This is how YOU WILL raise your child...

[M2TandM]

 

1. You will cloth diaper
2. You will not co sleep
3. You will circumcise
4. You will not vax
5. You will Vax
6. You will breast feed and you will do so until the correct age to stop but you will not be told what that age is.
7. You will not breastfeed in public without covering up
8. You will not use a pacifier
9. You will not start solid food until your baby is 6 months old
10. You will only feed organic, homemade food
11. You will potty train your child by 2 years of age
12. and so on...
13. and so on...
14. and so on...
15. and so on...

I never knew this list existed until I became a mum - but it wasn't mentioned by my midwife, or the healthy visitor. I didn't get a pamphlet as I left the hospital - I found this all on line and mainly here amongst fellow mothers.

There is a similar one circulating about my baby and how she WILL behave - because all babies do. Apparently.

I am astounded by the sense of what is right and wrong amongst mothers - I mean, we all have our own way of doing this - but what makes someone take that step and stand on a pedestal and dictate (in a lot of cases) these opinions in a scenario similar of Moses reading out the 10 commandments?1

I am a confident mother - in the sense that I know that I am bloody brilliant at it. (My children are currently sleeping - hence me being on here, because some smart Arse is bound to say something about that..!) But what makes me a bloody brilliant mum is not what makes Mother A one, nor Mother B ,  Mother C, D, E, F... brilliant. All do something different too and you know what? That's OK.  Child A, B and C are not mine. I don't know them -  I don't know their background, their birth story, the history that makes them them. I know Tristan. I know Madeleine. I know what makes them tick and no one else does. I do not buy into this whole ‘you should be...' business that some people like to spout.  But what about a new mother? Someone less confident? Someone suffering PPD? Maybe it is about time that we, as mothers, said "you know what... do what is right for you".

As a mum - you need to be aware of the options available to you. You need to be educated - but then you need to make the choice that is right for you. Do not get drawn into feeling negatively about the decisions you make.

And to those who have the text book babies - mothers we are very good at beating ourselves up about the choices we make - we don't need someone to beat us up for us thank you all the same! Think carefully about what you spout and remember "until you've walked a mile..."

[M2TandM]

Nov. 2, 2009 at 10:39 AM

After reading the baziilionth journal attempting to 'educate' me into how I should be educating my child, I felt the need to write this. Sometimes it is OK to say 'Do it your way - Its OK!'

Pretty sure I've missed loads of YOU WILL'S!! off my list - just proves they don't go in and I do my own thing! My children are healthy, happy, smart, loving and the absolute apples of my eyes. I love them dearly!

(Original Poster)

[MrsHatch4]

Nov. 2, 2009 at 10:46 AM

Great post! And I agree! All that should matter is that your children are happy and healthy and know that they are loved! Everyone will have diffrent ways of doing things and there are many right ways! Keep it up Mama!

[kellensmom]

Nov. 2, 2009 at 5:20 PM

WTH?  You mean to tell me that I have a choice?  :oP

Love you!