Women, especially online, seem to have had it up to here with taking unsolicited advice about their bodies, roles, and future from men – a fact that one guy found out the hard way when he thought he’d offer up advice on best mothering practices.
Here it is:
How to be a better mother:
– Be feminine
– Wear dresses
– Don’t hit your kids
– Enforce boundaries
– Be physically active
– Don’t tease your kids
– Cook your family’s meals
– Don’t call your children names
– Do not get drunk in front of them
– Show up to their games *& cheer*— Zac Small (@ZacSmall_) July 28, 2019
How to be a better mother:
– Be feminine
– Wear dresses
– Don’t hit your kids
– Enforce boundaries
– Be physically active
– Don’t tease your kids
– Cook your family’s meals
– Don’t call your children names
– Do not get drunk in front of them
– Show up to their games *& cheer*
Now, let’s point a couple of things out right upfront. First, he’s very likely a man still hurting from the ways his own mother disappointed him as a child and is using this list and his platform as some weird way of fixing himself. This excuses nothing, because he is now a grown man and should know better.
Second, there are things on this list that many pointed out were absolutely arbitrary when it comes to being a good mother.
For instance, how a woman dresses.
I'm honestly really confused as to how wearing a dress makes one a better mother. I mean, I like a nice dress now and then, but they certainly aren't a part of my regular wardrobe. Please explain? I'm genuinely curious.
— KC 😷💉 (@kvmac2011) July 28, 2019
Why would he care?
https://twitter.com/inminivanhell/status/1156644287716581376
And what does it matter?
https://twitter.com/mouselol68/status/1157019286990446592
And whether she cooks dinner or goes for a run afterward.
I’m sorry but who gave you the authority to tell women how to parent? Being feminine, wearing dresses, and cooking your family’s meals are requirements for no woman. It takes two to bring a child into the world, and last time I checked both men and women are capable of cooking…
— Annie Regan (@annielovespi) July 29, 2019
Does it truly matter if she’s physically active?
https://twitter.com/YourMomsucksTho/status/1156639962881810432
But mostly, women just seemed to take offense at the idea that someone on the internet who doesn’t know them or their kids or how they actually run their family from day-to-day, would dare criticize them based on this list.
Or any list, honestly.
How to ve a better man: don't make lists for women. pic.twitter.com/oMsagmmeQq
— JaerisMyrrh *Perogi Account* (@JaerisMyrrh) July 31, 2019
Because lists are not a good way to determine how whole groups of people should behave.
How to be a better man:
– quit telling women what to do
– learn to cook and clean yourself
– treat women as your equals
– keep your "suggestions" to yourself
– learn to parent yourself
Got the idea?— Birdy333 (@LauraKarr333) July 31, 2019
No, not at all.
https://twitter.com/msinsulindpndnt/status/1157052855892815872
Also, shoutout to the men out there – obviously raised by good women – also confused and irritated and not afraid to clap back!
https://twitter.com/Olsonjam808/status/1156968968336203776
Seriously bro? Seriously?
https://twitter.com/Resistor11/status/1157019501004648449
Who hurt you?
Damn your childhood must have been one hell of a shitty ride.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) July 31, 2019
Let’s all just stop trying to force other people into small, arbitrary boxes labeled “good” and “bad,” shall we?
We’re all going to be happier if we do.