A little about me and my daughter:)

Mel - posted on 03/22/2009

good on your Denise :)

Denise - posted on 03/22/2009

Hi Chantel, you have a beautiful daughter and you sound like a great mother. I am still a new mother my daughter is 5 1/2 months old. I tried breastfeeding and pumping with her but after 3 weeks I got mastitos really bad and couldnt handle it anymore and have gave formula ever since and my mother accepted it although she seemed a little disappointed.



She has always been a big girl and very hungry, my more experienced older relatives suggested putting cereal in the bottle and although all the advice i found on the internet said that it was a bad idea I tried it for a month not to help her sleep through the night ( because she already did that since 2 months) but to just satisfy her a little more and it never seemed to make a difference so I quit.



I started feeding her rice cereal from a spoon at 3 months but not often cause she wasnt good at it and at about 4 1/2 months I started giving her stage 1 veggies and she did great. oddly as it may sound I cant get her to eat fruit yet she seems to act like it is too sweet



I got her ears pierced at 4 1/2 months and if my husband had aloud me I may have done it sooner. She cried for about 15 min. then it was like nothing had ever happened. She doesnt even seem to know they are there.



For now I have decided against immunizations because my whole family has ( 2 cousins being RNs). My fathers family has had bad reactions, 2 babies dieing of SIDs and 1 with Autism right after having a round of shots (cant say for sure that was the cause). My 17 year old brother got sick after his first shots and my 15 year old sister never had any and they are both very healthy. It is a hard decision which I have put a lot of thought into and may still give her them when she gets older.



I was spanked as a kid and may eventually spank mine if that is a last resort but dont want to have to. I will try other ways of discipline first. My family yelled to much and cursed when I was young and I hated it and want to try to make sure not to do that.



I believe it is always best to go with your own judgements I know there are a lot of bad parents out there but I believe everyone on here is a good one if they are welling to spend the time to try and help other mothers out. We dont all have to agree with each other but I always think it is important to be respectful. We are all woman and have emotions no matter what our age is and I think that makes a better adult to be polite.

Kim - posted on 03/21/2009

good for you! way to stand your ground and do what you wanted to. you have to do what is best for you. one thing may be good for you and bad for another, but you do what is right for you. keep it up and don't let anyone make you feel like you are a bad mom!

~Jennifer - posted on 03/21/2009

     Quoting Kelly:

    I don't mean to infer that people shouldn't ask for advice on issues like bottles, food, potty training, etc. I just think that no one should judge another mother based on stuff like this.

I agree with everything you've said - let me start with that.


What I don't think that some people realize (and hopefully someday they will) is that some moms that come here to ask questions may have already tried all the PhD'd advice that's out there and none of it has worked for them or their child.  

In the case of my son, well, he's not a typical kid.  I've learned about some great diets, activities and ways to calm him from other mom's with more PRACTICAL experience and similar situations in their homes than i could ever learn from a 1/2 hour with his PCP.  PCP's  a great guy, but he doesn't spend 24/7 with MY kid.  His expert advice may not apply to that 5 minute period that my son is screaming because he can't communicate his thoughts to me......but the mom over in Auckland that has a kid 'like' mine had a great way to try to calm him........and no 'expert' ever suggested it to me.

In my case, I come here when the suggested by PCP answers don't work to see if anyone has an 'Old Wive's Tale' or a 'my grandmother did this' or a 'I live in *this place* and we do it like this here'   that might. The fact that my intelligence level is far above the toilet allows me to make choices as to which things I might try, and which things are ludicrous.

I realize that some people truly don't know what to do and really need to ask questions.  I don't think that they should be called stupid  for it.  There's a difference between stupid and ignorant.  Ignorant can be fixed by exchange of knowledge and practical application thereof.

Ignorant:

1.     lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned
2.     lacking knowledge or information as to a particular subject or fact
3.     uninformed; unaware.
 

