Lets get debating :insert evil grin here:

Smacking
I believe that spanking is one of many perfectly acceptable forms of discipline and I use it as I see fit with my children. I am of the GENERAL OPINION that parents who don't give their children boundaries and thereafter consequences that make their children reassess ever crossing those boundaries again are setting themselves and their poor kids up for failure! I also think that its idiot parents like that (that being no boundaries and no consequences) who have created the generation and a half of disrespectful, disobedient, horrible little thugs!

Circumcision
I have two uncircumcised boys but thats just coz I couldn't find anybody to do the deed! I think circumcision is tidier and cleaner and nope I don't give two hoots about anyone who tries to stuff research in my face I'm quite decided that its the better option!

BFing v FFing
BreastMILK is totally the best but breastfeeding isn't always best especially when the poor mama is being affected negatively. I have FF and BF'd and would always try BFing first. Not going to go much into this coz of our other dramatic thread...

Vaginal birth v Elective c-sect
I don't know how this affects NZ but I think the women who choose a c-sect over atleast trying a vaginal birth are weird and TBH I wonder why the heck they got preggers in the first place! I'm totally not referring to anybody who required a c-sect for medical reasons so don't get all huffy coz I'll turn the hose on you. I had vaginal births with both my boys and the idea of getting sliced open gives me the bleeding heebiejeebies!!!! Why would you actually CHOOSE to do that to yourself if you didn't actually have to?? That BTW is a rhetorical question and if you are reading this and you did actually choose to have a c-sect for no medical reason then I'd love to hear your reasonings, not to argue but just coz I can't fathom why you'd make that choice

When to start solids
Well both my boys started early and they both eat pretty much what we eat (be warned - beans actually don't get digested they arrive whole at the other end...) and I really don't care if anyone has a problem with that.

Homemade solids v Storebrought solids
Homemade is always better IMO but then I'm an au naturale girl myself. If you want to feed your baby up on processed crap then be my guest

BLW v Pureed food
Well both mine needed fairly pureed since they were pretty small but never really pureed and now Tys older he gets given lumps and bumps of dinner to hold and chew. I probably more of a BLW but either way I don't really care as long as they get full!

Vaccination v Non-vaccination
We are a non-vaxing household and thats the way we like it. I think non-vaxers make a much more informed decision coz we're the ones who have to defend our decisions so we actually get right in there and find out all the gory details. Pro-vaxers just accept what they've been told and jab their kids. I don't actually care what anyone else does and I certainly wouldn't accuse an pro-vaxer of being a bad parent but I would get my claws out if anyone tried suggesting I was being a bad parent for not vaxing. I know EXACTLY why I don't vaccinate - do you know why you DO vaccinate?? And I mean other than the trite about it being the 'safest' choice??

And I thought of another couple -
Routine v Non-routine
I think routines are better for baby and mama and I don't understand how anyone can function not knowing when their child will next wake or want to feed or anything Its actually been proven in studies throughout the years that a flexi-routine makes for a more satisfied child and I could find the links to back that up but I'm too lazy. I love having a fairly good idea of how our day is going to run, when Tylers going to need a sleep, when Jake is going to need either a sleep or downtime, etc. Not knowing would make my head explode I like knowng that Tyler isn't crying coz hes hungry coz he just had a full feed coz he doesn't snack thanks to our routine. Its a known fact that children thrive on knowing how their day is going to go and having some semblence of structure and I'm stunned by parents who approach the whoile thing being completely gung-ho and doing what suits them regardless of what it does to their child! LOL bet thats gonna get some reactions

CIO/CC v Not (coz I can't think of what that'd be called)
I think CIO/CC definitely has its place. I let Jake 'CIO' at like 1 week old when he decided he wanted to get up at midnight and astay awake having cuddles with mummy til 3am. After one night doing that I put my foot down and the baby back into bed after his feed. I went back to bed and lay there wondering what I was sposed to do if he didn't go back to sleep lol luckily he was asleep less than 8 minutes later and he never woke at midnight to play til he was like 9mo then I did it again but it definitely was harder then but hey still ended up working I don't think its the only way to go though.

Urrrm and there was another one but I've had a blank and Castle has started so I'm gonna go watch that and sneak back here during the ads to see what happens

Hell no, no comment

But WOOHOO on the vaxxing comment! hehehe *runs and ducks for cover*

ooohhh Hila *like*  (um except for the comment about non vaxxing being irresponsible...that was crap lol)

edited to add- what did you partially vax for? Cos I tried for months to get one seperately and couldn't )

Edited by Emmecat

Ok, I'll say a few things

Smacking
I dont have a problem wih a tap on the bum or hand

Circumcision
Nope


BFing v FFing
I am pro both, whatever is best for your situation etc

Vaginal birth v Elective c-sect
Im a C Section mama, first was an emergency after a damn good go at having naturally! Second was an elective. After having two CS, i dont know why anyone would want to have one when they could birth vaginally, getting cut open and having layers and layers stitched back up is major surgery and it hurt like f*ck afterwards!!!!!

