Um, it's called trial and error?
Seriously, what a weird question. Not that anyone actually asks this in real life. The internet has been a wonderful resource, especially as a new mom, but you also get silly questions like "What is your parenting style?" What the heck does that mean?
I've been described as "All Earth Momma" or "La Leche Woman" by friends - childless friends. Yes we:
1. Breastfeed (still,at 19 months)
2. Co-sleep
3. Made our own baby food (no jarred stuff, Angelina was already a food snob and wouldn't eat it anyway)
4. Homebirth (or at least try to)
5. Didn't do Scream-It-Out (ahem, "self-soothe") - well, at least in the early days.... Ok so I did in desperation and it didn't work.
6. Cloth diaper (at least at home, we use 7th Generation disposables for daycare and travel)
7. Carry her in a sling (don't you dare call it 'babywearing' - she's not an accessory like earings! I figured the Karen women did it, I could too.)
Some would take all that and give us a label. No thank you. I don't do labels, and I'm pretty sure Angelina has made it clear she does not fit neatly into a box. We've done all that because it's what worked (or at least tried to) and felt right, not because it was part of some parenting checklist.
Does it make me a better mom? No. Just a mom trying to figure out what's best for my daughter (and the environment).
Friday, February 22, 2008
"What's your parenting style?"
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3 comments:
Amen to this entire post.
I'd call it great minds think alike. or something along those lines.
When I first read this post I thought you were going to talk about "do you spank your child" which of course is always controversial.
I don't find your parenting style "out there" or anything (or "crunchy" as I, oddly enough, was called!). Breastfeed, yes, it's the best for your child, why not? Co-sleeping, again, why not? And with all of the points...why in the heck shouldn't you do all of those things??!?!
Some people are just bizarre. You guys are doig wonderful jobs as parents!
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