Parenting Forums

Posted: 15 August 2007 at 8:35am | IP Logged

When parenting your child, whether it be learning, playing, discipline, weaning and feeding etc...

Do you think you are influenced by others? Family, people from forums, friends?

When I had Harrison my first lo, I was given lots and lots of advice, but i was kind of influenced by what my sister did with her children and how my mother raised us.

But with Louis, i kind of just did what I though was best.  I listened to others but chose to do what i felt was right and didn't let others influence my choice.

But, if you hear something that your friend does with their lo, or you read about what others lo's are currently doing which your lo isn't doing, like, say for instance knowing a nursery rhyme most of the way through, would you be inclined to teach your child that same nursery rhyme?

I have seen this at school quite abit where other mums are not so much in competition but comment about what there lo's are doing and then the very next week another lo is doing the very same.

Come on be honest I think in a way i was a little like this especially with harrison maily with Potty training but in the end I gave up and realised that each child is an individual and will learn what they have to at a pace they set themselves.

Posted: 15 August 2007 at 8:52am | IP Logged

I think its hard not to be influenced by others, especially with your first. Like you I had loads of advice thrown at me, most of which I tried to ignore, but if it sounded like a good idea, I'll give it a go. I try not to compete with others re: Ben's development, but do sometimes get dran it ot it (well MY son can already do that! lol) I think as long as you listen to your heart as well as others opinion then you can get a balance and parent in your own unique way.

I must admit, I found it easier to take on board strangers, or friends advice, rather than parents or inlaws! I think I didn't like being told what to do by family, but didn't mind others advice. Funny but true!

Posted: 15 August 2007 at 7:49pm | IP Logged

I give and take advice.

Not too proud to take some advice on board, but can be selective what advice I do take.  Afterall parenting is all trial and error.