Parenting: Typical Job or Amazing new Life

Over the past 10 months I have noticed how my methods of parenting are vastly different than that of others. At first when I had my daughter I was a little nervous because I had no idea what to expect. As the days and months went on, everything seemed to just fall into place. My methods along with a few good friends are totally different than the "typical" style of raising a child. Some seem to think raising children is a job. Almost to the point of coming off with the attitude that it is really not a job they particularly like doing. I am not saying my way is better, just different.

I would like to point out the differences between an "alternative" parenting style and a "typical" parenting style. Perhaps we will start by defining each. An "alternative" parenting style would include things like cloth diapering, co-sleeping, baby wearing, extended breastfeeding (past 6 months), selecting vaccines more cautiously, and parenting in a more peaceful way. Now, in a "typical" parenting style, children are placed in a crib right after birth, cry it out methods are used, disposable diapers, feeding on a schedule, breastfeeding until 6 weeks than onto formula, and getting all the shots at the doctors office.

From the day my daughter was born, we co-slept. She has been breastfed up to this point, we use cloth diapers, I make her baby food, I do research on the vaccines she receives, I wear her as long as it does not break my back, and there is no way in the world I would let her cry for an extended period of time. To me crying is a sign something is wrong or the baby simply wants to be comforted. Perhaps my ideas are wrong, I am a new mother after all...

Parents need a baby sitter every now and then, that is a given. My husband and I rearranged our entire work schedules so we did not use a daycare or a babysitter. My thinking is why pay a babysitter or daycare to watch my child? I went part time and Alex goes to work 2 hours after I get home.

"Typical" parents use a babysitter any time they go out. Taking the kids out to eat is just too much of a hassle. Again, like a job or something that is a major inconvenience.

Co-sleeping makes children more comfortable and secure because they know they are loved. Baby wearing also makes children seem more secure.

I try to observe other parents and how they raise their children. Some do a fantastic job as "typical" parents, others I question why they have children if those kids are such a burden.

When I hear people say I was up all day with the kids and I am sleep deprived, I need a baby sitter so I can take a nap. It really kind of irritates me. My husband is with my daughter while I am at work, and after that, I am with her. I like my free time, but I certainly would rather be around my daughter a lot more than I value my time alone. She is my life! I love her and my husband more than anything.

What sense does it make to let a child sit there and cry because a parent is cleaning? There are so many different types of wraps and carriers one can use to carry that child around with them, which would probably make the kid happy to begin with.

Making our children happy and confident will make them do better later in life! From my time as a mother, I have done the very best I could for my daughter and I feel everything we have done to this point has been nothing more than natural and the best for her.