when someone doesn't agree with you?

JM1226

What do you do when someone doesn't agree with your parenting style...how do you handle it?  In short, my family has issues on how I'm raising my DD (sleeping schedule/bedtime) .  I can't take all the talking behind my back within siblings and I don't know how to address this.  I'm the youngest of 4 and they all have children.  I have NEVER told them how to raise their children & now people feel the need to tell me what I'm doing wrong! 

FerreraRocher

My mom is notorious for criticizing my brother and I behind our backs to the other sibling. She will also do it in a sing song voice to our faces (it annoys me). I don't say much about it. I let her talk but I don't agree or say I will change things. I tell her that I will raise my child the way my husband and I feel fit. She doesn't like it but too bad. I know she talks to my brother and her friends about it but really, I don't care. She raised me her way and I will do the same.

mxpxgirl13

I respectfully and kindly disagree, and then drop it. If it gets brought up again at a later time, I'd tell them that you both don't see eye to eye on it, it's your child, so that's the end of it. Most people that don't have the same parenting styles as me know when it's time to stop telling me how to raise my child because I tell them that I know what is best for my own child.

Jocelyn0415

My mom has always been really good about not judging or saying anything. Probably because I'm a laid back mom and so is she.

Brian's parents, however, judged hardcore or would do the opposite of what I said. I would tell them that she was too young to eat a cookie, and his mother would hand her a cookie when I wasn't looking. When she started to choke, I blew up and said, "THIS is why I said no cookies!" Then they looked at me like I was the crazy biitch.

His sister made a comment about me not wiping after pee diapers. I told her Evie has sensitive skin and when we DO wipe after pee diapers, she gets terrible diaper rash. This girl doesn't have kids, knows nothing about kids, and sits there judging me? Please.

When things like that happened, I usually explained why I did what I did, and moved on. I know they talk about me behind my back, but whatever. There was no sense arguing with them. They always think they're right anyway. 

campbell2178

My sister does this to me.  Since she is an Occupational Therapist and works at a Child Development Center (mainly handles kids with special needs) she thinks she knows everything.  She tells me not to buy things (bouncer, hard spout sippy cups) or do things like let him sleep in his swing when he was an infant and let him eat on demand when I was BF'ing. Oh and because I stayed at home with him she told me he was going to develop "stay at home mom syndrome" what a load of crap these people make up a syndrome for everything.  She made me very paranoid my first few months as a mom.  My kid is not special needs and is growing up in a loving home.  He is just fine- her kids are the ones that misbehave and her house if filthy. But I don't say a word. I finally had to tell myself that I am a good mom and my child will grow up and be just fine.

sgrl

My mom has opinions about everything. I just listen politely and then do whatever I was going to do anyway. My child is bright and happy. I figure we're getting it mostly right.

ljlkm

I pretend they're speaking Chinese and so I can't understand them. Except my MIL. She often had helpful suggestions so she speaks English.

trackchik6

I hang out with my MIL less.  

If it was my family I guess I would say something nicely to them like - thanks for your advice but I'm doing it this way.  I'll ask your advice if I need it and it hurts my feelings when you talk behind my back.  Then you'll have to be strong when they say they're just trying to help.      

haleymay18

I think you should start correcting absolutely everything they do. Don't give it up. They will get your point.

Vuja_de

I kindly tell them 'thank you for your opinion, but i am happy with the way i am raising my son'. If it comes up again I ignore the person (which I have done many times).

I love the saying "opinions are like assholes, everyone has one"

shellybell15

My family is all very outspoken (probably too much) so they will make comments, I will respond to let them know to mind their business and we all move on. They know I am doing a good job, but they just can't help but to give there opinions! I am definitely not going to let it get to me.