In writing this column, I have striven to be as honest as possible while keeping my sense of humour. In most cases, the columns I have struggled to write have also had the most feedback. Other moms reach out to tell me they appreciate reading about the things that often go unsaid, at least in public.
There is a good reason for that, of course, and that is that we fear what others will think of us, and our parenting choices. We fear that if we speak honestly, we’ll be judged for our fears, our struggles, our resentments. It is as if in becoming parents we are expected to transform instantly into gracious, generous, and selfless people, while really we are the same flawed perpetual adolescents we always were, now with more responsibility.
All parents want to be seen as “good” parents, whatever that means exactly.