- Every baby and every toddler is super different.
Really. I can't believe how much generic advice is given in classes and such. Then they come out and you are like: what the hell? Why is my kid trying to put his head in the toilet or jump out the window, while my friend's kid is eating with a fork in a pink dress and putting together a puzzle (don't mean to gender-stereotype here, although I learned with some sadness that this is not off entirely when it comes to personalities...). Bottom line: your kid's personality can make a HUGE difference in your quality of life in the first few years.
- Sleeping. I was highly suspect of the fact that all those sidecar-style bassinets were sold as almost brand-new...well, it's because there is a significant portion of babies who don't want to sleep apart from their mommy. Our kiddo would not leave a warm body for 4 months. Now try to marry that with safe sleeping recommendations. Pure hell.
I am adamantly against sleep training. I think it's a cruel practice and industry created so adults can go back to work. Which most of us we have to, shortly after having a baby or giving birth. So those things are extremely hard to marry. FOr me, I took the hit (instead of the baby taking the hit). Highly recommend watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCZzzqFkyiU&t=2s, and Gabor Mate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tdljIW86e8
- I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you jump in and help your wife/parther 50-100% more than you think you should. I can't emphasize how hard birth is for the mother. And how hard the early months and years are. There is a peculiar silence around the fact that we go through a major medical event, then are supposed to hop right back on the horse and share things 50-50 with our partner. Whereas our bodies are already taking 70-90% of the work. Add to that that the shitty division of labor in our society (and every other) where women's emotional labor (all the appointments, all the supplies, all the clothes, etc.) is already huge, and THIS is what leads to divorce. Not the lack of dates (although I too vote for making room for dates, or at least simple short emotional check-ins with your partner).
Recommended reading: https://bookshop.org/books/how-not-to-hate-your-husband-afte...
I have a very expensive surgery coming up on Wednesday next week. My original dentist didn't even see anything wrong with the tooth. New dentist saw a deep canal but did a deep cleaning (f-ing painful!), and told me to wait a few months to see if it heals. I insisted on seeing a periodontist sooner. Tooth must come out. Sought 2nd opinion - she is convicned two teeth must come out. Then changed her mind. Now telling me bone graft material in the US is superior and I'd better get it done here than originally planned in a few months in Europe (thus saving a few thousand dollars and postponing some suffering so I can go on a vacation).
Getting a third opinion the night before the surgery and literally don't know what I am going to do with it.
What even the F.
There must be options in between suing him and firebombing his office. Seriously, think about folks coming in after you. Try to at least file a complaint, or give a bad review some place.
