Hi everyone! I’m working on an idea to help kids who struggle with automatic flushing toilets—a simple, portable sensor cover that stops the flush until the child feels ready. I know many parents (including me) struggle with this issue. My hope is to make bathroom trips less stressful for sensory-sensitive kids and their families.

I’d love your thoughts on whether this would be helpful and what features you’d value most. If you have a minute, I’ve put together a short survey to gather feedback.

Here is the link to the form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZUyoDiZcj7Jp-Bo17mfVwn6cCKi77PPeZUmvzMamBRY/edit

Thank you so much for your time and input. It truly means the world to me as I work to bring this to life!”

My sons just turned 3 this month. He has lots of words but sentences are only 2-3 words right now. Mostly talks in one word to get what he wants. He knows colors, shapes, numbers, all his letters and is social with us as a family but for other peers he rather be to himself. He never stimmed before, or showed any autistic traits until lately... all of a sudden he seems so strange in his movements and repetitive with singing nursery rymes and acting them out over and over. He opens and closes his hands a bit. He also yells randomly now like just talks non sense non stop. Maybe he is just practicing his words idk? Then also his oral motor skills were noticing are a bit off. He wiggles his bottom jaw a bit. He listens pretty good, well behaved, very silly and so sweet. Plays great with toys and siblings. Always looking for my attention. But lately I’m second guessing the speech delay and thinking it’s more? Any input appreciated! Anyone else’s child seem “typical” until 3? Does this seem like it could be related to speech?

I have a 4 year old that refuses to poop in anything but a diaper. He does pee in the toilet by himself but won't poo. For a long time now we have tried everything. We have bought him a smaller potty, a training potty, stickers on a wall as incentives, promises of toys, parties, etc, etc. Nothing works.

A few mpnths back we managed to convince him to at least poop in a diaper in the bathroom and only in a bathroom. Success. So next step poop on a toilet but in a diaper. A few weeks back we managed that too and I was fine with that for now.

Fast forward to tonight and he refuses to poop on the potty in his diaper and wants to poop on the floor again. I tell him no and he full on screams and cries and has a tempter tantrum. I let him do his thing and mainly ignore his outbursts but stay with him. Once he calms down he asks to poop on the floor again and I again say no, rinse and repeat...for an hour.

After an hour SO comes in and says I'm being abusive and let's him poop on the floor.

This frustrated me and now that are angry at me for letting it go on for that long. I feel that now he knows to go to SO or keep crying and acting it until SO comes and he gets what he wants.

I don't know I'm just angry but am I in the wrong? Also any other possible ideas for getting him to poop?

Thanks

My son is almost 6 and I'm noticing, since he's started school, hes different from all the other kids. Other children seem so reserved and take time to learn other before opening up. Other children seem to follow instructions and rules when they're given and understood.

My son is incredibly warm, inviting and trusting and happy nearly all the time. He met a distant relative of mine and fell in love with her and now loves when she needs to watch him. His connections with everyone are instant. A couple weeks ago, when he got off the bus, he told me some kid called him and "asshole". In my head, I knew why, its because my son doesn't shut up and he hasn't learned personal space and keeping to himself when others give off "fuck off" vibes. I asked him why that kid called him a name and I also said to try to avoid him. But my son said that's his friend.. Soo.. I don't think my son gets it yet.

I will admit, he's been sheltered. He's never been anywhere unsafe. Always been w me and his sister (4 years old). But I think my son is different because even my daughter is incredible cautious with herself and her feelings when placed in a new environment.

His teacher has absolutely no issues with him and even said he's "the happiest kid I've ever worked with". He greets everyone, I mean EVERYONE.

Is this strange for anyone with kids his age? I'm happy he's a little different, but I'm so cautious because I was bullied so bad in elementary school and I got pulled out of school because I developed depression.

I’m the father of a beautiful 9-month-old baby, and I’d really appreciate some advice or thoughts on how we’ve been sharing the workload. This post might come across as a bit scattered, but it’s been a long time coming.

