Judging People…….We all do it! Some of us are very quick to judge other people's parenting styles. I will hold both my hands up and say I was guilty of this when I was pregnant with Mason, I think I was very naive (being a first time mummy) to think that I had this whole parenting thing sorted. I was adamant that I was going to do attachment parenting and breastfeed until Mason was at least six months old. I remember attending a breastfeeding class and thinking “Oh god why would anyone bottle feed when its more natural to breastfeed?” and there was no way I would let my baby cry for even one minute! I would baby wear 24/7 if I had to, dirty dishes and washing would have to wait!

..Then I gave birth, got home and reality kicked in. Having had no sleep for a week and still trying to recover from the birth I caved in and sent my husband out for some baby milk! I just couldn't do breastfeeding anymore. I had no idea how exhausting it would be! I totally take my hat off to the women that manage to breastfeed their newborn even past a week! As for the baby wearing 24/7, yeah also misjudged how hard that can be as they start getting older... you can’t cook tea next to a hot oven with a baby strapped to your chest wanting to hold everything you’re holding! 

Society makes you think that you have to become one of these stereotypes and I don't think that is right. Why can't we just parent our children without being labelled “the breastfeeding mummy”? You know.. the one that sits with her boob out feeding her child while looking you up and down for bottle feeding, or the “Bottle feeding mummy” who stares back at “breast feeding mummy” thinking ‘that baby’s never going to be full up from that little bit of breast milk!’. Every single mummy or daddy have different circumstances when it comes to parenting so lets leave the negative stereotyping behind and just be happy knowing that they are doing what is best for them and their child.

There are four main parenting styles which are: Authoritative Parenting, Authoritarian Parenting, Indulgent parenting and Neglectful Parenting. There are other styles such as Attachment parenting, Strict parenting and Positive Parenting …..Seriously, the list goes on! I think the majority of us probably do a bit of all of these! Hopefully not Neglectful Parenting (why is this even a style of parenting!?) 

I guess what Im really trying to say is that we all have this idea of the perfect parenting style but really when it comes down to it you have to just go with the flow and see what works best for you and your child. I don't thinking parenting should be put into categories as thats when the stereotyping begins. I’m sure you will agree with me on one thing, our main goal as a parent is to have a happy and healthy child no matter what, am I right?

Author: Ainsleigh Searle