I'm a tad annoyed. I should have realized that sharing things going on in our life would lead to criticism by others. Call me naive, but I just thought people were too busy with their own things to gossip about how others raise their children and lead their lives. I know we're not perfect, but I didn't think we were the only ones who weren't.
That said, WE DO NOT ENTERTAIN OUR CHILD WITH THE TV - our non-LCD HD widescreen, old-school 25 inch boxy TV. Not that it should be anyone else's business if we chose to. The picture taken earlier in the month was staged for comedic affect, but clearly I didn't make it obvious enough. My bad. I shouldn't have to justify our choices to others, but we hardly have the TV on in our house, so much that we have discussed down grading our cable. I hope that's ok with the readers.
Now I know the working mothers/fathers out there (do you exist or am we the only horrible parents out there who has to earn a living so the mortgage can be paid?) would agree with me...not being able to be home with your child all day flat out sucks. Kaylynn goes to bed around 9pm and she and I usually get home between 4:30 and 5:00. Brian gets home around 8:00. If you do the math, that's about 4.5 hrs for me and 1.5 for Brian. This is less than ideal, we hate it, it breaks our hearts to not get to spend every waking minute with her, but in order to provide for her, her needs, and our needs, we have to work. To top that off, Brian has an endless amount of reading to do, notes to take, papers to write, and research to do on top of his already full day. Not only do we not get as much time with her as we'd like, but there is the regular household chores that have to be taken care of...and when you want to spend time with your child, those things get pushed to the back burner (so there's another topic for you to talk about...we can't keep a clean house).
I am sick and tired of being made fun of and criticized for the way we choose to raise our child. Apparently there is nothing we do that is right. Want to use "greener" diapers - hippy. BPA-Free plastics - weirdo. Chlorine-free wipes - ridiculous. Natural laundry detergents - freak. Organic foods - hippy again. Watching the TV for an hour or so at night to find a little bit of relaxation- bad parents. Oh yeah, we use a pacifier on occasion too.
Did I mention that Kaylynn has been hitting all of her developmental milestones, something that can't be done without proper playing, loving, reading, etc?
Please, let me know if I have any more downfalls as a human being. I will do my best to work on them.
I apologize for the rant, but some things just really get to me. Have a lovely weekend, the weather here is awesome and we got our yardwork done early! Yay for free-mulch day in the neighborhood.
I apologize for the rant, but some things just really get to me. Have a lovely weekend, the weather here is awesome and we got our yardwork done early! Yay for free-mulch day in the neighborhood.
4 comments:
Hayley, Can I just say that I think you're a fantastic mother?! Seriously, anyone who wants to be critical needs to get a grip and realize that there is more than one way to raise a happy, healthy baby. I think you're doing a great job and can't wait until I get to come to you for advice. *Muah*
Motherhood is a tough job...even tougher when you're torn between work & home. Keep up the good work! The "nosey nelly's" have too much time on their hands, apparently. :>)
-- Kim
*I found your blog on Julie's
We totally don't do things "by the book," either (we have EJ sleep on her tummy and she's on a feeding schedule and we let her chew both on her hand and the pacifier, heaven forbid). I mean, how can you go by the book, when there are so many out there on both sides of the spectrum? Also, it's funny (not funny "ha ha" but funny "interesting") to me that you get criticized for going back to work, because I get criticized for NOT going back to work. Your friend Julie is right - there's more than one way to raise a happy, healthy baby. Not even the Bible gives specific directions on how to take care of newborns. The best two pieces of parenting advice I've gotten so far is from a dear friend who said - "Trust your instincts. And use paper goods." So I pass that onto you along with a third piece: next time someone tells you to not use a pacifier, go put one in their mouth instead.
Hayley, dear, do not let the whiners get to you. There are always those people who have to tell you what you are doing wrong - they are the ones with the problems - not you, sweetheart - you are a great MOM and brian is a great DAD - you are doing what you want to do and - to the rest of the world, I say, butt out and take care of your own business instead of minding someone elses. so there
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