{"id":326131,"date":"2025-10-23T09:30:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T09:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/326131\/"},"modified":"2025-10-23T09:30:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T09:30:20","slug":"opinion-wellness-maha-and-parenting-14-moms-discuss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/326131\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion | Wellness, MAHA and Parenting: 14 Moms Discuss."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What\u2019s the hardest part of being a mom? What\u2019s the hardest part
of being a mom?<\/p>\n

\"\" \u201cNot overparenting.\u201d <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" \u201cWatching them grow up.\u201d <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa. Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" \u201cWorrying about their safety.\u201d <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Dem. <\/p>\n

Americans are increasingly exposed to health and wellness influencers, debates over additives, microplastics and forever chemicals, and politicized questions about the food, medication and vaccines we put into our bodies. On the left, some of these questions and debates are influencing environmental and consumer policies in places like California and Colorado. On the right, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the \u201cMake America Healthy Again\u201d movement wield immense power to shape policy across the country. <\/p>\n

Much of this attention is focused especially on parenting and childhood. So for Times Opinion\u2019s latest focus group, we spoke with 14 mothers from across the country and across the political spectrum about parenting today, dealing with doctors and illness, vaccines, food, MAHA and Mr. Kennedy. For this conversation we cast a wider net than just Mr. Kennedy\u2019s supporters, but specifically brought together people who said they had a particular worry about the food their families eat and an interest in doing some of their own research, not just deferring to doctors. <\/p>\n

While six of the 14 participants said they would describe themselves as \u201cMAHA moms,\u201d the others did not. The overall group included pro-Trump voters, anti-Trump voters, people with concerns about vaccines and people who approved of the Trump administration\u2019s focus on chemicals or food but felt it was going too far on vaccines or Tylenol. <\/p>\n

What comes through in the conversation is how hard it can feel to be taken seriously by doctors and how hard it is to make choices \u2014 whether as a parent or as your own person \u2014 in the age of social media. <\/p>\n

Katherine Miller, Margie Omero and Adrian J. Rivera <\/p>\n

Ms. Miller is a staff editor in Opinion. Ms. Omero is a pollster. Mr. Rivera is an editorial assistant in Opinion.<\/p>\n

Participants \"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Betsy 37, Ark., independent, white, realtor <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cherrie 45, Ore., independent, Asian, education <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cynthia 37, Ind., Democrat, Latina, events director <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Kristy 42, Minn., Democrat, white, nanny <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Rita 44, Texas, Republican, Black, waitress <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G. 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah V. 31, N.Y., Democrat, Black, teacher <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator <\/p>\n

Transcript <\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best part of being a mom?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Democrat, Black, teacher<\/p>\n

Being alive with my kids.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

The fulfillment.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

Being someone\u2019s safe place and being her best friend.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Democrat, Latina, events director<\/p>\n

Never boring.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cherrie, 45, Ore., independent, Asian, education<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a blessing.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

It\u2019s like watching your heart outside of your body.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Republican, Black, waitress<\/p>\n

An adventure.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

Being able to be a kid again and have fun with them.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

I love watching my children achieve things and grow and be proud of themselves.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

Their sense of wonder.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., independent, white, realtor<\/p>\n

Watching my girls be confident.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

Watching her grow and rise to the challenge of all the preteen stuff.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker<\/p>\n

Watching them grow into who they are becoming and seeing all their accomplishments.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Democrat, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I\u2019d say it\u2019s rewarding and joyful just to be able to see it all and experience it all.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the hardest part of being a mom?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

Not overparenting.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

That I need to pay someone to watch her so I can make money.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Republican, Black, waitress<\/p>\n

You have to be able to adjust.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

Watching them grow up, it\u2019s bittersweet.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Democrat, Black, teacher<\/p>\n

Worrying about their safety.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

Balancing time.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Democrat, white, nanny<\/p>\n

Watching them struggle when you see things that you can fix, but they need to work it out themselves.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

It\u2019s kind of a duality. I don\u2019t want to do a half-good job at being an employee, and I don\u2019t want to do a half-good job at being a mom. But I\u2019m the only one running the show here.<\/p>\n

