Today, I’m going to do a little soul-cleansing vent-session. It’s been brewing for awhile, and I need to get y’all’s (surely, that’s grammatically correct) opinion on something.
So here’s what’s been nagging me. I’ve been doing some writing on behalf of one of my favorite brands. They’ve been sharing my posts, and it has all gone just swimmingly. The marketing team has been delightful, the products I’ve had the opportunity to work with are divine. And, I think I’ve done a good job of showcasing the brand. But, here’s my issue.
Every time a picture of mine is shown on this Facebook page, other moms jump at the opportunity to tear me down.
I chose the wrong cereal to photograph. The staged photo of my kids in the car doesn’t have the chest strap high enough. My kid should be in a rear-facing car seat. My kid shouldn’t be eating grapes that aren’t cut up. I shouldn’t be feeding my kid anything that’s out of a box. I mean, call DSS already won’t you? These kids are abused.
Sure, it’s easy to criticize someone when you’re behind a monitor. No one’s ever been that mean to my face. But, I wonder… When people are posting those things on social media channels, are they thinking about me being a real person?
You know what’s funny? My kids haven’t had that cereal I got criticized about, but it looked great in the photo. And I definitely let them eat it when it was ready! (It was also one of my most-pinned photos I’ve ever had. So there.) Was it any worse than some of the other treats they occasionally get? Nope, not in this house. So yeah, my kids had a special yogurt pop with colored cereal in it. Get over it.
Oh, and yes. I should have had the chest strap higher on my kid in the car seat. Ok. That was a good suggestion. Thanks. But, rear-facing? I’m not familiar with many large 2 1/2 year olds in a rear-facing car seat. And the grapes? My kid’s got grape-eating down. But, maybe yours doesn’t. That’s fine. Don’t give your kids un-cut grapes. Good decision. Why are you yelling at me for giving them to my fully-toothed kid though?
So yes, I’m irked. Since when is motherhood all about judging? Who are we to judge if I got an epidural to birth a baby? Don’t ask me how long I breast-fed my baby if you are asking because you’re hoping you did it longer. And, if you don’t give your kids anything to eat that’s out of a box? Good luck with that. Seriously, good luck. It’s going to be really hard to leave your house for the rest of your lives, but I wish you luck.
My point is, as long as you are doing your best to provide for you and your family, I’m happy for you. None of us are perfect. Some days you make the kids food from scratch, you do crafts, sing songs and romp to your heart’s content. Some days you throw your kids a bag of cereal, let them wrestle on the floor and hope everyone comes out alive. I mean, we’re all moms. We all have awesome moments and ones with a little less sparkle. But, always we love our kids.
And, we should always support each other. Because, if I didn’t have my friends in this wild world of motherhood, it would be a lonely, lonely place. A place where I might believe I was actually the bad mom I’m accused of being by random strangers on Facebook. Darn the meanies.
So here’s my question… What’s your hot-button? What do you think moms unfairly judge each other about?
Oh yeah, definitely worst mom ever.
😉
I feel pretty fortunate to be around a group of moms that are really supportive of each other despite our sometimes different beliefs in what is best for our kids individually. I hate that that is not the norm. I truly the think 99.9% of us are doing the best we can and that’s what matters! 🙂
Thanks Brittany! I don’t know a mom that doesn’t do the best she can for her kids. And hurray for mom friends!
I always just try to remember that those individuals who feel the need to judge others, often have the most “issues” themselves.
So true!
http://lisajobaker.com/ – Here’s a website/blog that builds moms up – thought you might like this if you haven’t seen it.
Great blog! I’ll have to follow her. Thanks for the suggestion!
I hate to say it Katie, but it is most likely jealousy. You and I have had a few squabbles, But I deeply admire your accomplishments as career women and mom. I think you do both exceptionally well. I have always though you are a very talented competent person in so many areas. People have a hard time with this, so they try to pick you apart. Don’t let it get you down. As I have always said, you are an “exceptional girl” who is very accomplished!
Thanks for the support Hallie!
I’m with you… we can only do so much. Hugs.
Thanks Sara! Hope all went smoothly with your move and you’re loving being a mom of two! Your facebook pics are adorable!
This is so true! everyone needs to lighten up 🙂
Pfffft. Whatever. Everyone has an opinion and they can all kiss my white tail. I’m doing what works for me and if someone else doesn’t like it, they can go somewhere else. You didn’t do anything wrong or unkind, and if someone else thinks you did, then that’s their dumb problem. They can go and be perfect somewhere else, because perfect people are BORING.
You said it sister! 🙂
Sorry you being approached by people who sound snobbish that helpful. Here’s my two cents….If you are unfamiliar with the latest car seat recommendations, why not make that a story? Most of don’t dig into the latest into best of the best recommendations, particularly when kiddos are back to back. It is recommended that kiddos ride rear facing to they are four years old. Before then, the injuries are often called internal decapitation. Why four? Because kiddos bones harden by 4 making fractures less likely. Even leg injuries are less common when extended rear facing. Diono, Chicco and Graco have all answered the demand with their latest versions of car seats. Move them into a high back booster too early and you can cause hip fractures. Ask a local certified car tech to speak to you about the NHTSA recommendations and help everyone out. 🙂
My momma knowledge ends there. I’ve gotta go heal from my “elective” c-section, make a formula bottle and give my kiddo some cereal straight from the box now. 😀
That is terrible! I just think someone has always got to say something. I had the same criticism for the grapes, popcorn and car seat! Small world…it must be because we live in NC (lol jk). I also got chewed out for posting a picture of my 2 year old sitting near the pool and I was merely taking a pic of the fact no one was at the pool with us and I got it people about being “so far” away from her in the picture! There’s just always something. The law in NC says only until 2 years old for the rear facing…jeez! Keep your chin up! I just found your website and I love it!
Well, apparently, these kids are literally supposed to be glued to our hips for 18 years! 😉
Thanks for stopping by and giving me a boost!