Mommy Talk Show Candid Conversation with a TV Mom
In today’s vlog I’m wondering why are Gwyneth Paltrow and other moms under attack in the media.
Based on my almost 20 years of experience in TV news, here’s my take on it and advice for what we should do next time we see an “extreme mom” article or news story.
Why do moms get so worked up when we see disagree with someone else’s parenting style?
Check out the rest of my rants in the Morning Josephine category of the show.
Got your own Wordless/Wordful Wednesday? Link up below:
People get worked up because they are defensive of their decisions…and feel like they must defend them when somebody does something differently.
I don’t know, but you make some good points.
People are very opinionated, but sometimes they need to keep their opinions to themselves. I personally can’t be bothered with how other people live their lives.
Because the media needs to make a fuss about something that will get people’s attention, I would guess
People over react period. As long as we (meaning me) are doing the best job we can as a mother, I won’t worry about it.
I agree in that people (and the media) often over react…
Is it sad that when my 7 week old and I severely struggled with bf-ing and I gave in because of the emotional toll it was taking on us, I kept it a secret? In fact, I still haven’t said much because I fear the judgement I will get from other mothers. It really is sad that we as mothers judge others.
You make some really good points. It’s nice to hear from someone with your background saying that some of the things that are on the media are for shock value. Really, whose business is it how a mom feeds her child or whatever, besides the mom and dad? I think sometimes people bash others to take attention away from things that they themselves do that they think that others would bash them for. Did that make sense? They bash to keep attention away from things they do. Make more sense?
Leila, you tried and it didn’t work. You did what was best for you and your baby. I applaud you for giving it a try and for deciding to stop when it got to be too much. We moms are not Super Women. What works for one mom may not work for another. Everyone is different. Props to you, mama, for doing what’s best for you and your baby.
People way overreact! Us as moms, need to support one another!
I think people just always need some cause to get up in arms about. Great video, sad that so many people aren’t understanding 🙁
I hadn’t noticed this trend. Some parents deserve to be bashed over their choices, though. For example, I saw a video posted on FB today of a mom taping her young (looked to be 3 years old) daughter crying hysterically and begging not to get a whooping. The mom was literally laughing at the little girl all while videotaping this display. I wouldn’t mind if she (mom) was shamed a little bit…
I had to give a sad laugh with the first example (the mom who regretted having kids). The bashing of that woman is indicative of the insane pressure for every woman to have kids, whether she wants to or not. At 41, I’ve spent the past 20 years dealing with the rude questions and statements aimed at women who remain childfree.
I’m now a proud stepmom,, but it took years before I could reconcile my childfree brain with life of a stepmom. And stepmomming is another topic altogether!
I think you made some great points!! I love this post. Everyone doesn’t parent the same way. Just like when Alicia Silverstone (I believe it was her) got bashed for feeding her son food from her mouth. I mean that’s how she chose to feed her child why do we care. If it wasn’t televised it wouldn’t have been that big of a deal.
We have a culture of bashing anyone who is different these days (ahem, Honey Boo Boo). Media has made this seem acceptable. It makes me very sad, and I blame a lot of the violence these days on people thinking they have a right to say and do whatever they want to other people. Where is the respect?!?
I agree with some of the other commenters who noted they hadn’t noticed this trend. It’s not just mothering. Blogging and the internet has brought us the wonderful opportunity to hear and read more opinions and commentary and information in real time than ever before. It’s also brought a sense of anonymity and a sense of entitlement that we can say whatever we want whenever we want. And why not? There’s no “real person” on the other end.
Gwyneth Paltrow is free to post whatever she wants. But if her advice on vacationing with a family is to rent a luxurious villa in France or Greece, well, other people will chime in with their angry diatribes about “how the heck is this practical advice for someone who can’t afford to feed their kids all organic much less rent a villa in Greece”. You can’t expect to post something online without receiving backlash from some group. Especially when you are a public figure, dispensing advice and making money from your blog.
I sense an overall lack of respect and intellectualism within the blogging and internet communities. Have you noticed that President Obama is not addressed as “Mr. President” or even “Mr. Obama”? Just Obama. Enough for a soundbite or headline. What about gun control? Are you in favor of murder or in favor of taking away our constitutional rights? There is no middle ground. It’s sad, actually. We could be embracing new ideas and learning from each other instead of bashing everyone that doesn’t think, look, and act like us.
I agree! The first mom should have kept her thoughts to himself. Definitely damaging to her kids I’m sure.
As for Gwyneth Paltrow, I couldn’t care less if Apple ate an apple or an orange:)
I think they make a big deal to get ratings