Mother in law called me pathetic for feeding my toddler grilled cheese..

We live with my MIL. It's temporary. But it seriously sucks.She is hands down the most judgemental person I've ever met. Thinks she is above everybody and her way is the only right way.I have a 6 month old and 18 month old so my days are busy. We had nothing prepped for dinner tonight. Sometimes my SO cooks when he comes home but not tonight.So anyways he made him a grilled cheese and served it with some cut up Veggies. She asked me when my SO got up and left what my son had for dinner. I said I didn't know and she's like I hope it was more than bread and cucumbers....She asks him once he comes back and he tells her. She says "you guys are pathetic.. It's no better than giving him instant macorini" .I just ignored her but it seriously pissed me off. Kids like eating grilled cheese. So the hell what? She really gets on my last nerve sometimes. He still eats a ton of Vegatables and fruit. Sorry he doesn't have a gourmet meal every night. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2Zm7G3c

One down, four to go.

Our oldest leaves for college tomorrow. We discussed it and he wants to take himself. He doesn't want the experience of having his parents take him to college. Which is fine, we're a little busy at the moment.He has keys to an apartment. That was actually pretty easy. Phone, email, and FedEx took care of that. Utilities are on. I had his car checked out by a mechanic, he has a Uhaul trailer stuffed with enough stuff to get him going, AAA, and a credit card.I'm excited for him. It's going to be a big adventure for him. We're from Texas and he's going all the way to Idaho to study forestry. Entirely new climate and surroundings to learn about and explore.His mom is a little more nervous. Our son gets lost pretty easily. We put TomTom on his phone and his truck has navigation. At some point he's going to have to learn to pay attention and not zone out to his music.Is anybody else sending a kid to college this year? via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2K7WBMI

Step-parent win!

My step-daughter came to me today about being upset over her friend! She’s 11yrs old and I struggle to feel as though she wants me around. But she came to me instead of her Grandma or mom. Or at least to my knowledge. I’m feeling so full of love!!Holy smokes, immediately after there was pressure to ensure I handled it well enough. Enough to help her become emotionally mature and have her feel safe to come to me again. I’d love for us to have an open and trusting relationship where she knows I’m here for her no matter what.Either way feels like a WIN! via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2YwiApR

Divorced reluctant father - Mother is remarrying - I want to reduce my involvement

Sorry in advance - this is long.Let's start with a little background -We got divorced when my son was less than a year old. His mother got primary custody and she is great, she's very attentive, loving, and enthusiastic about motherhood and doing everything she can for him. Honestly, all around a fantastic parent.It's been a couple years now, he just turned 3.I've been faithful in paying child support, and I've mostly stayed on top of visitation because I know kids need a father figure. We currently spend an hour and a half together twice a week, and have had a few overnights since he turned three (that's when overnights started in the custody arrangement). His visits always go really well, he has a great time and is always excited to come over, but since the beginning I've just felt like I'm just going through the motions.He's a smart, delightful kid, his demeanor and mannerisms remind me so much of myself, he's exactly the son I would have hoped for, but to be honest, I just don't want to be a father. I feel like an outsider. Everything I've done up to this point, I've done because I know it's my responsibility, but I just don't feel the way I think a parent ought to feel. I want to do the right thing by him, but I don't think I can sustainably force myself to feel enthusiastic about fatherhood, which means I fear I'm on track to be some kind of half-hearted uncle-dad. I don't want to do that to myself and I don't want to do that to him.His mother has expressed more than once that she doesn't really care whether I actually do visitation or not, she'd rather have him to herself. She's made it clear that my presence in her life is an inconvenience, and she would have preferred to be a widow single-parent rather than a divorcee co-parent.Now that his mom is getting remarried to a nice guy who he's become close with, it kinda feels like he has a chance to grow up in a normal-feeling family situation with his mom and step-dad, and I can't help thinking that maybe I should just let them do that without me.So here's the question - given that I'm currently an involved, but arguably not great or eager dad - would I be doing some long-term harm to my son by stepping away and leaving him to grow up with his mother and step-dad instead? Possibly moving to another state. Possibly talking to his mom about offering to let her new husband adopt my son in the future. (I think she'd really love that)Please take it easy on me, this is a hard topic to approach because every time I think about it I feel like some kind of rotten, heartless sociopath. I need help sorting this out and don't feel comfortable bringing it up with any of my friends or family.Looking for any advice you can offer. This has been on my mind a lot recently and it'd really help to talk it through with someone.Thanks. via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2SO8Kdy

Judgement for having a 3rd

Hi all, So I’m a few days out from my due date with baby #3. I already have a daughter & a son (both under 5).I’m so tired of the judgement and negative comments from people - mostly strangers - who feel like their opinion is worth something when it comes to my family.When my son was born, and I had the “pigeon pair”, it started. “At least now you won’t need any more kids”, “you must be done now”. Then when I fell pregnant, it was; “oh no! Someone forgot their pill?” And “was it an accident!?”Most recently was 2 days ago, a woman working at the newsagents I went to said “aren’t those 2 enough of a handful? Why are you having a 3rd?” While I’m 39 weeks pregnant. My kids weren’t misbehaving, weren’t being noisy, did nothing to warrant a comment of that nature from a stranger.I guess I just wanted to vent. Why is it anyone else’s business? Do these people think they’re clever? Funny? via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2SPyZAh

Deaths in the family

I have a close relative (parent) who has terminal cancer. They could go quickly, they could not - we have no idea, but they are at particular risk right now with an opportunistic infection that the hospital is struggling to get under control.If the worst happens (or appears like it will be happening soon), I'd want to jump on a plane and get there - they live a 19 hour drive or multiple connecting flights away from us.The question is what to do with our 4 year old. I could travel solo, and my spouse can stay with our kid, and they would travel down for a funeral. I am not interested in my kid "saying goodbye" to their grandparent before they pass - I honestly think this would be too traumatic for him, since while he loves his grandparents he hasn't spent much time with them to form a close bond.Has anyone ever been in this situation? What did you do an how did it turn out? via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2Kbinzg

My parenting “fail” of the day.

My kid is currently eating Pringle’s for lunch because she’s a bear after swimming lessons, I am pregnant and sick, and I didn’t want to fight about it today.Anyone else care to share their fails of the day or week or whatever else. 😂 via /r/Parenting https://ift.tt/2Ytw0mj