Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Franne Golde and Syd Fox: Love More, Fear Less: A Mother and Her…
Dr. Peggy Drexler: The Breadwinner Complex: Are Women Apologizing For…
Baby advice between friends
Filed under: Celeb Parents, Rumors, Behaving Badly
Nancy O'Dell apparently has some advice to dispense. The veteran entertainment TV reporter sent a lengthy email to new Mom Halle Berry, filled with advice about new parenting. O'Dell said: "I wish people had given me this advice They didn't, so I'm going to give it to you. (Halle) was appreciative, really appreciative."
I wonder if maybe she was just being polite, really polite. Though I'm interested in advice from my very good friends and loved one, unsolicited parenting advice from strangers is right up par with toe fungus and sucking leeches.
I read The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy during my second trimester and quite frankly, it made me a little mad. I didn't want to be told that my body would never be the same, no matter what I did. I didn't want to know that I would never have the same social life again. Those tidbits are too scary before the fact: much better dispensed by the gentle words of a trusted friend, in my view. And too: I don't know if it's good to know about the terrible parenting bits you can't control. My friend Jan told me while I was pregnant me that the pain of labour was "like being smashed by a bus ten times, run over and dipped in hell times twenty", and I spent the next sixty days stressing about that sentence.
I'm not sure whether O'Dell filled her email to Berry with words of wisdom about diaper blowouts and binkies, but I do hope she glossed over the really crotchety bits. I think those are better learned personally.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
How to Prepare Your Child for a New Baby
Advice Mama, columnist Susan Stiffelman answers questions about how to prepare your kids for a new baby.
-
Long-Term Advice for Parents with Premature Babies
Dr. Melnyk shares long-term advice with parents of premature babies.
-
Common Gives KimYe Baby Advice
Common gives long-time friend and parents-to-be Kanye West and Kim Kardashian baby advice.
-
Baby Gift Registry Essentials
Confused about the best way to go about baby shower gifts or baby gear? Get some sound advice from Parents.TV on baby gift registry essentials.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
4-12-2008 @ 6:23PM
ScrappyMom said...well it's Halle Berry - did you read your own link? If we must be inundated with the celeb stuff... at least be correct
Reply
4-13-2008 @ 12:00AM
Lauren said...ScrappyMom what are you talking about, the link is correct?
Reply
4-13-2008 @ 1:15PM
ScrappyMom said...the link was correct. the "author" wrote referring to Halle Barry all through the article and tags. And naturally such is the way of this blog, my comment is left after she fixed the error hours after posting!
Reply
4-13-2008 @ 1:16PM
Kristin said...I apologize for the incorrect spelling of Berry's last name -- I actually realized my mistake seconds after publishing and went back and fixed it before I saw your very helpful comment ScrappyMom. Thank you for noticing.
Reply
4-13-2008 @ 6:34PM
Jen said...Hmmm... I remember when pregnant with my first I too thought I knew better or just didn't want to hear the truth.
But while at the time I was agitated, those same words came back and gave me comfort when I was living the sleepless nights and I did have stretch marks and my life wasn't the same.
Right now with a 2 year old the remarks a friend made years before I even thought of having children came to me and brought me comfort. She was having a hard time with her toddler and said, "Sometimes I don't like him. I love him. But I don't like him and that is ok." I was shocked (as a non-mother, of course I was) and so it stuck with me. When my toddler is driving me mad I remember her and I think, yes, it is ok not to like this right now.
So, I think the little bits of advice are good in the long run. Especially the ones that tell the truth that nobody wants to know. They should always be finished with a positive though!!!
So when a friend tells you labor hurts worse than being smashed to death over and over again, she should also include how exhilerating it is and how worth it was and how she would do it again in a heartbeat because it will end and when it ends the pain is gone and you fall in love.
Or with stretch marks, you may get them but they will fade.
Or you will be up all night at first but it lasts only a couple of months and years later you will miss the middle of the night cuddles so savor the moments.
Parenting and pregnancy and labor have very, very brutal moments. It is what seperates us from the non-parents. The ups and downs are extreme. But it is good if the downs are acknowledged and comraderie exists among women who offer their wisdom and guidance and ear.
I will thank the heavens above for the women in my life who have done that. They have saved me thousands of times. (And most have no idea).
Reply