I'm going to resist from arguing with anyone specifically but the posts self-congratulating because your infants slept well are really, really getting to me. You lucked out, just admit that and be grateful instead of trying to convince yourself that you know some secret no other parents on earth have figured out. My kids' poor sleep is a HUGE anxiety trigger for me and I have done EVERYTHING, read every book, followed every rule, even paid sleep consultants and they are still bad sleepers and nappers. The implication that I didn't do it "right" is making me rage right now. I know this is my own issue - I have literally been in therapy talking about my kids' sleep issues all year - but please, please stop acting like you just did it better than everyone.

Ok with that off of my chest....

The thing I'm most proud of is that my older daughter (3) has rarely, if ever, seen me on my phone. This is a big win because I'm a screen addict. But I try not to have it out in front of her and if I do, it's for a specific purpose which I narrate to her ("I'm going to use my phone to send a message to daddy." "I'm using my phone to see what time the store opens", etc.). In fact, she got a doctor kit which came with a little toy smartphone (why?!) and she is so unaware of how to use a phone that she uses it to pretend to actually make phone calls, lol.

I think she'd be fine either way but I am a huge screen addict and really make an effort at this and it is HARD so I am proud of it.

To those of you who started audiobooks around 3, what's a good choice that isn't totally grating for an adult to listen to? I love that idea and would like to start it. Thanks!

I was a terribly picky eater and so stubborn. Eventually my parents gave up making me try new things. I make my child try a bite of everything on their plate. No matter what. They eat so many more things than I did and I'm using my stubborness for good. It's now expected that this is what we do in our family.

My kids are nice to each other most of the time. They quarrel but genuinely enjoy each other’s company and celebrate each other’s accomplishments. That’s my win.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had a few (that I don’t brag about in real life):
All 3 kids sttn at 10 weeks 7-7
Awesome breast milk supply and nurses until 18 months
Potty trained at 20 months
They love vegetables (this took more work than any others)

Wow. You must have some genetic dna for good sleepers. Just naturally sleeping through the night at 10 weeks with no CIO?

No cio. I followed books to a T and put them to bed awake. I think my milk supply was so good they got all their calories and had full stomachs. All full term babies too which helps.

+1

Both of mine did the same (they were twins, and not full term, but 36 weeks 6 days). They never once cried at night (not because they weren't criers but because I didn't let them cry it out). We followed the book to a T and it was so worth keeping track of everything.

DH did not want our kids to eat babyfood and instead he started to make adult food palatable to our babies. My DH is a great cook and he cooks all our meals. My kids love food and like to try out new things. Also, he makes meals joyful and an adventure, so my kids really like to savor new tastes and meal times. Good job, DH!

My oldest recently lost his first tooth. When it first became loose, we decided that dollar coins would be our tooth fairy's thing. I kept putting off going to the bank (the tooth took 6+ weeks to fall out), and when I finally went, I stocked up for the entirety of the tooth fairy's needs for our two kids (40 coins, and I have extra since they come in packs of 25).

Thinking about how many last-minute trips to the bank I saved brings me a tremendous amount of satisfaction.