Don't Judge Me!

I came across a blog post by a woman named Michelle, and it really puts judging parents into perspective. You can read her post by clinking here! So often, Mom's (& I guess dad's may do this too!) are judging others parenting. I know I do. I am astonished by parents who give their infants bottles and solids as they are driving down the street. Or the parent who has not read up on car seat safety, to the slightest. Those things, I guess are justifiable but like Michelle says, we all have our own agendas and priorities.

I know that it is important to me, that my children feel love and compassion but at the same time they know manners and discipline. Oh, discipline... we need discipline to allow our children to function in society. Nothing drives me more crazy than when parents think they are doing their children a favor by not disciplining them... but then again, that's on my agenda not theirs.

I am a mom who works full time, and still feels she is doing a good job parenting my daughter. I get a lot of flack because I choose to work; when in reality, if I didn't want to, then I don't have to. I like the balance it gives me. I work four ten hour days and I have three wonderful days with my precious little girl.

One day last month, my child was sick, runny nose and all... Well I had made the decision to go to Jamba Juice to get us a smoothie and to get out of the house. It was a nice day, and we were over being couped up in bed trying to fight this cold. Well, we got out smoothie and went to sit at a table outside in the strip mall. Next to us was an older woman, and I could just feel her judging me. Yes, my child has snot running down her face, and she looks like a mess but let me tell you this. I pick my battles, either we can sit there relaxing and enjoying ourselves or I can wiped her nose for millionth time that day and she will start crying because it hurts. So I let my little snot nose girl sit there and hang out instead of bothering her, yet again, by wiping her nose. Don't judge me!

Another thing on my agenda that I know isn't on others, is the time I take to get ready for the day, as well as the amount of time I spend having fun without my daughter. These tie together because they both deal with work. Every morning I get up and get ready for work in about 15-20 minutes. My hair is usually in a messy bun and I do not have any make-up on. I am perfectly okay with this, I sit at a desk all day and quite frankly, I am not trying to impress anyone. Some other woman at my work get up and spend hours in the bathroom every morning. I just cannot justify doing that because I would much rather sleep. Again, beauty is not my top priority, which is a-okay. Along these lines, I work with a variety of different people in the work place. Some have children, some don't, some are married, some are not. My life style varies from each and everyone of them. When I get off work at the end of the day, I expect to spend my time with my daughter. Not working, going out, or doing anything without her. It is rare that you will find me outside of work without my daughter on my hip. The 40 hours I put in at work, is enough for the amount I get paid and is all that I am expected to do. I don't like to party or go out and do"adult" things, because I would honestly rather play on the floor with my daughter. Does wanting "adult time" make you a bad parent? Absolutely not. We just have different agenda. People think we are crazy because in four days we are taking a 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise, and *gasp* we are taking our 11 month old with us! I think it is great, and I cannot wait to spend all that time with her.

I am not sure what the point of this post is about, but I wanted to share Michelle's post, and post my perspective on it. I definitely will try and remember what she said before point blank, judging other parents decisions. To each their own.