My mother stayed home with my brother and me until we were in Junior High, and I can't remember ever hearing her complain about how tough it was to be a mother. I'm sure she vented quietly to her friends, but I never got that vibe from her.
*NOT a photo of my brother and me with our mother. Clearly. How sad is it that I can't find very many of us with our mom? Mental note: take a GOOD family portrait before my kids are teenagers!
Wait, here's a shot of my family. A horrible shot, but I'm too lazy to search in the basement for more photo albums. (*adding to spring to-do list*)
Back to my point. I do actually have one. Motherhood is physically and mentally demanding. I'm not disputing that, but has anyone else noticed a rise in the whining online about the trials of motherhood?
I'm tempted to go on a rant about how motherhood is a privilege, because if you've ever struggled with infertility, experienced a miscarriage, or fought through the red tape of the adoption process, you know this only too well. But I won't. That would just make me a bit of a baby. Speaking of which, how ridiculous is that header image? These are the things I waste my time with while I should be online complaining about how busy my family life is and how "my kids are driving me insane and is it wine o'clock yet?"
There are certainly many reasons to feel overwhelmed by the motherload of motherhood. Mothers who struggle with post-partum depression, or who must work two jobs to put food on the table, or who fear for their safety and the safety of their children have it rough. I'm referring to the needless, self-absorbed, my life is so awful, not at all light-hearted or tongue and cheek, but seriously put out by it all, whining.
I admit that raising a family isn't always easy. In fact, the other night we took the kids out to dinner and my youngest child was a real handful. I actually let her make a fort under the table so I could get a moment of peace. Stellar parenting, I know. I stopped short of gagging her with a cloth napkin to quiet the barrage of questions and simply ordered myself another glass of wine. So, I get how complaining online is a way to blow off steam, I just wonder if this is a good message to put out there? Venting with a friend over the phone out of earshot of your kids is one thing, but posting that, "You sometimes wish you'd never had kids," or "Your son's behaviour at ____'s birthday party was atrocious!" maybe is not the legacy you want your children to stumble across one day.
Just my opinion.
We're all in this together and it's a good place to be. Most days. Don't you think?
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
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Image Credit (Mad Mom): Floyd Brown via photopin
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