Every now and again in the world of the media I see people forcing their unwanted opinions on others.
The most recent was an article I’d read to do with parenting. One of those ‘advice’ type articles written by someone who claims to be a child expert. Is there actually such a thing? I’m sure if there was they’d be a billionaire many times over because every parent would be going to them for their advice!
Anyway one person commented that they don’t understand why they see parents pushing four or five year olds around in pushchairs when they’re at an age where they’re more than capable of walking.
Firstly I have to wonder if this person has any children of their own and secondly who cares? Why do you care so much about what other people are doing? About how other people are raising their children?
It has nothing to do with you! Unless you witness a child being harmed or in danger than I see no reason for you to question another parents choice when it comes to how they ferry their kids around!
My twins are three and a half years old. If I decide to take them to the park, I’ll either pop them in the pushchair and walk there or pop them in the car and drive there.
They’re simply not capable of walking to and from the park without constantly asking me to carry them or without constantly moaning that their legs are aching. Believe me I’ve tried and in the end it is just easier to put them in the pushchair or go in the car.
On the other hand if I was to walk to their nanna’s house I’d do so without the pushchair or car because it’s only a short walk away.
Parents know what’s best for their children. Just because you see a four or five year old being pushed around in a pushchair doesn’t mean that they never walk! Maybe on that day their mum or dad simply wanted to run a few errands quickly and hassle free meaning the best way to do this was to put their children in the pushchair.
I know for a fact that if I made my children walk a distance that was too long, they’d be grumpy, unhappy and miserable for the rest of the day which would result in a stressed mummy and daddy, and believe me nobody wants that!
On another note I have to mention dummies.
I’m fed of hearing other people moaning that so and so’s child still uses a dummy!
Before my children were born I was adamant that I didn’t want them to have dummies. However, when we finally brought them home from hospital, after plenty of sleepless nights I found myself reaching for a dummy quicker than the blink of an eye!
I’ve heard the advice from the so-called experts about how using a dummy can delay and affect speech, but let me tell you this. At three and a half years old I, and other people can clearly understand every word that comes out of my children’s mouths.
They don’t have a dummy in their mouth all of the time, but who I am to stop them from wanting a dummy when they’re upset and need a bit of comfort? After all they’ve had a dummy since they were babies so it’ll be a hard habit to break.
I’m pretty sure when they’re 18 they won’t be walking around sucking on a dummy!
So, going back to the title of this post, you can’t please everyone so stop trying! Just do what you think is best for your children and you can’t go far wrong!
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21 Comments
hellotwinkles
October 14, 2015 at 6:09 am
Totally agree with this post!! Especially the dummies. My girls get so much comfort out of a dummy. If leopel dont liek it then oh well its their problem 🙂 great post yeat again 😊 xx
Emily
October 14, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Hello, thanks for your comment! Great to hear I'm not alone and that you agree with me! Exactly my way of thinking!
Mumma McD
October 14, 2015 at 6:27 am
My almost 4 yr old often insists on going in the stroller, while my 2 yr old happily walks. Every child is different, every family is different. As you say, you can't please everyone!
#bestandworst
Emily
October 14, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Hello Mumma McD, thanks for your comment! It's funny isn't it, how each child is different! x
Sarah Howe – Run Jump Scrap
October 14, 2015 at 11:35 am
Great post hun. Everyone has these opinions but as you say really who cares?? It is no one's business and ultimately what is best for the Mum and child. I worry about my girlie being suddenly obsessed with her dummy but you are right…sure she won;t have it at 18!!! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst and see you again!! x
Emily
October 14, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Hi Sarah, thanks for your comment. Totally agree, who cares! As long as it's best for our children that's all that matters! x
Hannah Latoya Bond
October 14, 2015 at 12:04 pm
You're completely right, it's not up to others to dictate how to bring up your kids. And so what if they are still using a pacifier, what harm is it doing x
Emily
October 14, 2015 at 7:53 pm
Hi Hannah, thanks for your comment. I don't see the harm and as I said in the post they're not going to still be sucking on one when they're 18! x
Our World and Autism
October 14, 2015 at 8:44 pm
YES!!! Well said Emily!! Totally agree with everything you have written! People are so judgemental and its so bloody annoying!!
