Hurtful Words

I’ve had a lot of hurtful things said to me throughout my life, but it’s honestly been awhile since someone has really hit a tender spot. A friend from school posted a vulnerable story today about struggling to sleep train her baby. I felt for her and reached out, sharing a resource I know has been helpful for so many parents. Her response to me was “have you sleep trained a baby?” I responded saying no, but I’ve worked with multiple parents who have and have babies at work who are. She then proceeded to attack me telling me that my “unsolicited advice” wasn’t welcome because I don’t have my own children. First of all, I didn’t give her advice, I shared a resource. Second, if she didn’t want help why did she post about it? I was honestly baffled at the conversation, but mostly I was hurt. 

I am a professional. Babies are literally my job. I’m with them 30+ hours a week while pursuing my masters degree in Infancy and Early Childhood. But does none of that matter because I don’t have my own kids? I’m going to school because I want to be in a better, more educated position to help moms. But if I don’t have my own kids, does my opinion or advice not matter? What if I graduate and can’t have kids... then what? Is my degree pointless because I don’t have my own children I’ve raised? I’m still at a loss for how to move forward from this. But I will always keep moving towards my goals and my dreams. The hurtful things people say are not a reflection of us, but of them. Don’t lose motivation and movement because of a hurtful comment. Allow yourself to feel the pain and move forward. Always move forward.