Why This Pediatrician Is Inviting Parents to the 'We Do Not Care Club' DeVonne GoodeSeptember 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM 4 Parents/Thomas Barwick via getty Have you ever felt that rush of anxiety when another adult asks your kid what their name is and your kid doesn't answer? Have you ever felt the need to...
- - Why This Pediatrician Is Inviting Parents to the 'We Do Not Care Club'
DeVonne GoodeSeptember 9, 2025 at 11:04 PM
4
Parents/Thomas Barwick via getty
Have you ever felt that rush of anxiety when another adult asks your kid what their name is and your kid doesn't answer? Have you ever felt the need to apologize for forgetting your kid's hat or gloves in cold weather? If so, you're not alone. This feeling is what I call "parenting etiquette"–where we feel judged when the overall presentation of our kids isn't perfectly buttoned up.
Thankfully, one pediatrician is sharing a much-needed message to parents who think they're falling short in that area: "We do not care."
Calling All Parents to the 'We Do Not Care Club'
Nola Ernest, health care provider at Enterprise Pediatric Clinic in Alabama and mom of three, recently did an interview on TODAY where she called out five things parents often apologize for during doctor's visits. She says she hears parents feeling judged for forgetting diaper bags, their kids showing up with bruised shins, having pizza for dinner, forgetting to say "thank you," or wearing shorts during winter.
"They'll apologize because their kid tore the paper on the exam table!" Dr. Ernest adds, which is something that of course happens all the time.
In a video she posted on her Instagram account in August, Dr. Ernest breaks down why pediatricians don't actually care about these things, and why parents shouldn't care either. She refers to it as the Alabama Chapter of the "We Do Not Care Club."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Nola Jean Ernest (@alabamakiddoc)
For each listed concern, Dr. Ernest has an endearing rebuttal that has both empathy and logic in mind for caregivers who feel overwhelmed by what doctors may think.
The post caption reads, "Seriously, parents, the pediatrician's office is a judgement-free zone. Adding guilt and worry to your plate is rarely self serving. So, here are a [few] things that #pediatricians are just not worried about when you come to the office."
A number of other health care providers cosign in the comments and even add to the list. One writes, "You've inspired me to join the club! Solidarity, sister! We are not here to judge, just to help and support."
"We do not care if your child is not wearing underwear, it is more common than you think," writes another.
One parent comments with their own doctor's office experience that set them at ease:
"The diaper bag one! When my first was just a few days old I took her in for the first appointment. I had everything I needed for her except the nipple that goes on the ready to feed formula bottles that the hospital gave me. I cried on the spot. You know what my Ped did? Grabbed one from the supply closet and told me I was doing a good job. That's what moms need!"
Life Is Hard Enough–Let's Take It Easy on Ourselves
Though Dr. Ernest's views on these five specific things may not necessarily apply to everyone, the sentiment behind it should absolutely be applied more often. Chill. Parenting etiquette does have its place when we're operating in public and trying to teach our kids things like manners. But the pre-judgement part of it can get really loud at times, drowning out the fact that kids are kids and no parent is perfect.
Health care professionals, educators, and others who are trained to work with families understand this, and won't take a judgmental posture or scold us as much as we fear. The same can be said for fellow parents. Apologizing every time my kid doesn't shake an adult's hand or readily engage them in conversation isn't a necessity. I'm not always judged for my kid acting their age, so why am I judging myself?
There are way bigger things to be concerned about these days–and we should give ourselves space to care a little less about the small stuff.
on Parents
Source: "AOL Lifestyle"
Source: VoXi MAG
Read More >> Full Article on Source: VoXi MAG
#US #ShowBiz #Sports #Politics #Celebs