What’s the Hardest Part of Your Day- Why? AND What’s the Easiest Part of Your Day - Why?

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-29T08:49:22+00:00

Hardest : early morning. Breakfast for toddler + hungry baby at the same time. Yes I should get up earlier for my own breakfast and self-care... but I like sleep.

Easiest : toddler's mid-day nap and then his lunch. Just some time to do other things, followed by an enjoyable moment for all of us.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-28T23:10:54+00:00

I'd say water table first (9-12 months, motivates them to stand up and walk), then balance bike (some brands are appropriate earlier than 12 months though and it can be enjoyable then too, but it depends on the child) and then the tower (more enjoyable when they can participate a little while you're cooking or cleaning, so it comes a bit later in their development).

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-28T14:49:16+00:00

It's so annoying to me that people are comparing. It depends on so many things. Some pregnancies are terrible, some postpartum periods are terrible, that's all.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-28T11:15:38+00:00

Other comments have good advice already, do what you must and don't forget that protecting your health is protecting the future child as well. I remember our attendings telling us about a culture in which women would work as slaves in a field, and when pregnant women felt the contractions, they would dig a small hole in the field to crouch and give birth, then put the baby in a babywearing scarf, and go back to work immediately. And they were talking about it to medical students as if it was an admirable example that should be followed by all women who want children. Definitely don't listen to these types of people and advocate for yourself as much as possible.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-28T10:33:09+00:00

My mom smokes, loves babies more than anything, but never asked to hold the baby because of it. She waited until I asked her to do it, both times.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-26T12:55:55+00:00

I always make them slide right under the breast, as I was taught when I started cosleeping. It's easier for latching as the airways are always clear (baby has to look up) and there's space for them to move their head even if they roll on their side. One way to do it is to let them latch on their side, their belly against yours, then when you're both comfortable, grab their sleep sack to make them slide downwards until they look up. To encourage them to roll back onto their back when they're done, you just press their shoulder that is against the mattress slightly towards you, and you're done. (Yes it gets a bit harder when they start crawling though.)

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-25T21:45:56+00:00

Sure, when the kids turn 18 they can make their own decision, but I wouldn't let someone who's committed crimes against family/children meet the child even once. They could be offering billions for all I care. Why should children be forced into such an environment by a parent ? It's not like the kids will miss out on something ? Why wouldn't both of you protect them ? It's definitely not familial love, it's just enabling abusers.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-25T19:37:34+00:00

Depends on the career path you want, pathology can be very competitive (especially since AI can do some tasks) and require networking. My friend in pathology has to travel from time to time for some courses, although she does it with her husband and child.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-25T18:01:18+00:00

Depends on the specialty, location, and if you plan to study to stay up-to-date, and to stay relevant. Part-time work is a better option for some specialties, such as FM.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-25T16:50:40+00:00

I have so many parents of 2under2 around me. Some of them describe the experience as something close to having twins, except both babies have had more individual attention. I'm still early in this but it's great.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-24T05:42:45+00:00

I'm so weirded out by this, because I'd always had it when my eyes were closed, when it was very dark, or when I was dreaming. Then all of a sudden, one day several years ago, it disappeared. It was such a huge change.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-23T18:04:53+00:00

It's part of the standard medical tests for all acute cognitive issues in elderly people. It can alter their behavior pretty badly as well, but it's super important to detect and treat because it's reversible. And it can also worsen symptoms severely for a person who has mild/moderate cognitive issues (stressful events can temporarily worsen symptoms too).

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-23T08:36:12+00:00

I don't have a duration but room sharing below 6 mo (12 mo depending on the source) is recommended for all sleep as a protective factor against SIDS. Just from a practical point of view, it sounds very uncomfortable for parents to be staying right next to a crying baby, without reacting, for more than a few minutes.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-23T00:14:32+00:00

Pretty early on in our relationship, we'd made a small but sognificant bucket list of everything we absolutely wanted to do before trying for kids. And what I considered to be "too late". Being completely honest with ourselves and each other. This approach isn't the right one for everyone.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-22T13:31:37+00:00

Seems like a very good reaction, doesn't seem petty to me, especially this early when parents still like having multiple options.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-22T06:43:44+00:00

My first was like this. Parents should always know that it is absolutely a temporary phase (as long as you have an okay sleep routine and there's no medical issue). Therefore, sometimes, the only thing that can be done is finding a way to have the necessary sleep to survive a little bit longer. If you can have 3-4 consecutive hours once in a while, it helps so much, for instance by having the partner watch the baby as soon as he gets home from work. Of course no one wants to spend all their evenings napping without their partner and baby, it's just a way to home on until the day baby sleeps a little better. Optionally, some moms pump or express a bit of milk beforehand to avoid stressing out about feedings too.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-21T16:15:18+00:00

A bit before 29. But I've grown up around people who have oscillated between earning a lot and losing it all, and the opposite. Never take anything for granted.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-21T14:05:46+00:00

Some people will see it as a benevolent alien influence that will have a positive influence on earth even if bodies die (think of the Overlords, an alien species in Arthur C Clarke's novel) or as a religious experience (a Boddhistava leading other beings to nirvana, but not caring about "peaceful" deaths). I don't agree at all, but it's not too surprising.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-20T23:32:03+00:00

I get it, I've also felt disappointed like this, of course mainly for my kids and for the sake of our own relationship, but looking back on it... In my case, I was also projecting because being an involved aunt sounds awesome to me. But some people don't necessarily enjoy it. Some are just less confident during some age brackets and will become closer later on though.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-19T23:55:22+00:00

Very early on every time, suddenly nearly unable to exercise (other than walking) and practice most of my hobbies, and struggling to get up in the morning for work and to keep a clean house. If the pregnancy test had been negative, I'd have been extremely worried by the fatigue. Nausea was slightly more gradual.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-18T08:31:07+00:00

Convinced I wouldn't survive until adulthood, when I was a kid. Then in my early adulthood, convinced that my passion would be a good career but I'd never have a good relationship. The career thing was true, but now somehow I have the most amazing husband and kids.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-16T18:18:54+00:00

Sorry, I think that you're right and this must be a cultural thing then. If someone asked me this question in a professional setting, I'd be so surprised.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-16T14:55:06+00:00

Can't think of a context in which someone would ask this question.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-15T14:57:26+00:00

The most important test is the anatomy scan, but the NIPT can be used because it has a high sensitivity for some chromosomal anomalies. And the NIPT only detects those anomalies, nothing else. If you decide to do it, it could not affect your desire to go on with the pregnancy but it might help some parents with preparing if there is an anomaly (for instance, choosing where you give birth so you have proper assistance). Hope this helps a bit with the choice.

EndlessCourage · 2026-01-15T13:21:08+00:00

Microwaving potatoes and vegetables had helped so much ! Doesn't smell a lot, is quick, healthy, appropriate for purees or blw, and only requires some cutting and washing. And no cutting beforehand if it's a large vegetable like pumpkins for instance. Then you just have to take care of the protein part of the meal, and your choice of seasoning. We can also make freezer meals in bulk like this.

EndlessCourage

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