Since I didn't ask...

[beetiger]

Now that I'm pregnant, people seem to have a variety of opinions on what I should do about any baby-related topic, from what I should be eating to circumcision to sleeping arrangements to how long one should breastfeed to whether I should go back to work right away.

I'm trying not to be annoyed by this. In fact, I'm really trying to embrace it, since it's mostly well-meaning.

For this reason, I open this up to you. Please give me unsolicited advice, on any topic (not just baby stuff). Anonymous comments fine. No promises on whether I take any of it.

(I'd do this as a poll, but I wanted to leave the option of long responses.)

Comments

Here is you solicited, unsolicited advice:

[paganmommy.livejournal.com]

Love your child. Sounds easy, and it is while they are real little. Tends to get harder when they start to seperate from you and develop their own personality. At that point you have about as much a chance of loving them as some dude you met in the park one day, but with a bit of an edge because you made their head (and all the other bits). Tell them you love them, and why. DO NOT forget why. Kids know you love em, even when you aren't sure if you do, but they don't always know why. Tell 'em, every single day.
Write down the first moment you set eyes on your new baby. Remember everything and put it on paper and never loose it. You will need it one day, and so will your "baby", though s/he won't be a baby at that point. Don't rely on pictures and memories, write it down.
New feelings of protectiveness will overwhelm you. Be a lioness, but remember, your adversary's child is also being protected by a lioness, so reason needs to be in there somewhere or all there will be is blood and anger. Be as the Libra and balance the issue when needed. If there is no child involved, go for the throat. Adults should know better. ;-)
Everyone knows just what you should be doing, and I have advice for that too. Nod your head and say "You know, I read that somewhere". Resist the urge to debate the matter if you can. If you are speaking to someone with children, chances are this is how SHE did it, and you will be questioning her child rearing skills by suggesting another way. There will be hurt feelings. This isn't necessary, because without telling a lie, AND still completely acknowledging her choices, you have answered. Let it be. Have some tea, rest. Know that while you make mistakes, you will as good a mother as any other really good mother out there if you care enough to ask questions when you are stuck, and worry when you aren't stuck. There is no handbook, we are all just stumbling along and faking it.
**hugs**
P.S. If you DO have a specific question to ask me sometime, please go for it. I will either tell you how things worked for me, or give you the facts if there are some. :)