I think there are two basic types that we are dealing with here Jamie. There are some shades of gray in between, but I see the two as being...

Type 1 (the most common)
Those that seem to continually draw comparisons and elevate a particular parenting style over another. It may be their own parenting style to make them feel better about themselves, or another's parenting style to make us feel worse about ours. It's usually over insignificant details,,, as I saw you mention "sun - screen without permission". I see asking a child permission as highly insignificant in the grand scheme. Who is the parent anyway?

These types would insist that you walk around the block counter-clockwise instead clockwise, even though the starting point and ending point are the same and the time of travel virtually unchanged. The hills and potholes you will hit at different times, but you'll ultimately reach the same destination f you keep walking.

The other type is rare. The parent that really cares about you and your child. When I find one, I'll let you know....

People tend to believe and I don't mean all people that their way is best. I believe this is because if it is not that will make their way wrong and it does not. Each child is different in many ways. What works with one may not work with another. We hate to be wrong. That is their motivation. While two or people may have a way of doing something does not mean that any are wrong. We need to be open mined to new ideas. We need to think wow I never thought of it that way. We need to listen more and speak less.

as always

just ed

They suck at it and want to feel better.

Thanks, sometimes that is exactly what I think.

I would think, if you judge other peoples parenting, you think you are a better parent. It could also be your competitive nature. If you think you are lacking parenting skills, you may want to criticise your neighbors parenting to rise your self esteem or not.

I have seen a lot of really good thoughts, and yours is excellent, I think it is true, people believe theat they are actually smarter and that they love their children more, but the sad thing is these parents often make it impossible for others to become close to their children. I thank God all my sisters allow me to be close to their kids and that we refrain from judging one another. On my husbands side, I am not so blessed.

I have a friend who's wife is overprotective of her son, or is just not disciplining him or something. He is a total brat, when he is around his cousins he can be every mean. Usually when a kid realizes that the world isn't made just for them, they have a better outlook of life. I only wish his mother would instill that thought into his mind but I'm not the one who is going to bring it to her attention. She would kill me LOL.

Believe me, I know how you feel.

Jealousy is a big part of it!

I think we are all great parents, even if I do put suncreen on the kids without asking. You know what sometimes, I make them food without asking too:)

I don't criticize other parents, unless they are abusing or neglecting their kids. The way people raise their kids is their own business.

Great way to live. I really just wish people would be more helpful to each other rather than critical:)

Right on. I truly believe you are correct, this is the real problem.

Yourchildren just need to be a priority...no matter your disapline approach, if you do not interact with the kid all along, (in a positive way) you will have problems

I agree, I hate abuse. I just do not understand the competition in parenting. I truly do not get the need to compare children to one another, and why people care so much about what someone elses child is doing (I mean like watching TV, drinking soda, etc).

This is my opinion, I am so tired of people judging everyone, there is no worse population in this world than that of a perfect parent. I am so tired of the following statments;
I never let my kids watch TV
My kids never drink soda
My kids go to bed as soon as I ask
My kids never play video games
BLAH
These are the same kids that grow up to be mass murderers.

They are nosy complainers

I would not mind people looking out for other kids, but I have actually talked to people that admit if a child is having a temper tantrum at a store the first thing they think is " they need to take the kid out" and when faced with the same situation stay and bribe their child. I hate hypocrisy.