Bullying Moms

Moms Are Big Bullies on the Playground

August 19, 2009

There seems to be one in every mommy crowd. The playground patrol who feels it is within her right to monitor the actions of children, parents and caregivers. This mama's lil ones have never had a non-organic treat or been placed in front of the boob tube. Deborah Copaken Kogan, a New York City mother of three and former war photographer, takes on these Type A mums in her new tome Hell Is Other Parents. The collection of essays will sound familiar to any mom who has come face-to-face with nanny poaching rivals and sanctimommies who feel it necessary to give you unsolicited advice on your own parenting issues.

5 Comments

jenni5 3 years 32 weeks

Unless there is a safety issue other parent's really need to watch their own children and keep their opinions to themselves. It really is amazing how much unsolicited and inappropriate advice you get once you get pregnant and have kids.

3 years 39 weeks

I am a mom of a very active boy. He was also my first, so I got "educated" very quickly by other parents on how to raise my child. I was often told that I could not let my child climb that high on the monkey bars or run up that hill in the park and other such things. I now have 3 children, and what makes me crazy is the first time parents that stay at home and do nothing but dote on their chidren and follow them around like puppies but then think they have every right to tell you how to manage your very busy and active 3 children. Sure, if you have a valid point I'll listen, but reprimanding me for not chasing my 6 year old up a hill while pushing my 3 year old on a swing and feeding my 9 month old in the stroller, I do take offence to, especially when they say things like, "well, if you can't handle your children and play with them all, maybe you shouldn't have had that many!"

3 years 39 weeks

"sanctimommies who feel it necessary to give you unsolicited advice on your own parenting issues." Like the woman in this article who wrote this book.

runningesq 3 years 39 weeks

When I have children I am staying far away from these competitive holier-than-thou mommies. Get over yourself and get off of your high horse. Everyone has the right to parent as they please, even if that includes - gasp! the horror! - non organic food, the occasional McDonalds, and TV time.

Chrstne 3 years 39 weeks

Some mom need to get off their high horse and chill out. If you treat other parents badly, your kids may very well get the idea that they can disrespect adult figures of authority -- dad, grandma, teachers, etc. You cannot blame a mother for a kid who accidentally ran into someone. That is not grounds for going up to someone and giving them a peace of your mind. However, if someone's kid went up and took a 2x4 to your kid, I'd have a little word with them...but along the lines of "Excuse me, your son is wielding a 2x4 and hurt my son, I don't want anyone else to get hurt, so can you ask him to stop?" You don't have to be rude to anyone.

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