For me, one of the greatest and worst things about entering into motherhood has been the advice that experienced moms love to share. For the most part, I enjoy hearing about how other mothers operate. Still, there are those times when all I really want is a listening ear, or someone who will let me think that my baby is the smartest baby in town.
Some of my fondest memories of this journey, through pregnancy and beyond, have been the conversations I’ve shared with friends who are exactly where I am. That is why I have created this site. My hope, is that this is a place where this group of friends can chat, share stories and complaints, ask hard questions, and offer encouragement in what is one of the most defining times of our lives.
Life as we know it has changed for all of us. Even as I am posting, I have had to calm a crying little girl who has forgotten that she knows how to sleep through the night. We may never all find ourselves in the same room, but this might be one way that we can offer support, through nights when YOUR little one “forgets” to sleep.
No ones baby will ever be like your own. They behave differently, we as mothers behave differently. Things I have judged about disapline watching other moms with a high energy child, I am now being slapped in the face with my idealism on my high energy child (Preston). So many factors play into our parenting: environment, level of patience, birth order, and every child has different needs at different times. You need to do what works for you and Josh. What the two of you agree on is most important. Its difficult to turn off other peoples advice. Some how it always seems to be on your mind when we second guess ourselves. Continue with self confidence and if you do have a concern or a question only open it up to people you really trust! I’ll be a listening ear, Erin. I need to learn all about a girl. This will be a new ball game for me too!
Love,
Jen
By: Jen Wigert on January 12, 2008
at 12:16 pm
Hello Jen!
I’m so glad to see you post. Thank you so much for your encouragement. You always have such smart, practical advice to give and I just can’t wait to connect with you more in the next couple of months. I am working on getting the forum up and running and I can’t wait till we can chat there.
I am so excited for you!!! That precious baby girl is going to be beautiful, like her mommy and I just can’t wait to see her.
Love you so much and keep checking in on me and this site. I’m looking forward to seeing where we go with this.
Say hi to your precious family for me and have a good night!!!
By: Erin on January 12, 2008
at 7:41 pm
Hey ladies. I’ve been meaning to post to this site to let you, Erin, know what a great idea I think it is.
I can totally relate to what Jen wrote about each kid being different. I was one of those by-the-book moms with Giovana. I was so determined to not start bad habits, especially when it came to sleep. She had to cry it out and I repeatedly declared that she would never sleep in our bed. I always had a bedtime routine, I was consistent and I avoided every single- really, I did- thing that people say don’t do. Yet, at 2.5 years, my daughter is possibly the world’s strongest soldier against falling asleep. I put her to bed between 7:30 and 8:00 and most nights she actually goes to sleep between 10:00 and 11:00. Sometimes she screams and cries and other times she just plays and plays and plays… I’ve tried lying with her- which I said I’d never do-, I’ve tried sitting in different parts of her room- sometimes for 2 hours without her going to sleep-, I’ve tried the door open and closed, the light on and off, writing out a schedule of free read, mom time and lights off time… you name it, we’ve done it. Yet, the battle ensues. That is just who she is. There is really nothing I can do but try to survive it and remind myself this will not permanently, negatively impact her life/character. It’s a phase and “this, too, shall pass.”
By: Lynz Pelascini on January 23, 2008
at 9:38 am
Lindsay,
Thank you so much for writing!!! It means the world that you would take the time to share a little mommy wisdom. I am SOOOO thankful for you sharing your story about Giovana. That was so helpful to hear, and a great reminder that every child is so different. I find myself, even with only one, playing the comparison game, and sometimes have to physically take a step back and process what I’m doing. I look forward to hearing more about your girls. Also, please keep us posted on some pictures. If you want to upload a couple (for the world to see;-), click on the Flickr link. The username is mybabymomdotcom and the password is “babies”. I would love to see some family updates.
Thank you again for posting and hope you are doing well.
By: Erin on January 28, 2008
at 12:15 am
Miss Wigert,
For the life of me, I cannot seem to get your correct email address from anyone. Will you email me??
Have a great day!
By: Erin on January 28, 2008
at 11:42 am