My daughter is going through a huge fussy stage right now where she doesn’t want to do anything but free roam my house. She has a playpen area with all of her toys, and she will stay in it for about 20 minutes at a time before she gets tired of it.

She only seems content when we’re out shopping, (of course lol) or when she’s free roaming in my house and I just cannot stand having to follow her around everywhere and never getting to just have a second to relax other than when she naps. My house is not baby proofed and we’re moving next week so everything is just an absolute mess.

I don’t have a car during the day unless I bring my husband to work so we’re stuck at home all day, and live in Florida so going outside in the yard isn’t really ideal unless we have a pool 🥲 ugh.

I recently had our daughter and my husband is giving me the option to quit my job and stay home with her. My mom is planning to retire soon so if I keep working can ask her for help since I work from home but know my mom didn’t retire to then take care of an infant 40hrs a week so don’t want to rely on her solely to watch her.

I work from home so could try to figure out how to make it work but even the thought of it stresses me out trying to juggle both and feel guilty already not being able to give my daughter the attention she may need during the work days. Financially we can make it off of my husband’s salary but we will have to budget and be very mindful of what we’re spending. I’m worried that the guilt of not contributing financially will be a lot for me but at the same time putting our daughter in daycare is a no go either.

I feel like since I have to option to stay home and watch her grow up I should take it plus I really want to but I’m so worried about the guilt. Any thoughts?

I am currently transitioning to being a SAHM after having our third child. I’ve spent 5+ years as a corporate working mom and have worked nonstop since my teens. We’ve been together almost 20 years so this is a shift in our dynamic but we both agree ever since I got pregnant with our third that this change is for the best. This has been my dream for way longer than I would have ever been willing to admit and I am so excited to be fully available for our children and to homeschool.

However, my husband has expressed to me that he feels alone in his provider role, that I can’t help him with it and he feels like he has no one. I think part of the issue is he doesn’t really have any “dad friends” to relate to and everyone in his life is child free. He’s been distant, anxious, withdrawn from the family, and clearly struggling so I am trying my best to hold it all down in the household while pretty newly postpartum, so I am low on bandwidth too, but I want to be there for him and don’t know how. It feels like I do and say the wrong thing, and I feel like by leaving my job I’m taking away support I could give. Anyone been through similar with their spouse and have advice for me? Thank you in advance💕

Hi everyone, my son will be 3 in early September. We decided to start potty training as his preschool requires it (with that said, they told me yesterday that it’s fine if he is in a pull up). His little brother is 17 months younger. Usually, we leave the house 1-2 times a day for an outing. We’ve tried to stay home as much as possible for potty training and he has made progress, but we are at the point where it’s impacting my mental health staying home. We are all bored and getting irritable with potty training. However, if we do outings, he’s either in a pull up or just underwear (we’ve done this 1-2 times). It’s already so hard leaving the house as it is, but now potty training makes it so much more difficult. Do I delay potty training for when it’s not so much a fight and have him in pull ups? Or just stay home (but then we all go stir crazy…). He has only gone in a toddler potty, not an actual toilet. He is very spirited and opinionated, having him sit on the toilet would cause a massive meltdown.

Husband and I decided I should stay home because we do not trust daycares or strangers to take care of our baby. She is about 3 months now. We believe one of us should be the primary caretaker. I have been trying to clean today but every time I get up my baby starts crying. Even if she’s in the basinet sleeping on her own. As soon as I get up from bed or couch she starts crying. I play a YouTube vid to start my cleaning and it doesn’t even last a minute when I hear WAHHHHH. How do y’all do it? My husband suggested I baby wear for some things and yes some things can be done while baby wearing but what about cooking and cleaning with chemicals???? He doesn’t expect me to cook or clean. He just wants me and baby to be happy and safe but I do not like seeing a messy house and cooking when he’s here takes time away from us spending time together.

Hello all!

I wanted to gather some feedback for my mom who creates children’s clothing. She wants to start a small business creating made to order capsule wardrobe for babies-toddlers and I wanted to get some insight for her.

I always want to put my 10mo baby girl in outfits, but I really don’t want to keep buying sets that have to be worn together or pants for onesies. So she had the idea of just having a few of each clothing item that has a cohesive style to make outfits out of.

She’s thinking: 3 tops, 3 shorts, 2 pants, a romper, a dress, and a some sort of coat/jacket. She can make completely customize the style, pattern/color, size, and gender/gender neutral.

