Keeping up with the Gilliland's

The dilemma of keeping up with the Jones' materialistic style has been going on for ages and ages and I've noticed that it has spilled into the parenting world as well. I'm sure this has been going on for ages and ages as well, but I was oblivious to the parenting world for almost 28 years, so forgive me if you have made this epiphany years ago. Just nod and agree and welcome me into your "normal" world because I am feeling more abnormal as the years progress.

So my main question that I really want answered is this: When did doing what's best for YOUR child become out of fashion? Seriously, I want to know.

My second question: Why do YOU think you know what is best for a child that is not your own? Unless solicited for advice, try your best to keep it zipped tight. It's fine to have differing opinions. In fact, I applaud differing opinions as it truly makes the world go 'round. But please, unless someone specifically asks you what your opinion is on their child, keep it to yourself. (And yes, this includes the best friend, the grandparent, the neighbor, any relative at all, the nice couple at church, etc.)

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.


This will be followed later by a more personal post on why we have made the decisions that we have made for Benjamin over the years and what has come from those decisions. Not everything we've done has been great, but we've made some wise choices for our family that are pretty unpopular. More to come.