Parents Navigate Chaos of Young Children

“Explanation: the saying goes "small kids small problems big kids big problems". Also, a lot of people seem to agree that the younger years are so much better and easier, and parents should try to cherish those, as it doesn't get better than that. I get it regarding the countless living unique moments, and I really hope a lot of times that those moments last. Thing is: The worst drain, daily, are the moments when my nearly 4yo does things that are understandable, but hard to keep co”

“I've got two toddlers, 1 and 3. Pretty much all day I'm walking around doing low-moderate intensity activity and carrying. Plus constant cleaning, cooking, shopping vegetables, etc. The work is constant, but not overwhelmingly brutal like construction work. It seems ideal for fitness. Plus, since having kids you can't really go out and party all night all the time, which is a bonus. The only issue is less sleep, but I don't think its that brutal, I still get around six hours. &#3”

“Hubby (m39) and I (f34) are on the fence about a third (and maybe fourth idk but we'd have to decide on a third first). We have one of each (3yo boy and 1yo girl) and they are honestly phenomenal. I did find it was harder to go from 1-2 than 0-1 but there were a lot of unexpected family things that happened immediately after baby 2 was born that played heavily into the difficulty. Some days I think I totally want more kids and other days I think 2 is plenty lol but ultimately I think that mo”

“I’m currently ebf my second child who is 4 weeks old. I couldn’t with my first which made me really upset. By some miracle I am able to with my second one. The thing is, because it’s technically my first time ebf, I have a lot of anxiety around it because it was so traumatising with my first. Unlike bottle feeding, I can’t see how much the baby is getting. I’m tracking how long he feeds for, the wet and poopy nappies, and today at his one month check we saw he’s gaining weight great. This should”

“I need advice from the dad hive mind. My gf and I have a 19 month old boy. We’re talking seriously about getting pregnant again soon. We love our son so much, we enjoy being parents, we’d love to give him a sibling, and she wants another little baby to hold again (especially because my son is >100th percentile, has always been big and is now the size of most 3 year olds). We’ve discussed it on and off since he was born, and we know it would be tremendously hard, many times more challenging th”

“Hello everyone. I am very lucky to have a 3 year old and an 11 month old baby. I love being a mom, and I am lucky that we can afford for me to be at home with them. My husband feels our family is complete, and rationally it makes sense. We are comfortable financially with two, I'm older, etc. I am having (maybe grief?) that we won't be having another kid. I thought I only wanted two but I think I wanted one more. I believe that kids are a two person yes situation so I have accepted we ar”

“Preface to say English is not my first language😂We want more kids and I'm turning 33 in a week, right after my baby turns 1 year old. He's been a really difficult kid in terms of sleep and sometimes temperament (we've had days, sometimes even weeks, where he would scream and cry almost non stop). I work part time, max 20 hours a week and our daycare is covered 96% by the government when we need it. I was able to be home with the baby for 20 weeks after birth, and work was incredibly”

“My wife and I are thinking of having a second child. But we’ve had some discussions and we seem to be on different pages. Background: We’re from Singapore, I’m 33 and my wife is 34. Our boy is currently 2 years 3 months old. We’re doing well financially so money is not an issue there. Our house is also spacious enough to get a nanny to be a live in temporarily for a couple of months and as well as a live in helper, who is currently already living with us. Along with her parents and my mum. So he”

“My kid is now 20 months. She didn't talk for a long time. But at 17 months, she said "ball," and it all started coming together. She says well over a hundred words, uses pronouns, speaks in sentences. It's awesome. But what's really awesome is how all our routines, inside jokes, books, and words all show up now in what she says. It all mattered. All those hours and hours on the floor playing, chatting, and reading. Anyway this stage of toddlerhood is the best thing ever and”

“Parents with older babies, what would you have told yourself in the early days based on what you know now? submitted by /u/azxblx [link] [comments]”

“Hi all. I have 2 daughters 7 and 2. I always go back and forth if I want a 3rd. A huge part of me does want a third when my baby is 3.5 (start trying then). Then I read and hear about the odd number of kids, one feels left out always. Is there any positive? For parents with 3 what are your true thoughts, feelings , suggestions Parents with 2. Have you thought of having 3, do you regret not having 3? What are your feelings and thoughts submitted by /u/XoxoShopgirl [link] [commen”

