1 First, will you do this naturally? This can even cause a riff between husband and wife, depending on the beliefs both have. In the end, it really should be up to mom and the doctor watching over her.

2 Choosing your child’s name.

3 If you are having a boy, will you circumsize or not?

4 Breastfeeding vs. Bottlefeeding

5 cloth diapers or store-bought diapers (pampers, cruisers, etc)

6 Who will wake up with the baby?

7 Where will the baby sleep? Crib, your bed, etc

8 How long will you wait before company can come over to meet the baby?

9 spanking or positive discipline

10 Working mom vs Stay at home mom

11 If you choose to work, how do you decide on a babysitter?

12 home daycare vs daycare center

13 public school vs homeschool

Did you do a Thursday Thirteen? Don’t forget to comment so I can visit you.

Post from: Babylune

The co-sleepers versus the crib fans

The cry it out crowd versus the cuddle to sleep crowd

If you’ve adopted a parenting philosophy and then found a group of like-minded parents online or in real life who hold the same philosophy, do you ever wonder if you’ve been indoctrinated into a cult while you weren’t paying attention?

Since I’ve had a second child, I don’t hold myself to the same standard that I used to and as a result. I’ve become a lot more tolerant of other people’s parenting choices. But, I still see a lot of arguments in birth clubs and online message boards that make it seem like more and more battle-lines are being drawn in the sand every day in which each party seems to repeat the mantra of everyone else on “their side.”

I used to get a real charge out of explaining my position on every parenting issue that was ever brought up. Now, though, I just don’t have the extra emotional energy. I guess all this conflict keeps the parenting gurus’ books selling though.

What about you?

Post from: Babylune