I'm pretty sure that this will get pretty heated...thats not the intent but from what I've seen and experienced, its a very touchy subject.
From the time people know you are expecting, you receive all kinds of unasked for (and many times, useless or inane) advice. But what about the cases where the advice is relevant but very much unwelcome? How would you handle this if it were your own child?
Here is the thing. I know someone (a relative but not a close one) who had her first child 19 months ago. The couple is thrilled, the girl is mashallah adorable. But she is speech-delayed as was my son. She says two words and not very clearly at that. There is a federal program called Early Intervention in USA that provides evals and therapy if needed - at no cost to parents at all. And the earlier a child is treated, the better the outcome and the less likely that the child will need further interventions at school age.
Would you say something or keep your mouth shut? Of course, the suggestion that their child has "something wrong" is very unwelcome, every parent goes thru at least some amount of denial (well, its an only child so of course it takes longer etc).
So do you risk the relationship and say something?
Peace Mamaof3
I think there is a third option. Other than saying anything or nothing, one can demonstrate in blatant ways with their own children until it makes them question themselves and lead them to asking for advice.
All parents no matter how arrogant they are have something inside them telling them to do something about their children. Some of them need a bit of a subliminal push to recognise this voice inside.
I would suggest that you adopt subtle and non-apparent ways to get the point across when it comes to parenting. So what do you think?