When People Stare: A First-Time Mom’s Moment

One of the things that bothers me most is feeling judged as a first-time mom, especially when I’m out with my son at the park

The day I decided to write this article, I was at the park with my little son, pushing him gently on the swing. I looked up and noticed two moms staring at me. I didn’t pay much attention and turned back to my son. A few moments later I looked up again, and they were still watching. 

I started to feel tense and began asking myself questions in my head.

 Am I doing something wrong? It’s just a swing, and there’s only one way to play on it.
Is there something wrong with my clothes or my son’s clothes? 

His face?

Nothing seemed out of place.

Eventually the two mothers walked away, and I could finally relax and enjoy the moment  with my son in peace. But that peace didn’t last long; another mother arrived with three kids, and she started staring too.

Unfortunately, I felt that same tension again. I picked up my son and we went back home.

I’ve faced similar situations many times in stores, but they never affected me this much—maybe because I’m usually distracted by the shopping and all the choices..

But at the park, it felt different, more personal.

As usual, I opened my laptop and turned to my dear friend Google to ask about this:

Are there other moms feeling the same?

What should I do next time?

Here’s what I found.

1- The problem is very common, especially among first-time moms.

Many studies have been conducted on this topic, and they found that 64% of moms feel that their parenting decisions are judged at least sometimes by other moms.

For the first-time moms 72% feel that.

2-So how to Handle a Similar Situation?

1. Take a deep breath and stay calm

Often, the stares are unintentional or just out of curiosity, and not necessarily negative. Deep breathing helps you stay grounded and calm.

2. Focus on your child

Engage with your little one—talk, play, and laugh. It not only benefits your child but also helps you ignore the feeling of being watched.

3- Remember you’re not alone

Many first-time moms feel the same way. If needed, talk to friends or share your experience with a mom community (You can send me your experience in a private message, and we’ll share it with other moms if you’d like). Sometimes just talking about it helps a lot.

4. This is my own advice as a first-time mom: You can look  too

You should look too, and keep looking even if they turn away.

In the end, we’re not invisible, and we’re also allowed to observe and reflect.

You can’t know why other people are looking — maybe they just forgot what it was like to have a child at that age. But don’t let it shake your confidence or steal your joy in the present moment with your son

And remember, you are the best mom for your child. Never forget that

See Also : 10 Ways to Make Your Child Feel Truly Loved