Every mom knows the goal of parenting is to raise a wonderful child. But the real challenge? It's other parents.
That's because all of us know the best way to parent our own particular children, but other parents can be pretty darn judgmental.
From the irate internet commentators going after one mom for breastfeeding a stranger's baby to the many parents debating the value of Ferberizing versus cosleeping, it's impossible to please everyone.
Most of all, it can be impossible to face your own judgment every time you make a decision that might be good for you, but looked down on from outside.
One mom experienced that challenge firsthand. She experienced intense postpartum depression after her first child was born, and realized that to take care of herself, she had to stop breastfeeding her baby.
Scroll through below for her emotional, empowering words on her realization that, breastfeeding or not, she is enough for her baby.
"After a pregnancy that felt like a million years, Wylie was born exactly on her due date.
"Labor was otherworldly even though I felt every moment.
"Birth was the most exhilarating thing I've ever done."
"I had ideas of what kind of mother I would be, how breastfeeding is so amazing and natural, how meeting and loving this new, little stranger would be so fulfilling.
"I still had the glow at the hospital, on the highest peak that is motherhood, even on very little sleep. We went home and reality hit.
"Breastfeeding and pumping was like a prison."
"Wylie wasn't getting enough milk even though I had the supply and she began losing weight, beyond the expected amount.
"In my mind, I had failed my baby.
"Then, in the coming days, severe mood swings and an overwhelming feeling of being out of control."
"Thoughts of mortality and uncontrollable tears, even when I was 'happy.'
"It clicked that I was depressed, I talked to my doctor, and we made a plan.
"Despite a couple of weeks of anti-depressants, the dark thoughts got darker.
"It was beyond being jealous of the world outside of my bedroom, beyond exhaustion, beyond feeling like I wasn't myself."
"For almost 12 weeks, I woke up everyday not knowing what was going to cross my mind, what plan I would come up with to get out of this.
"Then comes the diagnosis of 'treatment-resistant depression' which is a huge letdown.
"There are days and weeks that I just don't remember."
"Movies watched that I have zero recollection. Conversations that I swear I never had but they happened and I appeared to be functioning.
"I know I scared my husband and close family members at times, but that was my reality.
"The medicine finally started working and the clouds separated."
"I mourn breastfeeding every single day but I had to stop to take care of myself.
"This ring, made by Sacred Legacy Arts with my breast milk and a lock of Wylie's newborn hair, is a reminder that my experience of motherhood is still valid."
"New moms, know that sometimes it's much more than the 'baby blues' and you can ask for help."
What do you think of this powerful reminder that there's no "right" way to be a mom?
Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to SHARE with family and friends!
