Society has changed so much in the last 30 or so years.
When my mother had me, she was living in the town where she grew up, knew pretty much everyone, had her mother, her MIL and lots of other family members around to ask for advice, saw lots of other mothers parenting their children.
There was a real feeling of community.
I wasn't allowed to play out on a Sunday, and my grandparents thought this was harsh, but didn't pass these views on to my parents - because their opinion wasn't sought.
When I had DS1 I was living 300 miles from my mother, had left full-time work so knew few other mothers, and felt quite isolated.
I had terrible problems establishing breastfeeding, and in the end I gave up at 6 weeks, after advice from my mother during a telephone conversation. She had bottlefed all her children.
It wasn't what I wanted to do - but I knew of no-one else to ask.
I think that the media gives a very forceful view of how parents, and mothers in particular, should be, and that is hard to resist sometimes.
I also think that we should rely on our instincts more - every child, every parent and every family is different, and need different things.
It is, however, very hard to stand up for what you believe in if you feel alone and inexperienced, and there are very forceful characters advising you of what to do for your child - whether that is a health visitor, an aquaintance, a teacher, or a person on an internet forum etc.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion - but why force this opinion on others if it will only cause hurt and upset?
Advice and judgement are not the same thing.
I think there is huge pressure on us all to be the same, and many are quick to criticise others who are not the same as them.
As long as a child is safe from harm, happy, loved and educated, the specifics are up to the individual parents - and everyone should be given the freedom from criticism to allow them to live as they wish.