to wonder what has happened to the task of being a parent in the last 7 years

[OrmRenewed]

that has made it such a minefield of terrors?

Because either it has changed beyond recognition since my youngest was born, the world has become much more dangerous, or I was always a very careless (and lucky) parent.

I didn't worry much about ponds, dogs, medecine, choking on lego or grapes, gps breaking the rules, food, strangers touching my baby ....I don't mean I didn't think about the risks, I did but generally considered it not worth much angst.

Is my assumption that the world is really a good and positive place, not one full of danger, out-of-date?

Thank fuck I am done with it now

Lady

Seriously, though.... in my day.....

The backpack has a handle on the top and a rein that can be stored inside. It's just like normal reins really, just easier (sometimes) to persuade the child to wear.

My sister's children are older than mine (10 and 8, mine are 2 and 3 months) and we were talking about this. She thinks that the sheer amount of information available over the internet means parents these days have more things to worry about. I tend to agree really, almost every day I stumble across something new that I could start worrying about, either on the internet or in the media. Everyone I meet in RL just seems to get on with it and hope for the best. I think it's probably just the result of being able to meet so many mothers (over the internet) rather than people actually becoming more neurotic.

We have a backpack thing, and I always get complimented on how it's better than using reins - no idea why! I just got it so we could have an extra bag to put stuff in.

I only found the backpack better because I could fool DS into wearing it! He protested bitterly about reins but thought the backpack was a cool accessory to store his Iggle Piggle in .

PS. In some ways it's easier too as you can hold onto the handle of the 'leash' bit by putting it around your wrist while you push a pram/pushchair, and it's longer than reins.

Thanks! So it's not just my perception then. Ha!

ssd - of course I'm being patronising. As the mother of 3 including a 13yr old I'm allowed, nay, supposed to patronise those newer to the game Hey, I've earned my stripes you know.... Seriously, I didn't mean to be, but honestly it does seem as if parents worry about much more, whether or not there is much more to worry about I don't know?

Actually reins and dummies were the 2 things I used to be a bit sniffy about pre-kids. Would never use them, oh no. Within a few weeks I was desperate to give DS#1 a dummy but he was having none of it! And as for reins? He used to try and roll on the ground to get them off him like a puppy with a new collar. Never worked

i wouldn't go to a toddler group where i didn't get to ignore my kids and drink too much coffee. this is just NSC snobbery dressed up as wisdom.

Riven I am with you ( ledest 18 in 3 weeks)

Toddler groups used to be about supporting the parent. Now they are about 'activities'

Yawn ( pass the muffins!)

from ds state primary school at least 3/30 are hoping to go to oxbridge this year

2 state comprehensive
1 state grammar

sorry wrong thread ( and i think in 6 years that may well be the only time i have done that!)

DD is 7 months, ds was 7 and the amount of STUFF I am expected to own and have read is madness from what I rmember first time around.

I went along to M&B group for newborns, expecting biscuits and chats when dd was born - but no we sat in a circle and sang wind the bobbin up .... ffs they couldn't even lift their heads yet?!

In regards to the reins, once ds was walking well but not yet safe to walk alongside without assessing dangers I used to take great delight in taking Ds out with an old puppy lead attatched to either his froggy backpack or more often than not the back belt loop of his trousers.

I can honestly say that the only two looks i recieved were either smiles or a cats bums - no middle ground at all, and I will probably be doing the same again with dd. So ner to cats bummers.

ds is 7 --sorry

Well I love reins and will be using them for DS, worked for the other two. Never seen anyone using them round here hence the look from the other mums but maybe I will start a new retro type revival.

I really can't be arsed with all the frantic parenting that goes on round here. DS was at toddler group last week and decided to sample some of the rain water in the back of one of the ride on things before proceeding to wash his face with it and then wandered off to eat some sand . He was perfectly happy, I shrugged, Some of the mums near by nearly choked on their coffee.

It's true that because forums such as MN are here - and they are anonymous - you feel you are ale to ask the most bizzarre, paranoid and precious questions that you would never dare ask in RL!

The other day I was wondering how on earth my mother made some of the decisions she did when we were little, with no family support and living in a very rural area, without the benefit of MN! It was then that I had to have a little word with myself and realise that plenty of people manage to make good, sound and safe parenting choices without having to consider the MN verdict first. And very liberating that must be too!!!