There's nothing like being around my cousin to make me think about parenting styles. Let me preface by saying we are over what happened at Easter. We've lost our grandmother since, our mothers are super-close, it's important to let bygones be bygones. I do love her. But.

It. is. so. damn. frustrating. to. be. around. her. I just don't get when people don't think about their parenting. The consequences, the modeling, the morals to instill, the praise and encouragement to bestow. I am not saying I am perfect, nor am I saying that my way is better than your way, though I guess when it comes right down to it, I am judging - I can't help it. She commented on how she can't understand how her daughter doesn't understand not to play with the toothpaste, even though she has been spanked 10 times for it. Um, hello, spanking is not then working. Try something new. MOVE the toothpaste. She's questioning vaccines, as her oldest was diagnosed autistic, as she takes a huge drag of her cigarette. Time after time, thing after thing.

I guess it's because I surround myself with people who do make good conscious decisions, and think about the impact of their actions. I just am having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that not everyone does. Educate yourselves, mothers! Read about vaccines, and food ingredients, and discipline models, and child development, and parenting styles, and plastics, and "screen time", and developmentally appropriate toys. The information is all out there. It's not hard to find. Educate yourself and make the best decision for your family.

I'm feeling a little "high and mighty" as I reread the post. Questioned deleting it, but I'm gonna put it out there even though it's all still a-ramblin' around in my head and not yet quite making sense.