Between the chaos of raising twin toddlers, I occasionally find a moment to sit down and share my thoughts. While juggling cooking, diaper changes, laundry, and the endless cycle of cleaning, I often reflect on my experiences—my struggles with mental health, past addiction, and the ups and downs of parenting. I’m an open book, sharing my journey, imperfections included. I’m not complaining; I’m simply being transparent.
A couple of weeks ago, overwhelmed and frustrated with the contradictory parenting advice out there, I decided to write about it. Most readers resonated with my message. Most.
But then there were a few individuals—both men and women—who seemed to miss the point entirely. They either didn’t read my post or only skimmed the headline—“Excuse Me While I Cover My Child in Toxic Death Cream”—and suddenly I was the villain. It felt like a battlefield, with them armed with charts and loaded with guilt, while I sat there, disheveled and covered in mystery toddler jam. You parents know exactly what I mean.
Come on, folks. It was satire. Humor is how I cope with the absurdity of life. I’ve faced challenges that could have easily taken me down—recovery from addiction and surviving assault. Now, I use dry humor as a coping mechanism. If you don’t get that, you might miss the essence of my writing. This is a blog, not a scientific journal. My previous outlets for dealing with life’s chaos were unhealthy; now I’m just trying to navigate parenthood.
The reaction was swift and alarming. Within 24 hours, I received hateful comments, including one telling me to take my own life. Yes, a post about sunscreen somehow provoked someone to suggest that. I was also told multiple times that I should have aborted my children. These were just a few of the unkind messages that flooded in.
I included a family photo in my post, hoping that putting faces to the words might encourage some to rethink their harsh judgments. It seems easy to hide behind a screen while spreading negativity. I’ll never fully understand that mentality, but I refuse to let it silence my voice of compassion.
Despite the lack of sleep, I haven’t deleted any comments or responded with anger. I believe in the right to express differing opinions. When I receive an outpouring of support from over 2 million people, it reassures me that I’m on the right path.
I never anticipated that my post would resonate so widely. Within just three days, it garnered over 2 million hits and half a million likes on my site alone. It even caught the attention of major media outlets like ABC and NBC. A book? Perhaps! What do you think?
I’ve heard from countless exhausted parents who thanked me for giving them a voice. Many shared their struggles and how my words made them feel less isolated in their challenges. Some even expressed that my post was a lifeline during their darkest moments, allowing them to believe they weren’t failing.
What does it say about us when the “Mommy Wars” are still raging? It’s disheartening to see our community so divided. The post was never solely about sunscreen; it was about the judgments and shame we impose on each other. I sincerely apologize to anyone who misinterpreted my tone. I wish I could clarify, but I’m just a flawed human being trying to promote hope, love, and kindness.
Let’s stop the cycle of shaming, regardless of our beliefs or parenting choices. We should support one another.
Ultimately, my post was a reflection of parental fatigue and frustration with the overwhelming amount of conflicting information. It’s clear we need to find common ground, rather than resorting to harsh judgments. I’ve never felt more certain that listening to my instincts is essential.
So, for those who feel compelled to criticize or berate, please save your scientific arguments and personal attacks. We are not responsible for each other’s grief, and this is the very issue I’m trying to address. We’re all doing our best, and we should uplift, not tear each other down. When you feel the urge to shoot down someone, remember we might be sharing the same trench.
Finally, if you have time to leave a hurtful comment on a blog post by a mother who has survived significant life challenges, don’t underestimate my resilience.
Take care, everyone!
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