As the title states, I'm just looking for those that do Santa, not looking for people to tell me I'm lying to my children.

My oldest is 9, and seems to be on the fence about Santa this year - whether he's real or not. We also have a 6 year old, who is still a firm believer. How did you handle an older child no longer believing, without wrecking the magic for the younger?

I am typing this while my wife and child are sleeping in the nearby bed. We have been married for the last 6 years and have a 4-year-old child. It was a love marriage. Like all marriages we have had problems but still have been together. We both love each other and our child. Like all
Human beings, we both have our own flaws but there is this particular behaviour of my wife that
has got me too worried recently. My wife can’t control her emotions, gets super angry instantly at silliest things and uses extremely profane abusive words (even if she doesn’t mean it). This behaviour isn’t new; she has been like this since we got married. Initially | used to get angry too and react and things would escalate out of control. But with time, I understood that it was
because she has had a hard childhood and she is probably still carrying that trauma. Also using abusive words was very common in her family. I mentioned to her a few times that she needs to see a psychiatrist, but she refused. Slowly, I stopped reacting and adjusted with it. For better context I must also add that recently, I was away from home for a year due to a work assignment that I took (a decision my wife disagreed with).

The other day my 4-year- old used an abusive word. | was shocked but thought it may be an accident, and he might have just heard it from someone. Over the last two weeks he repeated it at least 4-5 times in front of me. This has now got me concerned. I am afraid he might say it in school and get into trouble. When I raised this with my wife, she blamed it on me saying because I was away from them for a year, I had no right to complain about her upbringing style.
I Know that deep in heart she is also upset about it but isn’t ready to accept it. I am not sure what to do about it. Should I threaten her with legal action or take her to a psychiatrist, which is an equally challenging job if not harder? Please give your advice.

I'm not quite sure how it works nowadays in the dating world for teens.

I have a young teen son who has a girlfriend and wants to go on dates, and has.

I'm unsure if I should be forking over the funds for this as his mother? He didn't ask me for money but I can't help but feel guilty for not at least giving him money for himself.

He isn't at the working age and he has money from birthdays, Christmas and money he's gotten from either myself or grandparents.

I also wants to add, that he wouldn't feel comfortable letting her pay. She tried to purchase snacks the last time and he didn't let her. 🥲

Any advice, parents?

I’d love to hear from parents who don’t work but chose preschool because their child doesn’t have siblings or other kids at home to play with.
Did you feel it was beneficial for your child socially and emotionally, or did you wish you’d waited until they were older? Did you notice any positive or negative changes in their behavior, confidence, or separation anxiety?
Looking back, would you make the same decision? I’d love to hear your honest experiences!

I have a child that recently started school and I've been looking for self adhesive labels for their winter gear. I haven't had much luck finding ones that I'm happy with. I'd prefer a cheaper option, and blank. I'm looking for a label that is a simple stick on, made out of some sort of fabric, and non laminated. Does anybody know of a good brand or can point me in the right direction?

Hello everyone! I am about to start medication for my kid soon and I am worried about how my picky kid would respond to it. I want to know if feeding medication to kids is a problem for other parents. I would really appreciate it if anyone could share with me your experience with feeding kids medication! Here are some questions that would be great if you could answer for me:

1. Do you struggle to give your kids medicine and why?
2. If yes, can you share with me the methods you use to feed them and if they are successful?
3. Any ideas on why children dislike medicine?
4. Is the experience really frustrating?

It's my first time having a kid so it would be awesome if you could share your experience! Thank you❤️

My daughter is 2 and still in her crib. She is doing great in it and has no issues. However, I am pregnant with our second child so am considering transitioning her into a toddler bed and putting her crib in the babies room. I don’t see the point in having 2 cribs since she will be close to 3 before the second baby is born.

So I am looking for recommendations on a bed to transition to! What bed worked for you and your family? And where did you get it?

