The internet has made so many things in our lives easier. We have the ability to communicate and find information in an instant. We can share our lives with not only our loved ones, but with other people (other moms!) that we have something in common with anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, right along with the great resources, we also have the ability to very easily be unkind to people. The topic of mom shaming is one that many people have very strong feelings about. It’s something that we talk about often. It’s something that we are quick to jump on someone for. It’s something that we do all the time. I think we can all agree that it is something that needs to stop. How do we work together to stop mom shaming? 

What is mom shaming?

Mom shaming. I think we have all heard this phrase by now. In fact, it’s such a popular phrase that it has made it’s way to Urbandictionary.com They define mom shaming as “Criticizing or degrading a mother for her parenting choices because they differ from the choices the shamer would make.”

I see so many moms being ganged up on in Facebook groups, being called out on their own posts, being blocked or deleted. In a world where we put our whole lives on the internet, we are leaving ourselves to be criticized and degraded for every choice that we make.

We shame moms for breastfeeding.
We shame moms for formula feeding.
We shame moms for not picking just one feeding style.
We shame moms for working.
We shame moms for staying home.
We shame moms for working from home.
We shame moms for how they put their kids in the car.
We shame moms for co-sleeping.
We shame moms for sleeping in a different room than their baby.
We shame moms for being open about loss, PPA, and PPD.
We shame moms for keeping their feelings bottled up.
We shame moms for working with MLM’s.
We shame moms for cloth diapering.
We shame moms for using disposable diapers.
We shame moms for giving baby pureed foods.
We shame moms for giving baby junk food.
We shame moms for using crib bumpers.
We shame moms for being against crib bumpers.
We shame moms for drinking too much coffee.
We shame moms for drinking too much wine.
We shame moms for posting too many selfies.
We shame moms for not loving themselves enough.
We shame moms for spending too much money.
We shame moms for being frugal.
WE SHAME MOMS FOR SHAMING OTHER MOMS.
(is bullying a bully really bullying?)

What can we do to stop mom shaming?

Really. I don’t have the answer to this one, so I am truly asking. What can we do to stop this?

We need to stop the shaming, stop the judgment, stop the hate. We need love, support, and acceptance. To any mom who has felt the pain of being mom shamed, I pray for you. To any mom who is guilty of making another mom feel shamed (knowingly or unknowingly), I pray for you.

How do we stop the feeling of judgment, shame, and feelings of inadequacy?

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