How To Be A Good Parent

To the mother who breastfed her baby; I know the amazing feeling that comes with knowing your little one is getting everything they need. I know too, the sheer exhaustion you have felt when it’s all down to you, your nipples are cracked, and you don’t get a break. We are not rivals.
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To the mother who formula fed her baby; I know the overwhelming rush of love you felt seeing your family feeding the baby. I know too, the guilt, the pressure and the judgement you have felt from the outside looking in. I know you dreaded telling the health visitor your reasons. We are not rivals.
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To the mother who made every puree from scratch, I know the peace of mind you had knowing exactly what your baby was eating. I know too, the crushing disappointment when your baby spits out your hard work. We are not rivals.
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To the mother who stock piled the baby food from the supermarket; I know that time is precious and a commodity you don’t have a lot of, as is freezer space. I know too, your shopping bill seems to have doubled and all that stuff smells gross. We are not rivals.
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To the mother who picks her baby up each time they cry, I know they aren’t little for long and these cuddles are precious. I know too, the exasperation of a baby who won’t sleep when you are so longing to yourself. We are not rivals.
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To the mother who returns to work; I know the joy of adult conversation and the time to be yourself. I know too, the guilt you feel and the sadness when you kiss your children goodbye. We are not rivals.
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To the mother who stays at home; I know the joy of a day filled with simple pleasures and giggles. I know too, the relentlessness of the demands you have to meet and the need to justify your place in society. We are not rivals.
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There is no wrong way. There is just your way. Sometimes it’s a choice, sometimes it’s a circumstances. We all agonise over the decisions we make. We all feel the guilt that comes with being a parent.
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We are not rivals. We are mothers.