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They said I shouldn't. So I did it anyway

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They said I shouldn't eat spicy food while pregnant.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't use formula.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't hold you so much. That I shouldn't "over attach."

I did it anyway.

They said I should let you "cry it out." That I shouldn't rush in and scoop you into my arms at the hint of your whimper or cry.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't hold you so much.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't give you a paci.

I did it anyway.

They said I should feed you veggies first, like green beans. That I shouldn't serve you bananas first, 'cause they are sweet.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't let you try things.

I did it anyway.

They said I should keep you home with me. That I shouldn't send you to daycare so young.
I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't push you so high on the swing or let you try the monkey bars.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't sign you up for sports. That you were too little.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't give you so much freedom.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't set so many boundaries and enforce so many rules.

I did it anyway.
They said I shouldn't help you so much.
I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't praise you so much.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't lay with you at bedtime.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't yell.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't cry in front of you.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't give you things.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn't make you earn everything.

I did it anyway.

They said I shouldn’t hold such high expectations for you or myself.

I did it anyway.

They said I was doing it all wrong.

I did it anyway.

They said I couldn't do it.

I did it anyway.

Whose they?

They.

Them.

Those people.

The ones who don't believe in me.

The ones with all the opinions.

The ones who think theirs is the "right" one and the only one that matters.

The ones who think their shiitake don't stank.

The ones who don't know me.

Who don't support me.

Who don't love me.

The ones I should NEVER ever listen to.

My dear child,

hear me when I say that if anyone...ANYONE,

ever tells you not to do something that your gut and heart both guide you to do,

you do it anyway.

You do that sh*t,

do it proudly,

and never apologize for it.

You do you -- just like your mama.

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