Do you maintain routine during the holidays?

Momto2inFL

Weâre traveling for the holidays to visit my husbandâs family (someone please save me!) and Iâm somewhat stressing about my son breaking his routine. Now donât get me wrong, Iâm not one of those anal Momâs that freaks if my son is 5 mins late for bed. Everything in moderation. However, I know that because weâll be traveling, because weâll be in unfamiliar territory, our 2 yr old son will probably have a bit of a hard time going down and adjusting to his new surroundings.

My husband had mentioned to me having Christmas Even at his uncleâs house which starts about 4 or 5 pm. Then AFTER we go there, having a Christmas Eve thing at his sisterâs house (who will be at the uncleâs house). And the way the family works, we wonât start the second party till about 9 pm and well, I think thatâs just inconsiderate because of the kids. But I also wonât get involved because his family scares me . LOL.

So my question is, do you maintain your bedtime routine (and nap routine) during the holidays? If you are traveling, is keeping routine a biggie or is it not a huge deal?

Thanks for your advice!

Answer
I try to keep my son's routine as much as possible but sometimes you just can't. I understand about the "family" issues since I have a few of those myself. Don't you just love in-laws. Just remember 1 or 2 days off schedule won't be too bad and you can get him back on schedule upon returning from vacation. Just try to get a nap in before the 4PM party and get him to bed whenever you politely can (or he may even fall asleep from the excitement of the day). Look on the bright side if he gets too cranky they may want you to leave.

Joking aside, I would try to pack a small sleeping bag (we have a Ready Bed for vacations and such occasions) or his favorite blanket for him. That way he could sleep in another room at the second party. My son did that the first couple Christmas Eves at grandma's house when it got too late. Amazon sells ready beds and I put the link below. Depending on what you buy they offer free shipping. I got mine at Toys R Us.

I'm a teen parent and I'm in need of help for caring for my coming up newborn baby?

Labarron P

I'm in need of a list of things that'll help me take care of a baby boy. I'm a teen still in high school. Please give me a list of things I've have to do and things I'll need to take care of my son who will come into this world this August of 2013. Please NO crazy answers. Thanks.

Answer
I'm a teen parent as well to a baby boy :) receiving blankets works wonders so get lots of them! Bottles and a few pacifiers if you plan on giving your son one. I say a few because they tend to disappear alot lol. Get nice soft blankets as well and bibs. I would become a toys r us member and recieve emails for right now they are having a sale on wipes 448 ct for only $13! Stock up on wipes and diapers. For the diapers don't bother buying newborn unless your son is close to like 7lbs. Also you wouldn't want to buy the big box of newborn size diapers because they tend to grow out of them quicker. When you do buy diapers stock up in all different sizes helps alot! Clothes are very important. Marshall's has nice clothes but always look for sales. Onesies will also become your best friend and don't buy the baby gown thing for them to sleep in for its a pain in the ass. I found night outfits with zipperes much easier for when my son woke up in the middle of the night. You will need a crib, bassinet if you choose not to co sleep with your son. I have a changing table but barely use it for I co sleep and its so much easier to change him on my bed. Socks you will also need as well. Relax I know this may seem like a long list to a teen because I know it did too me! Just each day or week go out and get something you know you really need. Pack up on baby soap and get a baby bathtub as well. Get lotion bath towels and washcloths. Another thing you will need is nail clippers for a baby. Toys r us sells one with a magnify glass on it so you know what your doing, helps alot. If you are thinking about getting a pack n play, don't buy the complex one. They are expensive and a pain in the ass. Buy a nice cheap one and save money that you could put somewhere else. If you plan on not co sleeping buy a mattress protector for the crib and spare one too. I would go to wic now and apply they really can help out alot. Catch a lot of deals on baby water and formula as well. Get a swing and bouncer and stock up on batteries now. I would buy a travel system, Walmart has nice ones and they can be cheap. I hope I helped and congrats on your son. Don't listen to the people out there that say teens shouldn't have kids. People don't understand that shit tends to happen and I say fuck them all

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I need a list of the most important things that I need to ask for at my baby shower.?

travel bed toys r us image

Shay

And how much should each product cost? I heard somewhere that you should do a $50 limit. But, the baby shower IS 2 weeks before my due date, so should I be a bit more high priced with my gifts???
I.E. asking for cribs, bassinets, learning toys...

