Criticizing Parents

United States
March 20, 2007 10:08am CST
Do you feel that because you have children, you have the right to criticize other parents, even if they are just looking for advice? I have one child, and even when I am just asking for ideas for future situations, or a current problem, I have been criticized by other people because they think that I am wrong. Does having a child give a person the right to judge other parenting methods?
4 responses
• United States
20 Mar 07
I think that no parent has the right to criticise a nother parent, suggestions and helping someone is a better way to go.
• United States
20 Mar 07
Exactly! I wish my in laws would learn that, but I know they never will. They have constantly and continually disregarded our wishes as parents when they think they have a better way of doing it. That's why we moved away , and they are not allowed to see our son.
@misheleen73 (6037)
• United States
20 Mar 07
no, having children does not give anyone the right to criticize others. Just yesterday I was at the doctor and there was a young couple with a newborn (maybe a few weeks old) this baby was screaming her head off.. when she was able to such her hand she was fine. The mother had said she spit up 5 of the 6 ounces of milk that morning. This baby was HUNGRY !!! I didn't say anything because I know the importance of learning your babies cries on your own. Children don't come with instruction manuals. As long as you are not neglecting, abusing or in some other way harming your child, then people need to back off and give you your space. If you ask for advice, then they can give it to you, but never in a negative way.
• United States
20 Mar 07
I have had people nose in in the worst of ways. I try to stay out of it, unless my opinion is asked. Some of these new parenting theories are way out there. Too out there for even me!
• United States
20 Mar 07
I try very hard not to judge other parents the fact is that no two parents are going to agree on parenting. My husband and I don't even agree on everything. I think that some poeple need to remeber that when they are asking for advice that thye do not have to do it. Everythime i seek advice I will ask every one I kow with kids and most of the time I will like a litlle bit of what evry one said and will put it all together and do it my way. So to answer youquestion right out No Nother parent has the right to judge another.
• United States
20 Mar 07
i dont think it gives us the right to criticize other moms, but honestly, i catch myself doing it. i am not doing it to be mean, but i find myself doing it often. the only thing is that i dont tell everyone who listens. i only tell these thoughts to my husband so that i can get his view on how he thinks the parents are raising their kids compared to the way we raise ours. a lot of times we agree, but sometimes we dont see eye to eye. i dont have the nerve to tell a friend that the way she is raising her child is wrong, becuase i wouldnt want to hear it from anyone either. i have been told that the way i handle my son is "not right" by the grandmas, of course, and it makes me crazy. i am doing my best, and i feel that i will learn on my own. i dont mind to be given advice, but i dont want to hear that i am doing it alll wrong! we all have an idea of what is best for our kids, so we can only try our best. other people dont have the right to tell us that we are in the wrong. my advice to you is, just let it roll off of you. thats what i do. i dont take it to heart when i am told that i am wrong. i am not about to waste my time and energy being mad about something that i can just easily ignore. and anyway, i keep doing things my way anyway :) so they can tell me all they want that i am wrong, but it doesnt mean that i have to listen to them.