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by HannahSupportBuddy

Thursday

Early miscarriage

by Prettypaws8618

January 27th

Anyone here have twins?

by marcy84

January 24th

Looking for a mommies group

by modestSea4773

January 23rd

Difficult adult children

by placidNectarine2050

January 22nd

...See more This is going to be rather long, but I’d like to get the idea out there. I am at the end of my rope and have nowhere to turn. I have 6 kids ages 30-16. We were your basic wholesome tv show family. I don’t know how things got so turned around. The 30 year old always was a star student and a good athlete. Well rounded kid. His third year of college they reorganized his department and he would need more credits and 2 more years of school, he hit burn out, had an ulcer and ended up quitting. Since then he has serious anger outbursts. Second child 27, divorced with 5 yr old daughter. She married right out of high school, he was Air Force. She also developed and anger issue sometime after they moved to Dc. Hers aren’t as scary as his, but at the drop of a pin she will snap and when she does she is even mean to her child. Verbally abusive to her and anyone in her path. She moved in with us a year ago since the divorce since she had to go back to work and I’m the babysitter. She is messy, doesn’t clean or cook. Asks me what’s for dinner everyday and after dinner leaves the dishes and food for me to clean up. My house was clean and ready for company at anytime before she moved in. Third child(25) had a baby to a guy she knew wasn’t sticking around. I also babysit her now 2 year old. She is also messy. Comes after work to pick up her daughter, cooks eats plays whatever she wants. Doesn’t clean any of it up then leaves. She also yells at me quite often, but not as explosive as the other two. Fourth (23)married and helpful when she wants to be but not really a problem. Her husband is about the same. The fifth(19) was my shy girl. Good student, did dance, and horseback, color guard. She started daring at 15. First guy(15) she said broke up with her because she wouldn’t have sex with him. Second guy (16) would walk through fire for her. They dated for a year. One day he saw her text another guy and asked her about it, she got mad and and started swinging at him and said he hit her. No marks and I one saw him swing. Next guy (19) was leaving for Air Force. She was head over heels, cried for days when he left, spent a lot of time with his mom and family. When he was coming home she begged for him to move in here. If not she’s moving out. We said ok as she was almost done with school and wanted to be sure she finished. He proposed of the plane in uniform. Both families did everything together. She started working late and a few other things that I asked about but seemed to be normal. She ran away one day was gone for 10 months. During that time she told people he assaulted her, I was abusive, and a series of other lies. The story changed every time some one else heard it. She did so many things I can’t even begin to explain. She came back pregant to another guy last march and I welcomed her back and paid for her lawyer to get out of legal trouble she was in. She and boyfriend moved in had the baby and I did everything from the baby shower to a crib and whatever else we could do. She got moody and irritable and one day got mad and exploded on sister that lives here and left again with the baby and told me I’ll never see the baby again because of her sister. I haven’t seen him and she is barely talking to anyone but third child with the 2 yr old. She has caused me more heartache than I thought possible. You best child is 16, he’s a good kid and when she left he tried to be the man to help me. He is always waiting for me to be done with the grandkids and the crap with the older kids, but never complains. Which isn’t fair to him. The two with kids take advantage of me and will not help watch each others kids to give me a break, I watch kids 6-7 days a week spanning from 3:30am - 9:30pm some days. Most often 6am - 6pm. And the moms don’t clean up after the kids because “ it’s not their house and they didn’t let the kids make the mess.” These kids as much as I love them are not parented much, so they’re a lot harder than my 6 were. I have to cancel dr appointments and everything to accommodate their schedules but they will not do the same for me. I am drowning, I am overwhelmed and I have no life of my own. I feel they should come straighten up help with dinners once in while. On their days off watch the others child so I have a day off. My kids are ungrateful spoiled brats. Sorry for the long rant.