When our daughter was about six weeks old, she had colic, and my partner was struggling both physically and mentally. She also has thyroid issues, which complicates things because she doesn’t always take her medication regularly so I don’t think it ever improves. During that time, she stopped breastfeeding, which gave me the chance to step in more—especially with night feeds—so she could rest until her medication started helping. I told her not to worry about the nights, as I’d take care of them for the time being. But now, almost eight months later, I’m still doing them.

Here’s how things typically go: I work from home three days a week and go into the office the other two. I handle all the nights, get up around 6 a.m., work until 3:30 p.m., and then come home to cook (I do most of the cooking), handle bath time, and put our baby to bed. Occasionally, I get a couple of hours to lie in on Sunday mornings, but overall, it’s starting to feel overwhelming.

Most weeks, I’ll get messages while I’m at the office telling me to come home as soon as possible because my partner’s had “the hardest day ever” and hasn’t had a moment to herself. When I work from home, the pattern is similar: I do the nights, wake up, feed the baby, and start my workday. Around 9 or 10 a.m., my partner will come in saying she’s exhausted, often because she stayed up watching a series until 1 or 2 a.m. because she “couldn’t stop watching the next episode.” It’s beginning to feel a bit disrespectful toward me and my career. Throughout the day I’ll be left with baby for 40-60% of the working day while she pops out or does jobs she couldn’t do when I was in the office.

I’ve encouraged her to take time for herself and stay connected to who she was before becoming a mother. But if I go out, even just to the gym, I often get messages saying the baby is being difficult (even though our baby is generally well-behaved), which feels like a subtle nudge to come home. Also if you ever ask her has she done a task/something she said she’d do it will always be “honestly I don’t get a chance with her.”

I do wonder if she’s struggling with motherhood/postpartum depression. I’ve suggested speaking to a GP or getting support, but those conversations tend to escalate into arguments, with her accusing me of saying she’s a bad mother. I’m trying to be understanding and supportive, but I’m beginning to wonder if I’ve just adjusted to parenthood faster—or if she’s prioritizing her own needs over everything else.

My overall feeling/worry is just it’s been 9 months since birth and she’s not finding it any easier and complains more and more, when she eventually returns to work how tired will she say she is then?

I don’t want to vent to close family because I fear they might pass judgment, but I’m feeling stuck. Am I overthinking this? Is this normal? I’d really value an outside perspective.

This weekly thread is a good landing place for those who have questions about parenting, but aren't yet parents/legal guardians and can't create new posts in the sub.

All questions and responses must adhere to our community rules.

For daily questions, see /r/Askparents

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I’m not really sure if this is the best place to ask this but here it goes. How do you guys deal with the anxiety of everything going on in the world?

I’m a single father of 2 beautiful toddlers, I do my best every day to care for them and give them all the love they deserve. But the constant fear and anxiety I face 24/7 about not only about current events but the future they will be going into, it’s debilitating. It’s gotten to the point that I feel guilty even bringing them into this world. I try my best to avoid doomscrolling and diving down rabbit holes that will worsen my fears, but even just being alone with my thoughts sends me spiraling. It’s hell and I wish there was a way to just switch off my brain so all I could focus on was them.

I’m sorry for the rant or whatever you want to call it. I’m just hoping that talking about it may help.

Holy hell. Our 5 month old used to sleep through the night. The past 3 nights she's been waking up at 12am, 3am, 5am, 6am. She's in a Merlin suit. She screams until we pick her up and sway her. Sound machine, pats, pacifier have not been working. She doesn't need to nurse she's just having a problem with sleep out of nowhere. Before if she woke up in the middle of the night she'd look around and go right back to sleep. Help!! Advice? Thank you

Hi guys, I am reaching out because our neighborhood kids are so mean to my kids, a little background we just moved into the neighborhood three months ago all fine and dandy the first few weeks and then they begin to pick on my kids, mostly the older kids that are seven and eight my kids are five and six. This is all girls by the way, I am super emotional and protective of my kids because they are so kind even when the kids are being mean to them they still want to play with them. On more than one occasion, the kids have taken their toys away from my kids, not wanting to play with them have told them get away and things of that nature. The little kids 4&5 are kind to my kids, it’s the seven and eight-year-olds that are always saying really nasty things to them and icing them out. I have spoken to the parents through text, but they have not responded to me. I am at a loss because I witnessed one of them being mean to my six-year-old daughter and emotions are taking over me. I’m so angry. My kids of course are OK but I’m pissed. And it’s really hard for me right now because we just moved into this neighborhood and this is where I want my kids to grow up and I want to feel comfortable with them outside playing. It’s a long rant I’m sorry but I just hate to see my kids being mistreated.