Do you spend a lot of time doing
research on being a mom? Do you spend a lot of time
doing research on being a mom? 4 people raised their hands.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa. Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Cherrie, 45, Ore., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Rep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Rep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I spend more time researching health-related things. My daughter has some autoimmune neurological struggles, and I also have autoimmune struggles. I feel like I spend a lot of time researching supplements or different therapies or things that could help her to feel better.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your top source for your research?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I have a couple of different bloggers that I follow to some degree, some influencer-type people on Instagram, although I\u2019m a little picky about who I listen to there or really give my time to because I feel like a lot of them are very gimmicky or just trying to sell different things. I also rely on my daughter\u2019s doctors. And so it\u2019s kind of a plethora of different places.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a stepmom and we\u2019re co-parenting, so I always look at like, OK, how do I not step on toes? With health problems, I have some friends that are doctors, and I\u2019ll ask them questions about best approaches.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

And how do you know who to trust when you do research online?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t particularly trust influencers online. I do subscribe to The New York Times, so if there is a health article or parenting articles, I feel pretty good about them and how they\u2019re researched and things like that. I also go to my friends with children who are now adults and who\u2019ve turned out well.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

I get library books. If I like a certain author, their style, the recommendation, I\u2019ll just get all their books.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Democrat, Latina, events director<\/p>\n

We became a blended family four years ago. Before that, I got a lot of my family input on how to raise my girls from my faith, my church family. And then when we became a blended family, we had a lot of issues at the beginning. I found a blog that was really helpful in that the family was just like mine, and my pediatrician recommended other quality sites.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

I follow different Instagram people or on TikTok who are parents. I definitely don\u2019t take everything they say word for word, but I get different ideas for things to do on holidays or gifts, and also appreciate the reminders about perspective they share. The days are long but the years are short, for example.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

How easy or hard is it to find information about being a mom to your family?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

It\u2019s too easy. I feel like everybody wants to tell you how to parent, whether that\u2019s the internet or your family.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

How is the internet telling you how to be a mom?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

Seeking out the content is one thing. But if you just let content appear, there\u2019s people who are telling you, oh, you\u2019re doing it wrong. This shouldn\u2019t be how it is. News articles tell you one thing. Others tell you the opposite. You’re like, what\u2019s reality?<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Do you have a specific example?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

Breastfeeding. From the beginning. It starts at the beginning. They\u2019re like, you\u2019re doing that wrong. You should be doing it this way. You should be bottle. You should be breast. You should not do formula. You should do formula. It doesn\u2019t matter. From the second you have a kid, everybody has something to tell you.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., independent, white, realtor<\/p>\n

I wholeheartedly agree that no matter where you are on any level, the algorithm is going to find a way to see if you agree or disagree with a new thought. I think there\u2019s a lot of mom-shaming that goes on social media. For stay-at-home moms versus working moms, that\u2019s always been a huge battle on social media that is not anybody\u2019s choice but a personal one. I guess it just tugs on your heart on social media sometimes. When you feel like you\u2019re doing something wrong, you start seeing things that it\u2019s kind of like: Yeah, you should have done this a little bit better.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I definitely feel that way, though I do think my algorithm has changed and it\u2019s gotten less overwhelming as my daughter\u2019s gotten older, I guess. Still, it\u2019s just a lot of unattainable high standards in every different aspect. Like, you should be baking your bread, and you should be doing your laundry this way, and your house should look a certain way. And for the most part, that\u2019s unattainable or really difficult to get if it\u2019s not your full-time job.<\/p>\n

Has social media made it harder or easier
to feel like you\u2019re making good choices as a mom,
or has it made no difference? Has social media made it harder
or easier to feel like you\u2019re
making good choices as a mom,
or has it made no difference? It\u2019s made it harder. \"\"\/ Alexis,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t34, Pa. Repub. \"\"\/ Bethany,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t37, Colo., indep. \"\"\/ Betsy,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t37, Ark., indep. \"\"\/ Catherine,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t33, Ala., Repub. \"\"\/ Cherrie,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t45, Ore., indep. \"\"\/ Cynthia,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t37, Ind., Dem. \"\"\/ Kristy,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t42, Minn., Dem. \"\"\/ Nataliya,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t47, Calif., Dem. \"\"\/ Rita,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t44, Texas, Rep. \"\"\/ Sapphire,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t28, Ga., indep. It\u2019s made it easier. \"\"\/ Sydney,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t27, Mass., Repub. It\u2019s made no difference. \"\"\/ Sarah G.,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t41, Fla., Rep. \"\"\/ Sarah V.,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t31, N.Y., Dem. \"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

