Tag: raising

When are you having another baby?

From the day that my daughter was born people have been asking me when I’m having another.  During the first year, when people asked, I would get the overwhelming urge to punch them in the chops! My husband was never coming near me again!  However, as time went on I warmed to the idea but now that she’s 4 and I’m nearly 40 I’m not convinced.

I know people don’t mean malice, but I do think they need a friendly reminder to think before they speak.  There may be two really good reasons that people haven’t had any more children.

a)      They’ve made a conscious decision not to have any more due to age, finances, concerns for the environment, emotional state; they don’t like kids and/or they don’t need anyone to look after them in their old age and are blissfully happy with one.

b)      Or they haven’t been able to!

Just think next time!  A little frontal screening goes a long way!

Raising a Genderless Baby

Boys and girls are different!  There I’ve said it and there is loads of science to support this.  I was reading a report in the newspaper yesterday, where parents Kathy Witterick and David Stocker, from Canada are raising their four month old child, Storm, to be genderless.  Only a small handful of people know the true gender of the child, which includes the child’s siblings and they are going to great length’s to keep it a secret.  For a split second I was embarrassed to be Canadian, but I can assure you most of us aren’t like this.  I’ve never heard such a load of bollocks in all my life.  Children aren’t lab rats and shouldn’t be treated as such.

I don’t agree on forcing gender roles or stereotypes on children and I salute people who try to instill independence in their children and encourage them not to conform without asking questions first.  But, I don’t know how living such a charade could possibly be good for the child.

I don’t know how or why parents would take such a risk.  I know this isn’t the first time it has been done as another family did it in the 70s and according to them it had no adverse affect on their children and that they are happy and well adjusted adults.  However, this is according to the parents, and I know loads of mum’s with devil’s spawn who claim they’re kids are perfect, I might be one of those.  I’d be interested to hear others take on the kids.

Gender, not sex, is a huge part of our being and I can’t help thinking that to ignore it is short sighted.  As a family, we haven’t intentionally resisted gender stereotypes.  However, Madame, for the most part wears gender neutral clothing as I have an irrational fear of pink and dresses.  We have ‘toys’ in our house not specifically boys toys nor girls toys.  In fact, we have quite a mix including cars, footballs, dolls, and babies.  I must admit though that she naturally migrates more to the so-called ‘girl’s’ toys and this hasn’t come from us.  I truly believe that it is part of her biological make-up.

Sorry and at the risk of sounding inarticulate, these parents are complete morons!  I would never suggest removing the children as this is the parent’s choice.  But, I can’t help thinking that they aren’t doing this for the benefit of the child but in fact are making a ridiculous social statement in an effort to seek attention.  I really hope it doesn’t backfire on them.

Instead of spending so much time and effort trying to hide the child’s gender, why don’t they use this energy to educate their children!

I would really like to hear what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raising an only-child

I’ve dated two only-children in my lifetime.  One was the stereotypical only child, spoiled, lack of social skills and an introvert; however, I married the other one.  Nonetheless, I distinctly remember the first saying that he absolutely hated receiving games for 2 or more players as an only child.  My daughter is an only child and I can’t see this changing anytime soon.  So, why have I purchased 3 new games for Madame that requires 2-4 players!  Don’t worry we do play them with her but hopefully it doesn’t highlight the fact that she doesn’t have any siblings.

If you’re an only child or have only children is there anything else I should avoid or do?  She’s very independent and appears to be content.