To the Mum in tears in Rutherford Spotlight this afternoon

I didn’t speak to you because you had support from your boyfriend/partner and I felt he was enough.

People are judgmental and mean. I don’t know you or your circumstances but your children looked healthy and clean and were extremely well behaved while you were having a very hard time. I saw nothing to indicate you are a bad mother in any way. Whoever said this or intimated this and caused you so much pain is clearly heartless. I heard your boyfriend/partner say they don’t know what else you’re going through, and neither do I. Sometimes people don’t think before they speak. Sometimes people’s comments are more about lifting themselves up by stepping on others. Sometimes people are just mean.

You were clearly overwhelmed by things in your life and this person pushed you over the edge. Please know not everyone is judgmental. Not everyone who makes a mistake is a bad mother. I was honestly impressed with how well behaved your kids were. They were worried about you too which shows they’ve been taught to care. Teach them to be resilient too. No one is a perfect parent. Very few truely fit into the category of a bad parent. Don’t let the ignorant rudeness of other people break you.

Deep breath, Step at a time, you will get to the other side and you will be a stronger person for it. You can do it.

Chin up mama