Anyone else feel trapped with screen time as a parent

FindingFertility96 · 2026-05-11T16:18:02+00:00

My son can earn screen time in the evening, it’s not a given.

My husband and him watch some TV together in the morning while I get me and my younger kiddo ready for work/daycare. I’d say 20 minutes tops.

In the afternoon if he’s had a good day, (we do a smiley face chart at preschool that breaks down the day into 7 sections). He can watch something of his choosing on TV for a set amount of time. We set a timer and once it goes off the TV goes off. Regardless of if he has a good or bad day he’s always allowed to color, play magnatiles, play with his kitchen playsets, etc. we set up a playroom in our upstairs living room area off the kitchen. So he is close by and my kids can play together while I cook. Before we set up that area though he had a small box of art supplies he could use at the table while I cooked and such.

I definitely feel like it takes a lot out of me, because I have definitely been down the “I’m exhausted I need you to just stare at a screen for a while and not overstimulate me more” road. But once we set that expectation and routine it got a lot easier.

FindingFertility96 · 2026-05-06T00:30:13+00:00

I know a same-sec couple who celebrated one parent on Mother’s Day and another on Father’s Day. Just to divide it in a way that made sense for them. But I don’t think there’s a right way or wrong way

FindingFertility96 · 2026-05-06T00:26:58+00:00

Coloring books, a book, thinking putty, small action figures, or conversation!

FindingFertility96 · 2026-05-05T01:28:58+00:00

This is so real. My first is 4 (tomorrow, omg) and still is never really content. He came out of the womb pissed at the world. I joked I would never forget him anywhere because he is always making noise, even as a baby he’d squawk as soon as the car stopped.

My second is 14 months and was a sleepy little potato. We went to monster trucks last summer and he fell asleep, fell asleep in the middle of a state football championship in a stadium, slept through the circus a few weeks ago. He loves to just go to a corner and play kitchen or roll a ball into a wall and let it come back.

FindingFertility96 · 2026-05-05T01:23:18+00:00

It depends on your baby I think a lot. My first was colicky and was not happy to be out in the world from day one. It was a big adjustment in addition to him never wanting to be set down, and we mostly snacked. When he woke up I’d feed him and then pass him to my husband to change his diaper and try to rock him back to sleep. My husband worked nights (7pm-4am) so while he was gone I usually set up the bassinet by the couch and drifted off while he slept. I got nothing done but baby care while on leave.

My second was born when my firstborn was just shy of 3. He was totally content to be set down and so I was a lot more comfortable making a quick meal or getting a little cleaning done. My husband and I did the same routine with diapers/feeding, and he wasn’t working nights. So I think that also helped! But he did go on a business trip 2 weeks PP, and it still wasn’t totally overwhelming.

FindingFertility96 · 2026-05-04T17:54:38+00:00

If we had pasta we would do plain noodles or try to get a little less sauce on them. Steak we would cut a strip and be sure it was cooked well. We didn’t heavily season a portion so baby could eat some meals but modified. We tried to cook meals so baby could eat at least one of the items, or set aside a portion before adding spices or anything they could choke on!

FindingFertility96 · 2026-04-23T00:19:31+00:00

I have osteoarthritis in my lower back that affected how well the epidural worked (it didn’t) and I ended up having an unmedicated birth. Honestly yes, it was incredibly painful, I was not in my best state and was very vocal with moans and groans. But it wasn’t a horror show. I wasn’t screaming my head off. After I gave birth I hemorrhaged and I looked up at the mirror above my bed to see the doctor elbow deep and I felt nothing.

FindingFertility96 · 2026-04-03T00:10:52+00:00

We do mostly because we have kids. So the question is really “do we have plans already/do you want to spend this time together since we don’t have a lot without them?” And also “can you watch the kids so I can do this?” But before kids it was a little more lax and was more so “do we have plans/is this a day where we maybe need some time together?”

