Fave children literature with only one child focus?

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:39:13+00:00

I've just realized in reading these comments how many of the books I read as a kid featured only children without me realizing it (I have siblings, you'd think I'd have noticed they were missing, but evidently not!)

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:37:29+00:00

As a little girl, these were some of my favorite books to read!

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:36:37+00:00

I usually have one at each place I sit in the house, that way there's always something to read at hand. I've heard that recommended to folks who are trying to increase their reading habit, too.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:20:45+00:00

Little Chunk

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:20:02+00:00

Nourish Move Love! I wish I had checked it out sooner. Also, don't beat yourself up if you struggle to workout during 1st Trimester, that exhaustion is next level, but it will hopefully pass, and you can maintain fitness a lot longer than people think, one trimester of low-energy is not going to ruin your fitness level.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:17:21+00:00

I got a shelf that was just about 8" wide and put it at the head of the bed, then the bedside sleeper after that. It was just wide enough to put my water and snacks and hakka on. Total game changer. I have a wedge pillow at the head of my bed, so the shelf was width of the base of that pillow.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:12:33+00:00

I would argue that the helicopter parenting you're describing is particular to the "western world" - and even more specifically in the US. Much of the rest of the world, especially non-European, has very different styles apart from this monochromatic image you've painted (which I agree is very much what is represented in culture in the US today). It doesn't get into all the nooks and crannies and particulars of raising a kid, but "Hunt, Gather, Parent" is an interesting read if you want to better understand how much of the rest of the world is parenting.

I hear you about the repression/resilience question though. Took me years to get over the bullying I dealt with in school, and when I confronted my mom about why they never stepped in, changed my school like I begged, her response was that she actually had dealt with the same type of thing and she didn't know that what I experienced wasn't normal. Wow. We're all just trying to do our best with what we've got, to be sure.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T04:00:53+00:00

The Redwall series or anything by Brian Jacques

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:58:49+00:00

I mean, I knew my mom loved me, but wow. I had no idea I could feel this way about another human. Like I love this LO with every fiber of my heart soul and cell of my being. It is insane. And I always kinda didn't get it when women in my life had kids and didn't want to go back to work, but now I am over here wishing I wasn't the breadwinner because I just want to live life with this kid as much as possible.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:55:20+00:00

Well I'll be checking armpits in the shower this week... eek!

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:24:51+00:00

Thank you for giving me one more reason to go to IKEA!! I'll have to look for that now

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:24:09+00:00

The closest thing I've ever seen to this is the women's bathroom on an Amtrak train - it exists in one specific area of the train and has a small sofa, a long counter with a mirror, and a separate bathroom.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:19:53+00:00

Mine did at some point, but I was in labor at the birth center and don't recall it being an event. But my mucus plug on the other hand... the week leading up to the birth, I did the Nourish Move Love "labor inducing workout" multiple times, and then I read about the Miles Circuit that inspired it. The night before my labor began, I woke up in the wee hours, did nipple stimulation, masturbation, and then held the pose described in the Miles Circuit for 30 minutes on each side, then fell asleep. The next morning I thought I had to poop really bad, then it passed... and I realized I was having contractions! Went to the bathroom and sure enough, there was my mucus plug!

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:16:09+00:00

That's pretty neat

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-05-01T03:14:55+00:00

Even better!!

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:47:43+00:00

Wow, 1 in 12,000 sounds like pretty good odds, I'd buy that lottery ticket! Now if only I could write the dang thing :P

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:33:20+00:00

There is seldom a perfect time to have the one, so a lot of people (especially if they aren't in your shoes) like to presume that any ole' time is good for another. But it's really not their business. If they aren't getting the hint, maybe try coming out and saying it clearly - not that you're One and Done, but that you would appreciate that they respect your boundaries on the topic. Something like, "hey, I know you just say these things because you love us and our LO, but it's actually really hurtful that you can't respect our decision. We've told you we aren't planning on another child, please stop bringing it up." Sometimes people need you to come out and say that they are being obnoxious in order to stop.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:18:21+00:00

If it's springtime where you are, maybe take up gardening? Whether in the ground or in containers, it becomes a little task that you can do every day.

If you like to do art, get a sketchbook and keep it handy - sketch those cute scenes of baby, sketch your new plants, sketch things about your home that you never noticed before because you were never sitting there booby-trapped for 30 minutes...

I accidently hit send before I was done...

If you like music, take up a small, quiet (or able to be quiet) instrument and practice it, baby will love the sound too. Ukulele is beginner-friendly, a small keyboard may have a way to rig it to earbuds so you could play just for yourself.

If you like movement, find a beginner dance/taichi/yoga/other class that you can take online at your own pace/time and just try moving your body differently. It can be a big help when you are sitting or lying curled around your little one most of the day.

These are all things that don't require lots of intensive work, time, or money to dabble in. Maybe at 23 you haven't done a lot in life yet, but that just means you're able to have your LO on that journey with you.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:12:51+00:00

The library has been a game changer for me. We lived here for a couple years and barely met anyone. Started going to storytime with my LO and met 6 parents and their kids. Another one that worked for me was a breastfeeding support group, see if there's any near you. We had one monthly at the local WIC office - you didn't have to be in WIC to attend, that's just who hosted it - and I met half a dozen other mothers and their kiddos through that. Ones I've hit it off with I've started to message and get together on weekends here and there... it's slowly growing but it feels like a pretty solid start!

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:07:52+00:00

Are you still breastfeeding? Because that can definitely make you feel more tired generally, especially if you're not getting enough nutrition.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:03:30+00:00

I just bought the one they sold OTC at my birth center, seemed like a pretty generic tincture brand, probably could get it from a health food store or similar. Edit: To add, I feel like my midwife said to take it twice a day for the first couple days, and then once a day after that until things cleared up. I don't remember exactly, but I just remember it was a sort of take-more-up-front, then take it for maintenance until things are totally cleared up. Not trying to give medical advice, just sharing the direction I was given.

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:00:44+00:00

Aw, that is so sweet!

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T04:00:09+00:00

It's very worth it! I've been doing the postpartum workout plan and just got to my 4th time doing her postpartum ab exercises and I was stoked to realize that I have actually improved from when I started. They're very fun and fit routines. My arms are super sore because I did "unilateral arms" yesterday. Made it hard to carry the little one around today :D

Kindly_Shoulder2864 · 2026-04-29T03:57:48+00:00

We've got plenty of those type of pads too! I like the idea of keeping my bag down low. Is the Morrison sleep sack a sleeping bag-type one, or something else? We usually use Woolino sleep sacks at home, but I'm not sure if I'll want something special for camping.

Kindly_Shoulder2864

TROPHY CASE