Before you have kids, parenting seems so easy. Once you have the little guys? Not so much! It's easy to judge fellow moms and dads until you're walking in their shoes. We asked parents to share all those things they judged others for doing — and swore they'd never do — only to find themselves engaging in all those behaviors they vowed never to repeat.
Whether you feel terribly guilty or like a bit of a hypocrite for those judgy thoughts you once had, don't worry — you're not alone. Take a look and see if you've ever found yourself criticizing parents for these actions only to do them later yourself!
Bottle vs. Breast
"I was determined to breastfeed and was judgmental toward people who chose not to do so and then I failed miserably." — Cara Maksimow, LCSW, CPC, therapist, coach, speaker, and author of Lose That Mommy Guilt, mom of two
More from CafeMom: 12 Common Breastfeeding Hurdles & How to Overcome Them
Using 'Leashes'
"I totally judged the harness-using parents. Karma bit me back, though, because my son is the worst kind of runner." — CafeMom member Strangeyfine
Co-Sleeping
"I swore I would never co-sleep. Of course I did. So much easier." — CafeMom member outer.banks
Use the TV as a Sitter
"[I said I'd never] let the TV 'babysit'; and my son loves his Cars movie." — CafeMom member PrettyWings29
More from CafeMom: 25 Moms Admit Their Biggest Parenting Regrets
Using a Pacifier
"I swore I'd never let my child use a pacifier and certainly not past 6 months in age. I'm ashamed to say we finally took away his beloved 'binky' at age 2." — Jane M., mom of one
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
"I also said I would not gain too much weight when pregnant, I would be more disciplined. Nope. 60 lbs both babies." — Cara Maksimow
Misbehaving in Restaurants
"I used to glare at people who allowed their kids to misbehave in restaurants. Then, when my son was 2, I went to meet a friend I hadn't seen in a while for lunch and I let [my kid] throw all the utensils behind a radiator just so he'd be quiet. Looking back, I'm horrified, but at the time I just wanted a moment's peace." — Beth A., mom of three
Having Lots of Kids
"[I said I'd never] have more than one child. I had way more than one, lol." — Anonymous.
More from CafeMom: 15 Totally Weird Things Parents Have Caught Their Little Kids Doing
Drinking
"I used to judge parents who drank in front of their kids, and now I totally get it and do it — not all the time but at a barbecue or birthday party." — Suzanne K., mom of two
Playing With Smartphones
"I thought it was nuts when I saw moms and dads handing over their $700 iPhones to their babies to play with — until I had my own kids and realized you gotta do what you gotta do!" — Sarah H., mom of one
Junk Food
"I used to cringe when people gave their kids sugary snacks, but now I do it too." — Kate B., mom of one
Relying on Medication
"I really judged parents who medicated their kids … until I had a daughter with ADHD and I can see how critical it is." — Amanda M., mom of one
Using a Sitter -- While You're Home
"I could never understand why some moms had sitters come while they were home, but now I realize it's the only way I can get a lot done without constant interruptions." — Mary W., mom of four
Working
"It used to break my heart to hear about moms dropping off babies when they were just a few weeks old, but now that I understand just how limited maternity leave is and how expensive kids are, I get it." — Eileen F., mom of one
Holding Kids Back in School
"Whenever I heard about parents holding kids back a grade, I assumed it was because they wanted them to be the tallest, smartest, or most athletic one in the class. But, sadly, I learned sometimes kids just aren't ready to move ahead and that's okay." — Samantha P., mom of three
More from CafeMom: 18 Adorable Newborns Who Look as Grumpy About Being Awake as We Are
