Oh… you’re a working mom? Don’t you feel bad leaving your baby? How can you pay someone to raise your kids? Oh… your husband stays home? Don’t you worry you’re emasculating him? Won’t he resent you someday? Don’t you think children need their mother?
Oh… you’re a stay at home mom? Don’t you get bored? Don’t you feel bad not contributing to the household? Aren’t your parents upset you just wasted your college education? What are you gonna do when they go away to college? What do you even do all day?
Oh… you work from home? Isn’t it impossible to work and pay attention to the kids? How do you get anything done? Doesn’t your employer feel that you’re taking advantage? How can you give either thing your full attention?
Oh… you breastfeed? How long are you going to do that? Aren’t you worried what your breasts will look like after? Isn’t it about time she/he started solid food? Don’t you feel bad your husband can’t feed the baby like he could if you’d just give them a bottle? Haven’t you heard babies sleep better on formula?
Oh… you’re bottle feeding? Do you have some medical reason you can’t breastfeed? Aren’t you worried about their immune system? Are you not breastfeeding because you’re too vain? Isn’t it selfish not to do what’s scientifically proven is best for your baby?
Oh… you’re using cloth diapers? Isn’t that gross when you’re out in public? How can you deal with all that laundry? Doesn’t that smell terrible? Does your whole house smell like diapers?
Oh… you’re using disposable diapers? Don’t you care about the environment? Don’t you worry about all the chemicals you’re exposing the baby’s skin to?
Oh.. you and your husband are having date night? Who’s watching your baby? Don’t you worry that you’re already away from them often enough? Isn’t your baby too young to be left with a sitter?
Oh… you and your husband took the baby with you for date night? Don’t you think it’s rude to bring a baby to a nice restaurant? Aren’t you embarrassed your baby is making so much noise in public? Who brings a baby to a place like this?
Oh… you and your husband never go out? Why don’t you make your marriage a priority? Aren’t you worried you might lose the romance? Haven’t you heard all the experts say you need to make an effort to keep your husband interested?
Oh… you’re a single mom? Haven’t you heard the statistic for the rate of failure of second marriages? How can you take time to date when you’re already away from your kids so much? Doesn’t it break your heart to have to share your kids with your ex?
Oh… your kids go to public school? Don’t you think their future is worth more investment/financial sacrifice? Don’t you worry they won’t get into a good college? Why wouldn’t you give them every advantage? Have you thought about all the school shootings?
Oh… your kids go to private school? Don’t you think they should be exposed to more diversity? How can you justify that expense for all those years then college? Shouldn’t you be putting that towards your retirement?
Oh… your kids are applying to college? Aren’t you worried about the costs/debt? Have you read the articles saying college degrees don’t mean anything anymore? What about all those alumni working at Starbucks and teaching yoga?
Oh… your kid is not going to college? Haven’t you read the articles saying college degrees are the new high school diploma? Aren’t you worried they’ll never move out and be independent? Don’t you feel like a failure as a parent?
Parenting is not a game, nobody wins and nobody loses. There is no wrong way and no right way. If you love your kids and you’re trying to make them into responsible citizens of the world, then you’re doing it right.
