The best advice I ever received
January 12, 2015Written by Marykate O’Malley, mother of three wonderful children, Gladwyne PA
I tend to get my best advice from other mothers – on soccer sidelines, and play date pickups – we exchange data points and strategies. And I share the best advice I have ever received with you below. I am grateful I received it so early in my parenting, and would love to find that kind, experienced nurse at Greenwich Hospital and thank her. 10 years later and it still rings true.
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When my oldest was born nursing was not coming easily yet I was determined to make it work. And so were all the nurses, and doctors, and lactation specialists who flocked to me bedside. One lactation specialist implored, “don’t ever give her a bottle! She will never nurse again!”
I was tired, and hormonal, a new mother trying desperately to do the one thing I was built to do – nurse my baby. Only it wasn’t going so well. On the second night one of the nurses entered my room to me (true story) feeding my delicate baby from a medicine cup – a tiny plastic cup meeting her minuscule rosebud lips. She took one look at me, sized up the situation and inquired why. And then the tears, and advice from all the well meaning people started pouring out. And she gave me some of the best parenting advice I have yet to receive: She said I am a nurse, yes, and also a mother to 6 children. She said a lot of well meaning people told her to do this, or don’t do that, or whatever you do don’t ever. And she said simply, the most important thing to do as a mother is to follow your instinct. She said no one will know your child as well as you. She told me all her babies took the bottle and nursed and turned out just fine. And guess what, so did mine.
Your turn – the best parenting advice you ever received!
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Tags: advice, baby, family fun, ideas, mommy blog, new mother, nursing, parenting |
Julie
on January 30, 2015 8:58 amBest advice I give others is to “follow your gut” When I haven’t, I have regretted it.
One of the best that I remember receiving is that Santa fills the stocking and brings one big gift — all unwrapped. Everything else is from parents, friends, relatives, etc. It helps to take the pressure off and helps your child narrow down that “one thing” they want to ask Santa for.