#AnythingGoes
Laura Side Street
October 14, 2015 at 11:54 pm
This is so true and I really don't understand why people care so much about what others do – we all do things to simply survive the day with as little drama as possible and as parents we will always try and do what is right by our children and ourselves
Laura x
Tracey Abrahams
October 16, 2015 at 6:06 am
I so agree with you on this. My personal bugbear with this issue isnt so much 'advice' in the media as you can chose to read or ignore that, but when people do it to younin real life. Ive had so much unwanted advice ive the years about raising my kids, my weight, my tattoos. People need to realise advice shouldnt be given unless its asked for!!
#Binkylinky
Jodie Allen
October 16, 2015 at 9:49 am
This is a good post! I feel once you become a mother you fall victim to all this criticism when the reality of it is every mother is doing their best and trying their hardest. I really try not to be one of those mothers than accuses others of doing things the wrong way! Hopefully people will return the favour and not bash me for doing thing the "wrong" way! #BinkyLinky
Mummy Fever
October 16, 2015 at 10:44 am
I totally agree – my only parenting advice is ignore 95% of what people tell you to do lol #BinkyLinky
Helen Gandy – Beautiful Things
October 16, 2015 at 11:07 am
Yes, yes and yes!It annoys me so much other people judging, it's really noone's business is it! I only recently took Alfie's dummies away and he's still wearing nappies at night but hey that's my decision! Thanks for hosting 🙂 #binkylinky
Natalie
October 16, 2015 at 11:54 am
*nodding head in agreement* How we raise our children is our own business, no one elses! I see it all the time in the news like when david beckham gave his 4 year old daughter a dummy and all these perfect parents/child experts were saying how wrong it was. David went on to say that they shouldn't criticize him and that every parent knows when their child is poorly, you comfort them and most times thats with a dummy. Jace is 2 and still has a dummy, people make remarks about it but i just shrug it off. It's got nothing to do with them! #binkylinky
Reimer Ruby
October 16, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Totally agree! although my 2 yr old little girl prefers to walk most of the time now, but every time I go to the shopping mall I always prefer her to be in her buggy as its less stressful for me and less risk of her getting lost if I'm too busy choosing stuff. Every child is different and has different needs, so who cares what other people think, we parents knows whats best for our own kids. Thanks for sharing! #binkylinky
My Petit Canard
October 17, 2015 at 12:12 am
Totally with you on both points. My little one is two, and whilst she is perfectly capable of walking and running around she often asks me to carry her which is difficult to do for long periods of time. So in this instance, and im sure many others will say the same, its far easier to have the pushchair as an option to save her legs and my arms when there is just too much walking for her little legs. Same with the dummy, they all get rid of it at different ages, and I've yet to meet a child that had issues because of them! Emily #BlinkyLinky
Leandra Bramham
October 17, 2015 at 6:08 am
What a fantastic post! You and Nige have both pulled it out of the bag this week! another instance I find and may use again this year is whilst shopping in crowds (Christmas!) how much easier is it to strap them in and get your shop done without worrying about losing them? Our centre provides those really great cars but they are huge and totally impractical. But at the end of the day why should they be acceptable if a pushchair isn't? I don't think it's time for us to ditch it just yet! Thanks for hosting #binkylinky xx
Entertaining Elliot
October 17, 2015 at 2:21 pm
Yes, agree 100%! I've had comments or "advice" about my son not being potty trained yet (he's almost 3) – I feel like saying, just bugger off, it's not affecting you so don't let it worry you!! #binkylinky
Rachel Neal
October 17, 2015 at 8:00 pm
My little baby is just and still has his dummy A LOT. MY first didn't have one at all and I get sick and fed up of people telling me that his teeth will be bad if i don't take it off him. As you says its nothing to do with any one else. x Thank you for linking up with #anythinggoes
Nigel
October 18, 2015 at 8:17 am
You only have to please your husband ok thanks for linking to the binkylinky