Stupid:

1.     lacking ordinary quickness and keenness of mind; dull.
2.     characterized by or proceeding from mental dullness; foolish
3.     tediously dull, esp. due to lack of meaning or sense
4.     annoying or irritating; troublesome
5.     in a state of stupor

Point is.... no one knows what works for someone else.  Ok - it doesn't work for you.  Fine.  Do it your way.....but realize that just as  much as you have your way, I have mine.  ( you & your referring to 'anyone else; no one specific')  When things stop going by the book  (that you read and want to use as a manual)  what do you do?   You ask questions, you try alternate suggestions, and you hope to find something that works.

For the people that go by the manual and the experts - who are you going to ask for suggestions or advice when the 'book' and the 'research studies'  don't work for your child?  

Seriously.

Quoting Kelly:

I don't mean to infer that people shouldn't ask for advice on issues like bottles, food, potty training, etc. I just think that no one should judge another mother based on stuff like this.

Kelly - posted on 03/21/2009

I don't mean to infer that people shouldn't ask for advice on issues like bottles, food, potty training, etc. I just think that no one should judge another mother based on stuff like this.

Kelly - posted on 03/21/2009

Hi-I didn't read thru all the posts, so forgive me if I repeat. I just want to point out, that for one thing, the "experts" usually don't even agree with each other on many topics, and even if they do agree, in a few months, years, or whatever, they will all change their minds anyway. From having my kids spread out in age, I can honestly say that with each kid, there are different ways that you just HAVE TO DO IT, or you are DOING IT ALL WRONG! Oh, puleeze. I think people should get over theselves and mind their own business on issues like when to start solid foods, how long to breasfeed, etc. It is different for every family, every baby. The kind of things I find to be "wrong" with parents, is like when I am in public and I hear an adult SCREAM shut up! at a child, or when a kid comes to school in dirty clothes, with their hair uncombed, and their teeth not brushed, with an unhealthy lunch. You get the picture. To me, there are so many big problems facing some kids, that a little thing like how long you let them drink out of a bottle, or whatever, shouldn't be our main concern in society, or on this forum. Thanks for the chance to voice my opinion, for what it is worth!!

Sarah - posted on 03/21/2009

i agree that every one has there own way of doing things. im sarah im neally 25 i have two sons that are 7 and 5 this year there confident out going boys different from me when i was little i was shy. i was 17 when i had my first and read so many books because i was scared of doing some thing wrong i sterlised bottles till they were 1 i introduced food when they were around 5 to 6 months i do wish i breast feed but because i was young i felt to shy to. i dont agree with people putting earings in there babys thats there choice when there older but its the parents choice

Emma - posted on 03/21/2009

Quoting Jennifer:

....The one thing I notice as a constant in these posts is that the ones that have SO much to say about  people's parenting are the same people that come armed with less than a year of experience as a mother, the ability to Google,  and all the 'expert advice' they got from "What to Expect in the First Year".

Forgive me, but try coming back in a year when your child starts to have a mind of his / her own and THEN tell me 'what I'm doing wrong'. 

 

i know exactly what you mean about the people that think they know everything when they have only been a parent a year or so.. my oldest is 7years old and i still dont know everything about parenting.. lol.. but the one thing i do know is that everyone parents in different ways and no way is the wrong way xx

Emma - posted on 03/21/2009

Quoting Chantel:

Quoting Emma:

im sorry but this post was just asking for trouble.. i will in no way say anything about your parenting style as i also think every child is different and certain thngs work for different people.. but this post was sure to get negative comments.. just think of those people that post awfull things to people because they dont agree with what they do.. well its like your attacking them now... (dont get me wrong i think they need teling) but lets not go so low as them.... lets be able to turn round and say ''your pathetic for acting that way''... but if posts like this are poseted... we wont be able to say that.. sorry to ramble on but do you get what i mean?? by the way, your daughter is so cute.. xx

