yes, yes, I haven’t posted in a week… This Lent/ no computer thing is killin’ me! My goal is to get a bunch of posts done on Sunday! So we’ll see!!
It’s time for another post in the Real Life series hosted by Be Merry, Kate and myself.
I don’t know about the rest of you parents out there, but most of the time I feel like my “parenting approach” is more a “fake it til you make” type thing. I pray every night that I’m not damaging Damian beyond the abilities of any moderately priced therapist. I mean really, what’s one more therapist on his list? Right!? (I’m joking for all of you who are shaking your heads)
I’ve read a decent number of parenting books and articles. For the most part they just frustrate me because they aren’t a fit for a) my personality or b) Damian’s personality. I couldn’t swallow a lot of the attachment parenting mentality but I found a lot of traditional, hardline discipline approaches a little too extreme for me. And then there’s all the other stuff in between. It reminds me of when I was first trying to breastfeed Damian and I read a bunch of different books that all told me something different. By the end of it I was ready to just give up. And while Damian’s medical needs caused me to “give up” breastfeeding, I can’t really do that with parenting.
At the end of the day, we finally just decided consistency (with some sort of plan) is the best approach. Only Nate and I really know our child. We know what he responds to and what he doesn’t. And we know that he knows us pretty darn well too. No style of parenting is going to perfectly fit us. And while I still wish Damian came with an owner’s manual, I think we’re trying our best to figure it out as we go without causing too much damage to his psyche.
Wish us luck though because from what I’ve heard… this making it up as you go stuff continues even when they are adults (thanks mom!!)
So what’s going on in your life? Got something you want to share?? Link up below!!
February 21, 2013 at 3:07 pm
Miss that silly face!
February 21, 2013 at 3:23 pm
You and big d look like twins in that pic
February 21, 2013 at 6:57 pm
I know! I didn’t realize it until I posted up on the blog. He’s still a little Nate though just with curly hair!
February 21, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Oh I love it! Yeah… Jon and I decided before we were expecting that we were not going to read any parenting books. Sure, I read about various methods, etc online but I don’t subscribe to anything full on. We babywear because it’s convenient. We co-slept until it was inconvenient. We breastfeed because we can and its cheap but I’m giving it up as soon as I can without having to buy formula. I try to let him just develop on his own, but I also sometimes try to push him to learn something new. I don’t let him cry-it-out, but sometimes he cries longer than he probably should. Meh… my attitude has always been “whatever works.”
February 21, 2013 at 6:56 pm
I love this! I tend to want to smack people who “know how it should be done” before they even have kids. So thank you for not being one if them haha
But seriously, I think that’s a healthy approach because it works for y’all and thus is probably less stressful than trying to fit into something that’s wrong for your lifestyle. At the end of the day all they really need is good and love!
February 25, 2013 at 2:57 am
Welcome to the real life! My favorite parenting tool is Prayer, and lots of it. And yes, your mom spoiled the surprise…you are a parent for the rest of your life. Love that sweet boy and pray continually! P.S. I love keeping up with family! I can’t wait to finally meet our GREAT nephew!