I do feel like I\u2019ve found ways to feel validated through social media. It just takes weeks for the algorithm to realize: Oh, this is what you\u2019ve decided to do. And then you start getting content about that. And then I feel validated that, oh, other people are doing what I\u2019m doing. Or I have people I talk to online, and so that helps me feel validated.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Sarah G., you said it makes no difference.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

I think there\u2019s moments of validation and then moments of, oh, maybe I should do that different. But I think in the end it balances out, and I don\u2019t let it affect me personally.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Most people said harder. Kristy, you were one of them. Tell me why.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Democrat, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I feel like when you get so many options thrown in your face, there\u2019s so many people doing the same thing in so many different ways. It\u2019s hard not to feel like you\u2019re just comparing, and that comparison just invalidates. It\u2019s just overwhelming. When you\u2019re already kind of struggling with the job and the house and the marriage and the kids and all the things all the time, just trying to day to day, and then you\u2019re looking at the comparisons. But if I hadn\u2019t seen that, if it hadn\u2019t been in my face, I wouldn\u2019t be thinking about it. I think it\u2019s too much for society. It\u2019s too much for families. It\u2019s too much for our kids. It\u2019s just too much all around the board.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s switch gears a bit. When you\u2019re looking for information online, how much of that information is related to health and wellness?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., independent, white, realtor<\/p>\n

We do a lot less online research when it comes to health stuff. We try to do old school, dig out some books and things, because there\u2019s a lot of controversial stuff that you\u2019ll find online. And we try to stick to as natural as possible.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

My in-laws are both doctors, so I would rather call them than Google something and get two different answers to the same question. Or call my pediatrician if it was my daughter, or my own doctor.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Is health one thing and wellness another thing?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker<\/p>\n

I\u2019d say health is more physical where wellness is more mental well-being. I focus more on keeping my son and daughter healthy, which I always hope helps their mental wellness out.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

Well, library. I have church people that I talk to and I go to meet-up groups. So I like a lot more one-on-one conversations. And I went to school for Chinese medicine in Minnesota, so I like to hear alternative voices a lot and just gather all my information from people\u2019s firsthand experiences.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Democrat, Black, teacher<\/p>\n

I also have family. My church, very active in my life, my children\u2019s lives. And I try to be careful with the information I listen to online versus what I apply to my life and my children\u2019s lives. On vaccinations, for example, I had people come to me after the pandemic and share their opinions in person and say: I feel this is what you should do with yourself, with your kids. And I would spend time online and I would see different opinions. I go to my doctor. I go to our family pediatrician and I feel that sometimes I can\u2019t always listen to what other people say, so I\u2019ll go to a professional. I will do what feels best. And I pay attention to my children, and I listen to them above other people.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a health or wellness question that you had? How\u2019d you find the answer to it, and did you think it was trustworthy?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Republican, Black, waitress<\/p>\n

I\u2019m always looking for alternative medicines for me and my family. Lately I have been going on TikTok and sometimes find a lot of helpful information. I find people that look like me, maybe in the same age range, and sometimes I look at the advice that they\u2019re giving. I\u2019ll try different vitamins or minerals because they are recommending it. You can read the comments and they\u2019ll let you know, hey, this did work.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I turn to a local mom\u2019s group on Facebook. I really do not use Facebook for anything besides this group. Anytime we have a question about almost anything, I say: I\u2019m going to go ask the Mommies. And almost every time they come up with answers or just things I hadn\u2019t thought of. I feel a little more confident trusting women who, some of them I know personally, but also just knowing they live in the same area as me. We\u2019re dealing with a lot of the same things and the same kind of demographics.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

When you do research, how do you feel about what you\u2019re finding out?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

I become a down-the-rabbit-hole kind of a girl. I will stay up till one, two, three o\u2019clock in the morning sometimes when I have my own time and just research and study and look at the NIH website or TikTok or Instagram or even the mommy groups also. Whatever is continuously repetitive across sources and has worked is what I\u2019ll apply. Because even TikTok and Instagram, it\u2019s kind of like even relationship advice, same thing with parental advice, you can\u2019t take all of it and absorb all of it because you\u2019d be divorced tomorrow if you take all of that advice.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Give me an example of something you\u2019ve cut loose.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

