Remember books? And: what do you REALLY think about moms?

[stoney321]

I've spent the past fews days reminding myself how good it feels to hold paper in my hands. Got a copy of 2003 Best American NonRequired Reading, edited by Dave Eggers, one of my faves. Good stuff. Some Lynda Barry, Dave Sedaris, even some Onion reporting. I loved this:
"The ideal reader cannot sleep when holding the writer he was meant to be with." I can think of 4 writers to whom I am their bitch.

And: "To think of oneself as the perfect receptacle for an artwork is one of the few wholly benign human vanities."

Now: SangueUK had a brilliant thought that has stuck with me for days: "it seems motherhood has replaced the pastoral myth." I totally agree. We're in a baby boom here in the States, and I wonder why. As a mom, well, at times there is a daily struggle to figure out who I am. Mother? Just me? What the hell does that mean? A lot of times it's a love/hate relationship. A lot of times I feel cheated out of being me.

For those of you who are moms, what do you think about it? Be honest: motherhood is 20 percent greatness and 80 percent shit, sometimes literally. For those who aren't mothers: why? (And I fully support those decisions, btw.) I'm interested in your disillusionment, or your utter joy.

Feel free to vent or praise or sneer.

Comments

[spikesbint.livejournal.com]

I love being a mother, but it's a tough job. Sometimes I resent cleaning up after my kids, thinking who the f**k made me their personal slave.

I feel I cannot be myself, but must be what they want me to be. I often lose my own sense of identitiy into the bargain. I started my family young, giving birth to my first child at the age of 20. (married at 19)

I often think motherhood is a thankless task, littered by comments from evil children about my failings as a mother. I feel what ever I do will never be good enough, but would I give it all up?? NO, don't ask me why though as I would be hard pressed to come up with a reason, besided the fact that I love my kids (even in their moments of horribleness)

Angela

:)

[serenelystrange.livejournal.com]

Im not a mother but i can relate to you. I know its not the same, but ive been helping raise my younger brothers since i was barely 9. Ive seen the struggles my mother has gone through and i know what a thankless job it is to raise children. As of today, i dont think i ever want kids, lol, but i suppose it would be different if they were my own. All i can say is that as long as you love your kids no matter what they will grow up to realize how much they owe to you, :)

I know what you mean

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I'd say most times I love it. I got married and had kids young, too (22). If I get too much free time I start to think about where I would be if I hadn't gotten married (then divorced with 2 babies) then married again. WHat if's are the plague of my life. I'd be something fantastic if I didn't have them, but then I'll see my son stretched out in the sun, long brown legs casually crossed at the ankle, and he'll smile up at me. Or the unexpected arms thrown around your neck and a kiss to the cheek... And I don't feel so cheated. You know?

Man, it sure can be thankless!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

My best friend isn't going to have kids, so she borrows mine on occassion. Part of me envies that freedom. There is a lot more that you can do in life without sprogs, so enjoy your freedom!! I can see the benefit of both choices. I wonder if a lot of new, young mothers think it is supposed to be something mythical, or once the babies here everything is going to be fine?

Re: Man, it sure can be thankless!

[serenelystrange.livejournal.com]

I hear ya. Several of my friends and family members thought that the pregnancy would be the hardest, and then life would be happy and perfect. Boy, were they wrong, lol. I "borrow" relatives too and im always glad when i can give them back. For now, i am enjoying my freedom. Good luck, lol.