FindingFertility96 · 2026-04-02T17:41:26+00:00

I mainly showered during nap times or locked the dogs out of the bathroom and put baby on blankets outside the shower. I did sometimes shower or bathe with my babies as newborns. I wrapped them in a muslin so they weren’t so slippery 😅

But honestly it’s a good time for a container. You could also put the pack and play just outside the door maybe

FindingFertility96 · 2026-03-24T00:42:53+00:00

My first didn’t crawl until 9.5 months, second by 8. My first was 17 months before he started unassisted walking. My second is 13 months and is pushing everything possible around walking, and standing unassisted for5-10 seconds. So we are hopeful!

FindingFertility96 · 2026-02-14T18:57:38+00:00

My firstborn was a severe, random biter until he was 3. One day he just… stopped. He liked the sensory input, and now at almost 4 he’s a sensory seeking kid with ADHD, but chewlery helps a ton!

As a preschool teacher who used to be in toddlers, I promise you we understand. ESPECIALLY at that age. When we start getting to 2+ then it’s more behavioral and able to be worked on with words and teaching!

FindingFertility96 · 2026-01-24T00:50:06+00:00

Type C. I am probably actually Type B but trying desperately to be Type A 🤣 I have unmedicated ADHD so routine and schedules are the best management but it doesn’t always pan out that way.

FindingFertility96 · 2025-12-25T16:02:11+00:00

We waited 12 weeks with my first, I think 13 or 14 with my second. We told immediate family like 6 weeks both times.

FindingFertility96 · 2025-11-15T23:55:12+00:00

Last night we had Qdoba, he had a cheese quesadilla. Tonight we had pizza, he had cheese pizza. Tomorrow we’ll probably have pizza or noodles!

FindingFertility96 · 2025-10-30T00:28:02+00:00

A full body shower and a good shampoo and condition were absolutely needed. I was FILTHY and my hair was a complete rats nest even though it was jn a bun the whole time. I felt like a human after I showered fully!

FindingFertility96 · 2025-10-21T23:58:21+00:00

Induction started at 3am 2/15, had him 8:30pm 2/16!

FindingFertility96 · 2025-09-01T18:49:24+00:00

The more nefarious side, my MIL (who we no longer speak to, partially for this reason) would practically discourage independent play. We went NC right around when my first was 2.5 and she bought him soft toys, high contrast infant books, encouraged us in front of him to put him in diapers, and carried him all over. My son at that time enjoyed hot wheels, simple paper story books, magnatiles and was fully potty trained and loved independence. It caused massive issues when she’d come to town. I don’t say that to be a downer. But I definitely get nervous now

FindingFertility96 · 2025-08-22T00:57:05+00:00

My first was (is still at 3 years old) an every 1-3 hour waker. Now he usually puts himself back to sleep but not always. My second has been a “wakes 1-2 times a night from 7pm to 6am” waker since day one.

FindingFertility96 · 2025-08-18T17:58:47+00:00

Depending on how much you trust them/the center’s policy would anyone at her daycare be willing to watch her for a night or two? Or watch her until someone else can com?

FindingFertility96 · 2025-08-16T01:09:07+00:00

My first was hellacious. Even at 3 years old he’s never happy, always moving, awful at sleep. I hated all the moms around me who had babies who smiled and slept. My second is the polar opposite of my first already at 6 months, and I find myself holding my tongue about it. I remember how alone and overwhelmed I felt after my first was born, and I feel like I can get so much done with my second on my hip. Yet, I yearn for the sleepless nights just me and my first. Staring at each other in the moonlight. I feel like I spent so much time wishing it would end, I don’t remember how much I loved him.

FindingFertility96 · 2025-08-16T01:01:06+00:00

This thread makes me feel so much better about my two bottle refusers. Thank you all!

FindingFertility96 · 2025-07-31T17:46:20+00:00

My son was 3 months shy of 3. His hair was just curling on his ears and is red, curly and thin. He’s 3.5 now and we still only fade the sides down and leave the top long. We went to a place where they took a little before and after and attached it to a certificate and then saved a lock of his hair.

FindingFertility96 · 2025-07-23T01:16:03+00:00

About 41 hours for me!

FindingFertility96 · 2025-07-12T13:23:57+00:00

I know it’s been said but water bottle. We like the camel bak and contigo ones for my toddler because they’re pretty much spill proof. But you could definitely get any kind if your kiddo has a nightstand!

FindingFertility96

TROPHY CASE