The Dad Thread - Page 10

harls · #**181** Posted **Nov 21, 2022, 5:44 PM**

I have two boys, 15 and 12. They eat everything. I mean, it's all gone.

EVERYTHING.

MolsonExport · #**182** Posted **Nov 21, 2022, 8:07 PM**

^my grocery bills are staggering. My eldest hits the gym 6 times a week, and he is always hungry.

sky high grocery bills
sky high utility bills
sky high gasoline cost
variable mortgage rates shooting up

salary unchanged
house value plummeting
stock market in the toilet
standard of life going down, down, down

Shitty fucking times.

esquire · #**183** Posted **Nov 21, 2022, 8:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

sky high grocery bills
sky high utility bills
sky high gasoline cost
variable mortgage rates shooting up

salary unchanged
house value plummeting
stock market in the toilet
standard of life going down, down, down

Fair enough on the other things, but have you really noticed living standards in decline already? I mean, after a few more years of this I could see it, but as of right now?

I would imagine that for many people in stable jobs, things aren't necessarily that much different now than they were 5 or 10 years ago.

MolsonExport · #**184** Posted **Nov 21, 2022, 9:00 PM**

I am noticing it, as a single earner in a family of four.

Energy costs in particular, followed by food. There wasn't much left at the end of each paycheck before, but I have been spending savings for 12 months now without an end in sight, just to steady the course. I've had to cut expenses on entertainment and travel, and I cancelled my gym membership. I am otherwise quite a lean spender (brown bagging every day, coffee made at home, single car household, bike to work, etc.).

O-tacular · #**185** Posted **Nov 21, 2022, 10:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Fair enough on the other things, but have you really noticed living standards in decline already? I mean, after a few more years of this I could see it, but as of right now?

I would imagine that for many people in stable jobs, things aren't necessarily that much different now than they were 5 or 10 years ago.

I've been using a calculator (the phone app version) at the grocery store and a cash budget. Also dipping into savings to stay afloat. There is no money for outings or fast food. The cost of everything is insane. Fucking cheerios for my toddler cost $9.00 for a family pack! Doesn't help that we have food allergies and everything costs more even before inflation. Thank God we locked in our mortgage rate at the start of the fall.

O-tacular · #**186** Posted **Dec 1, 2022, 5:22 PM**

Anyone else have a 'bolter'?

esquire · #**187** Posted **Dec 1, 2022, 5:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Anyone else have a 'bolter'?

Ha. I always prepared myself for this, but my kids never really did it.

My son is cautious almost to a fault. My daughter is the kind of kid who would absent-mindedly wander into traffic if I didn't keep an eye on her, but she wouldn't speed away.

O-tacular · #**188** Posted **Dec 1, 2022, 6:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Ha. I always prepared myself for this, but my kids never really did it.

My son is cautious almost to a fault. My daughter is the kind of kid who would absent-mindedly wander into traffic if I didn't keep an eye on her, but she wouldn't speed away.

I've seen other kids that hold hands and listen when walking with their parents. My eldest bolts at every opportunity and is a handful to manage. So much so that my wife can't leave the house right now with the newborn to go for walks with him. Also cold weather and ice don't help. We used to have one of those backpacks with the leash on it but I don't even know if that would work anymore since he's so much bigger now.

kool maudit · #**189** Posted **Dec 1, 2022, 10:34 PM**

My little one has one of those busy cars she can drive around Flintstones-style. She's always cruising up to you, arm resting on the side, very louche like Matthew McConaughey in Dazed and Confused.

HomeInMyShoes · #**190** Posted **Dec 2, 2022, 2:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I've seen other kids that hold hands and listen when walking with their parents. My eldest bolts at every opportunity and is a handful to manage. So much so that my wife can't leave the house right now with the newborn to go for walks with him. Also cold weather and ice don't help. We used to have one of those backpacks with the leash on it but I don't even know if that would work anymore since he's so much bigger now.