They kept pressuring me while I was pregnant to get vaccines. But every time I would look at the ingredients list, I\u2019m like, what\u2019s this and what\u2019s this and what\u2019s this? And when you ask them straight up, they\u2019re like, I don\u2019t know. And I\u2019m like, what do you mean you don\u2019t know what this is? You\u2019re the doctor. So then I would have to go do my own research. I feel like the health care industry has never been on my side personally unless I basically do all the work at it myself.<\/p>\n

Have you seen something online
that you\u2019ve taken to a doctor? Have you seen something online
that you\u2019ve taken to a doctor? 5 people raised their hands.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa. Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Cherrie, 45, Ore., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Rep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Rep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Repub. <\/p>\n

Moderator, Katherine Miller <\/p>\n

Alexis, what was that experience like?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

I feel like doctors are quick to dismiss, like: Oh, what? Did you Google? That\u2019s the worst thing you can do. And that was regarding a vaccine. So I felt like I was a little bit dismissed, where I just kind of ended the conversation. But it\u2019s still something I feel strongly about.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker<\/p>\n

I found out I had Hashimoto\u2019s because I looked online. I told my doctor that I had all the symptoms of Hashimoto\u2019s. I asked him for a test. He was reluctant because my blood work looked normal, but more testing was done and I found out that I had severe antibodies to a point where it was Hashimoto\u2019s. Had I not brought it up \u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I feel like I\u2019ve been able to search out and cultivate a team of doctors for myself and my daughter who are all pretty willing and open to listen to information that I bring to them. Generally, I don\u2019t feel like they just instantly dismiss me.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Democrat, Latina, events director<\/p>\n

My experience has been, I usually get more of an attentive and analytical response from my female doctors. My male doctors tend to be a little bit more like: No, don\u2019t worry, I know what I\u2019m talking about. Trust me. Like: We\u2019ll just wait for the lab work. Or: The lab work is saying this, so don\u2019t worry about it.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Katherine Miller <\/p>\n

A lot of people in this group are pretty interested in health and wellness stuff. How long have you felt interested? Was there something specific that drew you to these topics, an inciting moment?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cherrie, 45, Ore., independent, Asian, education<\/p>\n

My daughter was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. That\u2019s when I began to look up what are the vegetables, what are the foods that she can eat without flaring up? Is she allowed to take dairy? Is she allowed to do this or that?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

I thought about health differently before I had kids. And immediately when I was pregnant and going through the immense amount of doctor\u2019s appointments and ultrasounds and all of that is when I started thinking about everything and asking more questions, and then being dismissed because of certain questions or experiencing rudeness just because I was asking a question. That made me think more, like, I should be asking even more questions once you get that kind of experience. And then it just kind of stemmed from there. I never thought about vaccinating until I had kids. That was just where it all started for me and when I started questioning the medical health industry.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

Parenting\u2019s just so different now versus what it was previously. I just feel like there\u2019s constantly new possible issues arising that you have to be extra vigilant with your kid to make sure they don\u2019t text somebody the wrong thing or say the wrong thing.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

I took most of my parenting advice from my own mom, and it works for me. And so I try to just focus on knowing in myself what is working. And then, like we\u2019ve been talking about, anything health-related I go to an actual doctor for because I\u2019m just \u2014 I don\u2019t want false information.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

I got some really strange symptoms after backpacking and it turned out to be Lyme disease. And I brought it to my doctor, who said there is no Lyme in Tahoe. And I\u2019m like, all the same, would you test? And I had to convince her. And then she tested it and came back and was like: Oh, no, my bad. You do have Lyme. And afterwards is when I realized it\u2019s just you have to advocate for yourself and your child and do at least a little bit of research. I still absolutely trust the doctors, but it\u2019s easy to be dismissed.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Do you trust doctors and health professionals?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t go to school to do the doctor thing, and they did. And they had to do all the work, and so I trust them. But at a point it sometimes seems they\u2019re in it for the money rather than helping people.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Democrat, Black, teacher<\/p>\n

From my past experience, even before having children, I\u2019ve seen doctors treat patients like a number. In and out, in and out. I believe in doctors sometimes. But then I also do my homework, and I do my due diligence. I pay attention to myself, my children. And I\u2019ve unfortunately seen doctors be wrong about certain things for elders in my family. And because of that, my answer is I\u2019m neutral.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., independent, white, realtor<\/p>\n

Just as a whole, I feel like doctors are more treating symptoms than finding the root cause. Treating symptoms and getting new symptoms to treat with side effects of medication.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