I see a lot of WHAT to bring when I search prior posts. But WHERE exactly are we feeding active running around toddlers when you’re on the go, particularly if you’re trying to feed them pre-packed healthy foods? My kid is just over one and mobile. So not an age where he’s cognitively online enough that I can just say ‘hey hold still.’ Not sure if I’m just trying to be too mess averse about this or something but. I have so many strategic roadblocks. Choking risk if not upright. Mess. Them running around instead of holding still. No place to sit and put them on your lap in the middle of the store if they get hungry. Do I need a different stroller that has a tray attachment? Are we letting them eat egg and vegetables in the car seat?

If at the park and there is a place to sit and eat, he just runs all over and won’t hold still. Car seat seems too reclined to be safe for eating, plus I don’t exactly want it to look like the high chair at home looks 😬. A lot of stores just… don’t have eating areas for obvious reasons…

I know it seems dumb but I legitimately don’t know how people do this. My kid eats about every two hours, sometimes 2.5, so I know he’s on the more frequent end which may be part of my issue. Also we live 30+ minutes away from anywhere. So if I really want to be gone for any length of time bringing food is a must. What are your tricks? For parks, stores, anything. Thanks everyone!

My daughter has no real friends. I know middle school sucks but kids are going out of their way to be shitty to her. They just don't like her and are fake nice to her and then talk shit and laugh at her. She is in soccer and a figure skater and it's the same at all those places. It's slightly better at skating and we can change schools in the summer but she will still have to tough it out for months. I try to just tell her how amazing she is but I can't force her not to be quirky or make kids like her and now it's becoming "cool" to be mean to her. It breaks my heart. Advice? #middleschool

Hello! Would anyone be willing to share their experience of having your second child around the time your first turns 4? I’m really interested in hearing positive things about the age gap or specific difficulties. Everyone I know had kids 2 years apart but our first is already 3 and the earliest I would give birth is a year from now and then we may have a 3rd asap after that (depends how we feel)

We were confident we didn’t want more after our first but realize now that that was due to situational stress that has since been resolved

First time mom here and currently pregnant with my second. So my son is 2 1/2 years old. In general he’s your typical toddler - hilarious, adorable, cuddly, and also likes to test the boundaries. For the most part the tantrums haven’t been super crazy but when he doesn’t listen I find myself questioning if I’m parenting correctly. A specific situation that happened recently. I was over my parents and my grandma lives with them. He was riding a toy train and kept ramming into my grandma. I of course told him no we do not do that and told hom what he can do (I keep seeing this on social media) I said “you can ride it around but you can’t ram into people because that is not nice.” Well he listened and did another lap. Sure enough though once he got back to my grandma he again rammed into her. (Not actually hurting her but still don’t want him doing that because it can potentially hurt someone) so because he did not listen I took him off of the train and calmly said “I said we don’t ram into people and you are not listening so I’m taking you off the train” cue the melting in the floor and crying which I always feel so bad about since it’s my doing. I kept repeating to him it’s okay but we don’t ram into people. Again I was super calm not yelling or anything just saying in a very monotone voice. My mom chimed in and said okay you can go back on as long as you don’t ram into anyone. So back on he went and then he got bored of it after a minute and got off himself. My question here is am I doing the right thing? Should I have given him one more chance? Was I too harsh by taking him off? My mom giving him another chance kind of made me feel like the mean mommy and I’m constantly just questioning if I’m disciplining right. If my mom didn’t chime in I probably would have distracted him and had him move on to another toy instead. I have the worst mom guilt about everything and I see so much contradicting info on social media. Please help!!

