Why exactly do we “mom bash” each other? I believe I am correct in assuming that a good 95% of us will cite one of the best days in our lives as the day we became moms. So why is it that we find the need to criticize how other moms choose to fulfill that dream? Being a mom is hard work, and I’ve only been a mom for 19 months. We are bound to make mistakes on our paths to figuring it all out but it only makes it harder on ourselves when another mom is right there ready to judge.
In the days of social media all the time, and the ability for everyone to put their two senses in on anything they feel like, we need to not only grow thicker skin, but we have this higher standard of perfection as a mom. Not one week goes by that I don’t see an article being shared on Facebook, an opinion or question on a mom blog, or hear a story on the radio or news talking about how one parent handled a situation with their child and inviting anyone to weigh in on whether or not they did the right thing. Why is this anyone’s business? More importantly, why is this news? With the constant complaint that women are still not equal to men, isn’t it about time that we support each other instead of pointing out each other’s weaknesses?
I breastfed my child and formula fed my child. I used disposable diapers. I tried making her baby food but gave in to the easier alternative of buying it. I only buy organic milk for her. I only wash her clothes in baby detergent. I let her watch Sesame Street. I only let her sleep in our bed when she wakes up from a nightmare. I let other people watch her during the day. I discipline her when she does something wrong. These are the ways I have chosen to be a mom. Each decision was made for whatever reason it was made. It’s no one else’s business but my own and my husband’s. I know I probably already have and will make more mistakes in this journey called motherhood but they are my mistakes to make and learn from. Why don’t we give all other mothers the same courtesy?
