Momtroversy [mom-truh-ver-see] noun 1. A prolonged dispute, debate, or contention over a matter of opinion on an issue related to the raising of children. See also: “Mom-troversial”
Okay, this is a word I just made up, but it is not a new concept, in fact it has probably been around since the beginning of time. At some point there were cave women dueling over what age children should be before they hunt their own food, or weather meat-based or plant-based diets are best. Some of the hot momtroversies these days are breast feeding, home schooling, vaccination, organic/non-GMO foods, co-sleeping, free-range parenting vs. tiger moms, appropriate forms of punishment, school readiness, over scheduling, crying it out, bed times, working mom vs. stay-at-home mom, and the list goes on for days. Some people actively seek out the best options for their children, some come by it more intuitively, while others find what works best by pure dumb luck.
There are countless books, blogs, articles, and websites devoted to each of these issues, and you can read in circles for the rest of your life trying to determine what the right choice is. Let me give you a little tip as someone who makes a living from supporting my arguments with research and data, you can find studies, information, and testimonials that will support absolutely any wacky parenting view point you have. The reason why is very simple, it’s because we are all different. Our children are all different. Our family structures are all different. Our lifestyles and priorities are all different. Most importantly, there is no right answer.
I would love to live in a society where moms could all be supportive and non-judgmental of what other parents choose for their children, but that is as likely to happen as this country is to unifying behind one presidential candidate. I know that every decision I make will be questioned by countless people, and to be perfectly honest I make those same judgments myself. It comes from a place of love and concern for the well-being of the people I care about, but also as a way to validate my own positions. I frequently have to stop to remind myself that like me, each parent’s choices are born out of their desire to keep their children safe, healthy and happy.
So while I will continue to mount my high horse and encourage people to vaccinate their children, read to them at least 30 minutes per day, and to put their electronic devices away long enough to share a family dinner, I will still respect my fellow mom’s choices for their own families despite how momtroversial they may be.
