Instinct? What is it? When I think about instinct; I think about the natural instinct to run away if I was to come across a bear, and no one can really tell me to do otherwise - because thats my natural instinct. A fight or flight response to the situation. However, when it comes to motherhood our natural instinct to embrace our children, feed our babies, settle our little tired ones, discipline even what we dress our bundles of cuddles in come under constant scrutiny. By ourselves, fellow mums, family, society and the media.
So often, I hear mums say that even though their instincts tell them otherwise - they MUST follow what the book says, or else they will fail as mums, their babies will develop bad habits, their toddlers need to learn to be independent to become an adult. I've read parenting books, blogs, resources - lots of them. But over the years as a mum I have learnt to read these resources with some discernment. There will never be a 'one size fits all' approach to parenting, as we are all individual - both us and our babies. However, I am such a huge believer that we as mums MUST follow our natural instincts to raise OUR family the way OUR instincts tell us too.
We as mums need to stop doubting ourselves, stop judging ourselves and others and place more trust in our natural instincts as mums. What natural instincts have you followed? Or wish you had?
The Reflective Mum xx
So often, I hear mums say that even though their instincts tell them otherwise - they MUST follow what the book says, or else they will fail as mums, their babies will develop bad habits, their toddlers need to learn to be independent to become an adult. I've read parenting books, blogs, resources - lots of them. But over the years as a mum I have learnt to read these resources with some discernment. There will never be a 'one size fits all' approach to parenting, as we are all individual - both us and our babies. However, I am such a huge believer that we as mums MUST follow our natural instincts to raise OUR family the way OUR instincts tell us too.
We as mums need to stop doubting ourselves, stop judging ourselves and others and place more trust in our natural instincts as mums. What natural instincts have you followed? Or wish you had?
The Reflective Mum xx
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