To the Mom Who Shamed Me For Letting My Daughter Be A Cheerleader (Published In Kveller)

cheerleading“How can you let your daughter be a cheerleader? I mean, you’re a professional, educated woman! How could you want THAT for your child?”

It took me longer than I care to admit to process that comment and get over it. I normally don’t care what others think, but this stranger at a party really struck a nerve. I guess I was caught off guard because we were just making small talk at a fundraising event, while supposedly on our best and most charitable behavior. The last thing I expected when she asked about my teen’s extracurricular activities was negative commentary and judgment regarding my parenting skills.

Education aside, I was dumbstruck and rendered uncharacteristically mute, unable to address the merit of her statement because I was too blown away by her presumptuous rudeness. Would she have blasted another parent for allowing a child to play a dangerous sport such as football or rugby? Or for condoning their choice to join a particular religious or political club?

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