Help w/ a friend

[scrapcmchristy]

I emailed a friend who doesn't have kids yet some article about AP from here at SN. She thanked me but said she didn't agree w/ that way of parenting.
I told her that you can't spoil a baby and she said you most certaintly can and the baby feels it.
I said yeah they feel it. They feel love and secuirty and bonded w/ mom and dad. And, they feel it if they're not "spoiled" they feel stress and anxiety etc.

The thing is I know I support the way I try and parent and probably wouldn't think much about it before SN either. I Just don't know how to talk about it IRL and defend myself. Or maybe I wont try? I get told to put mybaby down more, train her to sleep in crib, etc. I don't know how to respond to that other than get angry and defensive.

Can you ladies help me? TIA!

[Geannie]

You know, people will have an arguement for just about anything you say anyhow. All I say anymore is that I've done quite a bit of researching on the subject, and if they'd like some info I could print it out for them but as for suggesting how to raise my kids, I'm really happy with the way that we're raising our DD, she is doing well and we're doing what works for us, thanks. :) :)

OTOH, my MIL doesn't know that we cosleep cause I don't want to hear about it. So there's always an exception. :rolleyes:

[mommybess]

Scrap... I am lurking in this forum... but I had to jump in.

I think trying to talk to someone about parenting when they are not a parent is like trying to describe colors to a blind person.

I remember the things I said I would never do or my children would never do before I had children... then I had children. And I learned that the only thing that I actually knew for sure was to "NEVER SAY NEVER".

[SharonCC]

I agree w/ Mommybess. Don't even try. Why bother? Just do what you know is best and let other people's opinions of how YOUR children should be raised fall off your shoulders.

[mtwarog]

I have to agrre with the others. Don't even try to explain yourself. People with no children definitely do NOT get it and it sounds like your friend isn't even willing to discuss it intelligently.

I just say what we're doing is working for us and leave it at that. Besides, kids raised the AP way are proof enough that it works. :cool: