Has anyone else found some friends hard to deal with since having kids?

Question

Everyone has different ideas about childrearing, but I hadn't realised how radically different until we all started having children!

How do you deal with friends who have very different ideas to you about how to bring up children?

Answer 1

I just keep my thoughts to myself. We all have different ideas on how to bring up children and do what we think is best.

Answer 2

You have to count to 10 before you comment on something.  People are very touchy about their views on parenting and I've learnt the hard way.

I once told a very good friend that I thought her daughter was being manipulative to get her own way (I didn't use those words, I put it more delicately) and she took offence big time.

If people have ever commented on how we bring out kids up, I shrug it off unless I feel it's constructive.

Answer 3

i always ***** behind their backs of course to my family

some of their rules are pathetic though

Answer 4

I know that I can think what I want but I cant say what I want. Sometimes I get upset but I usually only discuss it with my husband. I try to respect them in the hopes that they will do the same for me.

But there is a line obviously if there is abuse I will do something, but otherwise I try to shrug it off.

Answer 5

since I have nothing to say about how others raise their offspring I just shut up about it.

Answer 6

I think we all think we are perfect and know everything about parenting. When we see someone else doinjg something we would never do we are the first to judge and tell other people but when we are the ones being judged we get all shirty.

Everyone is going to have opinions but we need to be careful on what we say to other parents about their parenting.

We all do the best we can.

Answer 7

Um. tell them to mind their own children. If they have a problem with the way you are raising your kids, then it really isn't their business anyway. But if you are the one with the problem, then it's not your business, it's theirs.

Answer 8

It is difficult when your children play with others who are allowed to get away with things you wouldn't let yours do, we have some very good friends who unfortunately are not that bothered when their children swear which  I then have to explain to my 4 year old he is not allowed to copy. I don't like to say anything in front of them normally as I don't want them to think I am commenting on their parenting  but some things you can't just let go!

Answer 9

I've lost alot of friends b/c i think they're weird witrh their child rearring ways.

Like my one "friend" we dont talk anymore, her son hits her in the face. I said spank him, put him in the corner, give him time out, scold him, SOMTHING!!!!!!!!

she wouldn't because she didn't want to teach him it was ok to hit. To bad he still hits her dumb a** everyday.

I've found ti easier to loose friends and find new ones with the same parenting ideas. Because driving yourself nuts watching someone who just ticks you off is not worth the aggravation that it will bring.