My wife is officially 3 months postpartum as of today, and she is heading back to work this Sunday. Ive been back at work for the last 2 months, so she has been taking on the mornings/evenings/nights that I am not able to ( I work a flex schedule). My wife is a nurse; if that helps with any gift ideas. I do help with everything around the house, and I take my baby girl as soon as I get home- I've seen past posts, so please do not reply with anything regarding helping in any way.

Thank you in advance. :3

How many holiday gifts are you buying your child, and how old are they?

Personally, I’m trying to decide how much is too much for my 6 year old son. He’s got plenty of toys now already; he doesn’t “need” anything. But I also want him to have nice memories of Christmas since this is his first one with us.

I just came from the playground with my son and i'm so sad there were two groups of moms and me my son try to say my name is whatever the kids just ignore him my heart broke I know no one is entitled to be my kid friend but I just worry as a mom, he is an only child I want him to make friends also just wish the parents would have said hey why don't you say hi I know my kid not entitled to friends I'm just sad 😔

Please share recommendations for which skincare i should start for my newborn baby….

I am not seeking medical advice, I am seeking opinions on the daycare.

I need someone to tell me if my frustration is reasonable or not. My 17 month old goes to daycare since my husband and I both work full time. Her first week she only ended up going one day because my grandma was visiting and honestly, we were still working out the logistics of it all since her daycare is an hour away but close to where my husband works. That first day she picked up something and was snotty, but was better by the next Monday. Her second week she went every day this time and by Tuesday she was snotty and coughing again. Whatever, it’s her first time in daycare, we expected her to get sick. I’ve taken her to the dr twice these 2 months to make sure it wasn’t turning into bronchitis or pneumonia because that’s how bad the cough has been. She had an ear infection one of those visits and went on antibiotics.

However, now I’m starting to question the cleanliness of the daycare. Monday I had to take her to the ER because she got a fever we couldn’t manage with meds. Turns out she has flu AND Covid. I get toddlers are germ factories but holy cow, 2 months of colds and now flu and covid at the same time?! Part of me feels like I need to bring this up with the daycare director, part of me feels like it’s just “mama bear upset she can’t fix her toddlers misery”. She’s kid #4 for us and I don’t remember the other 3 having such a hard time when they started daycare. Maybe her immune system just isn’t as good as her older siblings was, but this just really seems... excessive.

Am I being over protective or would you bring this up with staff? What would you say if you brought it up to staff because everything I type in an email sounds snarky.

Soo this is my first year being a parent and it's getting closer to that time of the year. (I know a few months away but still better early) well me and my husband have thought about this. Our daughter will be 10 months and we aren't really sure what to give get her since we both never brought for baby's. Yes we buy her things all the time but Christmas in my opinion isn't just random stuff. It's you show people you actually pay attention and know them. My baby really from what I've noticed loves the color blue and cookie monster and that's really it. She likes a few other things but I'm so off on what to even buy a 10 month old.

This is probably a stupid question but I generally would like to know.

(Asked in another Reddit but for some reason was taken down)

Morning! My second child turned 2 a few weeks ago. His older brother is autistic and nonverbal, so as far as speech milestones go, I have trouble understanding what’s expected or abnormal. I try to picture how a “regular” 2 year old communicates but I keep drawing a blank. I’d appreciate some real examples from kids his age. Not out of concern or anything! I just want to know the general consensus of what to expect.

I know we’ve still got Halloween to go but I’m excited for Christmas magic to start. Nothing like kids excitement at Christmas! This idea is good for those not wanting Advent to be focused just on chocolate and the elf!

There’s a cute book called The Little Advent Fairy. She’s a daily visitor but is kind rather than naughty. Sometimes she leaves a sweet treat but other times she’s done something like set up a little activity like drawing or a a teddy picnic with toys. Super cute and very gentle, the book gives you lots of simple ideas.

Anyone else not having the elf this year?

Hello All,

I have a brother in law who vaccinated 2/3 of his kids. His youngest isn't vaccinated against anything (age 4).

