When listening to the "experts" makes us feel like "bad" parents

This subject comes up over and over again when I talk to moms. There is always, always, always someone out there prepared to say that your way of taking care of your kids is the wrong way.

As a result, I very much enjoyed a recent Parent's Journal segment on NPR in which they interviewed a child expert who explained that the MOST important thing babies get from us, their parents is... are you ready? PLAY.

Breastmilk, no breastmilk, sleep training, co-sleeping, etc, are not the most important factors in the parent child bond, according to this author- she said if you had to choose and could only do ONE THING with your child, it should absolutely be play.

I'm not saying that all the choices we make as parents aren't important and that we shouldn't give them a lot of thought, but I was just so glad to hear someone (other than my grandmother, whom I definitely look up to and respect) finally say that spending time with my kid was the most important thing. I plan to hang onto that insight when I find myself struggling not to internalize the comments of so-called "experts" who have never even seen my kid, but are prepared to say I'm doing it "wrong." (Or of well meaning people who are trying to "help.")