If we have learned anything from the past couple of years, it is that everyone is spending a lot more time at home and having to readjust and reevaluate almost every aspect of life. There are many decisions to be made, and many opportunities in which someone can be judged or “mom-shamed.”
For me, 2020 was a learning curve and 2021 was a year of growth. I hope 2022 continues on that path. I think that everyone is still trying to find their groove, and it has been hard since nothing has stayed the same. Just when we find our groove, a curveball is thrown, so everyone and everything changes again.
We’ve all had to work from home and teach school, and this year everyone is trying to navigate school with rampant COVID cases, which seems to be happening on repeat. We all have to make decisions based on what works best for our individual families.
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Not only are we making decisions for school, but for discipline, activities, meals, and medical decisions. It is extremely hard to watch a mother be judged on every single decision she has to make for her family. I guarantee you the decision she is trying to make did not come easy, and for people to shame someone for their decision is really upsetting.
Since everyone has been at home more, it seems more people have more opinions on what everyone else SHOULD be doing.
Yet what one family does may not — and probably will not — work for another family. From the moment a woman finds out she is pregnant or expecting a child, moms are flooded with decisions. I think we should all try our best to be as supportive as we can, because motherhood is no easy feat.
Motherhood is not for the faint of heart. There are mothers with multiples, mothers with children with special needs, single mothers, AND mothers with no support system. Everyone should be helping one another. I try to teach my children to be nice to everyone and what model would we be showing if we are shaming other mothers while teaching our children the opposite.
You also never know what one comment good or bad could do to affect someone’s day. If everyone is being helpful and encouraging, it could really lift that mom’s spirits. Because I know everyone has had at least one day where they could really use some encouragement and not be shamed. I know I certainly have.
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What if we were all shamed on our worst days, when we need help the most. Most moms are just trying to do their best and get through each day with a happy and healthy child.
So the next time you are mom-shaming or judging someone for making a different decision than you, take pause. It does not mean either one of you is wrong or right or even a permanent decision. It may be what works at point in time. Put some words of encouragement out into the universe instead, and you never know whose day you could completely turn around.
