What do you do about negative comments re: your parenting?

[meow]

There is a woman in my playgroup who always has to make a comment that I'm doing the wrong thing.

I co-sleep and my baby wakes up a lot. According to her it's because "he'll wake up because he knows I'm there" and "he'll get into bad routines if I let him". Someone else said yesterday that if you let them sleep in your bed they'll still be there when they're 7!

I generally disagree, but fairly passively as I don't want to start saying too much as it'll look like a judgment on their parenting. I would just simply like to be able to be honest about the amount of sleep I am getting and get reassurance rather than judgment. I've considered leaving the group but I do enjoy chatting to many of the women there. Should I confront her? I'm not at all confrontational (esp. in my sleep deprived state)- what would I say??

What would you do?

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

TBH, if someone tells me I'm doing it "wrong" - co-sleeping, baby wearing, breastfeeding, cloth nappies, not pregnant again yet, not controlled crying, going back to work, not going back full-time, using grandparents to babysit, using a nursery... I remember that there are loads of other people out there thinking I'm doing it "right" - most importantly; me, DH and DS: we are really the only three people whose opinions matter on this.

If someone told me that I was doing something wrong I'd just gently laugh and say "well of course that's your opinion: people who don't do things the right way generally disagree when they see it being done." If it was subtle, such as "well I've heard that if you co-sleep the child is still in there age seven" then you can point out that you know a woman who co-slept and whose son gave it up all by himself at 10 months, no tears, no upsets, just doesn't want to sleep with Mummy and Daddy - unless he's had a bad nightmare or is in a lot of pain, but even so the last six months we've co-slept for a few hours on maybe just 10 occasions, probably less. And that includes four molars coming through. It usually starts in the small hours of the morning when we can't be bothered staying out of bed with him.

I agree, your son WILL get into bad routines if you let him. So don't let him - doesn't sound to me like you've started any bad habits. He feels safe with you and trusts you, sounds good to me!

[Phteven]

Your bubba is not yet 5 months old. Of course he wakes up a lot.
He won't be in your bed when he is 7 but would it be the end of the world if he did come in for some cuddles? For many people jumping into their parent's bed in the morning is a treasured childhood memory.
If gentle disagreement isn't getting through I'd tell the nAsty mum that if she wants to be mean to her babies that's her choice and since you're not criticising it she should give you the same courtesy.
Sometimes when people criticise your parenting it's as much about being a bully as about what they really think about differant parenting styles.

[Arimeh]

Ren - I would probably just say to her "each to their own, I don't judge you, so please give me the same respect".

But I would probably throw a few swear words in there too...

And FWIW - we don't co-sleep with our kids - but I never pass judgement on others who decide to - its not my place - and furthermore - none of my business!!

(ps... and this is why I don't have a mothers group - judgemental women $hit me!! lol)

[Chocaholic]

Don't you hate the judgemental ones!! All I would say is "I appreciate your concern but this is how I have decided to raise my DS. I have noted your comments so please don't feel obligated to repeat them so often." Say it with a slight smile and then either ask her how her week has been or move the conversation on with someone else.

Another option is to talk to one of the other mothers and see if they can support you by pulling aside the mother and asking her to keep those comments to herself in future as you are all there to support each other, not try to force someone to adopt someone elses parenting practices.

[~Kim~]

You stand your ground girlfriend! It has nothing to do with her.

If you don't feel like you can confront her (and like Mel, i'm not the retiring type - but there's a time and a place). Maybe just catch her as she's leaving, while she's on her own I mean, and tell her that you really don't appreciate the comments and that you come for support. She's free to parent as she chooses and you don't comment on that so you should receive that respect too.

[MistyFying]

I think you need to be a bit more blunt with her...something like: thanks for your advice, but we don't parent that way in our family.

[Je$$_84]

Hi Ren,

seems like most of us are in agreement, How you raise you kids is your business and noone elses. I personally dont co sleep eitherjust from fear of rolling on my bubs, and other issues but there issues within myself... I personally dont have an issue with other doing it and would certainly not judge anyone who chose to or is doing it... There are so many things Mothers are judged on... My MIL never breast fed any of her 2 boys. She's always asking my DP "is Jessica still breastfeeding?"

