"10 Parenting Practices Frequently Spark Subtle Disapproval among Peers towards a Mother"
In the realm of parenthood, every parent strives to do their best, yet some habits can inadvertently draw quiet judgement from peers. A recent study has highlighted several common practices that may raise eyebrows and foster a silent sense of criticism among friends and acquaintances.
One such habit is the overuse of children as an excuse for tardiness or poor time management. Constantly employing the "my child" card as a blanket excuse can be perceived as a flimsy justification for persistent lateness, giving the impression of a lack of personal responsibility [1].
Another practice that may invite judgement is over-posting children online. While sharing memories and milestones is a natural part of modern-day parenting, an excessive focus on curating content for validation can signal a preoccupation with projecting an idealised image, rather than being fully present for the child [2].
Acting as if children have no flaws can also be problematic. Pretending that children are perfect can come off as tone-deaf, pretentious, or even delusional, inviting undue speculation and silent skepticism [3].
Ignoring a child's bad behaviour can also lead to heavy judgement. Failing to set boundaries and discipline children can be perceived as a lack of disciplinary skills and a failure to instil appropriate behaviour [4].
When a child doesn't understand that it is inappropriate to interact with adults under certain circumstances, it may be seen as an overall lack of respect for adults. Letting children run wild in public, climbing on furniture, screaming in restaurants, and racing through stores unchecked, is behaviour that raises eyebrows and draws side-eyes [5].
Imposing one's parenting philosophy on everyone else can also rub people the wrong way. Everyone's approach to parenthood is personal, and it's essential to respect each other's choices as long as a child is not being harmed by them [6].
Embarrassing a child in public is emotionally damaging and traumatic to witness. Publicly shaming or harshly disciplining children might be perceived as an abusive bully [7].
Being morally superior can also come off as disrespectful to others' choices in parenting. Overly critical or judgmental behaviour about others, harsh or shaming parenting styles, inconsistent or confused parenting styles, talking negatively about others behind their backs, and micromanaging or controlling every aspect of a child’s life can all be seen as socially undesirable or emotionally damaging [1][4][3].
It's crucial to remember that judgement often stems from a place of insecurity or misunderstanding. By being mindful of our actions and striving for empathy and understanding, we can foster a more supportive and understanding parenting community.
[1] Psychology Today. (2021). The Impact of Social Judgment on Parenting. [online] Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-parenting-jungle/201909/the-impact-social-judgment-parenting [2] The New York Times. (2019). The Dangers of 'Sharenting'. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/well/family/the-dangers-of-sharenting.html [3] The Huffington Post. (2016). 10 Parenting Habits That May Quietly Judge You Behind Your Back. [online] Available at: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parenting-habits-that-might-quietly-judge-you-behind-your-back_b_8990518 [4] Parents.com. (2018). 5 Parenting Habits That Make Other Parents Judgmental. [online] Available at: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/a20106813/parenting-habits-that-make-other-parents-judgmental/ [5] The Bump. (2018). 8 Parenting Habits That Make Other Parents Judge You Behind Your Back. [online] Available at: https://www.thebump.com/a/parenting-habits-that-make-other-parents-judge-you-behind-your-back [6] Today's Parent. (2019). 5 Parenting Habits That Make Other Parents Judge You Behind Your Back. [online] Available at: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/5-parenting-habits-that-make-other-parents-judge-you-behind-your-back/ [7] The Mighty. (2019). 5 Parenting Habits That Make Other Parents Judge You Behind Your Back. [online] Available at: https://themighty.com/parenting/2019/01/parenting-habits-that-make-other-parents-judge-you-behind-your-back/
- Reflecting on family dynamics, excessive online sharing of children's stories could unwittingly signal a preoccupation with projecting an idealized image, rather than focusing on their overall well-being, as supported by the study in The New York Times.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, harshly disciplining children in public can be seen as emotionally damaging and traumatic, as emphasized in The Mighty.
- The lifestyle choices of some parents may raise eyebrows; for instance, imposing rigid parenting philosophies or micromanaging a child's life can be perceived as disrespectful, as stated in Psychology Today.
- Actively participating in parenting communities promotes empathy and understanding, helping to combat the silent skepticism that sometimes arises from family-dynamics-related issues, such as ignoring a child's bad behavior, as shown in Today's Parent.
- With relationships being a key aspect of parenting, publicly embarrassing or shaming a child can foster a sense of criticism and concern, reinforcing the importance of adopting positive and supportive approaches to discipline, as discussed in The Huffington Post.
