Ever since I have become a mom and have starting hanging out with other moms, I have become keenly aware of the struggles that American mothers face in our culture. We face constant pressure to be the “good mother,” when in reality we live in a society that gives very little support to mothers. Our mainstream media doesn’t seem to cover the struggle that moms face having to choose between their professional career and raising a family. Instead, they portray the “perfect” mom who does it all: works, cleans, cooks and parents.
This image or notion of the “perfect” mother leads to women putting more pressure on themselves to do it all. The truth is… motherhood by itself can be overwhelming, combine it with a stressful job, expensive daycare and trying to maintain a sane house and any woman will tell you that they have days where everything seems to fall apart. Even though I live a fairly balanced life, I often have days where I feel like I am a failure, or where life just feels “rough around the edges,” and I am on the brink of throwing the towel in.
This is the reality of life, especially a life in which you are trying to maintain a certain status and lifestyle that require 2 incomes. What is the answer?
I wish it could be so simple. I think one of the big things that we can do for ourselves and other women, is to recognize this false pseudo-feminine image of the perfect working mom doing it all is a big myth. Whenever you try to do everything, something is always sacrificed: normally it is the health and well-being of the mom. Give yourself permission to not be perfect and to not have to do it all.
If you want a great book on this topic, I just finished reading Maxed Out, American Moms on the Brink, by Katrina Alcorn, and I couldn’t put down.
Here’s to settling into a life that is a little messy, but full of love and joy!
All my best,
Sharon
