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Despite illness, grandmother's special gift
A fine story by an excellent writer! She gets to the heart of the three relationships quickly, and her stories reinforce the core themes.
halloween/christening
In regards to Halloween-I say a couple cute pics and that is about it. She is too young to understand anything about Halloween. My daughter's first Halloween we dressed her up and took her to the grandparents houses. She sampled some apple pie and a piece of soft candy. And took her first steps. That was it!
Christening...the gown doesnt fit so the child can go in the car seat? HUh? And please don't have too many expectations for your child in church...mine feel asleep during mass after she fussed a bit...others cried. The priest wont care and neither will anyone else. Keep the party simple and don't kill yourself with details-it will go by so fast.
Moms should stop judging, start supporting each other
I still feel like I'm being judged for choices I made during my pregnancy, and my daughter is 4! I was what society would call a "bad" mom - I work full-time and I didn't breastfeed AT ALL. I can deal with the people who think I'm a bad mom for sending my daughter to daycare, because I feel by being the bread-winner of the family (I'm an engineer, and my husband is a journalist), I'm setting a good example for my daughter that she can do/be anything she wants. What I can't deal with is the people who always look down on me for not breastfeeding, so I find the complaints of nursing moms to be hysterical. Sure, you may get a few dirty looks, but do people really come up to you and tell you that your method for feeding your kid is unnatural? I didn't think so. The other hot button topic I find among mom's is the number of kids they choose to have. My daughter is going to be an only child (add this to my list of sins), and I've had numerous people tell me that I'm depriving her of family bonds. I'd be depriving her more if I had more kids because I wouldn't have the time, energy, and let's face it, finances to provide for her the way I do now. As long as you can support all of the kids you have, I don't care how many you have.
The circus?
So you're suggesting dropping $50-$100, or more, on the circus will cheer people up? Why not make less expensive suggestions like a walk in the woods to explore the beautiful Fall colors? Instead of dropping tons of dough, when most cannot, let's get back to the basics and realize we have a fabulous natural attraction everywhere you look in Michigan. Spend a few dollars on gas and take your kids to Belle Isle to watch the freighers or over to Lake Huron or Lake Michigan to see that fabulous beaches and drink in the beauty of the colors. Maybe if we spent more time trying to show our kids the beauty around us instead of throwing money at them we would be a kinder, more appreciative society.
why TV is not good for babies
I cannot think of one good reason for a child to watch TV, besides it keeps them quiet for awhile. It will not help them to develop any skill that they could not learn in a different way. Even though they may like it, it is your job as their parent to teach them what is right. The research is clear that child learn best with social interaction, so even "educational TV" cannot teach a child as effectively or efficiently as a parent can. Research has also demonstrated repeatedly that TV before age 3 effects attention abilities later in life. TV viewing is a habit that even teens and adults have difficulty breaking. So many people complain about not having enough time, but will spend an hour (or two or three) each day watching television. It is a habit I do want my children to get into. Think how much extra time they will have as adults! Children learn best from playing and running around in the fresh air. Our family allows TV only sporadically maybe once a week, and use it as a reward for behaving appropriately. And it is only educational, which are available VERY cheaper used (usually about $1.00) or totally free from the library. We NEVER expose our children to adult programs. If I want to watch it, I watch it when they are sleeping.
Circus tickets
I'm sure you couldn't have known when you posted this blog that Ringling actually has a terrible history of abusing its animals. Just this summer, an undercover investigation of the circus revealed Ringling workers, including a head elephant trainer and an animal superintendent striking elephants with sharp, heavy weapons. You can see video for yourself at www.RinglingBeatsAnimals.com. Kids love animals and they would hate to know that animals are suffering for their whole lives to provide them an afternoon's entertainment. With so many other fun things to do with kids, we should not support circuses that use animals. Furthermore, Mom Central is a partner of Mom Central Consulting, a marketing firm with a relationship with the circus to promote its agenda. Mom bloggers are being duped into believing that the face of the company is "one of them" when clearly her agenda is to promote her clients. I hope you'll review the information and decide for yourself if you want to be part of promoting this notorious entity.
Tickets to the circus - there are better choices
Instead of supporting a business that treats elephants inhumanely, you could teach your kids a lesson about peoples' responsibilities to animals and send your money to the humane society or an animal sanctuary. Come on! Even the Detroit Zoo determined their elephant exhibit was inhumane. And they weren't dragging their elephants all over the country in small enclosures. Your kids childhoods won't be lacking if they don't get to the circus. Talk to your kids about it, and then take them to the zoo. Or go to a circus that doesn't have elephants.
Moms should stop judging, start supporting each other
I agree. Being a mom was supposed to be the reason why we all started connecting on the internet - not to judge parenting styles. We are all in this together.
Agree with Rachel
Rachel, I agree with you. Everyone has a different parenting style, it has to be what fits best with the parents, children and environment.
I have one daughter and I breastfed her for 11 months, I didn't want to stop but my milk stopped. I was proud I could manage that long.
She is 7 and on occasion still sleeps with us. She is a well developed and liked girl. She is active and I grow more proud of her every day.
I don't judge how people parent, sometimes I question who is in control (the parent or the child), but that is for that parent to handle. I only need to worry about my daughter and what is best for her and us as a family.
Those who choose to argue need to find something a little more productive to do with their time, supporting others would be a great start.
Fighting Moms
I disagree that women are only this way over the internet. I think women are worse when it's face to face. My daughter stopped breast feeding just before she turned 2. When she was still nursing I would get disgusted looks from people when they'd find out. Not just from people I didn't know but from friends and family also. I never let it bother me though, I knew it was right for our family.
T.V. for Babies??
My son loved t.v. as a baby. He ended up graduating from Harvard Magna Cum Laude so don't worry about it.
T.V. for Babies??
My son loved t.v. as a baby. He ended up graduating from Harvard Magna Cum Laude so don't worry about it.
T.V. for Babies??
My son loved t.v. as a baby. He ended up graduating from Harvard Magna Cum Laude so don't worry about it.
Witching Hour
Get the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." That crankiness is a sign that he is ready for bed. My kids went through the same thing...turns out I wasn't putting them to bed early enough. Try starting the bath at 6:30 and putting him to bed at 7pm. Before you know it the baby will be sleeping from 7pm-7am.
New Mom
I think mothers don't get all the respect they deserve. Being a mom is a hard job, but it is the most important job! My hats off to all mothers. You hang in there - it does get easier.
My kids are all grown up so now I am looking forward to grandmotherhood. (Is that a word?) :)
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