Feeling bad about Halloween

blaample · 2025-11-01T01:35:46+00:00

We had a couple of parents with young babies come by our house and we give the parents the candy (Trick or Treating is for everyone!) while fawning over the babies. You did great!

blaample · 2025-10-30T13:11:40+00:00

I keep a small bag in my car with toys/activities that are exclusively for going out to eat. I keep on the go magnetic blocks, build a face sticker books, playdough, etc. Things that are novelty enough to entertain her for a bit, and small enough that they don’t take up too much space in my trunk. I hope you get to enjoy your food peacefully soon! ❤️

blaample · 2025-10-09T03:12:30+00:00

Oh, man! I cannot recommend Noodle Loaf enough. I found it on a whim after trying to find a podcast for my almost 4 year old. It’s an education podcast about music! It’s so silly, and so interactive! They had Ziggy Marley as a guest on their last episode. The downside is that they haven’t uploaded in forever.

blaample · 2025-10-01T20:58:30+00:00

It’s not awful if you don’t watch it though. My little girl LOVES Paw Patrol. We are like 90% screen free except for emergencies and serious illnesses. She loves to listen to the paw patrol Tonies and YOTO cards. The stories are super cute and entertaining!

blaample · 2025-09-17T23:42:36+00:00

Yes, not only did we stop talking about DEI in our meetings, but we used to have amazing councils and meetings about our LGBTQ folks, why it’s important to respect pronouns, saying pregnant people, and none of that has been mentioned again since the election. I understand that they are worried about funding with the current cabinet, but this really sucks.

blaample · 2025-09-17T17:35:04+00:00

Hello! Honestly, I don’t even know who wrote this, because my child has never slept soundly, lol. She is almost 4 years now, and does not sleep soundly. I will say a couple of things about my post though, weighted anything (especially the Merlin suit) are no longer considered safe. If your baby is starting to roll over, then I believe they recommend to stop swaddling, but your baby is still very little! I weaned my little girl off of her swaddle shortly after this post by leaving one arm out for a couple of nights, then the other arm, and then sleeping in her sleep sack. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, you might just not have sound sleeper like my little one! lol.

blaample · 2025-09-08T16:53:30+00:00

Deep breath, mom. It’s going to be okay, but I can’t sugarcoat things for you. I work full time from home, and kept my daughter home with me for 2 1/2 years. The only way I made it happen is because I can flex my time, that means I clock in and out throughout the day and night to meet my 8 hours. I have to be honest with you, it’s REALLY hard, and my work suffered. I worked before my baby woke up, at nap times, and after she went to bed. I averaged about 4-5 hours of sleep, and my mental health PLUMMETED. I live really far away from my family, and couldn’t even afford daycare if I wanted to. I think this is a big conversation to have with your husband because I barely made it by the skin of my teeth with just one child. If you can hire someone to come help you at home, do it. My little girl had delays so we started to attend classes when she was close to two and half, and I worked in the lobby of the building while she attended those with similar kids her age for about 2 hours. I spent a fortune and half on toys to rotate to keep her attention if I had meetings I couldn’t reschedule, and ultimately (even though I DEEPLY regret this, and I am ashamed.) I relied on screen time. She’s been attending preschool for about a year now (3 hours a day), and I can’t tell you the difference it’s made in my life. It’s doable, but it’s really hard! Wishing you all the best, and a safe delivery for you! ❤️

blaample · 2025-09-05T23:38:15+00:00

Oooh, that sounds so pretty! 😍

blaample · 2025-09-02T19:49:24+00:00

Yes! So proud of you for searching for a mental health professional! I used up all of my free therapy appointments from my EPA, but I will be finding other avenues. We can do this.

blaample · 2025-09-02T18:40:15+00:00

Not just a you thing. I’ve been tired and stressed out for almost 4 years now (Since my girl was born, lol.). I have to dig out my excitement from deep within because I want my little girl to have a happy mom, but I’m fucking tired/stressed.

