Since Hannah arrived, I find myself looking back with distaste. Things that I said, things that I did, and beliefs that I held pre-baby now seem ridiculous, irritating, or just plain silly. Of course, I expected this sort of thing to happen. Any change as life-shattering as becoming a parent is bound to shake things up a little. However, I don’t think I could ever have predicted what would become my new pet peeves.

Here are some of things that I have come to hate since becoming a mom:

1. The ‘Baby Whisperer’ show – I can’t stand watching babies cry while their parents try to teach them to sleep. I’m not judging anyone’s choices, I just get enough baby crying at home, thank-you-very-much.

2. Baby dolls with baby bottles – Why would we teach all little children that milk comes from a bottle, when most new moms breastfeed?

3. The phrases ‘making strange’ and ‘playing strange’ – Infants who prefer their primary caregivers are going through a normal developmental stage. They are not ‘making’ or ‘playing’ anything–they don’t even have bladder control, for crying out loud.

4. My soaker tub – This is lovely to bathe in yourself, but I can’t bathe Hannah in there yet, because I can’t reach over the sides to support her.

5. Lazy elevator riders – If you are in a wheelchair, are pushing a stroller, or have mobility problems, take the elevator. If you are 16 years old and talking on your cell phone, do not attempt to cram in. Take the escalator–it’s really no more work on your part.

When I was pregnant, a co-worker gave me an old baby book. It was a lovely gesture, and I really appreciated the thought behind it. I have looked through the book, and I have found some of the content valuable. For example, they had a paragraph about how some mothers warm up to their babies more slowly, and that paragraph was a life-saver to me in the early days. However, the book is a little outdated, and most of the advice doesn’t jive with my personal parenting style.

So, I went and bought a book that did jive with my parenting style. Jon commented that it’s funny how we read books that confirm what we already believe. He wondered what the point was even in buying the book, if we just wanted someone to echo our own thoughts. I think there are two reasons.

The first reason for buying any baby book is to have a reference for common infant issues and behaviours. This is useful and sufficient by itself. The second reason for buying a baby book is to find support as a new parent. Reading something that tells you, basically, that you’re a good parent is the best support. Since there’s no single right or wrong way to raise a child, why not feel good about your choices? As long as you’ve got the basics covered, a happy parent is more important than almost any other choice you make. So, I read the book that makes me happy.