Is there anything worse than judgmental people who attack hard working, yet imperfect, parents?
A few days ago I wrote about the despicable Twitter and Facebook campaign criticising the grieving parents of the Colorado movie theater massacre for allowing their children to attend a midnight screening. Even so-called ‘experts’ were claiming that this was an appropriate time to be highlighting the importance of enforcing strict bedtimes.
Now we have a case where columnist Susie O’Brien confesses to finding her role as parents quite challenging. Does she get support and useful advice from her readers? No way! She becomes the victim of a backlash ‘of epic proportions‘.
WHY do some people hate mothers so much?
I was totally blown away by the reaction to my piece last week about how I sometimes can’t cope with my kids.
I’m not like model Elle Macpherson, who came out as a “bad” parent this week because she makes her sons do too much homework.
No, my version of monster mothering involves my daughter doing a juicy raspberry spit in my face, and a noisy toddler planking on the floor of a very busy tourist cafe.
In my heraldsun.com.au blog, the backlash against my epic parenting failures was breathtaking.
Andy said: “You really need to teach them some more respect, it’s that simple.”
Alzee said: “You demonstrate the woeful parenting skills of many of today’s parents.”
Mother of 4 Big Kids said: “Your children will understand that you would rather go to work than parent them.”
And Kim C said: “I certainly wouldn’t want my children associating with any six-year-old that treats her mother in that appalling manner.”
It’s evidence, apparently, that I am both a terrible mother and a very bad woman. I love my kids.
Parenting is the hardest task in the world. Harder than brain surgery. Certainly more difficult than teaching. The best parents realise that all children are different, with different skills and needs. This means that we are constantly trying to get the balance right and require many adjustments to our approach along the way.
Those parents that judge others are often hiding their own insecurities. It’s time they reflected on their own parenting skills and learned to mind their own business!
Click on here to read The Unexpected Rewards of Parenting
Click on here to read 5 Humourous Comparisons Between Parenting and Journalism
Click on here to read It’s Not Spying on Your Children, It’s Called Parenting
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