DKhoneyandoats

Thank you for sharing this fresh perspective. I loved reading it. I have a kid and feel somewhat like grass is always greener when I look at my non-parent friends. I hope you look into something like Big Brothers/Big Sisters or Friends of the Children, you might like being a mentor.

So many comments on here, mine may get buried. Just wanted to play devil’s advocate that, although a parent, I am often jealous of my non-parent friends who travel internationally several times a year, have rewarding and demanding and interesting careers, see live music on weeknights, cook amazing meals together, sleep in, stay up late, etc. They pursue hobbies and athletics and arts and crafts. I am not trying to say that these things are closed off to parents, and as a mom of a 2 yr old things are hard but getting easier and I genuinely do not have regrets (I always wanted to be a mom! And am pregnant again by choice!), but just wanted to offer that it is OK to not have kids. You will still have a rich and meaningful and fulfilling life.

Re: HPV vaccine
How do you have a convo with a 9-yr old about this, or do you just say, “you gotta get a vaccine today!”?

Holy crap I had no idea this was a thing.

Great point! The formula supplementation might end up being a win-win – more quantity for daycare and if he’s got a full belly at night maybe will wake up less. To OP: you’ve made it 5.5 mos on exclusive breastfeeding which is a LONG TIME! Huge win right there. It’s ok to shift gears!

No tips. My son is 2.5 and I still wake up almost every night for 2 hrs between 2-4. I now actually kind of embrace it. Get to bed EARLY. In the middle of the night I read all the articles on the New Yorker (on my phone… I know, I know).