Thursday, October 25, 2007

I'm a Mommy (and I'm Dang Proud of It)

I was just visiting Baby Steps and read her meme of forty reasons to have children. It was wonderful -- she did a great job.

Then I visited the link that set off all these motherhood memes. This really is something else.

If ever there was a time when the family has been under attack, it's this day and age, and the woman mentioned in this article is an avid proponent for destroying the family. She paints children as the most awful thing you could ever do, she degrades the sanctity of motherhood, and she says that she regrets ever having children. To make matters even worse, she gave copies of her book to her children (ages 10 and 13).

Hello?

You know, I'm not terribly fond of changing poopy diapers. I'm not crazy about breaking up fights, of cleaning up messes that they were big enough to make but not big enough to clean up, or wiping noses. But absolutely do not get me wrong: my children are the best thing in my life. I never knew what it meant to be fully, completely happy until I had children. My favorite moments of the day are when we're all together, often sitting on the same couch, snuggling or holding hands.

I'm sorry this woman doesn't feel the same way. I'm sorry she feels as though she's wasted her life. But it bugs me to no end that she's trying to convince other women to feel the way she does. She doesn't understand that she's in the minority, that a great many women love being mothers. It's her own personal decision and I respect her right to be miserable, but she will never convince me that living by myself would be preferrable to a life with my kids. Every minute of every day is a rollercoaster ride of joy and frustration, and the joy always comes out on top. I wouldn't miss it for anything.

6 comments:

G. Parker said...

I agree! I actually never wanted to be a mom. I was the youngest and never was really around little kids. But when we started getting pregnant, hey! This was a gift from the Lord and I've treasured each one of them. There might be times when I wish I could send them all off to a foreign country for a year, but otherwise, I love them to death. Have a good one!

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

How incredibly selfish & hurtful that she would tell her children those things. After all, its not their fault she screwed up and became a mother. It's unfortunate she's having those feelings, but even more so that she feels the need to share them with her small children.

Stephanie Humphreys said...

What great comments. What would the world do without all the great mothers there are?

Rebecca Talley said...

Whoa.

I'm thankful every day for my children and so thankful I've been blessed with a family.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

I agree with Jen... what was she thinking telling her children this?
I agree with you that there are things that aren't fun about motherhood, but I would never change being a mother. I love all my monkeys, and if I could jcut convince my husband, I'd have another one.....

Anna said...

I also read both posts. It is sad that she felt she had to share her thoughts on motherhood with her children.

There are some moments that I think "what was I thinking wanting kids?". But they are always when there is screaming, whining, and I'm usually in a bad mood in the first place.

I wouldn't give up my two unexpected, but VERY much wanted little kids for anything in the world. Motherhood isn't always easy, but at the end of the night when they are asleep, it feels worth it.

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