I still am not sure that i know what I am doing sometimes? :-/

[christianmom2389]

I actually joined this website because I was really looking forward to learning more about parenting from a Christian perspective and talking to other parents out there!

We live in Germany, with no close friends or family around.. and so ever since I have been a mom, I feel like I have been doing this completely alone.

We have a daughter, Makayla.. and she's 14 months. Sometimes I ask myself.. how come it seems other women that have babies have it down or don't seem to have a hard time with it?? Am I the only one?

I have had a hard time. I feel like I have learned things the hard way.. like still sleeping with a breastfed baby that is a year old in your bed makes things soooo much harder because she will wake to latch a million times.. so we just got her crib trained.

It's also been hard for me because (and I know this sounds selfish) but I had a career in the military, my life had order and schedules.. and I was always in control.

It's been such a hard adjustment because now I have no order and control, and no scheduling because it seems like every day is different!

I am trying SO hard to be a good mom, but sometimes I get frustrated and I feel soooo guilty because I feel like I am being a bad mom.. and it's just been an experience.

 

[gracefulone1980]

You ARE a good mom! Every mother has guilt sometimes about decisions that thay make. You are doing just fine and you will find your way, don't worry.

 

[Darkhorse]

All parents feel their way along in parenthood. Some people think they have it all down, but they are usually the ones who blindly make one mistake after another.

We teach our kids, and they teach us!

 

[christianmom2389]

Yes, that is so true! Thank you for your kind words. I just am trying so hard to be a good mom and not to break her or mess her up.. lol

But I know that my faith definitely needs to be involved more with my parenting. I need to pray more and depend on God's strength to not be as nervous.

I just love her sooo much and want her to be alright.

Thank you again for y'alls words!

 

[zaksmummy]

My oldest is 7 years old - I find all new experiences with him hard work, but when It comes to my second child - I usually find things easier because Ive been there before. I talked to my friend about this -shes soon to have her fourth, and she says the same thing - the first child is the hardest because you've never parented that age before, and so you make mistakes, BUT you learn as you go along. If one thing doesnt work, try something else until you find the way that fits best with you and your family.

 

[akmom]

Children thrive with order and a schedule too. They crave a routine. Find and stick to one, and I think you'll find parenting to be much easier for you and better for your child. I also got caught up in the breastfeeding-on-demand co-sleeping arrangement with my first baby, which kind of prompted the search for parenting advice in the first place. We got her sleep-trained at 7 months, and overhauled our whole approach with a daily routine. Kids should get up at the same time each morning, eat at approximately the same time each day, have regular nap times without exception, and a couple activities they can count on doing each day (storytime, playground time, a movie, an age-appropriate game with a parent, whatever). It's a lot easier for me as a parent when I know exactly what we are going to be doing at a given time, and for how long. And young kids rarely protest a routine.

 

[christianmom2389]

Yeah, we are trying to get back there. Makayla just seems so sensitive to changes, and any change is really hard for her. She just cries and cries!
After what felt like forever, we did have her on a routine and things did seem alot easier.. and then we went on leave to the states for two weeks. (from Germany)

We have been back a month now, and we are still trying to get back there! The first two weeks, we were getting her over the jet lag.. it was really hard on her. And now we are trying to get her back on a routine while she is teething (four teeth are coming in) so it's just been so hard on her!

I do feel like I need to wean.. I hope that doesn't sound selfish but she is 14 months old now and she breastfeeds sooooo much. It seens like all day long, she wants to latch. She doesn't eat alot.. at all. I will restrain from breastfeeding before she eats, so she will be hungry.. and she just doesn't eat alot at all.. (she will eat pretty well some days, but not so much most others) and then she wants to breastfeed..

I know that she shouldn't be using me to get full, she is a toddler now.. but I feel like she is. And she is still up 2-3 times a night.. and it is just like.. my goodness! I thought she would be sleeping through the night by now.

And yeah, physically and emotionally, I just feel like I do need to wean.. but she won't take ANY milk, hot or cold.. not chocolate, strawberry, nothing.. and she doesn't drink any juice. She just wants water.. so that is why I haven't weaned already.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

C was up many time at night and he wasn't breastfed. I wouldn't worry about the night time. Some kids are night eaters, some just get up a lot at night. He did like milk more than food, he's thin and healthy. Even at 4 he drinks a lot of milk, very picky, but he's healthy. I know your childs pickyness might drive you crazy, but that waist of worry. Also breastfeeding good for you kid. I wouldn't worry about it. C doesn't like change, so I try not to change his day around. He doesn't take it well.

 

[akmom]

I always ended the nursing session when they started letting milk drip out the other side of their mouth. I figure that if they are too full to swallow, that's enough!