I wasn't asking for trouble, I was simply frustrated and needed to just let it out. I parent my child my way because I am her parent and I don't like when other moms put each other down for personal choices. I wasn't really telling anyone off per se but I can see how it comes off that way. I just wanted to let others know how I parent and that works for me. I also wanted to give other moms the opportunity to share what parenting methods they use without having to worry about negative feedback. Unfortunately, I can't stop negativity. I'm sorry if you don't like "posts like this" but I felt it had to be said. Thanks for the comment about my daughter!! I love her to bits:)

 i know you was not asking for trouble and that you are frustrated.. i think we all are.. and i also think that we are all thinking of the same people that frustrate us.. your right it does have to be said but as soon as i saw the posts i knew it would turn to an argument and i think we all need a day without one of those.. i know i do. (its been one of those weeks) lol. i just hope the people with the negative comments stop it because we should not have to tell everyone how frustrated we are,, we should all be here to boast and to ask for advise without negative comments.. this is circle of moms afterall and not circle of kids.. im glad you never took what i said in the wrong way as it certainly was not meant like that.. emma x

~Jennifer - posted on 03/21/2009

....The one thing I notice as a constant in these posts is that the ones that have SO much to say about  people's parenting are the same people that come armed with less than a year of experience as a mother, the ability to Google,  and all the 'expert advice' they got from "What to Expect in the First Year".

Forgive me, but try coming back in a year when your child starts to have a mind of his / her own and THEN tell me 'what I'm doing wrong'. 

Sarah - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Emma:

Quoting Windsor:

(that person with all the negative attitude who only came in her to start trouble) needs to get a life. Seriously we all have our own way of raising our kids. If you don't like it then that is not my problem. i formula fed, i tried to breastfeed but my daughter and I were miserable. I co-slept. I gave my kids a bottle (OH THE HORROR). I pierced my daughters ears. My son is circumsized, I pop my kids. I do not BEAT my kids. I pop them, as a last resort. So if you don't like the way I raise my kids THEN DONT TALK TO ME! lol wow some people constantly love attention.

who do you mean?

She's talking about me.  The irony is she's very mixed up.  I formula feed.  I've never said anything negative about it.  And I've never said anything negative about bfing either.  I cosleep periodically as well, and thus have never said anything negative about that.  I don't hit my daughter (and never will), but I don't judge those who lightly spank a child.  I've never mentioned anything about circumcision at all.  So it's really funny that she's calling me out on things I've never even mentioned. 

Okay, really, that is the end of my posting on this thread.  I promise.

Sarah - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Nicole:

Quoting Sarah:

It's wonderful that you're so boastful of your terrible parenting choices. I'm glad that you at least have pride in what you do, even if it goes against what every expert would advise.

No expert is raising my child!  I know my child better than anyone in this world and some of us do not need to read about how to be a good parent in order to be one!  Not all children are the same and we as their parent know what helps our child learn the best!  It would be really nice if you could find a more effective way of speaking to others that would allow them to have respect for you and listen to your advice(then again I haven't seen any advice in your comments just insults)!

a

As for not seeing any advice, apparently you haven't read my responses in posts that actually ask questions.  As for needing to read to be a good parent, if your philoshispy is "ignorant is bliss" then there's nothing more I can do for you.  Being informed and aware are the only ways to ensure that you're doing what is best and safest for your child.  Choosing to ignore what studies and research have proven is ignorant.  Choosing to be uninformed is also ignorant.  Arguing with fact and science and research, yet again ignorant.  The people on this board get so bent out of shape over nothing and take offense to everything.  That is not how the real world works - people don't bend over backwards to make sure that others cannot possibly take offense to what they're saying.  And that is all.  I'm done with this thread, as my words seem to go right over many heads.

Chantel - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Emma:

im sorry but this post was just asking for trouble.. i will in no way say anything about your parenting style as i also think every child is different and certain thngs work for different people.. but this post was sure to get negative comments.. just think of those people that post awfull things to people because they dont agree with what they do.. well its like your attacking them now... (dont get me wrong i think they need teling) but lets not go so low as them.... lets be able to turn round and say ''your pathetic for acting that way''... but if posts like this are poseted... we wont be able to say that.. sorry to ramble on but do you get what i mean?? by the way, your daughter is so cute.. xx

