Parenting 101: Ever said never?

September 21, 4:21 PMSt. Louis Family & Parenting ExaminerAngela Atkinson

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the St. Louis Family & Parenting Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

  Image Credit: Tina Mal

"When I have children, they will never do that!"

Every parent has heard this statement, spoken under some "non-parent's" breath about a child or his behavior. Even fellow parents may utter this vexing type of  dig--usually when their children haven't reached the particular age of the child to whom they're referring.

It can certainly feel upsetting, but try to let it roll off your back.

After all, if  we're honest with ourselves, how many parents can recall saying something just like that before having kids--and then being smacked squarely in the face with the reality of being a parent years later?

Don't worry, you're not alone.

In fact, we talked with several area moms, asking them if, before they were parents, they ever said "never."

“I always swore I would never leave my mom's house with food she sent home. We never left my grandma's house without some sort of food. Most of the time it got thrown out, but I always swore I would never do that. And lately, I’ve been leaving my mom's house with food.  Ah, the circle of life.” Ladonna Karpan, mom of 2

“Ok, I totally admit to about a million of those "I will never" things and my son is only 3! The main one being that I would never sleep with my child--I am totally opposed to the bed sharing thing--yet nursing and needing to get some sleep with a child who only slept when touching you meant years of bed sharing! In fact , we had a wake up last night at 5 a.m. and had a snuggle baby until I got up this morning.” Karin Oelzen, mom of 1

 “I said I would never ever yell at my kids....now I am yelling at grandkids.” Gail Eaton, mom of 5

“I never thought I'd be overly-strict with them.” Jennifer Wesselmann, mom of 3

“Let them cry and carry on in a grocery store. Of course it happened and sometimes still does. I just try to get out of there ASAP.” Karen Caraway, mom of 2

“I always said my kids would never act up in a store or church. They would be well behaved children. Yeah, right, like that really happened. In my dreams.” Mary Rogalski, mom of 3