I admit that I’m a naturally curious person.
I genuinely do wonder how other mothers live their lives and “do it all” with various situations, different amount of kiddos, and diverse strengths and weaknesses. I think it’s encouraging to hear the struggles and triumphs of mothers and the common bonds we all share.
But all of that wondering can quickly cross over into the dangerous territory of comparing. If you’ve ever spent any embarrassingly depressing amounts of time on Instagram wondering why your life sucks so much in comparison to that mom who just gave birth and is somehow lounging in a bikini two day postpartum with a fresh manicure, it’s not only a complete waste of time, but it’s really damaging as well.
And it’s taken me a really long time (like eight years of parenting long), but I’m finally starting to see that there are so many things about motherhood that you really should not care about, like…
Image: j&j brusie photography
1. How many kids that mom has.
If you’ve ever met a mom, found out how many kids she has, then contrasted/compared anything about her life to your own, you know what I’m talking about.
It doesn’t matter if you have two and she has 10; you are both different people with different strengths, make-ups, health, backgrounds and abilities. You’re no better, no worse, so it’s pointless to compare.
2. How much weight any other pregnant women gains
Yes, some women pull of the “skinny pregnant” look and some women pull of gaining weight by drinking air, but there’s all one mutual goal in mind, I swear. (I’m talking about the baby, guys, if that wasn’t clear.)
Read the rest of what all moms should stop caring about over at Mom.me here.
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Good one, Chaunie—as usual! And of course it isn’t just moms of young children who make these comparisons, as you know. I can’t even begin to count all the times I’ve compared myself to other people who come out way ahead of me. But these days I give myself a little more credit than I used to. At least I try to!
I totally missed you here, Melissa! Good to hear from you! 🙂 I’m loving your daughter’s blog too!
I have two daughters, but I imagine you mean Rosie, the one with five kids. You might enjoy Meg’s, too—piercedhands.com/blog. Whichever one you mean, I’m glad you enjoy it!