There are times when my ideas of raising a child is different from the elderly and others. To begin with, my baby is not an easy one. Because we're all different and have contrasting ideas about raising their own children, we should expect contradiction...especially if we have to depend on others to help take care of our children while we're away at work.
Sometimes, others may refer to your child as a BAD BABY just because your child is not as 'well behaved' as others. But through the years of parenting, I have begun to question the following, who's a good baby and who's a bad one ? Is there ever a bad baby? Are babies capable of being bad? What is bad?
Being a work at home mother, I work during the when I have to. Even when I am physically at home, I still HAVE TO work and have self-imposed working hours. So, I still have to depend on inside and outside help to take care of my kids until I can be with them...which is often as soon as I can. But opinions are not necessarily the same when it comes to childcare.
Take it from me, just learn to relax a little bit more. When you're a first time parent, admit it, we're really keen on being a good parent. Anything can send us into unabashed hysteria! I know I was like that when I was first a mother. The second time round, I look back and sometimes laugh at myself.
Relax . Take a deep breath and count to ten. If you're not calm by then, take another deep breath and count to ten again. Still suffering from frayed nerves? Repeat procedure. The point is that, it's not too good to spoil the repoire you have with your baby's daytime caretaker, whether she is your relative, sister, mother, mother-in-law or a hired help. Besides, maybe bending a couple of rules here and there is not going to result in a totally lost and hopeless child.
Find other options . Look, discreetly, for other means of taking care of your son, some of which may be seeking outside help, alternating caretaking with mother and mother-in-law...etc. There are always other ways of finding a reasonably good caretaker for your baby. For me, I have resorted to hiring a live-in babysitter who takes care of my children when I am working.
Talk to other people about your problem . There will be other people who face the same problem you're facing. Sometimes, talking about it to another person will simply make it less significant and put things back into perspective. Especially when the someone is someone you trust completely. Just remember to keep an open mind...
Consult other family members . Other people may have a tip or two up their sleeves on how they survived the ordeal.
Swallow the pill . Take it from me, it is not worth it to argue with your baby's daycaregivers. Ultimately, the welfare of your baby is in their hands. You're on the losing end if you piss them off. It is simply not worth it. Noone and I mean, NOONE will be able to UNDERSTAND or deal with the problems FOR YOU. Pick your battles wisely, smile and bear with it. Sometimes, bearing with it, the other parties (like your day caregivers) may start to see something in you and things will starting becoming better. I mean, who knows?
Marsha Maung is a work at home graphic designer and writer. She lives with her husband, Peter and 2 boys, Joshua and Jared in Selangor, Malaysia. She is the author or "Raising Little Magicians" and more information can be found at http://www.marshamaung.com
Dear Vijay,I worry about not being a good parent. My... Read More
There has been much attention in the media of late... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
For the most positive daycare experience for your child, partner... Read More
Everyone in a private practice setting who works with children... Read More
You are in the final round of your favorite game... Read More
1. They can make mistakes under your guidance2. They will... Read More
"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words... Read More
How well do you really know your child?There is so... Read More
The choices are mind numbing. Walk into any toy store... Read More
Many children enjoy TV, and they can learn from it.... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
An address given by Rev. David B. Smith... Read More
The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education... Read More
Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More
When you think about it, probably the one thing that... Read More
Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More
Here are fourteen spontaneous time-outs, specially designed to help you... Read More
In an actual war, to be attacked means to have... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
One fantastic way to get your children involved in what... Read More
Are you worried about your child's reading habits? Perhaps you... Read More
If your child is to derive the benefits of physical... Read More
NY -- Strange as it may sound, bordom promotes happier,... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
I WAS AMAZEDI could hardly believe what I was hearing.... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
Parents, when you help your children learn to read, you... Read More
Child care costs are are one of the most expensive... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
Elana, born in Russia, was told "We really don't know... Read More
Voices have a way of falling into a pattern, not... Read More
You want your daughter to wear a dress to the... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
The great thing about children is they absorb knowledge like... Read More
Many young people don't know how to study efficiently and... Read More
Isn't it ironic that a country whose constitution allows for... Read More
Parents, do you have children who do poorly in school,... Read More
Angie was brought up by rigid, authoritarian parents who kept... Read More
Memorabilia ? Children can create enough artwork for an entire... Read More
Q. We are getting to the stage with our kids... Read More
What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More
A common theme over the past 20 years has been... Read More
Do your children have a McChildhood? Do they experience the... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Words are truly powerful things. They are something that becomes... Read More
Just the other day my oldest son asked:"Daddy, am I... Read More
You've just received a call from your child's teacher. As... Read More
IntroductionAs a parent who wants the best for your children,... Read More
John was a 43 year-old sales manager at a large... Read More
We are all so very happy to see that the... Read More
You send your child to school and the teachers teach... Read More
"Home Schooling ? Look Before You Leap"Are you considering home... Read More
The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of all... Read More
Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More
It's among the top criticism wives have of their husbands:... Read More
In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
What should the goals for counseling be when the patient... Read More
WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS AT CAMP, HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED... Read More
Your child's leadership skills begin at the family dinner table.... Read More
I've often thought that in 6 million years, archaeologists will... Read More
Drivers 16 years of age have little driving experience, putting... Read More
I never dreamed that I would be in a position... Read More
"Just turn the lights off and go to sleep"Do you... Read More
Parenting |