I am a mum, have been for closer to 7 than 6 years.
But I do not proclaim to be an expert on children.
Or teaching.
Or parenting.
And anyone who does...I say...
Why?
I do not believe anyone is an expert.
Because to me...
expert = know it all.
And that just
*grin* I love this.
ReplyDeleteThe more children I have had the more I learn how little I know.
And I have nine and I've been a mother for 20 years.
There's always going to be "experts". Don't let anyone make you feel inferior, just believe in yourself x
ReplyDeleteForgot to add "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt
ReplyDeleteWell said Linda, that's a quote I aspire to.
ReplyDeleteWell said Linda, that's a quote I aspire to.
ReplyDeleteThe more time I spend as a parent, the more I realise that I'm just learning every day... and probably making mistakes every day :o/
ReplyDeleteI just take what I want to on board and ignore the rest, when it comes to 'so called' experts xo
I think often people are referred to as 'experts' than actually call themselves that.
ReplyDeleteThe ones that call themselves that though...pffft.
:)
As a young mum I remember my childless friends telling me what to do/how to do/when to do whatever. Even then I sat back & laughed inside at these "experts" knowing that once they had children, they'd realise how little they knew :)
ReplyDeleteGood on you, each to their own, every situation (child/ class/ year/ minute) is completely different. Who wants to be an expert anyway, where is the fun in still learning & adding to your experience & brains!! Love Posie
ReplyDeleteI have been a parent for 33 years now. I think I know a lot, but I also find out how much I don't know at every turn. I have seen what the "experts" say change so often since the day my daughter was born that it just goes to show that the "experts" really haven't any more of a clue.
ReplyDeleteParenting is a personal journey. You have to evaluate so many variables along the way that relate to your individual child, the situation, and so much more.
The best expert on what you need to do for your children is you (and your husband of course).
Love the post. I was a teacher too, mum so far for fifteen years, childhood behaviour consultant, parent counsellor & teenage mentor and I never call myself an expert.
ReplyDeleteEvery child and family are different. Those who use my services are really at their wits end, and I do what I can from my life experiences & mystudies. Many families I see have been judged, by teachers, friends and strangers.A hug and reassurance that they are doing a great job is sometimes all that is needed.
I do get upset when people Judge me for what I do, I never push my services, families come to me and I help in which ever way I can. There are no experts on anything.
I think one of the hardest thing is that many people consider themselves experts because they have had a go.
ReplyDelete"Everyone" knows how schools should run because they have all experienced it and are "experts". The same thing happens with parenting. People will tell you they are experts for the same reason. Trouble is what worked for them will not work for everyone else.
I have been a fulltime teacher for 28 years, and a foster mother to many. I find the goal posts get shifted so often that I can never reach the end so will never gain that expert title because everything changes and you have to go with the flow.
One day when one of the so called "experts" is telling me how to do it, I could leave them to deal with it and walk away.
I love people's opinions and suggestions but wish they would offer when asked for, not when they feel like it.
Sorry for the rant but ..... hmmm. Is it wine o'clock yet?
or should that be whine oclock. *S*
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comments about an expert is usually referred to...if you claim the status, well derr.
ReplyDeleteMy word, describing the ten thousand years I have been a parent and a teacher is experienced.
That's the EX I am.
And let me tell you, and everyone something else, every day I learn something new, sometime, somewhere.
When I no longer do that I will be
NOT ALIVE. Love your thoughts!! D
It's not for you to assess yourself as an expert, it's for other people to look at your work and to value your experience and knowledge. It's not for you to say, "I'm above everyone else and I'm so smart." That's arrogant.
ReplyDeleteThere are people who've worked for many years in their field, such as Dr Brian Weiss and Dr John Gottman, who I would call experts. I value their knowledge and experience greatly.