[EquestrianMama]

According to a lot of my "friends", I'm doing everything wrong. For the first month or two, we coslept because it made nursing easier. Some of my friends thought this was horrible etc. Whatever, you do what works for you. Then, I stopped nursing so I could go on some meds that aren't safe for BF.. and I caught flak for that. We don't do CIO, so I catch flak for that from friends saying my child is manipulating me. We do a variation of sleep training, with her in her crib. Now I get stuff from friends who are AP saying that letting her sleep alone is horrible.. well, she won't sleep in the bed with us, she thinks that means play time. She also sleeps horribly in the room with us and so do we. Now that she's on solids, I get crap from people saying I started her too young or that she should still be on the purees only. AARRRGH.

Another "friend" is into the whole child training thing that the Pearl family (No Greater Joy ministries) promotes.. she whips her kids with a spoon. NOT ok with me and she thinks that I should raise Ali that way. She believes that if the kids cry during a spanking, they get spanked harder. Ridiculous. I want my kid to behave because she respects me and the rules, not because she's afraid.

Ok, rant over. Thank you

[Daffodil]

Oh my gosh, that last friend sounds completely abusive!!! I honestly don't think I could be friends with someone like that. That's too extreme.


As far as everyone else...ugh, why do they feel the need to comment??? I've had some comments like that too about the co-sleeping... its annoying. I don't know why people are so nosy and care so much what another family does.

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Originally Posted by Daffodil

Oh my gosh, that last friend sounds completely abusive!!! I honestly don't think I could be friends with someone like that. That's too extreme.


As far as everyone else...ugh, why do they feel the need to comment??? I've had some comments like that too about the co-sleeping... its annoying. I don't know why people are so nosy and care so much what another family does.

Ditto. I pretty much just let people raise their kids the way they feel is best and not say a word, unless they are like this friend you describe, and then I would have to have nothing to do with her because I do feel that is abusive.

I think you should just tell them you're doing what you feel is best for your family and leave it at that. No need to explain yourself to anyone.

The only thing I think you're doing wrong is you seem to be finding only psycho friends.....

I think that the one friend is abusing her child and the other ones need to mind their own buisness. Everyone parent's differently and it's OK not to parent like everyone else. From what you said I don't think there is anything wrong with the way YOU choose to parent YOUR child. (((huggs)))

[Arei_720]

Just smile and nod when they tell you "how they do it"... except that last friend- a horrified look is more apropo

[mommytokem]

With having 4 kids I've learned there are a lot of times in life you just have to smile and nod.

[Hollybear]

Originally Posted by HMC

The only thing I think you're doing wrong is you seem to be finding only psycho friends.....

Amen to that! You're not doing anything wrong, just ignore them!

[ElizabethS]

I just don't discuss my parenting methods with friends. We clash on everything. I'm not a CIO sort of person, I'm more attachment parenting, night time parenting, the whole works. Responding to my baby's cries IMO creates trust.

I'd tell them I'm not asking for opinions...everyone has one!

[preciousgiftsmama]

I am completely mortified on the friend who child trains the No Greater Joy ministries way I have to agree with those above me that I couldnt be friends with someone who "disciplined" their child that way. I feel bad for her poor kids.

And yes, everyone has their own opinions, and just let them roll off you. I havent agreed with how my friends raised their kids most of the time, and they dont agree with my AP style either, but I dont care. I raise my kids my way, and think I have done and am doing a pretty good job

[sethsmum]

Your kid, your way Ignore them

[sboricua]

F what everyone says! you are doing something right! your baby is healthy and happy and thats all that matters!