Wow, sorry it's so late girls! Crazy day....

Question:

How do you/ will you raise your children differently than you were raised?

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I was always encouraged to do very well in school, and I did. However, I wasn't really encouraged to participate in sports, or things like that. I think it's so important and I plan to be a big support system to my kids in that way.

Also...my mother wasn't very affectionate. She was raised in a house where you didn't talk about feelings or emotions and was sort of the same way with us. I want to have a very open relationship with my kids and talk, talk, talk.

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Wow, Mandy. That's a loaded question there.

My parents put a lot of pressure on me to succeed and I think they really did it unconsciously. I was the "miracle" baby. They were told they couldn't have children and then here I came. I think without really realizing it, they put a lot of pressure on me to be "perfect." My dad still to this day is very controlling. He is a very negative man also. The glass is always 3/4 empty. I don't want to be this way with my children. I want them to succeed and become good people, but I don't want to pressure them too much. I want my children to feel like they can be whoever and whatever they want to be in life. I also want them to live in a very positive, nurturing environment.

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We don't spank, pull hair or use the belt, as was done in our households.

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Kate
hcg @ 12 dpo 95.4, Progesterone 18
@ 17 dpo 960.6
@ 26 dpo 28,970.8
Heartrate @ 33 dpo (6w5d) 130

Beansie's EDD: May 12 (arrived May 10)
Lucky Clover's EDD: July 2 (arrived July 3)
Little Boo's EDD: January 25 (arrived January 31)
Heartrate @ 8w3d 174

Most important, neither of us were raised in an exciting, fun, relevant church atmosphere, but our kids will be!! That is very important to us, and we go to an awesome church with absolutely amazing children's ministry. When I've volunteered there before I've thought, Man! I wish children's church had been like this when I was little, I wouldn't have had to be dragged kicking and screaming!!!

Also, my mom wasn't all that affectionate, open, or wanting to do girly things
with me, and I DO want to be extremely affectionate, fun, and open!! And my dad traveled with work all the time so wasn't home a lot, and we don't plan on that being an issue with us.

Also, DH's family could not (and CAN not) manage money to save their lives. We're not perfect by a long shot, but want to be responsible with our money so the children don't have to worry about when the next paycheck is coming!!

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Growing up, my parents hid alot of things from us about the family, and now I'm still finding out about it. With my kids we talk about everything in the open. There are no secrets.

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Michelle wife to Scott


August William or Alexa Faith/Lauren Elisabeth arriving October 14, 2008.


The day you deliver, outside will be cloudy. Your baby will arrive in wee hours of the morning .

After a labor lasting approximately 22 hours, your child, a girl, will be born. Your baby will weigh about 8 pounds, 7 ounces, and will be 21 inches long. This child will have blue eyes and a little patch of brown hair.

Okay, Sarah, these two could have been written by me!! I have said sooo many times, "I wish I would have had a Mr. Marsh in my life when I was younger" He is our children's church pastor and I think he is amazing! And my IL's also have some serious budgeting issues. Thankfully dh learned what not to do by watching them and does not follow in their footsteps.

The biggest thing I can think of other than what Sarah said for me is that I am of a very AP mindset and will definitly do the exclusive breastfeeding, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, etc that my mom didn't really follow strictly.

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