ILX Parenting 5: I'm a big kid now

i am too, but it has saved us some money tbh. esp if/when we have child #2

I wish I could go back and do cloth diapers. I've definitely spent a couple thousand on the disposable ones. Can't wait to get her potty trained.

we do cloth diapers. we've never looked back, they are awesome, and will save us shit loads of money.

washing them isn't a huge deal imo. it helps though that we have our own washer and dryer in the basement, we live in a two-family home but we don't have to share the machines. i don't think we'd do cloth diapers if we had to go to a laundrymat, or even if we had to use a coin-operated machine in an apartment building. we'd either use disposables or a cloth diaper laundry service.

i love thinking too that for any additional kids we might have, we already have all the diapers we'll need

We do disposables. I think we spend like $40-50/mo on them via Amazon?

As far as the environmental aspect, I justified it to myself by thinking that probably all the washing with cloth uses a lot of water and electricity. I don't know whether anyone has actually done a good analysis of which is "worse" for the environment.

From what I read, it comes out about even. But really, hard to tell with such things. Do what you want!

a lot of comes down to what water level and temperature you use, dryer temperature or whether you are air-drying them. i also just felt weird about creating all that trash, and in any case the money aspect is no brainer

type of detergent matters too, biodegradable detergents are obviously better

Get a bucket and a washboard. Air dry.

And use the poop water to fertilize your organic garden.

lol "poop water"

fuck this doomed earth, dont wanna pay for diapers no more

i do an extra rinse cycle on cold first then a long hot water wash cycle after and then let the machine dry it because rly, my energy and water bill aint that hit

Welp, last night things were just getting more and more out of hand and we finally did the ferber thing again. I have this thing I came up with about "crying" vs "whining" -- where "crying" is "I am upset beyond my ability to regulate my emotions" and "whining" is "I am just going to make this crying-like noise until I get the result I want." It's not a perfect dichotomy, but point being, at some point last night I realized "K is not really crying right now, she's just whining until (she thinks) we will give in and take her to our bed." We have already made the decision that she's not sleeping in our bed, that that is not going to work for us. So by around 1am I just decided that we had to do the interval thing with her -- coming in every x y or z minutes to tell her "K I love you but you are going to sleep in your crib and we're going to sleep in our bed." etc. Tonight went a little smoother (I think) as a result. I stayed in the room with her for a while but when she wasn't quite asleep I said "I'm going to go now sweetie, goodnight." And she was fine.

that's great. we had really great success w/ ferber. last night + tnite we had big breakthrough - both girls are now sleeping in the same room!!! our room is baby-free once more!

Maybe we should consider Ferber. I am still of the faith that at completing 24 months August will unlatch for good and want her own space. She is slowly changing the habit. It is slow though. It's easy to get her interested in something else or a solid snack during the day. I manage to sleep through feedings some nights. I use to sleep through nursing every night but that hasn't been the case for a year.

I love using cloth diapers, but I also use disposables, alternate depending on the collective mood around here. We've been without a washer and dryer in a few places for a short time and had to use disposables. Has anyone tried Elimination Communication? It sounds crazy to me.

Potty training, goodbye nursing, own bed...we have a lot to do.

Grrr, we just got told off by a woman in the street in Brixton for not having a hat on Fox. He was in the sling and boiling hot in the sunshine, not that we need to justify our hat decisions to some interfering randomer.

Some people think babies need hats 100% of the time.

I got scolded by an elderly grandmother for having Ivy out in the chilly wind last weekend. TBF Ivy was not enjoying the cold shade at the bus stop but it's not like I wasn't aware of that what with the crying.

"Aren't you too old to be out in this anyway? STFU"

Yeah I'd probably say that.

My second is 2.5 and shows absolutely zero interest in the potty/toilet :/

And I have zero interest in doing anything about it, so :D

U and me both tracer.

my oldest took to the toilet by about 2.5 but we were still wiping ass at 4, uggh. mighta preferred diapers to that. will be good fodder for prospective partners in the future

Legend has it that I potty trained myself when I was about 2 by going into the bathroom with my grandfather and reading books on the potty chair while he read books on the throne. Hoping Ivy is similarly inclined, although I think my stepdad would rather die of a ruptured colon than have company in the bathroom while pooping.

