I'm not a better parent than you are!

Why do we feel like there's a parenthood competition? 
Like there's a trophy to be earned at the end of 18 years? 

What if, instead of acting like it's a competition, we started to encourage each other, love one another, respect one another...work together instead of against each other?  What an amazing world it would be!

Whether you choose to homeschool your children, put them in a private school or put them in public school, it's OK!  I'm not a better parent than you are because I choose one way and you're not a better parent than I am because you choose something different.

I think it's safe to say that MOST parents do the best they can.

MOST parents worry about making the right choice for their family and want what is best for their child(ren). 

Who are you to say that what I've prayerfully chosen for my child is wrong just because it's different than what you choose to do?

Whether you let your child watch only Disney movies or occasionally let them see an R-rated movie at your discretion, I'm not a better parent than you are and you are not a better parent than I am.  We all view things differently.  Growing up, my mom's philosophy was that she didn't want to shelter us from the world and allowed us to watch all sorts of movies.  As for me, in my job as a parent, I'm a lot more picky about what I let my kids watch and hey, that's ok.  My idea of appropriate for my child may not be your idea of appropriate for your child.  I'm not a better parent than you and you are not a better parent than me.

Whether you feed your child only grass-fed meats, organic fruits & veggies grown on your own property and absolutely never let them have candy or whether you do the best you can with the income your family has or the busy schedule you have and feed your kid McDonalds a few days a week.  I am not a better parent than you are and you are not a better parent than I am.

Whether you choose to work outside of the home full time or whether you choose to be a stay-at-home mom, I am not a better parent than you are and you are not a better parent than I am.

Whether you allow your child to have a boyfriend/girlfriend at 13 or whether you're choosing to have stricter rules on boyfriends/girlfriends, I am not a better parent than you are and you are not a better parent than I am.

We are all doing the best we can.  We make choices based on our beliefs, based on what we grew up with, based on recommendations from people/sources that we value.  We don't intentionally set out to destroy our childrens' lives. 

We are all different and that's a good thing.  That's how God created us.  Instead of putting others down or questioning them on every decision they've made for their children/family, why not encourage them.  Give them a pat on the back for being a caring parent and whether you agree with their decision or not, it's not yours to judge.  It's not your child they are raising, it's theirs. 
And most importantly, remember the golden rule:
Treat others as you would want to be treated.
And
If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all! 

(And just for the record, obviously if you see someone putting their child in dangerous situations or doing illegal things, by all means, speak up and speak up LOUDLY!)