How many times have you caught yourself doing something that pre-child-you wouldn't have been caught dead doing? I had all sorts of lofty aspirations for the type of mom I wanted to be (and didn't want to be) and I am realizing that all of my pre-child-judging of other moms was completely unwarranted, unfair and unrealistic.
For example, I thought I would never let my child sleep in my bed. But then, before you know it, you're travelling for the holidays and wake up at 1:00am to a screaming, terrified child in a new room in a new bed and you quickly pull that child into bed with you. We travelled for almost a month over Christmas with the boys and I think I had a child-free bed for 2 nights total. It was comforting to them and quiet for everyone else... so why not?
Also, I thought I would have never put my child on a leash. I was given two leashes as a shower present and thought that they would make a good re-gift for some other mom who couldn't control their kids in public. Thank heavens I kept them!! After struggling with stroller buckles and squirmy toddlers who just want to walk, the leash is the perfect solution. They think they are completely independent, yet you don't ever find yourself in the position of choosing who to chase when they run in two different directions. After Eli was lost in the Atlanta Children's Museum for a few minutes, I decided then and there that the leash was a must for us. I realized that it has nothing to do with controlling your kids - after all, they can't ride in a stroller forever and need to learn to walk with you - and it makes them happier and more cooperative. Our first outing to the mall with them was a complete success!
As a mom of twins, I thought I'd never dress them identically... but I do it all the time and think it's completely adorable!
I thought I'd never let them watch TV, but find their joy in Curious George contagious and love to see them dance to songs on Super Why.
I could go on... and I'm sure you could too! What have you found yourself doing as a mom that pre-parenthood you swore you'd never do?
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7 comments:
I never thought I'd be the type of mom to whip out her boob in public, but my gals have had more fresh air this year than ever before. I've nursed in nice restaurants, in front of my Dad, on a plane with a board member beside me, you name it.
dylan loves super why, too. what a cute show.
i'm with becky. i've become a regular "lactivist," and while i don't think i thought much about it pre-baby, i know i didn't envision nursing in church, etc.
i think more things will come back to bite me in the butt as the kids age, because i have a lot of opinions about parenting teens. i don't think i was ever around young families enough before to have formed lots of "i'd never"s.
i just never wanted to be the screaming, pulling mom at wal-mart. so far, so good on that one...gimme time;)
I never wanted to be a parent who bribed there kids with treats get them to eat their dinner, or get a haircut, or behave in church, but I totally do. Dum dums are my friend.
I swore I'd never let a bottle touch their lips! It took four boys, but on the fourth one I found a great balance of breastfeeding and bottle.
I'm like becky and suzannah...I think more peple have seen my boobs than I'd care to count. The other thing I do at least five times a day that used to disgust me when I saw other moms do it is to stick my nose in and smell my children's butts to see if they had pooped. So much easier to sniff than to undress and check. So funny how I've changed:-)
I swore that Luke and I would never fight about "whose turn it is" to give baths, change diapers, get up at night, etc. I find we do that more than I would care to admit :)
Oh, here's another one that Trish and I were just talking about: I do give Jack sugary tastes more than I thought I would. I used to be totally strict about what touched his lips but between tastes of icing, ice cream, and french toast (not to mention that he ate old puffs that fell on the hotel rug yesterday -yuck), who really cares about sweets in moderation?!
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