11/29/2009

Baby experts give bad advice

Sometimes, people think waaay too much. And, I bet the people who came up with this idiotic idea don't even have kids. 


Before you read the portion of the ignorant story, please know that my philosophy is:

Kids need parents to make decisions because they are not developed enough to make them by themselves.

Expert: ask baby before changing nappy 
By CATHERINE WOULFE - Sunday Star Times
Parents should be treating babies and toddlers with more respect, a visiting academic says, and that means talking to infants as if they are adults, never putting them in high chairs or leaving them in car seats, and steering clear of many popular toys.
From day one, early childhood expert Polly Elam says, parents should also consult their baby before picking them up, changing their nappy or taking them on outings. That means talking the baby through what you are about to do, before you do it – and waiting for their response.
If parents skip this consultation, they should later apologise to the baby and explain why they acted hastily.
Critics say the strategy, called Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE), is a waste of time for busy parents. But Elam says it leads to confident, happy children with high self-esteem who can solve problems....
 http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/3107006/Expert-ask-baby-before-changing-nappy


I cannot imagine speaking to a toddler like an adult. What sort of reaction is s/he going to give me...a fart? ...a burp? ...a two-minute diatribe about why s/he doesn't want to be picked up?



I believe it was a very slow news day....

8 comments:

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

I always ask myself if I'd like my diaper changed before proceeding with the process... I feel very validated.

Connie said...

Ask? No. More like tell. I agree that kids aren't dumb, but they aren't experienced either. Telling them what was going to happen, and why (in terms they can) understand - helps ME help them. Rather than just forcing a toddler to take medicine - which many parents do, involving holding the child down, nose pinched, etc. - I'd say "we have to take this bit of medicine or we might have to go to the doctor and get a shot because one way or another, we need this!" And the kid would open up and take the meds - no trauma or drama. Nothing wrong with educating a child, even an infant, from the get go, and giving a child choices is often a very easy way to do things, but when it comes to who gets the final say-so - there is no choice.

betty-NZ said...

Thanks for the comments!!

I'm with you CLL!

Connie, I certainly agree with you about letting the child know what's going to happen. But letting them have the last say, I don't think so!

Amy said...

you what? gotta wonder if the person concerned has ever had children of her own...

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Do you watch that PC incorrect TV show on parenting?

Have you got used to a summer christmas?

betty-NZ said...

Ann, I do watch Nigel Latta and I love his advice! I blogged on his book !!

The *Ladder of Doom* works wonders!

Deb said...

the so called experts have lost their minds...

Niki said...

That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard of. Or read, in this case. Experts indeed. *rolling my eyes*