Recently, a certain formula company made a heartwarming commercial about the “mommy wars.” If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the synopsis: moms and dads at a park; breastfeeding moms against formula-feeding moms, cloth diaper against paper diaper, stay-at-home parents versus working parents, etc. One mom’s stroller, with her baby strapped in, starts bolting down a hill towards a lake or pond. All of the parents come together to help save the baby before he could plummet into the water. In a beautiful ending, all of the parents came together and realized that they aren’t so different after all.
Beautiful, isn’t it? Heartwarming. I’ll admit, I cried. So many times, we get wrapped up in our own lives and our own babies that we forget that others parent differently than us. It doesn’t mean that we are right and they are wrong, and vice versa. It means that we are all parents, doing the best we can to raise our children in the best way that we see fit.
Recently, a measles outbreak has again sparked a furious mommy war: the vaccine debate. Many are pointing fingers, some even name-calling, again asserting the belief that their opinion is the only true and correct opinion. During these times, it’s important to remember this: we, parents, are all in this together. We are doing the best we can with the information and support we have available. Instead of tearing each other down, we need to be supporting one another and lifting one another up. This isn’t to say that healthy, loving, discussions can’t be had over this hot issue. In fact, I think it’s healthy to discuss matters of importance. But it’s equally important to remember to discuss with respect, love, and an open-mind. Again: We are all in this together. Let’s build each other up, instead of tear each other down.