Parenting is Hard Enough

I've really gotten away from writing. For that, I am sorry...but taking care of a family of six is no small task each day. The wonderful news is our youngest is still nursing like a champ at nearly 7 months old, and we have successfully started the new school year for the older children. Breccan's 2nd birthday is right around the corner (this Wednesday) and we had his party today. Saturday was also a lot of fun as we hosted Two Rivers first #LilleInTheCity babywearing meet up and had 33 adults in attendance as well as lots of adorable babies, toddlers, and children. As you can tell, I haven't been sitting on my hands. I really should be telling you about how Boobiebars has helped me maintain my milk supply, how hard it was to find just the perfect convertible car seat, and share my secret to stink free cloth diapering. I promise I'm going to tell you all that and more as I get back into the swing of things. I truly feel that it takes a mom body 40 weeks to grow a baby and we should get a little time to adjust...how about another 40 weeks after birth to help with getting into a routine? Sounds fair...and since my nursling isn't even 7 months, I'm pretty sure I'm ahead of schedule.

Glad we got that out of the way.

The real reason for today's post is to remind one another that parenting is hard enough and we don't need to throw dirt at one another (literally or figuratively speaking). At yesterday's #LilleInTheCity event, we had a professional photographer taking pictures of the event as well as offering super short complimentary mini sessions on the lakefront. A gorgeous mama with a toddler and infant had her picture taken and shared it on social media. She was wearing her adorable daughter in a forward facing position in her Lillebaby carrier. Baby had a great seat, carrier is ergonomically correct, blah blah blah...it was really a great picture, everyone was smiling, the sun was shining, and everything was perfect! Or was it?

Some well meaning someone or another sent this wonderful mama a message about how forward facing isn't good for her baby. She included an article that talked about overstimulation, hip dysplasia, and that's about as far as I got in the article. It was upsetting to the mama in question and it was upsetting to me. I'm here to share my message:

PARENTING IS HARD ENOUGH AND IF BABY ISN'T IN DANGER, JUST REMEMBER THAT MAMA KNOWS BEST!!!!

that may just require repeating:

PARENTING IS HARD ENOUGH AND IF BABY ISN'T IN DANGER, JUST REMEMBER THAT MAMA KNOWS BEST!!!!

Why are we so hard on one another? What is the difference between a $20 baby carrier and a $150 baby carrier? The simple truth us $130...that's it! It's not as complex as some would have you believe. The mama that spends $20 doesn't love her baby less and the mama who spends $150 isn't guaranteed her child will be the one to come up with a cure for cancer or graduate at the top of their class from Yale. We are all just doing the best we can with the resources available to us. Wouldn't it be easier if we approached one another in love instead of tossing out our opinions and judging one another?

I took my kids to McDonald's yesterday. Not because I don't love them, but because we were hungry and it was convenient. I also said a curse word when someone stopped in the middle of the round about nearly causing a crash. Go ahead and judge...tell me about the processed oils and fats, tell me I should pray more and curse less...I know this stuff...but I'm doing the best I can!

Try to remember that the nicest thing we can say to another mama is "you are such a good mom", because don't we all have those moments when we aren't sure we are going to get through the day?

Parenting is hard enough - let's give one another a break!

May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine, and encouraging words from friends and strangers alike, because dang it - YOU GOT THIS!!!

~Crystal