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Then and Now

2007-02-11

MOM GUIDE

Parenting Tips: Then and Now

  Parenting Tips: Then and Now

Over the past 70 years, Babytalk's advice has ranged from right on the money to downright bizarre!  These are all actual quotes from Babytalk Magazine.

Good "wifing"
Then: "Don't keep [your hubby] waiting for his meals -- hunger is the father of anger." (June 1968)

Now: "It's hard to shift gears from making bottles to making out. Give yourself a chance to relax with your partner and you might find that you're actually (gasp!) in the mood." (October 2006)


Breadwinner blues
Then: "Perhaps it should be a requirement that every wife 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)

The strangest tips ever told

  • "Many babies prefer to sleep with their ears folded like pink flower petals against their cheeks.... On a bald-headed baby, narrow bands of adhesive tape will hold the ears securely down." (January 1942)

 

  • "When they form the habit of sitting on their knees... straighten their legs out, again and again, dozens of times a day if necessary. Continued sitting in such a position will deform their knees, flattening them." (January 1942)

 

  • "Bathing the baby is a favorite way to entertain visitors. Unless baby plays too much to the gallery it's fine, but sometimes he does just that." (April 1943)

Scrub, scrub, scrub!
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: "While [super-organized] moms may be able to win a proverbial 'Tidy Bowl,' any illusions about their superiority might go down the drain if we got to really know them... Indeed, the neat mom might be the first to say that envy from other moms is misplaced." (March 2006)

Sun-baked babies
Then: "Prepare baby's skin for first sunbaths with a thin coating of baby oil to promote tanning." (June 1949)

Now: "Avoid strong sunlight since soft baby skin burns easily. Or dress him in a brimmed hat and long cotton sleeves. Dab a bit of infant-safe sunblock on his face and hands." (April 2006)

Watch those pregnancy pounds
Then: "Pregnant, you'll look like a real 5' by 5' unless you keep weight gain under 20 pounds." (March 1953)

Now: "Remember that it took nine months for you to put on the baby weight, and it will likely take at least that long to lose it. You may not be able to drop every last pregnancy pound, but take a peek in the nursery and remind yourself that it happened for a delicious reason." (February 2005)

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amber (2007-02-24)
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥IT

The Bottle Washer (2007-02-11)
I am glad your on Shoutpost. Cause without you I would be lost :)

Mary Mary Quite Contrary (2007-02-11)
P.S. LOVE the pic of the "good Wifey"! -Mary, Mary

Mary Mary Quite Contrary (2007-02-11)
ROFLMAO Doe! This one is priceless! Oh!, by the way, I'm throwing a party next weekend and you're all invited...I just need to break out the baby tub and grab the kid for the "Entertainment"! - oh, and don't forget... *BYOP! - *bring your own (rain) poncho! -Now where is that durn scotch tape so I can tape the baby's ears down...it's nap time! LOLOLOL! -Mary, Mary

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