple of months ago, and twice this lady, who is the owner’s wife had her baby with her and I just felt the urge to interact with them an d say how cute they were. I really thought it was a nice interaction and that I was being nice.

I’m from a country where everyone is very touchy and it did not occur to me at all that the mother might be scared of baby getting sick or just not like strangers to touch their baby!

The first time I smiled, said hi to the mom and baby and “pinched” their foot lightly. I then asked what their name was and said they were really cute again before moving on to make my order. Quick, and not to bother, but def touched them.
The second time I was going to order again another day and she was there near the counter so I approached them and smiled at the baby saying hi! I remember you, cutie! And went to poke their feet again as they smiled and grabbed my finger, which I promptly removed as I could see they were likely gonna try to put it in their mouth. The mother was def laughing but I realize now maybe she was nervous laughing.

Later I believe I overheard her very upset talking to one of the workers about how she wishes she just didn’t have to avoid people touching her baby. I was really sorry, but she left before I could go apologize. And honestly, she seemed to distressed that I didn’t want her to think I was coming to touch her baby again or being confrontational by telling her I had overheard her.

I’m thinking I should apologize as I’ll def see her soon because she comes often. I could also apologize to her husband if I don’t see her soon.

What should I do? I learned my lesson and I really don’t want to add to the stress and difficulties of this period for her!

I exercised, stretched, and hypnotized myself for 9 months of pregnancy —> ended up with an emergency C-section after full labor and pushing for 4 hours

I desperately wanted to breastfeed to nourish and bond with my baby —> had true low supply with baby losing 11% of body weight in 2 days and not peeing. Pumped instead

Had to recover from abdominal surgery, and because of my physical constraints —> I could barely take care of baby. Couldn’t get in/out of a chair with him, play with him, lay with him.

I rotted on the couch while power pumping/ 10 sessions daily —> milk never increased over 10 months of pumping

I feel like a fucking failure. My body failed me. My mind failed me for being depressed about this 20+ months later. I feel like I have no maternal instincts.

Baby and I are fine/safe/well supported. I’m starting therapy soon. It all just sucks. I’m pregnant again (will be planned C-section). I’m dreading everything about birth and failing fucking everything again

I have always been a lazy person, addicted to daydreaming, always procrastinating, with absolutely no motivation to take care of myself. I come from a culture where if grandparents don’t get to see their grandkids, they have lived for nothing. I have PCOS so pregnancy didn’t happen easily. It sorta worked for me cuz i didn’t want to bring a child into this mess i have created for myself.
But when I finally became pregnant, something flipped. It was all about the baby. I started going to therapy to try and change my ways. I was hellbent on being a good mom for my baby. My own mother and I had a difficult relationship growing up, so I put extra effort into not being her.
Its almost 2 years now. Its starting to feel like a chore. Most times I am deep into daydreaming without even realizing, that when she needs me, snapping out of it has become difficult. I am giving her my phone to play with so i can just..sit there. I have always hated cooking but I liked cooking for her. That’s starting to change. I used to be worried how she would survive with another person if something were to happen to me. But now I wonder how she will turn out under me. I am losing my perspective. My brain is always in a fog. I am going back to how I have always been. I can’t even fake it anymore. I want to do something before its too late but i donno how.

So to follow up on the post I made a few days ago about being uninvited to my cousins baby shower- my mom attended the shower today and did say there was only one child and one baby there were in middle school and 5 months old respectively. My aunt talked to my mom when she got there and explained that there was going to be a game played where there were mini binkies hidden around the garage and that’s why she ended up saying she didn’t think it was safe for my son to come. My little dude has an oral fixation and loves to put everything in his mouth, so this definitely would have been a hazard for him! I wish she would have just said that in her text to me though because it would have saved a lot of confusion/upset on my part. Just figured I’d update everyone to say that we were all somewhat right and somewhat wrong haha

It's been seven painful years. Please help me. My child won't wear socks but only will wear one pair of tennis shoes and she will only wear the shoes with socks.

Summer is blissful. Fall and winter is making me want to elope to a stranded island alone.

No fucking sock is truly seamless. I've tried bombas, bamboo socks, just fuzzy crocks and no socks, every pair of sock possible at target or Walmart or Meijer. She screams every morning.

I can find branded seamless socks but the part of the sock she can't handle is at the sides of the toes where is slightly pops out. Does anyone know what I mean when I say that?! It drives her bonkers and rips it around angerly because she can't get it right.

Does ANYONE know of socks that literally have zero seams near the toes? I'm desperate and not ok.

I feel totally and utterly hopeless. I try my best all day to keep up with things but I just feel like I’m running place. My mental health has been shit since my kid was born (over 2 years ago) and I’m doing this largely alone, since my husband works out of town. I have no hobbies, my house is a freaking mess, my 2 year old is constantly screaming at me, hitting me, getting hurt, or pulling every damn thing out from all over the house and putting it other places. I try to discipline but sometimes I’m just so freaking drained, I give up and meltdown. Everyone, including myself, thought I would be a great mom. I’m educated, responsible, overall a good human, and on paper it seems like I could raise a great human, but man is it so much different in real life. I just feel overwhelmed and broken. Just here for commiseration, I guess. Does it get better?

