Category Archives: kids

Pacifier Wars

At my daughter’s one year doctor’s appointment we were informed that we need to start weaning her off of her pacifier. We had no problem getting her to stop having a bottle and drink from sippy cups. She transitioned to adult food quite nicely. Several months later and we can barely get her to put her pacifier down for more than the time it takes her to eat.

I have tried distracting her in the hopes she does not notice when I sneak it away for extended periods of time. She notices within minutes. I would pretend I don’t know what she is searching for. She then shrieks at the top of her lungs and looks up at me with pleading eyes, knowing mommy is responsible for her lost pacifier. I give in and pop it in her mouth.

Eventually she will get over the pacifier. Right? I like to tell myself that, but sometimes I get a little doubtful when I go to the store, or park, and see four and five year olds still sucking on pacifiers. I don’t want her to start kindergarten with a pacifier in her mouth. I worry she will get teased by the other kids. Even more so I worry I will be judged by the other parents and her teachers. How irresponsible of us to allow our six year old to still satisfy her oral fixations with a pacifier! Don’t you know what that can lead to? When I hear people say things like that, I can’t help but think “you are talking about overeating and obesity. Right?”

Some parents are perfectly fine snatching the little pieces of plastic right out of their kids’ mouths as soon as they turn one. Others don’t care one way or another. I personally don’t know what to do. I dictate her bed time, what she eats, when she bathes, and various other routines. But when it comes to her eyes looking up at mommy begging for her paci, I relinquish it to her.

What do you think about children using pacifiers?

I Am A Bad Mommy


 

When you have kids something very interesting happens. Everyone starts judging you. Even those people who do not have children have some type of opinion on your parenting skills. First of all, there is no such thing as parenting skills. You don’t have any. You get them as time goes on, and by the time you have mastered a task, your kid has moved on to something new that you have no clue about. Your skill is now obsolete. For those of your with multiple children, you have some skills. Some things are the same from kid to kid, but, for the most part, your kids are different, so whatever one of them taught you is non-applicable for the second and so forth.

This morning, as I drop my daughter off with my mother, she informs me that I am feeding my child too healthfully. Really? Is someone really judging me for giving my daughter too many fruits and vegetables each day? My mother’s solution? Substitute her breakfast of fresh mashed peaches with peach jam. Also, my daughter apparently needs more carbs. Get rid of her broccoli with cheese that I packed for lunch (healthy carbs), and instead give her a hot dog (because that pasty white bun must be what she needs to grow). I could not believe my ears. Every fiber of my being wanted to scream with fury! Even my unborn son started kicking violently inside of me at the mention of what is to happen to his sister. I personally take criticism from my mother a lot worse than from strangers.

Today a lady at my work asked if I was starving my baby. I am tiny. I have always been tiny. My babies are tiny. And perfectly healthy. Until my mother’s diet sets in, at which point I will have to contend with childhood obesity and possibly type two diabetes. Is it alright to ask an overweight pregnant woman if she is perhaps eating too much? Think about that for a second.

Who knows how many other people out there judge me on a daily basis. Either I am not doing something right with my pregnancy, or with my already existing kid. The peanut gallery never ceases to exist, and comment. I am a parent. I will be judged. To someone out there at some point, I am a bad mommy.

How Not To Clean Your Kids’ Bath Toys

My daughter loves her rubber duckies. Bath night would not exist without them. Mainly because mommy would have no ear drums left if it weren’t for these wonderful rubber creatures to distract my baby while bathing.

Recently I noticed some yucky stuff inside of them. I filled them with water and squeezed. Some of the yucky stuff came out, and I realized it was mold. Well confined spaces in conjunction with moisture will produce mold. I realize this, but am just as befuddled as to how to get the stuff out.

I researched the web and found numerous sources all saying that vinegar is the cure. I promptly went to the local store and bought a giant bottle of it. I poured the vinegar into each one of the toys and let them sit practically all day. Then I vigorously shook them and squeezed out the vinegar and rinsed them out on the inside with water. Nothing happened. They are still moldy and yucky. I was very disappointed, and slightly distressed.

Back to drawing board, or laptop. I found one other remedy: bleach. I am not too keen on using bleach inside my daughter’s rubber ducks. I do not feel they will be effectively cleansed. As is they still reek of vinegar despite all my rinsing. At least that is not toxic. If I pour bleach into them, and it does not rinse out properly I don’t want her playing with them in her bath water and sticking them into her mouth. I could not help but wonder, if she does get bleach in her mouth, does that mean I don’t have to brush her teeth that night?

Despite my best efforts, the rubber duckies are still moldy. I am pretty sure the vinegar at least killed the mold, but nevertheless, dead or alive, it is still in there. I think I am going to have to buy new ones. Granted, they are not expensive, it was fun building up my daughter’s (and soon son’s) ducky collection. Some of these were purchased from novelty shops on family vacations. Others were ordered online. The ever growing compilation was soon to take over my bathroom. Now the unsalvageable ones will be weeded out and discarded. Now knowing they won’t last long, the replacements are definitely coming from the dollar store.

How do you clean your child’s bath time toys? Is there a secret I am missing?