Answer
I would put everything you need on the registry. Even if some items are more expensive, sometimes people like to get together and buy the more expensive gift as a group. I will warn you, however, that a lot of people will just ignore your registry, especially if you register for a lot of practical things. I registered for bed linens, baby monitor, lots of really practical items, and lots of people gave me fluffy baby blankets (which are pretty much useless) and intricate little outfits (I prefer one-piece baby clothes, so much easier!) People would rather buy things that are cute instead of practical.

You can find a sample registry with all of the "bells and whistles" at Babies R Us. I edited the list for you. Two stars (**) means very useful and one star (*) means useful. No stars means purely optional.

**Car Seat
Car Seat Base for 2nd Car (optional)
Car Seat Head Support (if not included with seat)
*Auto Mirror
*Stroller (I suggest the Snap and Go; Don't buy a travel system, they are too heavy and big)
*Portable Crib or Playard (Graco Pack-and-Play with full-size bassinet)
Playard Sheets
**Moby Wrap
Maybe an Ergo Carrier or other carrier for an older baby, optional)
**Gym or Playmat (I suggest Tiny Love brand)
**Bouncer Seat
*Jumperoo
*Swing
*Stationary Entertainer (eg Exersaucer)
Do not get a walker! They are dangerous.
**Baby Monitor
Safety Gate (if needed)
Corner Guards & Tot Locks (wonât need until 5+ months)
**Nightlight
Humidifier
**Thermometer
Brush and Comb
**First Aid Kit
**Nail Scissors
**Gas Relief Drops
**Baby Tylenol
**Bulb Syringe (they might give you one in the hospital)
**Diaper Bag (really any kind of bag will do)
**Diaper Pail and Refills (choose one like diaper champ that uses regular kitchen trash bags)
**Rash Ointment
Wipes Warmer (I donât use this personally)
**Diapers (3 newborn pkgs. & 1 size one â I use Seventh Generation)
Baby Wipes (I use cotton pads instead, with warm water from a thermos; even sensitive wipes give my baby a rash)
**Baby Clothes
Homecoming Outfit
**Onesies
**Footed Sleepers
*2 Sleepsacks (Halo brand; donât get the Carterâs brand they are too hot)
I avoid the Gowns, my baby kicks them up
**Absorbent Bibs
Booties or Socks
**Hats
Snowsuit or Bunting and Warm Hat (for winter babies)
**Receiving Blankets
Bassinet (or use the pack-and-play)
**Crib
**Mattress
Mattress Pad
Avoid the Crib Bedding Set; you canât use loose bedding in a crib
**Fitted Sheets, Cotton and/or Flannel (Ultimate Crib Sheet is nice)
Breathable baby bumper (Donât get a fluffy one!)
**Mobile
*Dresser/Armoire (Can use a changing pad with a dresser instead of a changing table)
*Changing Table
**Changing Pad & Covers
*Glider and Ottoman or Rocker (this is more necessary than you might think!)
**Hamper (you will be doing a lot of laundry!!)
* Planet brand detergent is nice, or use another natural product
Lamp
Nursery Storage
Window Treatments
Rug
Nursery Accessories (wall hangings, shelves, etc.)
*Rattles/Teethers
*Toys for 0-12 Months
Stuffed Animals (keep out of the crib!)
Crib Mirror
Crib Toys (the rainforest soother is good)
Car Seat & Stroller Toys
**Breast Pump (medela pump in style is great)
**My Breast Friend Nursing Pillow (not the boppy!)
*Breast Pads, Shields & Cream
Bibs, Burp Cloths and Lap Pads (I use regular hand towels, taget has sets for $2)
*Bottles and Nipples (born free or another BPA free brand)
Bottle Sterilizer (i dont use one)
**Planet brand dish soap for washing baby stuff
High Chair (donât need until 6 months)
Feeding Sets(donât need until 6 months)
Infant Spoons(donât need until 6 months)
*Bath Tub (make sure it has a soft infant sling; better yet, get a bath seat http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Infant-Deluxe-Baby-Bather/dp/B000GEFE42)
Bath Toys
*Washcloths & Hooded Towels
*Gentle Shampoo or Body Wash (I use California Baby)
Baby Lotion (California Baby)
Bath Accessories
Pregnancy & Childbirth Books (I suggest "Great Expectations")
Breastfeeding & Parenting Books
Colorful Board Books for Baby (eg Goodnight Moon; Sandra Boynton books)
Classical or Lullaby music (they sell these CDs call Rock-a-By Baby that are lullaby versions of popular music)
*Camera (digital, video, or film)
Baby Book or Journal
*Snap 'N Go Stroller Frame
Stroller Blanket Bag (for cold weather, if your carseat doesnât have one)
Stroller Rain Shield
Portable Feeding Seat (optional, I donât have one)

