It seems like everyone nowadays has their own opinion about everything, and it’s okay. You are entitled to your own opinion. However, when your opinion turns into mom shaming, that’s a different thing. Of course, it makes us question if we are doing something wrong or if we are a failure of a mom.
All I can say is, let them judge and be the best mom that YOU feel is right.
I had my son before I was married. I was induced and opted for “the drugs”, rather than a natural birth. I didn’t breastfeed…didn’t even try. I coslept, and still do to this day at times. My son was in diapers until he was three. I am a work-from-home, business owner, stay-at-home mom that admittedly has too much on my plate most of the time. We eat occasionally food and sugar and dine-out. We travel a lot for fun, including internationally. My house isn’t tidy. I don’t limit screen time. I kiss my child on the lips. Most of the time, I am a hot mess. We don’t go to church and my son hasn’t been baptized. My son goes to sleep late and wakes up late. I let my son wear pink if he wants to. We have more toys than a daycare center. I don’t want any more children and am fine with my son being an only child.
But what does this matter? I just listed all of the “bad” things that I do as a parent. The things that people judge so quickly. However, what they don’t see is that I work hard to get my son what he deserves and people laugh at when I say “I don’t sleep”. I left a full-time salaried, supervisor job to stay home with my son by choice, to spend time with him while he is little. My son is loved and knows it. I am cherishing this time while he is young, although he says he is a “big boy”. He has my support in whatever he does and makes him happy, whether it’s playing hockey, traveling, or anything else. I will always be that mom in the stands that is a little too loud when my son scores a goal. I strive to be the best mom I can be every single day, even if I don’t get that well-deserved “me” time.
You can judge me on all the little things and be nit-picky at how I parent, but what matters is that I parent the way I see right and I see fit. You CANNOT judge me on the fact that I know I am a good mom. Although I may doubt myself at times and break down in tears of stress, I know what I am doing is the right thing.
So, judge me. Judge me on how I parent. Nobody is perfect. Everyone is different and has different opinions. Ignore the naysayers and be the best mom that you can be.