I wasn't asking for trouble, I was simply frustrated and needed to just let it out. I parent my child my way because I am her parent and I don't like when other moms put each other down for personal choices. I wasn't really telling anyone off per se but I can see how it comes off that way. I just wanted to let others know how I parent and that works for me. I also wanted to give other moms the opportunity to share what parenting methods they use without having to worry about negative feedback. Unfortunately, I can't stop negativity. I'm sorry if you don't like "posts like this" but I felt it had to be said. Thanks for the comment about my daughter!! I love her to bits:)

Emma - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Windsor:

(that person with all the negative attitude who only came in her to start trouble) needs to get a life. Seriously we all have our own way of raising our kids. If you don't like it then that is not my problem. i formula fed, i tried to breastfeed but my daughter and I were miserable. I co-slept. I gave my kids a bottle (OH THE HORROR). I pierced my daughters ears. My son is circumsized, I pop my kids. I do not BEAT my kids. I pop them, as a last resort. So if you don't like the way I raise my kids THEN DONT TALK TO ME! lol wow some people constantly love attention.

who do you mean?

Chantel - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting L:

Opinions and respecting other people's "choices" apply to things like politics, religion, or abortion. Endangering a baby is not an opinion to respect. And it should be put in a nice way, until someone continuously argues against it. We ARE here to help. It is not our fault you do not like our way of helping.

Hmm. Funny. I noticed you seem to be a "friend" of Sarah's. No surprise you had to add your 2 cents here. My baby isn't in danger so your points is moot.

So much for no negative comments....

Windsor - posted on 03/20/2009

(that person with all the negative attitude who only came in her to start trouble) needs to get a life. Seriously we all have our own way of raising our kids. If you don't like it then that is not my problem. i formula fed, i tried to breastfeed but my daughter and I were miserable. I co-slept. I gave my kids a bottle (OH THE HORROR). I pierced my daughters ears. My son is circumsized, I pop my kids. I do not BEAT my kids. I pop them, as a last resort. So if you don't like the way I raise my kids THEN DONT TALK TO ME! lol wow some people constantly love attention.

Windsor - posted on 03/20/2009

you are like me!

Nicole - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Sarah:

It's wonderful that you're so boastful of your terrible parenting choices. I'm glad that you at least have pride in what you do, even if it goes against what every expert would advise.

No expert is raising my child!  I know my child better than anyone in this world and some of us do not need to read about how to be a good parent in order to be one!  Not all children are the same and we as their parent know what helps our child learn the best!  It would be really nice if you could find a more effective way of speaking to others that would allow them to have respect for you and listen to your advice(then again I haven't seen any advice in your comments just insults)!

Emma - posted on 03/20/2009

im sorry but this post was just asking for trouble.. i will in no way say anything about your parenting style as i also think every child is different and certain thngs work for different people.. but this post was sure to get negative comments.. just think of those people that post awfull things to people because they dont agree with what they do.. well its like your attacking them now... (dont get me wrong i think they need teling) but lets not go so low as them.... lets be able to turn round and say ''your pathetic for acting that way''... but if posts like this are poseted... we wont be able to say that.. sorry to ramble on but do you get what i mean?? by the way, your daughter is so cute.. xx

L - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Leah:

Quoting L:

Opinions and respecting other people's "choices" apply to things like politics, religion, or abortion. Endangering a baby is not an opinion to respect. And it should be put in a nice way, until someone continuously argues against it. We ARE here to help. It is not our fault you do not like our way of helping.

  "helping"....or...judging...hmmm???

Your post is irrelevant.

Call it whatever you want.

I'm not afraid to hurt other people's feelings.  I'm sorry if I do, but a baby's well-being comes first.

Leah - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting L:

Opinions and respecting other people's "choices" apply to things like politics, religion, or abortion. Endangering a baby is not an opinion to respect. And it should be put in a nice way, until someone continuously argues against it. We ARE here to help. It is not our fault you do not like our way of helping.

  "helping"....or...judging...hmmm???

Your post is irrelevant.

L - posted on 03/20/2009

Opinions and respecting other people's "choices" apply to things like politics, religion, or abortion. Endangering a baby is not an opinion to respect. And it should be put in a nice way, until someone continuously argues against it. We ARE here to help. It is not our fault you do not like our way of helping.

