So my hubby complained that I put things away. Of course I do. We have a very small place and he has A LOT of stuff. Stuff that lays where ever there is space. Stuff that piles so high I can't get to the computer, or safely walk through our entry way. Sweetie Pie, even our little one knows how to pick up his toys and help me clean up. If you don't want me to put your stuff away pick up your own toys. Oh, and the stuff he was trying to find was fairly easily accessible. I told him where it was. He only had to move a couple of things. 

I have some Mommy frustrations too. Our little guy can read. He LOVES to read. He isn't even two yet and he reads about 100 words. I thought it was 60 words until I started making reading cards for him. He actually throws a fit when I put his reading cards away. So, when other people see that he can read at this young age I get a lot of unwanted feedback. "Just let him be a kid" "What is he going to do in school when other kids are learning to read?" "Why are you pushing him?". I don't push him. We only read when he asks for it. But he really likes it. Just because he can read does not make him any less of a kid. He still plays with other kids and likes things that other kids like. And why would I worry about what he would do in school just because he has already learned the material. There are always things that can be done. Why should I ignore my child's desire to learn something just because most children are not learning that yet? I do get a lot of great advice from other mothers but sometimes I wish people would just let me raise my child the way I want. He is a very happy, outgoing little guy who just loves to explore and learn. I go with that.

Oh, and why is there this perfect Mommy conspiracy. I could not for the life of me figure out how people with toddlers are able to clean the house. I always thought other mothers pulled it all together somehow... caring for the little one, cleaning, shopping, running errands, and cooking. And some Mommies have outside jobs too! I couldn't cut it. I asked my Mom how she did it and a huge wave of relief came over me when she said she hired a baby sitter once a week so she could clean. WOW!!! Then I started asking around and other Mommies were feeling as inadequate as I was, until I told them the secret. Ladies the secret is out. We are not miracle workers. We do not have to keep this fact secret. Instead of trying to break eachother down to make us look better, lets support each other.

Comments

[Dad]

This is precisely why we moved far away from nearly everyone we knew when you were about your son's age. This was a drastic choice and certainly would not work for everyone, but it was the choice we made. Unfortunately, by moving away from our critics when you were young, we also removed ourselves from the good counsel that was mixed in among the criticism and negative comments.

Stick to your guns. No one knows what is right for your child more than you and your husband, no matter how educated or experienced the critics may be. You are the one that is with your child every day, every hour, every minute and you know what works and what doesn't (or you learn by trial and error).

My input is that you are doing the right thing and that you and your husband are great parents. Both of you are far more mature, experienced, and knowledgeable than I was when you were a tot.