When Judgment Hurts More Than Help

Anonymous:

My child is recovering from a stomach bug and, right now, the only thing she will eat is Doritos. Like any concerned parent, I called her pediatrician’s office for advice, hoping for reassurance or guidance. Instead, the nurse told me that I’m “not a great mom by society’s standards” for allowing it.

Let me be clear—I am offering her other, healthier options, but right now, Doritos are the only thing she’s willing to eat. Anyone who has dealt with a sick child (especially one with sensory sensitivities or food aversions) knows that getting them to eat anything at all is sometimes the real win.

I am shaking with anger.

MASPOWER:

Dear Anonymous,

Parents shouldn’t have to defend doing what’s best for their child just because it doesn’t fit someone else’s idea of “acceptable” parenting. Where is the support? The understanding?

If you’re in a similar situation, here are a few things that might help:

✔️ Hydration first! Make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids—water, coconut water, or electrolyte drinks can help replenish what they’ve lost.

✔️ Gentle nutrition—if solid food isn’t an option, try a smoothie using a juicer or blender. Keep it thin so it’s easy to drink and sneak in nutrients from fruits, veggies, or protein powder. keep it sweet with grapes and apples!

✔️ Liquid vitamins—if eating is a struggle, consider a high-quality liquid multivitamin or fortified drinks like Pediasure to ensure they’re still getting essential nutrients.

✔️ No-pressure feeding—keep offering small amounts of different foods, but avoid power struggles. Sometimes, just having food available is enough for them to try it when ready.

If you’ve ever faced judgment when all you wanted was help, you are not alone. We are all just doing the best we can for our kids, and that should always be enough. 💙