Doing what I can to #EndMommyWars from a dad’s perspective

We were compensated for this post, all thoughts are our own. Hey, I’m Trey and I’m a stay at home dad. As a dad I get off easy when it comes to the whole mommy wars issue. My wife and I don’t raise our children the way that you do. We certainly raise them the way that some of you, but not all of you. They go to sleep earlier than some of your kids, maybe watch more television that yours, possibly use the computer more and probably listen to more kindie. Having said that, so what? Similac is asking for a story from you about how you were judged, criticized or made to feel like a bad parent.

When I started out as a stay at home dad I was packed full of daddy rage and righteous indignation. How dare companies not pay attention to me? Why can’t dads join this group? I’d capitalize “Dad” every time I used it in print.  What about me? What I failed to realize at the time is that when you become a parent, most of the time it’s no longer about you, it’s about them.

Those narcissistic ramblings were with me for a while until I saw other dads do it. And they were annoying. They were petty, repetitive and sounded like a Sam Axe voiceover from the opening of Burn Notice.  It was then that I tuned out the judgments from anyone about anything.

If you keep your child up later than mine that’s awesome. You work full time and put your child in day care-super. You make extensive bento lunches for your child-great, I’m kind of jealous of that one actually. If your child is still in diapers at 4-years old I’m OK with it. Whatever manner  you are raising your child-so long as you are an active part in their life and it’s not against the law-that’s great, run with it.

If you’ve been on the receiving or even the distribution end of the mommy wars Similac wants to hear your story. It’s simple, just record your story and share it with their Facebook page. You’ll hear stories that will surprise you as to the way people behave in public. It would be great to also hear some stories of people that had started a mommy war and then dealt with the after effects.

That’s the way I interpret #EndMommyWars.  Those that obsess over negativity or are constantly judging people for not doing, believing or acting the way that they do are as closed minded or ignorant as they perceive others to be.  It’s just that the shoe is on the other foot and they’re unable to see it.

They have as much of an open mind as those people that post “Unfollow me if you……”, vote for whomever, believe this, do that or ate something salty for lunch.

Just stop. Being a parent is an awesome experience and so many parents get swept up in the crowd speak, mob mentality of negative thoughts. If what you’re doing works for you, your family and most importantly- your child, then proceed, collect $200 for passing Go and continue the game.

Similac is working with Hilary and Haylie Duff to bring awareness to help stop the mommy wars. Are you on Periscope? On Tuesday, September 15 you can dig into a roundtable discussion with them. Follow the stream through the TODAY account on Periscope, @TODAYshow on twitter for more information.

When you think mommy wars the main emotions that I think of are jealousy, envy, unhappiness and spite. There isn’t a single emotion or act in those descriptors that are positive or makes me want to alter my behavior based on what you think.  If you’re name is Judy and I’m in your court room then go ahead and judge me. Otherwise just proceed and #EndMommyWars. Share your story with Similac if you’ve been on the receiving end of it, or if you’ve realized in hindsight that you helped cause some of it.