My youngest wants nothing to do with the hand-holding. My eldest is great. The middle one is prone to not paying attention. Taking all three of them somewhere is not really an option. Two at most and hopefully one is the eldest, unless you're taking the middle because they fight over space everywhere.

Hawrylyshyn · #**191** Posted **Dec 2, 2022, 3:17 PM**

You guys are ignoring the easiest solution

harls · #**192** Posted **Dec 2, 2022, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I've seen other kids that hold hands and listen when walking with their parents. My eldest bolts at every opportunity and is a handful to manage. So much so that my wife can't leave the house right now with the newborn to go for walks with him. Also cold weather and ice don't help. We used to have one of those backpacks with the leash on it but I don't even know if that would work anymore since he's so much bigger now.

My kids were pretty good when they were younger. Myself, however.. I think I had a leash. This was after an episode when I was 2 and ran away from the family farm.

O-tacular · #**193** Posted **Dec 10, 2022, 3:44 AM**

Anyone have advice for putting a 3 year old down for bedtime? The stall tactics are next level.

Harley613 · #**194** Posted **Dec 10, 2022, 4:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Anyone have advice for putting a 3 year old down for bedtime? The stall tactics are next level.

I have a bunch of google speakers and displays all over my house. I have had them since my daughter was around 2. I ask the one in my daughter's room 'Hey Google, Play Thunderstorm White Noise' and my daughter instantly falls asleep. She's 7 now, still works like a charm. White Noise has been one of my greatest allies as a single father.

O-tacular · #**195** Posted **Dec 10, 2022, 4:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

I have a bunch of google speakers and displays all over my house. I have had them since my daughter was around 2. I ask the one in my daughter's room 'Hey Google, Play Thunderstorm White Noise' and my daughter instantly falls asleep. She's 7 now, still works like a charm. White Noise has been one of my greatest allies as a single father.

I have a white noise machine. He sleeps through the night, it’s just the routine of getting him to go to sleep that’s so painful. “More hugs” “water!” “Potty!”

Being a single dad must be tough btw.

esquire · #**196** Posted **Dec 10, 2022, 3:56 PM**

My kids were horrendous with sleep when they were younger... my son in particular fought it like sleep was his enemy

casper · #**197** Posted **Dec 10, 2022, 4:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I have a white noise machine. He sleeps through the night, it’s just the routine of getting him to go to sleep that’s so painful. “More hugs” “water!” “Potty!”

Being a single dad must be tough btw.

I had a elderly parent with tinnitus (ringing sound in the ears). Visiting one of the specialists (who teaches and does research in the field at UBC) she prescribed the white noise machine. She explained it is simply not normal for humans to be exposed to total silence for extended periods of time.

TimB09 · #**198** Posted **Dec 12, 2022, 4:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

My kids were horrendous with sleep when they were younger... my son in particular fought it like sleep was his enemy

Oh man!

Our 3 year old is awake between the hours of 5:00 to 6:00am everyday. Drives my wife nuts. The 11 month old is getting teeth so his sleep is either great or he's up early too.

I won't get a good night sleep until my kids move out I think!

harls · #**199** Posted **Dec 13, 2022, 1:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley613

I have a bunch of google speakers and displays all over my house. I have had them since my daughter was around 2. I ask the one in my daughter's room 'Hey Google, Play Thunderstorm White Noise' and my daughter instantly falls asleep. She's 7 now, still works like a charm. White Noise has been one of my greatest allies as a single father.

Works for adults as well

It's pretty disorienting in the winter when you wake up to a gentle summer rainstorm sound, open your eyes and see a blizzard raging out the window.

harls · #**200** Posted **Dec 13, 2022, 1:26 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimB09

Oh man!

Our 3 year old is awake between the hours of 5:00 to 6:00am everyday. Drives my wife nuts. The 11 month old is getting teeth so his sleep is either great or he's up early too.

I won't get a good night sleep until my kids move out I think!

Wait until they are teenagers. They won't wake up until lunchtime.