Since I last blogged, quite a bit has changed in my life. The biggest change is that I became a parent. I now have my Booba who toddles madly around the house, wreaking havoc. Other than the fact that a baby's reach is always farther than you think it is, the biggest lesson for me has been that people constantly feel the need--the right? the obligation?--to question others' parenting judgement. Family, friends, acquaintances, and assorted strangers feel the need to offer unsolicited advice.
The first time this registered to me, Booba was only a couple of weeks old. I was pulling him out of the car and securing him in the baby carrier when some random woman came up to me and insisted that I needed to always cover his eyes and keep him out of the sun. Apparently this rule was even important during the 30 seconds it was taking to slide him into the carrier. I was not impressed, but kept quiet because I really do try to respect elders. Apparently I did a poor job, as my aunt later informed me that I gave her a...quelling look.
So, the other day I'm talking with my friend and she asks whether I'm going to "let him eat meat." Um...there are really two responses to this:
1. Sure--when he's old enough to make an informed decision on his own, he is perfectly welcome to use a portion of his allowance to purchase meat. I would guide him toward healthy choices that were raised humanely and sustainably, but otherwise, it's really up to him.
2. So...are you going to let your kid be an atheist? What?!? You mean you're taking him to church with you on Sundays? You're not giving him a choice? What if he doesn't want to go to church? Oh, you mean as his parent you raise him to according to your ideas of what is good and right? You think that when they're small they need to be guided and directed? Really? I see.
Perspective, people, perspective.
