OcUK Dadsnet thread

[Devrij]

These last 5 days have been a struggle for us and our little girl (4 years old) she has scarlet fever and is not keeping much in her body, her temperature crept upto 39 last night and was shaking like we'd put her outside all night, I've never seen a child like this and we called 999 but was told she's not a priority, has anyone's child suffered with this, any tips apart from the obvious like medication etc the docs gave her amoxicillin but no liquid form in Swindon so she has to break the capsules open to get the powder out

Not gonna give medical advice, but we called 111 when our daughter had a super high fever and she was just flopped on the sofa completely lethargic and barely moving. We were freaking out a bit. They sent an ambulance round, they got her out of all her clothes, she didn't cool down. The ambulance made a balloon out of a rubber glove and sharpie and took her to hospital. When we got there, she was fine. Playing with all the toys in the waiting area, chatting away with the nurses etc.

Similar experience the other way round. She was like 35C, called 111, advised to visit out of hours doc. Doc continuously checks her temp like she can't believe it. Off to hospital on their advice. We get there, they chuck her in a bed and before you know it she's up and playing with the toys.

In short, you will have many moments where you think your child is close to death, and you will typically feel embarrassed after their miraculous recovery at the hospital, but you should always make the call and go with their advice if you are concerned. If 999 say they are too busy, call 111 and get their advice. Which might be "get in the car at 2am only to have your child make you look paranoid" after waiting a couple hours for a call back. But you will always feel better safe than sorry.

 

[Devrij]

Random and personal question incoming.

How many of you guys have found that sex has almost completely dropped off the table once having kids? I don't mean for the few weeks after birth but for 2/3/4 even 5 years and beyond?

For me it has just slowly become less and less common and now is down to once or twice a month where as before the frequency was once a week at least. I've personally not changed, it just seems to be that the wife is just not up for it anymore.

I'm not looking for advice as I've covered all bases in regards to supporting her and I'm in clean, good shape myself. I'm just wondering who else may have experienced this particular lack of intimacy since having kids.

Slow decline and now we are at once every month or two, 6 years down the line.

She has said she just never feels like it anymore. It is tough going.

 

[Devrij]

Evening gents! The time is fast approaching for our boy to come to us and would like a little help "spec me a" style. Been on the adoption journey for nearly 5 years so feels pretty surreal to be posting. Still might go **** up but lets focus on the positives

Looking for changing bag recommendations if you have any please! I've swayed between "buy one with pockets for everything you need" to "your current bag is fine, stop it".

Hoping to get something that could pass off as any other bag, but maybe with some useful inside setups to make things easier to organise, or maybe some things to consider that an inexperienced noob like me hasn't thought of yet. TIA!

Get a bag that just opens up really well (like those bags with the double zip on top), but not too big because trust me you are just gonna throw stuff in it and will need to rummage to find what you need, but you will likely not be out long enough to need a huge bag. Spare clothes (like a couple baby grows if new baby), nappies, wipes, muslin squares (lots) and if formula, then some of those premade formula things and a couple bottles. Sounds like a lot, but it fits into something like 2/3 the size of your average rucksack

Wipes, nappies, and depending on the age (we talking brand new fresh off the lot, or a few miles on the clock?) baby grows.

 

[Devrij]

Oh very much still got that new car baby smell! Born at the end of last year so we're essentially starting from 0. Sounds like a big easy access hole (cheeky) is better than a bunch of separate compartments? I guess I'm naively thinking I'll put everything neatly in its place all the time

I mean, maybe you will. We didn't though. Gotta remember your partner needs to go with the same system so unless you are both organised it will end up being a few packets of baby wipes (all opened), a handful of nappies (loose in the bag), and spare clothes squashed in the corner. The only additional compartment you need is the "this is disgusting and we will wash it when we get home" compartment to avoid cross contamination with clean stuff.

Forget fancy outfits. Get like... one maybe. The kid is gonna grow out of it way faster than you can imagine, and when they puke on it after 10 mins you'll be back in the baby grows anyways, which are just so much easier to get on and off a wriggly child that has managed to **** up their back.

 

[Devrij]

Our lass had a meltdown as I've been trying to get the little one to fall asleep in her cot by herself, it's working but it takes ages before I can leave her.

Never any tears, just needs reassuring I'm still there as she settles down at the moment.

Our lass seems to think kids will fall asleep on you, then one day, wham bang they want to go to sleep themselves in the cot.

She can't that it takes an hour for bedtimes.

Is it me who's wrong ? She's doing my head i !

Well, let me tell you that it's well worth putting the time in now. Otherwise you'll be like muggins here who has to sit by the bed of his 7 year old because she won't go to sleep on her own. It's a lot harder when they can hop out of bed on their own and sit on your floor and flatly refuse to go to bed, understand the concept of losing face and therefore hold onto their position until the bitter end despite all punishments being leveraged and is actually strong enough to kick you in the danglies with some real force.

Can't wait until she's a teenager

 

[Devrij]

Looking to get my 2x daughter's a tablet for Christmas. The older one who's 7 is ready for one to use for homework and play maths (and other) games on. The younger one who's 4 likes to play CBeebies games and if I don't get one for her as well, we all know how they argue...

Any dad's out there bought tablets recently? Considering the latest Amazon ones, but at £200 it seems expensive. Are they really worth the premium over other cheaper ones? Anyone got any recent experience with them or recommendations?

Honestly, the Amazon tablets are pretty good. The parental controls are very decent. Particularly useful is the ability to "pause" a device. No arguments about time to turn it off because mine learned the hard way that she can run away with it, but that doesn't stop me turning it into a brick remotely. Also, very robust cases are a bonus for when the former event makes her mad enough to chuck it.

You can install apps and make them available on the kiddies account, or give them free reign with the amazon approved kids apps.

Mostly ours uses it to do her schools timetables rockstars app and for playing roblox at weekends or whatever other trash games are on there.