Oh the bad things I've done (thus far)

So being a mother is not easy. You have to make decisions that you feel are the best for your child or situation at that given moment. So here it is, my list of bad things that I've done in the last 15 months. 

1. I had an epidural. Gasp! I caved and received it about 45 minutes after they broke my water - 8 hours after being induced and I'm thankful I did! I had a wonderful delivery about three hours after receiving it.

2. Nursed Rory in public. That's right, in the front row at church, on the airplane, in the store, in the car, in a restaurant, anywhere I was able to. And yes, I think the person in the pew over in church got to see a very good shot of my entire left boob and had the man on the plane ride not fallen asleep I'm sure he would have seen them too!

3. I (we) co-slept. 

4. Gave Rory crap food instead of healthy foods. Sometimes a hot dog is just easier than making up a whole damn three course meal. And sometimes she just walks around eating cheerios all day. And yes, she has had a few happy meals even.

5. I let her cry it out in her bed and guess what? She is still one of the happiest babies in the world in the morning when she wakes up. There isn't a day that goes by when she doesn't wake up smiling and singing in the morning.

6. I have let her watch PBS kid shows like Dinosaur Train and Sid the Science Kid. She doesn't really care for Sesame Street. She also watches movies with mommy and daddy for family time.

7. I let her listen to any type of music. I like a variety, as does her father. 

8. I let her eat dog food. Why? Because it's not going to kill her and you know what? She grew out of that phase. She even picks up Roscoe's food that he leaves outside his dish now and puts them IN his bowl for him.

9. I let my child run around without clothes on or just a diaper most of the time. Oh NO! What about chiggers and bugs and sunburn and that's just gross and indecent! She is a kid. Let her be a kid!

10. I let my child run around barefoot. ^^^^ Read above thank you.

11. I use cloth AND disposable diapers!!! AAAAHHHH Both sides just had heart attacks!

I know there are other things I've done that people will probably think is just terrible but I don't consider any of those really "bad" things. 

I know co-sleeping can be dangerous but we were VERY careful and one of us was usually awake when she was with us anyway. I mean she sleeps sideways for crying out loud or like a starfish, who in a non drugged state of mind could sleep through little jabs at you with feet in the night. Or better yet, who could sleep through a child that flings her arms and smacks you in the face, or decides it's time to nurse and practically rips your shirt off. Not I, No Not I.

I also realize that dog food probably made some of you throw up in your mouth a little. Every kid that has an animal in their home has most likely eaten that animals food at some point. I just picked it up and pulled what I could out of her mouth...she is still living though. And ya know, a Dr once said - if your dog hasn't died yet most likely she won't either. 

I may have lost a little respect from some of you so called "perfect" mothers out there who only feeds their child organic foods, cloth diapers with only the best diapers, keeps the dog food away from said child's mouth, makes sure their little precious is clothed head to toe in top notch clothes, and would never dream of letting their darling baby cry it out because it will ruin them for life. You know what though, I bet you have flaws too. 

I'm not ashamed of how I am as a mother. I have a damn smart child, who already has the vocab of a 2-3 year old (she is 15 months today), she loves to sing and dance, write, play, keep an eye on her dog, and again is probably one of the happiest little girls I have ever met in my life. She is also caring, stubborn and just plain silly but I wouldn't have her any other way. So if you are a mom, do what you need to do for your child. If that means cloth diapering then so be it. If you want to formula feed so be it. Don't let any other mother tell you you are doing something wrong. Remember they have flaws too, they just aren't willing to share them.