Something like Gypsies
One newly uprooted family and their modern gypsy-like adventures, sprinkled with a wild baking-itch, and an obsession with crafts and projects.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Spouting "astute" and unwanted advise!
As a parent, there are always people who are offering their un-requested advise on how you should raise your children. This is becoming a pet-peeve with me. Some people seem to think that because one doesn't assertively broadcast their position, that they must be in need of one, and then they force their upon these silent mothers. Sometimes this "wisdom" comes from well-seasoned, well-meaning older women, who are sometimes even strangers. This can be irritating, but eventually they go away. But there is another source that is of particular frustration: the middle-aged, opinionated mother of several (normally 3+) children who feels the need to flood young mothers with all of their 'perfected' methods of child-rearing. They watch your kids a few times, of hear something you say and they just have to jump in and let you know that you just aren't doing things right. Really. Does it ever occur to them that if we really wanted their opinion, we would just ask?! Do they know my childrens every move, habit, hurt or epiphany? No, so just where do they get off?!!? And, they make a majorly false assumption that I prescribe to their way of thinking! I don't agree with half the things that they say!! AND just because I am too nice to say "Back off", they take it as a sign of encouragement. I don't even know their kids, so how could I possibly decide that I want to model her rearing methods? And, who is to say that she ever had a kid like mine?!?! All of us parents know that KIDS ARE DIFFERENT!! In fact, it was just a point that she felt the need to make for me the other day, and then she incorrectly stumbles into giving me advise, or rather a directive or warning on exactly what I am doing wrong. I give my child too much freedom. Really? that I why I had to tell her that I wanted her to give the kids more discipline, and not let them get away with things due to circumstantial context (because we know that Toddlers don't actually understand the context). Isn't it a parental choice to decide whether I want to confine (strap or somehow tie down) my daughter to her bed, or teach her the discipline of staying in bed and taking a nap? It may sound like an easier question, unless you've met my child, whose independence is quite natural, despite the beliefs of her daycare caretaker. According to her, I have fostered this independence, and it is a bad thing. I do want my child to be strong and independent, but she has a natural inclination for it as well. So, why should my daycare person have any say in whether or not I decide to confine my child to her bed for naps, or take the much more arduous path of teaching her that this is what is expected? Not to mention, if you've met Evelyn, you would most likely understand why confining wouldn't work. She would struggle till she found a way out, and if she couldn't get out, she would scream and cry until someone came to help. The LAST thing that she would do is SLEEP!! I'm not conpletely unfounded in feeling this way, am I?
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1 comment:
Well, look who's here. where have you been Sweetie? Can't believe i've got the nerve to ask that when you've got two very young girls to look after.
they look beautiful. this is a wonderful time,if exhausting. You can really watch them enjoy life.
oh i used to get that all the time. un-asked for advice. You know your own children, they don't.
i found the worse ones were the ones who'd had them theirselves but their memories of it had grown dim. they came out with all sorts of horse radish i can tell you!
ignore 'em. Nice to see you back xxxxxx
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