5AF Parenting Thread

[robbiestoupe]

The best thing we did was tell our boys they could get their own breakfast. We had already given them a clock and told them not to bother us before 6:30. But it was 6:30 every single day they were asking for food. Gamechanger.

[NTP66]

Look at c2i trying to make sense out of his daughter.

[Beveridge]

Look at c2i trying to make sense out of his daughter.

I don't think we've had to wake my son up in over 2 years. That kid is up by 6:30 no questions asked. In fact, it's a good day when he sleeps in that long.

[RonnieFranchise]

We had to battle to wake my oldest up till he went to college. It would be 5 minutes before the bus came and he'd still be in bed. Always made it. (boy)

The middle one was great. Sitting waiting usually till the bus came. (boy)

The youngest gets up at 5:30 for a 7:00 bus and runs about 80% making it. (girl)

[NTP66]

Look at c2i trying to make sense out of his daughter.

I don't think we've had to wake my son up in over 2 years. That kid is up by 6:30 no questions asked. In fact, it's a good day when he sleeps in that long.

Ours keeps setting alarms for 6:30am, for no real reason, lol. I just hung LED light strips around her room yesterday that she programmed to gradually turn on as her new “alarm”.

[meow]

The best thing we did was tell our boys they could get their own breakfast. We had already given them a clock and told them not to bother us before 6:30. But it was 6:30 every single day they were asking for food. Gamechanger.

Same thing on the weekends for us. We put all the breakfast food in base cabinets and they can get milk or fruit from the fridge. Often we hear them at 6:30 or so. mrs meow and I stay in bed until 7. It’s awesome

[mac5155]

Lil mac sort of regressed on the independence thing when baby mac was born, now he wants us to help him get dressed all the time. We'll have to try the alarm clock thing.

[obhave]

I was supposed to return to work today, but am taking 3 months more leave. I cannot even imagine how I'd function at work if I was there right now.

[DigitalGypsy66]

Way back when my wife went back to work after our oldest was born, she was a complete mess. The daycare was near her work, so I loaded the bebe into the car...and she almost backed right through the garage door. Had I not been in the garage, and shouted maniacally, I would've been replacing that door. She just was completely out of it that first few days.

It does get easier, but it is an adjustment.

[Kane]

Bonus points for "bebe".

[Beveridge]

On the other hand, my wife cut hers short because she was going crazy.

[robbiestoupe]

obhave, do not read The Nordic Theory of Everything. Or do read it, and get ready to move to Norway.

[obhave]

On the other hand, my wife cut hers short because she was going crazy.

I had the thought today during his 3hr "no I don't want to sleep" fun times that if I was at work, this would be someone else's problem

[count2infinity]

We super lucked out timing wise for our kid. She was born in early April, my wife got maternity leave through May, and she had summers "off" anyways. That August when we started daycare was rough, though.

[obhave]

We super lucked out timing wise for our kid. She was born in early April, my wife got maternity leave through May, and she had summers "off" anyways. That August when we started daycare was rough, though.

What specifically was rough?

[count2infinity]

Feeding... my wife wanted to continue breast feeding and pumping at work. Her work space didn't have a super close pumping room. It was in a basement of a building a few buildings down, it was a closet, and she shared it with a few others so all of that put together put a lot of stress on her, and I think that lead to less production which caused even more stress, so on and so forth.

It was also a weird spot in her career where she wasn't quite sure which direction she was going to go and what her role at the university was, etc. She was essentially an adjunct at the time, so sh*tty pay and not much leadership to do things her way. She wasn't stoked about going back to work at the time even without a kid. Throw in all the complexities of having an infant and pumping... it made things tough.

I think the pumping thing was the biggest issue though. She got bit by a tick that fall and had to go on antibiotics that really messed with her supply and we just went straight to formula from there. Things seemed to get a bit easier at that point.

Also, there was likely a bout of undiagnosed post partum depression at play. Wasn't fun, but I'm glad we did it and got through it. Never again though.

[shafnutz05]

Yeah, my wife definitely had PPD after our first. Not being able to breastfeed did not help.

[King Colby]

The first day back sucks the most. You feel better when you reunite with your baby and he's fine and didn't forget who you are. The first week is weird and a blur. Then you get comfortable but you still don't love it.

Then one of two things happens (or maybe both):
1. Your baby learns something you didn't teach them
2. You realize you feel like an actual individual goals-driven human again

And you realize child care is great

[meow]

and expensive

[mac5155]

But at least you can deduct like 1/5 of it on your taxes

[Beveridge]

But at least you can deduct like 1/5 of it on your taxes

But only 1/5 of a small amount of what is paid.

[mac5155]

But at least you can deduct like 1/5 of it on your taxes

But only 1/5 of a small amount of what is paid.

That was my point lol

[mac5155]

Thursday morning lil mac has a doctor appointment for shots. Not looking forward to it..

[count2infinity]

My employer pays half of my daycare costs. It’s awesome.

[NTP66]

My employer pays half of my daycare costs. It’s awesome.

That’s an outstanding perk.