Parenting choices

I don't know about you but I think that most if not all parents have only their child's best interest at heart. I also think that we spend too much time worrying about the issues, options and choices as oppose to enjoying our children.

All these issues start even before baby is born, you start agonizing about natural birth or a caesarian section. The comes breast or bottle feeding, no to mention sleeping options. Should you pick up your child when crying? Oh the list are endless and your are not even past the first couple of days.

Then there are soothing options, and feeding choices, not to mention all the other paraphernalia in between, jolly jumpers, bouncy chairs, walking rings... Oh and each of these comes with a list of their own pros and cons. How do parents choose and also how do you stay sane with all these issues?

I would suggest that you look at the factual evidence, what are the risks either of either using/doing and not. Then bring in your environmental or reality issues; if you live in an apartment too small for a walker; with stairs, then you might want to opt for one of the other alternatives. Also remember what works for other parents are not necessarily going to work for you or your baby; so keep that in mind.

Find someone you trust and discuss your queries and questions with this person, forums are great, but they tend to be very based on personal experience. I am also worried that you are not given the full story, for example someone says "my paed told me to give my baby peanut butter so I can't see what the problem is." You forget that this happened because your baby were not taking in milk, and this was offered as an alternative protein source, the benefit of doing this out weight the possible negatives. This however is not advice for that should just be given willy nilly, it is based on individual experience and requirements. Because this baby did not have an adverse reaction to peanut butter, it is not to say that your baby would have the same or similar experience.

I also think that you should find a medical professional you can trust and use as a soundboard. Don't someone that will just agree with you, find someone that would be able to have a discussion with you surrounding the choices that you face.

The internet is a great resource, but make sure that you use information resources that can be trusted. I am always worried about things from forums as these are very person based, and usually lack any scientific backing. If you think someone might have a good idea try and find some other evidence that will back this.

Ultimately I also think that we should try and stay clear from the questionable issues, unless we are forced to make a decision; as in chess if you don't need to make a move then don't. I am not saying that we should not have opinions or look into these issues, but I do think that it should not rule our lives, and eat away at the time we have to spend with our children. Ultimately you should know what it best for your child under your unique circumstances, as long as you are not endangering your child by making drop of the hat decisions, then you should be able to rest assured that your child are going to be just fine.

I also think that parent sweat the development milestones too much as well, if you have a happy healthy child that are meeting most of their milestones; then why are you worried about the fact that  he/she is not building a 12 piece puzzle, play and encourage the 8 pieces that they can manage, and the rest will come.

Children are amazing but unless you give them some credit they will not try and do more or better. Your job is to keep them healthy, happy and balanced. Enjoy parenting and stop sweating the small stuff.