“Hi all, we have a 3-year-old and he's so intelligent and so much fun...but he has zero awareness of how rough he is being with other people. Every SINGLE time he plays with his 2yo brother, he ends up getting too rough and hurting the little one. If they're playing chase, he gets too close and accidentally pushes brother to the floor. If they're wrestling, he takes it too far and ends up squishing/hurting brother. If they're jumping on the couch, he falls on brother. They cannot”

“Apologies for the long post, i tried to skim it as much as possible, I’m FTM of a 2.5 months old princess and would really appreciate some advice from other mums who have been in a similar situation. My baby had a NICU admission shortly after birth due to a gut infection. She wasn’t feeding, so she needed an NG tube, and I was pumping milk to feed her through it. Once the NG was out we gave milk via bottles because latching was extremely painful and shallow I struggled with my supply initially b”

“My wife and I just had our third bub, and honestly I couldn't be happier. Hes the best bub in the world, but I feel like I am failing my older two (6&7). My patience is so strained with them. They're just being kids and doing their jobs but i dont know how not to feel angry and frustrated when they wake their little brother for the fifth time in two hours and the poor little man. What do I do dads? Ive tried to explain it and they do feel bad but it just doesn't seem to sink in t”

“Did you find it more difficult going from zero kids to your first born. Or did you find it more difficult going from only 1 child to now having a second? I’d like to think going from 0-1 would be harder because you’re new to everything and there’s so much to learn, whereas adding a second child, you have some things under your belt. But curious from other moms who now have 2 or more kids. Just found out I’m pregnant with baby #2 and feeling much more excited this time around whereas with #1 I wa”

“Maybe I’m alone in this, but man sometimes I feel like I do not have the capacity for other people’s children at the local playground. I’m 37 weeks pregnant and have a two year and every morning he and I try to go to the local playground outside our building where all the neighbours go. I know all the parents and kids, and it’s a very nice little community. But the more pregnant I get, the less capacity and patience I have for entertaining other people’s kids. There’s this one mom with a daughte”

“I think I gave birth to an actual menace of society. My daughter who is about to be 11 months is a MANIAC. Now let me be very clear, she has been motivated to move since utero. Unsettled until the day she could walk at 9 months old. Now you guessed it- she’s running. I’m convinced I need to get her one of those baby backpacks with a leash because it is impossible to reason with a 10.5 month old. She laughs at me everytime I tell her no. I am sweating my lady balls off wondering what kind of craz”

“I thought I knew math but 3 kids is twice as much as 2. It's too many kids and it defies the laws of nature. submitted by /u/HeWhoFearsNoSpider [link] [comments]”

“Our girl is about to turn one in two weeks and she’s definitely stepping into her personality. Just wondering what experienced parents have done. Thank you! submitted by /u/willbrucla [link] [comments]”

“When my kid was a baby and even through the toddler years I felt like parenting was very intuitive and just came to me naturally. As my eldest is getting older I just find myself guessing how to handle everything and I feel like I’m messing up so bad and I worry of the impact it could have on him in the long term. I just constantly think I handle every situation wrong, I don’t have any idea really what I should be expecting from a six year old in terms of behaviour and if my standards are just t”

“Kinda as the title says. Think there will be some funny responses. Right now, my answer is 3.5 and 5 and I'm at a 20/60/20 probably. I'm a SAHD and spend a LOT of time with my kids so lots of kinda mundane life in there. the 20's on either side are from moments of them bein absolutely adorable or just little POS's. submitted by /u/altecsz [link] [comments]”

“And do you just adapt? Lol My little guy turns 14 months this week. I love him so much, but I also still feel like I am drowning and in some ways as “in the trenches” as the newborn phase (which looking back seems like a vacation I should have enjoyed sitting on the couch snuggling my baby instead of having extreme anxiety the entire time lol). I still cant keep up with any of my household duties. Some days I still struggle to meet my basic needs like finding time to shower or eat a decent lunch”