My DS is having some minor speach issues and we are working on it with him, she critisized us the other day about "getting him the help he needs" i couldnt contain myself.. I just let her know that we were working on it as i have told her before and that if other would talk to him properly he's learn alot quicker... (she's constantly using the same words he does and not correcting him)

Being a Mother is hard work and everyone does things different, if everyone learned to accept others parenting techniques and choices i thin kalot of mums would be less stressed out....

Sometimes even confronting some women just doesnt work i have found. some time you can say things over and over again and they still dont get the hint... I have just learned to brush it off as i know i do what i can and do my best if others dont approve or disagess then tough...

Your sound like a great mum and person... be strong and know you're a Fantasic mum. Just need to have confidence and assurance... and so many women on here have given you that assurance...

[~clover~]

Hi. Just say to her that this is working for you atm & when he is sleeping better you will look at other options.

When I had DD1 I was dead against co-sleeping. I didn't care what others did, but it wasn't for me. I was terrified of something happening to her.

Then DD2 came along. That child was impossible & never slept. By the time she was 5 weeks old I was co-sleeping most of the time. She'd start off in the cot & by morning she was in our bed. You can only get up so many times a night.

DS now comes into our bed often too. If he only wakes once or twice then he will go back into his cot, but if its anymore he stays in bed with me.
IME they sleep BETTER in bed with you as they can smell you & they know you are there & are more comforted & relaxed.

Co-sleeping or not if a child wants to come into your bed every night for the next 7 years they will.
DD1 did it most nights til she was 3 & occasionally til she was 5. She does still have a night where she would, but she goes on the lounge instead.
DD2 is in our bed nearly every night. She usually goes to sleep in our bed, then I'll put her in her bed later. Sometimes she comes in, sometimes she doesn't. It only bothers me when I have to get DS out of his cot & she's in the way. Then I'll put her back to bed. Its not a big drama.

[fionas]

I think I'd just say something like, "oh, I'm not looking for advice on whether I'm doing the right thing or not because we're all going to have different ideas on that and we're not all going to agree with each other. I just want a whinge and some sympathy."

I think just make it clear that you're not looking for advice. It's very difficult NOT to give advice when someone is having a bit of a whinge because that's our normal reaction. There's a thin line between giving what you think is helpful advice and coming across as judgemental. She probably doesn't even realise she's doing it.

I think keep going - we're so much more sensitive to points that differ from our own in the early months, then when we finally DO realise that we know our babies best, those opinions really don't matter any more and it really does become water off a duck's back. But that takes a while so hang in there.

[BeautifulMadness]

Ignore her. its you're choice and she should be respectful of that.

[LuluHB]

My best friend and I are polar opposites when it comes to our parenting beliefs - her babies are "scheduled" at birth and mine do as they please when they please. We both know it but respect and support each other without judgment or criticism. If you can't do that, then there's something wrong with you. I'd be telling this woman that just because you do something a different way to her doesn't mean either way is right or wrong. If it works for you and your son (and him waking a lot at night doesn't mean its not working) then I'd be telling her to either respect your choices or hold her tongue. I'd also be saying something to the effect that even if your son is still in your bed by the age of 7, at least he will be brought up in an environment that encourages open mindedness and tolerance of other's rights and choices. Good luck. I hate dealing with these types of people and its such a shame that they can spoil your enjoyment of an otherwise supportive group of women.

[krysalyss]

I have to say that even though I may not say something my face often gives me away with what I am thinking. The other day I was at a new playgroup (everyone else is established friends) and I really disagreed with what another mother was doing. (Her toddler did something minor wrong - she grabbed another kids toy - and so was totally rejected by the mum. No eye contact, no touch) The toddler was so distressed in the end. I could tell my face gave me away and the mum spent the next half an hour talking about other parents that judge. But honestly I don't feel capable of reacting in any other way to that situation.
I guess it is human nature to constantly assess situations and if you are discussing how you parent then you do open yourself up to other peoples POV. But I like Fionas advice on how to handle it. After all, if they think you are struggling then they will offer their solutions. If on the other hand they seem to be putting you down because of your choices then it may be time to be firm.

