ShellyLynn

My friend is considering pulling her 2 year old out of the daycare she is in because of how they handle the bathroom situaion. They have one bathroom with 2 tiolets and 2 sinks in it. They take six 2 year olds at a time...both boys and girls. They all go into the bathroom together and take turns on the 2 potties. There is a door so that people in the hallway cannot see it, but there are no doors, no dividers, and no privacy! Just one open room with tiolets and sinks. All the kids just stand around waiting or washing thier hands while two at a time they do thier business and/or get their pull-ups changed. I find this practice appalling and would not want my child in that situation any more than my friend does.

My daughter, who is 4, is in a daycare where they have an actual bathrom (used to be a small elementary school) with private stalls with doors (that do not lock) and a place to line up and wait. and they are gender seperate bathrooms. They do take the 2 year olds together (boys and girls) but they are in stalls so they have total privacy and the other kids line up on the "waiting feet" until it is there turn. This seems to be more appropriate.

So I am looking for everyone's opinion about 2 year olds and the toilet use. Her daycare seems to think it is fine to have 6 gender mixed two year olds all using the potty in front of each other. They say that no other parents have even complained about this and it is fine. But is this an issue? Would this bother you if it was your kid? Please feel free to be honest. You won't hurt my feelings as this is not my kid or our daycare. She is asking all her friends/family what they think. But I thought the opinion of complete strangers would be more honest and up front.

Thanks!!!

If a person was abused as a child and goes to counseling as an adult, is that counselor required by law to report this historical abuse? As a social worker, I was asked this question and I am not sure what the laws are in Pennsylvania specifically.

My daughter will be 4 months old on Thursday. Her 4 month physical is Friday (so if your answer contains the words "ask her doctor" you are not helping). Over the weekend she spiked a high temp and had to go to the ER. She is fine and being treated for an infection. But while she was there they weighed her and she was the EXACT same weight that she was at her 2 month old physical. 12.5 pounds. Now I know that all scales are different and there is some variance between them. But that means she only could have gained as much as the scales differ. How much weight should she have gained from 2 months to 4 months? Of course I will ask her doctor about this, either at the follow up appointment on Monday or at the physical Friday. Just looking for other mom's opinions or stories.

Thanks!!

I am 34 weeks pregnant with my second baby. I have horrible pain in my right hip that makes it hard to walk. Every step my hip pops....I can feel it both when i step and when I press my hand against my hip. It hurts very bad when I shift weight, go up/down steps, and pivot. I know this is NOT normal as this is not my first baby and I have never had hip pain like this before. it popped when I was carrying clothes down the steps to do laundry.

So my question is, who do I call tomorrow? My OB, my PCP, or my chiropractor? My OB has handled my other issues (I have a umbilical hernia and have to have surgery after the birth and she had to prescribe me support hose for pitting edema in ankles). But my chiropractor has always taking care of things that felt out of place. I never see my PCP unless i need allergy pills so it does not make sense to call her. Any advice?

I am 34 weeks pregnant with my second baby. I have horrible pain in my right hip that makes it hard to walk. Every step my hip pops....I can feel it both when i step and when I press my hand against my hip. It hurts very bad when I shift weight, go up/down steps, and pivot. I know this is NOT normal as this is not my first baby and I have never had hip pain like this before. it popped when I was carrying clothes down the steps to do laundry.

So my question is, who do I call tomorrow? My OB, my PCP, or my chiropractor? My OB has handled my other issues (I have a umbilical hernia and have to have surgery after the birth and she had to prescribe me support hose for pitting edema in ankles). But my chiropractor has always taking care of things that felt out of place. I never see my PCP unless i need allergy pills so it does not make sense to call her. Any advice?

My daughter just turned 3. She is not potty trained completely yet, but does a great job staying dry throughout the day. Even so we do not leave the house without her diaper bag, which she calls her Toddler Bag. The toddler bag is always very well stocked with Pull-ups, a spare outfit, sunscreen, crayons, a few books, an empty sippy cup, and snack that she picks herself. Cheerios, animal crackers or similar. We take this bag every time we go anywhere more than just a simple run to the store.

The problem is that NO other mothers seem this well prepared. Other 3 and 4 year olds at picnics, parties, and dance recitals are always asking my daughter to use her crayons, to eat her Cheerios, or read her books. I want her to learn to share, of course. But she should be able to have something to herself sometimes! Can't these other mothers think a head and bring these things? How much does she have to share anyway?

