As a mother, especially a teen mom or a first time mom, you meet a lot of backlash and negativity...a lot of it aimed at you from other mothers, sadly. Cosleep? You're endangering your child and are a horrible parent. Sleep separately? You're neglecting your child's emotional needs and are a heartless mother. Coshower? You're spreading your filth and dirt to the child and are risking their health to save time. Bad mommy. Shower in a tub/sink/separately? You're trying to make it easier and teach your child independence at a young age. They're never going to learn proper hygiene that way. Breastfeed? Okay, fine. But cover it up or take it to the bathroom. No one wants to see that. Bottle feed? You're neglecting your child's health for the simplicity of having a bottle ready. You're not giving your child the nutrients and closeness they need. Epidural? You're weak and don't deserve to give life. No epidural? Show off. Not everyone can handle pain. Vaginal birth? You're not special. Women have had natural births for hundreds of years. C-section? You didn't really give birth. You're not a mom until you have a vaginal birth. Circumcise your child? Mutilation! Pervert! Mutilating your child in the name of religion! Don't circumcise? That's going to be hard to keep clean and keep up on. Why didn't you circumcise to make it easier? You're going to embarass him when he's older. Stay at home mom? You just don't want to work. Work and do daycare/babysitter? You're neglecting your child and teaching them to be fine without you at an early age. Not cool.
The list goes on and on. As a mother, you receive backlash no matter what you do...or don't do. Everyone seems to be an expert on your kid, but God forbid you make a statement about theirs. My point for this is to say that no matter what, you're raising your child how you see fit and to the best of your abilities. Everyone will have something to say. Everyone will judge your choices and parenting style. Everyone will say what you're doing is wrong, no matter how you do it. So do what you feel comfortable doing and give a big middle finger to the naysayers. Ignore the hate and focus on your child. Because as a mom, that's all you can do. Stay strong, mommas!