From the time you announce your pregnancy to literally every stage of your little one’s growth and progress, you’ll find yourself surrounded by advice-givers and those who criticise or question every single thing that you do. Motherhood is a tough job as it is, and when you’re criticised by those around you, things can get even more difficult for you, especially mentally.
If that’s something you’re struggling with, here’s a bit of help your way. Read on to discover 5 simple and effective ways to handle criticism from other mums and family members.
Accept Judgement
A lot of us have a hard time with this one. We try too hard to present the perfect picture of ourselves, overworking ourselves. In the end, we always end up being judged, and that’s actually just how things are. Remember that no matter what you do, there’ll always be someone who prefers to do things differently, and will judge you, question you, and maybe even criticise you. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re wrong. It just means you’re different, or rather, they are.
Do What you Want
You might be getting criticised regarding your parenting techniques by other mums around you- it could be your friends or even your own mum or mother-in-law. They may even be pushy at times, and if that’s the case, just politely disagree and do things as you want to do. When you do this a couple of times, that person will eventually back out and stop with the negativity and unsolicited advice. This is another golden gem for new mums trying to handle criticism.
Get Down With the Facts
You might have some different ideas and approaches towards parenting your little one, and that someone may not be agreeing with it. In such a case, you can consider getting down with the facts about it all and how and why your approach is the better choice. Talk about how it worked best for other mums you know- that should help that person stay at a safe distance verbally for a while.
Trust Yourself
Parenting is nothing less than a mental struggle, and when you’re surrounded by those who doubt you and make you question yourself and what you do as a mother, it can be even more difficult. During such times, make sure you trust yourself, no matter what. Have full faith in yourself and your parenting abilities and know that you are the best mother your child could ever have. Remember that you’re doing your best, trusting your instincts, and in the end, doing everything that you can to give your little one a happy life, and that’s actually all that matters.
Open Up
If everything else doesn’t work out, and you’re still stuck with a pushy someone who can’t stop commenting on everything that you do, just be upfront about it. Have a clear discussion about how you don’t like them shaming you and pressurizing you to do things their way and state that you would like to parent your child your own way because you are really the one who knows best for your child.
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