Times Change

It's so frustrating sometimes, when you have all these conflicting thoughts when it comes to parenting. One day it's this, the next day it's dangerous or wrong...
Apparently parenting has changed a lot since our mother's and grandmother's were raising children.

Once upon a time, baby powder was an essential, you used it after every diaper change. However, now it is recommend not to be used at all, because the particles can get into the baby's lungs.

Spanking was a form of punishment that has been being used for centuries. I've heard stories of rods, rulers, belts, paddles, and switches. In fact, I remember that my elementary school had a paddle in the front office that was supposedly for disciplinary actions. I, do, however, hope this was just to scare the children, and not actually used on them (because as a parent I would have some serious issues with that).
Then when I had my first daughter, however, I was informed that if someone were to see me spanking my child in a public place, say a supermarket, that I could have children protective services call on me.

Just a few years ago, when I was working on sleeping habits with Zoey I was always encouraged to let her cry it out. Mind you, the sleep training technique is not really to just let them cry until they fall asleep, but more of a way to train your child to learn to self soothe. However, this idea is really not explored well when people just say, "let them cry it out." Research shows us that crying it out can cause brain damage.

I was told, to my shock, that people used Whiskey on a child's gum when they were teething. Alright, I see why it worked, but in the day and age with countless options, I think this one would be my last. The truth of the matter is alcohol is not honestly healthy for anyone at any age, let alone something with such a small body mass.


While I can really go on about the differences in parenting through time, I just wanted to point out a few of the ones that strike me.
I am especially amused/saddened/confused to know that so much of what my grandmother knew about parenting, when she had five little bratty ones, can be tossed aside by scientific research. (My nana was a great mother, grandmother, and now great grandmother, by the way. ♥)
But we all know that mums don't know everything, nor does anyone else, we're just (usually) winging it.
There is no manual here... and even if there were you can't always believe what you read.

In the end, I always parent my children as to what comes naturally to me, and what seems right. There will be mistakes along the way, but this is a learning experience for me as well... I know one thing, though, love doesn't cause respiratory issues, beget violence, or cause brain damage... (Well, until scientific research proves otherwise, of course.)