So the meds I am on for nausea seem to effect my mood, so I am just going to blame everything on that. I have no idea why I read parenting magazines, but for some odd reason, I think I am an addict. Parents is one I read religiously & then I get mad every time I finish it. I hate indecisiveness & fence-riders & that is exactly what they are. They won't take a side on anything because they might offend someone. I think this is something our society has decided is the norm because we don't want to offend anyone, so we sacrifice our own stance on an issue so to not piss soemone off. But then, when someone DOES pick their side on an issue they are labeled as being either uninformed, hard-headed, or just plain stupid. It couldn't be that they are passionate about their beliefs?? Here is an example. There was an article in a recent issue of Parents about cloth diapering. This man did his own little expirement with several different brands & types of cloth diapers & covers & came to the conclusion that disposable was best for him. He didn't like the idea of swishing crappy cloth in the toilet & I'd have to say I agree with that. Well, there was a follow up in the next issue because of all the commotion it caused. People said he was uninformed & didn't try THESE certain brands that they use, or didn't do laundry service (not everyone has that kind of money or service in their area), or that he was just a close-minded igmo. I mean, geez! He did it, checked out the pros & cons FOR HIM & came to the conclusion that disposable is best. The majority of people use disposable. So, is he wrong for saing what he did? No. Now, if he had ridden the fence & talked about how wonderful & green cloth was, I bet the article would not have gotten a second look. But, he took a side, so he is wrong. Whatevah! Then another magazine did a big spread on the issue of breast vs. bottle. Now, for those who don't know, I am a huge breastfeeding supporter & would love to become more involved in advocacy, but I also see why some people can't/won't breastfeed. I have several good friends who wanted to nurse whole-heartedly, but were unable to for various reasons that were beyond their control. It sure doesn't mean they are less of a mommy because they are some durn good mommies, IMO. Still, my side is that breast is best & I won't swap from that, but I do understand the other side. I bottle fed my 1st so I've been there, done that. Back to the article. The 1st page is all about breastfeeding, which even the formula companies agree is the best food for babies. The benefits, especially health, are huge. Then, at the bottom of the article is a pro/con list. Guess what is on the top of the con list. You guessed it! No one else can feed the baby! As if there is nothing else that needs to be done with a newborn. They make us feel like no one else is allowed to bond with the baby because we are being stingey. Last time I checked, feeding does not equal bonding. Others could help with diapering, holding the baby, washing clothes, bathing, so mom can get some much needed relaxation & recooperation time. It is just an excuse in my opinion. Some reason to say I am wrong for breastfeeding. Then there is the next page. It is all about bottle feeding & it also has a pro/con list. The top pro? Yep, someone else can feed the baby. Since when has this become so important? It is just another way of riding the fence. The article needed to be equal on both sides, so they just picked a topic & ran with it. Now, if you are a bottle feeder, you should be offended by it too. They are saying that you bottle feed so that you can pass your baby off to someone else. Therefore YOU are being stingey for bottle feeding, so it comes down to this. If you breast feed you are selfish. If you bottle feed, you are selfish. That's some of the best fence-riding I have ever seen! Basically, we are all selfish no matter what. Magazines have no guts these days. Give me the facts & I'll be happy. I don't need to hear about how I can be right, no matter which side I choose. Being opinionated is not wrong. It is a personality trait that some possess & some do not. But, don't tell me I am wrong in one breath, then tell me the flip side is also wrong in the same article. That's my gripe for today, so I am now going to go "selfishly" nurse my child, which is proably also wrong because he is 2 years old. I am sure I could find a magazine that can tell me how wrong & right I am for that, all at the same time.
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