How do you have kids here?

[quote author="roundcorners" date=1242369224]



We read all sorts of books, the one that is working and making the most sense is: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby, in it the dr. says that babies at this age can't stay awake for more than 2-hours. He just gets so exhausted and tired, and he gets really fussy and grouchy, but he can't put himself to sleep, he doesn't know how, so he cries and cries... Plus he want's to be with us, enjoying our company... Anybody else read the book??</blockquote>


We used a modified kindler/gentler Ferber method, mostly the heavy focus on routine and schedule, to sleep train our boys. Both were sleeping through the night by around 18 months or so... It really limits the amount of travel and fun you can have away from home the first couple of years, but worked well for us. My youngest loves his crib so much he will wake up at 7am and just hang out there, talking, singing, playing, etc. until I come get him out at 7:30-7:45am. Like clockwork, right around 8:30pm every night, he'll ask to brush his teeth and go to bed.
 
Hmm... if I recall correctly... my kids were sleeping through the night by 6 months. Maybe I have the timeline wrong... but I'm pretty sure it coincided with when they started on formula because it keeps them full longer.



Maybe we should have another to see... hehe... like it's that easy... doesn't a woman just press a button and a baby appears like magic!
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1242370958]Hmm... if I recall correctly... my kids were sleeping through the night by 6 months. Maybe I have the timeline wrong... but I'm pretty sure it coincided with when they started on formula because it keeps them full longer.



Maybe we should have another to see... hehe... like it's that easy... doesn't a woman just press a button and a baby appears like magic!</blockquote>


I think it depends on what definition of "sleeping through the night" one uses. There is the more scientific definition which I believe means a nightime block of 5-6 hours of sleep and then there's my definition, which means you can plunk them down awake in their crib at 7-8pm, they get to sleep on their own and sleep uninterrupted for 11-12 hours per night, every night.



I always thought that 5-6 hours deal was BS. I think they came up with that just to make newborn parents feel better... Sleeping through the night = when you can watch the 11pm Sports Center with the confidence of not being woken up in the middle of night!
 
I'm thinking it was like 8 or 9pm bedtime and then they didn't wake up until 7am... maybe we got lucky.



5-6 hours may not be technically "sleeping through the night"... but compared to those times when they woke up every 2 hours... that would sure feel pretty long.



It's always interesting to hear other parents' experience with their kids.
 
We bought the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby", but like IPO, I ended up with using the gentler Ferber approach with my second child. I am a firm believer in schedules too. Honestly, I have more of a Dr. Sears philosophy, so we didn't let them cry it out.



My first child was very colicy- nothing seemed to work. It took 2 years but she is a great sleeper now at 7! Good luck to you!
 
I thought I'd share an interesting unscientic observation I've made about couples' income and net worth. I work in a field were I get to see hundreds of OC family's inimate financial details. I have observed that the majority of our single-income couples with kids are more wealthy than the dual income couples with kids. You would think it would be just the opposite. Possibly, it has something to do with the single income earner having more freedom to pursue their career. Of course a few hundred is small sample size so it could just be an oddity at my firm. Has anyone else found this to be true?
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1242373947]I thought I'd share an interesting unscientic observation I've made about couples' income and net worth. I work in a field were I get to see hundreds of OC family's inimate financial details. I have observed that the majority of our single-income couples with kids are more wealthy than the dual income couples with kids. You would think it would be just the opposite. Possibly, it has something to do with the single income earner having more freedom to pursue their career. Of course a few hundred is small sample size so it could just be an oddity at my firm. Has anyone else found this to be true?</blockquote>


Dual income family spent money faster knowing that they have 2 paychecks. Single income earner spent cautiously and save $$$ for the rainy days such as layoff and sickness. The stay home spouse although not working but manages the budget full time.
 
How sad is this... I just told my kids I would not be going to work tomorrow and would be picking them up from school. They were so happy they jumped up and down and screamed. I am flattered that I am still prefered over the babysittier. But it still breaks my heart to know they must be disapointed all the other days I'm at work and can't be with them. :(
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1242376678]How sad is this... I just told my kids I would not be going to work tomorrow and would be picking them up from school. They were so happy they jumped up and down and screamed. I am flattered that I am still prefered over the babysittier. But it still breaks my heart to know they must be disapointed all the other days I'm at work and can't be with them. :(</blockquote>


Don't sweat it. Kids like change. If you picked them up everyday normally and one day said "the babysitter is going to pick you up tomorrow instead" they would probably jump up and down and scream too.
 
