All moms have probably once in their life time (if not a hell of a lot more than just once) felt other moms judging or criticizing you for the way you choose to parent. It happens all the time and im here to say knock it off ladies! We have all faced scrutiny for our choices: moms who bottle feed vs moms who breastfeed, moms who choose to vaccinate vs moms who don't, moms who co-sleep vs moms who make their baby sleep in the crib from day one, moms who have their children on a schedule vs moms who let their kids choose their schedule, I could go on and on about everything moms judge each other for. But my question is why are moms so judgmental to other moms?

I felt this the first day I announced I was pregnant and started getting bombarded with questions about if I will either deliver with no meds, have a midwife or doctor or birth in a birthing center or hospital. Once I answered all those questions I felt defeated, judged and started questioning whether I was making the right choice in my decisions. Im not perfect by any means I know I have judged other moms in my time but soon I changed the way I was looking at how other moms may be raising their own compared to how I was. There is no formula to parenting ladies, no book to tell you exactly how it needs to be done but it is based solely on how you feel about raising your child and the guidance you want to give them to be the best person they can be.

We all have strong feelings on what we believe to be the right way to parent but that does not necessarily mean thats what that other person feels too. We are all clueless about how to raise our children. It takes time to get the hang of being a parent, I still am incredibly clueless but I try oh so damn hard to be the most and the best I can be for my daughter. Each day we learn something new just like our children do. So if you are struggling with making a parenting decision remember that others are too. Much of parenting is about trail and error and what may work for you may not for others. There are so many spectrums on the parenting rainbow and all of them can be right.

Many psychologists cite that mom judging comes from an inner lack of confidence about oneself, comparison to other moms and their ego. But just remember that mom judging is very hurtful, and for those of us that have felt judged or shamed know that it makes you question your very existence about being a mother. Now this is not ok!

When we become moms something in us changes, we become a protector and lover, we become momma bears. We strive to make our children feel comforted around us and will protect them at all costs. All I want to do is provide my child with memories, love, health and direction in life and we all try our very best to do this. Motherhood should not be a battle against other mothers but about your journey with your children.