Yeehaw, you said it honey!
Mothers of the world, unite!
xo
K
Standing on a chair clapping, whooping and holding my lighter in the air for an encore.
Thank you!
Oh hell yeah! Twas a booutiful rant, and fairly aimed, fer sure!
You said it, sister! Thank you!
Because I Said So!
Thanks, mama! Great rant.
I've been reading this blog for a while but never commented before. That was the best damn article I've read in a LONG time. Yeah, I used to be a smartass who knew the secret that idiot parents somehow couldn't figure out. Then 8 years ago, everything changed. Yep. One of THEM. Now I am a humble mother and fight with unbelievable difficulties every day. You can't know what it's like until you're actually in it. Then, of course, it's too late. :D
So true, Mel, so true. I was that person, too, because I was a preschool teacher, Montessori trained, and I thought that gave me everything I needed to know. I had no clue how different teaching is from mothering.
I look back now and understand that the look on parents' faces when I offered helpful tips was not awed gratitude. Instead, they were probably wondering who would watch their child if they strangled me.
There is a strong core of thinking out there that goes something like this:
"Well, you CHOSE to become a parent, so..." (I bet you all can complete that sentence). Let's step back for a moment and contemplate a society where NO ONE chooses to become a parent... No folks, in the larger picture, children are a necessary component of a successful society. Politically, culturally, etc., they are still viewed as some kind of accidental aberration toward which society bears no responsibility.
Assuming that mothers are deluded souls who need a wake-up call from others to throw off the shackles of their oppression.
Thank. You. Just -- thank you. Bingo. Nail, head. This one drives me crazier than almost anything else.
Well, I am not a mother. And this was what I always told my sister: Please don't ask for advice about how to parent your kids because you are their parent and I am not. I will love you, support you, be there for you, and even take them off your hands every now and then.
I always kept those boundaries. 28 years later she and my BIL have raised 3 beautiful young women and I am a proud and happy auntie :o)
Today, my youngest sister is raising her late in life daughter and I wish her all the best. It matters not whether I agree with how she raises my niece because I'm not the one living it every day.
The world is full of people who believe they have the right to pass judgement and make pronouncements about all manner of people, places and things. Screw it. You rock Mamma!
I'm confused. So do we hate Lauren now?
Damn straight. The "I was once a child, so I know how to take care of children" thing drives me insane.
Thank you for this post.
Yes. And I would like to point out that children are not the only annoying people in the world.
I have been banned from one blog for pointing that out, but I know you won't ban me!
Woohoo! Thank you.
I'm confused. So do we hate Lauren now?
Mais non, philosophizer. Lauren pointed out the sexism and condescension toward mothers from some feminist quarters. That is most definitely a good and admirable thing.
Yes, indeed, I remember some of the ignorant snotty things I said before I became a parent, and I just cringe.
This was the best thing I read today. Thanks.
Awesome. Thank you. I've had it up to here with this crap--it's made me stop reading some blogs that I used to find interesting.
I'm over hear from 11D (You were linked to in comments). Thank you for this post.
Your points are the ones I wish I could take back to my pre-child self. Oh, if only I knew then what I know now...
Well said! Thank you for this.
for sure. now if we could only do something about those parents who insist that i'll change my mind and decide to have kids one day.
damn that was good.
I'm so glad I found this post. I'll be adding this blog to my bookmarks.
Thanks.
Great post!
The other part is to accept the help when it is offered. Many times moms think that accepting the helpe makes them "less than" and is a sign they can't do it all. Well the reality is very few people can. Accept help when ever you need it and even when you might not think you do. : )
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