boo_boo_flower

I have the "feeling" that I'm not done; however, my husband is pretty sure he is (although a year ago, he was dead set on 3 kids)...I guess the 2nd one stressed him out...LOL. Anyway, my 1st child is a 3 year old boy, and my daughter just turned 1. I'm just not sure if we should stop at 2 or bite the bullet and go for 3...I get stressed when I'm tired, but other than that, I try to see into the future and how rewarding it would be to have 3 kids close in age. Yes, that first 6-8 months of a baby's life is SCARY, but once you get past it, it's pretty great (other than tantrums, potty training, etc.)

Give me your stories...should we leave good enough alone or do this?

We are debating whether to just send our kids to Pre-K and K for Montessori or starting them at a Montessori school that goes all the way through 8th grade. Thing is, the Pre-K and K only are closer to our home, and if we decide not to send them all the way through elementary, it's kind of a waste to go to the one that's farther (the Pre-K through 8th). Any advice would be helpful...thanks! I know this sounds confusing, so if you need clarification, just let me know -- thanks!

We're not sure if we want to send our kids to a Montessori or Rudolph Steiner school. We want to start them where they end up -- so we have to make a decision soon since our son is 3 years old. I really like the concepts of both types; however, Waldorf is significantly more expensive (almost double), and I'm wondering if the extra money is worth the end result...especially high school, in which the tuition is equivalent to a 4-year university! Thanks in advance for your answers!

We aren't sure if it's worth spending the money to send our 2 young children to a Montessori or Waldorf school...yes, we believe in giving them the best possible education, but does it REALLY make a difference? What are your thoughts (parents or "products" of public and private education are welcome!) Thanks everyone...

We just moved to a new area, and I am in DIRE need of a break. LOL...I have 2 small children under 2 years old, with one that is VERY attached to me. That alone makes me reluctant to leave her with anyone, let alone a stranger. But...I know it's important to get a mini-break every now and then for my own sanity, and my husband works a ton and isn't really able to watch the kids on a regular basis (sad, I know). So...how do you go about picking someone? I've tried Care.com several times, and even interviewed people, but I have a problem taking that final step and actually hiring someone. I'm so afraid...my 10 month old is still breastfed, and she cries if I'm gone for more than 10 minutes. Can some mommys help me out with some advice? My 2 year old is generally good with new people, so that's not really the problem.

The biggest issues are 1.) TRUST and 2.) Leaving my baby with someone who may or may not deal with the stress of a crying baby in a positive way.

Thanks for your answers!

I am SERIOUSLY considering homeschooling my 2 small children. (Please, I do not want answers from people who oppose homeschooling). I am looking for real life experiences from actual homeschooled children OR adults that were homeschooled. I'd love to hear your experiences...what made it great, or what made it not so great. Any information would be helpful.

Also, if you are now an adult, was it hard to you to enter college? What do you do now, for a living?

Also, if you wouldn't mind, could you please include the "type" of homeschooling you received (traditional, Montessori, unschooling, etc.) Thanks!

My mom and I have a rocky relationship, but beating her every night in my dreams until she's bleeding and can't walk...WTF? Anyone know what this means or have a similar experience?

I went in at supposedly 18 weeks, but our U/S tech said I was more like 15 weeks but that she could still tell the sex of our baby -- a girl (she said she saw "3 lines" which are the labia). I was wondering if anyone has ever had one and it's been wrong either by a later ultrasound or at birth? Especially mistaking a boy for a girl -- I don't think it's common, but I'm just curious -- thanks everyone!

We are going to an indoor waterpark this weekend, and my 21-month old is still in diapers. I want him to be comfortable and not have a "heavy" diaper, so do you think the disposable swim diapers with trunks is sufficient for the park, or should I buy something to also put over the diaper? If so, what would you recommend? Rubber pants (for cloth diapers), or something else?

Thanks so much in advance for your time!

This person isn't necessarily a friend, per se, she is my husband's co-worker's wife. Her and I used to be friends and hang out on play dates, but ever since I got pregnant, I haven't heard from her (my husband told hers about 8 weeks ago, that I was pregnant). They have been trying ever since, apparently. Is this person even worth my time? Is she or was she jealous? I've never heard of such immaturity...any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ever since I quit breastfeeding my 1 year old 3 months ago, my cycle have been very long; however, I do know I'm ovulating through BBTs and OPKs. Anyone know how likely it is to get pregnant with these types of cycles? Anyone else have any luck themselves? We are TTC baby #2, and I'm curious as to how long this process may take! ;)

Thanks in advance for your answers.