For example, we went to a dance recital today. Knowing it was going to be long I was well stocked. Halfway though she was getting cranky and whiny so we pulled out the Cheerios and filled her sippy with water from the fountain. She was quite happy. Until my friends 4 year old son starting asking her for Cheerios. She said to me that she did not want to share, and I told her that was okay. She was hungry! She ate the whole snack bag herself and drank her water, then was fine for the rest of the show. I felt bad for the other boy, but I knew my daughter was hungry. Whey should she have to give up her food?

So how much does she have to share? Do I have to bring enough Cheerios, Crayons, and books for EVERY kid that may or may not be there? Or is this a lesson to other moms to be more prepared for their own kids??

I bought him on June 13th. He was in a 1 gallon square bowl with glass stones at the bottom, a glass "tunnel" he liked to go in and out of, and a silk plant. I fed him this morning (gets fed once per day, 4 pellets) and he ate it all eagerly. He had quite an extensive bubble nest built.

Today was water change. I changed his water the exact way I have been doing it since I got him....I scooped him out in a cup, and set him aside. I gave him a few bloodworms in the cup while I worked. I dumped the water and rinsed all the gravel, cup, and plant in hot water to clean them, then cool water. I rinsed out the tank. I refilled the tank with water from a gallon that had been setting out for a week. then I gently floated him back in. I refilled the gallon jug to set out and "breathe" for another week.

I found him floating belly up a few short hours later....what could have happened??

I am getting ready to get my best friend's daughter her birthday gift this weekend. She said she needs stuff for school. I told her I would get her a backpack and a gift card for some clothes. But I want to get her things for in the back pack.....school supplies, etc. Problem is I have a 2 year old. I have NO idea what 3rd grader's need for school. Pencils, folders? What else?

Any tips or ideas you can give would be REALLY appreciated.

Thank You!!!!

We are headed for Ocean City this summer with my tiny two year old. Looking for any and all suggestions for what to pack for her and any other helpful tips. She will just be sleeping in bed with me (me and her in one bed, my mom and gran in the other) and we are renting a stroller down there. I know the basics like clothes, swimsuit, and the bunny she sleeps with. But looking for any other helpful tips. The things I thought of so far: swim diapers, a few childproofing items, inflatable spout cover for bath, sippy cups, her favorite snacks/foods from home, and toddler silverware. Also portable DVD player for the car and the cables to hook it to the TV. We are renting an effeciency, so will have a full kitchen in which to cook. I just want ANY ideas or tips to keep things as smooth as possible with a 2 year old. Thanks!

My husband and I are debating over this. I don't think there is any harm in taking our 2 year old daughter with me if I was to run in and grab a bottle of wine. I have never done it,but I mentioned it today. My husband is appaled and compared this to taking her to a porn store to buy a movie.

Is he making too big a deal out of this or am I wrong for even considering taking her with me?

My brother has this rare disease. I am looking to talk (email) anyone that either has this disease or knows someone who does.

Or more so, tell me what you do with your 20 month old. Not trying to compare here, just curious.....

Mine is still in her crib (LOVES it). Goes to bed awake and puts herself to sleep. Sleeps with about 10 small animals. Been off the bottle since she was one, never took a pacifier. Carries her Ernie doll everywhere. LOVES books. No where near potty training. (has no concept of having to go or that she went). Size 18 months clothes and size 5 shoes. 1 two hour nap. We still use a baby moniter. buy baby juice because she can only have 4oz per day. Drinks water with ice in it. I give her Gerber Graudates Meat Sticks and Fruit snacks. all other normal foods. Whole milk. No chocolate, VERY limited candy (special occasion only). only 1 hour of TV each day (cartoons in the morning). she picks out her own clothes each day (pick between 2 or 3) and make as many simple choices in her day as she is able. Picks her own snacks. Brush teeth morning and night. Bath before bed.

I am having the time of my life raising my toddler....I ADORE this age......she is just so funny......18.5 months old. Has opinions on everything......has not worn anything that is not purple for the past 4 days, loves the word "no", wants to do it all "myself".....I had to buy her a toddler tool set because she would not leave my toolbox alone...she talks all the time and I cant understand half of it...VERY opinionated, but so funny......I spend so much time laughing with her......she is sweet and lovable and VERY sensitive. so much so that I have to be careful how I discipline her....her feelings are easily hurt. But she loves to cuddle with mom and do everything I do....we just have so much fun!

I read so many questions about temper tantrums, problems, and people needing help........I just wondered if there was anyone else out there who was loving the toddler years as much as I am.......everyone warned me that this is the hardest time....but this is the best for me!

