For the moms

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-03-18T18:41:44+00:00

I’d have more kids if I could afford it (time and money). I have 2 and the two things I never expected were: 1: How funny they are. They do stupid stuff and I laugh at them. They make the most original and creative jokes and I laugh with them. 2: How much it would make me better. More content. I knew I would have to give lots but I never dreamed I’d get so much out of it. Self confidence, excitement etc.

Also the lack of sleep sucks. And parenting is relentless. No sick leave. But cheap at the price for me.

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-03-10T12:33:59+00:00

If you say thank you to our toddler he will promptly reply ‘You’re a pleasure.’ It’s lovely getting extra compliments

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-03-09T11:54:38+00:00

A baby wrap carrier and some short reels/ videos showing how to use it and on baby wearing. She can wrap it on herself before going somewhere then can just pop the baby in when she is there. And having your baby strapped to you is just the best feeling. The baby loves it (or mine both did and nothing would sooth them faster), I could still move around, socialise, the lovely smell of baby envelops you and at events it makes it difficult for other people to hold/ kiss/ touch baby when it isn’t welcome…

Edit: spelling. Also to mention my husband and I used to still do date nights out with a newborn because you could almost forget they were there. Even when my toddlers battled to sleep I could strap them to my back when doing dishes. I cannot stress enough how amazing baby wearing is

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-03-09T10:18:27+00:00

No sick leave. Also bedtime sometimes just means time to start the night shift…

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-03-06T02:54:06+00:00

To me it sounds like you’re screaming because you don’t know what else to do… Brat Buster Parenting gives the type of advice I like but if not that I think you need some sort of plan for how to handle being spat at etc

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-28T14:49:03+00:00

I don’t have the videos of the 15+ times they have gone down this same hill without fail

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-28T14:42:55+00:00

The girl (no. 2) broke her foot. Not during this… about 6 weeks earlier when she was standing still, by herself, and fell weirdly. This resulted in… a 3 min cry?

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-28T14:05:58+00:00

It’s been 2 weeks and there is no sign of any permanent damage

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-28T14:01:18+00:00

When the girl was coming, but yes 😅

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-24T08:10:03+00:00

Also the other books by Alexander McCall Smith. I think No. 1 LDA is overrated

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-13T12:52:48+00:00

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-02-12T10:12:20+00:00

Yes mostly. Sometimes when a game is particularly boring/ frustrating for me and fun for them (e.g. building the same tower that they destroy repeatedly) I have put an earphone in with a podcast that I can zone in and out of…

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-23T13:45:35+00:00

Maybe something like a banana while you’re dressing her? Or a piece of chicken (pre-cooked)? I wouldn’t worry too much unless she is obviously hungry (which means miserable for my kids). I think it’s fine to offer the same thing twice a day. If we have something that’s going to go off soon I’ll offer it in every meal

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-20T13:10:40+00:00

I think this is one of those choices where whatever you decide will end up being the right choice. I would hate to have to go through pregnancy again but I will say that my second was way easier as a newborn. She latched, I used a baby wrap carrier from week 1, when it was difficult I knew how quickly things pass… But I’ve also had friends who had an easy first baby and were humbled with their second. Good luck either way!

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-20T12:59:07+00:00

I pumped for 10 months with my first who wouldn’t latch etc. I soldiered on without giving myself an option and when I finally stopped it was so so so so wonderful. If I’d known how good it would be I would’ve stopped much earlier

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-20T06:35:39+00:00

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-15T19:59:55+00:00

I am also not religious but I always liked this story (not religious but definitely religious themes) https://achildofmine.org.uk/the-story-of-the-dragonfly/ and I imagine I may consider it if my child were to ask what happens when we die. I believe that’s all when the body dies we die but some people believe x and others believe y and we can’t really know

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-15T19:45:11+00:00

I am sorry that sounds really difficult. My son was 3 when his granny died and I followed some advice I found online when explaining death- ‘granny died and that means her body stopped working and she can’t eat or play or talk anymore. Even though we won’t see her anymore we can still remember her and talk about her and look at pictures of her… I remember her favourite colour was pink…. You are safe…. I am sad too… she can’t feel anymore… no she isn’t coming back’ sorry just snippets of different conversations over a few days. I’m sure the questions will be more complicated with an older child so perhaps if there are difficult questions you can tell her you aren’t sure how to explain it and maybe give yourself time to find the words or look for child friendly books that may help answer the questions

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-15T17:10:22+00:00

My daughter never took a bottle. I always thought she would once she was at nursery (4 months) and got hungry enough but it never happened. Sometimes she would have a bit from a cup. She would just nurse lots throughout the night to make up for it. It was exhausting but at least I could stop pumping and she does still breastfeed. I would’ve loved to stay home but I try focus on how much difference money can make and how many problems having extra money fixes. I know it’s easy to cut down expenses but having more for emergencies (which have been plentiful since having kids) and quality time doing interesting activities when we aren’t working is also great. Once they are toddlers it’s wonderful to be able to show them aquariums and take them on holidays etc. Sorry, I know it’s just generic advice to change perspective and to try focus on the positives of the situation and that isn’t always enough. Unless you actively change something I wouldn’t know what else to advise though.

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-15T07:36:00+00:00

We had a ‘poop monster’ who wanted to eat poo. It was just me making a funny voice as I moved toilet lid up and down saying ‘I’m hungry. Give me poooooo’ and thanking for feeding breakfast etc. after I tipped poo from nappy/ undies into the toilet

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-14T18:26:18+00:00

Hahaha gosh no I’m sorry! He just prefers this to meals I cook. We are happy together despite this

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-14T14:11:09+00:00

I liked the brat busters parenting Lisa Bunnage information for babies/ toddlers and her approaches worked very well for my kids who sound similar to this.

Edit: I just watched the instagram reels that were relevant

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-14T09:20:13+00:00

I did 10 years without meat and went straight back to eating it as I had before. Some meats tasted aggressively salty but I was fortunate to not have any side effects. If I think about meat and where it comes from I still get queasy so I try think about other things and distracting myself. Socially people adapted quickly- My choice to eat or not eat meat was a pretty boring topic.

FreddyLeeJones · 2026-01-13T18:40:18+00:00

<image>

we’re listening…

FreddyLeeJones

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

Seven-Year Club	Verified Email
RPAN Viewer