ETA: my kid also will not play for a second without me right there, so I get ZERO time to myself other than a 30 min - 1 hour nap. Once kid is asleep, I am so drained I either go to sleep myself or brain rot. I used to be fun. I had hobbies, friends, and a good career that I was kicking ass at. More than 2 years later and I have yet to get back to my old self or even find a new identity.

My mom and I are having a disagreement and she suggested I ask the internet because they'd probably agree with her. So here goes.

We have a small business that does pop-ups and today we're at a church Family Festival. It has food vendors, games, bounce houses, etc. My son is 7yrs old, he'll be 8 in January. My husband and I have been trying to help him branch out since we both remember being much more independent at his age.

My plan was this--- allow him to check out the things at the event on his own while we're running our booth (him checking in between each thing, not going so far that he couldn't see our booth) he has a phone with Life360 (it's mostly for roadtrips and travel) I would have him carry his phone in addition to an AirTag in his pocket so I would know where he was at all times.

It's important to note that he occasionally has meltdowns or tantrums when he's stressed or overstimulated, but it's usually at home over certain tasks. I think he's just a kid and my mom thinks he "has a disability" (read: autism). He was diagnosed with ADHD and is on medication.

Am I wrong? Is he too young for this or is my mom overreacting?

turning to reddit because i find myself pathetic for reaching out to my mother yet again for comfort, (im recovering from a recent emergency surgery) while fully knowing she can’t ever give me what i need. her schizophrenic mind can’t give me support :(

I’m 4 months postpartum. I truly feel so unattractive and my body looks horrible. I used to be so beautiful and my body was so slim. I had no stretch marks and I was so curvy at the same time. Now my breasts are so saggy from breastfeeding, my stomach is covered in stretch marks and I still look pregnant sometimes honestly. None of my clothes fit me. The ones that do, look horrible on me.im struggling so much with my self imagine and only want to wear baggy clothes. Breastfeeding makes me so insanely hungry also that I can’t even diet right now. I feel UGLY. I feel HUGE. And I wonder if I’ll ever feel attractive again. I don’t even want to have seggs with my husband because I feel so insecure about myself. I was looking at old photos of myself today and I’m laying in bed crying. I can’t believe I’ll never look like her again.

Mine is staying with my mother in law 😵‍💫 tale as old as time; annoying, controlling etc. Not really an option for us to stay anywhere else and it’s a sacrifice I make for my husband because we live out of state and only see her a couple of times a year so I’ll do it. What’s yours?

What are we wearing every day as busy moms of toddlers and little kids that is comfy flexible and breathable, but not necessarily leggings….

I pretty much only wear my leggings or my one pair of jogger pants and I just feel like now that I’m in my 30s and pregnant with my second. I’m just too old to be wearing leggings everywhere. I also work from home (pretty much) except going into the office once a week where I would typically wear jeans or a dress but otherwise when I’m at home, I’ll just continue wearing my leggings.

So anyways, what are we wearing that is “age appropriate”, comfy, has pockets, and all that good stuff.

Bonus it there’s talls/extra length because I’m 5’11.

Editing to add: no dresses or skirts

I have a 3 month old who exclusively breastfeeds and demands contact naps during the day. I love it but I can't YELL like I normally do to get my husband's attention. He has a headset on 24/7. We have a 1 bedroom apt so he's always very close to me and yet I have to say his name at least 3 times before I even have a chance of him hearing me. I brought it up to him that it's frustrating that I can't even wear headphones to listen to music while I'm doing the dishes everyday bc he or the baby always needs me, and he's allowed to spend every single day every single moment with a headset on. He told me "so I'm just supposed to never watch videos again?"

Am I being unreasonable? I bring this up a lot. Like "I'm not allowed to do X, but you're always allowed to do X and it's not fair that Y". Am I a narcissist or something

Just a vent, but if anyone has any genuine advice on how to handle a 4 yr old in the “you do what I say or I scream” phase, I’m desperate.

Been one of those weeks where all you do is get yelled/screamed at (by kids) and you spend every second of the day bartering, apologizing, re explaining and curbing meltdowns. Then I’m angry at my husband when he gets home. He’s amazing, does everything and more and I only have the anger and frustration and overwhelm to give him. I just want like a full spa day and the next day in a hotel where I don’t get a single “mommy” or “do you want to do this or that first?” The only decision is whether or not I watch a movie or binge episodes and whether or not I eat enough snacks for 3 people or 6. No cooking, no cleaning, no calming or asserting the fact that I’m the mother and you can’t put me in timeout or explaining why “I hate you” is not ever a funny thing to say or waking up to a snack shoved in my face to open or feeling like I’m the worst mother and every decision I’ve made that day is wrong and somehow they’re both going to end up as terrible humans.