Sometimes I worry that the feeling of home or being home isn’t what it should be… to offer some context I struggle with anxiety I was raised in a very anxious home aka my mom was a helicopter and never I mean NEVER stopped talking so silence is something I struggle with. Yet God brought me a man who is quiet, enjoys silence (often needs it) and isn’t overly expressive with his emotions except when he is annoyed but sometimes his silence comes across as that way. This at times makes me very anxious as I tend to feed off of people emotions or I try to over compensate for him which then can cause tension… it just makes me feel like the feeling of our home isn’t what it should be but I don’t know how to fix it or if I need to. I just often feel like it’s awkward with my son because dad is just there and we are all in the room and it feels like forced conversation because it not natural idk… like don’t get me wrong it’s not like this all the time we still have fun and talk and laugh at times but I just worry it doesn’t feel like a warm safe and loving space because it can be so quiet at times and we all tend to take time to ourselves especially on the weekends … I’m probably overthinking but I need some feedback from people if they ever feel this way or worry about how their house feels if that makes sense

Just looking for anyone with similar experience and any advice or tips that have helped.

I have a 3.5 year old son who is a very big hearted sensitive guy, he’s never been a big crowd kind of kid and finds a lot of loud noises overwhelming. He prefers to basically just be home around me and his Dad. He has never been great about daycare - he always says he’s nervous or overwhelmed, he often says it’s too loud or there are too many kids. The first thing he asks most days is if it’s a school day. I should mention that he loves the teachers and the daycare has been wonderful to work with and we know that he is loved and cared for greatly when he is there but there are days I drive him to daycare and end up just bringing him home because he is just beyond upset and my heart just can’t do it. We now also have a newborn so he’s also dealing with that big adjustment. I don’t remember the last time he’s gone for a full week to daycare. Maybe trying to get him there full time is too much although realistically the days I do get him there it’s close to 11 and he’s usually picked up around 4:30.

We’ve read book on this, gotten him books, signed up for courses and have signed up for counselling specific to this issue in January as well but it’s so hard on the heart so any advice is welcome.

So we’ve hit the “my mom is the worst mom on the planet” phase. (She’s 12) Wrote it in her notepad open on her phone for me to see. I have no idea how to navigate this. Obviously it stings. But she’s mad that she’s grounded from electronics for the day because she didn’t do her chores. I don’t know how to even start a conversation with her about it. I need some advice. Should I be taking this more personally? I feel like “yep she’s hit this phase” and it’s normal and a lot of kids go through it, me included back in the day. Idk maybe I should be more upset but I know we’re doing everything right, she’s just mad about her consequences when she’s in the wrong. Idk I need some advice.

Hi! Im making a playlist with soothing ambient songs to help out the kids to rest. It really works well with my 3 and 5 year old kids. But i would like to make the playlist longer without adding the same artists over and over. have you got any tips for more artists or tunes that would fit this kind of playlist?

My 12 month old just loves other babies and want to get really close to them and touch there faces them etc. it is very well intentioned but often fells like to much for the other kids her being right in their personal space. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help her understand to give other kids space. Right now I just have been removing her from the interaction and trying to re direct when it seems like to much for the other kid, and well also explaining to give them space, but she can’t vocally communicate yet so taking about it is challenging.

Our family of 4 lives in a 2 bedroom. Our soon to be 5 year old has accumulated quite the collection over the years. We saved her infant and toddler toys for baby brother (1 yo), but there are still SO MANY toys that go unplayed with, and stuffies uncuddled. She doesn’t play in her room often. But tiny toys have to stay in her room. She seems to have a good memory for her toys that she has gone months without playing with. So I don’t want to just toss without her knowing. But what is a good way to get her involved without the guilt?

My MIL gives us shit from my husband’s childhood but honestly we can only hold so much. Both my husband and child are very sentimental. But we are running out of room. I am a SAHM and everyone’s mental health is tanking because I am so overwhelmed with cleaning, because we have no room to store items. I like when things have a place, my husband just wants things out of sight. But now you can barely close closet doors because of the amount of things accumulated.

What advice would you give your preteen self? My daughter struggles socially because of high functioning autism. Not just looking for social advice any advice you heard or wished you had heard.

