Yes I stuffed up ... Now what?

**Hannahly** · 12-09-2011 23:24

Anyone else read parts of parenting books and cringe and say whoops.

I know not everyone needs guidance, but in certain parts of parenting (mainly getting my kids to eat) I look to parenting guide books and professionals etc to help me! Problem is I read these books and half the time I just feel like I'm having to say 'well my family is scre.w.ed'

Examples -

I know 'they' say you need to show a toddler a food 10-20 times before he'll try it. No ****...
What if I'm on my 59th try in 2 years and it's still a nose thumb...

Same with parents still trying to get their kids to bed easily at 7pm four years on, thankfully that is not an issue in this house, we have others

My point is ... Where is the advice that says yep you stuffed up, or yep not the best choices there mum, but try this!

So screw you 'more peas please' and 'just try it you might like it' and 'gina ford potty training in one weekend' where is your advice where it's really needed - for the parent of veggie haters, nappy persistent toddlers, sleep adverse babies etc etc etc

Rant done!

**nicoleE** · 13-09-2011 10:48

I say just do your best, stick to routines and be thankful for the things your kids do seem to be doing well!!

I've always had good routines in our house for eating, bed, toilet training etc but my kids have been terrible sleepers.... My 4 yo is great now after seeing a sleep psychologist however my 21 month old is still terrible... BUT they are happy intelligent kids that eat well and are kind so I kind of figure you can't have everything perfect!
Plenty of parents are in the same boat, no ones kids are perfect, I think it's nature and nurture influences that shape out kids and it's tough being a parent these days. Don't stress just do your best and don't read too many parenting books! Lol

**nicoleE** · 13-09-2011 10:59

Oh and I'm not sure if you are actually after advice (sorry if your not!) but on your food issues our kids eat our food when we eat and then get a serve of fruit. If they eat their dinner well they can also have 'something special' like jelly, a small piece of chocolate, custard or even a multivitamin 'lolly' ha, ha!!. Yes it's bribery but they are great eaters now!. My DD still doesnt like potatoes or broccoli and that's ok we all have different tastes. I do still get her to have a bite of broccoli if we have it to get her something special though. Always be consistent and don't put allot of pressure on them or dinner just becomes really an unpleasent experiance for all, its 'if you eat dinner nicely then you can get something special, if you dont thats fine but no something special after". And NEVER offer alternatives to the dinner if they refuse it, let them go hungry (that's where I figure the fruit serve after will put something in their tummy atleast).

**RoarsomeMum** · 13-09-2011 11:07

Ahhhhhhhh Books! LOL!!

As if our kids came out of a factory mill rather that the sensitive unique genetic and environmental designs that they indeed are..

When I fail, it's because I forget she is not a cookie cut example of the "average" she is ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No books "cover that" cause she has to write her own..