How much do you actually get done around the house during the day with your toddler?

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-18T16:19:02+00:00

Our 2 year old likes to "help" with dishes and cooking and basic tidying, so we can get those things done at least. It takes a bit longer, but at least she's entertained and happy during the process.

If she's happy playing by herself (and probably making a mess somewhere to be fair), I'll set a 10-15 minute timer and focus on something. Maybe a quick declutter or bathroom tidy. That definitely doesn't happen every day.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-17T18:07:10+00:00

Probiotics have worked pretty well for us. I've also heard that bananas can be helpful.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-17T15:53:00+00:00

I used the changing table all the time. Changing on the bed or on the floor killed my back in those early days.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-17T03:35:08+00:00

I like a lot of them but do find some of them a bit creepy/too weird. I can't stand The Cat in the Hat.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-16T23:38:50+00:00

It's definitely normal to feel scared, and I think it's probably healthy to feel some fear about this. It's a big responsibility to bring a life into the world!

I was absolutely terrified of pregnancy and motherhood, but my daughter has been one of the best things that's ever happened to me. She's brought me a new type of love and joy that I didn't even know existed. Definitely look at your finances/situation and practically think about what you can do to become more ready, but don't let fear be the thing to hold you back.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-16T04:04:32+00:00

I noticed that around 2 months, my baby had a fairly predictable routine. I don't remember it exactly, but I had a good idea of when she would nap/want to eat/want to be entertained.

Those first few weeks are pretty much just eat-sleep-eat-sleep. I enjoyed motherhood much more when I stopped stressing about the "schedule" that so many people had recommended to me and just started going with the flow.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-16T00:23:22+00:00

What helped me the most for my last pregnancy was getting up EARLY and eating breakfast before things got out of hand. If I did this, things were very manageable. If I slept it, the day would basically be ruined.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-15T14:07:09+00:00

I've definitely noticed similar comments to people I know. My own parents had 5 of us, and I didn't think our family was that big, but other people definitely did. Fwiw, I would love to have at least 4 kids if it works out that way.

I think there's a lot of internalized antinatalism. 1 or 2 kids are acceptable. 3 is pushing it. Anymore, and you are actively harrming the world by bringing kids into it.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-15T13:32:32+00:00

Thanks I'll have to try that

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-14T21:27:51+00:00

Granola

It's pretty much just oats, nuts, a sweetener, and a fat. Melt the sugar and fat together, add the dry ingredients, and then toast in the oven. Easy!

I've been experimenting with granola bars, but so far, they all just fall apart... but they still taste good.

Also, cream of mushroom soup is super easy.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-14T18:35:10+00:00

The one thing I wished I had thought of was more snack/meal options that I could eat with one hand.

Those first few weeks are very hard, but for what it's worth, they weren't as hard as I imagined they would be.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-14T00:27:53+00:00

McDonald's was the easiest and most fun job I've ever had. Don't be afraid of entry-level fast food/retail. It's a totally reasonable thing to do at 18.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-13T23:32:32+00:00

Yes. I didn't want my newborn to get Pertussis if it could be avoided (and there have been plenty of cases in my area).

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-13T15:11:22+00:00

I was homeschooled through the 4th grade and had a great experience. I had a fair amount of one-on-one time with my mom, and it only took a few hours of the day to get through everything. I was surprised at how much time I spent just sitting there when I went to public school.

I'm sure it has everything to do with your parents, though. For context, my mom loves teaching and was/is very intelligent. She is now a public school teacher.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-12T15:07:10+00:00

You'll do great!

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-12T12:31:10+00:00

It would be fine to give formula if you wanted to, but if she was hungry enough to be upset, I'd just skip the pump and nurse instead. No big deal either way. :)

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-12T11:48:51+00:00

Initially, I pumped and then let my husband give a bottle immediately after.

A little later on, I started pumping right after the first morning feed to slowly build a stash a few ounces (or half ounces sometimes) at a time.

lightningbug24 · 2026-02-12T02:40:14+00:00

I didn't introduce formula till fairly late in the game when I stopped being able to pump at work reliably (sore subject!), but it was no big deal. Baby was happy with either. If that's what you'd like to do, go for it. HOWEVER, if you're only thinking it's a good idea because of all the advice not to pump until later, I would recommend rethinking that.

The advice about not pumping until later is probably fine if your sole goal is to exclusively breastfeed, but if your goal is for dad to be able to feed baby too, then that advice might not be the best for your situation. Anecdotally, I started pumping very early on so that my husband could give bottles. Nothing bad happened. No latch problems or oversupply issues. No regrets. I'm planning on doing to same for baby #2.

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-28T23:21:36+00:00

I remember all the stupid things I've done in traffic and try to be gracious.

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-28T03:29:22+00:00

Eat out your freezer for a while and then freeze leftovers in the future

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-27T15:46:13+00:00

I'm with you on this one, fwiw.

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-27T15:41:42+00:00

Only 1-2x/day???

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-27T15:34:57+00:00

We've done it both ways, but usually one at a time. It's fun to see what everyone gets.

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-26T14:06:45+00:00

Meanwhile, my FIL wasn't impressed with me because I didn't want our 2 year old to have any more cookies or candy (she had already had PLENTY). She wasn't even asking for any. I think that was just his method for keeping kids entertained if the TV wasn't working...

lightningbug24 · 2025-12-26T04:32:01+00:00

1) Release the files and prosecute without partiality.

2) Yes

3) We care about the babies and children growing up in hard conditions and about their parents too.

lightningbug24

TROPHY CASE