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My manifesto
Jan. 25th, 2007 01:25 pmOkay, so I guess it's not really a manifesto, but I feel like saying something. I was watching the Oprah episode where SAHMs and WOHMs squared off against each other, and it really just pissed me off. Instead of being so divided on every single aspect of childrearing, why can't we all embrace the common bond that we are mothers and rejoice in that? Dr. Robin was saying that we make childrearing so black and white, and as I've seen on the boards, I see that it's so true. Breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, cloth diapering vs. disposable diapers, attachment parenting vs. crying it out, co-sleeping vs. not, schedules vs. non, vaccinations vs. non. Why can't we all just support each other because we're all mothers?! It seems to me that being a mother is stressful enough without having to worry about half the parenting population looking down on you for the decisions you feel are best for you, your baby, your family, and your sanity.
Right now, I'm going to spell out what my plan is for my baby as of right now.
* I plan to breastfeed. My goal is 6 months, and if it goes longer than that, then great. If, for some reason, it doesn't work out, then I will formula feed. And I refuse to let anyone let me feel like a failure because of that. If you're going to judge me for that, I ask that you kindly remove yourself from my friends list. I'm not trying to be a bitch; I just don't want to feel like my friends do not support me.
* I plan on having a medicated birth, in a hospital. Epidural all the way, in the parking lot if possible. I'm a wuss for pain, and I have no illusions that I'd be capable of making it through without drugs. I realize that there may be other circumstances that would prevent me from getting one, and if that's the case, I'll have to face it then.
* I plan on using disposable diapers. I like the idea of cloth diapers, and I love so many of the bum covers that I've seen from those of you who do it, but disposable seems more convenient for me.
* I do not plan on co-sleeping. For the first few weeks, the baby will probably sleep in a Pack and Play in our room, but I will not have the baby sleep in the bed with us. It seems hard enough to sleep as it is with a new baby; I wouldn't want to mix in having to worry about rolling over my baby, because Steve and I move a lot in our sleep.
* I will likely nurse and let the baby sleep on demand for the first few months or what not. After a while, I will likely put the baby on a schedule. I'm pretty bad with schedules though, so we'll see how this one works out.
* I plan to vaccinate my baby. I'm not worried about the alleged increase in the risk of autism, due to the mercury used to preserve the vaccine. If I recall correctly, they have decreased the amount of mercury used.
So there you have it, my plan! If you have any questions about anything I've said, or anything I've not said, please feel free to ask!
Right now, I'm going to spell out what my plan is for my baby as of right now.
* I plan to breastfeed. My goal is 6 months, and if it goes longer than that, then great. If, for some reason, it doesn't work out, then I will formula feed. And I refuse to let anyone let me feel like a failure because of that. If you're going to judge me for that, I ask that you kindly remove yourself from my friends list. I'm not trying to be a bitch; I just don't want to feel like my friends do not support me.
* I plan on having a medicated birth, in a hospital. Epidural all the way, in the parking lot if possible. I'm a wuss for pain, and I have no illusions that I'd be capable of making it through without drugs. I realize that there may be other circumstances that would prevent me from getting one, and if that's the case, I'll have to face it then.
* I plan on using disposable diapers. I like the idea of cloth diapers, and I love so many of the bum covers that I've seen from those of you who do it, but disposable seems more convenient for me.
* I do not plan on co-sleeping. For the first few weeks, the baby will probably sleep in a Pack and Play in our room, but I will not have the baby sleep in the bed with us. It seems hard enough to sleep as it is with a new baby; I wouldn't want to mix in having to worry about rolling over my baby, because Steve and I move a lot in our sleep.
* I will likely nurse and let the baby sleep on demand for the first few months or what not. After a while, I will likely put the baby on a schedule. I'm pretty bad with schedules though, so we'll see how this one works out.
* I plan to vaccinate my baby. I'm not worried about the alleged increase in the risk of autism, due to the mercury used to preserve the vaccine. If I recall correctly, they have decreased the amount of mercury used.
So there you have it, my plan! If you have any questions about anything I've said, or anything I've not said, please feel free to ask!
