I have to be honest. Not just with you few that read my blog, but with myself. I don't like people. There I said it. I dislike people as a whole, but I do like certain people. And now I find myself writing off more and more people because of my beliefs. I'm not talking about my religious beliefs but my parenting choices and the choices that I make for myself.
A few months ago I decided to get more vocal with people when it effects me or my children. Someone came to my house to "visit" and then let their child run around my house while they played a video game. I said something and made this parent cry. Was I wrong? Not in my mind, since this 2 year old child was doing things that were dangerous. Did this change the parent's behavior? Nope, they are still not watching their child.
Why do I tell this story? Because to me it illustrates a serious issue that we have in this country...parents who do not put their children before themselves. Too often I am told, " I can't do that, I need mommy time." This, in my opinion,is a bunch of crap! Why have children if you don't want to be around them? Why have children when you are too lazy to shape them into something wonderful? Why have children if you are not going to protect them from the crap in this world? I will have "mommy time" in 15 years when my children are all adults, thankyouverymuch! Too many parents I know are mom or dad in name only. My job as mother is 24 hours a day, 356 days a year...even when I am tired or sick.
Some of the choices I make as a parent are not for me. I don't breastfeed,co-sleep or homeschool for me. I do all these things because they are best for my children. My husband works so I don't have too because it is best for my children.
Is all this making me sound like I am better than other people who make different choices? I hope not. But I do feel like I have to justify myself to people because my choices are not mainstream. And on top of that, I find myself being unable to speak my mind fully to certain family members. There are just some people who consistently make the wrong choices and then come looking for approval. If I think you are wrong I can not support you. This is very bad English but bear with me....There is no "I" in parent or mom or dad. Let's forget ourselves for a moment and look at these precious gifts from God. Is it good for them to be banished to their room so that I may play a game, or worse, will I watch something with them that is inappropriate? As a parent I have to make the hard decisions because God intrusted these children to me. Who am I to be flippant with a gift from the Lord.
So I guess it all boils down to love your children and be strong enough to make the hard choices.
