Parenting...my thoughts

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I wrote this a few yrs ago...this is how I sum up Parenting.... Parenting.... Many women such as myself, have been blessed with the ability to give birth. IMO, the gift of bringing a life into this world is truly wonderful. *evil grin* From the moment you find out you're pregnant and decide to "take the plunge" into parenthood.....your life will never be the same! First, you have pregnancy and all the advice (generally welcomed and wanted during your 1st time but any prgs after that its pretty much more of a pain then helpful LOL). Oh and the questions! Should I stay with my GP or go to an Ob/gyn or maybe a Midwife? Should I quit work? Right side or left side for sleeping at night? Should I take heartburn medicine or eat crackers?...and the list will go on and on and on!! You survive all of this and get to the end of your pregnancy and all your friends and family are pretty sure they have you prepped for labor and deliever...yea right! Is it going to hurt, I know its going to hurt isn't it? Epidureal or natural? What if I don't make it to the hospital and the baby is born on the city bus?! Will I be allowed to scream? What if I faint? What if I accidently pee on the doctor?! (hey don't laugh I did! twice!!) and so on and so on..Well you've made it this far and deliever goes by without a hitch. There you lay, all exhausted and glowing, with this beautiful miracle of life sleeping blissfully in your arms. Everyone around you is gushing and cooing etc etc but what they ALL seem to forget to tell you is you have just boarded the biggest ride of your life..but don't worry because sooner or later you'll hear that amusment park loudspeaker voice in you head say; "Welcome!! "Please keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times because you WILL experience bumps, sharp turns and loop - de - loops at any given moment without warning! and Thank you for taking a chance on the ride we more experienced folk now call 'Life'!" Ha! Bet you thought the worst was over didn't you? Figured it would be a breeze from here on maybe?! WRONG..My friend, the really good stuff is just beginning! Naturally there will be tons more questions that'll rattle your brain and have you calling long distance at 3am! Believe me, once you little bundle of joy has arrived safely into the world and you get him/her home, you'll be surprised at some of the crazy assed questions you'll come up with!! Ah yes, the joys of being a parent *sighs* Don't worry though you'll make it through the newborn stage, then there's the crawling stage, the walking stage, etc and all that goes relatively smoothly. Then they hit that age when they walk, talk and can even understand what you are saying but oddly enough, for whatever reason they DON'T LISTEN!! This is where I got scared...why? well they continue to grow, get older, their vocabulary gets quite large, they learn more and more everyday etc but they STILL don't listen!! I was convinced that my 2 who are now 5 1/2 and 7 were broken because no matter HOW you tell them something, how loud or firmly and even in different languages they look at me completely blank faced until I am done ranting, then they just shake their heads as if I'm on glue and then go RIGHT BACK TO DOING WHAT I JUST FINISHED TELLING THEM NOT TO DO!!! You know what I think? I think its a conspericy of some sort. All the little kids in the world gather together at night some how, planning...they're all going to drive their parents insane and then take over the world!! *big sigh* Seriously though, what ARE the rules for parenting? I mean other than the obvious which would be giving your children the necessities in life (you know clothing, shelter, food, water them everyday etc) and of course loving our children UNCONDITIONALLY, protecting them, provide them with knowledge and teaching them to be compassionate and understanding etc..Other than that, ARE there any set rules? I personally don't think so. Yet you have society dictating to you and strangers telling you that you're doing it wrong.....Everyone and their mother have this crazy belief that they know whats right for your child/ren and you are WRONG WRONG WRONG! In everything from how you breastfeed (if you do/did) to which school you put your child in and what religion you teach them! IMO I say we should do what WE think is best. If you're not sure then try a few differen things - *added/altered for this thread* you'll figure it out and everything will be fine.....Welcome to the world of parenting...THE BEST RIDE IN LIFE!!!