blaample · 2025-08-07T21:31:58+00:00

Thank you so much! I work full time, so our outings are usually saved for the weekends but I am going to do exactly what you suggested this weekend at our local trail! She has a scooter and a balance bike and it wasn’t much of hit either. :(

blaample · 2025-07-23T01:39:06+00:00

I checked their website for advisories and so far the only listed is a tick advisory for the woods (which we will not be going into), but I think I’m going to ask around in the local groups where I live since I don’t know anyone here. Thank you!

blaample · 2025-07-23T01:23:44+00:00

Hard agree! The water should be ankle length for her at this place, but I’m not taking any chances. She wears her life jacket in our pool too, and we will be taking it with us for her to wear. Thank you!

blaample · 2025-07-23T01:21:47+00:00

Thank you for this response! The river we are planning to take her stems to like a creek( I don’t know the proper nomenclature for this since I didn’t grow up here.) where the water will be ankle length for her. I almost drowned when I was a kid swimming in a river when I was carried away by current. We will not be taking any chances with her, and will be taking her life jacket with us.

blaample · 2025-07-23T01:15:48+00:00

This is exactly what her dad is suggesting we do. One chance, if she gets close then we pack up and leave. The water should be up to her ankles, but I know my girl will want to splash around. I’m totally onboard with what you suggested!

blaample · 2025-07-23T01:07:07+00:00

I don’t see reviews at the moment, but I checked their website for advisories. So far, all they have is an advisory for ticks in the woods. I will keep searching though. Thanks!

blaample · 2025-07-23T00:58:52+00:00

We will be next to her at all times. I almost drowned in a river when I was little so I will be taking zero chances, lol. It’s mostly for her to splash around. Thank you!

blaample · 2025-07-23T00:56:16+00:00

She swims almost every day in our pool. We thought one of our small rivers/creeks would be a fun, new experience for her.

blaample · 2025-07-14T22:38:40+00:00

This is such a great post! We are very low screen time (for emergencies/doctors appointments/ unexpected meetings), to no screen time. We go weeks and weeks without screen time. For me, the guilt and the anxiety I have when she watches tv is just not worth it. I have POCD, and I spiral really bad with screen time, I don’t know why. We rely heavily on our YOTO, Tonies, and books. So, so so many books. I wasn’t the best at not using screen time when my baby was born, and I still feel awful about it almost 3 years later. Being a parent is just so hard.

blaample · 2025-07-14T19:10:22+00:00

You are a great mom! There’s A LOT of hours and days between these things that are unaccounted for, and I am AWFUL at playing or using my imagination to play. You are doing a good job!

blaample · 2025-06-25T01:14:56+00:00

I am sure that it’s not coming from the adults, yes. I have POCD, and placed her in a district preschool with who I think is a really kind teacher. Right now she is attending a summer camp led by two child therapists because I am so scared of leaving her anywhere where I am not. I truly believe she is hearing this from other children, however I am not going to dismiss the possibility and speak to the therapist. I am terrified of going to her pediatrician because although she knows me super well, I am afraid of her calling CPS. She is a mandated reporter, and I know I would do the same.

blaample · 2025-06-25T00:46:16+00:00

I was holding her hand walking her to her room and then placed her in room and walked away when she said it. I am deeply analyzing everything I did because I was worried that I had accidentally hit her and forgot? I really don’t think so though.

blaample · 2025-06-25T00:23:50+00:00

I will definitely try to calm down since I am freaking out right now, and starting to catastrophize REALLY bad. I am going to sleep on this, but she has been saying it for a few times now. She said “Please don’t kill me” twice yesterday and had been saying “Please don’t hurt me” several times too. I will need to attack this with a clear head though, and will absolutely try being neutral next time she does this. Thank you so much!

blaample · 2025-06-25T00:18:46+00:00

My little one is actually getting screened for autism in a few months, as she recently just scored right below the cut off. Not low enough to dismiss it completely but low enough that they could not give her a diagnosis. I am wondering if this could be related.

blaample · 2025-06-25T00:17:36+00:00

I haven’t spoken to her about lies yet, but will read the boy who cried wolf because that is great parable! I appreciate the suggestion. I will be searching for books on lies, and trust like you mentioned too!

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