Mom Shaming! A Stigma

By Nayan Rath

Motherhood is not a Competition to see who has the smartest kids, the cleanest house, the healthiest dinners, and the nicest clothes. Motherhood is YOUR journey with YOUR children.

Mom-shaming is a hurtful form of bullying that involves harsh judgments and subtle aggression towards mothers for their parenting choices. Labels like “helicopter mom” and “tiger mom”, drill-sergeant mom, and hummingbird mom, add to the pressure. It perpetuates unrealistic expectations, leading to self-doubt, feelings of failure, and unworthiness. It’s important to foster support, and understanding, and celebrate diverse parenting styles while offering empathy and reassurance to all mothers. Let’s uplift and empower moms, recognizing their love, sacrifice, and resilience.

Mom Shaming pinpoints to a mom’s decision about

Ways to Deal with Mom Shaming

1. STAY at home.

It shows up like, ‘It is cool not to have to work ‘or ‘I wish I had been able to play with my kids all day’. When a mother joins the back office after the baby, she gets a stare ‘See how careless! She preferred her career to her child’ or ‘I would never leave my son with the Maid’. Often such unintentional comments can be passive-aggressive ways to judge another mom’s choices.

2. Breastfeeding choices.

It’s one of the most personal and often exhausting aspects of motherhood. Yet many express their spontaneous, unsolicited judgments adding to the Mom’s existing agony. There are varieties of reasons that moms can’t breastfeed even if they want to.

3. Take on non -traditional Parenting Roles.

Correcting how to parent her baby, referring to AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) guidelines is done with good intentions. But She may find it judgemental or overstepping into her territory.

Shaming about Children’s development and questioning her on the baby’s milestone!

‘Don’t you think your baby should crawl by now?’ are all humiliating. It may so happen she is worried about it and your undue concern doubles her worry.

4. How to spend free time.

There is no ‘one-fit-in-size’ for a New Mom. She has her way to keep a balance. If she spends a lot at the gym, she gets a troll ‘She is not giving the required time to her baby’. Some have the temptation to push their selfmade approach on others.

But enhance your coping strategies by prioritizing self-care and confidence in sticking to your decision. Stop comparing yourself to others and choose one or two Trusted sources to rely on for information. Set your boundaries and unfollow social media if that makes you feel bad.

If you want to say something to MOM shamers, you can do so with a superficial ‘thank you ‘. It alludes to the fact that you will consider their ideas and then walk away. The best thing you can do is whatever makes you feel comfortable.