Leah - posted on 03/20/2009

Sarah,

Yes, you are right that there are other means of punishment.  With my oldest time out worked.  She is a very mild and easy going child.  My youngest is very spirited, we've tried time out and continue to do so but that doesn't always work.  She is very stubborn and sometimes it’s the pop that gets her attention.  We are very firm parents.  At the same time we are very loving and have a happy family.  When my oldest was a toddler she never threw fits (really).  I would see other children her age throwing fits and being little brats.  I thought that I was just a better parent and that that mother/father didn't know how to effectively discipline.  My second child brought me to reality - quickly!  They are so different in their personalities and I love them both the same. 

A far as the Tabasco sauce, I can't necessarily judge that parenting choice.  I wasn't there, perhaps the child is very disrespectful with their words or has a potty mouth...maybe this parent has tried everything and doesn't know what else to do.  I don't know...but I certainly can't call it abuse.  My mother used to put a drop of Dawn liquid soap on my tongue if I was verbally disrespectful.  Do I think that was abuse?...no I don't.  My parents are wonderful and loving.  I was spanked too...not just a little pop...spanked.  I think I've turned out to be a very respectful and intelligent adult.  I do not discipline my girls the same way.  I will do what works for me but I do not think that what my parents did was abuse.

Your little one looks to be a sweetie...but if this is your only one at this young of an age discipline hasn't even begun for you.  Unless yours turns out the have the personality of my oldest.  :)  I say this with the utmost respect.

Chantel - posted on 03/20/2009

Can we please refrain from starting an argument? It's getting off subject talking about abuse.

Sarah if you don't like how we're parenting why don't you tell us your method of parenting? In a nice way, without calling anyone else a bad mom, please?

Sarah - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Leah:

Sarah, Who made you the right/wrong police and sent you to judge?  A pop on the bottom is not abuse.  The CPS system is a joke.  They will turn a blind eye to a child that desperately needs help and then take a child from a loving home that that parent has given a spanking.  Children these days are a bunch of brats because there isn't enough discipline.  Parents are too lenient and the child runs the roost.  Chantel requested no negative responses...you may not respect this thread and you have every right to do so.  But with that said, please keep your thoughts to yourself.

Please reread my posts.  I never said that a swat on the bottom was abuse.  I implied that making your child drink tobasco sauce as punishment is abuse.  And it is.  And I would call CPS.  Whether or not anything was done on their end is up to them, but to turn a blind eye to situations you know are not okay is ludicrous and irresponsible.  Also, just an FYI - discipline does not equal hitting.  There are plenty of other ways (though perhaps more time consuming and require the parent to invent more time and energy than physical means of punishment) to punish your child.  Many times it's far more effective to go a route other than physical punishment.

Chantel - posted on 03/20/2009

Quoting Sarah:

It's wonderful that you're so boastful of your terrible parenting choices. I'm glad that you at least have pride in what you do, even if it goes against what every expert would advise.

I don't care what you think of me. I specifically asked no neggative responses and you had to come on and say that? I didn't post this to start an argument about who parents the best, I just thought moms could share their way of parenting without getting spit on. If you want to share your method in a respectful way, feel free. If you just want to dump on other moms I suggest you go somewhere else and work it out.

Leah - posted on 03/20/2009

Sarah, Who made you the right/wrong police and sent you to judge?  A pop on the bottom is not abuse.  The CPS system is a joke.  They will turn a blind eye to a child that desperately needs help and then take a child from a loving home that that parent has given a spanking.  Children these days are a bunch of brats because there isn't enough discipline.  Parents are too lenient and the child runs the roost.  Chantel requested no negative responses...you may not respect this thread and you have every right to do so.  But with that said, please keep your thoughts to yourself.