Mine is three and a half and we try to put her on her little potty chair as often as we can, but sometimes she actively resists and is completely averse to pooping on the potty. Today my wife realized "oh, you're half as tall as me and we can have in-depth conversations. I really shouldn't have to deal with your poop!"

Some people think babies need hats 100% of the time.

I got scolded by an elderly grandmother for having Ivy out in the chilly wind last weekend. TBF Ivy was not enjoying the cold shade at the bus stop but it's not like I wasn't aware of that what with the crying.

― carl agatha, Saturday, March 22, 2014 12:18 PM Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

We had an old Russian lady scold us for not having a scarf on Keren recently. But the thing is she was wearing one of those super warm, cover-everything down parkas with a down hood and everything, and her neck was completely covered. Sorry, wrapping a little scarf around that does not actually add any warmth.

I know people who think you shouldn't put scarves on babies and young children.

jeez louise, fucking ppl & their ~opinions~ on other ppl's babies... you all deserve medals for not punching everyone in the face

Never got scolded by anyone in public. Guess I was just the perfect parent, no other explanation.

obv

one fine day when my sister was 15 she took our baby brother out for a walk in his pram and he started crying so she was trying to get him home quickly so our mother could breastfeed him and some man who was passing by shoved her very hard and said, 'take your baby home and look after it properly, you little slut.'

!!!!!!!!!!!

omg

charming

People!

i don't judge people too harshly for making wild judgments about other parents/carers because i myself enjoy making wild judgments about other parents/carers... but then again, being a hypocrite about it adds an irresistable tang to the overall judgy concoction

So after today it seems like I might be a father in two weeks? Could still fall through but damn this is pretty fast and with very little lead time.

!

that's amazing, joygoat - i hope it all goes smoothly and congrats to you and your wife!!

hurrah!

Thanks! I'm not going to truly believe it until the hearing where the birth parents give up their right (after which everything else is basically a formality) but still, unless something changes this is going to probably happen. Not having nine months to prep for this means I've got some reading to do.

I wouldn't worry too much - Dr Google is always there for you. Congratulations :)

Whoa awesome! Congratulations!

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/shouts/2014/03/new-parenting-study-released.html

i am not wired properly to be pleasant if some rando tries to give me shit abt whatever the hell i am doing with my kid, so im kinda hoping to skip that moment

