Listener Q&A: Parenting Real Talk with Inspector Mama™️

Hi, everyone, and welcome back to the Inspector Momma Podcast. This is a bonus episode, and I've decided to answer a couple of the questions I received from some of my podcast listeners. And I also want to thank you if you are listening to my podcast.

It means the world to me.

The first question is from a listener, and it is, is it conceited to acknowledge that you know that you have a beautiful child? For example, you're out and about shopping, and then someone says, Oh my goodness, what a beautiful baby. Do you know you have a beautiful baby?

Now, I know I've definitely gotten this at Target, and for some folks, like, how do you answer that? Do you know you have a beautiful child? Yes, of course I have a beautiful child.

I made this child, blood, sweat, and tears, actually. So anyway, I guess as far as you might be able to tell, I do not think it's conceded to acknowledge that you know you have a beautiful child. They may just be talking about just the looks, because that is a first impression.

This is what your child looks like. Your child is a very pretty baby. But no, I think it's totally fine.

And I think, you know, self-esteem starts early. And I think that children should know that their parents think that they are the world, that the sun rises and sets on them. Yeah, that's what I think.

I also think that, as far as parenting is concerned, and parents and things you can say to your child besides, you are so pretty, you are so handsome, are things like, you are so funny, you light up the room, you are so wise, wow, you're a great thinker. I love your ideas. And kinda steer that conversation.

It doesn't have to be about looks all the time, especially when they're babies. I think it's, I mean, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm a first time mom, okay?

But I think it's, you wanna build their self-esteem. You are more than a pretty face. If you follow me on Instagram, you can, I'm actually, my handle is at inspector.mama on Instagram, M-A-M-A.

I like to follow Latinx Parenting. They're based, I think, out of California. And here, where I live in the American South, there, there's nothing like this.

And so I like following people that just kind of support this kind of parenting that I'm talking about. They have really cool advice and tips. And for example, I'm reading one of their posts right now.

It's affirmations for children. I am creative. I have big dreams.

I am love. Peace begins with me. It is safe to have feelings.

I am capable. Kindness is my superpower. I am safe.

I am compassionate. I can try even if this may be hard. I can ask for help.

I am important to this world. I am magical. Mistakes are part of learning.

Anyway, it just kind of goes to that what else can be said. But I guess, you know, I kind of went off on a tangent about, it's not just about how you look, it's about how you are. And I think in the moment, you know, strangers are just trying to connect, and I don't think it's conceited at all.

Yes, I have a beautiful child, and she's very patient, and she's a great swimmer, and he loves rock climbing. You know, you can always do things like that. My child will have total complete conversations with people in the buggy at Target.

So my child is great at making friends. Yes, my child is beautiful and is great at making friends. The next question that I have is, how do I baby proof my ex-partner's house?

So, you can't. Parenting, co-parenting, that's going to be a partnership, and you always have to have that mutual respect. And all you can do is, you have to have a conversation with that person.

Hey, I think that the really modern stairs that are made of glass might be dangerous for the baby. And it should be baby-proofed. And when you say things with love and respect, I think they are heard better, as opposed to a condescending or demeaning tone. As you remember, this person, whether or not this baby was planned by the both of you, or planned at all, whatever, this person still is a parent to your child. You are co-parenting, so you always have to have trust and respect. So trust that they are a good parent, and they will do just as much as you will to keep your baby safe, and also respect their decisions.

And of course, you can always say, hey, check out this podcast. It's Inspector Mama™️. It's this lady who's a health inspector and likes to talk about baby proofing.

And you can send her your questions, and she'll answer them on a podcast episode. Okay, last question.

My partner doesn't want to put holes in the wall, so he won't put baby gates up. So, to this, I don't really have like that kind of a response, because for me, for my child, first time neurotic mom, health inspector, the whole deal, I would rather have holes in my wall, than have to take my child to the hospital for something that was preventable. You have to, you must, you shall put hardware-mounted baby gates at the top of your stairs, ideally the bottom of the stairs, too.

You shall anchor the furniture to the wall. Listen, this was a conversation I had with my husband, and he accommodated that, because blood, sweat, and tears to have this baby. Listen, this baby was my baby angel, and I was going to make my house as safe as possible.

And then also just remember, you can always just spackle that. You can, if you have a remodel coming, then it really doesn't matter. The whole house is replaceable.

Your child is not.

If you enjoy the Inspector Mama™️ podcast, please rate and leave a review. This will help other neurotic mamas, just like me and you, find the podcast. And it would make my entire week, probably.

More than likely. It will definitely make my entire week. Thanks.