I'm about 12 dpo and took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I suppose I could've tested early, but I don't think I'm pregnant. However, I'm having what feels like round ligament pains (I had them severely with my 1st pregnancy), and it seems like it'd be too early to get them if I really were pregnant.

Anyone get these ever without being pregnant? Or, have you gotten them very early in pregnancy?

Thanks in advance!

It's been about 1 month since I completely stopped breastfeeding my one year old. I never had a period or any type of spotting during the entire time I breastfed, and now I'm having just normal discharge but really still no sign of a period...what gives? We'd like to start trying to conceive again, but if I'm not ovulating or having a period, it's kinda hard!

Any advice? Thanks in advance ...

I weaned my 1 year old completely about 3 weeks ago, and I feel that ovulated last week (discharge, nausea, bloating, etc.). DH and I had sex a few times, and now I'm wondering if I could be pregnant ... is this possible if I haven't had a period yet after weaning my little one?

I am in the process of weaning my 1 year old onto cow's milk (from breastfeeding). He takes 2 sippy cups a day of cow's milk and I BF him morning and evening. Thing is, he wakes up EVERY MORNING between 4am-5am screaming. He'll go on and on unless I go in and feed him back to sleep. Once I get to the point of cutting out this feed (it'll be the last one I cut out), how do I go about doing it? Do I give him a sippy full of milk or water at that time? Do I just go in and soothe him without picking him up?

Help! I can only imagine how hard this will be, and I'd love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!

I have known my friend for about 25 years (we are 30) ... we had our ups & downs all through life, but we always stayed friends, we always catch up over the phone & she just visited me recently (about a 1 hour flight). She got to talking about her wedding, and I was curious if & when she was going to ask me to be a bridesmaid ... and she didn't. She didn't really have a reason until I kind of made one for her (I just said I guess I don't really get into the whole "bridesmaid" thing, and she said that's what she figured). Thing is, she's having a girl she just sort of likes in her wedding because that girl asked her to be in her wedding. So, she's choosing this other person (+ 4 others) out of obligation while I'm just this old friend out on the periphery.

I thought we were special & close friends. We love each other as friends. Why would she not ask me? I have to admit, it does hurt a little. I have a child and yes I live away from her, but so do the others! And, one of the others also has a child, so I don't get why I wouldn't be included?

Anyway ... I'm not sure how I feel about going to the wedding, although I don't want to be immature. It just hurts, that's all.

Any comments/suggestions?

My son is 10 months old .. he's an only child & I don't have a lot of friends with children. I was thinking of taking him to Gymboree for a 10-16 month old class. Is it worth it? Are the ladies "catty"?

I want him to be able to see others babies and explore, but I don't wanna deal with mama-drama ... is this a good idea?

I'm 30, and my husband is 34 & we have a 10-month old son. We both have very "dramatic" type mothers who aren't happy unless they are stirring up something. Well recently, they've begun talking to each other on the phone, and then my mom will call me & tell me what we should (or what my husband) should be doing about his relationship with his mom.

His mom lives 6 hours away and doesn't see our son very often, and my mom lives 3 hours away and comes once a month to see him -- apparantly his mom feels she's missing out and venting to my mom about it. Then my mom calls me with the "drama", and plays her "guilty" role and tries to tell me what we should do.

It makes me so annoyed I get shakey because my mom has always meddled to much in my life. Now it's starting to affect my marriage because she doesn't mind her own business.

What should I/we do?

My little guy nurses well in the early morning (5am-ish) and that's really the only one that he really seems to enjoy. Every other time I offer, he seems irritated, like he'd rather be playing or perhaps that nursing is bothering him (from teething or something else?) He eats 3 small solid meals a day and a little water, but nothing else. I don't want to feed him so much that he doesn't want breast milk.

What are your experiences & suggestions? I want to continue breastfeeding him until at least his 1st birthday, but he seems more and more disinterested everyday ... this has been going on for a couple weeks, so I don't think it qualified as a nursing strike.

I've been pumping at least once a day to keep the milk supply strong enough.

What do you think?

I have always loved quilts, and now that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I really want to get creative and try making quilts. Thing is, I have never sewed anything more than a button on a shirt by hand. I don't even have (or have never used) a sewing machine. Where do I start? What is the best type of simple sewing machine to buy for quilting and simple sewing (such as hems). I just bought Sewing for Dummies and Quilting for Dummies online and am waiting for those.

Any other suggestions would be great! Thanks so much in advance.