We live in a time where opinions are currency and social media is the marketplace. With a few keystrokes, anyone can weigh in on how you raise your child—from what they eat, to how they sleep, to how they’re disciplined or celebrated. And while open dialogue can be powerful, there’s a fine line between sharing perspectives and casting judgment.
Recently, I found myself on the receiving end of unsolicited parenting criticism. It wasn’t constructive. It wasn’t kind. It was a digital dagger, thrown from behind the safety of a screen. And for a moment—just a moment—I wanted to respond with fire.
But I didn’t.
Choosing Grace When It’s Hardest
Instead of lashing out, I paused. I took a breath. I looked at my daughter—her kind heart, her fierce spirit, her laughter that fills a room—and I remembered who I am and why I parent the way I do.
I am not raising my child for the approval of strangers. I am raising her to be strong, compassionate, curious, and confident. I am raising her to know her worth, to speak up for herself, and to walk through this world with empathy and courage.
And that means I must model those very things; even when I’m hurt. Especially when I’m hurt.
The Psychology of Parenting Judgment
Judging parenting choices often stems from fear, insecurity, or a need to validate one’s own decisions. It’s easier to point fingers than to sit with the discomfort of difference. But parenting isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. It’s deeply personal, shaped by culture, values, lived experience, and the unique needs of each child.
When we judge, we close the door to understanding. When we assume, we miss the richness of someone else’s story.
Letting Go of the Need for Approval
Here’s what I’ve learned: I don’t need your praise to know I’m doing right by my child. I don’t need your permission to parent with love, boundaries, and intention. I don’t need your validation to feel proud of the daughter I’m raising.
What I do need is to stay rooted in my truth. To trust my instincts. To surround myself with people who uplift rather than tear down. And to remember that my child is watching—not just how I respond to her, but how I respond to the world.
The Cost of Mom Shaming
Mom shaming—whether subtle or overt—hurts. It isolates. It silences. It creates a culture where fear replaces confidence and comparison replaces connection. And it’s time we stop.
Let’s normalize support over scrutiny. Let’s ask before we advise. Let’s listen before we label. Let’s remember that behind every parenting choice is a parent doing their best with what they know, what they have, and what they believe.
Holding My Head High
So, to the person who judged my parenting: I see you. I hear you. And I choose not to carry your words.
Because I’m too busy raising a girl who knows her worth. A girl who dances to her own rhythm. A girl who is loved beyond measure.
And that, to me, is the only validation I’ll ever need.
Final Thought
Parenting is not a performance; it’s a promise. A promise to show up, to love fiercely, and to grow alongside our children. So the next time you feel the urge to judge someone else’s parenting, pause. Choose grace. And if you’re the one being judged, hold your head high. You know your child. You know your heart. And that’s enough.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
~ Momma Braga