What does \u201cMake America Healthy Again\u201d or MAHA mean to you?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

The biggest focus in that movement is figuring out why chronic illness, especially in our children, is so high right now versus 20, 30 years ago. What has changed? What\u2019s in our medicine? What are we being given? What\u2019s in our food? It\u2019s getting to the bottom of why we\u2019re having all these health issues.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

It means completely different things to me. It\u2019s a great catchphrase that R.F.K. Jr. came up with. He just took a bunch of nonscientists that are making decisions on behalf of the American people. The things that he\u2019s researching I agree with, the things that he\u2019s focusing on. But how he\u2019s going about it and what he\u2019s coming out with makes zero sense, Tylenol being a very lovely example as of recently.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

I think some people, they\u2019d rather just ignore it. And just because what Make America Healthy Again is associated with and their hate for that, they just bypass it. But I think it\u2019s something that\u2019s way overdue. And the fact that different ingredients are banned in all other countries, but here in America, where we\u2019re supposed to be thriving and on top of everything, there\u2019s bad things that are legally OK to go into our food.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

I want to call on people who weren\u2019t so sure initially what MAHA stood for. Kristy, how about you?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Democrat, white, nanny<\/p>\n

It sounds familiar, but I feel like Robert Kennedy is just not somebody that I would rely on for healthy information. I feel like there\u2019s just been so much skepticism around it all, and it\u2019s just kind of a scary subject. I think social media kind of tends to gear us into that regard, too, or you\u2019re leaning towards whatever the majority thinks. It\u2019s just a slippery slope.<\/p>\n

Do you identify as a MAHA mom? Do you identify as a MAHA mom? 6 people raised their hands.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa. Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Cherrie, 45, Ore., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Rep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., indep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Rep. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Dem. <\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Repub. <\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker<\/p>\n

I do, because people my parents\u2019 age, they\u2019re healthy people. I\u2019m not healthy. My children are even worse than me, even though I feed them better than my parents fed me, and we weren\u2019t allowed junk food in the house. And I believe that Make America Healthy Again is getting rid of those dyes that are causing the neuro problems.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

I agree with concerns about ingredients and what\u2019s being pumped in our everyday foods, especially the multiple underlying names of sugar now in all of our products. And why are our health care inflation costs growing exponentially and much faster than our general?<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Why do you think that is?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

Because everyone\u2019s sick. Everybody\u2019s getting sick and everybody\u2019s relying on the pharmaceutical industry, which is getting money for people being sick and just fixing small problems and not getting to the root, because they need you coming through their doors for them to get paid.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

What, if anything, do you feel like MAHA goes too far on?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cynthia, 37, Ind., Democrat, Latina, events director<\/p>\n

Trying to link anything and everything to the amount of autism and A.D.H.D. diagnoses that we have now in our children and our young teens, in my opinion, goes a little bit too far. And it\u2019s a little uncontrolled as far as the scientific sources that they\u2019re using for it. To me, it plays on the fact that we have advancements now in technology and in science that we didn\u2019t have back in the \u201930s and the \u201940s in order to diagnose.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

So I would not consider myself a MAHA mom, but I feel like I\u2019m kind of like an O.G. MAHA before there was MAHA. I have a lot of chronic illness, and so does my daughter. And we know that it\u2019s linked directly to mold that is in our very old house that we are about to tear down and go on a journey of healing from the mold that has made us all very sick. So I feel like I have already kind of been doing all of the MAHA stuff for now like a decade, as far as avoiding all the sugar, avoiding all the dyes. I feel like I was already aware of the dangers of Tylenol way before. I don\u2019t feel like MAHA is very genuine.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Tell me more.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

It just feels very put on and very showy, and I\u2019m not really hearing a lot about actual scientific evidence, I guess, coming directly from the top of the movement. So I don\u2019t have an issue with R.F.K. Jr. personally. He\u2019s got some good things to say, I guess. But I just think the whole Trump White House in general is just too much for me.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Has anybody changed a practice or a view because of something that R.F.K. Jr. said or did? OK. Well, we\u2019re going to talk about that a little bit, but I don\u2019t want to get there quite yet. I want to hear from some other folks. Doesn\u2019t look like anybody \u2014 why not?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