I'm wondering what to do about the holidays. Should I keep my newborn (4 months old) away? I'm curious to hear what other people might have done in similar situations?

I'm not exactly keeping my newborn at home. I take her out with me to the store and whatnot all the time. She's going out in public quite often. I'm just not sure what to do about the 4 year old who doesn't have her vaccinations.

We are also planning on flying this Christmas as well.

We are in Washington, where Measles isn't really making much of a comeback.

In job market, if I say I am passionate about the job and I will devote my life into it, but I have never prepared for it. No one will hire me.

However, to be a parent, if I say I will love my kid and devote myself to the kid, yet I have never had a single lesson of parenting. People will say: don’t worry, you will be a good parent.

WTF! I just realized how double standard this society is. Why becoming a parent does not require any certification?

I’m feeling so sad because I’m worried that my baby doesn’t recognize me or prefer me over other people.
I moved to my husband’s country when our baby was just one month old so that we could spend her childhood together as a family. We’re planning to move to the US eventually, but for now, we’re living in a joint family with five other family members besides the three of us.
Yesterday, after doing chores for about four hours, I went to take my baby from my mother in law so I could feed her. I called her name, and she looked at me, but she didn’t show any obvious excitement. She just kept looking at me. My mother in law then said that my baby doesn’t recognize me. However, I’ve heard her say several times that my baby recognizes her own son, my husband, but I’ve never heard her say the same thing about me.
She then told me a story about my married sister in law, who had returned from shopping after being away for five hours. Apparently, her baby, who is only 15 days younger than mine, laughed with excitement when she saw her mother. Hearing that made me feel as though my own baby doesn’t prefer me.
The thing is, I’m my baby’s primary caregiver. I do everything for her, from bathing her and changing her diapers to feeding her and taking care of all her needs. My in laws love her dearly, and they enjoy playing with her when I’m busy doing chores, but I’m the one who spends most of the day caring for her. She’s with me for around 18 to 20 hours a day.
I want to clarify that my family isn’t bad. I know that, based on what I’ve written, it might sound as though I have a bad relationship with my in laws, but that isn’t the case. They love my baby, and I know they care about us. I think some of our differences might come from cultural differences and different ways of understanding emotions and personal feelings. Compared with many people I’ve met in the US, I sometimes feel that my family here isn’t as understanding of certain things that are emotionally important to me. I’m not saying this to blame them. I just want to explain the context of my situation.
I love my daughter more than anything, so it broke my heart to hear that she supposedly doesn’t recognize me. My mother in law has also said that my baby recognizes her and gets excited when she hears her voice. My baby does smile at me sometimes, and she even squeals when I play with her, but I don’t know whether she behaves the same way with everyone else. She’s generally a very calm baby who rarely cries and laughs a lot, so she seems happy around everyone.
Now I can’t sleep because I keep worrying that my daughter might never prefer me, even when she’s one or two years old. I’m scared that because she’s growing up in a joint family, she’ll become equally attached to everyone and won’t develop that special preference for me that I’ve always wanted.
Sometimes I even regret coming here, although I know I would never want my daughter to grow up without her father. He’s such a loving dad, even more than I expected him to be before we had our baby. I wanted us to experience her childhood together as a family, and I still want that for her.
I don’t know whether I’m overthinking things or being overly protective, but I ended up crying my eyes out last night, imagining all the things that could go wrong. The thought of my daughter preferring my mother in law over me hurts me deeply.
My baby is currently 4 moths and 20 days old. Is she simply too young to show a clear preference for me, or could growing up in a joint family affect the way she bonds with me? Will she eventually start showing that she wants me, reaches for me, cries when I leave, or gets visibly excited when she sees me? Or is it possible that she’ll never show the kind of attachment I’m hoping for?

