The best defense is a good offense. Too Much, writes that the uncertainty so many parents feel can lead to defensiveness. We are, all of us, casting about for a new way to raise kids, and we're looking to other parents for guidance. But what may be observation can feel a lot like judgment if we don't know what's behind that long stare. It is possible that a mother invites criticism when she is uncertain about a parenting decision, perhaps because what she has been trying hasn't worked as well as she would have liked.
Confidence is contagious.
When we believe in our parenting choices, we express ourselves with confidence. Expressing confidence can be the best way to prevent unwanted criticism and questioning. It has been eight years since our conversation on the beach. She has started a family and she began attending LLL meetings during her pregnancy. When her baby turned one, she wrote to tell me she was excited that they had graduated to toddler meetings.