One of the biggest parenting cliches is that babies don’t come with an instruction manual.
So why is it that most of the parenting books claim that if you only follow their rules, your baby will be not just happy and healthy, but do exactly what you want them to, when you want them to do it? And worse, IF YOU DO NOT, your child is DOOMED and will grow up to be a shoplifting, drug-dealing, rioter. Probably.
What I need is friendly advice and tips, not more sticks to beat myself with. I already feel guilty most of the time, parenting books, why must you make things more difficult? Why do you say, follow your instincts, and then do your best to undermine them?
Parenting Books Will Ruin Your Life, Case Study:
They all go on and on AND ON about how your baby should eat every three hours, and you should wake them up every four hours to feed if they don’t. But none of them tell you when to stop this.
So the first time C slept for 6 hours at night, I did not think, brilliant, as I should have, but woke up with all parental alarms going OH MY GOD SHE IS GOING TO STARVE.
Of course, she is not going to starve. She is fine.
In the morning I realised I was being stupid and gave up on parenting books.
Instead, I am going for the age old strategy of Ask Your Mother. (And your sister. And your NCT group).
Though I read this lovely review of What Mothers Do. I could do with knowing that.
Try this parenting guide http://www.amazon.com/Three-Martini-Playdate-Practical-Guide-Parenting/dp/0811840549/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1315420283&sr=1-1
I wrote about this a few weeks ago. I gave up on the books. I reacted the same way you did with the sleep/feeding! Our kids will be fine without know-it-alls telling us what to do
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and was tempted to write a sunday salon but think I’ll skip now.
I was reading The Baby Whisperer and it made me feel like such a useless and unaware mother that I finally gave up on it. Though kind of jealous that C is sleeping 6 hours. Elle was until I went back to work. I’m a walking zombie.
Have What Women Do but only read first chapter. Loved first chapter, though.
You look gorgeous (and not a bit fat) in your picture. What a lovely read
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