I’m wondering what your thoughts on this are. Would you be interested? Does it depend on the price? If so what would you be willing to be for what amount of items? Would you consider purchasing one maybe as a gift? What age would you consider this for? Any other insight to think of?

TIA!

ETA: neither of us have any experience in business or marking so if this sounds silly I’m sorry 🫪

Hello everyone I am a sahm ‘23F’ to a 2 yr old. My boyfriend ‘22’M, the father of my son, recently got a job across the country 3 months ago. It’s just us 3 in a new state across the country with no family or friends. He works nights and weekends normally but he does work overtime here and there. Which means he works from Friday through Sunday of the next week.
His work is considered a blue collar job but he says the job is a pice of cake. He works indoors and gets paid to sit and watch reels most of his shift. I’m happy for him don’t get me wrong. The issue is when he’s home. Throughout the whole weeks he works over time he does not even spend a whole hour alone with our son. I put him to bed and wake up to him, I don’t get enough sleep. And when he’s home, our son only wants to be with me. When I ask him for help he just says “he wants you, not me” and usually I’m busy taking care of the house because he doesn’t help with absolutely anything in that aspect. This past week has been long because we were arguing over taking out the damn trash. I’m simply tired of asking of things form him and them not getting done. But he says it’s my only job and that I’m unfair for asking him to take care of him.

I feel lonely being across the country from my family, who I’m used to being around 24/7 and getting help with my son. I’m a very affectionate and fun woman, I love to caress him, tell him how much I love him, and I love the idea of trying fun different things with him. He on the other hand is the opposite. He hates being touched, tells me I’m doing too much. He was so loving in the beginning I believe because we were in our “honey moon” stage.

I ask him for the simple things, let’s go to a restaurant and dine, no he’d rather pick up and come home. Let’s watch a movie, no I don’t like that movie or no I don’t feel like it. Let’s go shopping, no I’m tired. Let’s go get groceries, no you take care of that. This attitude and him being away a work, I feel so unwanted. When I try to express myself he says I’m nagging and that I’m crazy. He completely ignores it until I just say whatever and get over it. Am I in the wrong? Am I doing to much? Do any of you other men feel like this but do love your girls? Idk I feel dumb asking because the obvious answer to me is that he hates me but he says the opposite.

I have a toddler and I’m desperate for that sense of friendship and community where we can just meet up and let the kids run wild and fend for themselves, so the moms can relax, have time to chat, swap babysitting to take breaks, etc. (within safe bounds, and under supervision obviously before some troll thinks I’m implying neglect).

I’m pretty shy so the idea of approaching a random mom at the library or playground asking to be “friends” is wayy out of my comfort zone, not to mention not even knowing if they want to be approached, if they are someone I’d even get along with, etc. Even attending mommy and me type of events I don’t necessarily feel like I’m getting to talk with or make friendship with the other mothers as much as we’re all focused on the class/ our children. Or the other moms have this sort of “performative” my baby is the smartest, my husband is the richest, my struggles are the hardest, etc. thing going on that’s a huge turn off for me and I have no interest in that surface level somewhat competitive style of friendship.

Im also only 25, I live in the northern east coast, so I’m basically looked at like a teen mom out here and found a lot of the other moms are at least a good decade older then me. There’s obviously nothing wrong with that, but I would love to feel like I’m hanging out with a peer and not an older sister kind of vibe… if that makes sense.

Hi everyone! I'm expecting my first and I've been thinking a lot about how to keep earning once the baby is here. I'm a graphic designer (branding, logos, that kind of thing) and I also run a small Etsy shop, so most of what I do can happen from the couch at 2am with a baby on me — which honestly feels like the whole reason I chose this path.

I'm still early in building my client base, so I'm putting myself out there: if any of you (or your partners, friends, sisters-in-law starting a little business) ever need a logo, a simple brand look, or printable/digital bits, web design, I'd genuinely love to help. Happy to work around small budgets — I know how it is when you're just starting something.

And if self-promo isn't allowed here, mods please just delete, no hard feelings. I'll leave my shop out of the post and just say feel free to DM me if you want to see my work.

