When we become parents, we are often thrown together with other new parents. The excitement and fear of this babe in arms, makes us think we all have so much in common, and we gel with our new friends as if they were sent down from above to socialise with us.
This is great whilst the baby doesn't do much, but as baby grows up and becomes toddler, then nursery child, then school child, and we start to form our own ideas of how to bring them up, things change.
Every parent does what they think is right or best for their child, and every parent will frown on something other parents do, even if they are your best friend.
This is normal. Do not think that your friendship is now over because you have different views of eating vegetables, or how many after school activities your child does, or when they do their homework.
It is actually very important and healthy to have friends who live their lives very differently from ourselves. If we all acted exactly the same, then we wouldn't be able to appreciate what we are doing for our children, or learn from others on new stances we can take.
Additionally every child is different, and some like to do things differently to others. This isn't just something they learn from the way they are brought up, as parents of multiple children will confirm. You have two or three children, treat them and bring them up exactly the same and they will be as different as chalk and cheese!
So next time your child comes home from a playdate and says "Charlies mum lets him eat ice cream before dinner/have a late night/wears odd socks to school" don't tut and mutter about his mother under your breath. Listen to what your child is saying and maybe ask yourself, if I did that for my child on occasion would it ruin his whole upbringing? or say to yourself, its so funny how Charlie's family do things differently to ours, that difference is probably why the kids get on so well.
Embrace difference, it's what makes us all so interesting and fun to be with.
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