Bad Parenting

There is no such thing!

(unless you abuse and misuse the right to have a child under your name, than yes you are a bad parenting).

I’m not one to name and shame the reasons you can be a bad parent so, I’m not going to, just use that part of your brain for yourself. Instead I will name the things that don’t make you a bad parent.

 

1.       Letting your child cry to sleep. As controversial you think the topic is, You Are Not A Bad Parent if you choose to let your child settle themselves to sleep. You know as a parent if they are screaming or chilling. If your child is screaming uncontrollably then maybe, just maybe something is up. But if they whinge and whine for a bit, you better get used to it because I’m at 6 years now and that same cry comes out of his face. Independence can be very liberating for a child and should be practised from an early age if you want. But if you choose to be a non-crying type of parent, good for you I say. It’s not for everyone. Which brings me to my next point.

2.       Breast Feeding. Breast is best! The first two years is optimum for all babes with supplementary meals after the age of 6months (WHO 2014). If you can. Do it! Good for you and cheers to all the long term boobing mums out there, I will have a drink for you. Now if you cannot breastfeed, whether that be a personal reason or a physical dilemma. You Are Not A Bad Parent! You feed your baby how you feel suits best for you and your baby.

3.       Vaginal verses Caesarean. Vaginal canals are obviously designed to have a baby come through and out of it. God did some amazing work on our bodies and quite frankly the whole pregnancy to birth thing is genius, no matter what animal you are. Just because you have a vagina and uterus does not mean it is the only way to have a baby. You Are No Less Of A Mother If You Have A Baby Out Of Your Stomach Than Out Of Your Vagina! If you choose caesarean over vaginal birth fair enough, that is your choice. If you have no other choice, fair enough, it hurts and unless you like the idea of having a Chinese burn type situation in your vagina, you missed one hell of a show. But all that matters in the end is having a child and holding it in your arms. You did it, you are now parents.

4.       Junk Food, Chocolate, Soft Drink. Hey! Hold the phone, don’t go feeding your one month old chocolate or anything because those poos are not going to be fun or any easier to get to sleep as it is. But if by some age you decide as a capable parent that you want to give your child some chocolate or McDonalds, go ahead, you are the parent and sometimes it is just easier than a home cooked meal. We all make bad food choices but that one off treat is not making you a bad parent. You Are Allowed To Be A Little Naughty With Food and Still Be A Good Parent.

5.       Lastly for now, TV, iPads and the like. As reckless as these technologies may seem, giving your child an iPad for education or a few games for fun is not going to ruin your child’s life. In fact, I’m sure there are a lot more parents out there who find these technologies more fun than the toddler. It is a new age, a new Sonic the Hedgehog, a new Alex the Kid generation, embrace it. Teach them to be smart in their choices, be proactive and enjoy life. Some TV along the way is not going to make you a bad parent. Personally, I love playing games with my son. But now he is in school he isn’t allowed technology for school nights (well maybe sometimes after homework and dinner). He watches YouTube and tells me about the motorbikes he wants to ride one day. I think that is super cool, because I think my kid is the coolest (he even saved up his own pocket money to buy an iPad). I Am Not A Bad Parent and frankly I don’t give a damn.

 

to be continued...



Here is a link to a video that came out a few weeks ago and I think it is brilliant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me9yrREXOj4