Like it\u2019s been mentioned, a lot of people already formed opinions before the last couple of years with the MAHA thing. And so for the ones who have already been questioning artificial dyes and G.M.O.s and sugar and all these things, it felt like: Oh, someone else is finally talking about it. But it didn\u2019t change the way we thought because all of the red flags were already there.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sapphire, 28, Ga., independent, Latina, painter<\/p>\n

I was living in California, which has a disclaimer on anything that has carcinogens. As a kid, I never saw that outside of a Chick-fil-A, walking in and there\u2019s a warning sign. So then I became more curious, and then that\u2019s when I went down the rabbit hole of the dyes, the sugar, the this and that. And I was like, oh, my God, it\u2019s so much. Once you see it, you can\u2019t unsee it. And then you\u2019re just kind of guiltily doing things. When I had my daughter, that\u2019s when I became a stickler for whole foods, healthy eating.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

So a lot of you were doing this stuff before but now there\u2019s a name for it. How does that make you feel?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

Finally. Like, other people are saying it out loud.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

Joining a holistic moms network, I learned a lot from them. I\u2019ve been on medications. I\u2019ve gotten off all mine, and I would trust more surgical doctors than the experiences I\u2019ve had with more primary care doctors because they don\u2019t really \u2014 a lot of them just don\u2019t really listen to you, and it\u2019s hard to make that good connection. With MAHA, I think that they\u2019ve gained a lot of momentum because people are really desperate for results.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah V., 31, N.Y., Democrat, Black, teacher<\/p>\n

Having children truly, truly changed my perspective on health. I see the impact that a movement can have in a very populated area. And if I see the schools start to implement healthier habits, I know that it\u2019s going to affect the kids. I know it\u2019s going to affect everybody long term if it continues in a positive direction.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Republican, Black, waitress<\/p>\n

I really wasn\u2019t following along with the healthy stuff, but I do agree that there needs to be some changes made with our foods. Some of the other countries don\u2019t take our products. I\u2019ll just say that I don\u2019t feel like Mr. Kennedy is just putting on a show. I really do feel that he wants to make a difference in American foods. He just seems like the first person that has come out and said: Hey, we need to do something about this.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Katherine Miller <\/p>\n

Some people have mentioned food. Some people have mentioned chronic disease. Some people have mentioned vaccines. Do people feel like R.F.K. Jr. is focused right now on the right things, or are there things you\u2019d prefer him to be focused more on?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Nataliya, 47, Calif., Democrat, white, delivery director<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like him to stay the hell away from vaccines. That would be great. I do like that he\u2019s focused on fluoride in our water. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It\u2019s questionable. Additives, things that are legal here that are not legal in other countries, that type of stuff, perfectly happy if he focuses on that.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

I feel like the seed oils issue is a major thing that we haven\u2019t talked about in the country. And so that, to me, is something I\u2019d love to see more action being done around. Avoiding them has completely changed my health, and I\u2019ve seen it change the health of so many people.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Alexis, 34, Pa., Republican, white, client services<\/p>\n

I think it\u2019s going in the right direction. I feel like literally every week there\u2019s a new food brand in the news, saying, oh, they\u2019re taking this dye out of this product. Companies are actively making the changes on their own.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

He should focus more on neurotoxins, what\u2019s actually a neurotoxin, what\u2019s not, and how does that link to autism.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Katherine Miller <\/p>\n

Do you feel the idea of MAHA is more of a Democratic thing or a Republican thing?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

I saw this funny thing that was like, if you described the list of what MAHA is working on, it was a super liberal thing to do like five, 10 years ago. And now it\u2019s like everyone\u2019s associating it with the Trump administration, so it\u2019s super Republican. So I think it\u2019s both.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

I agree. And I know you\u2019re asking if we think it\u2019s one side or the other, but it really shouldn\u2019t be. Everyone should care about what they\u2019re putting in their body. But I absolutely agree that it used to be liberal, and now it\u2019s seen more as Republican because it\u2019s coming from more of the Trump administration.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Why is it like that?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sydney, 27, Mass., Republican, white, translator<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re associated with a person.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Sarah G., 41, Fla., Republican, white, designer<\/p>\n

I think it has actually nothing to do with Trump, really, but if Kennedy had not joined Trump, I don\u2019t think it would be happening. And I don\u2019t think we\u2019d be getting red dye No. 40 removed from all these brands and this and that. So I think Trump adding Kennedy is why it\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Bethany, 37, Colo., independent, white, nanny<\/p>\n

