Despite the criticism I get I do consider myself pretty dang good mom. We have uh, a different style of parenting. We all do though, right? That is what making parenting so awesome- you can do it how you want! And tell everyone else "Screw you we MADE this human, we can do what we want!" Yeah!

Obviously that doesn't stop everyone from judging each other. Mom wars and what not... am I the only one that finds them hilarious?

Anyway, so here is the thing, I am laid back parent. Thankfully my husband very willing adapted that style with me- although he does tend to freak out if her face is messy haha.  We don't hover, we don't freak out (a lot), we let her get dirty.
*Can I tell you how many times someone has said to me "Ashley, she is going to get dirty!" SHE'S WHAT!!! How dare I let my poor baby girl get dirty! What ever will I do? Oh, yeah... I have a bunch of wipes with me, we also own a thing called a bathtub. I'm going to ask you all to calm down.
She has even put some questionable things in her mouth. I'm here to tell you its okay, moms. It is okay.  

We also let her fall down. How dare you all gasp at me right now! Obviously if we see some damage is about to happen we intervene.   And I find it very annoying when she falls and other people are rushing to her aid like she fell off of the bed (which she never has, thank you very much!) Like, hello... she is barely 3 feet tall that was not a far trip.
Let me tell you why we let her fall down. It teaches her to pick herself back up. It teaches her hey, that wasn't so bad I don't need to cry over that- I've done way worse! It sometimes teaches her to NOT do that again, but then again it sometimes teaches her that was really fun and she wants to do it again- like when she flies face first into a ball pit, she loves it!
--I would also like to note that over this last year she has had very few bruises to her arms and legs from her adventures and one to her face, which happened at a babysitters house (also why I don't let just anyone watch her) no open wounds, and no trips to the hospital. So suck it, judgemental Judys.

I personally believe that right now- no matter how small she is- her personality is forming, its booming, and she is showing us who she is and who she will grow to be.
Who am I to tell her no every time she tries to do something?
Who am I to not let her experience life and learn?
Who am I to try to dull out her ever shining, intense sparkle?
Who am I to not let her be her?  

This is totally not to say we don't have rules. In fact, we are pretty strict about some things.
The first time she had something sweet was her first birthday- even then she got gipped because her cake was homemade and had no added sugar. I was nice enough to give her regular frosting, though.
We still don't really give her sweets. Once in a blue moon maybe. I even tried to give her a powdered donut and she threw it on the ground after 2 bites because it was too much.. she ate a banana instead.
Proud mommy moment. 

She gets 30-45 minutes of TV time and its educational shows mostly. I'll be honest, Mother Goose Club isn't that educational, but it has great songs that get stuck in your head all day!
Also, sometimes if she really just wants to cuddle I will willing give her an extra 20 minutes of TV time. I don't pass up cuddles.

I think that is it actually..

Oh, she's not allowed to play with power cords or stick things in electrical sockets.

Other than that the world is free game and I plan on showing it all to her.

You want to know when I'm going to start hovering and being crazy? When she turns 16.
You can't fool me, Brynlee. I was a crazy teenager once. I'm watching you. And by watching you I mean I probably will put a tracking device in your neck and I AM. WATCHING. YOU. From our computer screen.

Don't let that half of the post make you think I think I have it all together, because I definitely do not. I will let you all in on a secret- I'm totally winging it at least 80% of the time.
I have no clue what I'm doing! But, seriously.. do any of us?
I see these moms that are like I'm such a pro at this mom thing. 
Look at me and my baby we are totally dressed and ready for the day!
I had time to do my make up and hair! 
My baby is sooo well behaved. 
My baby only eats organic.
What? I don't even remember when I last washed my kid's hair. And I'm pretty positive I took her to
the store the other day with no pants on.

These moms are liars. That right, bitches. I'm calling you out.

How can you POSSIBLY have it all together? How can you POSSIBLY be a pro at being a mom when our children are growing and changing daily? You can not, my friends. You can not.
Are you trying to tell me the learning stage stops after the first year they are born?
What happens when they become a toddler?
A disgusting teenager?!
AN ADULT?!
Oh, you are having a second child and you aren't worried because you have done this before?
News flash- that new child of yours is not a clone. This will be totally different.
I mean, obviously you are seasoned enough to know what to expect or whatever, but still different!

Does this feel like a rant? I need to calm down on the coffee.

Embrace the fact that since you became pregnant- you will be learning and growing as a parent forever. Your child/ children will be teaching you how to handle things forever.
So stop stressing about not having it all together.
You will never have it all together and that is totally awesome.

This was two blog posts blurred into one, huh? I've been up since 4am I can not be trusted with anything right now.

This post wasn't to make it seem like I think my parenting style is best or anything. This was to say- it is cool you guys criticize me, I LOVE how we are raising our child. And we got it under control, so back up.
I support all moms and how they chose to raise their own children.
Are you laid back too? Right on!
Are you that super hovering mom that worries about everything? Right on, too!
I'm not here to criticize you, I think you are all awesome.
Embrace whatever type of mom you are.
Embrace the crazy.
All moms should stick together, if we did I bet we would all learn a thing or two.
Keep doing you, moms!


                        And now here are some pictures of my adorable child enjoying her life :)