Sarah - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Melissa:

sarah did u not pay attention no negative responses!! i asked you to have a read to see what I was going on about and I asked you to respect other peoples parenting choices. everybody has different views. some people smoke and drink when they are pregnant some people dont. some people hit their kids others dont. my cousin and my mother washed thier kids mouths out with soap. some wouldnt do this. my cousin burnt her sons mouth with tabasco sauce. some people would view this as abuse. I dont agree with some things my cousin does however i dont pull her up on her parenting skills as she has 6 of her own kids and has had 8 foster ones. RESPECT EVERYONES WAYS OF PARENTING! some experts will advice different to others sarah

You allow your cousin to abuse her child?  I'd call CPS.  I do NOT have to respect every way of parenting.  Some ways are wrong.  Truly - dangerous and/or abusive.  I do not have to respect that. 

Mel - posted on 03/19/2009

sarah did u not pay attention no negative responses!! i asked you to have a read to see what I was going on about and I asked you to respect other peoples parenting choices. everybody has different views. some people smoke and drink when they are pregnant some people dont. some people hit their kids others dont. my cousin and my mother washed thier kids mouths out with soap. some wouldnt do this. my cousin burnt her sons mouth with tabasco sauce. some people would view this as abuse. I dont agree with some things my cousin does however i dont pull her up on her parenting skills as she has 6 of her own kids and has had 8 foster ones. RESPECT EVERYONES WAYS OF PARENTING! some experts will advice different to others sarah

Sarah - posted on 03/19/2009

It's wonderful that you're so boastful of your terrible parenting choices. I'm glad that you at least have pride in what you do, even if it goes against what every expert would advise.

Mel - posted on 03/19/2009

Thanks for posting this Chantel!! its excellent ive had people accuse me of wrong doing too when I have done nothing wrong!! my daughter (as you know ) is also called Brianna and she turns 1 on april 8. she has been smacked across the legs when she misbehaves or arms, and my partner smacks her on her butt. she was on solids at 3 months WHICH IS BY NO MEANS HARMFUL AND WAS RECOMMENDED BY HEALTH PROFESSIONALS and if she hadnt been thru much trauma with all her medical problems i would have had her ears pierced by now. i didnt use rice cereal in her bottle because she is tube fed but this is also by no means harmful as its been done for many years :) oh and she has been having normal milk thru her tube (not for a while now) but she used to now i realise formula has the calories she needs. Thanks for posting this. hopefully it makes all these people against us see that we are not doing wrong by our children and this is the way we choose to raise them.

Leah - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Chantel:

Hi Leah! I never propped her bottles but I am guilty of giving it to her in bed...sorry:) I'm trying to wean her off the bottle but she doesn't like her cup....any ideas?

No need to apologize about putting her to bed with a bottle.  I was't saying that you are wrong to do so...I just never did it.  :)

With the sippy cups, I started giving my girls a sippy of water without the plug during meals around 9mos.  They thought it was fun to get the water out and didn't have to "work" at it since the plug was out.  Once they got the idea that there was something in there I put the plug in and I would offer them water in the cup all day - not just at meals.  By the time they were 1 they were only having a night time bottle while we rocked.  Slowly we worked on only rocking.  It took my younger one a bit longer to give up her bottle but I didn't make either of them stop cold turkey.

Shelly - posted on 03/19/2009

Chantel,

  Thank you for your guts.  I parented mine the same way.  Mine are now 22, 17 & 15...All healthy,  oldest is in the Navy, my 17 yro will be graduating high school in May and our youngest is pull mostly A's & B's.  All three of them are still virgins and yes I do believe them we have had the usual teen age sttitudes with two out of the three but nothing to serious.  Our 17 yro will be leaving for collage in the fall.  So yes as far as the spanking oh yes very firm believer and to this day if it warrents it they will still get it.  Like our youngest thought just b/c he was bigger than I am he was going to raise his hand to me well guess what he figured out that I'm still mom and will still beat his butt...So they can bring up all of these studies about spanking all they want.  Most of us in my generation and before were spanked and not all of us or even a majority of us are sexualy disfuctional...I often ask the question How did we survive childhood???   

~Jennifer - posted on 03/19/2009

Quoting Chantel:

Hi Leah! I never propped her bottles but I am guilty of giving it to her in bed...sorry:) I'm trying to wean her off the bottle but she doesn't like her cup....any ideas?