I tend to not want to associate myself with the MAHA thing because I don\u2019t identify as a Republican. But I do agree with a lot of the things they\u2019re doing, and that, to me, feels like this very conflicting place to be. But I agree it should be a bipartisan issue.<\/p>\n

How would you rate President Trump\u2019s
job performance so far? How would you rate President
Trump\u2019s job performance so far? A \"\"\/ Alexis,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t34, Pa. Repub. \"\"\/ Jerusha,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t45, Mo., Repub. \"\"\/ Sydney,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t27, Mass., Repub. B \"\"\/ Cherrie,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t45, Ore., indep. \"\"\/ Sarah G.,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t41, Fla., Rep. C \"\"\/ Betsy,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t37, Ark., indep. \"\"\/ Catherine,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t33, Ala., Repub. D \"\"\/ Bethany,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t37, Colo., indep. \"\"\/ Rita,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t44, Texas, Rep. \"\"\/ Sapphire,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t28, Ga., indep. \"\"\/ Sarah V.,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t31, N.Y., Dem. F \"\"\/ Cynthia,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t37, Ind., Dem. \"\"\/ Kristy,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t42, Minn., Dem. \"\"\/ Nataliya,
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t47, Calif., Dem. \"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Kristy, 42, Minn., Democrat, white, nanny<\/p>\n

He\u2019s just so divisive, and I feel like the division is causing a lot more trouble than it needs to be. Even blaming the shutdown on the Republicans and being associated with claiming that Tylenol is bad and all these off-the-wall things, I think it just creates diversity in division.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

I gave him an A. I\u2019ve just always been a supporter every term, mainly for the business aspects, the things that are brought into light that most people don\u2019t have the courage to bring to light.<\/p>\n

Moderator, Margie Omero<\/p>\n

Like what?<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Jerusha, 45, Mo., Republican, white, insurance<\/p>\n

Well, a lot of people don\u2019t like the attitude, the controversial topics, but I think it actually is a catalyst for change that we need. ICE, the economy, tariffs, you name it.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Cherrie, 45, Ore., independent, Asian, education<\/p>\n

I gave him a B. It\u2019s because it\u2019s a long time coming. I know that it\u2019s been an issue when it comes to Tylenol, but he brought that up and made it come to light.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Catherine, 33, Ala., Republican, white, self-described homemaker<\/p>\n

I was a C. I got out of the whole watching the news because of the fact that everything was either we hate Trump or we like Trump. And there\u2019s no middle ground anymore for anybody to sit there and just be like, OK, well, I don\u2019t agree with him on these things, but I agree with him on these things. He\u2019s just a puppet for Congress. I feel like all presidents are.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Betsy, 37, Ark., independent, white, realtor<\/p>\n

I was a C, just middle ground. I don\u2019t love anything specifically or hate anything specifically. I\u2019m indifferent to how things are going. I\u2019m not loving anything specifically or hating anything specifically.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/ <\/p>\n

Rita, 44, Texas, Republican, Black, waitress<\/p>\n

To be honest, I was sort of a fan of Trump\u2019s because I did like his boldness, and I like that he wasn\u2019t afraid to say what he wanted to say. But I am disappointed in the divisiveness. I feel the president shouldn\u2019t come down off of his perch to chirp back and forth with the little people. But I feel like he does, and I think that takes away from being the president. He would probably do a good job, but it\u2019s like he\u2019s so focused on getting back at people instead of focusing on bringing the country together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the hardest part of being a mom? What\u2019s the hardest partof being a mom? \u201cNot overparenting.\u201d Nataliya,…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":326132,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5122],"tags":[5229,6752,405,403,5226,5225,5228,5227,4757,5704,23344,67,586,16852,132,5230,68,2969,162489],"class_list":{"0":"post-326131","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-kennedy","10":"tag-new-york","11":"tag-new-york-city","12":"tag-newyork","13":"tag-newyorkcity","14":"tag-ny","15":"tag-nyc","16":"tag-parenting","17":"tag-polls-and-public-opinion","18":"tag-robert-f-jr","19":"tag-united-states","20":"tag-united-states-of-america","21":"tag-united-states-politics-and-government","22":"tag-unitedstates","23":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","24":"tag-us","25":"tag-usa","26":"tag-vaccination-and-immunization"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115422789666592447","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=326131"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/326131\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/326132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=326131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=326131"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=326131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}