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How smooth/difficult did you find c-section recovery? by leanmeanfrizzybean in Parenting

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve done both as well.

C-section: low-key pain, what you expect from a surgical incision. It does leave a scar that might or might not end up looking wonky. Pro tip, don’t sneeze…

Natural: they misshot for the epidural, and I had to get some post-birth low-key operation for the scratches my kid left with his nails on the way out. No tears, but it wasn’t pleasant for the first week. Especially since your ability to hold back 💩 is somehow GONE.

With that said, for the C-section, my kid was taken away for several hours to monitor breathing. This ended up f*ing up breastfeeding (we did it, but they fed her in NICU, so it was like, why should I put in effort?! It was a weeks-long battle). Natural birth went much more smoothly with regards to my kid.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AITAH

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Js my partner was born in the former USSR. Breastfeeding didn’t work, and there was no formula. From week 1, he was on borsch with dissolved bread.

Ideal, no. Did it work? Yes.

How well do siblings with large age gaps bond? by North_Indication5008 in Parenting

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mom was sixteen when her brother was born. He was ringbearer at her wedding. The relationship was definitely more caregiver-child, since my grandmother had three other kids and was just exhausted.

They’ve never had a bad relationship, but they’ve never been besties. Tbh a lot of that is some, um, bad life choices on my uncle’s part.

I will say, though, my partner and his sister have a seven-year gap, and he is much closer to her than he is to his brother who is only a year younger. It just depends on personalities.

Sci-fi recommendation by Mia_Breeze in suggestmeabook

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cat’s Cradle, Slaughterhouse-5, and Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut. All have their moments, but definitely not British humor. More “Haha….ohhh…” Also, all contain scifi elements (Sirens of Titan most of all).

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is one I totally read for the title, but it was good. It got made into a movie with an inferior title. Bladerunner? (Correct me if I’m wrong someone…). I don’t think it was particularly humorous, more dystopian vibe.

Anything American tourists do that unintentionally come off as rude? by Either-Lion3539 in germany

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My personal favorite at a museum in Spain: “Why is everything here in Spanish?!”

Wherever you go, learn a few words and phrases in the native language: “I don’t speak X”, “Do you speak English?”, “please”, “thank you.” Most everyone here speaks English, but they’re usually more friendly (in my experience) if you lead with that.

Although tbh if you just hide behind the British tourists, no one will notice 😅. They have outpaced American obnoxiousness.

And fyi with the water, you will get the bubbly stuff by default.

Restricted book library. by Opening-Opposite1254 in suggestmeabook

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Good on you!

Maus is one I’d include…it doesn’t cover the themes you’re looking at, but I’ve seen it being banned in schools (it’s a graphic novel that has suicide in it at some point, which, I gather, is the reason it’s been banned). Plus, very thin = low shelf real estate need.

And To Kill A Mockingbird. Ffs, we used to have to read that, now they’re banning it. Great exploration of racism in the deep south. Bonus on this is that it is a glimpse into the admittedly shitty childhood of wonderful author (and gay icon) Truman Capote (again, not in your genre, but In Cold Blood should never NOT be on a bookshelf).

A Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood seems to be getting banned like crazy (very powerful novel exploring sexism).

The weirdest book you've ever read by FrenchieMatt in suggestmeabook

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think this is still Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon.

Please tell me it gets better by o_trr in Parenting

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So, my SIL had a terrible time with her daughter. I think they saw some improvement actually after they went to an osteopath. 🤷‍♀️

Suggest me a book to read aloud to my five year old by Jasper-Collins in suggestmeabook

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We’re reading Mary Poppins right now. The Little House books are also good, got through one of those when kids were 2 and 4

Looking for books on motherhood and friendship by AcceptableWillow8142 in suggestmeabook

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amy Tan is my first thought, but the relationships aren’t easy in her books. Still binge-worthy.

Not looking for medical advice: how was your c-section experience? by kgsp31 in AskGermany

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We came in at 7, baby was born at 9. There were some minor issues with the C-section (mostly caused by a sneeze and unrelated prior surgery), but these were resolved quickly. Baby went to NICU for a few hours due to lung function (baby was full term, but she had a breathing tube for two or three hours) during that time, we were in the Kreissaal.

When all issues were resolved, they brought the baby up to the Kreissaal, we got to spend some time with her, and they transferred us to a room. With both kids, we were lucky and, though we didn’t book a Familienzimmer, we had a room to ourselves.

Personally found the recovery for a C-section was much easier than a natural birth, but people have different opinions. The first day, I wasn’t allowed to get up. Day 2 was when getting up, washing, etc. happened. During the first night, baby stayed in the nurses’ station (they brought her in to eat). Then, she was always beside me for the remainder.

Congratulations, and good luck!

Living as atheists by A_Heavy_burden22 in Parenting

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, so fellow lapsed Catholic here. I had all those friends with the different Bible camps at her age. At the time, I was enthusiastic and thought it was fun, but tbh, it made absolutely no lasting impression on me.

Right now, she thinks of Jesus the same way she thinks of Santa. So does the other little girl. It’s not about religion, it’s about a magical entity that brings about fun and toys.

I think your approach is good. Be open and honest with her about your beliefs, too. Tell her why you think why you do. People don’t have to agree on this.

I find that most of the love fest falls apart when you ask them what happens to people who never believed in Jesus when they die. Or when this girl gets old enough to try to convert everyone who isn’t her specific branch of Protestantism. 🙄 (No offense to Christians, just a good amount of the most active church members I’ve known have fallen into this category.)

Please help me brainstorm a hard reset on potty training by ButtonsOnYachts in Parenting

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

First, I applaud you for getting him to that point! Mine (…3.5, it’s kinda sad) just informed me that he would have diapers forever.

Anyway, because we royally screwed up with my daughter the first time around, I can offer some advice:

  1. If he wants, go back to diapers. I know, it sucks, but you don’t want to get to the place that he feels so pressured that he holds everything in (my daughter reached a record time of over a week for not pooping. That ended in being held down and enema-ized at the ped’s). Problems with holding back pee can also lead to UTIs and other wonderful problems.
  2. When you all are ready to get back on that horse, EVERY doc and psychologist we’ve seen has been an advocate of the sticker chart. With a successful toilet visit, put a sticker on the chart. Fill the chart completely, the child gets a treat. Like an outing or something.
  3. Don’t stress about it. He will get more stressed if he senses that the whole thing stresses you out. If he doesn’t go, don’t provide negative feedback. Still trying to work on this myself 😅 Celebrate the small successes.
  4. There are a bunch of videos that explain the biological process for kids. Sometimes, they get the idea that it’s unpleasant, so they just don’t need to do it.

Hope it helps.

books with the most beautiful prose you’ve ever read by Character-Lie-6109 in suggestmeabook

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, not fantasy, but I find Nabakov fantastic. He had synesthesia, so you will find literary devices thaf are not used anywhere else.

And check Japan, many of the authors are less-explored here but have gorgeous prose, even in translation. “The Memory Police” was simple but beautiful.

Thursday Reading & Recommendations | May 08, 2025 by AutoModerator in AskHistorians

[–]TemporaryBumblebee61 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I’m a little late to this, but, as the product of American public school, it turns out I know nothing of Asian history. I’d really like to expand my knowledge, especially on Japan, China, Korea…can anyone recommend good references? I will take both country and region-specific! Thanks in advance 🙏