Dealing with parenting criticism

This could be either a positive or constructive criticism wherein you get to learn about another parent’s strategy or on the other hand, could pose as a deterrence to your own parenting values because a large spectrum of spectators just wants to gnaw on your credibility as a parent because of plain insecurity or just blowing off their steam by mindless chatter in the effort to put you in a negative spotlight. This is what you coin as negative criticism which should be taken in stride. So, here are a few ways to deal with parenting criticism.

Remember that when a person makes comments about your skills, you have to understand that they are not necessarily classifying you as a bad parent but it would just involve criticising the tactics that you use to discipline your child. The first consideration you must think of is whether the advice or opinion is solicited or unsolicited. If you actually asked for someone’s opinion or feedback on something, then you must be prepared to hear what he or she is supposed to say. You will receive both positive and negative criticisms along the way and it would be best to handle them in a mature and intellectual manner rather than getting too emotional or even violent. 

You can never please everybody. Albeit, you also are not wired to please everyone with your parenting abilities especially if you firmly believe that your own parenting dogma works on your children. You really have to set and draw the limitations up to which point a person can be allowed to interfere or interject his or her opinion on your own way of raising your children. You can always learn a thing or two with discussions on child rearing but it is important to keep your ground and to be firm with your decisions especially when it comes to your own kids. 

Grandparents may often feel like they need to take over and get ahead of their own children’s decisions when it comes to parenting but this should not always be the case. They are in fact the best bet next to parenting experts. When they comment on something or give suggestions on how you should do this or that, it would be appropriate to take in their suggestion if you think they are providing you a much better option or to politely decline if you disagree. Be careful not to be rude when asserting yourself with your parents.