Did I buy my son's love?

Irishfan

We're 21. She( my wife of 2 years had our son at 18) I'm at summer class at ND( I go there and she didn't want to live in married housing because she wanted to be close to family) and they came up for a visit( from IL) and left Sunday( in a bad mood). He's 3 and they came up to ND for the weekend. It was a long walk from the parking area to my dorm and he said "hi" to about everyone he walked past. Some people stopped and talked to him he would say " I'm visiting my daddy" and yank on my shorts. We didn't really do much on Friday other than watch him run around and try to get him to sit still during a James Bond movie( the new one on dvd and even though it was PG-13, it was ok because he had no idea what was going on in the movie).
He had a Mountain Dew and was bouncing off the walls and climbing up his mother earning him the nickname "Monkey". He refused to go to bed and my wife blamed me and asked me to get him some water to help him sleep( i had no idea it worked). I come back to the room and my wife is on the bed, my son( shirtless with Spiderman pajama bottoms) is on my roommate's lap on the couch with 5 girls around him. I told them " Sorry ladies, it's past Hef's bed time" He hugged them all on the way out .
Saturday was spent watching sports center and playing on the floor. Other guys in the dorm literally stood in the hall way and watched us play with him.
Saturday night she went out with some friends from high school for a little "girl time". She put him to bed and left. I did a little work and he still wasn't asleep. I thought it'd be fun to take him for some late night( What he considered late night) Dairy Queen and bonding. He told me he could finish a large( only made it 1/3 of the way and I figured I'd eat what he didn't finish.) I took him to Toys R Us and bought him 1 toy, pretty cheap, but he loved it.
She wasn't happy with me when she got home and was wide awake from a sugar rush and playing with his toy. She asked him if he thought ice cream was nutritious for a growing boy. He just put his head down and she confiscated it. I told her " It's just ice cream, calm down". She started talking about how " he needs to learn nutrition and rules, like bed time is bed time. She lectured me for " spoiling him". He begged her to not take his toy. He tried puppy dog eyes and kissing but she told him that it was bed time and he could play with it all day tomorrow. Sunday, he was refusing to eat an apple for part of his breakfast and eventually she just put him in time out. Then they left, but not before he went into every dorm room on the floor to tell them "bye" and insisted we stop by the girls dorm to say goodbye to his 5 new friends. My wife's last words were " thanks a lot, now he'll get bratty. I am told constantly how about how cute he is. How do I deal with this

Answer
Your son should grow up social and not shy. Your wife has to know that your son has feelings and he is excited about seeing his father since he is away from you for many days. It is normal emotions that you have to explain to your wife that if you punish him for being happy he will learn to be shy and people will take advantage of him. Just like if she gets after you for being with your son you will learn not to like her.
Tell her your son belongs to both of you and she sounds to want total control on the child. She almost sounds to me a woman that has come from divorce parents. Most of these people need to control the situation because they are confuse why people like one parent or the child and not them. Or why the child is getting more attention it is like jealousy. No, I do not think you bought your kid. He is yours you just gave him something he likes without making him feel guilty like his mom. The ice cream is not a bad habit or the toy but what I see is that she may be punishing his emotional growth for you not buying her something considering she traveled there to be with you. How in the world will your son know what nutrition means at his young age those are big words. The problem is your wife may continue this pattern if someone does not explain to her that maybe the way she was raised was too strict. Your his dad too. You did nothing wrong and you did not buy him. You can't buy a kids happiness he was just happy to see you sincerely.

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