When it comes to parenting there is no instruction manual. You have a kid and the world basically tells you that you’re on your own. Sure, other people can give you pointers and advice but at the end of the day, you’re truly learning as you go.
When you become a parent, you immediately accept the fact that your life will not be the same ever again. You will always have to care about another person and think about their wellbeing all the time.
From the clothes the little person in your life is going to wear to the school they are going to attend to the friends they are going to make to the food they are going to eat- the list just never ends.
And while all this makes perfect sense since, at least for eighteen years you are responsible for this human to be a healthy and happy person, there is something nobody warns you about.
People love to provide their input
Constant criticism about how you choose to raise your child.
It all starts from the day you get pregnant- you shouldn’t eat this and that, you shouldn’t wear this, you should avoid this kind of cosmetics, you can’t go to that place, and more- and it just never stops.
Opinions sometimes come when you don’t even ask for them
When you finally have your kid, everyone seems to have an opinion- whether they have children or not- about what the proper way to raise them is.
They shouldn’t eat that, they should attend this school, they should be allowed that much screen time, they should wear this kind of clothes.
Give moms a break, would you people?
This mom from Vancouver, Canada, is tired of people criticizing her decision to dress her children in cheaper clothes from Walmart and similar stores, while she buys expensive outfits for herself.
Defending her stance
So, she decided to post her rationale on Instagram so that people know why she does this.
“Your kids only wear clothes from Walmart, while you get dressed up a lot. Not a good look for you as a mom..” she writes in her post.
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This kind of criticism is something Caitlin Fladager is tired of receiving. And she went on to explain why.
“Because I am not constantly outgrowing them, like my kids are.
I am not constantly spilling food and dirt all over my brand new clothes.,” she begins.
As Fladager explains- and as every parent knows- children grow up rapidly, from one month to the other! That being said, can you imagine buying a 3-year-old expensive clothes that won’t fit them in three months? Doesn’t make much sense, right?
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Also, as the mom blogger adds, children at that age want to play outside or with their food all the time! Their clothes are dirty all the time. So, instead of getting mad at them for spilling food on the expensive brand new outfit, you buy cheaper ones for them and keep calm!
“I strive to be the mom who sees them spill, and says ‘oh no big deal!’ I strive to be the mom who sees them playing in the dirt, not caring that they are ruining a brand new outfit. ”
And, at the end of the day, she wants to be a mom who teaches her children that there is more to life than expensive clothes.
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“The dirt, the smiles, and the ice cream makes me way more happier than a photo of them dressed in clothes they hate, that they will outgrow in a week,” she concludes.
Indeed, Fladager’s points make perfect sense and it seems she is trying to do her best for her children.
For more parenting content, you can find her on Instagram.
Everyone has their own parenting style and it’s wise to let people parent their kids in the best way they know how without putting them down for caring for their kids.
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