How many times have you criticized moms for their parenting styles? I’ve had my fair share of naysayers. There were some who didn’t agree with me breastfeeding my children for two years.
Others believe that I’m a bit over the top when it comes to promoting healthy eating with my kids. But, it’s all good because I’m no angel either.
I can admit to criticizing some parenting styles too like those who refuse to have their little ones sit in a car seat. When it comes to safety, I make no apologies for voicing my opinion.
Could Criticizing Moms’ Parenting Styles Have a Negative Impact?
According to a C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health from the University of Michigan, almost two-thirds of women say they’ve been criticized for how they raise their children.
Nearly 500 mothers with at least one child under 5-year-old were surveyed for the study. Some said that the biggest critics came from people close to them. Fourteen percent said they received unsolicited parenting advice from friends, twelve percent claim they’ve gotten backlash from other moms in public as well as people on social media.
The report sites that “the most common topics of criticism had to do with how women choose to discipline their children—how one deals with the godawful tantrum in the grocery store is a prime example—what they feed them, and how they choose to put them to sleep.”
Experts believe that criticizing moms for their parenting styles could have adverse effects. Associate research scientist in pediatrics at the University of Michigan Sarah Clark, says that it could actually affect a mom’s confidence.
How Deal With Criticism of Parenting Styles
There have been moments when I’d second guess my parenting decisions. But ultimately, I always stick to my guns. The reality is that people won’t agree with some my parenting styles no matter what I do. The worse part about it is that people have no filter. I’ll never forget that lady who approached us at the post office.
My daughter was just shy of her first birthday when we had the encounter. A woman standing in front of us on line took one look at my baby girl and said the weirdest things. She blurted out in front of everyone, “you’re baby is yellow! ‘He’ needs to go to the doctor! Did you take ‘him’ to the doctor?! ‘He’ looks sick!”
I wanted to tell her off! I wanted to say mind your own business, my baby GIRL is fine! Instead I politely smiled and ignored her. I pretended she didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. Besides, I didn’t think she was worthy of an answer.
In retrospect, maybe she thought she was doing a good deed. If that’s the case, her approach was all wrong. Even though I don’t agree with giving unsolicited parenting advice, there are moments when it could shed light on something new.
There may be times when people make valid points that could help you identify parenting mistakes. No one ever said that parenting would be easy. We won’t always make the right choices. But, that’s okay as long as a child’s safety isn’t in jeopardy.
I’m sure every mom has a story of someone saying something crazy about her kids. Honestly, the best way to deal with criticism is to keep an open mind. But also hold true to your decisions
How do you deal with being criticized for your parenting style?