Judgement

The other day, I was stunned by this man at home depot. Joshua and I were shopping minding our own business when this man leaned over and said something to Joshua. It caught my attention and so I looked up. He said “how old is he… he is cute”.  I said “21 months”.  He said “well don’t you think he needs to take the pacifier out of his mouth”.  Now... in this moment I had 2 choices ignore him or educate him.  So I feeling rather brave choose the later.  I said to this man.  “Well you know what, it is past his nap time but I have to finish this shopping”.  He said “yes, but really he is a boy... no more pacifiers”.  I said oh so sweetly... “Sir he is a type 1 insulin dependent diabetic.  In order to keep him alive I have to give him a shot with everything he eats or drinks outside of water.  I have to test his blood with a finger prick apx 10 times a day.  I can’t just give him milk or snacks to keep him occupied as we are past nap time.  So I choose to let him have a pacifier.  He will not go to college with it I promise”.  He proceeded to say something under his breath and walk away.  Here is my issue.  I am judged everyday about everything, from my 4 year misbehaving in a store, preschool, thanksgiving dinner or just while I am on the phone.  I am judged when people see me prick my son’s finger, whip out the calculator and then do math for a correction.  I am judged when I am at a friend’s house and I have to ask to see the nutrition guide for the snack they are serving to know how many carbs are there.  I am judged when people learn my 21 month has T1. (I have been asked what I fed him prior to his dx)
I don’t need to be judged for allowing my teething, tired, grumpy 21 month old to use his "binky".  He normally only gets it at bed time this happened to be a special circumstance.  With Jackson we moved to nap time only at 19 months and no binky at 2.  Who knows what we will do this time but I am not taking this away yet from him.  Hey mister, “Your kid can eat a bowl full of goldfish with no complications... so don’t talk to me about he shouldn’t have a binky.. Guess what he shouldn’t have Type 1 either.”
Earlier this week  Hallie wrote about her sleeping habits with Sweetpea. The sleeping issue got me thinking those that judge us for sleeping with our kids probably do not have children that have chronic illnesses..  They can go to bed knowing that if their children have a bad dream they will wake up and come get them.  Little do they know that our bad dream can come true.  I’m not sure why this got me so worked up... but it did.  REALLY in life we need to support each other and move on.  I was so proud of the DOC who responded back to Hallie with lots of kudos and kind words.  I never thought I would be one to let my boys sleep in the bed but given the year we have had if Jackson wants to snuggle I will let him.  Joshua is harder because he is in the crib and he thinks it is play time in mommy’s bed. I also believe they need to be able to sleep on their own but after that it is all about choice... I know I am preaching to the choir on this one but I had to get it out.. The people who judge me for giving Joshua a cookie, a binky, or whatever else need to sleep a night in my house and then they can pass judgment...

Ps… Thank you to Pj’s for a cure!  Brian won these for me from the great Pj Give away.. (Thanks Kris from Sugar Bugs for picking him).  As soon as he gave them to me tonight they went right on.  I LOVE them and they are super comfy!! ps not my best picture ever but wanted you to see how great they are...