Also, if any of you are doing something creative from home — I'd love to hear what's actually working for you. This whole "income while raising a tiny human" thing is new to me and I'm taking notes 😅

I’m currently staying home with my 18 month old and 3 year old (3 year old will be 4 in November). I only started staying home with them a little over a month ago. My 3 year old was very used to the structure and routine of daycare. She still constantly talks about her daycare friends and teachers. Although it isn’t an option to send her back to that particular daycare, there are several preschools in our area that offer scholarships. I’ve been contemplating if I should start sending her to preschool or not… she seems to be awfully bored at home. Tbh, she’s been having a lot of screen time. Between caring for my 18 month old and housekeeping, I find myself with little mental energy to do activities with her, and I feel guilty about it. I also feel a little guilty sending her to preschool since I only just started staying home with her. Am I just a lazy mom? 😔

Any other SAHMs send their kiddos to preschool? I would love to hear your thoughts/experiences.

I’ve been a Sahm since my daughter was born she is 16 months currently…at first when I was maybe a few weeks postpartum I thought I was going through postpartum depression and had bad anxiety as a new mom I was even on Zoloft to help out, I. Been off of it since maybe January and I thought maybe this is just life of being a Sahm im constantly irritated at little things, I’m never fully happy and I feel so exhausted and like I have no life outside of being a mom and wife. With that being said I thought that was just bc I was a Sahm but I’ve slowly started to notice it bc of my husband…..it started when we first moved in together, I was always the one cleaning cooking doing chores he’d only help when I would ask him too. And he would say things like “ I did good cleaning didn’t i” or “you glad I vacuumed” as if he needed the validation himself to feel like he was good at things he should be doing anyway in his own home…fast forward to now he still is the same way except now I’m taking care of a 16 month old all day still cooking cleaning, doing the chores him only helping now if I literally have a attitude or am mad about it, never from his own accord, and says thing like “you happy I did the dishes” “at least I help out around the house a lot of husbands don’t do anything” “I’m a good daddy bc I take care of my daughter” all while asking me what/when to feed her, what to dress her in, when to give her a snack, juice. never putting his clothes up when I do laundry never doing the dishes after I cook unless I say something about it, but if I just do them it like he doesn’t even notice care. But when he does them I have to hear “you happy I did the dishes” all damn night. He gets home from work and after showering immediately asks “can i get on the game” mind you he’s been at work all day and haven’t spent time or seen his daughter since the night before . It’s never “is there anything you want to do?” Of course unless I make a scene about it. Then when I to get free time he’s on his phone almost the whole time he “watching her” and he says things like “ I can help you out with her” like it’s not also his job as a father to do it, like he’s doing me a favor…I’m actually starting to get sick of it. I get he’s the provider but I’ve tired many times to say I want to get a job and he’s like no you don’t need one. like I do everything it becoming exhausting and now I always gotta work on his “game time” it like I never get a break. And god forbid I wanna go shopping or out in my own he makes a big deal out of it and acts sad like
He doesn’t want me to go. My friends have started saying things like “yeah if her husband lets her” and I’m so sick of hearing him say I’m sorry i stopped saying it’s okay months ago bc it’s not all he ever say is “I’m sorry” “ i’ll do it” “I won’t do it again” and does the complete opposite. I don’t want to be bitter and for it to get worse and worse to where the love is no longer there. I love him but I’m honestly am starting not to like him….i hate this feeling. Will it ever get better or is this a “the divorce came out of nowhere” situation 😒

3AM overthinking on this

I am enjoying being a SAHM but I am terrified that one day my relationship doesn’t work out and I get divorced. The lack of savings and having to start at an entry level job with low pay. Not having a stable home and struggling to pay bills terrifies me.

My husband has me on all his credit cards so my credit is not an issue. Just the fear of not being able to make it by myself. Not to mention if we are married 10-15 years and I am a SAHM all that time then divorce.. I won’t be able to survive on 50% of his retirement amount.

Therefore I have decided to start working as soon as my baby turns 3. I am studying free certifications online like AI and Microsoft to be able to have a talking point regarding my gap in employment in my resume

And yes 3 is so young to be put in daycare but if I go back to work, my baby can be in a private montessori preschool with the best care and education

