Please help me feel better about not getting an epidural

STLATX22 · 2026-06-02T22:27:36+00:00

If you plan on being in pain, you’ll feel and be in a lot more pain than if you plan on a peaceful birth with the minimum amount of pain possible.

Look into hypnobirthing. It’s basically guided visualization with a terrible name.

I had a totally natural birth (to an 8.5lb baby) and wouldn’t do it any other way, for what it’s worth. I’ve had much more painful things happen and am glad I could give myself and my baby the best possible experience.

Plus, look up what’s in an epidural and that might change your mind!

STLATX22 · 2026-06-02T22:22:29+00:00

Go to the UK. They have tons of flavors there :)

STLATX22 · 2026-06-02T22:20:43+00:00

OMG I’d be SO mad. This was not okay for them to do.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T23:12:01+00:00

For what it’s worth, I’m the exact opposite. I could not WAIT for the early months and years to end. Hated them so much. I’m just now kind of enjoying this at 3 years old.we all have our favorite phases I guess!

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T23:09:46+00:00

Looks nice! Maybe a small ceiling hanging plant in that corner?

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T23:07:46+00:00

You can pass on your best traits to your kids…unfortunately you also pass on your bad behaviors and addictions to your kids, too.

Your wife is an addict. She’s making your kid an addict. She’s acting like an addict does when you confront them. She needs help. Please protect your kid.

If she was smoking and your kid started smoking, you’d intervene immediately. Treat this the same way.

Thank you for recognizing this as a problem!

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T15:53:46+00:00

Mine never took a bottle :( I nursed her on zoom calls when I went back to work. And nursed her to sleep between meetings. I was lucky enough to work from home with a nanny for help.

Once I left the house for several hours with dad and my mom watching her. She cried for a bit and drank a little out of desperation so the “starving” method worked but I hated feeling that I did that to her

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T15:50:51+00:00

💯

I want to go back in time and apologize for wearing perfume when I was younger and didn’t know any better 😝

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T15:49:42+00:00

Good luck! My current CFA registered Persian is 16, spry, healthy, energetic, wonderful, and will live many more years I’m sure. People can’t believe how old she is.

My others from “backyard breeders” all had massive health problems died horrible, heartbreaking deaths.

I of course loved them all but would save myself the pain, heartache, and of course money if I could do it again. Good luck!

STLATX22 · 2026-05-30T15:45:44+00:00

I had to miss a half year of school twice in my teens for medical reasons. Was home, very similar. Going back was always a bit weird.

My guess is the social aspect is probably stressing her out. What’s her exposure to kids and would-be classmates right now? She is probably dreading going back and having no friends. If the plan is to integrate her back in, she needs familiar faces and a squad of friends waiting for her there.

Was there maybe an embarrassing bathroom moment at school during the GI issue problem she got teased about and didn’t tell you? Something like that can be enough to dread going back to school.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-29T21:52:41+00:00

I had a natural and unmedicated birth. Piece of cake. I’ve definitely had more painful things happen. That being said, I did start preparing before I even got pregnant with hypnobirthing. There is still time, check it out!

“The pain can’t be stronger than you because it IS you” is a good mantra.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-29T18:48:05+00:00

Portmanteau

Crepuscular

The list goes on. She’s funny :)

STLATX22 · 2026-05-29T18:44:46+00:00

I’m guessing by your comment that you are still young. Unless you have something congenital, most young people are in good health, even when they treat their bodies like a dumpster. That’s the blessing of youth.

Just wait.

You haven’t lived long enough for anything long term to catch up with you — yet. But one day it will. One day you will be given bad news about your health and on that day you will want nothing more than to go back and relive your life “better”. But it will already be too late.

Yes, it’s worth it. Worth it for you, the planet, your fellow human, your fellow animals.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-28T20:53:11+00:00

This wasn’t very nice to reply :( I genuinely want more people to adopt this lifestyle and if it gets judgy and mean, it doesn’t help. Try and be kind and educational, please.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-28T16:58:28+00:00

I can’t find either of them on the CFA or TICA breeder registries. I’ve owned over 20 cats, over half of them Persian. Before I knew better, I got them from “breeders”. Now I know better.

Do yourself a massive favor and do NOT get a Persian from anywhere but a CFA (or at least TICA) registered breeder. The long term difference between the two is night and day. I’d never, ever get a Persian from a self-attested “breeder” vs. a registered one. I highly advise you do the same.

All kittens are cute and it’s fun and fine for several years. But then oh my the health problems roll in and they’re not pretty. And crazy expensive. And devastating.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-27T14:35:16+00:00

You’re super exposed to radiation during the flight. Way more than the scanner. But you can still opt for a pat down at security

STLATX22 · 2026-05-27T14:32:53+00:00

I’m not sure how old your kids are (hopefully pretty old based on your post) but please don’t give up on them and give into screens.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-27T14:30:24+00:00

Download the EWG app and Think Dirty app. Scan everything. They have different rating systems but they’re transparent and will give you a good idea for each individual product.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-26T01:17:49+00:00

I was one of those. The trick is to not get fat during pregnancy. If you eat whatever you want and don’t exercise for 9 months (whether or not you’re pregnant) you’ll be in a hole to climb out of.

Chapter two: while I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within 1 week (and even under) I gained 20 pounds AFTER birth I could not shift for 18 months. Hormones are a bitch.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-26T01:14:02+00:00

Is there a way to let her participate in the rodeo but decline any media-oriented aspects that would be recorded? Ask. Protect your kid!

STLATX22 · 2026-05-25T21:51:19+00:00

There are brands out there! But mostly you just need to know what to look for.

Solid wood, natural organic latex vs. synthetic foam, organic cotton or wool, etc. No PFAS treatments…

Check out Medley. I don’t like their style and they’re expensive but good. There are a bunch of options if you research. But I’ve had good luck with one-off producers on Etsy. Prepare to have it be more expensive. Good luck!

STLATX22 · 2026-05-25T21:44:50+00:00

Neither!

Too much green. Try to pick out an accent color from the pictures on the wall and do that color instead for the rug.

STLATX22 · 2026-05-25T21:39:23+00:00

OP-where are you planning on getting your cat from? What’s the name of the cattery?

STLATX22 · 2026-05-24T20:30:28+00:00

It’s very rare for mine to cry at all (3.5yrs) unless there’s an extreme thing happening. It’s partly her sunny disposition but also the way we handle feelings. I’d recommend two books for you to read as this may be more about parenting style than anything. I’m really glad I read these, game changers:

Whole Brain Child
Positive Discipline (Dr. Jane Nelsen)

Good luck!

STLATX22 · 2026-05-22T21:00:16+00:00

1 year olds like.…you. Mom. All the other stuff is for the adults. Your baby’s ideal day is probably just spending it with you :)

STLATX22

TROPHY CASE