Ok Mamas, this is my advice. Take it, leave it, use it, or click someplace else. Ready? DO. WHAT. WORKS. FOR. YOU! So simple, yet so hard. EVERYONE has advice on kids and parenting. It should be up there with one of the no no's that you shouldn't talk about: politics, religion and parenting. Parenting is a sensitive subject for just about everyone. Say something negative about a mom's child and watch the fangs come out. If something doesn't' work for you or someone gives you advice that you don't like, just leave it at the door. Every child is different and isn't that wonderful, b/c if they weren't, the world would be a boring place. Something that works for one child, may not work for the other. Example!! My son is three years old and still doesn't sleep well through the night. He sleeps best with us and that's ok. We tried the "cry-it-out", which I don't really care for, holding, rocking, singing, dancing and mama's we tried it all. We finally came to the conclusion, he is not a sleeper and we except him for it. My daughter on the other hand, is a ROCK. 12 hours straight in her own crib and she is fine. She lays there, plays, falls asleep on her own and twelve hours later wakes up a happy camper. SAME PARENTING folks, they are just two different personalities. Each slept in our bed and next to the bed when breastfeeding, each was breastfed up to or past 6 months (Nicholas 9 months, Maddie 6 months), each I carried in the sling and not the stroller, both started solids at the same time, both walked around 10 months (Nicholas 9 and Maddie 11) and so on. I can't explain it, both are great, active kids, but my daughter is definitely more independent and feisty. My point is, do what works for you and the child. If you listen to your baby, he/she will let you know what works for them.

It is SOOO hard not to take Grandma's or the doctor's advice if you don't care for it, but I always had the retort, if it works for me, I will. One of the pediatricians my son saw said he would need speech therapy b/c he didn't talk much. I DWELLED on this for weeks. I must have done something wrong, or they know best, what's wrong with him, etc, etc, etc. Guess what, he is talking!! He talked when he was ready, not when I wanted him to. My daughter came OUT of the womb talking and hasn't stopped. It's the same mother and father folks, two different kids. So, in a nut shell, DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!! I can't stress that enough.

Hey mamas', if you would like to add something to me or other moms, send me an email or put it in the comments section!!