November 09, 2009

Another thing I said I would never do

Co-sleeping
Giving my baby a soother
Giving them candy
Letting one child use Pull-ups until the age of 4
Using the television as a babysitter
Telling my children to "Leave me alone"

I said I would NEVER, EVER do those things as a parent. Uh uh. No way.

But I have. Many, many times.

I knew it all before having children.
I was an expert in parenting because I spent 6 hours a day one-on-one with children for my paying job.
I knew it all and wasn't afraid to share my opinions with others.

Because I was right.

Always right.

I knew children. Because I got paid to be with them.

Shame on those parents who gave in to their children because they were tired.
Shame on those parents who let their child do things that could get them hurt.
Shame, shame, double shame on those parents who lost their temper because of the whining and tantrums.

I knew that parenting was easy and fun. Just follow the parenting books and it is simple and common sense.

Don't ya know?

I said I would never, ever buy my child a "leash". How could any parent buy their child a harness and walk them around like an animal?

I will let you know tomorrow when I try it out on Princess.







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9 comments:

Foursons said...

Yup, we're all experts when it comes to parenting until we actually have kids of our own. Then everything we thought we knew doesn't actually work.

Unknown said...

Interesting how things change- when WE become the parent. Enjoying your blog, and post as well! Very true! We have to try it and see how it works for us. Many times, Momma knew best!

Grand Pooba said...

Love it! I hear this all the time, that everyone is an expert at parenting UNTIL they have children of their own. I have no children and my husband is the BIGGEST culpret of this. He's constantly saying "my child will never do that"

Uh huh, we'll see honey, we'll see.

Jen said...

Totally did the leash thing with Hayden. It was awesome!

Synergy Girl said...

That is so funny...and TRUE!! I think we ALL have lists of things we have done...that we swore we wouldn't...some of us just aren't brave enough to admit it...yet...

Momlissa said...

I was never going to use a DVD player in the car. {insert hysterical laughter here} I thought many parents were lazy and clueless. We have the little backpack harness, used it with Sofia and the twins and they love it. :)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

We all knew it all back then. Then it all comes and bites us in the butt!

koreen (aka: winn) said...

Isn't it nice to know it all? LOL.
Here's irony: I used to teach parenting classes years ago, and was the information/advice person for many families.
The shame of it now! I know nothing. I have no idea how I got away with it.
My son has taught me more about parenting than any book or degree could. I have a ton more empathy for the parents now.

Jenners said...

I was just talking about this very same topic with the moms at my son's karate (things we said we would never do ... not leashes). And I did do the "leash" thing with my son. It was a little monkey backpack but the tail was the leash. It was cute. It helped. People always asked us where we got it.