magazines & messages

[shadowbaby4]

Owen's school sent home another issue of Parent & Child, which I'm reading solely for the rage it induces. Makes me realize how much I've got right as a parent. I think about things. I have a brain and I'm not afraid to use it! It horrifies me how many parents just accept the messages they're given by the advertising industry without examining

Comments

[pearlsforswine]

God, YES to everything you said! I could write a whole blog post in response to this. All mainstream media, especially magazines, are just glorified advertisements. The fashion mags are the worst, devoting whole articles to how great the products their sponsor-of-the-month is peddling. If you want a truly lulzy baby gimmick, google "pee-pee tee-pee for the sprinkling wee wee". I will say that I had one of those demonic robot reading teddys when I was a kid and I loved it. My mom read to me often (I'll say a minimum of once a day) but that creepy thing was my security blanket

[shadowbaby4]

It's shocking how few hospitals are educated about, and supportive of, breastfeeding. I'm lucky to live in a fairly progressive area that way, but I don't think most moms are that lucky. I'm sorry you got such unhelpful advice.

Oh, and I've actually got a picture of the Pee Pee Teepees on my phone. I spotted them in a store and couldn't believe people actually buy them!

[ext_653692]

You sound like one of the very rare, sane mothers this country needs, Amanda. I am so proud of you. Those kids will hopefully grow up a lot better because of you. You may not be able to shield them from all of media's negative messages, but at least you're trying your hardest.

[shadowbaby4]

I do try!

Absolutely

[ext_646865]

I agree with so much you have said! As a new mom, I felt (and sometimes do feel) like I am lost and wandering around in a sea of information about what is the "right thing" to do for my baby. There are so many mixed messages out there (hospitals, pediatricians, family, friends, etc). Everyone offers you their two cents, and it's all conflicting information! If I wasn't trying to pay attention and look at all my options, then I would (and perhaps in some cases already have) fallen into the marketing/popular opinion trap. I know I am going to make stupid "new mom" mistakes by taking the "easy" road sometimes, but I try to really think things out. I want to set a good example for my baby, so as she grows up she'll see me making decisions based on my own set of values, and not what the mass media pushes down our throats. My girl will play in the dirt and love it, just like I did :) And, I will read to her myself! Thanks for your post!

Re: Absolutely

[shadowbaby4]

Kat, I think you put your finger on what's important--modeling behavior. Kids mimic their parents behavior, so if we show our children how to think about media messages, they'll grow up having that skill. At least, I hope so.

[tobiasbulu]

Plain and simple! I like your work!

[ifiwasemu]

new clothes every season when my old ones were perfectly good It didn't occur to me that money does