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A very common suitcase that comes along with parenting is the interference of people. Every relative, friend, neighbor, house servant, and even strangers becomes a doctor. Sometimes it may be good, but most times it can be irritating. Sometimes they may give correct information, but most times it’s just another grandma tale. Some people may want to give it back, but most times you will have to bear it when it comes from someone very close and important in your life. In this blog, we shall learn how to tackle this interference, especially when it gets on to your nerve or is causing ill effects on your child.

As a mother, I’ve always worried about being in public with or without my kids. They always have a say. It’s been a great learning curve and I want to share what I’ve learned through my experiences and by few mommy friends. In this blog, I shall talk about how to tackle this interference.

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Reasons they interfere                                                                                                 

1. Offering Unwanted Advice

  • Aunt – Give him Gripe water
  • Friend – Cover him with a sweater all the time, he’s just 7 months infant

Can be ignored or Educated

2. Criticizing your Parenting

  • Relative – Your mother doesn’t give you food looks like
  • Stranger – You millennial moms never follow traditions or customs

 Can be ignored or give back for your peace

3. Comparing your Child

  • Neighbor – My son has already started walking. He doesn’t sit, is it?
  • Teacher – Swati has picked up sentences and Disha is yet to form words

Stand up for your child

4. Forcing your Child

  • Friend – Taking your child away, even if the baby is continuously crying
  • Aunt – Let me feed him cerelac he is already 4 months

Stand up for your child

5. Building Guilt

  • Aunt – How could you leave your son and go to work?
  • Friend – Your son hasn’t learned Alphabets yet

Stand up for yourself

Tips to handle weird comments

1. Listen – Before getting into defensive mode let’s first listen to what they have to say. They are sharing what they know and most times they think their advice will benefit you. Sometimes Yes it can be beneficial, but digest it for now so that you can think and decide later.

2. Acknowledge & Agree – If you think even a small part of the discussion or advice is correct or being useful. Accept and thank them. But ensure you don’t give superiority to anyone.

3. Avoid – If you know your mother is not for Baby Led Weaning avoid discussions related to Baby Food when with her.

4. Offer Short, Relevant Explanations – If the person is close to you and matured enough to not get offended offer them explanations. If they resort, use your weapon – SMILE AND NOD.

5. Get into Protector Mode – If you know that feeding solids before 6 months are not advised then pick your battle with whosoever is stopping you from following it. Protect your baby from the illness this is going to cause.

6. Educate Yourself – At first, read well and understand from a trustable source. Not everything on google is correct but do a background check before blindly following any advice. Talk to specialists whenever necessary.

7. Work as a Team – If someone is forcing you to follow something for your baby and you are unable to stop her take your partner or mother’s help. Speak to your partner and educate him first if you are following something healthy but unusual.

8. Find Like-minded Friends – Parenting can be less tedious and less stressful if you have a shoulder to cry and an ear to listen. Try to stay with like-minded friends as much as possible. Join authentic mommy groups, which talk about mom’s health, baby health, gentle parenting.

9. Be Honest – I totally understand how it feels when a known person continuously advises or taunts you about your parenting style. Talk to her and be honest. I totally understand you are telling this for my child’s wellbeing but I do not like to listen to it in each and every meeting. Let’s talk about something else.

10. Quote, a Doctor – Most times your job will become easy if you take the doctor’s name. Doctor asked to not take him to the theater for 2 years. Shastri Doctor told me there is no harm to take him to the park in the evening.

Let’s first be a parent who doesn’t interfere in other’s parenting. Today we are young parents and we dislike interference tomorrow we must not forget and start advising other parents unnecessarily. Sharing your knowledge is valued only when it is expected. Remember this.

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