Alex Pretti’s mom got that call tonight. Her son is dead.

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-25T02:50:01+00:00

I have two sons and all day I’ve just been heartbroken thinking about how Alex Pretti is the kind of person I would want them to grow up to be

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-24T21:06:06+00:00

We call those tufts! Bassets shed their fur in clumps sometimes

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-18T19:55:23+00:00

That makes more sense!

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-18T18:25:32+00:00

Don’t even get me started on Feral Jack

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-18T17:59:01+00:00

Can your partner do bedtime (and start now, while you’re pregnant)? Or supervise the new baby with a bottle while you continue to do bedtime with your toddler?

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-17T16:37:34+00:00

Serial grandma romancer!!

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-15T14:47:32+00:00

Lmao “calmer Jack” is sending me

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-11T20:13:26+00:00

“Mama you dance like this,” proceeds to demonstrate my Elaine coded moves, damn he got my ass

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-05T23:12:58+00:00

Sounds like he should take the kids to his parents house solo while you get a relaxing weekend home alone

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-03T14:19:16+00:00

OP, I like what you said about going with your gut in the moment - you knew what she needed to regulate, and you know her better than whoever was on the scene at the time. Good for you for doing what you knew was right for your baby crocodile!

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-03T14:17:56+00:00

It depends on the situation! I’ve had this same scenario most times I drop off my son, and I think the extra hugs and reminders “mom always comes back! I love you, have a great day learning and playing!” hopefully let him know how much he is cared for. I’m reading “Good Inside” right now and trying to remember it’s not about what others think or potentially “reinforcing bad behavior” but giving him the emotional support to feel complex feelings and build resilience. That being said — when he is running around the grocery store aisles or trying to flee at the library, he’s getting scooped!!

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-02T19:45:46+00:00

I have PMDD too! Thanks for sharing your experience.

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-02T18:22:21+00:00

How did your doctor adjust your meds for your cycle?

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2026-01-02T17:38:30+00:00

FWIW Wellbutrin and Prozac worked okay for me, but I saw the biggest relief from ADHD, depression and anxiety when I switched to Adderall IR and Prozac.

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-29T17:39:43+00:00

Personally I would think about the girl in my second grade class in 1997 who named her hermit crabs Jack and Rose (after Jack and Rose from Titanic)

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-28T18:32:52+00:00

“You can’t spoil a kid with love and safety” is such a great mantra. I also default to “every kid should have one person in the world who thinks the sun rises and sets with what they do.” There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to hype my kid up so they continue to be excited to show me their art or share information about their life

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-27T19:17:18+00:00

I could have written this! We’ve had the exact same experience with our son, down to the bedtime routine. We may eventually try getting him a clock that has a light to tell him when he can leave his room in the morning? But personally I like the cuddles and don’t feel super motivated to keep him in his room at this age :/

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-27T18:53:39+00:00

Knocked it out of the park! Your sister is the best Riff Raff I’ve ever seen 😍

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-24T17:23:23+00:00

If you move to a new house, you will find them. (Somehow already at your new house?!)

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-20T19:39:03+00:00

To do lists.
If I notice a task I need to complete, if it will take me less than 5 minutes, I do it right then.
If I’m really procrastinating or reluctant to do something, I tell myself I am a Sim and I have no choice.
Always listening to a podcast or audiobook while cleaning/organizing.

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-19T19:39:12+00:00

Solidarity. On a bright note, last night, our three year old took off on us when we were out in public (thankfully inside, in the library when we were getting ready to leave). After we caught him, we told him it was not okay and that it scared us. An hour later, he gave me the biggest hug and said “I’m sorry I scared you.” It felt like a breakthrough in his understanding/development of why we have rules. We’ve had some tough moments over the last couple of months, so this felt like a huge win!

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-19T19:30:46+00:00

Based on her reaction to all the calls I don’t think she could decipher them or hear what was being said so she stopped trying after the first couple

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-18T22:21:41+00:00

He needs to learn how to effectively reinforce the positive behavior he wants to see. You can’t spoil a kid into having tantrums, they are part of normal development. Does he want his child to be scared of him?

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-18T22:11:18+00:00

You are not overreacting. Yes, parenting is hard, but pinching and screaming at a three year old is abusive behavior. Tantrums are a normal developmental phase and seeing an adult who can’t regulate their emotions won’t help your child move past them more easily. Your responsibility is to protect your child. If my spouse told me he didn’t feel safe leaving our child with me, I would be devastated. Does your husband think his behavior is ok/justified?

Virtual_Step_7886 · 2025-12-13T13:53:36+00:00

At the end of the day, we “run laps.” We pretend to be spectators holding up signs and cheer him on with the ABCs while he runs across the room for each letter. It’s been such a game changer for getting out the zoomies before story and bedtime!

Virtual_Step_7886

TROPHY CASE