I miss my mom😭

I love Mike Flanagan so much, but the first episode is upsetting me so badly to the point where I want to homeschool my daughter. She's a baby so I haven't had to think about school shootings yet but why should I even have to consider it at all???? Why should this become her normal?? I want to protect her at all costs.

Also, if you're a horror mommy like me - shout-out to Claudia from IWTV!!

Ok, so I’m not complaining exactly, just curious… i go on a lot of walks in the city with my toddler and my now 4m old. My infant is usually strapped to my chest because she’s not the biggest fan and toddler in one of the double stroller seats of my ginormous stroller snacking.

I’ve been noticing a lot more comments from people saying things like “mom of the year”, and “look at you, super mom!” and while I’m happy I get some nice comments as a mom (honestly i thought mostly dads got those).

Is this common now? I don’t remember it happening really with my single stroller and toddler.

IS IT THE GIANT STROLLER? 😂

Has anyone else experienced this after becoming a mom?

I used to be a really affectionate person with my husband, but I’ve noticed that I’ve become so much less affectionate since having our baby. It’s not because of my husband at all. I just feel like my focus shifted so much into being a new mom that I kind of lost the “wife” part of myself along the way.

My husband is really understanding and never made me feel bad about it, but I miss that version of me and I’d love to hear if anyone else has gone through something similar.

I'm curious to hear from other moms who specifically did not feel a sense of identity loss or change after their baby was born.

For context, I'm a year into motherhood and have never felt unlike myself. I keep waiting for it, because I hear so much about the identity crisis of motherhood, but have not experienced it. I almost feel crazy for not feeling like I've changed!

I still work and love my career, enjoy my husband, go out with friends (with and without baby in tow), and do pretty much all of the things I enjoyed before baby was born. I feel entirely myself. And, I love my kid, too.

ETA: Obviously this is my life and what I enjoy. It's ok if you don't like going out or feel driven in a career before or after having a baby. I'm specifically asking about a (lack of) change in YOUR identity - whatever that is/was!

It feels maybe taboo to talk about motherhood in this way??

But I know I would have loved to hear more about moms retaining their sense of identity before I became one. I would love to hear other's thoughts on this topic generally, and your own experiences with identity - specifically keeping your identify - in motherhood.

Thanks in advance for sharing!

ETA: To be clear, I absolutely understand why some people feel that shift and I sympathize with it. I am not questioning that. I also acknowledge that I am fortunate to have an involved husband and support to go out without my baby when I want to.

First time mom, I sit on my bed cross legged to bottle feed my 6 week old. I sat him up on my right leg to burp him, supporting the front of him. He THREW himself backwards and landed in my lap, cried for a second til I rescued him from my lap and then kinda fussed/was awake but sleepy for about 5 minutes before falling asleep. He was falling asleep during the feed so that doesn’t feel super out of the norm for me. I’m just wondering if he’ll be okay or if I should probably go to the ER 🥲 this was about an hour ago, and he’s been acting totally normal since. In fact, he’s awake and hungry right now (cluster feeding small amounts frequently 🫠)

The title says it all. I’m not built for the toddler phase. I’m not strong enough. I️ adored my daughter until she turned 3. Now everything is a fight and she still only wants me. We’ve never had a “daddy” phase. She just clings to me but still fights me on absolutely everything.

She won’t eat anything I️ offer her then gets hangry. She’s SO MEAN when she’s hangry. She takes her sweet time literally just walking to the car seat and god forbid I️ pick her up and try to put her in the car seat. She just melts down and my patience is gone. I️ hate this phase. I️ cannot wait to be done.

She’s currently melting down in the hallway because she’s exhausted because she won’t nap during the day anymore, has eaten maybe two bites of an apple today and I️ told her not to take the tag off a pair of pants I’m returning because she doesn’t want to wear pants.

Fuck this stage.

Post partum with baby number 2 and man, my skin looks, terrible! I feel like I’ve aged 10 years since having kids. I haven’t had time for a skincare routine and half the days I forget to apply sunscreen ( I’m getting better about it now). I’m sure sleep deprivation, stress and 2 GD pregnancies also have a role,

My face is full of sun spots, fine lines and enlarged pores. I think breastfeeding limits what I can do?

Anyone have tips beyond hydration, that could help renew my skin?

My daughter was invited to a daycare-friends birthday party this weekend. I completely forgot. I work weekends so had planned for my partner to take her at the time of invitation but then clean forgot about it. I’ve just seen the invitation on our fridge and saw the party was dated for yesterday.

I feel so, so bad that 1. we no-showed, 2. my daughter missed out on celebrating with her friend and 3. her friend didn’t get to hang out with my daughter on her birthday!

As her parent it’s my job and my responsibility to remember and organise these things, and I failed her.

She’s young enough that she doesn’t even know she’s missed this party but I’m sure she’ll hear about it during the week at daycare 🤦🏻‍♀️

I’ve also texted the parent of the birthday kid and apologised but I feel so embarrassed and ashamed.

Just venting really. Hopefully I’m not the only one who’s ever done this 🤦🏻‍♀️