Jennifer, sorry about your son. It's nice that you are learning from him as much as he's learning from you!

Kimberly, I would circumsize my son if I had one too. My nephew isn't circumsized and it just seems so much harder.

There are so many different ways of doing everything!! As long as everyone is happy:)

  Thanks..........he'll be ok.   He's a pretty cool kid, so I'll keep him.  ;)

Have you tried the  'nuby' sip cups? They have a spout like a regular sip cup, but it's made of silicone - like the nips on a bottle.    I used to buy them at wal-mart( ...they're like$ 1.38 so if they don't work, no big loss...)  They were a pretty good transition aid.

Chantel - posted on 03/19/2009

Hi Leah! I never propped her bottles but I am guilty of giving it to her in bed...sorry:) I'm trying to wean her off the bottle but she doesn't like her cup....any ideas?

Jennifer, sorry about your son. It's nice that you are learning from him as much as he's learning from you!

Kimberly, I would circumsize my son if I had one too. My nephew isn't circumsized and it just seems so much harder.

There are so many different ways of doing everything!! As long as everyone is happy:)

Kim - posted on 03/19/2009

Hi,

I have 3 beautiful children (Tyler 8, Jacob 2, and Hannah 4 months). I formula fed all of my children...although I did pump for 6 weeks with my second. I found that BF just didn't work for me at all. I'm a nurse and when working 12 or 16 hour shifts I just couldn't find the time to pump. I let my kids CIO...we all sleep great and my oldest 2 are not emotionally or socially disabled because of it. I started feeding them cereal when they needed it, not because some guidleline told me too. I discipline my children when needed...that may be by a firm no, a slap on the bum/hand or a timeout. I pierced my daughters ears at 2 months and both of my boys are circumsized.

Some people don't agree with my parenting on this site and that is fine because I don't agree with some of their parenting. However, the most important thing to me is that my children are loved and cared for. Our family is very happy and we do what works for us.

Amanda - posted on 03/19/2009

I agree with everyone has their own way of doing things.  I don't always do exactly what the books say and that's okay for me.  I do what works for my kids and so should everyone else.  To each there own as long as everyone is healthy.

~Jennifer - posted on 03/19/2009

Hey Chantel.....

 I have a 4yo boy and a 2 yo girl - and everything we do / did here is  exactly the same as your post.(... up to the ear piercing.  That was something special that my Mom took me out and made a big deal of ...'girl time' - So  I think I'll try that with my daughter too.)

You're exactly right though- people do things in the way that works for them.  I found this out not through myself, but my son.  He had a stroke and he's got some issues stemming from that -and he does things his own way.....but they get done.  He figures out ways of doing things that I would never have thought to teach him.   Just  because it's not the way I showed him, or his therapists showed him, doesn't make it the wrong way of doing it. ( After I started reading this forum I noticed that my understanding of him could apply here as well. -lol!)

Point is- you do things in the way that makes youand your family most comfortable.  If you're a stable, mature person, you help people when you can and say a word of blessing for them if you can't.  You take care of your partner,  kids, your home, your own conscience and hope at the end you've done it all right.  We may all be different, but in the end, we all hope for the same good things.

BB

Leah - posted on 03/19/2009

Hi Chantel,  My girls (7 & 3) were nursed until 4 months, I "followed the rules" of introducing food and milk to their diets.  I never put them to sleep with a bottle or propped their bottle ( I personally can't stand when I see that).  Their ears were peirced at 3mos.  They were weened from the bottle by 13mos and their pacifier by 2 years.  They have always slept in their own beds.  We use time out but they will get a "pop" on the bottom or hand if need be.  When we say no we mean NO!  There's no "I promise I'll be good" that will talk us into doing it their way.  My girls are normal children but they are not brats.  I can't stand it if I'm being firm with my girls in public and I get the "evil eye" from someone that's not minding their own business.  My girls are loved and we have a very happy life.  You are not wrong for rasing your child as you are...our world is just turning into a bunch of busy bodies who think that they know it all.  What's worked for me and my family might not work for yours...and that's ok!  :)  Thank you for posting this!!