No my daughter and son in law are not:

Weird

Crazy

Insane

Crunchy or

Condemning.



In fact these are some of the very things that my husband and I were
called almost thirty years ago when we started raising our own family.
In other words: I gave away the Dr. Spock book I got as a baby shower
gift and did my own thing.



I breastfed my babies for almost a year each. I made my own baby food
from veggies and meat we raised our selves. Yes, I used a playpen as my
safety net while I cooked or took a shower. I was called careless
because I let the infant sleep in my bed after the 2am nursing session.
The truth be told, both the baby and I fell asleep. Everyone got more
sleep. We tried to put the toddler into bed but that didn’t work: she
almost immediately proved very capable of removing her blankie, pillow,
and cuddle toy followed quickly by her out of her crib shortly after
the house got dark and quiet. All of this was carted piece by piece to
our room, She crept in and cuddled up to sleep next to either mommy or
daddy. They called us lazy, we called it practical. If I put her back,
she simply started the whole routine again. The next night we let her
stay in our bed- ahhh sleep! This worked great until dad did roll over
on her once, and she choose to sleep on the sheepskin covered chest at
the foot of the bed, cozy and content that mommy and daddy were near.
Four years later her brother came along and she happily moved into a
room with him.



Back to the playpen vs. pack or sling. The only baby pack I could find
was an uncomfortable front pack, and I never heard of a sling at all
back then. Personally I love the sling my daughter made for me. I’m
older and my arms and back can really use the support!



My daughter nurses her babies for a longer time than I did, but why
not? Mother nature intended us to do this as long as we could
physically and mentally handle the job. They are strong, healthy and
happy for it.



I applaud my daughter and son in laws plans to homeschool my grandkids.
I had many bad experiences with our local school system, attempting to
get my children’s needs met, so I can understand their rejection of the
system. I know I couldn’t have done homeschooling myself, but I will do
all I can to help my daughter school her little ones.



I guess what it all comes down to is my mom parented differently from
her mom, I did it different from my mom and now my kids will find their
own way. None of us were wrong, there is no accusation here, no
failure, no ridicule… just each of us doing what we could, with what we
had, the way that was right for our family.



So embrace the “new” ways and reap the rewards it will bring you:
respect and love from your kids and the joy of being with your
grandkids.