[Marlene]

I think I'd just say something like, "oh, I'm not looking for advice on whether I'm doing the right thing or not because we're all going to have different ideas on that and we're not all going to agree with each other. I just want a whinge and some sympathy."

Great advice! I was thinking the exact same thing.

I wear my baby everywhere and I cop it from heaps of people. "He's never going to let you put him down", "He will want to be carried forever", "He'll never go in his pram", "He will get too used to snuggling your boobs", LOL.

I just try and ignore those people and listen to the ones that give me positive comments. And, by the way, I hardly ever wear him at home, he is quite happy to sit in his bouncer or lay on the floor, so he is definently not reliant on being worn.

[Lolli]

Bah! Just ignore her hun. You are doing what you think is best and that's all that matters. We co-sleep here too, ds still feeds a few times at night and it's just easier on me and him to have him next to me so we both hardly wake up at all.
Just ignore her, and try and keep your distance from her in future (the same thing I try and do to deal with my MIL!)

ETA (after reading Snacks post)- I'm so lucky, my MG is fantastic... they are things some of the ohter mum's do that I don't neccessarily agree with, and I'm sure some of them feel the same way about me, but everyone just keeps that to themselves. I love it. It's my favorite part of the week

[Snacks]

Ah Ren, I'm sorry. Those MGs can be a bit tough at first as everyone susses everyone else out.
I know I had differences of opinion with a few of the girls in my group in the first couple of months. I just kept telling myself to be confident in my decisions and all would be well.
I'm not an overly communicative person, so telling someone to keep their judgements to themselves was not something I felt capable of.
Now, they are some of my best friends. We have all been through the sleepless nights etc. We have all dealt with them differently. And I realised it doesn't matter what you do, babies will be babies. And everyone cottoned on to that eventually.
Hang in there, mate.

[Nelle]

I once read something (I think in Kaz Cooke's Up The Duff), that basically said that the comments other people make are about THEM not you.

So if someone says 'they shouldn't still be breastfeeding', that's because THEY choose not to breastfeed at that age, and are looking to validate their choice.
Or if someone says 'your child will still be in your bed at 7', that's because THEY don't understand your reasons for co-sleeping, and THEY don't co-sleep.

Of course, if someone says 'you're doing a good job', then THEY are absolutely right, don't think about it any further. :P

I find that remembering that has helped me heaps, when someone criticises me, I just remember that the comment reflects on them. Perhaps they're insecure, perhaps they're less educated, perhaps their situation is different, perhaps they're just nasty. Either way, none of that reflects badly on YOUR parenting.

In the long run, when your kids turn out great, she's going to see that all the issues she had with your parenting probably weren't issues at all!

(And I agree with the others, if her comments are getting you down, tell her that you've thought long and hard about your parenting decisions, and just because they're different doesn't mean they're wrong.)

[Astrid]

Sometimes when people criticise your parenting it's as much about being a bully as about what they really think about differant parenting styles.

Agree with that one. My old mothers group was ok, we managed to get along nicely with all our different ways of parenting until Glamour Mum joined the group. It was like being back in highschool with everyone trying to be friends with the pretty girl. Unfortunately for me I was the total opposite of her and was attacked numerous times by her for breastfeeding, cosleeping etc She was a good mum in her eyes she dressed her son in designer clothes from the US and had her figure back In the end I had to leave the group, just wish I had left it earlier. Make sure you get the phone numbers of the mums that you like, that way if you do choose to leave you are still in contact with other mums. Also have a look at your local ABA group as there is a mix of mums and it is great to chat to mums of older kids who have btdt with cosleeping etc.

This whole parenting thing can be so hard at times, it is a pity some other mums make it harder than it needs to be. There is some great advice in this thread