My parent-friends on fb were loling abt this today

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4968226?utm_hp_ref=tw

How to Put a Toddler to Bed in 100 Easy Steps
Honest Toddler03/21/14 11:34 AM ET
1. Announce that it's time to go to bed.
2. Wait for your toddler to stop crying.
3. Explain that bedtime is not a punishment.
4. Explain that bedtime is not a new concept.
5. Explain that, yes, bedtime will happen every night.
6. Console your toddler.
7. Announce that it's still bedtime.
8. Let your toddler know that we don't call names in this house.
9. Tell your toddler it's time to go upstairs.
10. Watch your toddler move at a snail's pace.
11. Wait for your toddler to stop crying.
12. Pick up your toddler.
13. Walk your toddler upstairs.
14. Pick out the wrong pair of pajamas for your toddler.
15. Pick out another wrong pair of pajamas for your toddler.
16. Explain that the right pair of pajamas are in the wash.
17. Explain that you will not be doing a load of laundry this evening.
18. Console your toddler while he/she cries.
19 Explain that in this house we don't call names.
20. Watch your toddler struggle to get into his/her pajamas.
21. Ask your toddler if you can help.
22. Continue watching your toddler struggle.
23. Watch your toddler try to wear a pair of pants like a shirt.
24. Console your toddler.
25. Put the wrong pair of pajamas on your toddler.
26. Announce that it's time to brush teeth.
27. Explain the benefits of dental hygiene.
28. Console your toddler.
29. Carry your toddler into the bathroom.
30. Put a microscopic amount of toothpaste (poison) onto the toddler toothbrush.
31. Wet toothbrush.
32. When your toddler opens his/her mouth 1/45th of an inch wide, attempt to clean teeth.
33. Your toddler will attempt to spit in the sink, but will actually spit on the counter. Clean it up.
34. Console your toddler.
35. Ask your toddler to pick out two books.
36. Toddler will pick out the two longest books in your home.
37. Read the first line of every third page of the two books.
38. Field unrelated questions and interruptions.
39. Tell toddler it's time for a good night kiss.
40. Toddler will be suddenly and urgently thirsty, give toddler a small drink of water.
41. Toddler will ask a question. Answer question.
42. Say "good night" and kiss toddler.
43. Toddler will ask for a hug. Hug toddler.
44. Toddler will take up a sudden interest in potty training and ask to use the bathroom. It's poop.
45. Help toddler in the bathroom. Notice that there is no poop.
46. Toddler may become afraid. Assure toddler that there is nothing to be afraid of.
47. Toddler will ask a question about life. Answer question.
48. Toddler will need another hug and kiss. Give hug and kiss.
49. Toddler needs to urinate. Help toddler in the bathroom. Notice that toddler actually urinates.
50. Toddler requires a sticker for urinating successfully.
51. Put a sticker on toddler's potty chart.
52. Toddler may want to tell you a brief 10-minute story. Listen to story while backing out of the room.
53. Turn off the light.
54. Toddler remembers that he/she needs a special stuffed animal.
55. Ask where the stuffed animal is.
56. Toddler tells you it's in the car. Find your keys and look in the car. It's not there.
57. Look in the living room.
58. Look in the kitchen.
59. Look in the backyard.
60. Scout the neighbor's property.
61. Find the toy in your toddler's room, under the bed.
62. Ask toddler if he/she knew the toy was under their bed.
63. Toddler will ask for dinner. Explain to toddler that dinner ended hours ago.
64. Toddler will cry that he/she is hungry. Explain to toddler that he/she should have eaten said dinner.
65. Explain that we do not call people in this house names.
66. Toddler will ask for hug and kiss. Hug and kiss toddler.
67. Toddler will ask you to help arrange his/her pillows and blankets. Arrange pillows and blankets.
68. Toddler will ask you three essay questions. Answer them.
69. Toddler will notice that the tag end of the blanket is next to his/her face and will kick it off. Fix blanket, this time with care and precision.
70. Toddler will ask for the hall light on. Turn on the hall light.
71. Toddler will ask for another story. Explain that there will be no more stories.
72. Toddler will ask what the plan for tomorrow is. Resist the urge to say, "I won't be here. I'm running away tonight."
73. Tell toddler "good night."
74. Toddler will say his/her back, legs or butt is itchy.
75. At your discretion, try to relieve itchiness through lotion or wipes.
76. Put toddler back in bed.
77. Arrange blanket in the proper formation.
78. Say good night.
79. Toddler will say "good night."
80. As you reach the door, toddler will inform you that he/she is not wearing socks.
81. Choose the wrong pair of socks for your toddler.
82. Choose another wrong pair of socks for your toddler.
83. Choose the right pair of socks for your toddler.
84. Put the right pair of socks the wrong way on your toddler's feet.
85. Put the right pair of socks the wrong way on your toddler's feet.
86. Get the right pair of socks the right way on your toddler's feet.
87. Use your last thread of energy to stand.
88. Say "good night."
89. Toddler will say "good night."
90. As you leave the room, toddler will ask for a sip of water with pathetic sad look on face.
91. Give toddler sip of water and beg to be released from this Hades.
92. Toddler will ask for a back rub/tapping.
93. Tap toddler's back until you lose feeling in your arm and your toddler seems tired.
94. Slowly stop tapping. Stand up. Try to float out of the room.
95. Toddler will look at you. Say, "it's time to go to bed."
96. If toddler cries, pretend to be serious this time.
97. Say "good night."
98. Act like you're walking downstairs but just linger by the door, out of sight.
99. Pray.
100. Walk downstairs.

You may now relax for 2-5 minutes before you're called back in. Congrats!

The Honest Toddler: A Child's Guide to Parenting is out in paperback April 22, 2014.

A real parent doesn't have time to read all that.

into honest toddler, but pplains made that so much funnier

lol otm