Re: the dishwasher thing, I think it's so easy to feel that if we can just do SOMETHING to regain some control in our chaotic lives, we'll be HAPPIER. When in reality, motherhood is just one long surrender to loss of control and you gotta choose to be happy anyway, or not. But I do think being able to thoughtfully embrace that freedom you talk about as a mom really can ease the process, if we let it.
Thank you!! I feel that Catholic mothers *especially* should be reminding each other of this, since they have more kids than average and are swimming upstream in many ways so it's paramount that mothers should feel they have the freedom to mother in the way that makes sense for them at any given time. Unfortunately, Catholics mothers seem to be some of the worst culprits for pontificating about how motherhood/family life *should* look, and oh by the way you should be managing this ideal with 6+ kids. This is largely why I had to get off social media - I still feel like I'm too early in motherhood to let all that stuff roll off my back, so I just had to cut it out.
"Frankly, people think of mothers so little that they really have no real expectations. They are around children even less and have even less knowledge of what taking care of children actually involves that you shouldn’t worry about those made up expectations on little bit."
I might have to write this out and put it somewhere. Ha! It's like Wendell Berry talking about keeping up with the times having no basis in "real life"
I love how you say we need to know what will work for our one, actual life today, not imaginary rules about pretend lives. It is wild how we get used to living under chronic shame. I love the freedom and simplicity of this mindset!
I just finished reading Laurie Woolever's memoir Care and Feeding, which I HATED (addiction, endless affairs, unaware of her own selfishness). I want to read a Bourdain biography, but I'm not keen on more of her work 🤣. Maybe I'll just watch the shows of his I've missed. Mapp and Lucia is on my list... Hopefully soon.
I needed to read this haha. Thank you for saying important truths with humor. Need to work on giving myself that permission on what I do/don’t want to prioritize
I couldn't love this more Christy. I gave up long so on anyone having matching socks. Do I care, do my kids care? (Well actually yes my 4 year old organized kid said she wished she had more matching things..) But to the point: who gives a !@$# ?! When you write a parenting book I will recommend it to everyone. And good to know I still have a year to figure out parenting because I'm definitely not there. (+ Thank you for the generous shout out!! 💗)
Re: the dishwasher thing, I think it's so easy to feel that if we can just do SOMETHING to regain some control in our chaotic lives, we'll be HAPPIER. When in reality, motherhood is just one long surrender to loss of control and you gotta choose to be happy anyway, or not. But I do think being able to thoughtfully embrace that freedom you talk about as a mom really can ease the process, if we let it.
Love it!! Say it louder for the moms who had to take their screaming toddlers out the back 😂
Also so glad you are enjoying Mapp and Lucia! They are such fun.
Thank you!! I feel that Catholic mothers *especially* should be reminding each other of this, since they have more kids than average and are swimming upstream in many ways so it's paramount that mothers should feel they have the freedom to mother in the way that makes sense for them at any given time. Unfortunately, Catholics mothers seem to be some of the worst culprits for pontificating about how motherhood/family life *should* look, and oh by the way you should be managing this ideal with 6+ kids. This is largely why I had to get off social media - I still feel like I'm too early in motherhood to let all that stuff roll off my back, so I just had to cut it out.
"Frankly, people think of mothers so little that they really have no real expectations. They are around children even less and have even less knowledge of what taking care of children actually involves that you shouldn’t worry about those made up expectations on little bit."
I might have to write this out and put it somewhere. Ha! It's like Wendell Berry talking about keeping up with the times having no basis in "real life"
I always read and enjoy your thoughts, that’s all. Carry on and happy holiday-ing!!!
I love how you say we need to know what will work for our one, actual life today, not imaginary rules about pretend lives. It is wild how we get used to living under chronic shame. I love the freedom and simplicity of this mindset!
I just finished reading Laurie Woolever's memoir Care and Feeding, which I HATED (addiction, endless affairs, unaware of her own selfishness). I want to read a Bourdain biography, but I'm not keen on more of her work 🤣. Maybe I'll just watch the shows of his I've missed. Mapp and Lucia is on my list... Hopefully soon.
Wow, Christy - that is incredibly kind. I am truly touched by your words. And so glad you're enjoying Nancy. I adore her so much!!!!
Totally agree about Matthew Goode- is it weird that my favourite of his movies is My Family and Other Animals? I also adore Imelda Staunton.
I needed to read this haha. Thank you for saying important truths with humor. Need to work on giving myself that permission on what I do/don’t want to prioritize
I couldn't love this more Christy. I gave up long so on anyone having matching socks. Do I care, do my kids care? (Well actually yes my 4 year old organized kid said she wished she had more matching things..) But to the point: who gives a !@$# ?! When you write a parenting book I will recommend it to everyone. And good to know I still have a year to figure out parenting because I'm definitely not there. (+ Thank you for the generous shout out!! 💗)