Parenting Preferences

I think we all have to remind ourselves that parents choose to raise their children differently. I know I am guilty of looking down on parents who choose to do things differently than us and thinking our ways are "best". Of course, there are people out there, older people mostly, who tell us how they used to do things. Times have changed, like the use of walkers, cereal in bottles, carseat laws, and babies sleeping on their stomachs.

These are some things we Joseph and I have decided on right now:

• God- Lincoln will be raised in a godly home where he hears Bible stories, prayer at the dinner table and at bedtime, prayers over his sicknesses, thanksgiving for answered prayers, clean television (once he is allowed to watch), church attendance, give 10% of all the money he receives to the Lord.
• Breastfeeding- I'll breastfeed him for a year.We were given the okay today to start introducing cereals (if we want to and think he is ready). I think we will wait a little longer and once we do he will eat it with a spoon and mixed with breast milk in the morning.
• Homemade baby food- Once Lincoln does eat solids, Joe is going to make it from fresh fruits and vegetables. Bottles of baby food on the shelves lose their nutrition when sitting under florescent lighting for who knows how long.
• Pacifier- We ended up using a pacifier even though we originally thought we wouldn't. It is used only at naps/bedtime now. We are going to start weening him at this point. He'll have to self-soothe.
• Television- The television is not on if Lincoln is awake. As a matter of fact, it doesn't come on until 8:00pm when Lincoln goes to bed. Joseph read it could cause seizures in infants if they watch. Another reason is we do not want a television "babysitting" our child. Another reason is we want Lincoln to have our undivided attention. If the television is on, we are not spending quality-time with him.
• Books- We read him at least one book a day.
• Art & Music- We'll incorporate the arts into his day by having crafts and music time.
• Eat, play, sleep routine- We follow our babies' cues, not the clock, to know what he needs.
• Cloth diapering- It is better for the environment and a cheaper alternative. It is also makes potty training easier because they know what being wet feels like.
• Potty training- It will take place sooner than later with a little elimination communication (EC) and with cloth training pants.
• Discipline- We are still reading about and discussing discipline. We are reading two books at the moment Bringing up Boys and The Birth Order Book, both by two Christian authors.
• Earth-friendly- We'll make sure he understands that the God left us to take care of the Earth. He'll learn to recycle, buy used, waste less, donate, and compost.