12 Parenting Choices Where You Just Can't Win

Your birth plan is such a personal decision (and in medical emergencies, it's not even your own decision), but the choice to go natural or have an epidural will forever raise eyebrows from both camps.

Source: Flickr user Mamma Loves

The fact that people want to give you an earful on your choice of what kind of diapers to use (disposable vs. reusable) was surprising to me. People are very, very opinionated on the topic and may make you feel bad for your choice, but it's yet another area where you need to do what works best for you.

Source: Flickr user Kevin Phillips

Mamas who go the formula route face serious scrutiny from the probreastfeeding police, but then if you exclusively breastfeed you'll hear it from others who'll say, "You know you really should give the baby a bottle." And breastfeeding mamas will definitely get an earful if onlookers feel they're doing it wrong or have exceeded the socially acceptable age to breastfeed.

Source: Flickr user Benjamin Magaña

One hot-button topic that will always make moms feel like they cannot win is the whole vaccination debate. The very same decision that is viewed as protecting your child is also viewed as pumping them full of toxins and disease. Do your research!

Source: Flickr user Jessica Merz

After I had my first child, I quickly learned not to share my preferred method of sleep training (or not sleep training) with others. You will never feel so conflicted as a mom as when it comes to the whole cry-it-out debate. And the truth is that no one can tell you which way is best for you — you need to go with what works in your family.

Source: Flickr user Caitlin Regan

If you focus on only feeding your child organic, healthy items, others will often criticize or mock your healthy ways by saying things like, "Come on, one bite won't hurt," or "Live a little." On the other end, if you let your kids eat sugary, fatty, or fast foods from time to time, then you're contributing to the obesity epidemic, dancing with cancer, and supporting the big bad government.

Source: Flickr user David Dennis

Parents are fairly opinionated when it comes to screen time. If you let your kids watch TV, you're rotting their brains, but if you don't, then you're being too overprotective and tiger-ish.

Source: Flickr user @sage_solar

Mamas who make sure their kiddos are well-coiffed at all times are criticized for being too concerned about appearances, but if your tot leaves the house in mismatched threads and ragged hair, be prepared for opinions from the opposite end of the spectrum ("I can't believe she allows her kids to leave the house like that.")

Source: Flickr user petuniad

Boy or girl, it doesn't matter. The whole gender-stereotyping issue remains: you cannot win. Should or shouldn't we let our daughters play with princesses? And what about our sons? And what about telling my daughter she is beautiful but not telling her she is bossy? I can't keep it straight anymore. No one can, so go with your gut (and with what your child likes).

Source: Flickr user Rebecca L

If you like to keep a close watch over your child, then it's quite possible that you'll be viewed as the dreaded helicopter mom, but if you stand back and give your kiddos too much freedom, then there will be critics on that side as well.

Source: Flickr user Bernard Chow

The whole private vs. public school debate will go on forever — and it starts at preschool. Someone will always have an opinion on the school you chose, for better or for worse. Be confident in where you send your kids, and if you need to make changes, then do so!

Source: Flickr user Jaap Joris

Someone once criticized me for using the word "No" with my children, and I just turned around and laughed. See, parents have a wide range of discipline tactics at their disposal, but the methods you use will not always be right for everyone. As long as you're being a good parent, then keep doing what works for you and your child, and don't let anyone discourage you.

Source: Flickr user CJ Sorg