Maybe it was because last night I had one of those nightmares in which I was pregnant again. Or, it may be because I know too many women who have lost their babies. Whatever it is, I was turned off to find an article titled “How Social Media Is Giving My Pregnancy Anxiety” in my Twitter feed.
I’ve written before how I don’t relate to the articles in parenting magazines. I’ve had a distaste for them ever since a particular one repeatedly arrived unsolicited in my mail box to explain the exciting things occuring during my pregnancy long past the time my pregnancy was cut short.
I suppose I don’t find the cloth diaper or breast feeding debates interesting because I didn’t really have a choice in either (and I couldn’t care less what other people do). Despite Charlie doing well, I can’t pretend that I fret over what kind of preschool she should attend or the latest (and trendiest) toddler activity.
I wanted to give the author and the title the benefit of the doubt. Maybe the author was concerned for her pregnancy because of all the awareness posts regarding premature birth and pregnancy complications. I clicked on the link hoping to find some mention of all that.
Nope. It was concern over whether her baby shower would be Pinterest worthy and the appearance of Facebook photos. Once again, another parenting article that I found to be not relatable in the very least.
I don’t understand the whole parenting magazine or website thing. Most of the articles I come across are of no interest to me. However, I do wonder if they would be more appealing had I had a healthy pregnancy and carried Charlie to term.
I simply want to enjoy the time I have with Charlie. One day, I will look back on this time as the best years of my life. I don’t need validation of my parenting ability or do I desire to be the best parent. Secretly, I think we are all messing it up in some way and that’s OK. But, you know what? To Charlie, I’m the best mommy there is and that’s what matters to me.
Cheering on Charlie 
September 9th, 2014 at 9:19 PM
I agree completely. I have friends who are breastfeeding advocates… and I couldn’t/was forced not to… had to throw out 6 months of pumped BM. I roll my eyes at so many of the parenting posts I see via email, FB, etc. If people understood the heartache involved in the limited activities we can do at the park… as an example… the drama wouldn’t matter. My showers (planned for prior to my due date, both happened while Ella was in NICU), were nice but heart breaking at the same time… “Pintrest worthy” was not a bilip in my mind.
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September 9th, 2014 at 9:26 PM
Indeed, so much heart break. Many hugs to you.
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September 11th, 2014 at 7:34 PM
Congratulations on having your priorities right. Because of them, Charlie is enjoying some of the best days of his life, too. Thank you for adding this post to Tuesday’s DifferentDream.com link up.
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