My sister and I both had babies within two months of each other and we keep comparing everything - sleep schedules, feeding, development milestones - and what started as sharing support has turned into this weird competition where we're both pretending everything is fine. Our mom keeps making comments about which baby is 'easier' and I can feel it creating distance between us right when we need each other most.
More people experience this than they realize.
The natural desire to share early parenting experiences can morph into comparison and competition, threatening the very bonds that could provide mutual support.
“Where Are You with Birth and early bonding?”
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.