I’m a Sisterhood of Motherhood Partner and I’m sharing my #EndMommyWars story as part of sponsored post for Similac. #SisterhoodUnite
I don’t think I was fully prepared for the amount of judgement and contradicting advice you receive when you become a mom. When I was pregnant with my first, I wanted to get it “right”. Like cramming for a big test, I read books and took classes during those 9 months. I even signed my poor husband up for a Daddy Bootcamp class.
The thing about parenthood, that I quickly learned, is that there’s really no right or wrong way. It’s messy and there are daily curve balls thrown at you that you have to adapt to without a moments notice. You will be stretched and challenged beyond your limits. There’s no book or class in the world that can teach that.
My perfectionism was put through the ringer the second my baby boy was placed in my arms. Colic, breastfeeding issues, jaundice, mastitis, extreme sleep deprivation, postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety. This wasn’t “the plan”. I felt like I was just going through the motions and missing out on the little things that mattered. Thankfully, with a little bit of therapy and a lot of support, I was able to embrace a messy motherhood.
When I found out I was pregnant with my second baby, I put on my war face and charged at motherhood full force. I did everything that I possibly could to prevent and embrace postpartum issues. Yes, that means I even ate my placenta. Not raw or anything, I had it encapsulated. It sat in our refrigerator, labeled “Vanessa’s Placenta”, next to the hot sauce. And it was the best thing I ever did for myself. It gave me energy, helped my milk supply and prevented PPD/PPA.
When I mentioned eating my placenta to a “friend”, she made a disgusted face and told me that she “could NEVER do that”. I get it because I was right there with her during my first pregnancy, but I don’t understand the need to make someone else feel bad for a parenting choice that isn’t hurting anyone. Luckily, I was already broken in as a parent and used to the Mommy Wars at that point. I nicely (as possible) told her, “well, then it’s a good thing that I’m the one eating my placenta and not you”.
I’d love to say that she accepted my choice and we hugged it out, but sometimes certain friendships serve a purpose and run their course. If other mom friends can’t be supportive of your choices, maybe it’s time to make new friends. Let’s stop the Mommy Wars. Luckily, I found a wonderful Mom Tribe that lifts me up. They may not rush to eat their own placenta either, but they are genuinely happy that it worked for me. That’s all a placenta eating gal could ask for.
I want to hear YOUR story. Share your mommy war story on the Similac Facebook page using #EndMommyWars
Similac partnered with bloggers such as me for its Sisterhood of Motherhood Program. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Similac believes that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Similac’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.
