Friday, May 2, 2008

Now I know that "They" don't know much!

You've had the conversation. You know the one where you are relating some mommy issue anywhere from potty training to getting your kid to sleep to trying to get your child to stop licking the floor (OK maybe that's just my little freak, but...). So there you are relaying the trials of motherhood to another and someone says, "Well, 'They' say to do blah, blah, blah."

Who are "they"? Random doctors, psychiatrists, teachers, and others who just happen to write books and Internet sites.

Now don't get me wrong, I am a knowledge and research guru. If I am in a situation, I will go to the library, get some books and Google all day long. But at the end of the day, I soon learned that, "They" don't know much!

"They" are really big on telling you what will harm your kid for life, what will scar them and send them to therapist by the age of 10. They are great at telling you what to do and how to do it and when to do it and you can't do it too early, though not too late either.

And it finally occurred to me when I was trying to figure the different strategies and methods "they" suggested, I threw in the towel, because at the end of the day, "they" aren't here.

"They" say I shouldn't rock my baby...well, "they" must have never held a baby before.

"They" say I should never sleep with my baby...well "they" obviously don't know the joy of sleeping with a child on your chest and if the baby will sleep on my chest and that means I will sleep as well, I am all for that.

"They" say I should let my baby cry it out, but you know what, when that baby starts crying out "mama" that is a whole other playing field!

"They" say not to speak to your baby in "baby" talk. I say, hows kin wi twalk in any oder way, dey are so shweet an whateber makes dem smile is best, yes it is.

"They" say to keep the baby on a feeding schedule no matter what. Hmmm...Screaming baby or happy fed baby, which is best?

The list goes on and on...so basically, whatever keeps you sane, gets you some sleep and keeps your baby happy, go for it. Granted, "They" know about some things, but "they" aren't with you at 4 o'clock in the morning!

Trust your instincts and know you are a great mom, whether you microwave their bottles or not! (Just be sure to shake it real well!)

Click here an dsee what other moms know NOW begining May 8th -16th!

7 comments:

Kristen said...

"They" probably aren't even parents. I used to be a 'they.' I had lots of advice for parents (including my sister) before I even became a mom. Boy, did I eat that advice!

Misti said...

Amen, sister. Preach it!

Heather J. said...

I could not agree more.

I have friends that read parenting books and treat it like gospel, then a new book comes out and that's the new gospel. Their kids feel like yo-yo's!

Vintage Dutch Girl said...

I'm an information guru as well, always needing to google every little thing.

However, as a Mama, I just need to pay attention to that little voice of reason in my head. That voice that says ,"YOU are his Mama, NO ONE ELSE. And YOU know what's best for him".

Anonymous said...

God gave us what we need to parent our own children *deep sigh of relief* ( I have to keep reminding myself of that!) - how can anyone who doesn't know your child personaly possibly know what is best for your child? And who knows your kid better than you do?

Misty said...

oh sweetie!! i could have written your post and it's so timely i read it!! my husband has had to deal w/ a lot of "theys" being quoted to the underminement of my self esteem as a mommy, and now i, too, realize they don't know all they're cracked too!!! i found your blog via becoming me's (i like to read others comments, lol)... so glad i did! i'll be reading back to your other posts...

Blessed said...

Isn't that the truth!!! "They" really don't know anything!

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