I read an article recently about why today's moms are so exhausted all the time, and it pointed out the fact that we are all just plain overflowing with too much information. I thought about it, and I really couldn't agree more. We have Google and Pinterest at our fingertips at all times, and it becomes hard to decipher truth from opinion when it comes to getting parenting advice from the Internet.
No matter what, someone always has something else to say about every parenting choice that exists. It's getting to the point where we are being encouraged to not trust our own pediatricians' recommendations regarding vaccines, newborn care, etc. We are warned to be terrified of SIDS, autism, car seat safety, allergies, cancer, poisoning, and accidental drownings. First hand accounts of families being affected by these terrible things keep us up at night. Worst of all, we are a generation of "mom shamers" where no matter what decision you choose to make for your own child, other moms have no problem putting you on blast explaining why they think you're wrong.
Well, I'm not here to do that. I just want to tell you, Mama, none of that matters, and you're doing a great job!
It shouldn't matter whether we breastfeed, formula feed, baby wear, or push our babies in a stroller. I truly believe that the choices someone makes for their child are theirs alone, and that unless they are putting their child in flat out danger or breaking a law, then everyone else should just bite their tongue. In my short two years of being a mom, I have heard my share of unsolicited advice. At first, I was eager for knowledge, so I would nod my head and soak in every word, but at a certain point it became overwhelming and conflicting. It started to put me in a parenting slump. I had to teach myself to take it with a grain of salt and then roll my eyes later on at how ridiculous people can be. While you may mean well, giving another mom advice, the truth is that no one knows her child the way she does. What works for one may not work for another, and we need to respect that.
Now this doesn't go to say that we shouldn't have our own opinions or have advice ready for those who seek it from us. I, myself, love to give advice to the lost mama who can't get her baby to sleep on their own or who has questions about exclusively pumping. I also have some strong opinions about certain parenting methods, but I would never shame other mamas for disagreeing with me or doing it differently. Everyone has their own parenting style, and really I think we need to give each other a break. We are all in the same boat trying to be the best mamas that we possibly can. The very least we could do is build each other up instead of breaking each other down!
So, here's to you...the working mamas, the stay at home moms, the breastfeeders, the formula feeders, the baby-wearers, the stroller pushers, the moms with singletons, and the moms with multiple kids...YOU ARE AMAZING! You deserve a pat on the back and a glass of wine, because at the end of the day all our kids are fed and happy, and it doesn't matter how they got there; just that they are. :)
So give yourself a break, mama, and don't google it this time. Talk to your doctor, your co-parent, or just plain go with your gut. Let's make a pact to simplify this parenting gig, after all, they were doing it long before Pinterest, right?
Until next time! XoXoXo
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