Time Cover

[Always AlphaGam]

If moms want to breastfeed for as long as they want and if the child wants it, then that's up to them. I nursed my daughter until 3 months, and that's when my supply couldn't keep up to her needs. I was sad because I loved the time she and I shared while she nursed. It's an experience that I can't put into words. I think that that's why moms want to continue breastfeeding for as long as possible. If my milk hadn't run out I'm not sure what I would have done, but I lean more toward the "if she can ask for solid food..." side. I don't know, maybe she would have weaned herself off when she was ready. I like to think that that's what the majority of kids do - wean when they're ready.

I'm not so much disgusted at the idea of breastfeeding past a certain age -- to each, her own. What irritates the shit out of me is that cover and that question of ARE YOU MOM ENOUGH? Freaking A. Moms who don't breastfeed/breastfeed past a certain age are no less of a mother than those who do. And that kid? He must be at least 5. When kids are old enough to have memories of feeding from the tit, you probably shoulda quit a year ago.

My daughter likes to nap on my bed during the day but has slept in her own bed nightly since Day 1, with the exception of the first time she got sick. Both I and her father are deep sleepers, so bedsharing was never an option. We've chosen to co-sleep (have her crib in our room) until she is 6 months old. Earlier when she'd wake up for feedings 2-3 times a night I just picked her up and fed her in the living room, in her reclinalounger. Now that she's sleeping through the night, her sharing a room with us hasn't been a problem.

My stepson's been a bed-sharer with his mom since birth and now that he's almost 7, it's been a pain in the ass to get him to stay in his room and sleep in his bed. This is why I knew I had to get my daughter used to sleeping in her own bed.

I hate it when people tell me how to parent my child so I try not to do the same to others. So far my baby is healthy and happy so I must be doing something right...even if it's not what Sears says. They can all go to hell.

[Oh, and KSU I think it was SWTXBelle you were talking about. Damn those LaLeakys]

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Always AlphaGam

So far my baby is healthy and happy so I must be doing something right...even if it's not what Sears says.

That is the most important thing.

And this entire thread reminds me of how happy I am to not be working with 2 and 3 year olds anymore.

Granted, the mompetition is still there with my middle and high school parents, but it's nowhere near as bad as the "first time mom of toddler" realm.

Some of them were crazy, and add in being a first time mom of a special needs kiddo and it just skyrockets. I've seen moms of toddlers with Austism Spectrum Disorders compete with each other over who has the more intensive therapy schedule, best behavior therapist in the state, etc.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Some of them were crazy, and add in being a first time mom of a special needs kiddo and it just skyrockets. I've seen moms of toddlers with Austism Spectrum Disorders compete with each other over who has the more intensive therapy schedule, best behavior therapist in the state, etc.

Obviously having a special needs child ups the ante with that stuff, but I've seen it ramp up big time because women are waiting later to have kids and they're focused on it in ways that younger mothers aren't necessarily. Becoming a parent, for my circles (educated women who focused on a career for nearly a decade before having a very planned child), is this major PROJECT, way more than it was for our mothers' generations.

It's kind of a luxury to compete with other women over this stuff--I don't see a ton of teen moms pulling this stuff.

[Greek_or_Geek?]

I also think it's sometimes overcompensation. I've noticed many extreme cases of AP where the mother has thought nothing about putting her newborn in the care of strangers so she can quickly resume her career or doesn't think it's necessary to have an involved father in the picture, but God forgive you if you get in the way of her whipping out her boob to nurse her three year old in the middle of Starbucks.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Obviously having a special needs child ups the ante with that stuff, but I've seen it ramp up big time because women are waiting later to have kids and they're focused on it in ways that younger mothers aren't necessarily. Becoming a parent, for my circles (educated women who focused on a career for nearly a decade before having a very planned child), is this major PROJECT, way more than it was for our mothers' generations.

It's kind of a luxury to compete with other women over this stuff--I don't see a ton of teen moms pulling this stuff.

This is very true. My kid's moms fell (for the most part) into this category (late 30s/early 40s new moms.)

More likely than not, if kids come into the picture, I'll end up falling into the same category (decade of career/education focus, 30s or 40s mom), but I'm pretty set on not having bio children for a number of reasons. I'm not sure how mompetition ramps up with adoption, but I'm oh so sure it exists.