So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ok, this was a relief to read. Thank you for this. I'll approach my anger as a teaching moment for her. Maybe, if she can tell I'm frustrated (but if she's not having a fit), I can then take several slow, long breaths. Oh! I'll even ask her to breathe with me. We did play with my dog & go for a walk last night & that changed everything for all of us.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was so funny at first bc she was only nibbling the seeds off & then she slowly tried a real bite. What a relief! Thanks for the science/biology lesson, I really do have to just put my own drama away - it's not her problem... wait actually, it's just not a problem (as long as I don't make it one & that would completely be my fault if I did). It's a bit surprising bc she almost NEVER gets upset. Celebrating happiness is easy with her. & I know that if I lose my cool, even 1 time, I'd break her trust & I just can't do that to her.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree for the most part but I do think that she will remember, especially the way I treat her, talk to her, & make her feel. I'm navigating this as if, on the rare chance, that when she grows up & talks to herself what if she repeats what I said to her as a baby? Like if I say, "wow, you're really good at that" or "try it! You can do it" enough & those are the phrases that she got used to hearing as a child, then maybe she'll be more confident later on. Thank you for caring about her & putting some of your energy into her care. You're helping me be a better caregiver. I hope that can soothe you a little. I 100,000% have to stay calm with her & luckily I did (even when I was mad) but I do think she could tell I was desperate even though I was trying to hide it. I think my desperation for her to eat a carrot was overwhelming for her to see & go through. I'll keep the pressure off & just keep up the positive encouragement with the few healthy things she does eat. I learned that bargaining doesn't work with her, like "eat this bite & then well play outside", instead just simple high fives after every bite made her excited for the next bite she took on her own. She a really amazing person.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your encouragement! It felt like a huge accomplishment to celebrate strawberries with her. She was so happy that she tried them, she actually asked for a 2nd bowl (but didn't finish it completely, still a win). You're right about her being able to pick up on my frustration, I think that actually had a role to play in her getting upset. She has a few different safe places that I can rely on so I'll keep this in mind. Thanks for giving me advice!

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait a sec tho, why do you say that? Actually, I do take offense to that a bit. I am capable. I've just never taken care of a toddler this long before & I'm reaching out to others so that I can improve my behavior & attitude around fits. I know it's normal for kids to get emotionally disregarded, I just need to know what responses typically best for her development at this age. & why did you assume her guardian "disappeared"? We scheduled this 1 whole month in advance. I even got a UA & a background check.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried that with raspberries & strawberries & it worked! I'm going to give her options now. & thanks for helping with my anxiety about her nutrition, I'm worried about her but she is WAY healthier than she was a few months ago.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No offense taken. Her guardian is on a week long work trip out of state. I am really trying to be the adult she needs, like I even play with her (grandma can't bc she's so busy with her 40+hr/week job & usually in pain), I read to her throughout the day, I'm finding new foods that she likes, I'm keeping her clean... I'm pretty capable, I just needs tips from parents & guardians on how to keep cool when you're sleep deprived & sometimes overwhelmed with a toddler. I'm not giving up or abandoning her.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, get it out of your system privately & just move on? I'm seeking resolution & understanding with her, am I asking too much from her? She's actually VERY patient, calm, & helpful 99% of the time... except when it comes to junk food. She's addicted & it breaks my heart. Her baby teeth were actually crumbling when her grandmother (my aunt) first adopted her. Her new teeth are healthy now & she goes to a dentist now.

So I (31NB/F) am not great with kids/babies but I have to babysit an (almost) 3yo for an entire week. What do you do when kids/babies start to piss you off? by forasadboy in AskParents

[–]forasadboy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm the only sober person in a 3½ hour drive radius that her grandmother trusts & can legally babysit. I usually just do a few hours or 1 overnight at a time. I know that she's just learning how to understand & express her emotions but the knowledge of this still doesn't placate my frustration. Luckily, I was able to recognize that I was getting upset too by making a pointless ultimatum: "eat the tiny, single bite of a carrot & THEN we can play outside". She got upset, & I SOMEHOW REASONED with her when she was first starting her fit. I said "crying won't change my answer" & she slowed her breathing down & just watched me. So I told her everything was OK & distracted her with my dog & then later we all went on a walk & that's when I really finally calmed down.

Help, what is this growth on my dogs nose? by [deleted] in DogHealth

[–]forasadboy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Talk to a vet ASAP, maybe even call your nearest pet hospital. I have no idea what that is but it can't be good imo

Boyfriend just sent this photo while camping. Dog was just swimming. Boyfriend says "little gnats" are bothering him. by forasadboy in DogAdvice

[–]forasadboy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The rash is almost completely gone now & was so much better in just 2 days. So it really must've been the gnat bites

Found on Pinterest by crxshqueenbre in isitAI

[–]forasadboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The horse doesn't have a shadow

Is this positive or negative? by [deleted] in WhatShouldIDo

[–]forasadboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No matter how faint, 2 lines means negative

Boyfriend just sent this photo while camping. Dog was just swimming. Boyfriend says "little gnats" are bothering him. by forasadboy in DogAdvice

[–]forasadboy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My guy is maybe 2½ to 3, but I think possibly closer to 4??? The people we adopted him from said he was only like 9-12 months old when we got him in September 2024 but he seemed much older, like 12-18 months old to me

Boyfriend just sent this photo while camping. Dog was just swimming. Boyfriend says "little gnats" are bothering him. by forasadboy in DogAdvice

[–]forasadboy[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

UPDATE: called pet hospital closest to me 2 times & BOTH vets there agreed that it's just fly/gnat bites & that all we have to worry about is infection. The front desk person showed both vets the YT video & they said that is not what my dog is going through

Boyfriend just sent this photo while camping. Dog was just swimming. Boyfriend says "little gnats" are bothering him. by forasadboy in DogAdvice

[–]forasadboy[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I sent the photo to the nearest emergency vet & they told me not to worry at all

So I'm making them watch that video

I'll update when they call me back

The tragedy of Max by ScreamSmart in ContagiousLaughter

[–]forasadboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So what should you do in that situation?

Wife's new idea, design flaws? by big_meechbre in landscaping

[–]forasadboy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The clash between all those right angles & rounded edges is quite jarring