“We have 3 kids, with surprise #4 on the way. Our youngest child’s (13 months) temperament combined with a three-anger girl with big emotions has made it very difficult for my spouse and I to find the joy in our day to day. We have started to dread even weekends because everyday, every 30 seconds someone is screaming. For context, they are only ever in our care. Mostly me as I quit my job to stay home with the kids. We constantly redirect and comfort them and we are generally calm. We are firm an”

“I’m so desperate to feel like I’m not alone here. My third baby is 8 months old and she has been high needs and difficult since birth. Started with extreme colic the first 4 months and now at 8 months she is still rarely content and always whining or fussing. Everything health wise has been ruled out. I have tried literally everything. She loses interest in toys or any activities, she just wants to be held while I pace the house 24/7. I can only baby wear so much. Everything I’ve read says it ge”

“It’s been 90 days since my last post . The twins turn four months old on Monday. And yes: it got better. Much better. Don’t get me wrong. It’s still really fucking challenging, just in completely different ways. But it’s better. I wouldn’t go back 90 days, not even for a million dollars (yes I would, formula cost is a joke…). But seriously: it’s better. Better better better. I can’t say that enough times, because that was exactly what I needed to hear 90 days ago. I wanted someone who had been t”

“How often do you guys float / get pulled? For the last 8 months we’ve been floating like once every 2-4 weeks, and I’m so over it. I know some people don’t mind it, but I mind it and can’t stand the anxiety that comes with it. I’m at the point where I’m actually ready to quit over it. It’s nice to get a change once in a while, but I hate being outside my comfort zone and not knowing anyone I’m working alongside. So many units do things differently / have different ways of contacting covering pro”

“Not a parent myself but my sister has triplets and keeping track of medical info for all three is a nightmare for her. Sent her the link, she'll probably have better feedback than me. The no-account thing is smart, she gets real paranoid about putting the kids' info into apps [re: I built a free, privacy-first emergency contact card maker for parents. Looking for feedback.]”

“My son will be turning 1 soon, and time has flew by so quickly. What are some things you've wish you did, while they were so young/small? -Photo projects -Hand prints -Recordings -Any missed opportunities I can learn from. Thank you submitted by /u/Syval83 [link] [comments]”

“a year ago I was anxiously posting here before the birth of my second kid, wondering how I would survive Year One in daycare given how brutal it was with my first. reporting back that kid no 2 has been sick MUCH less than no 1 was, and life has been a lot better and easier than expected. I don’t know if it’s because of seasonality (he started in spring instead of fall), this daycare being smaller than our old one, or maybe having an older sibling eased him into the germ pool, but it‘s just been”

“For years (our daughter's 8) I've always thought that being open and honest about everything was how our family should be. And it is (at least I like to think so😂). But I worry that 'people aren't like us' outside the family unit - we're all perfectly normal in our own little ways, but I do worry about how all those other 'normal' people will treat her. Can _anyone_ relate? submitted by /u/Granopoly [link] [comments]”

submitted by /u/GlitteringBeat12 [link] [comments]

“We have 14m between our kids. Our first was toilet trained a month or so after his 2yo bday. Im but our youngest is about to turn 2yo and I don't think he's quite ready yet. He's showing some cues, but I don't think he fully understands it. He was also a month premature (born 35+3). I'm wondering how much of it is genuinely that he's not ready versus us just being busy with 2x young kids. My husband works away and trying to toilet train one toddler while chasing after ano”

“Hey everyone, my partner told me today that she's pregnant with our second child, we currently have a 14 month old and while we're getting by, it's not been easy. Im nervous but excited about another child, I've always wanted 2, but the plan was to wait a few more years for the next one. What tips or advice do you have for those us about to have a second, especially when we're going to have 2 under 2. My main focus right now is to be as prepared as we can, and to make this pr”

“Weird because it was the only way to calm him before. He was in the bath the other day for a few minutes and was terrified, it was horrible to see. He was so scared for about 30 mins after, I thought maybe it was because the dog was in the bathroom with us. Today the moment I turned the tap on and walked into the bathroom with him he just clung to me screaming, even when I got in with him he wouldnt calm down, we had to have the quickest bath ever. What would of changed? How do I overcome this?”

