this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2024
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My eldest (5) recently started showing an interest in litter picking. So we grabbed her a stick and she started using it on the way home from school (with an adults supervision).

I mean don't get me wrong, she's a nightmare as soon as she gets in the door but for that brief 25 minute walk home she's making me super proud.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

My eldest (14) came second at Air Cadets in an airplane recognition test for the South East.

My other boy (11) who is autistic and a few years behind his age, sometimes produces drawings that are childish (I know that sounds stupid but I hope you realise what I mean) but they contain so many fine details, we are surprised at what he puts into the pictures.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago

My eldest (3) went through some kind of development stage over new year, decided she didn’t want to wear nappies any more, and went from full time nappies to doing toilets in her potty without even telling us first. We’ve has a few accidents but all things considered she’s smashing it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Our daughter (10) has really improved her art skills these past few months and is doing some amazing drawings (pictures here) and my youngest has learnt to swim without any floats.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Holy crap, those are great for a 10yo

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

It's probably the skill I'm most proud of as sketching is something we bonded over.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

That's really sweet! What a great interest to have!

I'm a new father and my son is only 5 months old.

I know its not a competition and children especially this young aren't on a strict timeline, but I'm proud of his milestones that he's hitting and also proud of ourselves as parents for doing what we are with him. I feel like he's getting a good foundation (though, honestly, I am feeling a lack of motivation and a tad down at the moment for mental reasons and am trying my best to make sure that doesn't impact him).

So far he's pretty much hit milestones to the day. He's started rolling over, smiling, laughing, staying sat up (with a little help) and he's fast approaching solid foods and rather enjoys eyeing up whatever we're having. He likes baths and showers, he's quite happy playing on his own and will smile at anyone.

I have heard from my SO that other parents that she's met haven't put as much time into tummy time and so they aren't quite as able (of course no bad reflection on the parents - we all have busy and tiring lives).

On the other hand, he's started screeching like a pterodactyl which is only doing my head in a little bit. I have been trying my best to encourage blowing raspberries which are wholly easier to manage albeit with a significant increase in dribble quantity. He's also been battling bad reflux which has been a bit stressful so it's not all smiles and screeches, but largely its going well.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Sounds like you're adjusting to the new world rather well.

I spent a lot of time getting my daughter into tummy time, so she was pretty mobile pretty quickly. My son on the other hand wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Thanks! Doing what I can.

We're doing the shared parental leave thing starting in April which is just going to be so cool to be there up until his 1st birthday and see him develop without the stresses of work.

Being at work at the moment means I tend to miss him at his smileyest and he's a little more subdued when I get in - and my SO is tired out from the day. It'll be good to have the mornings with him. Not entirely sure if I'll be welcome at mother and baby groups, but I'll see what's around. If all else fails I suppose there's always the pub? They've got a playground...