Just because I write about parenting topics on Disney’s BabyZone and on my blog doesn’t mean I know better than you. It doesn’t mean I am better than you. It just means I like to write about my experiences and some people like to read them. Basically it just means I kind of have a big virtual mouth. Oh, and writing talent. Yeah, that probably supersedes my parenting expertise by a long shot.
*Insert funny caption here*
I don’t think I do anything totally out there, but I know everyone does not parent the same way I do. Heck, I don’t always keep up the same decisions with myself (cloth diaper flunkie, anyone?). I chuckled when I saw Slate refer to celebrity mom quacks and how they are a bad influence on everyday moms. I’m a quack too… aren’t we all? Are any of us really qualified to give advice? Maybe it’s okay since I’m not really a celebrity (I’m not even considered big on Twitter). Or maybe because I don’t tend to push an agenda?
I certainly don’t agree with all of the parenting tidbits shared in celebrity parenting books. Hell, I don’t agree with everything I’ve read in a lot of parenting books, but I don’t declare them as quacks (most of the time). There are some really bad books out there just like there are some really bad advice giving friends and family. It’s a fine line when it comes to perpetuating misinformation. On the one hand I’d love to see all sorts of uninformed/misguided/whathaveyou people stop giving advice to new moms and parents who don’t know more. Yet, we have to let people make up their own minds on what advice they are going to listen too.
Confession: I read Babywise while I was pregnant with my daughter. I actually thought it made some sense at that time…. until I had an actual baby in front of me. The whole notion of forcing a schedule onto her flew out the window and seemed absurd to me. Yet, others swear by it. I would never recommend it to anyone. I’ve also read Mayim Bialik’s Beyond the Sling. I really enjoyed her book since I could relate to several aspects of her attachment parenting style. There are few things I don’t agree with and would never recommend to another mom, but I still liked reading her perspective.
(Also, the Slate article states that Alicia Silverstone, Mayim Bialik and Jenny McCarthy don’t have medical degrees thereby not qualifying them to talk about parenting advice. Bialik at least holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Don’t get me started on McCarthy though. That’s the only one that I totally agree is quacky. Spreading misinformation in the way she has is different than talking about potty training a 6-month-old, in my opinion.)
It’s doubtful I’ll write a parenting book anytime soon (or ever). If I did, my whole secret to share would be that I have no clue what I’m doing. I just kind of make it up as I go along. Okay, maybe that’s not quite accurate either, but I’d probably be viewed as a quack by someone too.
Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.
Mandie
Wednesday 7th of May 2014
Everyone has their own way of raising their children & opinions about how others should but nobody knows for sure how anything is going to work even within families. Example: I cannot get anything through my oldest's thick skull without repeating it ten times & having her repeat it back to me at least five times. Ugh! However, with my youngest, she's a lil easier & tends to follow through with what I've told her right away as she HATES when I have to yell at her (she doesn't want to be like her sister). So, I just lay out what may have worked or what hasn't worked in my experience & you take it as you will.
I love reading other people's experiences & stories to know that I'm not the only one that's "crazy" or "going crazy" & that I'm not the only one out there that is "mean" by giving out punishments. So, post away, my friend! :)
Elle
Tuesday 29th of April 2014
All moms are pretty much quacks till their kids are grown and obviously doing ok.
Unless maybe it is someone like the Duggars who have a huge amount of experience.
It seems to me that people didn't used to need Doctors or someone "special" to tell them how to raise kids. They used to get their help from families and friends...people like you :)
Darcy Zalewski
Monday 5th of May 2014
Even then... quack! ;) thank you though! I hope I seem more like a friend to share in this craziness of parenthood, not someone telling everyone else what to do.