Assorted parenting commentary
A few weeks back, I happened across an excerpt from Mommies Who Drink, by Brett Paesel. My favorite bit is the protagonist talking about looking for parenting help in books:
[...] Then I'd flip to the index to look up "Nonstop, nonspecific, hostile crying." No listing.
None of the books had chapters on what seemed immediately relevant to me. I’d imagine chapters like:
STOP YOUR BABY FROM CRYING--FOREVER. Six foolproof and safe ways to make your home a crying-free zone.[...]
And I dreamed of chapters like:
SMOKING: THE ROAD BACK TO SANITY AND A GOOD FIGURE.And:
YES, SOME BABIES HAVE DIED WHEN LEFT ALONE IN THE BATHTUB--BUT HERE ARE MANY WHO SURVIVED AND THRIVED.
Speaking of entertaining mothers, I know I've posted a link to Heather Armstrong's classic entry on Reconvening the procedure before, but I figured it was worth another link. "This procedure is actually the type of procedure that got us into the situation that made reconvening this procedure so difficult, if you know what I'm saying." Also, her FAQ item about child welfare (currently #6 on the FAQ list) is well worth reading.
(For less entertaining but more scientific info on related topics, see Will breastfeeding interfere with my sex drive? and Breastfeeding and Low Sex Drive: Prolactin and Progesterone, though both are somewhat heterocentric and marriage-assuming.)
Finally, another item I've linked to before but have been meaning to link to again for a while now: "The String Bag and Octopus Guide to Parenthood," a set of recommendations on how to prepare and practice for being a parent. Excerpt:
Before you go ahead and have children find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run riot. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behaviour. Enjoy it--it will be the last time you have all the answers.
My favorite items are #5 (about the octopus and the string bag) and #9 (about the goat).
