We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers. - I Thessalonians 1:2


Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers

Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Na-Na-Na-Na-Boo-Boo, I'm a Better Mom Than You

Not really. Not even close. But I figured I'd do a Pour Your Heart Out post about a topic that's bugged me off and on since before Cate's birth-- mom-petition (kind of like competition, just with moms). But before I get into that, you have 8 more days to enter for a chance to win $10 to Amazon.

When I was pregnant with Cate, I got on our local mom's message board a lot looking for answers on how to "do" this whole mom thing. After her birth, I continued to seek this out. I learned that moms fit into all different kinds of categories-- crunchy/granola, SAHM (stay-at-home), working moms, attachment parents, and the list goes on.

And then I started questioning everything. I didn't fit into any one category. Was I wrong to work? Was I right about eating/feeding Cate organic food? Should we be co-sleeping?

So I quit. I quit trying to figure out what kind of mom I was and just started being a mom. I check in on the message board from time-to-time though. Mostly if I'm looking for specific information, like getting Cate to stay in her bed at night (she usually only gets up once now, which is a big improvement from the 2-4 times she'd be up each night a few months ago).

I happened to pop in on a day when one of the hot topics was extended breastfeeding. The discussion thread was sparked by a scene in the movie Grown Ups where a four-year-old is still breastfeeding. The poster wanted to know if this really happened and why some moms did that. The extended breast-feeders explained why they chose to extend breastfeeding into their child's toddler and pre-school years. The non-extended breast-feeders launched an attack, calling breast-feeding beyond 18 months (most) or 2 years old (some) gross and non-beneficial at all. Judgments flew all over that message board. Even though the extended breast-feeders were answering the question the original poster posed, those not in agreement came down hard on them (which had nothing to do with the discussion's original intent of why do some moms choose to breastfeed for so long).

And really, I feel like motherhood is full of these kinds of attacks and judgments. The SAHM vs. The Working Mom. The cloth diapers vs. disposables. Breast-feeding vs. formula. Potty-train at 2 vs. potty-train at 3. TV vs. no TV. Co-Sleeping vs. Sleep in own bed. Cry-It-Out vs. Soothing baby's every cry.

As moms, we want to feel not just like we're doing a good job with our kids, but that we're doing the best job. We want to feel like we're better than every other mom out there. But can I be honest? You're not the best mom out there. Neither am I. No mom is. But we are the BEST at knowing what to do BEST for our families.

And because of that, I'd like to challenge the momma's out there to let go of the labels you hold onto or desire. It's so freeing. Once I gave up the mom message board, stopped reading the blogs of mothers that made me feel like I was failing because I wasn't doing exactly what they were doing, and let go of labels (and just started calling myself "mom"-- no prefix or suffix or other type-descriptor needed), I felt so much better. I was doing what I knew to be best for my family. Whether you have 1 kid or 10, no one's got this whole mom thing completely figured out. One mom's strategy might be another mom's stress. It's great to share what works for you, but don't expect anyone else to think it's THE way to mother.

It sounds idealistic and all peace-love-and-sunshine, but I really do think if as moms we channeled the time and energy we spend judging others and questioning ourselves into building one another up and encouraging one another, we'd see a lot less hostile message board threads. And maybe more moms would feel like they're doing a better job. I know some moms out there that struggle a lot with guilt and wonder if what they're doing is best for their kid(s). And I want to say to them, let go of that guilt-- you are doing a FANTASTIC job.

~Melody :-)


And some pics (about a month old, but new to the blog):
Sidenote: As a teacher, I see students that have been raised in all different ways-- by SAHM's, working parents, single parents, in crunchy homes, in TV-as-babysitter homes, in big houses, small apartments, that didn't go to preschool, that did go to preschool, etc. By middle school, they're all more or less the same-- punky and squirrely. :-)

10 comments:

Mrs. R said...

I believe we all have enough self enduced pressure without adding to it by bringing each other down. Regardless of what "type" we fit in to, we should build each other up! Different doesn't mean wrong! And you're right...none of us are actually going to win mom of the year, despite believing we are the only viable candidate! :-D

Anonymous said...

Amen, sister! :) I stay off the boards because of that very reason.

Anonymous said...

Love your post. We all need to be confident in our ability to raise our children the best way we know how. I am reading a book entitled "Momfidence: An Oreo Never Killed Anybody and other secrets to Happier Parenting" by Paula Spencer. It's a riot and really helps to hash out all of that mompetition (that's one of the chapters) and other problems we face as parents.

Shell said...

I really don't understand the point of the competition. We are all doing the best we can. And each of of our kids is so different. I can't even say that one thing worked for all of my OWN kids, let alone be able to tell others how they should parent.

Loren said...

Wow, awesome post. Wonderfully written, so true and such perfect timing before Mother's Day next month!Mom-hood should be a sisterhood of trials and triumphs. Sharing the funny moments and all the different ways we are trying are damnedest to raise good happy kiddos. If I have ever judged, which I admit and apologize to all mothers, at times I have, its because of my own guilt and pressure to be THE best. Nothing to do with you, just my concern that maybe you are doing it better and that I am failing. Thank you Melody. No competition. Enough.
You are a fantastic mom! Kudos to you! Look forward to hearing about your babies grow up and the fun along the way.
~Loren

Kimberly said...

Wonderful post! I ended up leaving some message boards behind for the very same reasons. We parent in our own ways, and what works best for us and our children. It's not wrong, it's different. And we should praise each other for it!

Came by from PYHO and glad I did!

Unknown said...

I don't get all the judgement. Every child is different, therefre moms cannot all be the same! I think you did the right thing early by by not trying to find your category. That makes you a great mom! Be the mom your kids need you to be! Period! :)
Stopping by from PYHO.

Unknown said...

Love this post, Melody! I am still a few weeks away from being a Mom, and reading your posts helps me know what kinds of things to expect. I love your positive attitude and your openness to sharing details about your life as a mom! :-)

Three Men and a Mommy said...

Amen!!! This is why I rarely give advice and rarely ask for it in return - we just figure out what will work best for us through trial and error. Some people are just too pushy with their views - now I wish I could avoid those people who push their advice (and opinions) without me even asking...

Unknown said...

Thank you! Just what I needed tonight. I HATE mommy guilt. And this week has been full of it!