Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Everyone has an opinion...

I am sitting here blogging. I WAS organizing my two months of coupons. When I heard "Moms need to..." and "women should..." The toddler is feeling ill (due to some shots) and is sleeping quietly on the couch. The TV is on low because when the toddler is sick she can do whatever she wants, like watch 3 hours of TV. But the shows are over and its a talk show or something and that is when I heard yet someone else telling me what I should be doing.

Seriously?!

I am a little tired of it. Not in an angry-tired. Just a real had enough-tired. I am tired of  "people" telling me what I need to do. What kind of mom I should be. And even how to raise the toddler. Blah blah blah... the list goes on and on and I am sure you can relate.

Granted, there is a fine line between "chatting with other moms" and "telling other moms what to do." (Not sure why I put that in quotations but I am going to leave it. I am sure I have a reason.

Sometimes I just get frustrated. In fact, that is one reason why changed Pediatricians. Sometimes I feel like this is a race. How early can my child read? How soon can she be pottied trained? My child is 3 and is already on the fill-in-the-blank Ivy league fast start program. Do this for shyness. Try this for picky eaters. Go here for play dates. Yep, I am a mom who is border line fed up with everyone's opinions. (by everyone, I mean people on TV or the Radio etc. I don't even know them) But I guess that is the benefit of living is this land of freedom.  Another benefit, I can go live in a cave and just not deal with any of this. I know just the place...

I was reading a mag in the bathroom last night. It was a parenting one and I generally enjoy this one mag. Partially because its a free subscription and partially because the articles are really good. But one of the features was how to make healthy dinners for picky eaters. We are parents to a self-proclaimed picky eater. However, I can't see myself buying salmon and greek yogurt for the child to "try". I know myself enough to know that if she wants to eat string cheese all day, I will say no after two sticks... and lovingly watch from a distance as the tantrum unfolds. I might even pop a bag of popcorn for it. And I am not going to grind up sugar snap peas and mix it with Mint and pasta for toddler treat. Nope. Not me. Not this mom.

So in case there are no more posts from me after a month and a day, you can assume I went to a cave. To not be told what to do or how to raise this child. To not feel like she has to be at a certain level at a certain age. We will live off berries and dried bear meat. And mac and cheese.

Maybe I should just turn off the TV. Or not get vaccines.

ps-to defend myself, we only watch three shows via Hulu.com and it was an un-ordinary event (sickly child) which is why the TV is on during the day. And I really don't feel pressured. Thank you to my friend Kelly for this little note when I remarked that I am not a real mom yet: "you are a real mom....you gave real birth. :)"

8 comments:

Brianne & Jarod said...

My advice would be to...ha ha ha j/k. After reading about two books on how to have the perfect baby, I just threw them all out...they can have their advice, and I will stick to my motherly instincts. The best is when someone offers you advice on how to raise your child..(when they don't have any) and then end up facing the same problem when they finally have have one...LOVE IT!

p.s. Nick Jr. is Ike's friend and my occassional babysitter...don't be too worried about the t.v. they will be in training to become the Valedictorians before we know it!

Shelby Osmond said...

Good thing to watch out for... I wouldn't object to the cave :) Just as long as it was in Utah

THE SMITHS said...

I totally know how you feel! but your her mom you are doing a good job! whenever I get over whelmed with all the parenting websites/books. I remember the day she was born on Oct 22nd 2009 @ 11:43 am and that god has entrusted me with one of his most precious possessions. If I find myself getting tired of feeling like I am not being the mom I should be I ask my father in heaven and he always tells me I am doing fine and he loves me. Your doing great!

Sapp Family said...

I totally know the feeling! I am also tired of being told what to do with my kids or having someone else make me feel like they're not progressing fast enough in certain areas. Usually, I'll either ignore them or get sassy with them.

By the way, I love what you've done with your blog! I like your header description and the pictures you've put together...cute!

P.S. I was in labor with AimeeLynn for 8 hours, so not quite as fast. And Brad had to talk to the nurses several times to get us to go home early, it wasn't easy. They always act like we're being bad parents by leaving too early or something. Oh well... :)

Bemily said...

You are a very smart, protective mom who knows what is best for her kids and recognizes it. I admire that so much about you. I couldn't agree more with your post!

P.s. Totally love your new blog layout and header. :)

The Parrys said...

hahaha i cant even begin to tell you how much i enjoy reading your posts. you are so good at posting, and i havent been on my blog since i moved so i had to catch up :). your lil family is so cute. it was so good talking to you the other day! miss you tons! oh and thanks for the email, im gonna check into that for sure :). ive finally posted pics of our house.. some of it. so enjoy! oh and i compltely agree wit this post btw. so true. you go girl. i admire you.

Alan Daniels Family said...

my last post was about some rude random stranger leaving a note on my blog basically telling me I was a bad person for spanking my child (who greatly deserved it). Your husband commented that it sounded like one of your recent posts, so I had to come read it and must say I completely understand how you feel. I'm sure you are a great parent. Oh and my kids watch way too much TV right now. It's 110 degrees outside and I'm in my 6th month of pregnancy. What are we supposed to do? Sometimes it just ends up that way. I bet neither of them end up in special ED because they watched a little too much tv every now and then!

Bird is the Word said...

haha! I kinda had a post like this that I wrote just today. This weekend my MIL told me she thinks my daughter is Autistic and I should have her checked out... UGH NO, she does not like you because you are a CRAPPY Grandma and that is why she does not talk to you which leads you to think she is autistic... I could SCREAM sometimes ya know?? WHY are people so dumb about their "advise"?

I am realizing that this is mostly me, (makana) you get to read about in this blog. Hmm... well, lucky you! :)