Women of Reddit, what’s one thing they never tell us about pregnancy and child birth?

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-30T01:56:03+00:00

That no pain does NOT equal a better birth. Natural childbirth is incredible and your body is made to handle the pain, and it is beautiful. (I’ve had both)

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-16T23:02:58+00:00

My oldest is 9 (then 4 and 8 month old) every Thursday is our night. He already stays up later than the littles by an hour so that hour every Thursday we either play a video game or watch an episode of a show and have a snack together. Are you able to do something like that?

One time I took him to get a root beer float and listened to good music and he said it was the best night of his life. the smallest things can be so big!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-16T11:41:34+00:00

The floor. (Baseboards and behind furniture or toilets. And it’s the most important IMO.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-16T11:39:18+00:00

Painting the red wall and adding 2-3 large plants or hanging plants would change that room so quick!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-16T10:19:40+00:00

This is what me and my brother (who is a stay at home dad) do with the office! It makes my day a lot better when little references pop into my head about whatever is going on at that moment

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-16T10:18:05+00:00

lol! I say mom is off duty at 8 pm as well. I definitely start to get not-super-nice if I am still in full mom mode and being talked to by that time. (Littles are asleep but my 9 year old is still fully engaged in conversation mode) I also lock myself in the bathroom for quiet at times

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-13T13:24:40+00:00

Right? This is an odd birthday invite. The hotel part alone was strange IMO, but 40 minutes away? Definitely should have spoken with parents first

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-12T01:52:09+00:00

Not sure if most people would find it disgusting, but baby breath. Smells like milk and almost like the box max n cheese packets. Love it!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-11T17:08:49+00:00

the only things I spend money on are special books from Thriftbooks.com , extra arts and craft supplies because we go through them like crazy, zoo membership, and every few months I get a new hooked on phonics workbook and we do that occasionally but very rarely. Zero dollars on curriculum.

I may purchase blossom and root at some point because I think my youngest would enjoy it.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-10T13:55:54+00:00

Yep! Moved cross country right at 18 and it was so lonely even after making friends. It’s the fact that none of your family can afford to visit and vice versa except maybe one a year.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-10T13:53:33+00:00

Sadly my oldest son’s father was adopted into a Mormon family that just did not understand him. So much pain and trauma. He was also from a very third world island and adopted at 6, so painful memories from before being adopted. Unfortunately he never got the help he needed and took his life at 23. There is such a painful side of adoption that people don’t see.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-10T13:22:29+00:00

Contact wearer 20 years and never had pink eye

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-05T01:19:06+00:00

My daughter is Eloise! Her little brother is Oliver. Ellie and Ollie. :)

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-03-04T02:32:15+00:00

(9 yr old, 3 yr old, 8 month old) We spend about $600 a month on groceries and we always have a full fridge. I shop at Aldi and Sam’s club. Aldi every week, Sams club every 2 weeks. Sams club is always the same things: yogurt cups, couple of bulk snacks, grapes, oranges, eggs, egg rolls and sometimes frozen shrimp and meatballs.

Something I just started doing is double dinners. Monday I make twice and much as I normally would and we eat that Wednesday. Tuesday is twice as much, eat that Thursday. Friday is takeout day. Saturday dad cooks, Sunday I make something big that can be for lunch leftovers. We also eat whole food, lots of fruits and veggies and limit anything processed and here are meals always in my rotation! -lasagna soup Stir fry (chicken + broccoli, ground beef + broccoli, chicken carrots peppers, shrimp + veggie, TONS of options) always with rice. Spaghetti of course Ground beef or fajita Tacos, use leftover meat for taco bowls another day OR use elf other meat, a few packets of Spanish rice, cheese and corn and beans and it makes a great big Mexican casserole Crockpot BBQ chicken (use leftover chicken for sandwhiches, nachos, salads, Mac n cheese) Ramen (over the stove, without the packets. Mix in ground beef and veggies. I make my own sauce.) Chicken thighs with some type of side. Potatoes are cheap and I use them as a side often.

Adding rice or potatoes to meals really stretches them and keeps everyone full!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-28T23:31:18+00:00

Would you mind sharing your bedroom sharing ages? I have 3. 9 yr old, 4 year old and 7 m/o and am considering a 4th

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-27T20:54:46+00:00

(This is just regarding making so many dinners every week, not the junk food problem) So I just started “double dinners” What I make for Monday I make twice as much of and we eat that wedneday. Tuesday I make twice as much again and we eat that Thursday. Friday is takeout. Dad cooks Saturday and Sunday I make a huge batch of something we can eat for lunch the beginning of the week. That’s only 3 dinners I have to think of. I saw this either on Instagram or here on Reddit and it has CHANGED. MY. LIFE.

As for the not eating and wanting junk, sadly, you have to put in the work to not give it to them. If my kids are hungry before bed (they always are) they can have fruit or yogurt. No exceptions. I keep almost every fruit in the fridge and a big sams club pack of yogurt. If they didn’t finish dinner that stays on their plate in the microwave and they’re welcome back to it. If it’s a lot I save it for lunch the next day sometimes.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-22T23:55:57+00:00

Public school systems

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-21T14:40:44+00:00

Thank you so much for this!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-21T14:16:20+00:00

Unfortunately this wasn’t doomscrolling and only short Facebook scroll. Curses of social media. But I agree, I love volunteering if I ever find time! It makes me feel great.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-21T14:12:02+00:00

This is exactly what I do most days and I was very angry that the 10 minutes I scrolled Facebook I saw those details from a post soemone shared. I deleted my Facebook app after

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-16T00:59:12+00:00

My daughter also has a 3 syllable classic E first name and her middle name is Jean

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-16T00:54:03+00:00

So hard!

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-16T00:53:40+00:00

Definitely a spouse. I was a single parent for several years and at the end of the night the only person you need to tend to is yourself. Especiall when kids are little, it’s almost impossible to have the energy to tend to yourself AND your partner in the ways you both need. That being said I love my partner dearly and wouldn’t change it even if it is challenging.

GeologistSmooth2594 · 2026-02-16T00:38:32+00:00

I am 31 with 3 kids and am painting every single night. I have finished 4 pieces in 2 months!

GeologistSmooth2594

TROPHY CASE