The good, the bad, and the just plain weird
Over the past 70 years, the parenting advice offered in Babytalk has ranged from right on the money to utterly bizarre! Here, some then-and-now tips that show how far we've come.
Work vs. stay-at-home
Then: "Perhaps it should be a requirement of every wife that she hold at least one position outside the home before marriage. This is probably the only way she can realize the day-in and day-out grind her breadwinner knows." (September 1943)
Now: "Moms should realize that the decision to return to work or stay home is highly personal. Whatever your choice, if you can think through why you're doing it and feel good about your decision, you'll be less anxious if others question you." (November 2004)
Keep it clean
Then: "Use soap or detergent, sponge or cloth, and scrub, scrub, scrub on a daily basis to keep the household squeaky-clean." (April 1960)
Now: "It's no surprise that sleep deprivation is one of the leading causes of stress among new parents. So it's important to nap whenever you can -- especially when your baby sleeps. Don't say, 'Now's my chance to clean the house.' Instead, turn off the phone and hit the hay." (October 2003)
Feedback: Whatever mom's time, (your mom, your mom's-mom, being mom now) we all have the same qualification! BEING A WIFE, (SINGLE MOM TOO!) MOTHER TO OUR CHILDREN, AN EMPLOYEE AT YOUR WORK, AN ASSISTANT TO THE HOUSE (sometimes, it's hard to think that we are not the boss yet, even to our own house, grrrrr!)... TOO TIRING EVERLASTING HOUSEHOLD CHORES! Tips? Here's the tips coming from me.... Release! Breath! get-away with it! (Not with the husband, i mean! ) enjoy and relax... DO EXTRA SHOPPING! Go to the fitness gym! give extra time to yourself! Pamper yourself atleast! HOW? You know better than me!
Now, share me what's your tip!
