Moms Who Compete and Bully: True Parent Magazine

Have other mothers out there ever been the targets of moms who compete and bully?

I sure have. I wrote about my experiences in this piece recently published by True Parent Magazine, a new parenting magazine in Portland that is for “parents who keep it real.”

Here’s how my article, “The Mean Mom Olympics: Adventures with Moms who Bully, Hate and Compete,” begins:

“Michael, how much is 10 plus 12?” my sister-in-law asked my 6-year-old during a recent family reunion. She turned to her 5-year-old and asked the same question, clearly trying to demonstrate that her son was a better mathematician.

When she launched this competition, I felt a stab of fear—and confusion.

The moment took me back many years to middle school, when girls often competed over who boasted the best grades, most luxurious hair, prettiest face, or top soccer talent.

I didn’t like the Mean Girl Olympics then, and am tormented by them decades later. When mothers com-pete over who has the brightest, best-looking, or most talented child, nobody wins, and in some cases, the children, the mothers, their community, and their family suffers.

Unfortunately, as a mom, I’ve found it nearly impossible to gracefully extricate myself from the games in ways that preserve my friendships and extended family ties. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been dumped, harassed, and even cyber bullied by other moms eager to prove that their kids are better than mine—and that they’re smarter, better educated, and superior mothers.

However, my painful experiences have taught me a few lessons. As a mom of a 6-year-old , 16-year-old, and 25-year-old, I’ve been mothering for a long time. I’ve learned to sense when the games are about to begin. I’ve learned to let the other moms win, and to walk away when they judge, jab, stab, or shout.

I haven’t always been so savvy.

Read the whole story here: The Mean Mom Olympics: Adventures with Moms who Bully, Hate and Compete