The good parts
We had a good day today (she says with hesitation). There were few cries, uninterrupted sleeps and big smiles from both of us.
We were due a good day (she says with a little less hesitation). It has been a week of endless cries, interrupted sleeps and no smiles from both of us.
We deserve a bad day soon (she says with confidence). We will hear the cries again soon, we will be more awake than asleep and we will pray for smiles from both of us.
Since becoming a mother I have noticed that this sort of behaviour is prevalent.
We are reluctant to share our good days, are comfortable expressing optimism, yet are confident promoting our bad days. As a motherhood inspired writer I see this mindset exacerbated. Many write about their struggles rather than their triumphs and the negatives rather than the positives.
I get it. As a writer I know that people often turn to us to feel like they are not alone in their struggles and hardships. I take pride in showcasing motherhood in all of it’s glory. The good, the bad, the pretty, the ugly.
However, I feel like I’m not keeping up my end of the bargain.
When I sat to write down a positive post, I hesitated. I had an urge to delete. I saved and thought about it.
I struggle to write about my peaks because I don’t want to be seen to be bragging or be considered as “that mum”. The mum who apparently has it all together. The fake mum. The mum who people avoid in the grocery store in order to continue feeling confident enough in their parenting ability.
And there started an important thought process for me. Yes we all want to feel normal and yes we all want to feel like we are doing enough, however, it is healthy to share the positives too. There is a fine line but motherhood is beautiful journey and we shouldn’t feel bad about sharing the good parts too.