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dockatiept

Dr. Lisa with Roots & Wings Wellness works with couples on their fertility journey. https://www.rootsandwingsaustin.com/preconception

SnoozeBabyCo.

Hi! Sleep consultant here, and also the mom of a just turned 3-year-old who has decided to start doing strange things at bedtime like saying he is going to throw up and then when I go in there he says nevermind I don't need to throw up. 3 year olds are something! One thing to check on for your daughter is if she is napping for a long nap during the day? This can start causing longer bedtime battles, but I'm sure the new sibling and developmental stages are contributing. I love creating a bedtime routine chart at this age so that you can check off each step (drink of water, books, potty, etc, etc) and then if your little one keeps asking for things, you can share that you checked off everything on the list and her body is ready to sleep! I also love the kissing game, where you do quick pop ins to give her a kiss if she is resting quietly. Lots more ideas or can offer more support if needed!

SurrogacyGuru

Hi! I do not have experience with natural ways to help the process - but I have experience with IUI and IVF if you ever want to chat about that. I know it is so frustrating and I am sending you lots of love.

WorkingMamaReset

Hey there! Thanks for sharing—it’s a tough decision, and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way. Many working moms that I’ve worked with have faced similar crossroads, so I wanted to share a few options for you to consider:

1. Stay in your career, but make it work better for you.
Flexibility can be a game-changer. Sometimes, small adjustments can make a big difference. If your job is high stress but you enjoy the work, consider advocating for flexibility to better navigate work and family life.

Here are some options:

Work From Home: Even 1–2 days a week can help you feel more present at home while still contributing at work.
Compressed Workweek: Work 3 longer days and have 4 days off with your family.
Adjust Hours: Start earlier and end earlier to better align with your kids’ schedules.
Job Sharing: Partner with a colleague to split a full-time role.
Rework Your Job Description: Focus on what you love, reduce hours slightly, and delegate less-preferred tasks.

2. Lateral move.
If you love your company but not your role (or your boss), think about a shift to another team that’s less stressful or a better fit.

3. Find a family-friendly employer.
If your current company just isn’t cutting it, it might be time to explore companies that offer flexibility, hybrid work, or a culture that values work-life balance.

4. Go solo.
Consulting, freelancing, or starting your own thing could give you the freedom you’re craving, but it takes planning. Figure out what you’d offer, how much you’d need to earn, and start talking to your network.

5. Pursue your purpose.
If your current work isn’t fulfilling, maybe it’s time to rethink what you really want. Ask yourself: “If money wasn’t a concern, what would I do?” Then take baby steps toward that dream.

This is a big decision, but it’s clear you’re already putting thought into it. No matter which path you choose, remember that you’re not alone, and you’ve got this!

I’m here if you ever want to chat more 1:1.

Wishing you all the best,

Lauren

dockatiept

https://www.kristenlucasdoula.com/

Amie Skwiat LPC

I love this question so much!

When I started my journey I started with "Mindfulness Drinking". I decided to figure out how many drinks was a good time and what amount of drinks was too much. Back in the day, my cut off was 3 drinks. I found that 3 drinks was a good time but nothing good usually happened after 3 drinks. So I started with that limit for myself.

Then I moved to setting boundaries around when I drank alcohol. My first boundary was no alcohol Sunday-Wednesday.
All of these boundaries really just helped my brain. I did not have to spend time thinking about all things surrounding drinking...Should I have a drink? How many? Have I drank too much? How will feel in the morning? Wait, what do I have to do in the morning? LOL
I LOVED not spending any energy on it. I stuck with my plan of only drinking certain days and only 3 drinks at a time.

Then, one year I did dry January for the first time and that was a game-changer for me! I literally went through each grieving step over the course of that first dry January. It was very informative and I have done dry January every year after that. I feel like it is just a nice reset for my body and brain.

In 2024, I set the intention for it to be my year of "healing". I started with dry January and it just kept going. I ended up not having a drink until my birthday on June 16th. Now, I stick to one drink at a time and only drink at special events or holidays. I think I ended up drinking about 15 drinks total this year. My body and liver have healed and I have never felt better!

The cutting-back-on-drinking journey is individualistic. So, try to do what is best for you and do what your body is telling you. When I started listening to what my body needed/wanted my whole life changed. It's a process for sure, so one step at a time is best

DrLeslieWhite

There have been great ideas already mentioned! The best ways to boost immunity for the entire family are to optimize sleep, minimize stress (support those adrenals), have your vitamin d levels tested to be sure you aren’t deficient, and focus on a clean diet while eliminating added sugar and processed foods. Sugar suppresses the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness while also decreasing your body’s ability to fight any active infection. 75% of the immune system starts in the gut, so optimizing gut health is also super important. As mentioned, Vitamins A, C and D, zinc, specific mushrooms and many antimicrobial herbs help boost the immune system. Gaia Kids has wonderful herbal products for kids. My basic go-to for adults is either Wellness Formula or Bio-Vegetarian (Priority One). Stay healthy!

dockatiept

I’m so sorry you are dealing with this! I personally put activated charcoal in my toddler’s water when he has tummy bugs. The AC will bind any bugs/toxins in their system and help eliminate it. I also personally take it when my toddler is sick as a preventative measure. You can get the activated charcoal at Whole Foods or Natural Grocers.

SustainableMama

Thank you so much for bringing up this question. Even though it’s probably been very uncomfortable to be unsure what to do - I appreciate your openness and vulnerability. As a licensed therapist , with a specialty in working with youth and parents- here are a few thoughts.

I think your maternal gut is an important one to listen to. And the fact that you are considering the option of talking it out feels very tuned in. Punishing does not stop behavior. It may be important to use some natural consequences, like not having them unsupervised or any sleep overs, but I think it’s often best to lead with getting curious, not furious.

If you are not sure how to have that conversation, I’d reach out to your pediatrician, as they may have local resources for you. Also I love the website : https://birdsandbeesandkids.com/ Tons of great resources, books and articles there. This is also definitely seen as normal - u less there are some red flags: one of the two children being significantly older than the other, coercion or pressure from one child to the other, and problematic sexualized behavior that seems too advanced for curiosity within their age group. In this case, I’d recommend talking with a local therapist. Feel free to reach out if u wanna talk it through more.

SustainableMama

I know this may sound overly simple, but sometimes you have to "suffer with a purpose" so you can stop "suffering in circles". Meaning - If you are clear with yourself and her that you are going to not hold her when you are cooking, or doing other things, you may have her cry for 1-3 times of you holding your ground - but then she will learn you mean it, and stop asking. Now I DON'T mean that you would never hold her again. But you can just be clear about your boundary. Like, "When I'm sitting on the couch, or playing with you I'm HAPPY to be able to hold you. When I am cooking, I am not able to hold you right now." And if you struggle to hold the boundary when she seems so sad - just think of it like a "kick the vending machine" response (we call this an extinction burst) - where she is trying EXTRA hard to see if you will change your mind. And what helps me in this moment is using the words: "I love you AND the answer is no." Trust me - it will be needed in many situations in the future. This is just the start.:)

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