Help and understanding

There's a story in the Sydney Morning Herald today about how parents are feeling lost when it comes to raising their kids. Many parents feel enormous pressure, the research says, from the community "to get it right". Since SMH stories disappear, you'll find the media release from the Australian Childhood Foundation here, dated 16/3/05 (has SMH been holding onto the story that long?).
In the SMH story, it's suggested people shouldn't judge parents but offer help -- even as simple as holding the door open for a woman with a pram. How true that is! People really seem to resent you when you have a pram, as though you're taking up too much space. One colleage from work openly criticises people for taking prams in cafes and restaurants. I asked what she thought people with kids should do -- stay at home all the time so as not to inconvenience other 'more important' working people? I'm not sure if she plans to have kids someday, then the shoe will be on the other foot.
I must admit to a sneaking feeling of superiority sometimes when I see someone with a naughty child -- although as LB gets older I can see the day when that will be me coming soon! So when it does, spare a thought for how hard parenting is and give me a hand rather than a sneer. I'll try to do the same for you, too!