[CrunchyBean]

Now, let me start this dangerous question off by saying I'm just a wannabe mama and I'm sure things come into focus when you have little ones, but...

Do your kids ever feel "weird"?
I plan to have water birth, raise veggie kids, homeschool, chuck the TV, and so on. Everyone wants to protect their child, of course, but I worry about OVERsheltering them. How should I bring balance into their lives? I just worry about my children feeling like they're weird, and I'm sure there are bratty kids (and even clueless parents) out there who will pick on them, regardless of whether it's the right lifestyle or not. I'm an experienced "oddball" and can deal with skeptics, but how do you help your kids through this?

 

[Kidzaplenty]

I guess you can never really protect them from all that is out there. The best way I have taught my own children to deal with this is by explaining our differences (when circumstances arise) and giving them good solid information as to WHY we are different. Then I teach them why other people do things their way, and that we should always respect their way of life, just as we want them to respect ours. It does not alway work, but when we are respectful to others, it makes them more likely to be respectful back.

 

[~member~]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty I guess you can never really protect them from all that is out there. The best way I have taught my own children to deal with this is by explaining our differences (when circumstances arise) and giving them good solid information as to WHY we are different. Then I teach them why other people do things their way, and that we should always respect their way of life, just as we want them to respect ours. It does not alway work, but when we are respectful to others, it makes them more likely to be respectful back.

:

 

[mata]

my daughter is starting to encounter this in elementary school. we tell her she has a number of choices, depending on the circumstance. If the friend is receptive, she can share what her life is like. If she feels she isn't in a receptive environment, she doesn't need to volunteer any information she feels would mark her for "ridicule." One specific thing we dealt with last year was about cosleeping-some children teased her for it, some said they wished their parents would let them sleep in their beds.

 

[wednesday]

I would bet almost all kids think their is something really weird about their family.

 

[eastcoastmomof2]

Don't give that stuff a second thought.ids grow up feeling that their world (home, family, traditions, values, etc) is "normal". If anyone questions them on something, it's the same as nyone else. How eould you respond if someone said "Wow! you're weird, you sleep in a bed. In my house we sleep on a mat on the floor". Sound silly? Of course we relate best to what we know. You children won't feel odd or weird at all. And kids get teased. Water birth, vegetarian, homeschool, overweight, red hair & freckles, divorced parents, low income housing, too-fancy house, not too bright, egghead. Makes no difference. Raising your children in a loving, nurturing environment is all you can do. Whe they come home hurt by the words of others, be his/her comfort.

 

[CrunchyBean]

You guys are geniuses and I love you for it.

:

 

[normajean]

To tell the truth, and not to sound snobby, but I've managed to secure myself a reputation as intelligent, so I get more comments like "I wish I could be like that" comments. By now, people know I don't do anythning unless I have major research backing it up. I'm just nuts that way I guess.

And who talks about a lot of that stuff? I knew my mom had her babies in a birthing center, but it wasn't a topic of discussion with my friends, kwim?

 

[bjorker]

This is way OT and I'm sorry for that, but I couldn't help but notice your location. I haven't seen you on the local board, so I just wanted to say HOWDY neighbour!

As the column off to the left will tell ya, I'm down in Lynnwood, though on the north end near Everett. Drop by our tribal area sometime, there are plenty of people in the area if you are wanting to get to know others nearby that hold the same ideals. And if you're worried about socializing through the board while not having a child yet... I've met some TTC mamas here before, so no worries!

Okay, ramble off.

 

[CrunchyBean]

Thanks Bjorker!