My close friend recently had a baby through a sperm donor. We live on opposite sides of the world now, but I saw her while she was pregnant earlier this year. She has always been highly critical of others children and has no patience for any children that do not behave perfectly.
I did not think she was going to have children as she has no partner but then she became pregnant though a sperm donor. Good for her. I was absolutely gobsmacked though when we were at a party with about ten kids and they were being quite noisy. She rolled her eyes at the noise and said 'I'm going to have a quiet child' to which I replied 'Good luck with that' I could not believe she would say this. All children have their moments. She has mad similarly outrageous comments to my friends, but seems to then change her tune when she actually goes through the process. Like saying it was silly how women felt tired when pregnant. Then it happened to her.
She now has a baby who is 3 months old. We spoke for the first time on skype yesterday. The first things she said were how calm and chilled her baby was and how she sleeps through the night and has done for ages. Ahhh the honeymoon period. I had to hold my tongue to not say - ahh things will probably change honey. They won't stay this calm forever.
Then she went onto to tell me her bible on parenting book - French children don't throw food. I thought this was for children, not babies, but he seems to be using this a the go to book for everything. I have looked at it, but not read it all. seems you need to take with a grain of salt. My friend though wholly agrees with every word - all about not attending to childrens whims immediately, making them fit into your lifestyle, telling them you find their skits boring and to go and do it in their room. Now some of the book may have some good ideas, but as I said taken with a grain of salt. Suddenly I was being told by my friend I must go and buy two copies immediately. As I have a 4 year old DD, I feel like I have a view on this book and possibly more experience than my mate with a baby. I don't really think many of the suggestions are realistic. But she seems to be the authority on children and perfectly behaved children. I think she has no grip on what is about to hit her.
I think she thinks her child will never throw a tantrum, behave badly or embarrass her in public. I just don't know whether to call her up on thee things or jut sit back quietly and wait til reality hits. I just find her views very annoying!