As children, we are always eager to do our best and gain acceptance and approval. When we become teenagers, while we pretend that we want to be individuals and thrive on excelling, it is the security of genuine love that gives us strength. While single, young adults, we have no one to think of but ourselves and feel lost. Then we marry, have babies, and sacrifice much of what we are to offer our sprouting young ones the best.
With this in mind, it is no wonder that we dote, spoil, and place these little replicas of ourselves on pedestals.
Since the birth of our little replica, I've noticed a pattern. I love him more than I ever imagined I could love someone. I know that all mommies and daddies empathize. With all these factors in mind, a competition seems to ensue.
And so, I'm calling a truce. Whether you breastfeed, bottle feed, formula feed, work outside the home, work at home, stay at home, co-sleep or don't. If you have a child who is off the charts, average, below average, silly looking, a Gerber baby, looks like the wrong gender, eats Play-Doh, has shaggy hair, or no hair at all, this is to your advantage.
Let's all just be happy for each other. No more snide remarks or comparisons. Let's all remember that we are in the same boat. We all want our children to grow into loved, well-rounded adults. So, if someone offers uninvited advice, please smile say thank you. Because they're just trying to help.
Happy Truce Day! May we all enjoy these precios moments of child-rearing which will pass much too quickly.
I really like the way you wrote this, you really have a knack for writing, I sure wish I did!
ReplyDeleteSometimes we are way too judgemental of each other. It's a fine line between trying to educate people about parenting choices and casting judgement, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou said it perfectly!
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