Mommy Wars: How To End Them
I’m a Similac Partner and am a sponsored blog partner, but all opinions are my own. Please see below for additional disclosure.
Go to the Similac Facebook page and share the one thing you will do to help end the mommy wars.
When my little lady was born she was bald. She took forever to grow any hair at all. Once she had enough on top to pull into the tiniest pig tails, I jumped at the chance. She would sit so still for me as I slicked her hair into her “bug antenna”, as we affectionately called them. I would cut out the elastics at night so I didn’t pull her hair. They just fit her spunky personality so well.
Then one day I was in the grocery store and an older woman stopped me. She asked if I had talked to my pediatrician about pulling my daughters hair like that, and did I realize that I was probably damaging her brain? She went on to tell me how appalling it is that mothers “like me” damage their daughters this way.
I was completely speechless. The logical side of me laughed my guts out, I may not be the smartest person in the world, but I do know that my daughters hair is not connected to her brain in any way. I also knew that if something were hurting or bothering my toddler she would sure have a lot to say about it. But the emotional side of me? I was crushed. To think that someone thought I was torturing my daughter and walking around with her in pain for a hairstyle? How many others had thought the same thing?
Have you ever been in a situation where you have been unfairly judged? I know that I have made rash judgments of other parents. Once you are on the opposite side of the situation, you really realize how unfairly you view others! I saw this video from Similac and I just wanted to shout my agreement at the screen.
Yes! A hundred times, yes! We have to start somewhere to end the cycle of judgement. We have to realize that every parent is doing the best they can.
Just imagine if we all picked one way to stop the mommy wars? We could really make some progress! For me? I am going to offer words of encouragement to moms I see battling toddler tantrums. We have all been there and yet I find I still want to roll my eyes when I see another parent doing the grocery store showdown. It would be so simple to look that parent in the eye and tell them that I have been there, that they are doing a good job. Share this video, I am so impressed by Similac’s message, even Hillary and Haylie Duff are on board to end the mommy wars, by working together we can end these hurtful judgements!
What is one thing you can do to end the mommy wars?
Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its new product launch for Similac Advance Non-GMO. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
I would want to end the endless game of comparing whose kid does what earlier – maybe that’s why don’t have many mommy friends
I hope mommy wars comes to an end. It has gotten really bad lately. Great post!
Those PIGTAILS! And what an absolute doll you have! I had to formula feed as well…really just makes me wonder why we really are so competitive with each other. It takes a village for a reason!
It would be nice if everyone minded their own business and quit worrying about others.
As a new mom it is hard, there are so many judgments even from moms who say they don’t judge. I just say something nice or nothing at all and leave it at that.
I have always tried to be supportive of my fellow Moms. Everyone’s situation is different. What works for me might not for you.
I love this promotion. We need to stop being so judgemental and show some compassion.
It seems like everyone thinks that they have the right answers, or that there answers are better than yours. I hate it when so-called mommies try to offer advice.
I always try to put myself in the other person’s place. How would I feel if she said that to me? etc. It really helps put things into perspective.
I don’t know what my reaction would have been to that lady! I love your daughters hair in the picture, she is adorable!
Ugh, the mommy wars… they suck. I was asked to leave a moms group because my 2 year old stole a toy from another kid, while I was nursing my infant. Really? Instead of being supportive? Ugh…
I hate to hear the term Mommy Wars because it is so heartbreaking. We should be building each other up, not tearing us down with jealousy and fighting.
I seriously don’t understand why we can’t all just get along. We are all just trying to do our best.
I wish more people would accept that not everyone has to parent the same way. Shoot I have to parent my kids each differently and take different approaches to each child.
This is one thing I definitely don’t envy with moms. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with this stuff.
I think the best way to end the mommy wars is for all of us to recognize that we all have different approaches to parenting. That, and it’s none of our business.
Yes and I hate it! People need to stop judging. They aren’t in your shoes and don’t know what is going on. Just because it’s different than what you are used to doesn’t mean it’s wrong.
I ignore it. Some people have way too much time on their hands and it isn’t worth it.
That is so unfair that people had to react that way. It would love it if everyone minded their own business or offered support instead.