Everybody has an opinion and everyone is at the ready to give unsolicited advice. We are constantly told what we are doing wrong and what can cause imminent death in our children. Don’t let them wear a jacket in the car seat! Don’t use bug spray! You could drive yourself crazy keeping up with all the dangers and things that can cause permanent damage.
Well I do the best I can, but I pick my battles and take all this advice with a grain of salt. I’m not about to leave my kids alone in a running car, but there are some “bad” things I am guilty of doing, and you know what? I’m not ashamed.
Belly sleeping
When Little Miss was born, she wanted to exclusively sleep on our chests. We couldn’t get her to sleep on her back, no matter how hard we tried. I resorted to lying on my back, with her on her belly on top of me. I was in such a panic, I woke up every ten minutes to make sure she was still breathing. In the end we realized it was better that she slept on her own on her belly, than get trapped in a cycle of co-sleeping. She made it through her first year of life just fine.
I used a Bundle Me in the car
Turns out these things are terrible and can cause your kids to be ejected from their car seat in an accident. I found out about this with Mr. Man, after I had used one for all of Little Miss’s chilly days. I thought about getting rid of it and using blankets instead, but in the end I stuck with what I was used to. I hear they make Bundle Me’s these days sans eject button.
I only nursed Little Miss to 8 months
At the time, I was very much done with breastfeeding and I felt like a drink for her rather than a food source. Little Miss was a big eater and going back and forth from food to nursing just wasn’t working for us. She had no issues with weaning, but I know you are supposed to go for a full 12 months. Mr. Man did make it to a year, but he is a different kid.
My kids watch TV
I need to get stuff done. End of story.
I let them eat off the floor
All the toys are on the floor and they all go in their mouths, so can you please tell me what’s the difference? I honestly believe that some germs help them stay healthy in the long run. Of course, this is all within reason. Goldfish on the kitchen floor, yes. Lollipop in the Target parking lot, no.
Nap time is on the couch
I know you are supposed to bring your kids to their room and let them nap in their cribs/beds, but at our house, we nap on the couch. Both my kids would cry like crazy when I put them in the crib at nap time, and in my opinion, it is more important that they sleep than worry about where they sleep.
My kids sing “All About the Bass and “Bang Bang into the Room”
While I keep them away from bad language and inappropriate television shows, my kids listen to the radio. Little Miss sings all sorts of songs that she hears, but it is a little creepy/adorable when 18-month-old Mr. Man sings “Bang Bang into the Room” or as he says it, “meh ma ma meh a roooooom!”
I spoil them rotten
I love them. I buy them toys. I get them everything they need and I tell them they are the most fantastic children in the world. To me, they are, and I will never stop letting them know how much they are loved.
Well I do the best I can, but I pick my battles and take all this advice with a grain of salt. I’m not about to leave my kids alone in a running car, but there are some “bad” things I am guilty of doing, and you know what? I’m not ashamed.
Belly sleeping
When Little Miss was born, she wanted to exclusively sleep on our chests. We couldn’t get her to sleep on her back, no matter how hard we tried. I resorted to lying on my back, with her on her belly on top of me. I was in such a panic, I woke up every ten minutes to make sure she was still breathing. In the end we realized it was better that she slept on her own on her belly, than get trapped in a cycle of co-sleeping. She made it through her first year of life just fine.
I used a Bundle Me in the car
Turns out these things are terrible and can cause your kids to be ejected from their car seat in an accident. I found out about this with Mr. Man, after I had used one for all of Little Miss’s chilly days. I thought about getting rid of it and using blankets instead, but in the end I stuck with what I was used to. I hear they make Bundle Me’s these days sans eject button.
I only nursed Little Miss to 8 months
At the time, I was very much done with breastfeeding and I felt like a drink for her rather than a food source. Little Miss was a big eater and going back and forth from food to nursing just wasn’t working for us. She had no issues with weaning, but I know you are supposed to go for a full 12 months. Mr. Man did make it to a year, but he is a different kid.
My kids watch TV
I need to get stuff done. End of story.
I let them eat off the floor
All the toys are on the floor and they all go in their mouths, so can you please tell me what’s the difference? I honestly believe that some germs help them stay healthy in the long run. Of course, this is all within reason. Goldfish on the kitchen floor, yes. Lollipop in the Target parking lot, no.
Nap time is on the couch
I know you are supposed to bring your kids to their room and let them nap in their cribs/beds, but at our house, we nap on the couch. Both my kids would cry like crazy when I put them in the crib at nap time, and in my opinion, it is more important that they sleep than worry about where they sleep.
My kids sing “All About the Bass and “Bang Bang into the Room”
While I keep them away from bad language and inappropriate television shows, my kids listen to the radio. Little Miss sings all sorts of songs that she hears, but it is a little creepy/adorable when 18-month-old Mr. Man sings “Bang Bang into the Room” or as he says it, “meh ma ma meh a roooooom!”
I spoil them rotten
I love them. I buy them toys. I get them everything they need and I tell them they are the most fantastic children in the world. To me, they are, and I will never stop letting them know how much they are loved.