BACK TO PRESS RELEASESNew Parenting Survey Reveals That Nearly All Moms Feel Judged on Parenting Decisions
Mom Experts and U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings Discuss Call-to-Action to Stop "Mom-Judging"
PR Newswire
ABBOTT PARK, Ill.
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- New findings from The National Motherhood Decisions Survey conducted by Mom Central and Similac® found that 95 percent of moms feel negatively judged on their parenting decisions. The online survey, which included responses from more than 1,100 moms with at least one child under five years of age, found that moms feel most judged on decisions related to parenting approaches, work and infant feeding. Interestingly, moms feel equally judged for "being too strict" and for "spoiling" their kids.
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The survey results and the issue of mom-judging will be the focus of today's StrongMoms® Empowerment Summit in New York City, hosted by The MOMS and presenting sponsor, Similac. The goal of the summit is to heighten awareness of the issue and, importantly, to empower moms by creating a more supportive and less judgmental environment, both on and offline. A panel of influential moms will share their stories, how they created their support systems and how they empower themselves and others daily. Speakers and experts include:
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings
- Parenting expert Michele Borba, Ed.D.
- "The Kid's Doctor" Sue Hubbard, M.D.
- Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein, The MOMS
- The Chatty Momma blogger Tonia Sanders
- Founder of ExtraordinaryMommy.com Danielle Smith
- Producer Dina Conte Schulz
"It's not easy being a mom in today's world," said Michele Borba, Ed.D., expert on parenting and bullying prevention and StrongMoms Advisory Board member. "Moms face tremendous pressure to make the 'perfect' parenting decisions, and there's not a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting."
The survey also explored the consequences that result from judging as well as empowering moms. Intense judgment causes many moms to feel stressed, angry, insecure and inadequate, but when they believe their decisions are supported, more than 90 percent of moms feel more confident, more relaxed, happier and more fulfilled. More than 90 percent of moms also notice a positive impact on their kids when they feel supported.
"As someone in the public eye, others have definitely judged some of my parenting choices," said Kerri Walsh Jennings, three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball and mother of three. "But I don't let their comments get to me. I try my hardest and make the decisions I think are the best for my family and me. I think that's all any mom can do."
"Regardless of our situation, as moms we all want to feel confident that we're doing the right thing for our family," said Rhonda Hoffman, Division Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Pediatric Nutrition, Abbott. "Similac created StrongMoms Empower™ to encourage moms to support each other and build confidence in their decisions."
"There's no such thing as a 'Mom Manual,'" said Denise Albert and Melissa Musen Gerstein of The MOMS, StrongMoms Advisory Board Members. "StrongMoms Empower has such an important message for all moms – whether you work or stay home, breastfeed or formula feed, are strict in your parenting or not – the message to support mom is universal."
The StrongMoms Empower campaign, hosted by Similac, is a call-to-action to create a more supportive and less judgmental environment to empower moms to be confident about the decisions they make for their children and families. Moms are encouraged to take the first step toward building a supportive environment by signing the StrongMoms Empowerment Pledge at StrongMomsEmpower.com. Moms also are encouraged to share their stories and StrongMoms Empower badge on their social communities and to follow the conversation through #StrongMomsEmpower.
About Similac®
Each of the formulas in our Similac family of products provides the balance of protein, minerals and other nutrients that helps give babies a strong start in life. With a well-documented heritage of innovation, Similac formulas have been developed with leading scientists and more than 280 clinical studies. Similac offers a complete line of infant formulas, specialty products for preterm babies and Similac® Prenatal Vitamins, a complete multivitamin for moms during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
About Abbott Nutrition
For more than 85 years, Abbott Nutrition has been a leader in developing and marketing science-based nutrition products to support the growth, health and wellness of people of all ages. Brands include Similac® infant formulas, Gain® growing-up formulas, PediaSure® nutritional shakes for children, Ensure® nutritional shakes for adults, Glucerna® nutritional shakes and bars for people with diabetes, EAS® specialized products for athletes, and ZonePerfect® nutrition bars for busy, active lifestyles. More information about Abbott Nutrition and its products is available at www.AbbottNutrition.com.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 70,000 people.
Visit Abbott at www.abbott.com and connect with us on Twitter at @AbbottNews.
SOURCE Abbott Nutrition
