Judge not lest you be judged, in theory and reality #SisterhoodUnite #ad

We were compensated for this post. Having said that, all thoughts are our own. I judged someone on social media one. It was for the silliest of reasons too for someone who I never met, Renee Zellwegger. It was right after she appeared with a drastically different face, remember that? I was filled with righteous indignation about how her new look would do something or another causing harm to society and the tectonic plates underneath Oklahoma and California. A couple hours after I wrote it I took it down. Sure I had a right to judge her, just as she has a right to judge me; but, neither action would do any good, nor promote anything positive. Stop judging is one of the thoughts behind the #SisterhoodUnite campaign at Similac now. If you’ve got a positive story about your parent experience go there now and share it!

Ms. Zellwegger attracted the attention because she’s a celebrity who the public hadn’t seen in a while. When she appeared looking a bit different than we remembered her in Bridget Jones the public snark was unleashed.

Lots of cheap one liners were written. Tens of thousands of passive aggressive commentators got their two cents in. But, as the end of the day, what was accomplished? Nothing. That’s because everything about that story was between her and her loved ones, that’s it.

Parents are like that, but we shouldn’t be. We judge, question their stroller, say their nap schedule is off, cast aspersions about the child’s diet or comment when it’s otherwise unwarranted. It’s been given to me and most of the time I just politely smile and say ‘thank you.’

Have you heard about David Beckham? His 4-year old still uses a pacifier!  Well hello Joe Nosey Neighbor, who cares and how exactly does his family’s decision impact your life? If the child is not in danger and they obviously love their children why are you projecting your parenting norms on them?

That is #SisterhoodUnite,  call it the Mommy Wars if you want to. Granted that is what earns the most press coverage, but dads have to overcome judgments too.

“Watching over the kids I see” a cashier will occasionally say. “Ah, babysitting the boys today” (mostly men-surprisingly) will say to me. When I started being a stay at home day my father said that jokingly once or twice. At the time I was curt to him and moved on to other things to talk about. I think my wife finally had a word with him because he doesn’t say that anymore.

Sniping, snark and gossiping are the conversation and intellect of those that don’t know better. And you know better, don’t you?  What positive story about #SisterhoodUnite have you got to share? You can post it on the Facebook page for laughs, anecdotes or encouragement. Shout out goes to the Duff Sisters, (Hilary and Haylie) for partnering with Similac to quell these crazy mommy and daddy judgments.

Recap: if you see a person with a baby or a child, don’t judge. #SisterhoodUnite and include the dads in those well wishes, OK?  Unless you personally know them, you have no idea how they parent or what they do behind closed doors. Also, is it judgment, a bad decision or a mistake?  Glass houses and people with rocks make bad neighbors and we’re always moving spaces, aren’t we?