I know, I'd probably become old news all too quickly. Furturemore, after a week I'd might be jumping up and down for the babysitter to come back too. LOL She makes sure the kids homework is all complete by the time I get home. I can't tell you what a godsend that is.
 
1) Children are an extremely risky investment. Expensive. High-maintenance. No guaranteed outcome or return. Majority of individuals make the investment due to emotional reasons. No legal resale value. Puts other investments, including physical, social and financial, at risk. Apply the description to any other investment, and if you admit around here that you bought into it you would get flamed in an instant. Certainly gives me pause.



2) If you have issues with meals, your housewife should utiize her time during the day to plan and prepare meals. I work full-time and even I have quick meals I can pull out of the freezer. This includes store-bought and homemade meals.



3) I gotta get me one of those housewife thingies. They sound handy. Perhaps it's because I work mostly with men, but ever since I've been in the workplace I've always been jealous of those who have and can afford a housewife. </tongue back in cheek>
 
[quote author="caycifish" date=1242394596]3) I gotta get me one of those housewife thingies. They sound handy. Perhaps it's because I work mostly with men, but ever since I've been in the workplace I've always been jealous of those who have and can afford a housewife. </tongue back in cheek></blockquote>


Seriously? That's hawt! Does anyone have Scarlet Johansson's phone number?
 
[quote author="caycifish" date=1242394596]No legal resale value.</blockquote>
What?!?



And here I was thinking I could list them on eBay instead of putting them in timeout <palm to forehead>.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1242431064][quote author="caycifish" date=1242394596]No legal resale value.</blockquote>
What?!?



And here I was thinking I could list them on eBay instead of putting them in timeout <palm to forehead>.</blockquote>


Time out in the miserable 3 car garage should teach them a lesson.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1242435067]Time out in the miserable 3 car garage should teach them a lesson.</blockquote>
That's a reward... 2 stand-up videogame machines, a pinball machine, foosball, dartboard, ping-pong and billiards!
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1242435780][quote author="bkshopr" date=1242435067]Time out in the miserable 3 car garage should teach them a lesson.</blockquote>
That's a reward... 2 stand-up videogame machines, a pinball machine, foosball, dartboard, ping-pong and billiards!</blockquote>


I am going to report you to HOA for violating the garage usage CC&R.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1242435780][quote author="bkshopr" date=1242435067]Time out in the miserable 3 car garage should teach them a lesson.</blockquote>
That's a reward... 2 stand-up videogame machines, a pinball machine, foosball, dartboard, ping-pong and billiards!</blockquote>




Between the garage and the house is a 1-hour firewall assembly. The door is also rated as 1 hour to prevent the spread of fire and explosion from dangerous equipments in the garage such as Force Air Unit and Water Heater. 15,000 death occurred each year by carbon monoxide poisoning an odorless gas inhalation.



These fixtures are separated from the house by a rated wall and door for safety reason. Both equipments require fresh air for combustion and exhaust the poisonous gas out the garage via galvanized ducts. These ducts are not totally air tight and held together by duct tapes and sheet metal screw. The guys stood in front of Home Depot often are the specialist installing them.



The water heater are required to be installed on a platform so the heavier gas fume from the vehicles do not reach and ignite the elevated pilot light of the water heater. Many fire in garages occured each year from this type of explosion.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1242435780][quote author="bkshopr" date=1242435067]Time out in the miserable 3 car garage should teach them a lesson.</blockquote>
That's a reward... 2 stand-up videogame machines, a pinball machine, foosball, dartboard, ping-pong and billiards!</blockquote>
Sweet, I want to come over when you get that set-up. Maybe throw a small poker table if there's room.
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1242440702]Sweet, I want to come over when you get that set-up. Maybe throw a small poker table if there's room.</blockquote>
Poker is like jello... there is ALWAYS room for it.



Although since having kids... I haven't played very much.



<thread rerail!>
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1242441047][quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1242440702]Sweet, I want to come over when you get that set-up. Maybe throw a small poker table if there's room.</blockquote>
Poker is like jello... there is ALWAYS room for it.



Although since having kids... I haven't played very much.



<thread rerail!></blockquote>
Till you get that poker table set up, I'll have to drag you out to HG Casino with me every now and again. I've been making some decent supplemental income on the $300 No Limit table the past month or so.
 
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