Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Something you don't share with others.
Mine- I still need to rock my child to sleep.

it's not really about my child so much as it's about us as parents but we feed our baby pureed food straight from those food pouches because he doesn't like being spoon fed. I feel guilty about this.

Dear lord -- don't feel bad about this! I think this is pretty common!

Anonymous wrote:Something you don't share with others.
Mine- I still need to rock my child to sleep.

it's not really about my child so much as it's about us as parents but we feed our baby pureed food straight from those food pouches because he doesn't like being spoon fed. I feel guilty about this.

Anonymous wrote:I am glad my oldest is as gorgeous as she is and has great people skills because she isn't as bright and ambitious as we thought she'd be.

Let me clarify: She IS smart. She was in GT, Honors, and AP classes. But she's not scholarly or driven. People like her a lot and she's chosen a career field where being charming is an asset so she'll get by.

A kid who is in GT, Honors, and AP is smart enough to do really well in life, even if she isn't academic or curious or bright. I was the same way and went to an ivy undergrad and grad school -- bc I was motivated by what I needed on my resume to make money, not bc I was super bright or even cared about what I learned.

I am glad my oldest is as gorgeous as she is and has great people skills because she isn't as bright and ambitious as we thought she'd be.

Let me clarify: She IS smart. She was in GT, Honors, and AP classes. But she's not scholarly or driven. People like her a lot and she's chosen a career field where being charming is an asset so she'll get by.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is three years old and has never had a babysitter other then daycare.

We do things together on the weekends because it is the only time we have together, other then the two short hours every weekday after pick up and before bedtime.

We do not have family that can help out unless it was an emergency and that would be a burden, for them because of their own responsibilities and distance from us, about 40 minutes.

And that is unique? We've never had a babysitter for our kids... we're too cheap and they are too expensive. Not worth $50-70 for a babysitter for dinner. Our family almost never helps.

So your secret is that all of you are up in the house miserable and counting your money??

We go out a few times a week, we just take our child. On a rare occasion he's with grandma. We eat out far more than we probably should. Good try. I'd rather put the money in my kid's college fund or take a nice trip. We had plenty of time alone for many years and will soon enough. We actually enjoy being with our child.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm concerned one of my kids has a learning disorder and I'm afraid to address it.

Courage! Knowledge is power.

When my son's LD was identified, it was like a weight was lifted off of both of us. We've been so much happier and less stressed.

Thank you for sharing that positive message.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I thought these secrets would be a little heavier. Not that these aren't major issues. But I know two families and know some very heavy secrets about them. One has a highschool DD who has HIV and the other is raising a transgendered child. Nobody at their children's schools knows this.

I hope these kids are getting the help and support they need and that this isn't shoved under the carpet because they think it's "shameful." I can absolutely understand not wanting to widely share these things, but the HIV is a safety issue, and I imagine the transgender child would benefit from plenty of support and perhaps therapy to help find ways to deal with the fear of others finding other and the stress of being around people who may be really insensitive about issues like this.

These kids are being raised by two of the best families I know. Full on loving and supportive and completely open to their children. Both have received much counseling and are doing their best to raise well adjusted kids. The one with HIV is so well maintained and surpressed at this point that she is living a very healthy lifestyle. I have no idea if they have spoken to the school but they haven't told other parents. And the chances of another child getting the virus are so minimal with how surpressed the virus is at this point. The other child is older elementary and has only started living as the opposite sex in the past two years. The child had just transferred to another school because the family had just moved. It seemed to be the best time to make this transition. This child and family receives lots of support and counseling. But telling other students would destroy this child. This child already is experiencing huge anxiety issues and does not want anyone to know. Both situations are not something I would wish on anyone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm concerned one of my kids has a learning disorder and I'm afraid to address it.

Courage! Knowledge is power.

When my son's LD was identified, it was like a weight was lifted off of both of us. We've been so much happier and less stressed.

Anonymous wrote:I thought these secrets would be a little heavier. Not that these aren't major issues. But I know two families and know some very heavy secrets about them. One has a highschool DD who has HIV and the other is raising a transgendered child. Nobody at their children's schools knows this.

I hope these kids are getting the help and support they need and that this isn't shoved under the carpet because they think it's "shameful." I can absolutely understand not wanting to widely share these things, but the HIV is a safety issue, and I imagine the transgender child would benefit from plenty of support and perhaps therapy to help find ways to deal with the fear of others finding other and the stress of being around people who may be really insensitive about issues like this.

I'm convinced my child will be selected as the next Gerber baby.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is three years old and has never had a babysitter other then daycare.

We do things together on the weekends because it is the only time we have together, other then the two short hours every weekday after pick up and before bedtime.

We do not have family that can help out unless it was an emergency and that would be a burden, for them because of their own responsibilities and distance from us, about 40 minutes.

And that is unique? We've never had a babysitter for our kids... we're too cheap and they are too expensive. Not worth $50-70 for a babysitter for dinner. Our family almost never helps.

So your secret is that all of you are up in the house miserable and counting your money??

I was worried about having a boy because my brother has very low-functioning autism. I ended up having a boy who is beautiful and a joy. Even though he seems perfectly NT, the thought that he might regress when he gets older crosses my mind sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:I'm concerned one of my kids has a learning disorder and I'm afraid to address it.

Courage! Knowledge is power.

Anonymous wrote:Ok, then this is a secret about myself - I DON'T think my first is the most fabulous kid on earth. She is very, very difficult. She was diagnosed ADHD a couple years ago, and she's been on medication for a year. Things at school have improved, but not so much at home. We're working on finding therapy for the whole family, but trying to navigate that through our insurance company is not easy. The places that get recommended are out of network and way too pricey.

I love the child, but not a fan of the drama. It's just a daily slog and demoralizing for all.

Dr. Shapiro has a parenting class that's on a sliding scale. Try this first b/f family therapy route. The latter may not be necessary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 2.5 yr still does 3 bottles a day.

My 3 yr old is on two bottles a day. Have I tried to make her quit!

Get rid of the bottles?