[JeanLynn81]

I'm not an attachment parenting role model or anything. I formula feed. I don't sleep with my dd in my bed, but her crib is in my room just a few inches away. But I never let her cry-I run to her when she starts to whimper and carry her just about everywhere with me. My mom hates this-but her Bumbo seat is in the bathroom, and if she's really crabby she comes with me.

Pardon me, but I need to vent about something now. I HATE it when people say "You know its okay to let her cry." and/or "Crying helps them develop their lungs." Like her lungs are going to shrivel up and waste away if she never cries. Sheesh. Or the worst one.."You know..babies do cry." NO WAAAY...Really?! And now she's getting to the age where I even hear "She's just crying to get attention-she doesn't need anything." Ok well ya just contradicted yourself..she does need something and that's attention. Which I am more than happy to give to her. Does this drive anyone else crazy? I swear the next person who says one of those things to me is going to get an earful.

My dd is a very happy baby and as far as I know is developing just fine. I want her to save the crying for when something is truly wrong. If I let her cry all the time, how would I know if she was sick or just wanting attention? Right now, she knows all she has to do is whimper and I'm there. When she's in pain (like teething or belly ache) its a full on cry and I know she needs more than just a cuddle or a bottle or a diaper change!

I also had a friend's mom bring up the Ferber (sp?) method a few days ago. I think the Ferber method is horrible and mean! She's concerned that Alyssa is still waking up alot at night. Well anywhere up to 3 times to eat and a few times just wanting to be rocked back to sleep. Why should she care if I don't? My dd is not going to be a baby forever and will sleep through the night eventually. She's growing up too fast for me to want to miss out on anything. Sorry if I'm rambling. I am just SO MAD that people have the nerve to tell me these things.

I wish my friends and family (and, yes, even strangers say this to me!) would just butt out and leave the parenting style up to me!!!!

*Please feel free to add your own rants to this thread! (Just stick to the basic subject of opinions other people have on how you raise your child.)