Babble

Tired of the same old thing in blogland -- especially parent blogs? Tell us what topics you'd like to see discussed. 

 

We'd love to know. 

Um, how to decide which child should be your favorite?

I'll try to think of serious ones later... 

That's easy.

I'm tired of the constant complaining out there in the blogiverse.  From problem pregnancy to problems parenting, it would seem that no one out there is having a good time with their children. 

I'll admit, I had it very easy in my pregnancy and my child is, for the most part, a very easy baby, but nobody seems to like it when you talk about the good points.  My Jillian was not colicky, had no problems breastfeeding, and, at 5 1/2 months, sleeps through the night and has been doing so for the past month with no "sleep training" on our part.  Either I am doing everything wrong or I am doing everything right, but whichever it is, nobody else seems to be having the kind of easy time I am having and that sucks.  I feel just as alone as the frazzled parent of a colicky monster.

So talk about the good things once in a while!  Make me feel like less of a freak!

How about the various philosophies of pedagogy and how they are taught?  We're still a few years away from that (and plan to homeschool anyway, at least early-on), but I'm baffled by the many schools on school.  I know Waldorf is the one where you make bread and Montessori is the one with the big blocks, and that's really all I know.

When my kids were old enough to start eating solid foods, we started them out on haggis.  In those days, one could import the dark, aromatic commodity from Scotland; today you can't due to fears of mad Wallace disease.  Making your own is time consuming - you have to import the sheep's pluck, liver and lights from Wyoming and soak, boil and chop until your dreadlocks get all sweaty.  I'd like to see a discussion of who makes the best haggis for kids just starting solid food.

Jah

Haggis-In-A-Can, available in the U.S.:

http://thescottishstore.safeshopper.com/107/cat107.htm?727

 

The organic stuff is available only in the U.K., otherwise I'd suggest that. 

 

Karen,

Strollerderby Blogger 

Traveling with little ones!

Most anything you see about traveling with kids consists of big chain all inclusive resorts or cruises. Screw that! I want to hear from more people like me who go off  the beaten path with small children in tow.

 DK aka papa

papasox:

Most anything you see about traveling with kids consists of big chain all inclusive resorts or cruises. Screw that! I want to hear from more people like me who go off  the beaten path with small children in tow.

Costa Rica!

Last summer, we wanted to go as far with our lads as we could before they turned two and had to pay full-fare.  We spent a few days in the inner mountain/Cloud Forest region (volcano, daddy!) -- lots of driving on terrificly fun bad roads, lots of monkeys in trees -- then drove to the ocean for a few days on the beach.  They loved it, and really rolled with all the weirdness travel entails.
 

The reason I never write about traveling with my 3 kids is that whenever I do, it totally sucks!! I'd love to hear more from people who have a better time.  What is the trick? Low expectations? Fewer kids? Older kids?

 

I'm dying to know! 

You're obviously NOT a freak... and you sound very lucky as far as your little girl goes.  I think there are lots of bloggers who write about the sweet and lovely parts of parenting (Girls Gone Child is one). If you feel somehow at odds with the mainstream, it's probably because after years of glorifying motherhood, the cultural shift has gone the other way --- and perhaps taken the "here's the real grim truth about childrearing" too far.

But look around, there are many parents who write about the loveliness as well as the angst.
 

A serious discussion on mental illness and pregnancy and child rearing.  As a mother with Bipolar Disorder, I find there is a lack of any kind of discussion about what it means to have a mental illness and be a pregnant woman, or dealing with issues arising from the illness and still being a good parent.  I can find all kinds of stuff about the opposite side of the coin, parents who have mental illness and turn out to be "Mommy Dearest", where are the articles showing support and examples of how to live with your illness and still raise healthy, well rounded children? 

I'd love to see more articles, features & blogs for/about first-time parents over age 40. We've got some interesting issues: is the transition to parenthood more difficult when you've had so many years to get used to complete freedom, or is it easier when you're more financially (and presumably emotionally) secure? What about the pros/cons of having more than one child, as an older parent? Strollerderby seems like an especially good place for us old new urban parents to find kindred spirits.

I LOOOVED being pregnant, barely gained weight (for the first time in my life); had a GREAT delivery; beautiful, healthy baby boy, no major issues breast feeding (weaned him at about 18 months, started to be too painful, he liked to nibble); work full time, no issues pumping or getting time off; I get to work from home 1 day a week (more if I need to); the only "issue" I had was he did not sleep through the night, and this was an issue for his dad and the doc, I knew he would sleep through when he was ready;  he's 23 months now and has been sleeping through the night (for the most part) for the past few months. I LOVE being a mom. my boy is so much fun, I just love how his mind works, so RachelZ - you are not alone - tell me your fab stories and I will swap mine.

 

I'd like to see a huge article about why Cookie magazine sucks ass.