We need to stop tearing each other down

I am so tired of hearing and reading on social media posts that berate women -- whether "real-life" women or celebs -- for their parenting choices. I cannot believe we are still debating breast vs. bottle, baby wearing vs. not, co-sleeping....and the list goes on and on. Why do we feel that we are even entitled to express an opinion about how someone else raises her child, let alone the right to express that opinion in a hurtful way? Sigh.

Here's the reality: None of us is a parenting expert. We are all learning on the job. That's the nature of being a parent. We are all doing the best we can and following our instincts about how to parent our children. Yes, breastfeeding is good for babies. Few people dispute that. But what if that woman you are berating for bottle feeding can't, for whatever reason, breastfeed? Even if she simply chooses not to, for whatever reason (not of which are your business, by the way) why must you make her feel like a lesser mother for that decision?

It takes a village to raise a child, and we as a community of moms need to stop tearing each other down and start being a support system for each other. No, we don't have to agree on everything. The world would be a boring place if we did. But we don't have to be nasty and hurtful and judgmental, either. So you don't think co-sleeping is a good idea? Great. Don't co-sleep with your baby. Think breast is best? Whip those puppies out and let your baby feast away. Prefer to bottle feed? Go for it. But when you come across a mom who does things differently than you do, please don't criticize her. We are all doing our best and navigating this tough job of motherhood the best way we know how. Instead of your judgment, offer your support or, at the very least, your silence. No one deserves to be criticized for doing the best job they can at the toughest job there is.

Let's show other mothers some kindness, shall we? We are all in this together.

#parenting #motherhood