How to bite your tongue...

[mrsflibble]

I am a member of a parenting forum which I love, it's a lovely community... but I often have to bite my tongue because being a hippymama I am in a minority...

today there is a discussion about pull ups. Now, I was a big advocate of disposable nappies I must say, i only became a cloth convert when sophie was about to start potty training (i had tried them when she was younger and hated them) but even when i used dispsable nappies i hated the idea of pull ups 'cos i think they confuse kids. I'm finding it really hard not to fly off the handle and say something I will regret... but also finding it really hard to ty and put my real feelings into words. i know i can put it here 'cos most of you are in agreement, but when you're a minority, how do you get your point across without seeming like a total mentalist?!

thanks!!

[LBR]

Mrs. Flibble, I don't know if my two-cents-worth is any help. But, here goes.

When I want something which I find important to be really understood, I try to stick to the facts as best I understand them. I try to be as gracious and kind as I know how to be, and to wait to post until I'm not emotionally attached to others agreeing. I sometimes draft a post and get everything all written out, edit it a few times, and then realize I don't need to post it. Forums can be like small towns, and once in a while, they can be thin ice.

Best wishes to you in stating the case for diapers being diapers, and underwear being underwear. I've heard and read about children getting confused as to what to do with which. Makes sense to me.

[Hairyloon]

but when you're a minority, how do you get your point across without seeming like a total mentalist?!

Just make your point sensibly without ranting and don't worry if they think you're a mentalist.
They're only internet denizens, they're not real. ;)

[Green Aura]

Your point of view is just as valid as anyone elses. Who knows, there may be other mums out there too shy to say just the same thing.

If you want my twopennorth on the pullups front, I think people try to potty train their kids far too early.

My gal was 2 and some. I'd bought her a potty which we played with and "talked about" for months and I told her that one day she'd know she wanted to wee and poo - like she saw me do on the loo. One day she turned round and said she wanted to wee and that was it - she only had 2 mishaps (at night) and after a couple of weeks went straight into knickers.

I'm probably very lucky but I'd seen so many other mums frantic that their babies weren't potty trained and getting their kids in a tizz too. I was determined it would be a calm experience for us both. As with everything, I found her level of understanding ages in front of her ability to convey, so talking and simply explaining things worked wonders for us.

[mrsflibble]

thankyou for being the voices of reason people!!!

yeas, i too think kids are potty trained too early by panicky parents. mainly round here it's 'cos one preschool will take kids in nappies, but have limited space for kiddies, and the other wont. Soph goes to the one that will but thankfully potty trained herself (practically) before she started at school.

one of my l'il bro's was 3yrs 9 months old when he was finally dry during the day, and had nappies at night for another 6 months.