Yes you heard right. I quit listening. Well I quit listening to all the parenting advice out there and I’m a better mom for it!
Being a parent is hard. It’s supposed to be. You’re raising another human being and helping them to become the best person they can be. It’s never easy doing the right thing so this is no exception. If you’re a new parent the difficulty is compiled with anxiety! Are you doing the right thing? Is this going to mess up my kid? Am I raising a psycho of I do something this way? If you being to look at parenting books/websites/pamphlets or seek advice be prepared for your head to spin!
Bottle vs Breast?
Organic vs Non-Organic?
Cosleep vs cribs?
Cry it out vs Calming them?
Vaccinations vs None?
Homeschool vs Tracitional?
The list goes on and on. Each side is just as passionate as the other. Oh and god forbid you’re on the wrong side when talking to another mom. My head was spinning when I had my fist child….and I’ve been working in child care and teaching for 14years! I can only imagine a new parent with no experience. They must be on the brink of a nervous breakdown.
When I was pregnant with my youngest I decided I was going to do things differently. I was going to stop listening to all the ways I should be parenting. I stopped reading the parenting magazines and stayed on the mom pages just for the drama entertainment value. I’m not saying that I don’t have questions ever. That’s unrealistic. I’ve just stopped panicking every time a new article came out on what changed and how I was doing it wrong. I chose to follow my instincts and do what I felt was right for my family. Guess what?? They’re still alive and in one piece!
I’m doing what’s best for my family and my children. My choices are my own and I keep them to myself. Yes I’m passionate about some things I do but I know how I felt when I was overwhelmed with different opinions so I keep them to myself (unless you ask me them it’s fair game lol). I’m happier and I’ve cut out so much stress in my life. My children are growing up well adjusted and healthy. As I see it, you’re never going to make everyone happy with your choices so why not concern yourself with making the most important people happy…..you and your family!
Being a parent is hard. The thing is you are the mom and you will do what you feel is best.
Yes! I love this. I feel the exact same way. Before I had my first daughter I was all over the mommy boards constantly trying to learn how to do everything. And then I realized my time was better spent going with my gut and just *doing* rather than spending all my time reading what others did. Now I go on if I’m out of ideas or in need of some advice. I do what works for my family, and they’re all still alive and healthy. 🙂
It is a good idea to go with your gut feelings when parenting your kids – you know what’s best for your kids.
I so agree!
You have to do what you feel is best not what others want you to do 😉
Definitely great advice! We all parent differently and do what is best for us and our families!
This is A GREAT idea.. I should have done this from when they were younger. Thanks for sharing with us.
I’ve been on both ends of this. Having worked L&D and nursery I was used to teaching new parents about & how to breast feed, bathing their newborn, etc, etc. However, I think there’s a boundary as the giver and receiver and I believe it’s in the delivery. How I choose to feed my baby (breast or bottle), sleeping arrangments (co-sleep or in their own rooms), discipline methods (time out or spankings) is nobody else’s job or business but my husband’s and mine. Good for you turning off the voices that try to invade your family. Every family is unique and different. What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for all.
I always try to do what my heart is telling me to do with my kids. This is a great post.
I TOTALLY hear ya. I have been thinking the same thing. There is so much info going around but each kid is different. Each parent is different. You do what your mother-instinct says is best for your child and you will be a lot less stressed!