In addition to stripper, porn star and tabloid cover girl, we can add author to Nadya “Octomom” Suleman’s resume.
The real life Brady Bunch matriarch is offering her guide to parenting in a new blog posted on mamapedia.com … and with twins, four singletons and octuplets, we’re sure she knows a thing or two about the subject.
In his first entry on the website, the mother of 14 says that her father and grandparents spoiled her rotten as a kid, likely hindering her abilities to know her limits later in life … hence the kindergarten class living inside her home.
“Although I felt loved, as an only child, I can’t ever recall hearing the word ‘no.’ At the time, my parents implemented the only parenting skills they were familiar with: my father spoiled me, as his parents had with him, and any attempts my mother made at disciplining me were negated by his overly-permissive and indulgent parenting style,” she writes.
With her first six children, Octomom claims that she adopted a lax approach to discipline; but that all changed when she had her octuplets.
“As the babies grew, so did their need for consistent structure and discipline. My form of ‘discipline’ for infants was to redirect, and teach them what to do, rather than reprimand on what not to do. For example, if one hit or bit another, I would sit on the ground at their level, look directly into his or her eyes, and firmly, yet calmly, say to be gentle and remind them we do not hurt others. Most importantly, I would use ‘soft touch’ to show them what to do. I would hold my hand over his or her hand, and gently stroke the child that was hurt,” she continues in her post.
Even with a house full of sometime rambunctious kids, the mother of 14 says physically discipling your children when they’re out of line, is, out-of-line.
I believe spanking is a disadvantageous form of discipline because it condones violence. Kids follow by example more than what we as parents lecture to them. By showing our children how to behave and treat everyone around them (including sisters, brothers, parents, friends, and even animals!) with empathy, kindness, and respect, we are shaping healthy, well-adjusted human beings who will, in turn, teach others the same.
To read Octomom’s entire guide to parenting, click here.
