So you’re probably wondering why this MK mom is writing an article this week. Truth is it’s something we have kicked around for a while. It won’t be every week and each article will be completely random because if you know me, you know I can be random at times. Sometimes they will be funny and sometimes serious. Today is a more serious topic. So grab your favorite drink and enjoy…oh and let me know your thoughts to (but please be polite…my sanity and feelings can’t take any meanies)!
What’s that saying?! “It takes a village to raise a child.” Yeah that saying. If it takes a village to raise a child then why as parents are we so judgmental of each other and not helping each other? I know you’re sitting there going “Lexi I am NOT judgmental.” Yeah me either…OK I lied. I am guilty of it just as every person in the world is. Why because it is human nature to make judgment on things. “Does this shirt look good on me?” “What did you think of this new recipe?” “Did you hear so and so child wasn’t potty trained until he was 3.5?” “Oh my! That parent needs to learn to control that child or he/she will have control over them for the rest of their life!” Ok so the potty training one was something I experienced (many years ago but let’s not go into how many years or it gives away my age and we don’t want to go there). All those questions and comments elicit some sort of judgment. What I am talking about is the judgment against other parents. Recently in a store I witnessed a young child having a tantrum (the kind you could hear across the MEGA sized store). Now as a parent, I have been there and done that (WAY more times than I would like) so to the parent that was dealing with it that day (and every day in every store) I understand your feeling. When I look at you it’s with how can I help you? If I can, I let you cut ahead of me in line to checkout. But just know, I’m not looking at you and judging you. Yet I heard it from another parent. “Why can’t that parent control that child? No child should ever act like that in public.” Now did that person know the child or the child’s parent(s)? Probably not. Do they know how the child normally acts? No. Do they know what caused this? Probably not. Do they think the parent(s) was enjoying this? Seriously?! So unless you know all the facts…DON’T JUDGE! Just keep doing your thing and if you can help that parent out (or at the very least not be so judgmental).
Now I’m onto a new track… kinda…judgment on SOCIAL MEDIA! You know what I am talking about. Yes we use it to vent, tell our life’s story, keep in touch with others, etc. But recently a friend of mine had an incident at her child’s school. Another parent vented about the problem on a social media platform and let me tell you the judgment bandwagon was full force. All these parents accused my friend and other parents involved of being terrible parents. Yet no one knew the whole story. All they heard was the parent who was venting and presenting side A of the story. No one heard side B and no one heard side C (the TRUTH). While names weren’t posted…it didn’t have to be. Other parents figured things out and yet still made harsh judgments. Not only were the judgments against these parents, but against INNOCENT children. Children who also read and heard all this because in this day in age it is happening. So I beg you…as 1 parent to another…PLEASE, PLEASE STOP being so judgmental against other parents and how they are raising their children or handling issues that arise. At the end of the day as parents we all want what’s best for our children. Every person has their own way of making that happen. You don’t have to agree with it or even like it but SERIOUSLY…NO.MORE.JUDGING. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes (unless the shoes are to small/big then just skip to the feelings part) and think how that other person is probably feeling. Think of what a better world (of course great example) this would be for our kids if we calmed it down a little. Alright…next time I swear my article will be less serious and a lot funnier!
