u/Brilliant_Sky7351

I’m really struggling with whether I should keep working or become a stay-at-home mom, and I’d love to hear from moms who have been in a similar situation.

I’m the breadwinner in our family, so leaving my job would mean a pretty significant income cut. My husband still makes enough for us to live on if I quit, so technically we could make it work, but we would definitely have to change our lifestyle and be much more intentional with our finances.

At the same time, I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about missing so much of my baby’s life. Part of me really wants to stay home and be the one raising him day-to-day, but another part of me worries that I’ll regret giving up my career and how far I have gotten in it, financial independence, and the lifestyle we’ve worked hard to build.

I feel completely torn because neither option feels like an obvious choice. Staying home sounds amazing, but giving up a large portion of our income is a BIG decision. Working gives us much more financial freedom, but I’m scared I’ll look back and wish I had chosen the time with my baby.

Not sure if this is relevant to add but we are wanting to move soon closer to family so buying a new house is on the horizon and I would like to have more kids in the future which I know can be even more costly.
Also the daycare we have lined up is not very expensive.

For those who were the higher earner and chose to stay home or chose to keep working… how did you make the decision? And do you regret it either way?

My maternity leave ends next week and I have been a mess.

I’m really struggling with whether I should keep working or become a stay-at-home mom, and I’d love to hear from moms who have been in a similar situation.

I’m the breadwinner in our family, so leaving my job would mean a pretty significant income cut. My husband still makes enough for us to live on if I quit, so technically we could make it work, but we would definitely have to change our lifestyle and be much more intentional with our finances.

At the same time, I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel about missing so much of my baby’s life. Part of me really wants to stay home and be the one raising him day-to-day, but another part of me worries that I’ll regret giving up my career and how far I have gotten in it, financial independence, and the lifestyle we’ve worked hard to build.

I feel completely torn because neither option feels like an obvious choice. Staying home sounds amazing, but giving up a large portion of our income is a BIG decision. Working gives us much more financial freedom, but I’m scared I’ll look back and wish I had chosen the time with my baby.

Not sure if this is relevant to add but we are wanting to move soon closer to family so buying a new house is on the horizon and I would like to have more kids in the future which I know can be even more costly.
Also the daycare we have lined up is not very expensive.

For those who were the higher earner and chose to stay home or chose to keep working… how did you make the decision? And do you regret it either way?

My maternity leave ends next week and I have been a mess.

My son had his 4-month appointment today, and our pediatrician said we could start introducing purees if he’s showing interest.

I’m a little surprised because 4 months seems early to me. He definitely watches us eat and seems interested, but he can’t sit up on his own yet, so I’m not sure how feeding purees is supposed to work safely.

When did your baby start purees? Did you wait until 6 months, or did you start around 4 months if your pediatrician gave the okay? If you started earlier, what signs of readiness did your baby show?

Looking for recommendations on where to stay in Colorado in mid October! My husband and I will be traveling with our 6 month old son, and our friends will be joining us with their 13 month old.

We’re not really looking for a ski trip since we’ll have two little ones with us. We’d love somewhere scenic and relaxing with things to do with babies/toddlers such as easy walks, pretty views, cute downtowns, restaurants, etc. Ideally somewhere where we can enjoy the mountains without having to constantly drive long distances.

We’re open to staying in a small mountain town or somewhere a little more touristy. Bonus points for somewhere that’s especially easy with a stroller and young kids!

Where would you recommend staying?

Genuine question because I feel like I might be out of the loop on current etiquette.

My husband’s cousin is expecting her second baby, and her first child will be about 5 years old when the baby arrives. She’s having another full baby shower with a registry and everything.

I always thought baby showers were typically for the first baby, and that subsequent babies were usually celebrated with a smaller sprinkle or just a gathering (or nothing at all), but maybe that’s changed? I know a lot can happen in 5 years and people may need new things, so I’m curious what the general opinion is.

Is a full baby shower for baby #2 pretty normal these days? What are your thoughts on this?

Hi All

I am almost 18 weeks post partum. I had an unplanned c section last minute to my beautiful baby boy.

It was a ROUGH recovery which I am sure it is for most. I feel like I am pretty recovered by now I am able to walk, somewhat run, lift weights etc. but there has been a lingering pain that comes and goes around my uterus/below the incision. I would explain it as a throbbing pain feeling and it comes in waves no matter if I’m sitting, standing or walking and sometimes creeps into my lower back. I started to panic that something is wrong around there from the c section so I went into my OB and got an ultrasound and my uterus and ovaries looked OK. They recommended pelvic floor therapy but I am just not sure if that’s the problem.

Has anyone else felt this before? Should I be more concerned?

I know I’m so freshly post partum but it just worries me this is going to turn into a bigger problem when we start wanting another baby.

Hi everyone!

I’m 17+ weeks postpartum, and unfortunately developed stretch marks during the last couple weeks of my pregnancy that got significantly worse after I had my baby. They look like red tiger scratches all over my lower stomach and hips, and the ones on my stomach are actually painful. Each stretch mark also feels indented when I run my fingers over it.

I saw a dermatologist, and they told me it isn’t possible for stretch marks themselves to hurt and that the pain could potentially be related to my nerves or uterus (I had a C-section). My lower belly is also tender to the touch.

Has anyone else had painful or tender stretch marks postpartum? If so, did you ever figure out what was causing the pain? And is there anything you did that helped with the pain or reduced the appearance of the stretch marks?

Hi everyone!

I’m 17+ weeks postpartum, and unfortunately developed stretch marks during the last couple weeks of my pregnancy that got significantly worse after I had my baby. They look like red tiger scratches all over my lower stomach and hips, and the ones on my stomach are actually painful. Each stretch mark also feels indented when I run my fingers over it.

I saw a dermatologist, and they told me it isn’t possible for stretch marks themselves to hurt and that the pain could potentially be related to my nerves or uterus (I had a C-section). My lower belly is also tender to the touch.

Has anyone else had painful or tender stretch marks postpartum? If so, did you ever figure out what was causing the pain? And is there anything you did that helped with the pain or reduced the appearance of the stretch marks?

Hi everyone!

I’m 17+ weeks postpartum, and unfortunately developed stretch marks during the last couple weeks of my pregnancy that got significantly worse after I had my baby. They look like red tiger scratches all over my lower stomach and hips, and the ones on my stomach are actually painful. Each stretch mark also feels indented when I run my fingers over it.

I saw a dermatologist, and they told me it isn’t possible for stretch marks themselves to hurt and that the pain could potentially be related to my nerves or uterus (I had a C-section). My lower belly is also tender to the touch.

Has anyone else had painful or tender stretch marks postpartum? If so, did you ever figure out what was causing the pain? And is there anything you did that helped with the pain or reduced the appearance of the stretch marks?