My husband and my mother-in-law want to get me a remote starter for my car for Christmas. We park outside and they say it will be easier for me this winter not to have to clean off my car before I go to work (not that I ever minded, nor did I ask for one)

Both of my parents are deadset against it. My mom works at a car dealership and all the mechanics tell her how bad they are for cars. And my dad has been working on cars before he could drive them and he says the same thing......they will ruin something in the car.

BUT

my husband graduated from trade school and is a certified mechanic and HE says they are not bad for the cars and I should just get one..........ugh. I do not know who is right or what to do.......what do you think??

My husband and I are seperated. I left him at September 1st and got an apartment wiht our 18 month old baby girl. He had elbow surgery last November and was fired from his job because of it. He would not get a new job, would not sue them. Just sat around collecting Comp.....did NOTHING. I worked, the baby went to daycare. Said I was nagging him to work (9 months later) and took a midnight job he hated. Treated me like crap, slept all evening and ignored us. I got tired of it all, so I moved out. He quit the midnight job and is not working. Now he has to have arm surgery again. Surgery is October 18th and he has plans to start a job late November. I get no help from him, very little child support.

He says he was depressed and is sorry, and wants to work it out. But he is STILL not working. And I am still working full time, baby in daycare. He spends time playing with her, but leaves the parenting up to me. What to do? Try to work on it (still married to him) or move on?

My best friend's daughter just turned 7 last week. I was not able to get out and see her yet, but we are going one week from today. For the last few birthday's I have spent around $50 on her, usually part on clothes and part on toys. I asked my friend what I could get her to make her feel the most special, and my firend said that she wanted birthday money, as she did not get any this time. She does not need clothes, because of back to school shopping and she already got a ton from family. And does not want any toys right now. She wants money to be able to pick out some things for herlsef.

I have no problem giving her the cash, but my questions is this:

How much do I give her? Is $50 cash too much for a 7 year old? Do I give her less this year because she wants cash? Had I bought her a gift, I would have spent $50 like every other year. What do you think?

I am on birth control pills (Loestrin, if that matters). I missed a few pills this pack, but only for 2 days and got back on track. I spotted breifly when the pills were missed (which is what reminded me). I have taken them properly the rest of the pack. I took my last pill on Sunday, but have never had a period. It has been almost a week. I took a pregnancy test and it came back negative. I know to properly determine if I am pregnant I would wait a week and test again. I honestly do not think I am, as this was a very busy month, so it was a slow month for sex. My concern is not whether or not I am pregnant, because I honestly do not think I am.

My question is this: I am due to start my next pack this sunday. Should I? Then I will surely not have a period. Is that bad for me?

PLease do not say "call the doctor". I did that. They are at lunch. Figured I would hop on here and see if anyone had a smiliar experiece while I wait til lunch is over.

My poor little daughter is almost 1. In fact, she will be 1 April 7th, one week from today. She has been so fussy and irritable the past 2 days. So much so, that I thought she was sick. But when I checked her teeth she has a molar! The back tooth on the bottom left is in. How common is this? Up until now she was a very late teether. She only has her bottom 2 and her 2 two just broke through (the left more so than the right, but they are both through). and now the molar? Anyone else had this happen? It feels like many more are about to break though too. Why all at once? And what can I do to comfort her. she refuses teethers (cold or the nubby ones). All she wants to do is chew on her hands. I give her Ibprophen to sleep, but only at night before bed. I don't want to medicate during the day........what else can I do?

Last night we had dinner at 5pm. My husband and I had the exact same thing: General Tso's Chicken, white rice. I felt a little sick last night, like heartburn, so I took TUMS before I went to bed.

I woke up this morning sicker than I have ever been in my life. I had harsh forceful vomiting that was identifiable as what I ate last night. Shouldn't that food have been gone after 14 hours? You could even identify grains of rice.

I have been having really bad stomach cramps. My temp about an hour ago was 101.5....my husband wants to take me to the ER but I don't want to go. The local hospital is not the most relaible one out there and I don't want to expose myself to any more pathogens to bring home to my famly.

Anyone one have any ideas on what the heck is going on with me?

Mainly why my food was still with me 14 hours later. My husband has not had ANY syptoms, I have been perfectly healthy before this.

Please do not say "call your doctor." She is closed Sundays.

Can two parents who agree on custody arrangements have the custody agreement drawn up and legally finalized by a laywer WITHOUT having to go to court?

If so, how long would it take?

The parents are not currently married (to each other or anyone else) so there is no divorce proceedings to complete. They are just looking to get a custody agreement done and legalized without the court costs and ridiculous expense of court.

Can this be done? If so, HOW??