The Parenting Thread

Dropbear

Dropbear

Gives Off Rather Strong Cop Vibes
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In which those of us blessed or cursed with minimes, biological or force matched, strategize on ways not to suck too badly, maintain an adult life, camouflage baby puke stains on clothing and minimize the trauma we inflict upon minors every day.
 
Dropbear said:
In which those of us blessed or cursed with minimes, biological or force matched, strategize on ways not to suck too badly, maintain an adult life, camouflage baby puke stains on clothing and minimize the trauma we inflict upon minors every day.
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"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!"

Seriously, though, parenthood is wonderful. It can, of course, be stressful and frustrating at times but it's also been the most rewarding and enriching experience of my life, bar none.

However, it certainly does involve drastic changes to lifestyle because, as a parent, your life is no longer fully your own - it now also belongs to your children.
 
It's taken my wife and I over five years to really work on carving out some grown-up time and to value couple time separate to family time.
 
Right now, I'm dealing with a two year old with separation anxiety. It's gut wrenching dropping her off at day care when she's crying but kinda cool picking her up when she's so happy to see me and so demonstrably affectionate.

Meanwhile my boy just started public school kindy and is really absent minded.

Yes, I am the primary parent in our household.
 
Just got back from yet another kid's birthday party. We average 20-25 a year. This one was at a martial arts centre - the kids had fun learning TV style karate moves and breaking boards. The parents spent two agonizing hours sitting on hard benches.

FFS why doesn't anyone try to cater a little to the parents!

I went to one otherwise unmemorable party at a bowling alley - hello! Jugs of beer and wine started to circulate freely in the parents lounge while some 80s music came on and the lights went down.

I'm not asking for hookers and blow, but how about at least thinking about the poor buggers who have to drive the kids to the party and sit-through till the end.
 
I have a 6 year old girl who began kindergarten in a private school this past week. No plans to have other children, may adopt in 5 plus years however.
 
For me, it's Boy (5.5 years) and girl (2.5).

After the second birth, I got the snip from a good ole boy Doc here.
 
What ever happened to having a kids party at home with a few lollies and red cordial?
 
Only if you rent bouncy castles and lots of crap to make it 'special'.

Our boy has had his last three at Pump It Up, an inflatable indoor playground. The kids get 90 minutes of play, th n pizzas in a private dining room. Parents just write one cheque to the venue and bring their own cake. Very easy and also outrageously expensive.
 
I don't like it.
It's like a lot of stuff these days. No thought no individuality, no creativity, mass marketed expensive bland out conformity and no heart. Sad.
When I get to a proper keyboard I'll tell some parenting stories
 
We used to have half the neighbourhood, non parents as well
, and lots booze, and some dope for some. Stressed out mum's need to unwind.
 
fxh said:
I don't like it.
It's like a lot of stuff these days. No thought no individuality, no creativity, mass marketed expensive bland out conformity and no heart. Sad.
When I get to a proper keyboard I'll tell some parenting stories
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Sorry. That sounds a bit mean. Didn't mean it like that. Posting on phone doesn't encourage length or nuance.
 
My ordinarily cheerful 6y/old daughter had a rare meltdown temper tantrum last night. It is astonishing how angry they get.
 
Mazels. But you won't have time for about 2 years if your wife is due in three months. :)
 
Congratulations Doghouse! People will tell you all sorts of horror stories and say how your life will never be the same. Partly true, but it's not that hard and it's actually a lot of fun. Worst part: don't expect Mrs Doghouse to be in the mood for a few years. Prepare for celebacy now!

colco said:
Mazels. But you won't have time for about 2 years if your wife is due in three months. :)
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I have to disagree on this one. When each of my kids was less than one, I had no time for normal activities, but I found quite a lot of time to surf the web with one hand while rocking a sleeping baby, holding a bottle or whatever. Mostly dreaming of stuff I wanted to do, buy or experience once I got my life back!
 
colco said:
My ordinarily cheerful 6y/old daughter had a rare meltdown temper tantrum last night. It is astonishing how angry they get.
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When my eldest was about 4 or 5 she wouldn't get in the bath.
(a bit of context - we were/are parents who didn't helicopter over kids. Except for a few strict rules - be polite and talk to visitors, swearing isn't for school, etc. - we let them run their own lives. As in keep you bedroom how you like but shut the door. If its untidy - that's your problem - not ours. Here's how the washing machine works - wash your clothes, sheets, at least once a week. etc)

Same with bath - its bath time then bed.
Trouble is she'd go into bathroom - lock door and just muck around for an hour - and not get in bath. So an hour later we'd go in and she'd be fully dressed playing with a boat in the bath or something. So we said - "OK - next time this happens we'll just plonk you in bath" . Next time. She did the same. We went in after 10 minutes. Picked her up fully clothed. Dropped her in full bath. Loud crying for about half an hour. No more bath problems. Ever.
 
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