Working parents

How on earth do people actually work and have kids of school age 😥 by the time you have done the morning commute you are starting work late then you have to leave work early to go pick them up!! I actually don't know how people do it? School clubs are also first come first served each term so cannot even guarantee your employer the same hours each term!

in our community

Are playgrounds safe for a toddler?

My husband asked me to avoid our toddler playing outside this summer because he could get hurt.

I thought back to my 90s childhood and getting hurt (knee scrapes etc) was just part of being a kid.

Have we been gaslit into believe that playgrounds are safe for kids because we experienced it?

I’m torn, my son is so energetic and loves nature, outdoors and definitely bugs 🤮I really want him to continue to explore outdoors and freely for developmental purposes.

Neighbour complaining about our BBQ

We had a BBQ the other day and our elderly Neighbour came around the next day asking us to move the BBQ because she could smell it in her house during the night. I’m not quite sure how to address this as I feel like it’s our own garden and we aren’t doing anything nefarious. Where the BBQ is now is against the fence next to her house, and is the ideal placement in our garden, to move it would require a reshuffle of the entire garden, and honestly I don’t know if it would make much difference if the wind was blowing in her direction anyway. The garden is pretty small, and would only gain a 2-4 meters away from the fence if we moved it.

The next weekend we had another BBQ so I went across and warned her that we were cooking outside, and if the smell bugs her she’s welcome to close her windows when we cook (meant as a nice forewarning gesture, but also advising we aren’t moving the BBQ).

What would you do in this situation?

Potty training early using elimination communication

Has anyone started potty training at around 8 months? We’re thinking about starting just to get him used to associating wees and poos with the toilet and will teach him to sign for potty. How did it go for you and how did you know to put them on for wees? Obviously we know he won’t be fully trained until much later

Have to be brutally honest

I love my kids. (4 & 19 months)
But I've come to realise I actually don't enjoy parenting 80% of the time. I don't really enjoy playing with them for long. Entertaining them etc. I try my best but I also have realised, we surely arent meant to be Entertaining them 24/7!?!?

Our job as their Mum is to care, comfort and to protect them. To ensure their needs are met. And I do all those things. On no sleep, day in, day out.
So no, I don't think i should feel bad about wanting time to myself or for not enjoying every second of the day with them. I'm posting this not for validation but more just to get it off my chest.

Parenting is HARD. And I'm sick of those who never admit it or sugar coat the reality.
Genuinely happy for those who love every moment and have children who sleep. But for those who don't, you're not alone and you're allowed to not enjoy it.

Weaning

Anyone who’s started weaning, how much is your little one actually eating? I started weaning last week (started with veg) but he literally has 1 or 2 spoonfuls and sometimes isn’t interested at all. I know they say food for fun under one but I’m worried as it’s barely anything he eats

I can't cope

I have two kids 8 months and 2 I can't cope with my 2 year old no amount of activities, garden time, 1 to 1 time , soft play , farm, park , nothing manages to calm him

The mess his causes in the house is in bearable , I'm at my wits end I'm going to explode

My mom moans ever time I ask her to have the kids ,
.there dad works long hours always home after bed time rarely gets a early finish

His other grandma is great and will babysit when she's not working and I feel really supported by her .

My child is driving me mad I feel so sad and anxious , over whelmed ever day I just don't knoe when things will get better , I just needed to rant.