“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” |
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Amidst sleep deprivation, tending to a shrieking child who wants
to be constantly carried around, housekeeping, wifely tasks, delayed meals and
bathroom breaks and personal desires put aside, there are periods when I’d bawl
out and say, “I never thought mothering could be this
nerve-wracking.”
to be constantly carried around, housekeeping, wifely tasks, delayed meals and
bathroom breaks and personal desires put aside, there are periods when I’d bawl
out and say, “I never thought mothering could be this
nerve-wracking.”
This is when a woman realizes, pregnancy is just the rite of
passage. The real deal starts the moment the doctors cut off the cord.
And boy, what a ride it is from then on.
passage. The real deal starts the moment the doctors cut off the cord.
And boy, what a ride it is from then on.
It’s easy to trivialize the daily chores and duties that a mother
juggles in between all her preoccupations. After all, almost all women are expected to be mothers since birth. Motherhood is just one of those things
that co-exist along marriage and careers; never too worthy of being a subject
in school, nor deemed too “extraordinary” for mothers themselves
to groom their own daughters for it. For the most part, mothers, especially
those that choose to stay at home, are viewed as individuals with less
intellect, less depth and functionality than women in the workplace.
juggles in between all her preoccupations. After all, almost all women are expected to be mothers since birth. Motherhood is just one of those things
that co-exist along marriage and careers; never too worthy of being a subject
in school, nor deemed too “extraordinary” for mothers themselves
to groom their own daughters for it. For the most part, mothers, especially
those that choose to stay at home, are viewed as individuals with less
intellect, less depth and functionality than women in the workplace.
Even I as a kid believed my mother when she said she was “just a plain housewife”.
But plain, it isn’t. There is nothing plain and simple in tending to the husband
everyday and supporting his decisions even in the midst of arguments and neverending tasks, or raising the kids so that they become good, useful citizens that
can contribute to society. Motherhood is a respectable duty, one that is hardly ever a light and easy job.
everyday and supporting his decisions even in the midst of arguments and neverending tasks, or raising the kids so that they become good, useful citizens that
can contribute to society. Motherhood is a respectable duty, one that is hardly ever a light and easy job.
Too, it’s easy to forget what our mothers have sacrificed for us
to live another day when we are angry.Pride compounds things. Of course mothers make mistakes. We all do.
No mother is perfect, just as no daughter or son is. But they try. Everyday.
to live another day when we are angry.Pride compounds things. Of course mothers make mistakes. We all do.
No mother is perfect, just as no daughter or son is. But they try. Everyday.
Unfortunately, most of us only realize this when we become parents
ourselves.
ourselves.
(Mama, I’m
throwing this sappy AVP out for you as a segue).
throwing this sappy AVP out for you as a segue).
I guess what I’m trying to say is, let’s not judge our own moms no
matter how neurotic and irrational they may be at times. At least for today,
let’s give them credit for what it’s worth. After all, they once cared enough
to endure hell just to bear us into the world.
matter how neurotic and irrational they may be at times. At least for today,
let’s give them credit for what it’s worth. After all, they once cared enough
to endure hell just to bear us into the world.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. This is for all of
us who stay awake at night watching our children in their sleep, praying that
they wake up well each day to catch their dreams.
us who stay awake at night watching our children in their sleep, praying that
they wake up well each day to catch their dreams.
*Everybody is
excused for being cheesy at least this time of the year. So go on, indulge your
cheesy side. Tell your Momma how much you love her. Thank her. Make her feel
all warm and fuzzy inside. Write her a thing or two on P&G’s official Thank
You Mom Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/thankyoumomPH.
excused for being cheesy at least this time of the year. So go on, indulge your
cheesy side. Tell your Momma how much you love her. Thank her. Make her feel
all warm and fuzzy inside. Write her a thing or two on P&G’s official Thank
You Mom Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/thankyoumomPH.