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by tommy

January 16th

Screen? or No Screen?

by MistyMagic

January 13th

...See more Screen time for babies and young children! This is a topic that sparks a lot of debate among parents, caregivers, and experts. It's hard to avoid screens entirely in today’s world, but the key is finding a balance. I wanted to discuss this with you all to see what you think, whether you are a parent-to-be, a parent or grandparent, or even great grand-parent, or if you are just someone that came upon this post and want to contribute - this is your world too - so let’s hear what you think! Today, screens are everywhere, watch, smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, tv, or cinema we see and use screen technology. But, where should we be starting (or not starting) with babies and young children? We know that screen time can be used as:- a learning tool ❌ or ✅ a baby minder? ❌ or ✅ a soothing influence❌ or ✅ What else do you, or will you use it for? Let’s dive into the pros and cons with some real-life examples to make it relatable. ------------------------- Pros of Screen Time * Educational Content Screens can be a great tool for learning if used wisely. Apps and shows designed for young children, like "Sesame Street" or interactive apps like Khan Academy Kids, can teach early literacy, numeracy, or even emotional skills. For example, a 2-year-old might learn to recognize shapes and colors by watching a show like Bluey but does that excite them and make them hyperactive after watching? * Engaging and Fun Screens are entertaining, which can give parents a much-needed breather. Let’s be real—sometimes, you just need 20 minutes to cook dinner or answer an important email, and letting your toddler watch the tv can make that happen. * Exposure to Language For bilingual households, screen time can expose kids to a second language. Watching cartoons in Spanish or French can help them pick up new words in a fun way. A 3-year-old who watches shows in multiple languages might surprise you with phrases they’ve learned! * Bonding Opportunity Watching a family movie or an educational video together can be a bonding experience. For instance, sitting with your pre-schooler to watch Dora the Explorer and singing along can spark fun conversations and shared laughs. Do you agree with these? ------------------------- Cons of Screen Time * Impact on Development Too much screen time can take away from essential activities like playing, exploring, and interacting face-to-face with others. A child glued to a tablet might miss out on hands-on play, like building blocks or finger painting, which are crucial for motor skills and creativity. * Sleep Disruption Screens, especially before bed, can interfere with sleep. The blue light emitted can mess with melatonin production. For example, a toddler who watches videos on an iPad at night might struggle to fall asleep, leading to crankiness the next day. * Addictive Nature Some apps and videos are designed to keep kids hooked. If you’ve ever tried to take a phone away from a screaming toddler mid-YouTube video, you know the struggle is real. This dependency can make it harder for kids to entertain themselves without screens. * Limited Attention Span Fast-paced shows can condition kids to expect constant stimulation, which might affect their ability to focus on slower activities, like reading books. A pre-schooler used to flashy cartoon edits might lose interest in a quiet puzzle or story time. Do you agree with these? ------------------------- Finding the Balance Experts often recommend avoiding screen time entirely for kids under 18 months (except for video calls) and limiting it to an hour or less per day for children aged 2-5. Link here [https://www.mykidsvision.org/knowledge-centre/screen-time-for-babies-and-toddlers-what-is-ok] But let’s face it, real life doesn’t always match the guidelines! Here are some tips for balance: * Interactive Over Passive: Choose apps or shows that encourage interaction. For example, a game that asks kids to match shapes is better than mindlessly scrolling through videos. * Co-Viewing: Watch with your child when you can. Point things out, ask questions, and make it a learning moment. "Look, that’s a triangle! Can you find another triangle?" * Tech-Free Zones: Create screen-free times, like during meals or an hour before bedtime, to encourage other types of play and bonding. * Set an Example: Kids mirror what they see. If you're always on your phone, they'll want to be too. Try putting your device down when spending time together. * Choose a slower speed setting like 90%so that the sound is calmer and easier to understand, and the words are more slowly pronounced can really help with speech recognition. * Using an anti-glare anti-UV screen cover can really help protect eyes. We all think about UV sunscreen and to protect our eyes we can use sun hats and sunglasses, but we allow our eyes to look at screens that may also produce UV light. So it makes sense to check and protect. ------------------------- Of course - Screen time is not inherently good or bad—it’s all about how it’s used. A little Paw Patrol here and there probably isn’t going to hurt, but replacing free play, family interaction, or outdoor time with screens could have long-term effects. The best approach is moderation and making sure screens are just one small piece of your child’s day. Now let’s find out what you watch and use on your screens for your baby or toddler. Are you a fan of a program that is calming or educational? Share with us! What are your views on screens for the younger generations?

Surprise..

by maxisthebest

January 11th

idk what to do. any advice?

by maxisthebest

January 10th

4 Months Pregnant

by amicableBlackberry7974

January 5th

Parenting is not for the weak

by wakeupandbeblessed

January 4th

Early Pregnancy

by amicableBlackberry7974

January 1st

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