“My wife and I are due with our second child (girl) late December and already have a very energetic and emotional 2 year old boy - who will be 2y8m when baby arrives. Our first was a challenge to say the least - reflux/CMPA/egg allergy/low sleep needs, coupled with a lot of feeding problems > leading to bottle feeding by 3-4months (which I was thankful for to take some of the feeding burden off my wife). Planning to have him in daycare 5days/wk for at least the first few months in the new year”

“That’s why I say this all the time: some people are just lucky!! Your kids are in the best ages to cuddle, play, kiss, hug and learn. It is amazing time to be with them. You already made it. What is there to miss this amazing period with kids?”

“Does anyone have 4 kids under 6 years old? If so, could you tell me a bit about how it’s all going? What is the hardest bits? What are the best bits? What are the bits you wish you knew? Do you have any advice? Thanks a lot in advance ❤️‍🩹 submitted by /u/Friendly-Peak-6588 [link] [comments]”

“I’m a first time mom and my little girl is turning one month in a few days. This feels like such a silly question because I know there are phases but, when does it get easier? She is a healthy good baby so it doesn’t feel right to ask this question but I guess I was just a little naive and pictured this differently. I didn’t picture myself glued to bed, a chair, etc to breast feed (it feels isolating). I didn’t picture tracking the amount of sleep/naps and freaking out when I can’t get her down”

“Our son is turning three in December and we have been trying for a second baby for two years next month. It took eight cycles (my cycles if I am not on fertility medication are regular and confirmed to be ovulatory, but long) to conceive our son. (I have metabolically mild PMOS with a string of pearls, but again I ovulate basically fine.) Both before and after our son I had a few chemical pregnancies. I did five cycles of letrozole which seemed to definitely “work” but no luck. Finally I had an”

“Our first one is turning 1 yr in a month and we’ve started having the discussion about another kid. While wife would like to have one more, she’s not sure if we should have two under two. More like two under three, i.e. after the first one turns two. And the reasons are: 1. So that the first kid doesn’t become alone in later stages of life and has a sibling to fall back on. 2. Both kids can take care of each other like entertaining one another and we won’t have to always rely on play dates etc.”

“I have an 11 month old boy and 3.5 year old boy. Currently they both bath together. When do we stop bathing them together? I feel like it’s still awhile away but not really sure when to stop. submitted by /u/jagerrrr23 [link] [comments]”

“Lately I feel like I've become a horrible mother. I've always struggled with playing with my kids once they got to pretend play stage, (ANYTHING BUT THAT), but now? I rarely play with them at all, don't even read to them. I feel like a horrible mother and scared they will remember this season of my life. I have a 6 year old and 3 year old. I feel worse for the 6 year old as she's explained how she hates school because she does not get to see me and when she does (weekends or the”

“Baby No. 2 is coming, our eldest is 3 and i have so many questions: What should i espect? How to break the news to baby No. 1? No more sleep? Am between happiness and terrified. submitted by /u/Saptronic [link] [comments]”

“Hope this won't be too long. Finally have a minute to decompress - kids bathed, wife showered, and I sit on the porcelain throne before my own shower. The family went to the beach today, a nice day, pretty warm where we live this weekend; and an hour trip can get us to a beautiful beach the kids haven't visited yet and it might be a half bearable temperature by the coast. We are having a great time, plenty of playing in the ocean, finding bugs, driftwood, collecting muscle shells, all th”

“I just had a baby girl two weeks ago. My 5 year old daughter (serious AuDHD like me) admitted to me today that she hates having her little sister. I get it. 100%. She has to be quieter now. No more shrieking at the top of her lungs. No more obnoxious loud stimming like stomping and jumping right next to the baby. No more jumping all over the couch with feet flying near the baby’s head. Even prior to the baby, she’s had the following traits: She hates authority. Loves to push buttons. Defies orde”

Am I insane? submitted by /u/Ok_Dimension6656 [link] [comments]

“So we just welcomed our second daughter to the world. Big sis turns two in the middle of november, and is understandably confused as to who this tiny new person is. It is obviously still very early, they were introduced today, but for those of you who have experience with this situation do you have a pointers? We haven't really run into any problems yet, but does the daddit hive mind have any sage knowledge to share? We've been talking a lot with her about how this is "our" bab”

