Monday, March 9, 2015

An Open Letter about Parenting.

Dear Concerned Neighbor,

I get that you have children of your own, and that makes you feel like you know everything there is to know about raising kids but you just don't. There's something you should know about kids: they're all different. Which means they learn and grow differently.

Oh, your son and daughter can both read? That's cool! Good for them! Just because they can read doesn't mean I'm going to force it upon my son to read. Yes, my son did just turn 5 and your youngest is just 4 months older than Zander. Obviously both of your kids wanted to read. Zander has an interest in letters and numbers, but I'm not going to force something on him that he's not interested in; or that he's not ready to learn.
I get that he's going to kindergarten in August. I'm very excited about it. He's very smart and I know he'll do well. Him going to school does not mean he has to learn how to read by a certain age. I want him to want to learn so that when he does read, he loves it. He already loves books and I want him to keep loving them as much as I do. Ok? Thanks,

Wait, you say your six your old has been riding a bike without training wheels for a year now? Good for him, I bet he's so proud of himself! When did he start riding his bike with training wheels? Oh, at 2 years old. That's so cool! Well, Zander didn't start riding until he was 4. So, like the reading issue I didn't force him. I'm glad I didn't. He asked me to take his  training wheels off. He was obviously ready because after I took them off, it literally only took 10 minutes of me helping before he mastered it. That's the beauty of waiting. Patience is a virtue and it pays off in the best of ways.

For all other issues you have with the way I parent, you can kindly keep them to yourself. I don't want to hear them, and they will most likely be met in the same fashion as this. I'm going to let my kids be kids. I'm going to let them play outside, dig in the dirt, ride their bikes, do whatever they want to do to have fun! I will take them to the doctor as needed. I will make sure they stay healthy. I will also make sure they stay happy. I'm their mom, so I get the right to raise them as I see fit. I have some issues with the way you parent as well. We'll just leave it as that.

Thank you for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
An annoyed mom.
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17 comments :

  1. Sounds like your neighbor needs a punch in the nose.

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  2. haha I want to very much but I doubt that would benefit me at all

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  3. Zander was born on 26th Feb and he draws monsters. He's officially awesome.

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  4. UGH. I don't understand why parents think they can tell other parents how they're doing something wrong. also. my aunt didn't learn to ride a bike without training wheels until she was in her mid twenties. so, Zander is definitely ahead of the game there.

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  5. I think that's more common than people think! I know of a lot of adults that just learned how to ride a bike in their 20's. THERE'S NO NORMAL! lol.

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  6. oh man i cannot even imagine the amount of 'uninvited advice/opinions' you must get a mother! yuck. i'm sorry you're dealing with that but glad you don't let it get you down! keep doing YOU melissa!

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  7. You go girl. I obviously don't have kids, but I have godchildren and I've had friends make comments like 'oh he's not potty trained yet"or "oh he doesn't have perfect speech yet?" and it's like for one, I'm not his mom and two, I don't know his life and neither do you, and there is no reason for you to judge...they don't all do everything by the book.


    I'm not a mom and I already see how defensive mom's have to be. So, go girl! preachhhh!

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  8. LOL it starts before they're even born! So, be wary of that! uninvited advice from the moment you announce! sorry, sad but true. Thanks for the encouragement though! you rock!

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  9. yessss. I will preaccchhhhhh! LOL my kids, my rules, so there. haha. I appreciate the support though. and yes, there shouldn't even BE a "book" ugh.

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  10. This is so true. About kids, pets, relationships, work, EVERYTHING. Everyone is different. Don't judge others just because they don't do things the way you do.

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  11. Wait- is this neighbor seriously TELLING you that they have concerns and issues with your parenting?! Melissa! I mean, that baffles me completely! (Do you *have* to talk to this person?!) I would be distancing myself from someone like that immediately. Your are your babies' momma which means you know them the best, plus- in today's day and age, not only are there a million people you could go to if you ever DID have a question or concern, but GOOGLE. Free reading with no snarky remarks! ha! ;)

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  12. Oh friend, I adore your strong mama heart. You are incredible. E.v.e.r.y. mother is different. E.v.e.r.y. child is different. Good grief; every child within a family is different. I react to each of my girls in different ways. You are an incredible mama. and in NO way does anyone have a right to judge anyone else, unless a child is in danger, and that is a certainty. Love your soul. And your sass. And your words <3

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  13. Ummm...hello obnoxious neighbor. Did I ask for your thoughts? No? Ok...well then you can just stop sharing your opinion. Seriously. Clearly your neighbor is having some insecurities, otherwise they wouldn't feel the need to tell you these things. People are ridiculous!

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  14. Bahaha this is why you're fantastic!! xoxoxo!!

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  15. I'm soooo like you! Other people need to stay out of other people's business. The way you parents is not going to be the same as anyone else. People need to get that.

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