Today I went to a baptism class in preparation for my son’s christening. There was a mother there with her five week old baby boy, who kept screaming and screaming. She said: “Oh, we’re switching from breast milk to formula and he has a terrible tummy ache!” I started getting really anxious. I couldn’t understand why a mother would do that to her child. I bit my tongue and said nothing. However, I was so stressed out about this that I started sweating…
She gave him a bottle and he screamed even more. Instead of trying to comfort her baby, the mother handed him willingly to the lady who was running the class. He screamed as hard as he physically could. It was just awful. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. The mother finally took him back after half an hour and he stopped crying.
I spent the entire class obsessing about this woman and her baby. Worrying about his health, what could be causing the stomach ache, etc. I couldn’t concentrate on much of what was being said up front. Suddenly I realized what I had become: A mommy-fascist!
I was judging a woman I didn’t know anything about on the parenting choices she was making. Which, for obvious reasons, is completely unacceptable and something I never wanted to do. I have so many friends with completely different parenting styles and usually I don’t think twice about their parenting choices because I trust them. I know that the choices they make are the right ones for their family.
I have been thinking about myself a lot today. One of the reasons I was so upset about the lady and her baby is because of all the reading I have been doing these past few weeks. I am studying to become a La Leche League leader and a doula. There are so many facts in the books I have been reading that tell me exactly what the right choices to make are. I have let these facts influence my subjective thinking and blind me from the reality of the western world.
Not only is it unfair of me to judge another mother because of the choices she has made, it is also unacceptable professionally. If I really want to help mothers with their breastfeeding issues, I must accept that some will still decide to formula feed. And that this is ok. It is time for me to start distancing myself emotionally from what I have learned so that I can again be accepting and tolerant of others. It will help me be a better person- professionally and personally.
This is hard for me, too. I don't have any professional inclinations to guide me in being less judgey, which would probably make it easier in some ways. I feel it at it's worst when I have to refrain from becoming emotionally attached to people because I can't be close to them& be myself without expressing my judgement at all. If that makes any sense I'm lucky ;)
ReplyDeleteIt makes total sense- I know exactly how you feel. Even if we like the people and respect their decisions, it can be hard to keep our opinions to ourselves. Especially if we don't want the other person to feel judged...
ReplyDeleteYou never know someone's story. Our little guy had allergies to dairy, soy and egg. I kept nursing but gave up those items but it was hard and a big adjustment for our family. I can understand how some won't or maybe it's an antibiotic thing? I know it was so worth it for me. I wouldnt trade my special rime with my little guys dor anything I try not to judge, but it's hard sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThe little guy crying breaks my heart by the way. Maybe there's something se going on and she's having a grad time dealing with it. Becoming a mom is hard. I try to believe the best in everyone.
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand that you started worrying about that baby, which didn´t stop crying! But I think it is not wrong to state your own opinion, as long as it is not judgey. Your opinion is well-based on many facts, so why not talk to that other mother? Maybe she has her reasons, but maybe she just doesn't know better. You can only help by talking, so please don't bite your tongue!
ReplyDeleteThank you, KA- I'm really trying to focus my attention on the best in people. As you said, being a new mom is hard and it's a big learning process.
ReplyDeleteStephie, you're right. I actually spoke to her and asked her if she had had to stop nursing. She just nodded and looked away. I took this to mean she had no interest in speaking about the subject. I didn't think it was my place to push her...