“Our daughter is 11 months old. I was so lucky to have a ton of time off 4th year with her. Still breastfeeding when I’m home and pumping once a day at work. Immediate postpartum was so hard for me. Thankfully, things are much better. Our daughter has been sleeping through the night since she was 3 months old. But I’m so drained. My sex drive is in the gutter. I’m a prelim going into rads next year and my prelim program isn’t the chillest. Not the worst, but certainly not an easy year. My wife an”

“If you didn't do baby swimming lessons (but still did lessons), at what age did your enroll your child? My twins just turned two and we haven't done any type of swim lessons yet. We took them to the pool today though and you could really tell the kids who have had lessons. They were way more comfortable in the water and their parents didn't have to have hands on them at all times like we have to with ours. So I think it might be since to do lessons at some point. submitted by &”

“To start, I'm a FTM and my 17-month-old daughter is an incredible kid. Super intelligent. Highly mobile. Talking in full sentences. That said... she is also very verbal about what she does not want. And most of the time, it's the presence of her Dad. I am struggling a bit because, as her Mom, she wants to be where I am 24/7. I work full-time, but our full evening routine (bedtime, bath time, play time, reading books before bed) is all me. Not because my husband doesn't want to help!”

“Hi all, I’ve got a toddler a bit over two years old and a baby that’s almost four months. We are going pretty good but there are many days I go through anxieties, frustration and just pure exhaustion whilst juggling the two. When I listen to parents of more evolved children (say 5+ years), I hear lots of chat about how they are tired and non-stop. I guess I thought things would become ‘easier’ at that point and that thought kind of keeps me going on the hard days. So to the parents of older (sch”

“Hello, only child checking in here. I have no idea how much intervention I'm supposed to be providing to my kids when they fight. Context: I have 2 girls, aged 8.5 and 2 (27 months to be specific). They generally get along really well. My oldest is usually really kind and patient, but the younger one is moody. When they fight, it's usually over a toy or they're not keeping their hands to themselves. I find myself stepping in maybe more than I should? The 2 year old still needs correc”

“I’m about to have my second baby and my 1st just turned 3. Any advice for what you did before your 2nd arrived that you recommend? Or things you wished you did? To prepare yourself or your first little one? Or just nice moments to not miss out on? I’m going to have a C-section so at least the timing is planned. submitted by /u/lilp27 [link] [comments]”

“I was thinking the same... It feels like they treat having kids kind of like the career... Just a number or statistic to hit. If two kids already has you stressed out, three isn't going to be any easier”

“So glad to hear this, we do want a big family, but for some reason there’s this weight I never felt with the first two, a more severe responsibility. but I just wonder, is it way easier at three? I’ve heard this a lot, and I love it. But is it true in your experiences, please pray for my growing family that we have a healthy and happy baby, and any advice for navigating a third is welcome submitted by /u/Robbo220693 [link] [comments]”

“Seeking mom's nursing infants while potty training a toddlerboy while jugglinga household/ spouse!!!!!!!! Any good funny or insightful stories / wisdom would be awesome! Thanks in advance! submitted by /u/Patience1372 [link] [comments]”

“ok i feel like my LO turned 8 months and a switch flipped, she’s climbing onto me to hold her but then climbing out of hands to play, if i put her down she cries, if i pick her up she whines. she wants to eat everything but nothing, she wants to bite everything, she is sleeping the worst she’s slept since birth, she’s screeching at the top of her lungs during wake times, she’s giving all her relatives the cold shoulder, and she’s not smiling / laughing at my jokes/games anymore!!! she is like a”

“For those of you with multiple children especially under 3 yrs old. How at you able to do it? Do you get alot of support from your partner or family? I just had one and cannot see having another soon while working but I don't want to give up work either. submitted by /u/Ok_Appointment75 [link] [comments]”

“I've been swimming 4-5 days/week most of the summer. I will continue until they swim and probably after because we both enjoy it. They are also extremely young to be able to swim so I understand most can not swim before age 3. Kid isn't 3 yet so I'm not expecting a miracle (nor do I need one since they are well supervised around water). However, 2 risk vectors exist - relative with home on a lake and relative living on an island where the beach is the only thing to do. My job as dad”