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or judging ourselves. Admit it, mums judge other mums. Mothers who work look down on mothers who don't and vice versa. We are judged for not breastfeeding longer, not opting for natural birth, not putting our child in daycare, not succeeding in toilet training, for not regaining our pre-pregnancy figures, for not yet having another baby the list goes on. Experts say that we need to appreciate that every parent has their own struggles and we all have different ways of raising our children. We may not agree with what other parents are doing, but when they do what's true to their hearts, that's good parenting. Everyone has an opinion on what's right and wrong, but as long as we're giving it our best, it should be fine. I feel that parents, and especially mothers, should support and encourage each other to do the best that we can.

So okay, we are judged by others, but we also judge ourselves. We do this both consciously and subconsciously. Take for example the fact that we are constantly being fed glossy images of celebrity mums. Their taut tummies and sexy, svelte figures are draped in the latest fashions. They tote their prodigal children across the globe, delightfully changing diapers, making organic food and appearing on Oprah. They exclaim delight at the joys of motherhood, barely able to wait it seems, to have more. All this while filming million dollar movies or selling million dollar records, launching fashion or perfume labels and championing charitable causes. Phew!

We compare ourselves to them and think that to be good mums, we have to be perfect'. What we don't see is the army of nannies, personal assistants, trainers and dietitians at a celebrity's disposal. Oh, and let's not forget the psychologists, spiritual gurus and cosmetic surgeons on speed dial, as well as the oodles and oodles of money. Then, there's also Photoshop, the magic tool that erases wrinkles, cellulite, stretch marks and other imperfections. We're presented with images of utter perfection that are beyond most of us. It is hard to separate reality and fantasy when you're feeling bad about yourself.

So what are frazzled mothers to do? I say, give ourselves a break. Let's not beat ourselves up over our perceived imperfections and failures. Certainly, we want to excel, both at work and on the home front. We want to make sure our families are served delicious, nutritious home-cooked meals. We want our children to be both physically healthy and emotionally fulfilled. But, we should accept

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