No one warns you about the constant background noise of judgment in parenting.
It’s not just strangers in the grocery store giving side-eye—it’s friends, family, even other parents on the playground.

☁️ A moment that stung

One afternoon, I was at the park, chasing my toddler who had somehow smeared peanut butter in her hair.
A well-meaning mom leaned over and said, “You really shouldn’t let her eat that much sugar.”
I froze. I wanted to explain, defend, justify… but I didn’t.

I just walked away, holding my sticky, messy, perfect little kid.
And I realized something: nobody else’s opinion shapes my love or my choices.

🌿 The strange rhythm of judgment

Parenting is public.
Every snack choice, every tantrum, every bedtime routine can feel like it’s under a microscope.
Some days, the judgment hurts.
Other days, it rolls off because you’ve learned to tune it out.

💛 What I’ve learned about people judging

People will always have opinions.
They will question, critique, and compare.
But here’s the truth: only you live inside your child’s life.
Only you feel the exhaustion, the joy, the love.

So yes, she may have sugar in her hair.
Yes, we may skip crafts for a nap sometimes.
Yes, the baby might watch a show while I shower.

And it’s all okay.
Because love, presence, and intention matter far more than judgment.

🏡 The quiet truth

When the whispers start—or the stares, or the unsolicited advice—I remind myself:
I am enough.
My kids are thriving.
Our messy, imperfect, love-filled life is exactly what they need.

And that’s all that matters.

Love

Rochel

A mother of 4 of the cutest children. I have seen the ups and downs in motherhood. Subscribe to this newsletter to hear my raw and honest thoughts on the joys and chaos of motherhood.