How many of you find yourselves doing the very thing you said you would never do as a parent?

My example, Baby Einsteind DVDs. Before I had dd, I swore I would never be one of those moms who sticks their kid in front of the tv as a babysitter. Well, I have just finished making dinner while dd bounced in the jolly jumper in front of Baby Da Vinci. I feel like such a bad mommy when I do this, but honestly, it keeps her much happier when I have to be doing something and she needs to be entertained (she is one year btw).
I can rationalize it all I want, but I still feel guilt. Anyone else feel this way about something?

By Jann on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 09:25 pm:

ROFL!!! I can remember saying the same thing 16 years ago and feeling guilty too! BUT, I have learned throughout the years, that we are ALL just trying to do the best we can. AND a video now and then won't hurt. If it makes things easier on momma then momma will be happier in the long run and better able to BE a better mommma to baby.
Stop feeling guilty!

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 09:56 pm:

LOL! Me, too! Bottom line, you have to cook meals and housework can't always wait until nap/bed time. A little educational TV isn't going to hurt!

By Jelygu on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:04 pm:

I wait tables, and I used to think it was so gross to let a child eat right off the table. I would NEVER let my child do that... ummm yeah right. How else is a child who throws plates and peels off those sticky mats supposed to eat? LOL. It's funny what we say before reality sets in.
Oh and Christopher watches a video now and then. We need a little sanity in our lives!

By Mommmie on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:10 pm:

I think as soon as you say the word "never" you're in trouble when it comes to parenting!

By Palmbchprincess on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 10:17 pm:

Never say never, because that almost ensures you'll end up doing that particular thing. I feel like a bad mommy sometimes, I really think guilt is the curse of motherhood. We let the kids watch TV while we get things done, because otherwise nothing would ever get accomplished.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 07:54 am:

Mommmie - you are SO right. I think every single one of us goes into pregnancies/child bearing/child rearing with all these great ideas and ideals and things we are *NEVER* going to do. Then reality slaps you in the face and you often find many of those *I will never do.....* things becoming part of life.

Doesn't make you a bad parent, you are only human. You do the best you can at the time, and that's all you can do. Keep in mind, many of the things you say you won't do are not actually bad things in the grand scheme of things. Everything in moderation....

By Imamommyx4 on Thursday, March 3, 2005 - 10:58 pm:

Years ago when the boys were little, we were in the van and I was fussing at them about something and something to the effect of "don't make stop this car" came out of my mouth. I don't remember what I said but I started to cry. DH asked what was the matter and my reply was "I sound like my mama and I thought she was crazy." Oh well, turns out mama wasn't so crazy after all.

By Vicki on Friday, March 4, 2005 - 08:16 am:

Oh boy, I too am guilty of this. There was only one thing that I said I would never do that I stuck to my guns on. The rest, I ended up doing. LOL