Posted by: EllyBean, March 8, 2010 in 1:56 am
Why do people think it’s okay to comment on your parenting whenever they choose? If it’s cold outside, people have told me that the babies need a blanket or a hat, or they should have mittens on… If it’s hot outside, strangers point out that the babies need shade, a hat, sunscreen…
One woman told me that I shouldn’t even be outside with them! I’ve had people comment on my stroller being too big, and the babies being too old for pacifiers. I don’t invite these comments but people, it seems, have lots of opinions about child rearing.
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Posted by: JudyB, March 4, 2010 in 11:35 am
My 2 year old has recently started biting. I believe he is using it as self defense. One little boy always grabs toys out of his hands and my son’s initial reaction is to bite his hand to get him to let go of the toy. Supposedly it’s out of frustration because he can’t talk that well yet. I know it’s bad and I’m working with him but if one more person says something to me as if it’s my fault, i’m going to punch them (guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree). One mother asked how I was disciplining him, as if I haven’t read every book about this. I’m doing what you’re supposed to do. Punishing him immediately and giving more attention to the child that has been bit. Another mother asked what was going on at
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Posted by: Nyssa Hargrave Retter, February 25, 2010 in 6:02 pm
(Or how I almost became the Mommy Police)
My church has a little nursery room Moms can escape to when the little ones are antsy or cranky, and my daughter, Eliza, was getting tired of being trapped inside the pew, so we went there. Already inside was a two year old girl, let’s call her… “Bolivia,”* and a 13 year old girl watching her. My daughter loves to make new friends, especially with kids about her size (my daughter is 14 months.) So, automatically, she just adored this Bolivia. All was going well, until my daughter found a toy in the toy box. Suddenly, Bolivia grabs the toy from Eliza, and hits her on the forehead with it. Now, my daughter is a tough toddler (by virtue of being a toddler), and she has a big brother, so she’s had her share of toys being snatched away and it usually doesn’t even phase her. But when this little girl she’d JUST MET attacked her unprovoked (and after we’d shared Eliza’s coloring book with her!!), it really threw Eliza for a loop.
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Posted by: Julie223, February 16, 2010 in 10:47 pm
There was this woman in my playgroup who I became friendly with and if there’s a Mommy Police, she’s got to be at least a lieutenant. Anyway, she was always harping on me because I didn’t have my son signed up for any classes, (we were broke and I was spending money on babysitting so I could work). She was one of those mothers who had her 18 month old son in five classes a week!
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Posted by: Jackie, January 26, 2010 in 5:39 pm
This is embarassing…I never, ever hit my daughters. When my oldest was little, we were at the mall and she kept trying to stand in her stroller. I gently tapped her bottom and told her “no, sit down.” An old man started yelling at me for hitting my baby. I only tapped her. I almost started crying right there. I would never hit my baby. I couldn’t believe that man felt the need to accuse me in public. I felt horrible all night.
Posted by: kdkdkd, January 8, 2010 in 9:46 am
Whenever we are in a situation with other children, my 4 year old daughter clings to me desperately. She has no interest in socializing at all and will rarely go up to other children on her own, even if she knows them. I’ve tried everything but that’s just her way. People have said the most obnoxious stuff to me. Last week a woman in the waiting room at the doctor’s office said, “She probably needs more attention at home. Do you work?” (I don’t) or a parent at Tumble Time said, “You need to teach her how to be independent.” No kidding! Can’t people just mind their own business? I’m doing the best I can!
Posted by: debx2, January 4, 2010 in 12:25 pm
I was at the shopping mall with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and 14-month old daughter. Not the most understanding group so I was hoping my daugher would be one good behavior. I was wrong. Everything was going smoothly until my daughter decided that she was done shopping and entered into one of her notorious public tantrums. I tried everything in my arsenal to calm her but her screams were not subsiding. There was nothing to do but leave the store. I told them I would catch up and I took her outside where she
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Posted by: beth, December 10, 2009 in 11:31 pm
I often have lunch out with a mommy group who all have kids in the 14-19 month range. Right after we eat all of the moms race back to their homes so they can nap their babies in their crib. I have always had a more relaxed attitude about napping and I let my 14 month old take his daily two hour nap in his stroller or carseat while I do errands. Yesterday, one mom remarked that she couldn’t believe how I nap him. I told her that he doesn’t know any different.
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Posted by: llmommy, November 25, 2009 in 10:18 pm
I have a two month old and already I have been accused of the “not enoughs”… You know the list, not supporting his head enough, not dressing him warm enough, not burping him enough, not giving him enough tummy time, not enough milk supply and the list really goes on and on. I’ve been able to hold my head up high with the “mommy knows best attitude” for all of these comments I really feel as if I’m right and the peanut gallery doesn’t know what they are talking about.
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Posted by: JaandM, October 29, 2009 in 12:19 pm
I was in a group of moms who were talking about breastfeeding even though our youngest children are now in Kindergarten. I winced knowing what I would hear. “I breastfed for over a year with all three of my children!” “I just loved breastfeeding.” “Pumping was a breeze.” I waited for the conversation to pass. But it didn’t and was suddenly directed to me. “Um…me?… I didn’t even try. Wasn’t interested in the whole concept…it’s not for everyone. (chuckle)” Awkward silence ensues. Finally, I hear, “Well…to boost the baby’s immune system, didnt’ you want to give it a try ?” “No, I’m selfish.” Awkward laughter. Subject successfully dropped.
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Who Are the Mommy Police?
The MOMMY POLICE are anyone... friends, family, even strangers on the street, who tell you how to parent and judge you if your choices differ from their own.
When it comes to parenting, there are NO ANSWERS. Barring established safety precautions, like the use of car seats and not drinking poison, everyone is just guessing. Speaking with physicians, educating ourselves through books, and sharing personal experiences will no doubt elicit helpful advice. But when it comes down to it, the truth is, there is no “right” way to raise a child.
Unfortunately, there will always be the inescapable MOMMY POLICE, judging us; pushing their views and making us doubt our instincts.
Hopefully, these Mommy Police Attacks will entertain you while helping to soften the blow next time you’re hit unexpectedly. Remember... don’t let anyone make you feel like a bad parent.
