i know i shouldn't take it personally, but jesus christ it's so hard not to.

[caitxrawks]

"Anyone with sense knows that breast is the best and only choice."

"Your baby deserves better, I'm sorry you didn't breastfeed."

"Formula does this, formula does that, did you know that formula does such and such to your baby?"

*sigh*

I need to start seriously trying to avoid these conversations. It's just not worth it. Every time I find myself improving, I read some shit like the above quotes and spiral back into a deep dark funk. Like I said, I KNOW that I shouldn't take it personally. Somewhere in my head I really, truly don't give a shit which path I chose. I know that Joss is happy with formula. She's thriving. She's healthy. She's not an obese poisoned monster like some would be led to believe. After 11 months of preparing this "poison", it's like nothing to me anymore. I could make a bottle in my sleep, just watch me. It's not THAT much work, people.

Really.

I just don't know how to stop taking things so personally. I feel like so many of my friends on here are two-faced. One minute they'll agree with me, the next they're screaming away at how horrible one of my parenting decisions are. Thing is, none of them are specifically calling me out on it.

But it just makes me wonder...it really does...

Do these people think less of me because of what I've chosen to do? I KNOW that some of them think formula is Teh Debil's Jooce, and that I'm Teh Debil's Ass Slave for DARING to give Joss any of it, but how can I stop caring whether or not they care? It's been plaguing me for so long. Every time I see a post by one of my friends, and they're screaming about how bad "insert parenting choice here" is, I wonder if they ever subconsciously go "OMG Caitlin is so bad for doing such and such. How stupid is she?"

I'm obviously reading too much into words on the computer screen. I need a hobby.

Or perhaps some valium.

[sweetheart1985]

Nov. 16, 2009 at 12:37 AM

((((hugs))))

Don't worry, Cait. I do the same damn thing. I try and laugh off the arguments, but those ladies don't realize how terrible they can make you feel. Like they have some sort of superpower that we weren't blessed with, and our children will forever suffer for it.

It's uncool, and it DOES get to us. It DOES hurt us, and anger us. If only people would be more conscientious of what the fuck comes out of their brains and onto the computer screens. Seriously.

[ajtherad]

Nov. 16, 2009 at 10:45 AM I love your tag. People suck, and yeah, it's hard to not let them get to you, but just look at your happy, healthy li'l chica and remind yourself that YOU make and keep her happy and healthy because of the choice/s you made. That's what matters, Cait, NOT what you "should have" chose!

[MythicMMM]

Nov. 16, 2009 at 12:15 PM

I just wanted to let you know I sympathize with you as I am dealing with a similar situation what with me being a staunch omnivore and a good portion of my friends being flaming vegans (oh yeah, I totally went there).

Say, is it really wise to be giving her Debils jooce at such a young age? The last time I had it I woke up naked at a bus stop in a different state wearing a sombrero, riding a donkey, and I was a grown woman.