By Sherri Smith Brown

Five years ago I became a mother for the third time. Now, this isn’t so unusual, but one fact about my motherhood puts me in a rather unique position. There are 25 years between my second child and my third.

What differences do those 25 years equate to? Well, rear-facing baby car seats—and car seats until the age of six. Paper diapers in every shape and size—pull-ups even. Pre-mixed, ready-to-go formula. Plastic bottle inserts that don’t need to be boiled first. Wipes. Pack and plays. Umbie strollers. Go cups. Computerized mobiles, sound machines, swings and other toys. The cutest clothes imaginable—and plenty to choose from. Baby books galore, CDs, baby/child websites, huge chain stores devoted to children. Nope, this stuff was not in existence 25 years ago—at least not in my locale. (more…)