My dad told me "Never date someone you wouldn't marry". Sage advice... Probably saved me a few times but I didn't always listen lol.

After searching for an affordable running stroller, I decided to go for the Hauck Runner 2. The reviews were mostly good, and since I already have an expensive everyday stroller, I didn’t want to spend too much on a running buggy. Plus, my baby is already 15 months old, so I wasn’t sure how long we’d be using it. At first, the Hauck Runner 2 seemed like a decent choice. It felt solid, was smooth and easy to maneuver on pavements, and handled reasonably well on regular paths. However, it struggles abit on anything bumpier, like rocky trails or cobblestone streets. The seat is spacious for the child, but my baby kept sliding down, and this was even worse with a winter cover. I had to keep pulling her back up, which became frustrating. Folding it for travel is easy enough, but there’s a big catch—and I mean a BIG one. To fold the stroller, you must recline the backrest to its loosest position (fully lying down). If you don’t, you risk breaking the backrest. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. While traveling, airport security asked us to put the stroller through the scanner. We folded it without reclining the backrest first (because honestly, who would think to do that?). To our shock, the backrest snapped completely—about a third of it broke. At first, my husband thought it was designed to bend that way, but later we realized the truth: the entire backrest is supported by CARDBOARD. Yes, cardboard—not plastic or any durable material, just flimsy cardboard. I couldn’t believe it. This stroller is brand new, and to make matters worse, the front wheel sometimes has a mind of its own, turning to the right unexpectedly. It’s deeply disappointing. I doubt Hauck would replace the broken seat unit, and because I bought it in Sweden while on a trip (and now live in Greece), I don’t know how I’d even go about requesting a replacement. Additionally, the stroller didn’t come with the rain cover or wheel pump that Hauck advertises on their official website. I ordered it from BabyMarkt.se, not directly from Hauck, so maybe that’s why—but it’s still disappointing. And here’s something else to note: despite being marketed as a “running stroller,” there is no hand brake. Most reviews gave me the impression that it had one, but it doesn’t. The manual even states that it’s “not suitable for jogging.” I assume this disclaimer is there to avoid legal issues, but it feels misleading. Final Verdict:This stroller is not worth the money, even as a cheaper option. I’m honestly shocked by all the positive reviews. If you’re looking for a running stroller, I’d recommend spending a bit more for something better.

Hi all,

My husband and I are temporarily moving back in with my parents with 2 kids. (3 yrs and 6 months) We live in a not great school district right now, and would like to save for a down payment to put on a house in a good neighborhood and SD. Our mortgage/living expenses eats up most of our income. My parents have a downstairs living area that is like a small apartment- and we are splitting rent and utilities with them.

The downstairs area where will we be has 2 bedrooms, and the baby will be with us ( and honestly the 3 yr old will most likely sleep with us as well bc we co sleep) but I’m mainly concerned about my 3 year old feeling cramped. We have a lot of space here for him now, and he is free to run around, have his own room, etc.. but I just worry this will negatively effect him by moving into a smaller space. We are planning on making the second bedroom “his” room, but I still worry he is going to ask to “go home” all the time.

This is a temporary situation, and my parents are happy to have us and the kids- but I just hope I am doing the right thing in the end. I want my children to have the best shot at their future, and by putting them in a good SD, while being in a better neighborhood I feel is the best way to do that.

Any thoughts/advice welcome

What do you get your sitters for Christmas? Our sitter is an in home daycare and she keeps our child 4-5 days a week. She is amazing, and truly does so much for us. I am a FTM and this is my first holiday season so I’m not sure what to do. I was thinking cash is king but I also have no idea how much to give her.

Any advice is appreciated!

He said it just like that. It was a great day, there was a Christmas program that I went to and got to see him and hug him before he went back to class. Then they had their Christmas party at the end of the day. Apparently he was doing something to get in trouble and the teacher asked him to come stand by her, which made him upset and he said he "wished he could be killed." He does have ADHD but we manage pretty well and he's in between therapy right now on the waiting list. He's an otherwise normal and healthy child. I've never heard him say this before. The school counselor then told me that the principal felt more comfortable with me coming to pick him up. He usually takes the bus home. But I don't know exactly how to talk to him about this. It hurts my heart that he would say something like that and it hurts that he would even think like that. I'm not a single parent, but it feels like it sometimes. My husband works for the transportation industry and he's gone all the time. His hours are long and he can't take phone calls on duty either. So I can't even talk to him about it for another 5-6 hours. I would just appreciate some insight from someone else as if they were going through this with their own child.

