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Only a month away? You must be incredible excited, even I'm excited! Sounds like a lovely baby shower (apart from the present thing), its great that the whole family is being supportive, I think your daughter and grandchild have a really good chance of decent lives with such a supportive and loving family
Only a month away? You must be incredible excited, even I'm excited! Sounds like a lovely baby shower (apart from the present thing), its great that the whole family is being supportive, I think your daughter and grandchild have a really good chance of decent lives with such a supportive and loving family
That's the goal. At first while writing this, I really thought she was destined to be my mom. You all have encouraged me and admonished me into realizing it doesn't have to be that way. And that I have a part in how it turns out.
I really think the key to this is keeping an open mind and just always trying to add sugar and make lemonade.
Good friends of mine helped me a lot when I was so distraught over it. They simply said there are worse things that could happen. It really helped put it into perspective.
That's the goal. At first while writing this, I really thought she was destined to be my mom. You all have encouraged me and admonished me into realizing it doesn't have to be that way. And that I have a part in how it turns out.
I really think the key to this is keeping an open mind and just always trying to add sugar and make lemonade.
Good friends of mine helped me a lot when I was so distraught over it. They simply said there are worse things that could happen. It really helped put it into perspective.
Hi Jersey719,
I read all the posts on your thread here and have no practical advice that hasn't already been mentioned. You sound like a wonderful mother and I'm sure your daughter is happy to have your guidance and emotional support. As we all know, motherhood is exciting but scary for almost all of us no matter what age we are when it happens.
I just wanted to wish you and your family all the best!
Has she gotten any books like, "What to Expect the First Year" or others? This will help her understand child development a bit more.
Also, does she have a pediatrician lined up and does he/she have access to her hospital?
I am sure you are on top of this of course, I used those types of books excessively the first few months and I had no idea about the pediatrician thing. I ended up having to use an on call pediatrician and she was terrible. She scared me so much because my daughters foot was bent and she made a huge deal out of this. I was hysterical until my mother had a hissy fit and got another pediatrician in to see the baby.
Pediatricians are not created equal but there's no way to know what you're getting until you start interacting with them. My child had a bloody diaper at 7 days old. Lots of blood. I called and the pediatrician said, "This must be your first baby." What parent wouldn't be freaking out when their 7 day old baby had a diaper filled with blood?!?!?!
Baby 411 is good, so is the American Academy of Pediatrics' book, Caring for your Young Child Birth to Age 5. Leave them in the bathroom and everyone will read them!
She has the Expecting books but I used one with them all that I will look for.
As far as a pediatrician, I had my horror stories with them and went with my family doctor. That's who they've all seen growing up. She said she plans to do the same.
I'm helping her look for one in our area. She doesn't want to use ours simply because of distance. I understand that.
What a great idea to leave the books around the bathroom!!! I will do that.
She has also decided to give the baby our last name and not dad's. Thoughts on this, anyone?
She has also decided to give the baby our last name and not dad's. Thoughts on this, anyone?
That's what I did. Never a regret. It doesn't make sense to have the last name of someone who won't likely be in a child's life. Since people go by children's last names, my husband spent the school years being referred to as Mr. Hopes. (He didn't mind.) That's certainly better than my husband and me being called Mr. and Mrs. Deadbeat-Loser-Dad.
That means that if your daughter gives the child his last name, your daughter and her future husband will be referred to as Mr. and Mrs. Absent-Biological-Father. Is this really a name she wants to hear for eternity? It would be different if he was present in their lives, but he's already refusing to pay child support. That's a big clue he won't be around long.
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