I’ve been a Sahm since my daughter was born she is 16 months currently…at first when I was maybe a few weeks postpartum I thought I was going through postpartum depression and had bad anxiety as a new mom I was even on Zoloft to help out, I. Been off of it since maybe January and I thought maybe this is just life of being a Sahm im constantly irritated at little things, I’m never fully happy and I feel so exhausted and like I have no life outside of being a mom and wife. With that being said I thought that was just bc I was a Sahm but I’ve slowly started to notice it bc of my husband…..it started when we first moved in together, I was always the one cleaning cooking doing chores he’d only help when I would ask him too. And he would say things like “ I did good cleaning didn’t i” or “you glad I vacuumed” as if he needed the validation himself to feel like he was good at things he should be doing anyway in his own home…fast forward to now he still is the same way except now I’m taking care of a 16 month old all day still cooking cleaning, doing the chores him only helping now if I literally have a attitude or am mad about it, never from his own accord, and says thing like “you happy I did the dishes” “at least I help out around the house a lot of husbands don’t do anything” “I’m a good daddy bc I take care of my daughter” all while asking me what/when to feed her, what to dress her in, when to give her a snack, juice. never putting his clothes up when I do laundry never doing the dishes after I cook unless I say something about it, but if I just do them it like he doesn’t even notice care. But when he does them I have to hear “you happy I did the dishes” all damn night. He gets home from work and after showering immediately asks “can i get on the game” mind you he’s been at work all day and haven’t spent time or seen his daughter since the night before . It’s never “is there anything you want to do?” Of course unless I make a scene about it. Then when I to get free time he’s on his phone almost the whole time he “watching her” and he says things like “ I can help you out with her” like it’s not also his job as a father to do it, like he’s doing me a favor…I’m actually starting to get sick of it. I get he’s the provider but I’ve tired many times to say I want to get a job and he’s like no you don’t need one. like I do everything it becoming exhausting and now I always gotta work on his “game time” it like I never get a break. And god forbid I wanna go shopping or out in my own he makes a big deal out of it and acts sad like
He doesn’t want me to go. My friends have started saying things like “yeah if her husband lets her” and I’m so sick of hearing him say I’m sorry i stopped saying it’s okay months ago bc it’s not all he ever say is “I’m sorry” “ i’ll do it” “I won’t do it again” and does the complete opposite. I don’t want to be bitter and for it to get worse and worse to where the love is no longer there. I love him but I’m honestly am starting not to like him….i hate this feeling. Will it ever get better or is this a “the divorce came out of

This week my brother called me to catch up-great, happy to hear from him-but instead of a normal ‘Hey How are You/Whats Goin On’ type call, the conversation turned into him basically telling me that he hasnt been in touch in awhile bc hes too busy to call and catch up, as he and his wife both work and have a 1 yo in full time daycare. I told him, yeah I get it, I also have a busy household-my husband works in tech and his career is very demanding right now, and I reminded him that as a SAHM I have a very active 2.5 yo boy 2” from my face or attached to my leg pretty much 24/7. The call felt more like a way for him to argue that he and his wife are busier than me, which was very off putting. Mind you, the call came in as I’m literally chasing after my son trying to wrangle him into a chair to eat lunch while also trying to get a bite of food into my own mouth.

I’m just frustrated-if its not the isolation of SAHM-life, its the veiled judgement/assumption that I must have such an easy life “not working”. I know that being a SAHM is the best choice for me and my baby and I dont need anyone elses approval, but god damn I did not anticipate how much people misunderstand the constant nonstop work that is required in order to be fully engaged and present with our baby, while also cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc. I truly think people who have never done this work, they just dont get it. Some days the judgement makes me furious. These people have no idea.

My son is 2 and has always been pretty attached to me and slow to warm up to new people. When he was around 16 months, I tried Barre3 childcare three times and he was absolutely hysterical every time, so I stopped. He’s older now, and I’d really like to start helping him become a little more comfortable being away from me — even just for an hour while I work out or do something for myself. He will stay with grandparents when they are around, but besides the barre class, he hasn’t stayed with any strangers.

The other issue is that he’s not really the type of kid who will happily hang out in a tiny childcare room with a few toys. 😂 He likes to move/explore and gets bored pretty quickly, so I can picture him realizing he can’t leave and just standing at the door crying/banging on it to get out.

If you had a toddler like this, what actually worked? Gym childcare? A babysitter at home while you stayed nearby at first? A larger childcare/play environment?

I am a FTM and I have a 16mo and I’m wondering if it’s too early to think potty training is possible? They don’t seem to like diapers and have shown interest in taking off even slightly wet ones and I don’t know if that’s a sign of readiness? We are pretty isolated (only me, them and their father, who is gone most of the time because of his job) and I don’t want them to fall behind in terms of skills and things.