Proud Club Member

When I became a mom for the first time I was inundated with advice.  Do this, try this, don't do this.  No matter where I was someone had a morsel of knowledge to give me.  Heck, this advice started even before the baby was here.  I remember being 9 months pregnant in line at Wal-Mart and a very sweet old lady told me that all I needed to do was drink some castor oil and that baby would slide right out.

Once Kanin was here then I got advice on how to feed the baby, when to feed the baby, what position to lay the baby, how to get rid of stretch marks.  The list goes on and on.  It used to annoy me to no end.  Why do these people think that I would listen to them?  I don't even know them.  I dont' know about you but I am not really likely to take breast-feeding advice from a strange woman in the dairy section of the supermarket. 

Over time, though, I've come to appreciate the advice and even more to appreciate why strangers feel that they can offer such personal advice.  It's because motherhood, whether by your own birthing process or the sweet joys of adoption, is a right of passage.  It's a club where we are the exclusive members.  A badge of honor and courage that we all earn.  We see another mom going through cholicy nights, diarrhea days, and potty training hell and we instinctively want to speak up and offer suggestions.  We remember our own frustrations and worries when we were trodding through those trenches and we don't want to see another club member go through it alone.

In a world where it is so fashionable to be catty, to put other women down, to talk about their weight, their hair, and their clothes when it comes to mommying and motherhood, we kind of put all of that aside.  I have never once heard of one woman giving another woman wrong advice on purpose when it comes to helping them with their children.

Once I decided to listen to some of the advice of other mothers, I realized that they really had been there before and there were some really great tips.  I find myself these days actually seeking out advice from other Mommies, newbies or old pros, because I need help some days. 

So, if you are having troubles with your biting toddler, your potty-mouthed angel, or your backtalking school-aged child.  Ask another member of the Mom Club.  She'll be happy to give you all of the advice in the world.

Today I am participating in: