Comments on: You are not a perfect parent…

By: Shana

Shana — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:54:56 +0000

This post and your related post on opinion and judgment really resonated with me. I wrote a response that is too long to put in your comments, so I blogged about it here:
http://schmoopybaby.blogspot.com/2010/01/parental-insecurity-where-does-it-come.html
It took me almost 2 weeks to press the Publish Now button because the topics are so very personal to me and I’m a little afraid to expose myself so publicly. Nonetheless, I finally took the jump and posted. I hope the fallout isn’t too bad when my mother reads it!

By: Monkey see, monkey do? Images, media and public health | PhD in Parenting

Monkey see, monkey do? Images, media and public health | PhD in Parenting — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:40:00 +0000

[...] No parent is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all make decisions that are less than ideal. Some people write about those mistakes or bad decisions as a way of saying, “I’m human, we’re all human, it’s okay to not be perfect.” As long as it doesn’t go to the point of glorifying bad decisions, I think that type of writing is useful both to the writer and to others who can see that there are other parents out there who don’t get it right all of the time. [...]

By: IComLeavWe: Day 7 | PhD in Parenting

IComLeavWe: Day 7 | PhD in Parenting — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:45:06 +0000

[...] of having a civilized discussion without judging, perceiving judgment, and calling people names? None of us are perfect parents and that is [...]

By: Lisa C

Lisa C — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:10:17 +0000

This is one of the best posts I have ever read. I hate that I have to tiptoe around what I say to other moms for fear of sounding like I think I am superior to them. For me, it’s just that I found some information that sounds great, or I really like how something is working for us, or perhaps I really do believe something is really healthy for a child but I don’t expect everyone to be able to do it. I just want to share what I like just in case someone else thinks it’s a good idea, too, and wants to try it. Though I don’t expect people to embrace my ideas, at least I can get them thinking. And really, is it so bad if I brag about my kid? I love him to bits and pieces, can’t I express that? (Okay, so really the bragging is for the grandparents! They literally feed off of hearing how great their grandchild is.)

By: “Don’t Judge Me” | PhD in Parenting

“Don’t Judge Me” | PhD in Parenting — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:44:07 +0000

[...] one is perfect. Not as a human being. Not as a parent. I am not perfect. I don’t expect you to be [...]

By: wrysuitor

wrysuitor — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:21:34 +0000

I’ve just found this blog. I think I like it already. This is a really good topic. One thing I’ve noticed personally is parents seem more aggressive in their parenting stances on the internet than face-to-face. I read the back-and-forths on blogs and forums, etc and they can be just wicked. In day to day life I find that if I’ve discussed a parenting view that doesn’t match the perspective or practice of another mother they usually change the subject quickly but politely, say nothing, or simply continue the conversation with a different take on it, or share their experience of it. I think the internet is like cars- you forget the other people on the road are in fact people and therefore you forget your manners and common courtesy. I think that is a big part of the “mommy-wars” too. I really like the discussion in the comments going on too, I agree totally with the information = judgement thing and I absolutely love that parenting insecurity is being discussed. I think it can be very hard for the majority of people (me too) to admit to any insecurity. I have no idea where this crazy cultural point of view came from that some how it is wrong to make parenting mistakes or compromises, but it truly is totally false. I think when people get really vehement they are acting out of the sense of failure to which that view point inevitably leads.

By: chasinash

chasinash — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:50:09 +0000

I want to tattoo this post on my forehead. How can I make people “get” this concept. I’m going to tell you what I do, but that does NOT mean I am judging the way you do things. I am just confidant in MY choices. Also doesn’t mean I don’t look for ways to do things better, faster, wiser. Grow, people, grow. Thank you for this eloquent post!

By: Right, wrong and the evolution of culture | PhD in Parenting

Right, wrong and the evolution of culture | PhD in Parenting — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 04:18:53 +0000

[...] cannot and should not be expected to be perfect all of the time in life or in parenting. But we should remain open to becoming better people, better parents. On this blog, I will talk [...]

By: Guest Post: The Benefits of Attachment Parenting | Family Jewels - Canadian Family Blog

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:52:26 +0000

[...] don’t think that I am a perfect parent. In fact, I don’t think that anyone is a perfect parent. I resent and reject any societal or cultural pressure for us to be perfectly good or perfectly bad [...]

By: Typology of the Bad Mother | PhD in Parenting

Typology of the Bad Mother | PhD in Parenting — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:37:35 +0000

[...] “bad”, we should offer a helping hand to those that are struggling, we should be confident in our own parenting, and we should continue to think about how we could [...]