Mommy Wars

I'm going to go a little serious on you here and talk about something that plagues all mom's out there, no matter the age of their children. And really, this isn't an issue between good friends because good friends are my fiercest allies. It's all those other moms out there...

All to often I hear people bring up the mommy wars. And for some reason, it is always brought up that social media is the reason for these wars. We all paint a picture of our big happy life and never show the unhappy times. The thing is, whenever I hear that talked about, I am always feeling like that isn't it for me. 

You see, the things that get under my skin and rattle my cage are always said to my face. They are usually those little remarks that are made on the side that make me want to punch someone...or at least insult their children. Remarks like:

Oh, your kids fight. My oldest was just made to be a sibling. He is so loving. 

Your son has trouble listening? My kids know to obey the first time I ask.

You are still breastfeeding your daughter?! Well, that's interesting...(more to come on that in a later blog post)

It's one of the oldest tricks in the book. Hit someone in the back of the knees. They won't see you coming and it will totally knock them down. And to be honest, I don't get why moms do it. 

I try to be sensitive to what other moms are dealing with, even if my kids have yet to struggle with it. And if that fact is pointed out, I always quickly point out that all kids have their strengths and their weaknesses. Because, well, it's true. 

Connor never really struggled with potty training (not in the way that some of his friends have), but I tell you, that kid can be aggressive. 

Isla has always nursed like a champ, but the girl didn't start sleeping through the night until she was 21 months old. 

Like I said, all kids have their strengths and their weaknesses. And all I am looking for in another mom is a little sympathy. A little encouragement that my kid isn't crazy. A little gesture that I am not alone. Because, I tell you what, there is nothing suckier than a backhanded insult from another mom. It's worse than dealing with toddler tantrums all day after a sleepless night. It just sucks. That's all I'm sayin'. Ok, that's not all I'm saying.

So ladies, the next time you think about cutting down another mom in her moment of weakness, remember YOUR KIDS AREN'T PERFECT. No matter how much you think they are, they aren't. And really, making yourself feel superior for a moment is not worth tearing down another mom. 

It always goes back to the basics, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. And there is ALWAYS something nice to say. So build other mama's up by looking for that nice thing to say to them when they are spilling out their guts. It will help out, more than you think.