There Are No Wrong Decisions, Just Choices.

My brother recently announced that he and my sister-in-law are having their first baby. This is major news on so many levels. First, they have been together since I was 12 years old (over 17 years, umm hmm) and married over ten of those. I was confident that they would never have a child and not because they would not want one or because they would not be able to conceive. No, my brother and his wife are plagued with a very burdensome disease: indecision.

I love my brother and my sister-in-law, but they do not excel at making decisions. I do not care that they were top of their classes with 4.0’s in college. Ask them what they want for dinner tonight and you will get a dissertation of options. It took them 4 years to finally break down and buy the right TV. To make their indecision even more of a burden is that are very concerned with things being natural, good for the environment, but more importantly, safe for themselves.

Therefore, its organic milk and raw sugar, they are going to put in wood floors because of the possible chemicals used in making carpeting. Now, they are finding it hard to find truly chemical free floors that they can afford. They informed me that just because it says “green” does not mean it is chemical free. Recycled wood does not mean it is chemical free. A clear coat or stain is often the problem.

You can imagine how overwhelmed they are then with the plethora of options in the world of baby merchandise.

This brings me to my original statement. As much as I roll my eyes at my brother, I do appreciate how health conscious they are and how badly they want a safe environment for their new baby. I am confident, even though I have a house full of stuff they can use, they will decline. Most of it will not meet their stringent standards.

At first, I was taken aback as it would seem that they do not approve of some of the products I used, non-organic material for onsies for example (seriously), or the fact that I do not use cloth diapers. I realized though that they are running all their ideas past me because they are looking for my approval. Despite the fact that I did not go completely organic, I have a very healthy and happy baby; and that is ultimately their number one goal.

It was after discussing diaper options and ointments that my brother said, “I just want to do the right things, maybe we are over thinking some of this stuff”. That is when I turned to him and said, “There are no wrong choices, we just make the best decisions we can with the information we have and try and do what we think is best for our families. If you do your best and make the choices that feel right to you, then you are doing the right thing”.

I could not believe how much my brother’s demeanor then changed. It was as if a huge burden had lifted from his shoulders. It was at that very moment he realized they do not need anyone’s approval: not the naturalist woman or the doctors or mine.

If you find you are overwhelmed with indecision or making the right decision or if you find that, others criticize or don’t approve of your way because it is different from theirs, remember there is more than one right path to a happy healthy baby and family.