Pre-determination Anyone?

I got pregnant at 17 and had my first daughter at 18.

I am now 35 and have six amazing children.

My ideas on parenting were from the mind of a child still.

“They will love me unconditionally” (They do, but I had to work hard for that love. I had to make sure they could trust me.)

“I will be their best friend.” (I was until they were 5y.o. and then became it again when they turned about 16y.o. There is a time period of pulling away that comes with independence.)

“I will never disappoint them” (It happens, you are sick and can’t take them to see their friends. You live in a house that isn’t good enough for them, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten to call the tooth fairy!!)

“They will never go hungry” (That is true, I’ve given them everything, even if it meant I had to go without, however if they don’t get dessert, sometimes they think I’m making them go hungry.)

“I will never punish them. ” (HAHA… they have a healthy respect for my temper and my anger. They have learned quickly how to behave properly and the older ones teach the younger kids. )

I just wrote a post sort of about this today!

Oh yes! I used to think that breastfeeding beyond 6 months was weird. Here I am having nursed my oldest until she was 14 1/2 months and plan on nursing my son until he’s 2!

I also used to say that I would never raise my voice. Well, the terrible twos changed that!

I also said I would never ever cosleep. Yep, did that two times now. lol Still doing it even.

I used to look at moms/dads with unruly kids in stores or restaurants and wonder what they were doing wrong that they couldn’t control their children. Well, after having them, I realize that children have a mind of their own and sometimes, just outright refuse to listen.