See? Even she thinks it's funny!Before I became a mom -- no, actually, before I started working at what some refer to as a "mommy blog" -- I was blissfully unaware of parenting terminology. I naively assumed that when you have a baby, you simply become a mom. And when you become a mom, you simply "parent" your child. End of story. Have a nice day. I didn't realize there were all these words and titles for what kind of parent you are and how you choose to raise your little one. I just figured that some parents are similar, and some are different. They're all under the same general umbrella, though: Parents.
Needless to say, I was wrong. Ho-ho-hooo so wrong. There are lots of words to describe how you are/what you're doing. And just between you and me, they can get a little ridiculous. Raise your kid how you want, man; no judging here. But do we really need a (silly) word for every single thing?
Here are 5 annoying parenting terms:
Combo-diapering. The inspiration for this post, and perhaps the silliest of all. I recently overheard someone saying that she "combo-diapers" her child. I deduced (and, fine, Googled) that this meant that she uses both cloth diapers and disposable diapers for her kid. Really? Is it so hard to say, "We use both"?
Attachment parenting. I'm pretty sure all parents are attached to their children, regardless of their parenting philosophies. To say that one specific set is attached is kind of ridiculous -- wouldn't you agree?
Co-sleeping. Why not just say, "I sleep with my baby"? Or, "Baby sleeps in bed with us"? Or, "I love snuggling my little one so much that she stays with us in bed at night"? Fine, "co-sleeping" might be easier. But still, when I first learned of it, I was surprised there was a specific term for it.
Ferberizing. Ugh. Sounds so ... clinical. And it's a term that definitely doesn't seem like it should be associated with babies. If I heard the word "ferberize" before I knew what it meant, I'd probably think it had something to do with lawn care. Or maybe dentistry.
Helicopter parenting. Again, another word that just doesn't seem to fit with children. I get it that it means they "hover", but seriously? Where did this come from? When did there start being names like this? Who thought of this? And what is laid-back parenting called? Hang-gliding parenting?
What other ridiculous parenting terms have you heard?
Image via Andrew Beeston/Flickr
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Comments 13
Other than "Ferberizing" they all seem pretty UN-ridiculous.
I have never heard of any of these terms in a real life setting. Only here on this site it seems.
Ok, I just looked up Ferberizing...it's a big word for "Cry it out." As to the others, I've called my husband a helicoptor parent. Combo diapering seems pretty redundant, but the others I've used before.
That's the ONLY term I hate. We were co-sleepers, and use the "ferber" method... but as my kids grow, I'm much more laid back.
I hate that some people refer to that as "free range" because to me, it insinuates that people view independant children more like live-stock, or wild horses.
My kids are very well behaved, and well monitored. I just refuse to have them up my ass, or be up theirs 24/7.
Oh, and when people refer to pegnancy & birth as "breeding", yes, that's technically what it is. But it makes people that say it sound like uber-bitches.
Parenting is an ever devolping process haha
I also hate when a couple says they're trying to make a baby as if they're machines or a factory. "Trying to start a family" sounds friendlier and more human.
I honestly hate the term "teen mom". Does it really matter what age we had our kids? I had both my kids before I was 20. The term "teen mom" is so negative. If we have teen moms, why can't we have twenties moms and thirties moms? People hear that I am a "teen mom" and I immediately get sneering looks. I had kids young is what I tell people. It only means that I will be a young grandma.