When to start solids
4-6 months, depending on the baby, but as close to 6 months as possible.

Homemade solids v Storebrought solids
I used both

BLW v Pureed food
ehh No opinion

Vaccination v Non-vaccination
I vaccinate my kids, and thats all I'll say on that as its a touchy subject.

Routine v Non-routine
semi routine, I have just followed my kids cues, but we have always had a bedtime routine to help them settle etc

CC/CIO
I do controlled crying, I have left them to cry a few times when I have been totally over it and exhausted and needed 5 mins to calm down and get my sh*t sorted. It IS ok to let them cry for a bit when you need to calm down!!!!!!
I had a baby with bad reflux and some nights she did my head in, and it made me realise how some parents can shake their babys, its just knowing when to walk away and calm down, and thats when letting them cry for a bit while you do that is OK!









Edited by Sheza

Ohhhh, cooooool thread. I can get all judgey judgementalson and then if someone jumps down my throat I can be like "Babe started it!"


Smacking
A quick smack on the hand or bum if a child is being really naughty is fine with me. This should not happen all the time. You should have other measures in place first. Smacking is only for extreme circumstances.


Circumcision
Why anyone would want to cut off the end of a boys penis without a medical reason is beyond me. Religious reasons do not wash with me.


BFing v FFing
Breastfeeding is best. If you can't/don't want to thats fine with me - but please don't give me a bollocks reason for it.


Vaginal birth v Elective c-sect
I think people who have elective c sections to save their lady bits (is that why they do it?) are kidding themselves that it would be easier and their recovery is better than a vaginal birth. Contrary to what you might think - you tighten back up down there! You don't end up with a loose v-jay jay!

Choosing to have an elective because of medical reasons is a totally different matter.


When to start solids
As close to 6 months as you can.


Homemade solids v Storebrought solids
Storebought solids are a waste of money.


BLW v Pureed food
BLW all the way!


Vaccination v Non-vaccination
We vaccinate. We've also done the research - we've just arrived at different conclusions to the non-vaccers. Of course, I think we came to the right one


Routine v Non-routine
Bugger routine until after 3 months. After that a loose routine is great until you feel like you need a proper one. Some babies put themselves into routines - Jude did.


CIO/CC v Not (coz I can't think of what that'd be called)
No CIO/CC til after 9 months but limited use is best, if you can avoid it altogether then thats even better. Screaming it out is not acceptable unless a break is really really needed.


Cloth nappies v Disposables
Cloth nappies. Disposables are a waste of money. And no, it is not loads more work. It's easy.

Gotta say my opinions on some of these things have slowly changed over time. I do believe spanking can be an appropriate form of discipline but I've really moved away from it in our house. Jake will get a smack on the bottom if hes openly defiant but TBH the thinking seat and the think act tell method are alot more effective with him. Thats what makes you a great parent IMO though - being open to changing your preconceptions and finding new methods and choices that bring out the best in your own family.

Delli wrote: Babe wrote: Gotta say my opinions on some of these things have slowly changed over time..........Thats what makes you a great parent IMO though - being open to changing your preconceptions and finding new methods and choices that bring out the best in your own family. For sure! Not just for parenting - Life in general! I'm always open to changing my opinion with the arrival of new evidence Sometimes I HATE being wrong but it doesn't mean I'm going to stubbornly refuse to admit I was wrong and change (as much as i'd like to!).

yep me too!!

Smacking
Doesn't work for my kids. and i find it terribly hypocritical to yell "don't hit" and then smack the kid responsible.

Circumcision
eeew. why would you?

BFing v FFing
breast really is best.

Vaginal birth v Elective c-sect
In the throes of labvour I yelled about understanding why Britney demanded a c-section - but in reality, if you didn't HAVE to, why would you?

When to start solids
when they are ready.

Homemade solids v Storebrought solids
homemade - it's cheaper

BLW v Pureed food
I always pureed, cause I didn't knw about BLW.

Vaccination v Non-vaccination
Vaccinated.


Routine v Non-routine
under 3 months, non-routine. after that, routine all the way. Some routine is good though regardless - as in bedtime routine.

CIO/CC v Not (coz I can't think of what that'd be called)
Under 3 months, yuk.

There are a lot of people I agree with so far, (sheza on a lot, though I haven't had a c section )

But, my friends SIL paid for a C section for her first simply cos she didn't want to push (her words via her SIL,aka my friend)
I would ask her why for you Babe, but I don't like her anyway so.....


And I use cloths, but sometimes I hate them