Help! First time hosting a kindergartener’s birthday at a fun location (not at home) - the only problem is that the party is limited to 12 kids, and my daughter wants to invite three other friends (not in class/they’re neighbors). So that leaves 9 spots open and her class is 21 students.

We’re already spending a LOT of money on this party, and any additional child will obviously be added to the fee. It’ll take place mid-January, even though her birthday is this week, since we wanted to avoid hosting something during the Christmas rush.

How do I word this? I’ve searched the internet and it only gives me guidance on wording for no siblings. I’m at a loss on how to put this on the invite without sounding rude. And it’s an encouraged drop off event, so parents won’t be hanging around. I know it’s unlikely her entire class will rsvp yes, but it’s still such a limited number compared to her class size.

I need help with wording along the lines of “limited party size”/“first 9 people who rsvp can attend, so sorry but spots are now filled.”

Hope someone can help!

My son is 3.5 he's been daytime, including naps, potty trained since about 18 months. Since he was almost 3 he would have more nights dry from his pull up than not but still a few days a week would wake up wet. In the last six months or so he is almost always dry when he wakes up, it's unusual for him to be wet. So three different times now we've tried to just not do any pull ups. He usually does great for about two weeks and then he starts having accidents every night. I have just been having him sleep in a shirt and pants, maybe underwear would help him to stay dry? Like it would feel similar to a pull up keeping him contained? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

I recently had a (childless) friend tell mw that I let my daughter have too much screen time so I wanted some parents to weigh in.

She has a tablet and she is allowed 1.30 of tablet time split up during the day. Usually around 45min while I help her brother get ready in the morning. And the rest is usually we play a game as a family on her tablet before dinner.

On any car rides that will be over an hour long, she gets the tablet if she asks for it, she doesn't always but I have no problem giving it to her if she does.

She gets 2 episodes of bluey a day (that's litterally all she wants to watch lmao) and she also plays just dance on the Nintendo switch with her brother as part of his physical therapy.

Of course this is an average day but it changes a little bit day by day. I think I'm giving her a good balance but I am willing to hear otherwise

My son just turned 20 months and we have been through a lot. In the last few months my fiance and the only father he has ever known was violent to us and left us. We ended up moving back in with my mother. She is a closet meth addict. I was working on two years clean and now have relapsed. I'm now almost a week sober again but I feel like I can't keep doing this. We have no where else to go. My mother and father are going through a divorce right now and we are stuck right in the middle. I tried to tell my father she is a using and I told him that I relapsed but he doesn't believe me and just avoids the subject all together most of the time. I'm severely depressed from all of this and I'm trying to be good mother to my son but a lot of days we don't even go outside. I can't really leave my son with anyone because he is so misbehaved. He barely listens to me and thinks things like throwing things and me crying are funny. I just don't know what to do.....we are in a child guidance program through our county and I was in therapy but recently quit going because I can't leave him with my mother and can't afford someone to watch him and I'm scared to put him in daycare with how he is. I feel like he would hurt another child....... Should I call DHS on myself??? Any type of advice is appreciated....thank you....

How do you address the issues with your teens, eg. silence, social media addiction, moodiness, weak self-image, aggression, selfishness, isolation, etc. all while managing the cost of living and quality of life?

My son is 5 years old and he goes to preschool.The teacher noticed that his behavior was different the last two Tuesdays and today. This is the third Tuesday he has had a tantrum at school. And today the tantrum was pretty long.It took him almost an hour to calm down. For some reason, the teacher told him not to do it and that's when it started. The teacher sees a pattern in this. He doesn't have tantrums at home, and apart from sometimes not listening, there are no problems with him.

Does anyone have a similar problem with their 5 year old?I’ll talk to him when he gets home but any suggestions would be appreciated.