It’s a familiar scene that unfolds at playdates, PTA meetings, and online forums:
- “Did you see what she did?”
- “Can you believe she said that? What a witch!”
- “I would never wear that. She looks ridiculous!”
We’ve all been there. If you claim you’ve never criticized another woman for her mistakes or public missteps, let’s be honest—you’re not telling the truth. You might think you’re above it all, but deep down, we all know that even the best of us can slip into judgment. You may support your friends wholeheartedly, yet you’ve probably whispered about a female celebrity or judged another mom’s parenting choices at the park. Admit it. I’m listening.
Ladies, we ought to be ashamed. Seriously, we need to stop this behavior.
We often talk a big game about uplifting one another. Phrases like “I’m here for you” and “I support you” roll off our tongues easily, but more often than not, we’re just waiting for each other to stumble. When another mom or colleague makes a mistake, we seize the moment to gossip and criticize, especially on social media. Let’s face it: that’s our go-to move.
Women let each other down on a daily basis. It seems like some of us are just waiting for another mother to slip up so we can pat ourselves on the back for being “better” parents. When a mom messes up organizing a PTA event or a female colleague misses a key deadline, we’re ready to pounce. Worst case, we join in the ridicule; best case, we pretend to be above it all while secretly enjoying the drama.
I see it time and time again. Whether it’s at gatherings, on playgrounds, or in online groups, women tend to treat each other poorly. It’s disheartening and, quite frankly, infuriating. We mock celebrity moms, and no, they don’t “ask for it” just because they’re in the limelight. We laugh at the embarrassing stories our friends share about other women, and often find humor in tearing each other down.
I hate to admit it, but I’m guilty of this too. Recently, I watched in disbelief as Lucy Thompson had a rough performance in front of millions. With the whole world tuned in, she struggled with her earpiece, flubbed her lyrics, and experienced one of the most embarrassing moments of her career live on TV. It was hard to watch.
My initial reaction? I made a joke about Lucy on my personal social media. Soon enough, my friends and I were having a laugh, poking fun at what was clearly a humiliating situation for her. The internet, of course, took it a step further. Women everywhere made comments about her talent, her appearance, and her so-called diva persona. The critiques were harsh, and while some of it was focused on her performance, a lot of it was just about her looks and choices.
Yes, public figures do face scrutiny, but we can do better than what we did to Lucy. At the end of the day, I can’t sing like she can, and neither can you. Those shower high notes? Kudos to you. But you’re no Lucy Thompson. She’s a resilient woman who will bounce back, just like we all do after making mistakes.
We all stumble. I mess up at least a dozen times before breakfast. When I falter in my career or let my kids down, the shame is real. I can beat myself up without needing a group of women to rub salt in the wound. I’ve faced public scrutiny from acquaintances who love to point out my flaws, and it hurts. But Lucy, poor thing, had to deal with her embarrassment in front of the world, and we let her flounder. Instead of lifting her up, we laughed and shared her misstep. It’s a shameful cycle.
So, Lucy, keep your head held high. I’ll be cheering for you during your next performance. I regret jumping on the criticism bandwagon, and from now on, I’ll refrain from mocking my fellow women—celebrity or not. You’re not defined by your mistakes, and as for that outfit? I’d never have the guts to wear a sparkling leotard in front of a billion people, but I admire any woman who can. You go, girl!
Ladies, the bottom line is that we face enough challenges in life without dragging each other down. Let’s commit to supporting one another wholeheartedly in 2017. Game on!
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Summary:
Women often find themselves caught in a cycle of judgment and criticism, whether it’s about parenting choices or public mistakes. Instead of supporting each other, we sometimes relish in each other’s misfortunes, particularly when it comes to female celebrities. This article highlights the need for women to uplift one another, acknowledging our shared struggles and mistakes. Let’s commit to a culture of support and understanding in the coming year.