Thursday, September 20, 2012

Crappy First Time Mama

For those of you who don't know what's going on, here is the link to the blog where this whole thing started. There has been a crazy all out mommy-war going on ever since this blogger posted this picture of 4 different moms which was supposed to celebrate our different parenting styles. She had a lot of nasty things written on hers with a lot of moms calling each other some pretty mean things. I have only read her blog a few times but she sounds like a very fun person!

Even though I am not a very good blogger, I am going to jump on the band wagon and give my reasons why I am a crappy mom to my (almost) 11 month old baby boy. (Seriously, where has the time gone, he is almost a year old!)

I only nursed/pumped for about 8 weeks and then switched to formula.
We co-sleep sometimes plus his crib is still in our room.
I held/hold him a lot, maybe "too much", but I honestly don't think that is possible.
He often takes naps in his swing or has to be held to fall asleep.
He uses a pacifier still for naps and bedtime. He won't still have it by his 2nd birthday.
Sometimes I let him hold his own bottle to feed himself so I can get something done.
I sometimes get on the computer while he is awake and playing. (I have gotten away from that mostly so I can enjoy him while he is still a baby...seriously, they grow up too fast.)
I try to use natural and organic products around the house.
I mostly make his food or he eats what we eat. (Mostly organic, but sometimes not.)
Sometimes he eats pre-packaged baby food. (Only organic brands)
I am very cautious about him trying new foods, probably more than I need to be.
I let him drink juice.
Sometimes I let him have some whipped cream off my coffee drink.
We vaccinate on the doctor's schedule.
We use over the counter baby meds sometimes for fever, etc.
I use natural and organic baby body items for him.
I cloth diaper and mostly use cloth wipes.
He is not circumcised.
He will remain rear facing after 2 years if his height and weight allow.
I hug and kiss him constantly because I can't get enough of him.
I mostly stay at home with him and when I do work I miss him like crazy. (I have more separation anxiety than he does.)
I let him watch TV sometimes.
I used a wrap when he was younger now we mostly use a stroller.
I don't like to buy a lot of the mainstream clothes that make him look like an 8 year old. I want to dress him like a baby while he still is one.
I tell him "no" and plan on spanking his bottom if necessary for discipline but plan on using positive parent techniques too.
I take him to church some Sundays and read him books about God and the Bible.

I know there are many more things that some people would think make me a bad mama but I can't think of anymore right now. All I can think of is how much I love my little man and would do anything for him to keep him safe and healthy. If you think some of these things make me (and my husband, since these are mostly joint decisions) a bad parent then you can go ahead and think that. When I come home from work and he comes crawling to me when he hears my voice or his face lights up when he sees me, I know I am not a bad mommy in his eyes. He loves me and that is what matters to me!

~Little T's Mommy~
Rachel 
(Oh yeah, we don't put his name on the internet for his safety.)


I know, I've totally screwed him up already, which is why he thinks his booger sucker is a toy.