What is with all the complaining mummy bloggers? I get parenting is hard and other parents can identify with that but do we really need 50 000 blogs on changing dirty nappies with no sleep and details of how embarrassing it can be to wrangle your children through Kmart screaming. Suddenly it's all I hear from mothers everywhere. As a non mum I'm over it. I get it, mothers are finally being encouraged to acknowledge the fact that no parent is perfect which is a really positive step but does that mean we need to hear about it all the time! The worst are the mummy bloggers who swear all time- yes I know you turn to social media because you can't use a "naughty word" in front of your toddler but does that mean "fuck" has to make up 40% of your word count? Seriously...
What I worry about is these blogs tend to glorify wishing away the day with your kids and calling yourself inadequate. They too often talk about feeling sadness and hopeless that this is their new life. "I never thought my life would amount to changing diapers covered in baby chuck with a naked toddler smudging play dough into the carpet" and the like. We both know that's not what your life is about! This is a stage of your life in your very important journey as a mother- who knows who your little monkey will become. At least you have managed to provide your kids with play dough, carpet, nappies and a mother! Your life right now is so important.
Parents that suggest they have failed because their child is eating pasta for dinner, again whilst watching Pepper Pig. Hey guess what - no one cares!!! I am sure parents have used these strategies since the beginning of time but just not turned to social media to rant about it.
Child birth is another one. I don't care how you did it!!! Pain killer free or taking everything you could get. At home or in hospital. Through your vag or via c section. The fact is your baby won't care either. Just get on with it, pat yourself on the back, continue to love that little monkey you are super lucky to have! People that can't have babies of their own don't care about if their baby came out of the mouth of a giraffe in Africa as long as they have healthy human baby to love!
I guess my thought is it's time for a new perspective. You're in the game, you've successfully become a mother by whatever means and you're probably doing a damn good job, heck you're probably enjoying it and given the choice you'd do it all again. So stop... Stop pretending you think you're a bad parent. Stop with the "FML" Some people will never get the experience of waking through the night to cradle their screaming baby in the moonlight. Some people struggling to become parents long for the dirty nappies and disturbed showers. The mothers glow as she walks through the supermarket sweaty covered in dribble and other bodily fluids is something many one day long for because it comes with the good stuff. Parenting sound like it can be a pain, it can be embarrassing but it's also a privilege some will never have.
It's ok to be flawed as a parent and it's ok to talk about it but let's keep our eyes open. How do you think it is for people who secretly long to be parents hear you talk about how much you wish you could swap places for the night just for a good nights sleep? I am sure you appreciate being a parent so let's talk about that too.
Before all the mummy bloggers go crazy - I get that this community is important but is it too much to ask that you balance your complaining with some positivity? No one should turn on you for acknowledging yourself as a good mum who often enjoys being a parent!
