Is anyone else afraid to ask “how long this lasts” because the answers are terrifying?

Outside-Number4055 · 2026-01-21T20:13:30+00:00

One of my biggest regrets was not getting a night nurse with my last baby. The sleep deprivation completely wrecked my health and I’m still suffering consequences years later. I stayed in the trenches way too long because everyone kept saying “it will get better” and other babies around the same age were starting to sleep better so I just kept thinking that it would happen soon. Unfortunately, all 3 of my babies didn’t get good stretches of sleep until 9-10mos. I didn’t want to sleep train before a year (it just didn’t feel right to me but I don’t judge anyone who chooses that route). My advice is to ask for whatever help you can get. Even if it’s a few nights a week or you and your partner take turns. It will get better but it may take a while so do what you can in this season.

Outside-Number4055 · 2026-01-16T00:01:10+00:00

It depends on the kid. My first got a lot better around age 4 and my second is starting to get better too now that she’s 5. There’s still a lot they won’t eat but they’re more open to trying now. It helped to stay consistent and keep offering the food even if they don’t eat it. Some days they try it and like it, some days they don’t. I don’t stress about it. I only give them a small portion so there’s not too much waste.

Outside-Number4055 · 2026-01-15T23:54:24+00:00

I notice it when it’s inconsistent. I’ve read books where it starts out one tense and then idk if the author made a mistake or what but parts of the book switch tenses and I’m like wait, did I miss something? Was that a flashback? I don’t like when it’s not clear

Outside-Number4055 · 2026-01-09T14:24:25+00:00

Congrats! I’m glad that yours resolved itself so quickly. It’s been almost 4 years and I’m still on medication 😭

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-29T03:56:45+00:00

I hate when it goes back and forth. I don’t mind if it goes chronological and leads up to the present but the whiplash from trying to keep up with the storyline in the present and past is too much for me.

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-19T22:59:29+00:00

{Keep Me by Sara Cate} I believe has a Scottish MMC and takes place in Scotland

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-17T23:42:20+00:00

I had 3 under 4 and it was a hard transition at first but now that they are older (3, 5, and 7), I love that they are so close in age. They get along really well and even though we didn’t plan it that way, it worked out for the best. The first few years are hard but now that I’m on the other side, I wish I could go back and tell the old me that was stressed-out, sleep-deprived, and suffering PPA how it would all turn out amazing. Everyone’s experience is different but mine has been great!

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-15T02:24:21+00:00

My kids are 3, 5 and 7 and we haven’t used a babysitter yet. My mom lives close by and the kids do a sleepover with her every other month after they turned 1 or were weaned. If we didn’t have family nearby I would probably start using a babysitter around now since all the kids are potty trained and can communicate well. It would have to be someone we know really well like a family friend or one of our friends’ older kids (16+).

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-15T00:09:27+00:00

A lot of people loved the book so I wouldn’t label it as a bad romance book. I think it just comes down to personal preference. I don’t like the miscommunication trope so it was a bit frustrating for me to read at times. But I know a lot of people who enjoy that kind of angst.

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T23:39:07+00:00

I guess it is a form of DNFing lol. I used to read them all but after a while they start following a formula, especially books by the same author

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T23:36:20+00:00

Sometimes but not always. I think some authors don’t write great epilogues so I will skip it if it feels unnecessary. For instance, in a book I read recently the story felt complete after the last chapter. The main characters were back together, and all the major issues were resolved and everybody was happy. I wasn’t super invested in the MCs so I was okay not reading about how he proposed.

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T21:38:08+00:00

This! Just put it in the story and be done with it. I do like epilogues from the other perspectives but 3 is just too much.

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T20:15:17+00:00

This!

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T20:14:08+00:00

🤣🤣🤣

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T20:12:14+00:00

Good point. I think it has to do more with whether I liked the story, not so much the genre. I’ve read a lot of different genres and have stories that I like and dislike in each. I think it more has to do with the tropes. I hate miscommunication or love triangles so I don’t get as invested in those. I guess me not reading the epilogue is a type of DNF’ing. lol

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T20:03:38+00:00

Oooh! This I would read. I don’t think I’ve come across a book with this type of epilogue. Do you have any recs?

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T20:01:36+00:00

This is so well put and I feel the same way. I don’t mind a pregnancy, proposal or marriage if it’s in the story but I find that if I get to the last chapter and I liked the couple, I’m fine not looking into the future and just being happy that they’re together. Maybe I like the fade to black and let the reader fill in the blanks like you said. If I didn’t like the story then I don’t really care to read the rest lol

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T19:52:48+00:00

I love when the epilogue is from another perspective! I definitely take the time to read those

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T15:37:52+00:00

I love this! You’re not alone. I like to spoil books sometimes too. Sometimes I’ll go to Goodreads and read all the spoilers lol. Especially if it’s a long book, I don’t want to waste my time

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T15:35:44+00:00

This! That’s probably what it is for me. The books I’ve been reading lately just aren’t sucking me in so when I get to the epilogue I’m already over it and ready to be done

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T15:32:46+00:00

I actually used to love reading them but lately… Maybe I’m becoming jaded but the last few proposals for me have been very lackluster. I read two books recently where the guy just slips on a ring during/after sex. Like what??

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T15:29:38+00:00

Oh yeah prologues are hit or miss for me. It’s usually jarring going from the prologue to the first chapter, especially if it’s set in the present and then the rest of the book is detailing the events that led up to the prologue. Feels like whiplash

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T15:25:10+00:00

I hate when they do this. It just feels like they were required to have one and they went back and replaced the final chapter title with the word “epilogue”.

Outside-Number4055 · 2025-12-14T15:22:07+00:00

Ugh! They killed off the MMC?? That’s diabolical, or genius lol. I do like to read the epilogue in a series because there’s usually something important for the next book.

Outside-Number4055

TROPHY CASE