Parent Thread

chaos_sl said:

What is the difference between learning software and "hands-on learning"? I have read both that there is a negative effect and that there isn't, I don't know which to believe. But I don't understand the fundamental difference of a child solving a puzzle or problem in software or them doing it physically/ with pencil and paper.

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I can't find it currently but there was a study I read recently where kids played with some spatial reasoning software but weren't as apt to apply the ideas behind it to real world problem solving as kids who had done the same tasks in the physical realm.

Obviously this all has to be taken in perspective. I'm certain a kid engaged in software based learning is going to be better off than a kid who's parent left them to watch tv. Just as I'm certain a kid left to watch Sesame Street is going to be better off than a kid left to watch daytime talk shows.

On the topic of teething. Our little guy has his two bottom teeth in already and it looks like he has at least 3 of his top teeth, maybe 4, coming in now. Two canine teeth and one top front tooth are poking out. The other front tooth looks like it's about to burst through. It definitely looks like it's pressing against his gums. Surprisingly he isn't fussy at all and is sleeping fine. Yesterday though he did sleep on me from 10am to 3pm. He woke up here and there to fuss a little but when he fully woke up at 3 he was as happy as could be. I am not complaining at all.

lurkingdirk_sl said:

Shit. My 7 year old had to go to the dentist to have a tooth pulled that was crowding/damaging another tooth. I can't tell you how fucking horrible it is to watch a dentist using what looked like a screwdriver to pry, and then pliers to rip something out of my son's mouth. He did amazing - not one tear. But I could just see how completely fucking scared he was. His eyes got as big as dinner plates when they took out the tray of tools that they would be using. He said something like "are they fixing me or are they fixing the truck?" He was scared to death.

That kind of shit sucks. Watching your kids be afraid and watching what looks to be super painful. His reward for doing so well is ice cream dinner. Call me a shitty parent if you like, but he tried so hard to force himself to lay still and keep his mouth open I told him he could have whatever he wanted for dinner, anything at all. This made his spirits rise quite a bit.

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What a shitty parent, rewarding his kids for being awesome n shit

Noodlemod_sl said:

What a shitty parent, rewarding his kids for being awesome n shit

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Danke, Noodle.

I bribe the shit out of my kids over trivial things, much less sitting there having a stranger drill on their heads.

Infants with food is a learning and exploring experience, go easy with him. Let him play. It's messy but it works out.

My son is screaming at night now with teething. Daughter never really had an issue.

You using the gum numbing stuff? Several doctors told us that you can't overuse that stuff, so go nuts.

lurkingdirk_sl said:

You using the gum numbing stuff? Several doctors told us that you can't overuse that stuff, so go nuts.

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Bad advice. That stuff can be dangerous if they lose their gag reflex and there are other rare reactions to it as well. You are much better off giving them tylenol and motrin (Motrin only if they are over 6 months). Saying you can go nuts with it is pretty shitty advice.

Do Teething Babies Need Medicine on Their Gums? No

dp

Kid slept in his own bedroom last night. Wife was all upset about him growing up too fast, all I could think was I could finally have sex in my own bed again.

Whether it's with her or by myself, it doesn't matter.

Sometimes if the mood is right

Forget kids.. if that shit happened to me today I'd be scared out of my mind. Maybe my dad would come with me and say I could eat ice cream for dinner.

Hahaha. Not laughing at your sons experience but a 7 year old saying "Are they fixing me, or are they fixing the truck?" at the dentist's office is hysterical.

Khane_sl said:

Hahaha. Not laughing at your sons experience but a 7 year old saying "Are they fixing me, or are they fixing the truck?" at the dentist's office is hysterical.

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He's a bright lad. And his mouth doesn't hurt at all today and he's his usual chipper self. Thank God.

Just a little venting, but do any other parents ever think man, I traded all this (insert all you give up to have kids), in order to have some cute moments? Guess that's a little bias, as you get more than just cute moments, but in the difficult times, that's what it feels like. Out of work currently, and looking for jobs, and I get time to look when the kids sleep, and some days, when one of my 2 kids doesn't sleep as long as usual, it's frustrating as all hell. Gone are the days I can take my time, pick my ass, surf the net, make lunch, eat while watching a show, then hop on some games and call it an afternoon...

On the issue of screen time, I think it's all a balance. Like anything, right? My son who's 2.5, knows colors, shapes, numbers, and tons of words now because of the wife and I working with him, but also because he loves Bob the Train on Youtube. Also plays a lot of "good" games on our phones as well, which I think helps.

In better news, my son finally started using his potty! He let's us know, and has been great about holding it. Goes in his big boy potty 3+ times a day now. He get's a "potty prize" every time he does it now, which are just cars or trinkets from the dollar store. We recycle them as we find them around the house, and he's super excited every time. He gets excited and says "Vroom vroom!" and points to the box of cars when he has to go potty.

Crone_sl said:

Just a little venting, but do any other parents ever think man, I traded all this (insert all you give up to have kids), in order to have some cute moments? Guess that's a little bias, as you get more than just cute moments, but in the difficult times, that's what it feels like. Out of work currently, and looking for jobs, and I get time to look when the kids sleep, and some days, when one of my 2 kids doesn't sleep as long as usual, it's frustrating as all hell. Gone are the days I can take my time, pick my ass, surf the net, make lunch, eat while watching a show, then hop on some games and call it an afternoon...

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I'm sure all parents have some of those thoughts, but I have found all productive uses of my time include unenjoyable aspects, but overall they tend to make me more happy long-term than sitting on my ass watching TV or surfing the net. So far parenting has been one of the most personally rewarding and gratifying things I've ever done despite the crappy (figurative and literal) parts.

Problem is all these parents posting all over Facebook about how great their kids are or how great of a parent they are tend to make you feel guilty for thinking those kind of thoughts. But then I remember they are just image-building and probably have days that are just as miserable as we do, probably more which is why they need to tell themselves and everyone they know how great it is on Facebook all the time.