Yes, the image is controversial and outside of our norm.
That was the magazine's intention. It wanted to grab our attention and sell magazines. If it used a headline or picture simply titled Attachment Parenting, the chances of anyone picking it up on the newsstands that wasn't already a follower of this method was slim to none. So, the marketing department did what it is paid to do. It went outside the box to sell magazines. It played on the fact that our society has turned the natural act of a nursing mother into something dirty. A woman's breast was originally created as a way of feeding her child NOT something sexual or to be paraded within the pages of Playboy.
All day I read Facebook status updates about how gross it was; how wrong; how THEY would NEVER want to be a mom like that.
Really? Because if people would stop letting the media pit us against each other, they might would realize that moms? Are just doing the best they can.
Just.Don't.Participate. Walk away from the drama and pot-stirring. If we chose to support each other instead of point fingers, there would be no dramatic, attention grabbing headlines.
I barely managed to breastfeed any of my kids for 3 months so the chances of me going 3 years or longer, is slim to none. I didn't co-sleep. I rocked and snuggled, but then put all 3 of my babies in their own bed, in their own room. I used disposable diapers on every little booty. Was that wrong? Did I break some unknown parenting rule?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
I did what was right for me. Just like these moms are doing for them.
And for the people who have the ruffled feathers because the site of a nursing mother is disturbing? Why don't you focus your attention on things that are actually harmful to the kid? Such as..
- Incorrect installation of car seats Or not using a car seat at all
- Kids not even old enough to sit in the front seat being given energy drinks
- Toddlers drinking undiluted juice and worse soda.
- Babies sleeping with bottles in their mouth's all night.
- Parents dragging their kids to restaurants and stores at all hours of the night.
- When the relationship between friend and parent become so blurred that kids run the house.
- Kids roaming their neighborhoods or towns with zero supervision.
- the obvious lack of respect many tweens show for authority and adults.
Ok.. that list could probably go on for awhile. There are numerous annoyances I have so I'll just stop while I'm ahead.
The bottom line is parenting is hard. We don't need an us vs. them mentality. We're all doing what we can, the BEST we can. Stop judging and start supporting.
To answer Time's question.. Yes. I AM Mom Enough to simply walk away from this created debate and simply live and let live.
8 comments:
I have to disagree with you on this one, Nat. I personally find this image disturbing. That poor boy is going to have a tough time in a few years with this image- and his teen years? Lord help him.
I think that nursing is perfectly normal and I hope to nurse my babies one day. But at some point, it has to stop. I also think it is still supposed to be somewhat private.
Are there other things that will damage children more? Sure - but I feel for this poor boy once he reaches his pre-teen years.
The image is ridiculous. It definitely got people talking like they wanted. I wonder if they sold more copies though. I can see perverts buying it. Ultimately, all I think they ended up doing is making the people who are uncomfortable with public breastfeeding that much more uncomfortable.
I'm not sure how I feel about the image. I'm unable to breast feed so I'm sensitive to the issue as it is. I had SO MANY breast feeding moms judge and criticize me for using formula, I try to avoid the entire conversation. I don't think Time helped the debate at all, though.
I agree with you ENTIRELY about focusing on way more important issues. Sigh. People miss the mark so often.
I agree with you. The mother unfortunately was used for marketing, but she agreed to it. Her choices. Why even have a debate? Why do we debate people's personal choices? I just try to be the best mother I can be. I'd hate to be judged for that. Why would I judge someone else? There are so many things that we should worry about. This isn't one of them.
Well said!
My first thought when I saw the image was not about the boobies, or the fact that she's breastfeeding her 3 year old.. I was like, DANG.. milk does that kid good.. he's HUGE!
But to each their own. I couldn't care less. :o)
What a great response! I saw the picture and thought to myself Nope, I'd never do that but then also thought To each thier own! I absolutely agree & have many times commented about moms needing to be more understanding, less judgemental & more willing to let it be ok that most moms are just doing the best that they know how.
The picture is definitely out there- I don't think it's offensive, but it's kind of disturbing and gross to me... and I definitely didnt breastfeed bc I really couldnt.. nor did I co sleep, use cloth diapers, etc... I agree we should focus on other issues, but I kinda laughed at the one you mentioned about taking kids to restaurants at night-- we always take Leighton out to restaurants at night. Most my family doesn't want to celebrate a birthday dinner or a special occasion at 5 pm, so we've had L out pretty late.. don't really see that as an "issue".
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