Thoughts on Facebook and parenting

Is it just me or is anyone else sick of reading the "I'm a better parent than you" type of posts on Facebook? I'm so tired of it. I have several "friends" that feel the need to bombard their friends with posts about their parenting style and such. I'm sick of reading about it. There is such an obvious tone to posts like that that scream, "my way is the right way and no one else's."

I think that every family is unique and I'm sick of the judgment. Who are we to judge the way another family parents their children??? Just because something is right for you, doesn't make it right for your neighbor. So to all those that post things like that-get over yourself. 

Every once in a while I do see something good on parenting on Facebook and this really spoke to me- (especially about breast feeding-I tried so hard with Sadie and only was able to for 4 months. Due to all the complications that I had after her birth I had a very hard time with my supply. I am also very private when it comes to feeding and would just stop when someone tried to look over my shoulder; I am sure that had something to do with my supply as well. I STILL to this day have guilt for not producing enough for her and I think a lot of it stems from people "bragging" for lack of a better term, on Facebook about feeding. I think there is a big misunderstanding out there that says that just because a mom doesn't breast feed, means that she doesn't want to. Nothing could be further from the truth-at least in my case.) Anyways, here is the post:

To the mom who's breastfeeding: Way to go! It really is an amazing gift to give your baby, for any amount of time that you can manage! You're a good mom.

To the mom who's formula feeding: Isn't science amazing? To think there was a time when a baby with a mother who couldn't produce enough would suffer, but now? Better living through chemistry! You're a good mom.

To the cloth diapering mom: Fluffy bums are the cutest, and so friendly on the bank account. You're a good mom.

To the disposable diapering mom: Damn those things hold a lot, and it's excellent to not worry about leakage and laundry! You're a good mom.

To the mom who stays home: I can imagine it isn't easy doing what you do, but to spend those precious years with your babies must be amazing. You're a good mom.

To the mom who works: It's wonderful that you're sticking to your career, you're a positive role model for your children in so many ways, it's fantastic. You're a good mom.

To the mom who had to feed her kids from the drive thru all week because you're too worn out to cook or go grocery shopping: You're feeding your kids, and hey, I bet they aren't complaining! Sometimes sanity can indeed be found in a red box with a big yellow M on it. You're a good mom.

To the mom who gave her kids a home cooked breakfast lunch and dinner for the past week: Excellent! Good nutrition is important, and they're learning to enjoy healthy foods at an early age, a boon for the rest of their lives. You're a good mom.

To the mom with the kids who are sitting quietly and using their manners in the fancy restaurant: Kudos, it takes a lot to maintain order with children in a place where they can't run around. You're a good mom.

To the mom with the toddler having a meltdown in the cereal aisle: they always seem to pick the most embarrassing places to lose their minds don't they? We've all been through it. You're a good mom.

To the moms who judge other moms for ANY of the above? Glass houses, friend


(I would add, thanks to my friend Dianne for making me think of it: To the mom that had a natural childbirth-good for you-that could not have been easy. I admire your strength and courage. To the mom that had an epidural-that must have hurt like Hell-I don't blame you for asking for one. To the mom that had a c-section-wow, that must have been hard, but I am sure it was for good reason, whether it be your health, the baby's, or both. To all of you-glad you had a healthy baby from the outcome. One does not make you better than the other.)