Recently, moms in a One and Done Facebook group, of which I am a member, were wondering why there weren't any popular mommy bloggers or mom influencers with just one child. The consensus was that moms of multiples are considered "experts" because they've gone through it all so many times. All the poopy diapers and late night feedings. All the toddler temper tantrums and meltdowns. All the things that I don't really want to experience a second time.
This reminded me of the Luvs diaper commercial showing a harried mom of one carrying everything but the kitchen sink in her diaper bag and stroller, trying to get out the door to go somewhere and leaving behind the baby in the bouncy seat. Contrasted with the same mom, now babywearing a newborn while big brother plays on the floor. The mom grabs a diaper, throws a handful of snacks in her pocket, calls it a day, and calmly heads out the door with both kids.
"By their second kid, every mom is an expert and more likely to choose Luvs than first-time moms," the commercial says.
Well, I guess I'm not an "expert" because I used Huggies pretty exclusively during the baby years, and they worked great, thank you very much.
I'm sure that moms of multiples have unique insights into raising children (plural), but don't discount any wisdom that a mom of an only might have.
The truth is, all moms are experts in their own kids. I'm an expert when it comes to my daughter. I know what she likes and doesn't like. I know how to defuse a meltdown or avoid one altogether, and what forms of discipline are most effective. (Taking a sticker off the sticker chart works every time.)
In the same way, moms of multiples are experts in their own kids. BUT not all kids are the same. What works for her kids might not work for yours. Heck, what worked for her first baby might not have worked for baby #2 or #3. Not all kids, even kids in the same family, are alike.
The only thing us "mom experts" can do is share with other moms what worked for us. The solutions may be different, and you'll have to do some trial and error to figure out what works best for your kid, but we're all going through the same general experiences. Whether we have one kid or seven, we've all been there, done that and somehow expertly navigated through.
This reminded me of the Luvs diaper commercial showing a harried mom of one carrying everything but the kitchen sink in her diaper bag and stroller, trying to get out the door to go somewhere and leaving behind the baby in the bouncy seat. Contrasted with the same mom, now babywearing a newborn while big brother plays on the floor. The mom grabs a diaper, throws a handful of snacks in her pocket, calls it a day, and calmly heads out the door with both kids.
"By their second kid, every mom is an expert and more likely to choose Luvs than first-time moms," the commercial says.
Well, I guess I'm not an "expert" because I used Huggies pretty exclusively during the baby years, and they worked great, thank you very much.
I'm sure that moms of multiples have unique insights into raising children (plural), but don't discount any wisdom that a mom of an only might have.
The truth is, all moms are experts in their own kids. I'm an expert when it comes to my daughter. I know what she likes and doesn't like. I know how to defuse a meltdown or avoid one altogether, and what forms of discipline are most effective. (Taking a sticker off the sticker chart works every time.)
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| photo credit: Lauren Krattiger |
In the same way, moms of multiples are experts in their own kids. BUT not all kids are the same. What works for her kids might not work for yours. Heck, what worked for her first baby might not have worked for baby #2 or #3. Not all kids, even kids in the same family, are alike.
The only thing us "mom experts" can do is share with other moms what worked for us. The solutions may be different, and you'll have to do some trial and error to figure out what works best for your kid, but we're all going through the same general experiences. Whether we have one kid or seven, we've all been there, done that and somehow expertly navigated through.
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