Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Sorry if I offend....BUT

Let me start by saying this little expression of yet another one of my opinions was started by a very open and mutually supportive conversation on FB.  This is in no way a dig at anyone, just felt like expanding it a little!

I think I should  begin by telling you what kind of choices I have personally made in my family.  When I was in labor I took every single pain medication they would offer me, and will probably do the same the next time.  I bottle fed my daughter from the first moment, though next time I hope to breastfeed.  I used disposable diapers and though I would love to say I'd be more environmentally conscious next time, I will almost definitely do it again.  We didn't co-sleep and won't with my next child. My daughter has been vaccinated with everything required, on time (with the exception of shots she had to miss when she had surgery and the chick-pox vaccine since she actually GOT chicken-pox) and I plan on continuing that with the exception of one that I don't agree with yet.  My child went to daycare 5 days/week while I worked and went to school so that she and her siblings (someday) wouldn't have to.  I work full time and plan to for as long as I'm capable.

Whew....glad I got that off my chest.  So, I'm sure at least one person reading this (not that there's a lot of you) will disagree with at least part of, if not all of these things.  I'm sure you're thinking what comments you could make to help me realize the errors I've made and how to fix them next time.  But that isn't really the point...or is it?

Why do we as parents, especially mothers, feel the need to constantly judge each other's decisions?  Why do we feel that we know what is right or better for someone else's family and children?  How is it harmful to your way of life if I choose to get an epidural or work for a living?  And why should it be my business if you choose to hold off on vaccinations or stay home and raise your children?  The answers are: it's not harmful to your life and it's not any of my business.

We live in a world that allows us to raise our children the way we decide.  To give or not give them what we as parents feel is right.  We need to spend less time worrying about what everyone else is doing with their children and start paying more attention to what we are doing with our own children....cause that's the only thing we have control of and honestly, should be the only thing that matters.

So whether you decide to go with a natural birth or get the meds, bottle feed or breast feed, use disposable or cloth diapers, co-sleep or have a nursery, vaccinate or not, and are a working mom or a stay-at-home mom...I support your choice the same way I hope you would support mine.  So stop worrying about changing my mind to what you think is the "right choice" and just go hug and kiss that beautiful child of yours, that is being raised just the way he/she is supposed to be!

3 comments:

  1. Go workin mamas!
    You're right, being a mom is hard the way it is without feeling like you're somehow inferior to other moms.

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  2. I agree with Amy. DOUBLE AMEN!

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