Is it wrong to blame odd statements/opinions on not being a parent?

[Santosha]

I have worked with children for many years... well before I had any of my own. Part of my job is to advise parents about eating, toileting, behaviour, social and emotional development etc. I have a degree in this stuff and I've worked bloody hard to learn all I know. Yet, pre-kids, every now and then a parent would narrow their eyes at my advice and ask if I had kids. Or just straight out say it, with tone: "you don't have kids do you?!". Maaan it made me so indignant!!! I'd think, I might not have any of my own but I know a lot about their behaviour and development and I can actually see this situation objectively... blah, blah, blah.

Looking back, I get it. My advice was theoretically sound in a world where the parent had enough sleep, time, energy and emotional resources to make it happen. Where siblings didn't interfere, heart-strings weren't tugged and tempers didn't flare. I had no idea what parents manage daily just to feed, dress and entertain their kids, let alone attempting to manage the finer details of social and emotional difficulties.

But I didn't get that. I don't think that I could. So yes, I do think that you might understand someone's different perspective in the frame that they're not a parent. But perhaps it's not fair on them to say so as you just don't get it 'till you've lived it. Just like it's impossible to truly appreciate how mental illness, wealth, travel, trauma, isolation... any extreme life change might alter your perspective. I think you made a fair appraisal, I'd just keep it to myself.