To the Mothers who opted for an epidural during childbirth — Good for you! Isn’t modern medicine wonderful? What a great option to push through this life-changing experience!
To the Mothers who gave birth unmedicated — Good for you! What a fantastic way to welcome your little one into the world with perseverance and strength!
To the Mommas who formula-feed their children — Good for you! It’s nice to not have to lug around pumping supplies when we already have a heavy load! And isn’t science wonderful for coming up with something that’s healthy for our babies?!
To the Mommas who breastfeed their children — Good for you! It’s great getting to bond with your baby while building up their immune system with healthy nutrients from YOU! And by the way, how awesome is it that you don’t have to pay a penny to feed your sweet baby?!
To the Moms who have a sleep routine with their babies — Good for you! How fantastic that you know what to expect each night. I’m sure your babies are benefiting from the good sleep and structure, too!
To the Moms of fussy babies running on no sleep — Good for you! I bet your babies are comforted by the fact you’ll be there for them no matter what time of day or night. The bond you’re forming is irreplaceable.
To the stay-at-home Mommas — Good for you! Isn’t it awesome to watch your babies hit their milestones?! It’s hard work, but how wonderful that you have the ability to stay at home and watch them grow!
To the working Mommas [yes, I know “working Mom” is redundant…] — Good for you! Isn’t it great to have people out there who care for our babies as if they were their own?! And it’s pretty wonderful to have something to look forward to coming home to each day, too!
To the home birth Moms…the hospital birth Moms…the C-section Moms, the vaginal birth Moms, the I’m-having-my-baby-right-now-in-the-car Moms…
You’re doing a great job!
Exactly right! Everyone has different feelings and strategies that work within their family situations. All relationships are unique and changeable and it is time to stop blaming and start empowering moms and dads. Presently my husband and I are grandparents and we are just so thrilled with the younger generation’s energy and willingness to try different problem solving ideas.
Honestly, I’m not crazy about the wording of this… it makes it sound as if formula is a second-rate choice and as if employed moms are letting others raise their kids (two stereotypes that are already way too prevalent as it is). Employed moms are working hard to support their families and/or pursuing careers that they love; formula feeding mommies are doing what’s truly best for their families despite the hype. This article would be a million times better if it acknowledged that, and if it included c-section moms in the first part.
(Btw, I’m a btdt mom who’s pretty much done a bit of everything, and I wholeheartedly agree with the main point of the article… if you’re doing what’s best for your baby, your family, and yourself, you’re doing great! Don’t listen to the naysayers!!)
Love this. There is already so much pressure and newness becoming a mom. Why add to the stress with the feelings of inadequacy. “Good for you for parenting with your heart. For when you do so, you can’t go wrong.”
Awesome–just awesome! Great article.
Amen. How refreshing, thanks for this article, way too much shaming out there, from ALL sides.