The Mommy War

If you know me, you know that I'm not a very competitive person. Its not really my personality to get mad over "losing" something or not being the best at something.

In highschool, I didn't participate in competitive sports. 

Playing the flute in the band is not exactly a cut throat activity.

Cheerleading was competitive in the sense that we did one local competition a year and even though practices consumed my summer, it wasn't exactly comparable to the movie, Bring It On.

I did enjoy running Track, and even though I ran as part of a team, (section champs, right ladies?!) I enjoyed competing against myself and own personal record. 

Its not in my nature to be competitive. 

Except now, I've entered into the most competitive environment I will probably ever be apart of. 

And no, I'm not talking about the volleyball league I occasionally play in. I only want to win those games because my brother in law is the most competitive person I've ever met. Sorry, Kyle...you are crazy. And great. 

I'm talking about the world of parenting. 

This video is a little extreme, but sadly, its pretty accurate too. You might think its ridiculous, but I've  first handily experience stuff like this!

I'd like to say that I don't participate in any of this nonsense, but I have to admit, even though I probably am not as verbal as some, in my head, I'm judgmental. 

I'm ashamed to admit it, but its true. 

I find myself wanting people to know how smart I think Landon is. I want him to be the first to answer questions at story time because I want others to experience his intelligence the way I get to every day. 

I want people to know I choose to breastfeed Toren and that I birthed him naturally. 

The list of things goes on and on and I didn't even realize I was doing it until I saw this video. Its a little lengthy, but it changed my perspective on how I view other parents. 

I admit that I subconsciously judge other mothers.

I've judged the mother who doesn't even attempt breastfeeding. How ignorant of me to judge someone without even knowing their reason. As if they even need a reason. 

I once read a story about a woman who choose to not breastfeed her baby because early in her life she had been molested. She was finally in a place where she felt like her body was her own and so she choose to bottle feed her baby. She said one of the hardest parts of being around other mothers, is the judgement she felt from those who breastfed their babies. She explained that nobody even cared to ask, why. 

Instead of looking down upon, lets be thankful that their are scientist who have created formula that can sustain the life of a human being. 

And lets be thankful the human body is able to produce nourishment.

I've judged the parents who choose to not vaccinate their children. 

I have my reasons why I vaccinate my kids, but others have their reasons why they choose not to, and some of those reasons are medical. 

Instead of the debate, what if we just agreed to disagree.

I've made it a point to myself and subconscious to be less judgmental and less competitive. 

I want to be a woman who is encouraging to other mothers, because lets be real, motherhood is tough! Of course, it is rewarding, but it truly is the hardest, most challenging task we face.

Lets be a sounding board for each other.

Lets be less judgmental and more understanding.

Lets ask questions to gain more self knowledge. 

We don't have to face it alone.