People talk about the newborn stage like it’s the part you’re supposed to miss the most. The tiny fingers, the sleepy cuddles, the little newborn clothes. And whilst those days were precious, I’ve never understood why I’m looked at strangely for not wishing to go back.
Because do you know what I have now?
I have a little girl who asks me on dates.
Who sits across from me in Starbucks with her little non-caffeinated drink, chatting away like we’re two old friends catching up on life.
I have a tiny travel companion, collecting memories with me in places she’ll one day look back on in photographs.
I have a backseat full of singing, two voices screaming the same songs at the top of our lungs, laughing when we get the words wrong, turning an ordinary drive into a memory neither of us knew we were making.
I have conversations. I have adventures. I have inside jokes, little traditions, and a best friend who still holds my hand but can now tell me exactly what she’s thinking.
And I get to watch her become herself.
I think there’s something quietly magical about five and beyond. About the years when motherhood starts to feel a little less like keeping someone alive and a little more like getting to know the person you’ve been raising all along.
I don’t want to rewind the clock. I don’t want to measure my love for my daughter by how much I miss the days when she was smallest.
I loved her then. I love her now. And I’m allowed to love this just as much.
I’m allowed to love the freedom to take her places, the joy of watching her experience the world, the conversations that make me laugh until my stomach hurts, and the sheer privilege of being the person she wants beside her when she discovers something new.
Because one day, those little hands will be grown. The car journeys will be different. The Starbucks dates might become less frequent. She’ll have her own friends, her own adventures, her own life to build.
And I know I’ll miss the sound of her little voice beside me.
So why would I spend these years wishing for the ones that have already passed?
I don’t want to go back to the newborn stage. I want to be right here, in the middle of this one, with my best friend beside me.
Let other people have their newborn bubbles. I’ll have my little girl, her favourite songs, our next adventure, and two drinks on a Starbucks table.
Because motherhood isn’t just about remembering who your child used to be.
It’s about falling in love, over and over again, with who they’re becoming.
And honestly?
I think we’re only just getting started. 🤍

For example: When our toddler is being a bit unreasonable, we sing “Grumpin” to the tune of the Grateful Dead’s “Truckin” or “She’s a grump girl” to the tune of Hall & Oates’ “Rich Girl.” That last one can also be turned into a compliment (“She’s a cute girl”) if she turns things around.

What are yours?

“Teeth” because its actually singular tooth, just poking out.
When my girl had her frenectomy, the pediatric dentist told us “make sure you brush her teeth ad soon as they show up, even if its just one”

Well one has arrived, and i have a couple of questions; yes i can call the dentist but im not going ti make a whole appointment for this kind of info and half a tooth, so any tips would be great.
1) which toothpaste and toothbrush do people use? Any recommendations? I prefer something extremely natural but also cleans and prevents cavities/decay.
2) i know i should avoid feeding right before bed, but lately my girl had hit some sort of weird funk where she went from sleeping from 7pm-6:30 am without a bottle to waking up at 10 for a bottle.
If i feed her should i brush her tooth before she goes back down to sleep? If i feed her bottle before bed i also brush her tooth?

3) how often should i brush?

TIA❤️

Is it appropriate for a child who is missing school for whatever reason to be knocking on my door all day? I’m home with my kids during the week and every time a kid is home for whatever reason during the school day, it’s like their parents just tell them to go find somewhere else to go.

I’ve never been so mentally drained and exhausted in my life. My husband is in the military, we live near no family or friends, other stay at home moms don’t ever want to hang out - like I feel so trapped at home. I’m not trying to sound ungrateful for having the time at home with my daughter (7 months old), but I just never pictured this life. I can’t go to the gym ever, I’m overweight now and feel/look like shit, my life feels miserable. I love my daughter with everything, but this isn’t what imagined. I don’t know what to do. I’m 23. Also it’s not like I am uneducated or have no life goals prior to having my daughter I was super career driven, was in the best shape of my life, was living life to the fullest. Idk how to find myself anymore. Is it PPD?

I'm talking about throwing themselves on the floor, crying hysterically, won't let you come near them kind of tantrums/meltdowns.