In Praise of Perfect and Imperfect Parents
Speaking of imperfect parents, I just read an interesting USA Today article
about "beta moms," mothers who proudly admit they fall short of the ideal. You know us (yes, I'm in that camp): we lose permission slips, don't show up for every school event, and will shoo away our kids to play outside--without adults.
I enjoyed reading the story because it's a validation of what I'm doing, but what I wished the writer had explored is why parents, especially mothers, feel so much pressure to be perfect these days. The way it's written, you'd think it was all a result of us being high achievers in the workplace--not some larger cultural force. It's not just the Ivy League, ex-investment banker moms succumbing to this mythology and guilt. Most of us feel it because of intense social pressures and messages that we receive everywhere...and which, by the way, are reinforced by the school system. But I've discussed this before.
Stumble It!
posted by pam at 11:59 AM
7 Comments:
Wait- Child magazine is no longer being published?!!!
I watched the bit on GMA about 'Alpha' Moms.
I think that the need to categorize mothers/ people in general is silly.
Yes, agree that putting labels on moms can be silly, but I think sometimes the labels can point to larger issues, worth discussing.
Yes, agree that putting labels on moms can be silly, but I think sometimes the labels can point to larger issues, worth discussing.
Hi. I enjoy your blog but find that your links don't usually work when I click on them. For instance, when I clicked on the USA Today article, I got one of those This Page Can't Be Displayed messages I usually get when I try the links from your blog. Do you know what I can do to avoid this? Do you try the links yourself after writing an entry and find they work? Thanks for your help.
Thanks anonymous for pointing this out! I've fixed the links on this posting. It was my mistake--due to rushing through the writing of these posts.
Wait...sadly departed Child Mag? What am I missing here?
I agree that there is a discussion here. Why do we as moms have to always pit ourselves against one another? Motherhood is hard and impossible to do perfectly so can't we all just celebrate our own successes and call that good enough? Can we all be our own type of Alpha Mom? I'd rather call myself that then a Slacker. Dang.
Tracey,
Yes, it's very sad--Child mag folded. Another victim of the internet. Look in my March 2007 posting--you'll find some info about it.
P
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