I just got back from a baby play group, and here's some thoughts that I hope I can get some comments on.
As an AP parent... i felt out of place. I met 1 other AP parent in that play group and we ended up talking in one corner. Coz the other parents were talking about baby crying it out at night so that mommy can get enough sleep, weaning early so that mommy can have a life again, etc. We just don't have the heart to stay and listen to such sad stories.
I also have other groups I attend... like LLL... which is much better fit for me. I enjoy LLL meets much more than the regular baby play group, coz I feel at home with my style of parenting.
Now, if I con't to go to the regular meets... i'd be dragging my feet there. On the other hand, I also would like to parent by example. I hate it when people come up to me to give me parenting advice, so I assume the same for other people, therefore I don't give others any advice. I just do... and if they're interested, they can come chat with me. That's the way I work. That being said... the regular play group would be a perfect place to "show off" the AP ways... as an AP parent, I would like to see more of us out there... but i would have to make compromise by dragging myself to playgroup (I'd rather play and bond with my child at home, which makes no differnet to him whatsoever). Should I make that sacrifice? Should I drag myself to the regular playgroup to show off the AP ways?
I admit that I didn't know about AP until my son was 1 month old. First time mom, knew nothing about parenting. Where did I start? --> instructional type baby books (bad start I know!!)... when things don't work out, I started to parent by intuition and mommy instinct. Only then, I got enough rest (co-sleep), and I started reading and finally I realized... hey! I'm an AP (if you want to put label on it)!! I was ignorant! i was lost! I wished I knew about LLL and AP back then, and I wish someone would tell me. I'm assuming there are many moms out there who are receptive of AP ways... just didn't know about it.
If I do the selfish thing... I'd stop going to regular playgroup and attend only LLL. But, it doesn't feel right... coz that way I would live in a AP caccoon until the kid go to school... then we're back to square one.
So what should I do? Should I socialize with non-AP parents? or should I be selfish and migle with only AP parents?
Come throw in your 2 cents...
As an AP parent... i felt out of place. I met 1 other AP parent in that play group and we ended up talking in one corner. Coz the other parents were talking about baby crying it out at night so that mommy can get enough sleep, weaning early so that mommy can have a life again, etc. We just don't have the heart to stay and listen to such sad stories.
I also have other groups I attend... like LLL... which is much better fit for me. I enjoy LLL meets much more than the regular baby play group, coz I feel at home with my style of parenting.
Now, if I con't to go to the regular meets... i'd be dragging my feet there. On the other hand, I also would like to parent by example. I hate it when people come up to me to give me parenting advice, so I assume the same for other people, therefore I don't give others any advice. I just do... and if they're interested, they can come chat with me. That's the way I work. That being said... the regular play group would be a perfect place to "show off" the AP ways... as an AP parent, I would like to see more of us out there... but i would have to make compromise by dragging myself to playgroup (I'd rather play and bond with my child at home, which makes no differnet to him whatsoever). Should I make that sacrifice? Should I drag myself to the regular playgroup to show off the AP ways?
I admit that I didn't know about AP until my son was 1 month old. First time mom, knew nothing about parenting. Where did I start? --> instructional type baby books (bad start I know!!)... when things don't work out, I started to parent by intuition and mommy instinct. Only then, I got enough rest (co-sleep), and I started reading and finally I realized... hey! I'm an AP (if you want to put label on it)!! I was ignorant! i was lost! I wished I knew about LLL and AP back then, and I wish someone would tell me. I'm assuming there are many moms out there who are receptive of AP ways... just didn't know about it.
If I do the selfish thing... I'd stop going to regular playgroup and attend only LLL. But, it doesn't feel right... coz that way I would live in a AP caccoon until the kid go to school... then we're back to square one.
So what should I do? Should I socialize with non-AP parents? or should I be selfish and migle with only AP parents?
Come throw in your 2 cents...
I am just teasing..... but you are also showing you daughter THAT way of parenting an as she gets older you will have to put up with them attempting to time out you kid.. etc
Why do any of us gravitate towards others who share the same ideas? and avoid the mother-in-law that constantly criticises our decisions..but that's another issue entirely!
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