Culture is weird about a lot of things, but especially parenting culture. Everyone has an opinion about the best ways to do X, Y, and Z, and they are very willing to share those opinions.
It really is baffling how social norms don’t seem to apply when it comes to parenting.
People are more than happy to comment or “correct” parents who are complete strangers when out in public.
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Now, I’m not a parent. I may joke that my dogs are my “kids” but I don’t pretend it’s the same thing.
Still, I just do not get how people can be so rude when it comes to how others choose to parent when out and about.
From commenting on a child’s weight to how the parent deals with a public tantrum, it’s like it’s fair game.
And it seems to be a billion times worse when the topic is breastfeeding.
Because boobs are always controversial.
The conflicting viewpoints are just baffling to me.
Most people seem to agree that if the mother is able — because there are legitimate reasons to be unable or choose not to breastfeed — she should breastfeed her baby.
It has plenty of benefits , physically and emotionally.
But as long as a child is happy and healthy, it’s all good.
And yet, even hardcore pro-breastfeeding people can’t seem to agree on how to deal with it in public spaces.
Even though it is legal in many places, moms who just want to feed their hungry child are judged or called out for “displaying” their breast in public.
Which is obviously ridiculous.
And one mom decided to call people out for it in the form of a poem.
Whitney Renee Huntwork is a mom of two boys who was tired of being called out when feeding her baby in public and wanted to have a little fun with her declaration that she no longer cared what people thought.
Her poem, which was accompanied by a photo of her feeding in a supermarket, quickly went viral.
Anytime. Anywhere. You can stare, I don’t care. I’ll feed my hungry child, here or there, if you don’t like my boob I still don’t care.
In it, she points out the hypocrisy of people judging her when they’re the one’s looking.
A Restaurant? A store? It’s boob juice galore! A theater? A museum? But you’re more focused on trying to see them! Bottle or boob It’s all just food.
She continued,
You still think I should cover? You should run and tell your mother. pull out your phone and take a picture? But I’m the one who’s the problem?
She concluded with a message to everyone who questions mothers who breastfeed in public,
Don’t you wish we could all mind our business? That would sure solve them! Think I am disgusting? I could say the same? Think I am playing an attention seeking game? You are wrong because you see, really I am only worried about the comfort of my baby and me!
Ultimately, breastfeeding in public is a choice for the mom to make and no one else.
Sure, some might choose to cover up with a blanket or find a private space, but that’s for their comfort and shouldn’t be dictated by anyone else.
And if you don’t like it, look away, because unsolicited comments about a mom’s boobs are rude and say more about you than them.
Okkkkurrrr?
